Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 147

Lian Zhao kept his head down and said, "This humble general knows his crime."

"Since you know your crime, step back and await your fate," the eunuch said solemnly.

"This humble general has something else to report, and I humbly request Your Majesty to hear my words."

The eunuch bowed again, listened to the instructions from inside the carriage, and then said, "Granted."

Lian Zhao paused briefly before speaking, saying, "This humble general was ordered to investigate the whereabouts of the 'Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts,' but failed to report to His Majesty in a timely manner; this is a dereliction of duty on my part." His peripheral vision caught sight of Wei Qi lying on the ground. "The man who just spoke was Wei Qi, the lord of Hero's Fortress. This man is ambitious and treacherous, intending to seize the Nine Emperors and dominate the martial world. His words are tainted by personal motives and cannot be entirely trusted. The 'Nine Emperors' refer to mostly people from the martial world, who are usually carefree and uninvolved in politics, and have no intention of rebellion."

Lian Zhao spoke these words in a very calm tone.

There was no response from inside the carriage. Although the eunuch leaned over to listen, he did not speak for a long time.

Lian Zhao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "To gain the world, one must obtain the power of the 'Nine Emperors,' none of them can be missing. I am also one of the 'Nine Emperors' mentioned by Wei Qi. My Lian family has been loyal for generations, and we have sworn to defend the Song dynasty's empire to the death. We have no intention of serving two masters. I am willing to die to prove my loyalty, and I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

The eunuch's expression changed slightly upon hearing these words. However, the carriage remained completely silent.

Lian Zhao was not in a hurry and did not answer. He knelt there calmly and waited quietly.

The eunuch grew anxious and whispered a question to the carriage. After listening quietly for a moment, he frowned slightly, stood up, and was about to speak.

Suddenly, several riders galloped in. When they reached the front of the army, one of them dismounted and knelt on the ground. Upon closer inspection, it was Lian Ying.

"This humble general, Lian Ying, pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Lian Ying knelt down and announced loudly.

"Aunt?" Lian Zhao was slightly surprised.

Lian Ying glanced at him and continued, “Your Majesty, the Lian family has served the court loyally for generations, fighting in the south and the north. Only on the battlefield are the places where the men of the Lian family die. I implore Your Majesty to demote Lian Zhao to a foot soldier and allow him to die in battle. The entire Lian family is willing to accept our punishment.”

Upon hearing these words, Lian Zhao was filled with fear. But after a moment, that fear vanished, replaced by gratitude. He had almost forgotten how glorious it was to die on the battlefield compared to being convicted and beheaded. The Lian family's reputation was only a hair's breadth apart from this.

He looked up and said, "Your Majesty is wise. This act of deceiving the emperor was committed by Lian Zhao alone and has nothing to do with the Lian family. All the blame should be borne by Lian Zhao alone."

"Shut up." Lian Ying suddenly became angry. She lowered her voice and said to Lian Zhao, "If you had committed any crimes or harbored any ill intentions, the Lian family would have expelled you from the clan long ago. But now, you have lived up to the Lian family's loyalty. Even if you are implicated, what does it matter?"

Lian Zhao looked at Lian Ying, speechless.

Upon seeing this, the eunuch in front of the carriage sighed softly.

Just then, another group of people arrived. Leading them was Ye Zhang, a former subordinate of Yue Fei and now the prefect. He had been ordered to apprehend the remnants of the Donghai rebellion, and now he had appeared in this small town of Nanfeng. Behind him followed a group of court officials, who knelt upon seeing the carriage and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Ye Zhang spoke up, saying, "The Lian family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and has repeatedly achieved military merits. The matter of the 'Nine Emperors' is nothing but superstition and nonsense. How can Your Majesty ruin such a pillar of the nation because of such a common legend? Your Majesty is wise!"

Lian Zhao was even more surprised when he saw him.

At this moment, many soldiers loosened their bowstrings, lowered their swords and halberds, and slowly knelt down.

The atmosphere at that moment was so heavy it was almost suffocating. The military carriages remained silent for a long time.

From afar, those words were transmitted word for word to the Taoist temple.

Xiao Xiao stood at the entrance of the Taoist temple, looking at everything not far away. For some reason, she couldn't stop crying.

At this moment, Yin Xiao came up behind her, his tone tinged with joy, and said, "Girl, Xin Lian was right after all. There really is a secret passage in the temple..."

As Yin Xiao spoke, he saw Xiao Xiao wipe away her tears and laugh.

“Girl, you…” He sensed something and asked cautiously.

"Brother Qi, I'm so stupid, I've forgotten. I've already submitted to the imperial court..." Xiao Xiao said with a smile.

Yin Xiao frowned, "Girl..."

Xiao Xiao glanced at the people standing in front of her: Yin Xiao, Wen Su, Li Si, Yue Huaixi...

