Bad things happen often

Chapter 143

Upon hearing this, Lian Zhao smiled slightly and said, "Yes." He tightened his grip on her fingers and said, "I will protect you and will never let you suffer any harm."

A small touch of emotion touched her heart, and the smile in her eyes shone even brighter.

Lian Zhao looked at her, smiled, and added, "However, you are now the leader of the martial arts alliance, with a group of supporters. I'm afraid you don't need my protection anymore, right?"

Xiao Xiao said, "Ah, supporters? How come I didn't know that?"

Lian Zhao sighed dramatically, “Alas, every time something happens, Guijiu and Bizi are the first to come to your rescue, followed closely by Yinxiao and Wensu. Taiping City and Hero Fort will not stand idly by either. Now even the Qi family has been brought under your command... If I want to protect you, I have to find a way to get to the front first.”

These words were clearly a joke, and Xiao Xiao laughed, saying, "Oh, it's jealousy."

Lian Zhao did not deny it, and replied, "Yes."

When he answered like that, Xiao Xiao couldn't respond.

Seeing her stunned expression, Lian Zhao chuckled and asked, "So that's an admission?"

Xiao Xiao muttered, "The evidence is conclusive, there's no way to deny it."

Lian Zhao pulled her up and said, "Since you've admitted it, let's settle this privately." After he finished speaking, he smiled, pulled her up, and walked forward.

Xiao Xiao smiled and followed him happily.

But in that instant, she suddenly realized something… She was now the leader of the martial arts alliance, commanding those who possessed the “Nine Emperors’ Divine Artifacts”, wasn’t she? Could it be? …No, impossible… How could something so inexplicable happen…

Her worry was fleeting; she quickly dismissed it. Only one thought remained in her mind:

It ended very quickly...

...

The Limitless Dao [Part 1]

After escaping from the Yue Lan Sword Sect, Wei Qi and Wen Jing traveled day and night to Nanfeng. However, Wen Jing was injured and not fit to travel far, so the group found a quiet village to stay in.

Wen Jing had suffered internal injuries since the last battle and had been traveling for days without being properly treated. The injury, which was not serious to begin with, was getting worse. He was already angry because he had been defeated by Wen Su, and now he was annoyed by the injury and became even more irritable.

Looking at the medicine in front of him, anger rose in his heart. He swung his hand fiercely, and the medicine bowl fell to the ground. The medicine and the sound of the bowl shattering splashed everywhere, filling the room with the smell of medicine.

At this moment, Wei Qi knocked on the door and entered, his brows furrowed with worry. He said, "Island Lord Wen, my scouts just reported that the alliance has already assembled and we can't delay any longer... I'm afraid we can't wait for the Island Lord's injuries to heal."

Upon hearing this, Wen Jing steadied his breathing and said, "What Lord Wei says is quite right. I dare not delay important matters. However, I still have one thing to worry about."

"What is it?" Wei Qi asked.

"Now, together with the divine artifacts we possess, we have a total of eight, which is still insufficient to accomplish great things. Moreover, the secret of the Nine Emperors has not yet been uncovered. I fear that the Celestial Master's great undertaking will be difficult to achieve."

Upon hearing this, Wei Qi laughed and said, "Island Lord Wen, you can rest assured. To be honest, the ninth divine artifact is in the hands of the Celestial Master. The Celestial Master understands the secrets of heaven and naturally knows how to use the Nine Emperors. A magic array capable of activating the Nine Emperors has already been set up in Nanfeng City. Once we get there, everything will be accomplished."

"I see..." Wen Jing nodded with a smile.

Wei Qi also smiled and said, "Island Master Wen, now, could you please hand over the divine artifact you possess?"

Wen Jing spoke up: "If I refuse, what then?" After saying that, Wen Jing couldn't help but cough a few times.

Seeing this, Wei Qi smiled calmly and said, "Island Master Wen, a wise man knows when to yield."

As soon as he finished speaking, several disciples of Hero's Fortress rushed into the room. At the same time, black-clad Japanese ninjas appeared out of thin air, and the two sides confronted each other.

Wen Jing stood up, looking exhausted, and said, "Wei Qi, are you kicking me after I've served my purpose?"

“Not at all…” Wei Qi shook his head and said, “I was just teaching Island Master Wen the rules of the martial world.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Qi struck out with his palm, aiming straight for Wen Jing's heart. Seeing this, the surrounding crowd immediately erupted into a chaotic brawl.

Wen Jing barely dodged the first blow, his brows furrowed, and he remained silent.

Wei Q's smile grew even more smug, each move a deadly strike, leaving no room for retreat. He withdrew his palm and kicked Wen Jing in the abdomen. As Wen Jing raised his hand to defend, Wei Q struck again, aiming for Wen Jing's crown.

