Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 98

Xiao Xiao was completely speechless.

At this moment, a strange feeling made Xiao Xiao alert.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Ye Zhihui asked, puzzled.

She chuckled and shook her head, but remained quietly listening to the sounds around her. The setting sun cast shadows into the study. It was too quiet, eerily quiet. She instinctively gripped the broom and feather duster, trying to steady her breathing and heartbeat.

"Sister..." Ye Zhihui wanted to ask something, but suddenly stopped herself from speaking.

Suddenly, the shadows on the ground spread out, and in an instant, several men in black sprang out from the shadows, their long swords gleaming coldly, and charged directly at the two children.

Without a second thought, Xiao Xiao crawled under the desk.

The men in black ignored her; their target was clearly Ye Zhihui.

Before Ye Zhihui could even scream, her mouth was covered.

The little girl held her head in her hands, closed her eyes, but the faint sounds of her struggling and talking still reached her ears.

Japanese? Could these people be the legendary Japanese ninjas? The kind who appear and disappear without a trace, capable of flying and teleporting at will? How dangerous! She's just working here as a maid; this has nothing to do with her…

For some reason, her little heart sank, and she felt a sense of dread. Was she really going to hide under the table like this? To stand by and watch someone die, to protect oneself—that's certainly the behavior of a bad person. She was already in a precarious situation herself, and besides, her master had said, never be a good person!

But does not being a good person mean being a bad person? Is being neither good nor bad? Is the world so clearly black and white? ...

As she thought of this, memories of being taken in involuntarily surfaced in her mind. She owed them a favor; shouldn't she repay it? Although her master wasn't a good person, didn't he meticulously keep track of all the accounts, never daring to forget a single detail? Why, then, did she choose to forget?

When did she become so timid? She doesn't dare step out of the Ye residence's gate, doesn't even dare glance at the arrest warrant, and doesn't even have the courage to face those men in black… Once, she had a silver needle implanted in her wrist that could take her life, and encountered all sorts of dangerous situations, but no matter what happened, she had never been so pathetically hiding under the table. Now, why has she changed?

What does debt matter? What does being scammed matter? What does being wanted matter? What does having nothing matter? ...What is she afraid of? At this moment, what is it that she is truly afraid of?

It was a sudden epiphany; Xiao Xiao felt her blood boil and her heart race. Who cares! Do whatever you want, that's what a bad guy does!

Just then, she saw the men in black tie up Ye Zhihui and prepare to leave.

Xiao Xiao gritted her teeth, overturned the desk with a "whoosh," and stood up. With a broom in one hand and a feather duster in the other, she shouted, "Help—"

The men in black completely ignored her and threw out a hidden weapon.

Xiao Xiao neither dodged nor avoided, but stepped forward to meet the attack head-on. She had forgotten everything else about the East Sea, but the "Fine Embroidered Robe" was still on her body. Those hidden weapons couldn't harm her in the slightest; instead, they gave her the opportunity to attack.

She swung the feather duster, striking the man in black who was holding Ye Zhihui.

The man in black could never have imagined that the maid who had been hiding under the table in a panic would suddenly become so brave. Caught off guard, he let go.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiao grabbed a broom and a feather duster and brandished them a few times. She had been learning double swords from Wen Su for a month, and although her martial arts skills were not yet proficient, her routines were well-practiced and her movements were powerful and imposing. The group of men in black, unable to figure out her strength, were forced to retreat.

Knowing when to stop, Xiao Xiao dropped her "weapon," picked up Ye Zhihui, and rushed out of the study.

Upon seeing this, the men in black gave chase.

Xiao Xiao leaped onto the roof, took a deep breath, and shouted even louder, "Help! Murder!"

The servants and guards inside the Ye residence rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing how things had escalated, the group of men in black drew their swords, preparing to break through. Several of them, particularly agile ones, leaped onto the rooftops and charged towards Xiao Xiao.

With a small gasp, she scooped up Ye Zhihui, used her lightness skill, and ran. The guards and servants were no match for these Japanese ninjas; at this moment, their only option was to find Ye Zhang and rely on the government for protection.