“You’ve all said that Lian Zhao is a lackey of the court and would never be sincere to me. Indeed, in his heart, loyalty to the court has always been his top priority. But today, he was willing to deceive the emperor for me and take the blame for me, while I didn’t have the courage to stand by his side… Isn’t that too cunning?” Xiao Xiao said, “Actually, I’m the one who hasn’t been sincere…”

After she finished speaking, she turned and walked out of the temple.

Yin Xiao was slightly startled and reached out to stop her.

"Girl, have you forgotten that he did this to buy you time to leave? If you show yourself, you'll be betraying his good intentions. Can you bear to do that?"

She lowered her head. "My master once told me that it's better to forget each other in the vast world than to cling together in hardship. My master's words have never been wrong. But this time, I want to listen to myself. Sharing wealth and hardship, if it's true love, it's the simplest thing."

She looked at Yin Xiao's arm, which he refused to lower, and said, "I don't want to live a life of shame and regret it for the rest of my life."

Before Yin Xiao could say anything more, his arm was pushed away.

When he looked up and saw who had pushed him away, he couldn't say anything.

That person was Wen Su.

Wen Su lowered his hand and said to Xiao Xiao, "Go."

Xiao Xiao looked at him, unsure how to respond.

"Neither of us will do anything we'll regret again, right?" Wen Su smiled calmly, then looked up at Lian Zhao. "He looked down on you, and he looked down on me too. This matter is enough to make him regret it."

Xiao Xiao laughed after hearing this. She nodded, and without further hesitation, ran out.

...

Before the army, the atmosphere was unusually heavy. Complete silence reigned, broken only by the crackling of torches. Everyone's mood rose and fell with the sound, unable to find a moment's peace.

At this moment, someone rushed over and, with lightning speed, knelt down in front of the army with a thud.

When Lian Zhao saw who it was, he was shocked.

Her knees ached slightly from kneeling so hard, but she paid no heed. Looking at the military carriages, she said, "This humble subject greets Your Majesty!"

Everyone who heard that sound was greatly surprised.

The eunuch was also surprised and asked, "Who are you?"

Xiao Xiao answered honestly, "This humble citizen is Zuo Xiao Xiao..." She thought for a moment and then added, "Uh, I... this humble citizen is a law-abiding citizen!"

The moment those words were spoken, the surrounding area fell completely silent.

Lian Zhao stared blankly at Xiao Xiao, somewhat at a loss.

Xiao Xiao's expression was calm. After a moment's thought, she said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to die to prove my innocence!"

Upon hearing this, Lian Zhao was startled, but quickly regained his composure. He reached out and grabbed Xiao Xiao's arm, saying, "Xiao Xiao, you mustn't speak nonsense before the Emperor!"

Xiao Xiao looked at him but didn't answer. Then she addressed the military carriage, saying, "Your Majesty, just half a year ago, I was nothing more than a poor, wandering girl. My ascension to the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader was purely by chance. Before today, I didn't even know I was the one who would receive the 'Nine Emperors' title. I'm just an ordinary person with no great ambitions. I only wish to be well-fed and clothed, and to live a peaceful life. If I were to say I have any wish, it would be... it would be... uh..." She stammered, unable to continue, and cautiously glanced at Lian Zhao before continuing, "To become the young mistress of the Lian family, the Divine Archer."

Upon hearing this, Lian Zhao was at a loss for words. He was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, unsure whether to be angry or amused. A faint joy, however, welled up uncontrollably in his heart, making him forget his predicament and the absurd things the girl beside him was saying.

“So…” Xiao Xiao steeled himself and raised his voice, “So, if the entire Lian family is to be punished today because of the ‘Nine Emperors,’ my share must also be included.”

After finishing her short story, she felt incredibly relaxed and happy. She turned to look at Lian Zhao and smiled smugly.

Lian Zhao looked at her and unconsciously smiled as well.

At this time, changes also occurred among the members of the alliance.

Holding the "Liquan Divine Spear," Jiang Cheng stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and said loudly, "This humble subject, Jiang Cheng, greets Your Majesty. This humble subject is also one of the 'Nine Emperors'..." He glanced at Lian Zhao and Xiao Xiao, and continued, "Since childhood, this humble subject has aspired to serve the country and has never harbored any intention to rebel or defy Your Majesty. Please see this clearly, Your Majesty."

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples of the "Breaking Wind Style" behind him knelt down as well.

Helan Qifeng, Yin Xiao, and Li Si, who were originally subordinates of the "Breaking Wind Style," exchanged bewildered glances upon seeing this change. However, after a moment, Yin Xiao sighed heavily and knelt down. Li Si and Helan Qifeng exchanged a look and followed suit.

Wen Su glanced at Luo Yuanqing, then put down his twin swords and knelt down, saying, "This humble subject is Wen Su, the new island lord of the seventy-two islands of the East Sea, and the owner of the 'Nine Emperors' Divine Artifact,' Zhu Yang. The East Sea sect has violated the laws of the land, and all its disciples are guilty. This humble subject has already led his disciples to submit to the imperial court to atone for their sins. I beg Your Majesty's judgment."