A smile suddenly flashed in Wen Jing's eyes. He instantly retreated, dodging the palm strike, and at the same time, struck Wei Qi's chest with both palms.

Wei Qi knew that Wen Jing was injured and had not recovered for several days. Feeling that victory was in his grasp, he lowered his guard and was caught off guard, taking the blow squarely and staggering back several feet.

Wei Qi coughed up a mouthful of blood, staring at Wen Jing in disbelief. The Hero's Fort disciples, caught in the ensuing chaos, were thrown into disarray, allowing the Japanese ninjas to gain the upper hand.

Wen Jing put his hands behind his back, straightened his back, and showed no trace of fatigue. He looked at Wei Qi and smiled, "Lord Wei, in terms of experience in the martial world, I am slightly better. Let me teach you the rules of the martial world!"

"So, your injury healed a long time ago..." Wei Qi's breathing was disordered, and his tone was full of frustration.

Wen Jing smiled kindly, "I'm afraid this matter doesn't need me to say anything more, does it?"

Wei Qi gritted his teeth, picked up the table beside him, and hurled it at Wen Jing. Wen Jing scoffed and smashed the table to pieces with a single palm strike. However, Wei Qi seized the opportunity to smash open the window and escape.

Inside the room, the Japanese ninjas had already killed all the disciples of Hero's Fortress. Seeing this, Wen Jing shouted, "Chase them!"

Upon receiving the order, the ninja immediately gave chase.

Wen Jing glanced at the messy room, a smug smile on his face. He pushed open the door and went outside, where a group of ninjas had already gathered.

"The divine artifact that Wei Qi possesses must be here. Search it!"

Upon Wen Jing's command, the ninjas scattered and began searching.

Half an hour later, Wen Jing looked at the artifacts he had found, and his smile deepened.

"Set off immediately for Nanfeng," he ordered loudly, then turned and walked away.

A moment later, Wen Jing's men hurried away. However, at that moment, no one noticed that after they left, someone stood at the entrance of the secluded village, watching them go with a complicated smile...

...

Meanwhile, at the Hero's Fortress branch, after learning of Wei Qi's whereabouts, the alliance members immediately dispatched disciples from the "Qufang" sect to pursue them. The remaining members, after a brief regrouping, headed for Nanfeng that very day. The Hero's Fortress branch was instantly bustling with activity and excitement.

As Xiao Xiao sat in those sixteen large sedan chairs once more, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Going out to scare people again, huh? It's really not easy...

As soon as Xiao Xiao sat down, Shi Le'er climbed up and sat down beside her with a smile, sweetly calling out, "Alliance Leader Sister."

Xiao Xiao naturally couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to let her have her way.

Shi Le'er leaned against her with a grin and said, "Being the leader of the alliance isn't bad, is it? This sedan chair is quite comfortable to sit in."

Xiao Xiao smiled and responded, but her gaze remained fixed on the outside of the sedan chair. The vanguard before the chair was still the Lian family's archers, with Lian Zhao riding at the forefront, bowing his head and giving instructions to his men. Xiao Xiao could easily guess his expression; though serious, his innate gentleness remained in his eyes. His lack of arrogance and haughtiness was what gave him his noble air.

At that moment, she recalled his words from not long ago. The destruction of the Shenxiao Sect was the current emperor's decree. Even if there were hidden reasons, getting the emperor to retract his order would not be easy. This trip to Nanfeng, no matter what, would inevitably involve innocent people. For the court, the secret of the Nine Emperors was not important; what mattered was that the Shenxiao Sect absolutely could not be allowed to find the so-called "True Son of Heaven"...

Xiao Xiao felt increasingly heavy-hearted as she thought about it, just then she heard a cheer. It turned out that the sedan chair had been carried out of the branch's gate and onto the street. The villagers had heard the legends of the "Three-String Heroine" and greatly admired her many righteous deeds. Of course, this was also thanks to the tireless praise from the "Music House." In short, upon seeing this imposing martial arts leader, the people naturally lined the streets to welcome her, cheering and applauding, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Just like at the beginning, Xiao Xiao didn't feel happy. On the contrary, the vague unease in her heart grew stronger, and Qi Han's words kept swirling in her mind, refusing to leave.

The "Nine Emperors" do not refer to the nine weapons themselves, but rather to the people who wield them. With the assistance of these nine individuals, one can rule the world.

She didn't know why, but even though it was something that could never possibly concern her, she still couldn't help but worry. This worry subtly entwined herself, slowly tightening. She unconsciously wondered what would happen if she were unfortunately the one who would gain power...

She shook her head, trying to stop herself from thinking about it any further. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Shi Le'er lift the gauze curtain on the sedan chair and wave to the villagers along the way with a smile.

After a moment's thought, she asked, "Lord Shi..."