Speaking of the government office, it's not far. It's just across the street. With her light-footed skills, she should be able to get there safely with an eleven-year-old child.

For some reason, the gentle breeze beside her ears and the shouts behind her gave Xiaoxiao a strange sense of relief. It was as if what was chasing after her were all the things she couldn't let go of...

Ye Zhihui held her tightly in her arms, the fear and surprise on her face gone, leaving only excitement.

"Sister, who exactly are you?"

Xiao Xiao chuckled, recalling some rumors. She leaped a few times to steady herself, exclaiming, "The Three-String Heroine!"

Ye Zhihui's eyes lit up.

Running and laughing, she left everything far behind.

...

...This is a scene divider = =+...

After nightfall, the government office was somewhat deserted.

Ye Zhang sat at his desk, intently studying the case in his hands.

Suddenly, the oil lamp on his table flickered and went out, filling the room with the clear moonlight. A faint breeze swept across the table, sending a chill through him.

Ye Zhang frowned and looked up.

Inside the room, a figure stood, unseen by anyone. The clear moonlight bathed his hair, making him appear otherworldly. His black cloud-patterned robe further enhanced his ethereal and otherworldly air, making him seem like a deity.

Ye Zhang looked extremely surprised.

The man nodded slightly and smiled faintly, "How have you been?"

Ye Zhang looked him up and down, then smiled, stood up, walked up to him, and said, "Brother Han! You really are still alive!"

The man spoke up, "It's been more than ten years since we parted ways in Zhuxian Town..."

Ye Zhang sighed, "Time waits for no one..." He smiled at the newcomer and said, "Those who cultivate the Dao truly have a way of preserving their youth. More than ten years have passed, and Brother Han's appearance is still the same as it was back then."

"You flatter me." The man's voice was calm, yet flowing like water, subtly revealing a lively spirit.

"Brother Han, it seems your visit today is more than just a casual reminiscing, isn't it?" Ye Zhang asked.

"To be honest, I came here for Marshal Yue..."

"Marshal Yue?" Ye Zhang asked, somewhat surprised.

The man nodded and took a few steps forward. “Back then, when a great victory was in sight, Marshal Yue died unjustly. For the past ten years or so, I have lived in anonymity, with the sole purpose of clearing his name.”

Hearing these words, Ye Zhang frowned deeply. "With treacherous officials in power now, how easy is it to clear one's name?"

The man smiled and said, "Back then, we were both under the Marshal's command. Don't you want to clear the Marshal's name?"

"The Marshal dedicated his life to serving the country with utmost loyalty. Ye Zhang also admired the Marshal and joined the army. It is Ye Zhang's duty to exonerate the Marshal. However, this matter is of great importance and cannot be handled hastily," Ye Zhang said righteously.

"Don't worry. I have a detailed plan. Now, all that's missing is a token," the man said calmly.

Ye Zhang pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Han, could you be referring to the Marshal's weapon: the Liquan Divine Spear?"

“Exactly,” the man replied. “If I had the Divine Spear, my plan would be foolproof.”

"Hehehe..." Ye Zhang laughed, "To be honest, Brother Han, 'Liquan' is now in my hands."

"really?"

"Of course." Ye Zhang walked back to the desk and touched the corner of the table. "When Marshal Yuan was recalled by the Golden Medal, he entrusted 'Li Quan' to me..." As he spoke, the smile in his eyes gradually disappeared, and a sharp killing intent appeared. "However, there is something I don't understand and would like to ask Brother Han."

"I wouldn't dare." The man's tone grew colder, completely devoid of the warmth he had shown moments before.

"Back in Zhuxian Town, Brother Han should have known long ago that 'Liquan' was in my hands. Why didn't you come directly to me? Why did you go after those innocent brothers first?!" Ye Zhang slammed his hand on the corner of the table, and a long spear sprang out from under the table. He held the spear, pointing it directly at the man, and said sharply, "'Double Yin Blades' Wen Su, you can fool others, but you can't fool me, Ye Zhang!"

Indeed, the visitor was Wen Su.