Seeing him kneel down, Luo Yuanqing looked puzzled, but without saying a word, he also knelt down.

In an instant, as if in a chain reaction, the Jianghu alliances that had been confronting the army all knelt down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and pledging their loyalty. Even the "Shennong Family," which had always been at odds with the Song family, lowered their stance and became extremely humble.

The eunuch in front of the carriage was amazed by the sight before him. At that moment, the current emperor, seated inside the carriage, called out to him, as if he had made a decision.

The eunuch slowly retreated, about to approach the carriage. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept in, and more than a dozen torches were extinguished.

The imperial army was disciplined and there was no disturbance, but this strange situation made everyone wary.

The eunuch sensed something and shouted, "Protect the Emperor!"

Just as the troops were about to make a move, they heard a "hiss." The curtain on the carriage had been cut in half, revealing the yellow robe of the person inside, below their knees.

This action was so swift that it caught everyone's attention.

Xiao Xiao suddenly felt a cool breeze brush past her. She looked up and saw a man of about forty-five or forty-six standing behind her. At this moment, everyone else was kneeling, but one person was standing, which seemed particularly out of place, especially since he was holding half of the carriage curtain in his hand. And this person was none other than Jiang Ji, the leader of the "Broken Wind Flow" sect, Jiang Cheng's father, and known as the number one martial artist in the world.

"Old Master!" Yin Xiao and Li Si were both shocked.

"You audacious assassin!" the eunuch in front of the carriage shouted. "Seize him at once!"

As soon as the eunuch finished speaking, the troops immediately moved. At that very moment, many people dressed in gray and wearing masks suddenly appeared in the night.

Xiao Xiao remembered that her master had said that the "Broken Wind Sect" was the number one sect in the martial arts world, with disciples all over the land. Although they did not have fixed branches, once they were gathered together, their numbers were not to be underestimated.

Jiang Ji threw down the half-screen he was holding and coldly stared at the soldiers in front of him.

That strike was swift as lightning, slicing through the carriage curtain before anyone could even react. Everyone understood that at that moment, if Jiang Ji had wanted to take the lives of those inside, it would have been incredibly easy. This was clearly a threat.

"You tyrant, I don't care what you do. However, I seem to have some connection to the 'Nine Emperors.' If you force me to rebel, you'll be the one who suffers," Jiang Ji said with disdain.

"Father, don't do anything rash!" Jiang Cheng exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this.

"You bastard, if it weren't for the fact that you're on the verge of death, I wouldn't bother with you!" Jiang Ji immediately roared back.

"Insolence!" the eunuch roared in anger. "Seize the assassin!"

The troops on both sides immediately moved and attacked Jiang Ji.

Jiang Ji, however, paid no heed. His movements were as swift as lightning, his techniques as light as the wind. In the blink of an eye, he had already felled several soldiers. But that wasn't all. He leaped into the air and unleashed a palm strike. The force of that palm strike was so powerful that it sent several soldiers flying and shattered several swords and halberds. And after that series of fluid movements, he stood steadily on the carriage, hands behind his back, looking down with pride.

Xiao Xiao was stunned. Everyone was stunned.

This is the most powerful internal energy cultivation technique in the martial arts world, the "Taiyi Heart Sutra." Those who have mastered this skill are as rare as phoenix feathers. Jiang Ji is the only person in the world who can use this ultimate technique, truly the number one in the world.

Just as Xiao Xiao was marveling at this, she saw Lian Zhao quickly pick up his bow and arrow, stand up, and shoot an arrow at Jiang Ji.

Jiang Ji frowned and said, "You're incredibly arrogant!"

The silver arrow flew with extraordinary force, yet Jiang Ji caught it with ease.

"You brat, the emperor wants to kill you, but you insist on protecting him. Such blind loyalty is too much for me to bear! I'll just kill this emperor myself, so you won't do anything stupid!" Jiang Ji finished speaking, threw down the silver arrow, turned around, and struck the person in the carriage with a palm.

Given the distance and the force of the palm strike, no one around could reverse the situation. At the critical moment, suddenly, another palm strike came from nowhere and hit Jiang Ji's back.

Jiang Ji sensed the killing intent and quickly turned around to receive the palm strike.

The two palm strikes were so powerful that they generated a strong wind, causing the clothes of the surrounding crowd to flutter. Within the gust of wind, the two figures instantly separated, each standing in a different direction. When everyone looked closely, they saw that the one who had resolved the crisis with a single palm strike was none other than the Celestial Master, Wang Wenqing, who had been imprisoned in the secret chamber of the Taoist temple!

Wang Wenqing held a snow-white whisk in his left hand, his right hand behind his back, his cloud robe fluttering, and his expression calm and serene. He was truly an immortal and otherworldly being.

"Who do we have here? It's the Celestial Master. My apologies for my rudeness." When Jiang Ji saw the newcomer's appearance, his domineering tone suddenly softened a bit, and he said this.