Shi Le'er turned around upon hearing the voice and said, "Sister, just call me Le'er."

"Le'er..." Xiao Xiao nodded and said, "Do you want the world?"

Shi Le'er frowned. "The world? I've considered unifying the martial arts world, but I have no interest in the world."

"Why?"

Shi Le'er laughed, "Unifying the martial arts world is just about being a nominal leader and commanding various sects. It's different when you conquer the world; you have to manage the nation. Things like the four seasons, the people's food and clothing... I'm already working myself to death in just Taiping City. The world, oh how big it is, how many Taiping Cities are there! Leave this kind of mentally taxing, thankless work to the emperor; I have no interest in it!"

Shi Le'er finished speaking in one breath, then glanced at Xiao Xiao, "Sister, why are you asking this? Could it be related to the secret of the Nine Emperors?"

Xiao Xiao laughed and shook her head vigorously, "No, I was just curious."

Shi Le'er looked at her with a skeptical expression, "Really?"

Xiao Xiao nodded and said, "Yes. Lord Shi's words just now were like a wake-up call; I truly admire them!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Le'er laughed and said, "Of course!"

She raised her eyes slightly, looked ahead, and chuckled to herself, "This kind of work should be left to the emperor..."

At that moment, a memory suddenly flashed through her mind: her childhood, watching the sunrise with her master on the mountaintop. The vast, boundless sea of clouds, the fleeting, clear mist stretching for thousands of miles—movement and stillness seemed frozen together, extending endlessly before their eyes. As a child, she gazed at the ever-changing sky, marveling at the breathtaking view, believing there was no more beautiful scenery in the world. Hearing her words, her master smiled and said, "Of course there are more beautiful landscapes in the world, but the scenery one can see in a lifetime is limited." After saying this, her master sighed, "This world is truly vast..."

The world is so vast. And how vast is the human heart? Can it contain this boundless world?

Xiao Xiao closed her eyes and smiled quietly. She was small, her heart was small, and naturally, her ambitions and ideals were small as well. How wise her master was, deciding her entire life with a single sentence: Xiao Xiao…

...

...This is a separator indicating "a few days later" = =+...

Heading southeast from the Hero's Fort branch, it takes about ten days to reach Nanfeng.

This small town has a simple and honest folk culture, and people respect heaven and gods.

In the city, there was a Taoist temple that made furnaces and cauldrons and practiced the art of alchemy. Its incense burned constantly, and believers flocked to the temple.

Logically speaking, the Shenxiao Sect belongs to the talismanic school, renowned for its thunder magic. Practicing external alchemy, on the other hand, belongs to the Golden Elixir school. Although they share the same path, they are vastly different. Naturally, no one could guess that this alchemy hall would be a branch of the Shenxiao Sect.

Once the Mid-Autumn Festival is over, the autumn wind blows bleakly, and each day grows colder than the last. As night falls, there are few pedestrians on the streets.

That night, dark clouds obscured the moon, and the stars were dark. The young Taoist priest in the temple had seen off the last group of worshippers and tidied up the main hall. Just as he was about to go to sleep, he heard a strange noise. Curious, he went out to investigate.

In the deep darkness of the night, a voice asked, "I have heard that Master Chongxu Miaodao is cultivating here in this Taoist temple. I have come from afar, hoping to receive some guidance from you. May I ask the young monk to inform you?"

Upon hearing this, the young Taoist priest opened his eyes wide and searched for the source of the voice in the darkness. After his efforts yielded no results, he had no choice but to honestly reply, "The Celestial Master is in seclusion. Please return, benefactor."

"Seclusion?" The question sounded somewhat eerie in the darkness.

The young Taoist replied, "The Celestial Master has been in seclusion for a long time and will not be coming out anytime soon. Please come back another day, benefactor."

"oh……"

After the reply, there was silence in the darkness. The young Taoist priest felt increasingly uneasy and was about to step forward to investigate when he felt a chill on his neck and was instantly killed.

Immediately, several black figures darted into the Taoist temple, and the sounds of fighting grew louder, disrupting the peace of the night.

The newcomers were, of course, a group of Japanese ninjas led by Wen Jing.

Under the cover of night, this surprise attack caught the Shenxiao disciples in the Taoist temple completely off guard. Wen Jing didn't even have to make a move himself, yet he had already gained the upper hand.

The remaining Shenxiao disciples retreated into the alchemy room, making a last-ditch effort.

Wen Jing walked slowly into the alchemy room with his hands behind his back, looking at the group of Shenxiao disciples with a kind smile.

"Please do not panic, everyone. I am not one to kill indiscriminately. As long as you can tell me the whereabouts of the divine artifact 'Zhanlong' and the Nine Emperors Formation, I will absolutely not harm you..."