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Xiao Xiao nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Uncle-Master... I can't sleep because of the pain from my wound. Could you help me by pressing my acupoints to help me fall asleep?"

Wen Su had no choice but to comply.

As he watched her close her eyes, the worry in his eyes became undisguised. The lingering poison had left her with a persistent high fever, and her heartbeat and pulse hadn't returned to normal. She slept too lightly, occasionally letting out weak moans. He felt her pain as if it were his own. He wasn't afraid of death, but at this moment, he couldn't help but worry. If they couldn't leave this island, she might…

He reached out and wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead, sighing unconsciously.

Then, a strange sound drifted on the sea breeze, like a flute or a xiao, plaintive and mournful. On this desolate island, such a sound could only send chills down one's spine.

Wen Su drew his sword and stood up, on guard.

The faint sound of bells grew louder as several figures flew across the sea and landed in front of Wen Su.

"Oh, who do we have here? It's Master Wen from the East Sea." A cheerful female voice rang out, accompanied by eerie music, carrying a hint of danger.

Wen Su gave a cold laugh, "This is indeed the South China Sea territory..."

"Of course."

The newcomers were a group of female disciples from the North Divine Palace of the South Sea, and the one leading them was the woman who had appeared in the East Sea a few days ago.

"Tsk..." The woman's eyes gleamed with mockery. "I never expected this. The East Sea is known for its many injustices; even a three-year-old knows that. But to think that the mighty East Sea would be driven to this state by the court's lackeys is truly beyond my comprehension! What's most impressive is that they managed to force the East Sea's chief disciple to come to my South Sea... Heh heh..."

After she finished speaking, the girls behind her all laughed.

Wen Su ignored him.

The woman laughed and said, "You should thank me. If it were a lackey of the imperial court who had found you, you would be doomed."

"Enough with the nonsense." Wen Su was getting impatient.

“Master Wen…” the woman looked at him, “Judging from your appearance, your internal energy is damaged. I wouldn’t even need to lift a finger to defeat you.”

"So what?" Wen Su gripped the knife tightly, quietly gathering his strength.

The woman frowned and sighed, "Why are you people from the East Sea so stubborn? If you just soften your stance, admit defeat, and apologize, I might be pleased and spare your life, and even take you as my chief disciple..."

Wen Su instantly drew his sword and slashed at the woman.

The woman laughed, deflecting his attack, and stepped back, saying with a smile, "You get angry so easily?"

Wen Su snorted coldly and said, "I suddenly thought of a way to escape: kill you all, seize the boat and leave... Come to think of it, you really are my savior, Miss Luo."

The woman still laughed easily, "Hehe, let's see if you have the ability!" After she finished speaking, she suddenly leaped up and landed next to Xiaoxiao.

A murderous glint appeared in Wen Su's eyes, and he thrust his blade forward.

The female disciples who had been chatting and watching from the sidelines immediately stepped forward and blocked his attack.

The woman smiled, squatted down, and said, "Ah, I know this girl. She's the only girl in the East Sea who's willing to be obedient and submissive. I like her."

"Young Palace Master, why not take her back? Anyway, we already said last time that we wanted her to join the South Sea," a female disciple said.

The woman addressed as Young Palace Master smiled and nodded. "Good idea, Master Wen. You don't mind, do you?"

Wen Su knocked aside several female disciples, leaped forward, and slashed at the woman with his sword.

The woman instantly drew a short knife from her waist and blocked his blade. With one hand, she gripped his small throat.

Wen Su abruptly withdrew his sword strike and took a few steps back.

The woman smiled with satisfaction and said, "It seems that she is not an ordinary disciple to you, Master Wen..."

"If you hurt her, I'll make you suffer a terrible death," Wen Su said coldly.

The woman scoffed, "Hmph, I told you long ago. You East Sea people need to change this habit... Here's what we'll do: you drop your sword, kneel down, and say, 'The young palace mistress is as beautiful as a flower, unparalleled in the world, and possesses unparalleled martial arts skills, unifying the four seas,' and I'll let her go."

Upon hearing this, the women around him burst into unrestrained laughter.

Wen Su's expression grew increasingly cold, his eyes burning with intense anger.

The woman gently stroked the little girl's hair. "Oh, my dear girl, when you reach the Yellow Springs, remember this: it's not that I'm heartless, but that the chivalrous Wen Su refused to help you..."

Wen Su remained silent for a long time, then threw the knife in his hand to the ground and said, "If we're going to talk about terms, let's get down to business. Let's skip the nonsense."

Upon hearing this, the woman slowly stood up. "I'm not going to be serious. I'll make you kneel down first."

Wen Su looked at her, gritting his teeth inwardly.