Seeing this, Wen Su showed no fear, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Lord Ye has excellent eyesight..."

"Hmph! Your wanted poster has already been widely distributed throughout the land! Speak! Did you impersonate the 'Ghost Master' and murder a court official?!" Ye Zhang's murderous aura suddenly appeared, sharp and incisive.

"So what if it is?" Wen Su looked at Qiang Jian and said calmly.

"Today, I will bring you to justice and bring peace to the dead!" Ye Zhang said, then drew his gun and attacked.

Wen Su dodged to the side and drew his weapon. The two then began to fight in the small room.

Ye Zhang was originally a military officer, and although he held a civil post, his martial arts skills had not diminished in the slightest. His spear technique was powerful and vigorous, each move aimed at defeating the enemy. However, Wen Su dodged each attack, using the tip of his blade to deflect the spear, forcing Ye Zhang to switch from offense to defense.

Wen Su parried the spear with his twin swords and said, "What a fine 'Yue Family Spear' technique. It's just a pity you're not Yue Fei."

Ye Zhang sheathed his gun and took a few steps back. "Hmph! You audacious traitor, stop with the empty words! Guards!"

Ye Zhang roared, and a large group of soldiers rushed in, surrounding the small room.

"The day I saw the wanted poster, I sent people to spread the word in the streets and set up this trap, waiting for you to surrender. Today, you have nowhere to escape!" Ye Zhang said angrily.

Wen Su shook his head, smiling. "After the battle in the East Sea, I was already a wanted criminal by the imperial court. Do you think I would be so careless?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he leaped up, rushed off the roof, and landed on the street.

Ye Zhang immediately led his soldiers in pursuit.

Wen Su stood quietly when suddenly, dozens of men in black appeared out of thin air, each wielding a knife, exuding murderous intent, and their appearance did not resemble that of people from the Central Plains.

"You actually colluded with the Japanese?" Ye Zhang recognized the weapons and was slightly surprised.

For a time, the situation became evenly matched, and the two sides reached a stalemate.

“Lord Ye, hand over ‘Li Quan’ and I may spare your life,” Wen Su said.

"You audacious bandits! This is a government-controlled area, how dare you act so recklessly!"

A stern rebuke, accompanied by the rapid sound of horses' hooves, came unexpectedly.

Wen Su frowned and turned his head.

Under the moonlight, a troop of archers rode in, quickly surrounding the street. They drew their bows, the arrows gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

A rider slowly approached, and on horseback sat Lian Zhao. Under the moonlight, he was clad in armor, a long sword at his waist, one hand holding the reins and the other gripping a bow. Judging from the horse's panting, it had arrived in haste. He was covered in dust, but his brows were filled with a fierce fighting spirit that was unapproachable.

He dismounted, looked at Ye Zhang, clasped his hands in a fist and bow and said, "Uncle Ye, Lian Zhao is late."

A smile immediately appeared on Ye Zhang's face. "It's not too late. After we capture this thief, your uncle will treat you to a hearty drink to welcome you home."

Lian Zhao smiled faintly, then stopped smiling and looked at Wen Su.

Wen Su avoided his gaze and said to Ye Zhang, "It seems that Lord Ye has indeed come prepared... Lord Ye is loyal and righteous, which is admirable. I wonder if your daughter is the same?" Wen Su's tone was cold and went straight to the heart.

Ye Zhang was shocked, "Could it be..."

Lian Zhao frowned. "Wen Su, is this the only despicable method you in the East Sea can use?"

Wen Su ignored him, and said with a slight smile, "Lord Ye, I have a piece of advice for you, you should..."

Before Wen Su could finish speaking, a voice called out, "Father!"

Everyone was startled and looked toward the source of the sound.

A figure leaped down from the sky and landed in the encirclement.

"Father!" Ye Zhihui's voice was full of joy, without any fear.

"Zhihui!" Ye Zhang was overjoyed. He looked at the girl holding his daughter, filled with gratitude. "It's you, Xiaoxiao?"

Wen Su and Lian Zhao's expressions both changed.