The woman smiled brightly and said, "Very well, I'll be serious with you this once." She slowly walked a few steps and stood not far from Wen Su. "Although the East and South Seas are rivals, they are also of one mind. Now that you are besieged by the imperial court, if we take advantage of your misfortune, my South Sea will not be able to stand in the martial world in the future. Today, I can lend you my small boat to help you escape your predicament. The conditions are..."

Wen Su's expression remained indifferent, seemingly unconcerned about what she said.

The woman didn't mind his coldness and smiled, "The condition couldn't be simpler. You just need to give me the first half of the 'Mysterious Moon Heart Sutra'."

Upon hearing this, Wen Su frowned slightly. The "Mysterious Moon Heart Sutra" was an internal energy cultivation method passed down by the Shenxiao Sect to the seventy-two islands of the East Sea. Later, due to ongoing conflicts between the Southeast and East Seas, the second volume of the sutra was lost in the chaos. The East Sea's sole objective had always been to reclaim the South Sea islands and retrieve the sutra. And now, she wanted him to use the sutra as a bargaining chip?

"What? You're reluctant?" The woman sighed. "Master Wen, what use is the Heart Sutra if you lose your life? Besides... are you prepared to sacrifice this girl's life as well?"

Wen Su remained silent, not uttering a single word.

Seeing this, the woman said, "Good, Master Wen truly has backbone. Let's go..."

"Wait..." Wen Su began. He glanced at Xiao Xiao beside him, his voice low and reluctant, "I agree..."

The woman immediately smiled, "Hero Wen is indeed a man of great loyalty and righteousness. Since you have agreed, now recite the Heart Sutra to me!"

Wen Su said, "Miss Luo, this kind of transaction is unfair..."

"What do you want?" the woman asked.

“If we both escape danger, Wen Su will naturally present the second volume of the Heart Sutra with both hands in the future, and will never go back on his word,” Wen Su said.

"Haha, Master Wen, in this way, I'm the one who'll suffer the loss!" The woman shook her head.

"Whatever you want." Wen Su said, turning his head away and ignoring her.

The woman thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll give you a discount, so you won't say that I, from the South China Sea, am bullying people later."

Upon hearing this, Wen Su strode past the woman and went straight to Xiao Xiao. He knelt down, picked her up, and carried her to a small boat.

“Master Wen,” the woman called out, stopping him. She walked to his side, held out her hand, and in her palm was a dark red pill. “I’ve done as you wished, shouldn’t you show some sincerity in return?”

Wen Su looked at the pill, a hint of impatience in his expression.

"This is a special poison from the South China Sea called 'Seven Kills.' After taking it, there will be no abnormalities for seven days. But after seven days, for one hour each day, the pain will be excruciating, worse than death. Then, every seven days, the pain will increase by one hour. After ninety-one days..." the woman said slowly.

Wen Su didn't listen to the whole story before he freed his hand, took the poison from her hand, and put it in his mouth.

The woman was slightly startled, "...The antidote is only found in the South China Sea..."

"Are you done talking?" Wen Su asked coldly.

The woman had nothing to say and could only remain silent.

Wen Su ignored her and boarded the small boat next to him.

The woman watched them leave, and after a long while, with a slight smile, she spoke, "I never expected that someone as cold-hearted as him would treat a young lady like this..."

...

On the sea, under the vast darkness of night, Wen Su stood on the small boat, holding the oar, and suddenly felt a sense of clarity in his heart.

On the boat, Xiao Xiao, whose pressure points had been acupunctured, slept soundly, appearing even more peaceful and serene under the night sky.

A smile unconsciously crept onto Wen Su's face. This warmth and contentment was something he had never experienced before in his life. It was like parched and cracked soil suddenly encountering a spring rain, instantly moistening its surface and allowing the previously lifeless soil to gradually sprout new life.

...

...This is a dividing line indicating a conspiracy = =+...

On the East China Sea, the Lian family's fleet was slowly retreating, breaking the encirclement of the seventy-two islands.

Wei Qilue, with dissatisfaction, stood in Lian Zhao's room and said, "Young Master Lian, don't you think it's a pity to withdraw your troops now?"

Lian Zhao looked at the nautical chart and said calmly, "It's not a retreat, but a short rest before redeploying our forces."

"Young Master Lian, in my humble opinion, pressing our advantage is the best course of action."

Lian Zhao turned around and looked at him. "Young Master Wei, the nautical chart has been stolen, and I dare not take any risks. Besides... since someone has poisoned the spring water in the seventy-two islands of the East China Sea, it has probably already stirred up public resentment. We must be even more careful in our future actions..."

"Is Young Master Lian blaming me?" Wei Qi asked with a smile.

Lian Zhao shook his head. "I'm just reminding Young Master Wei that although this campaign against the East Sea is for the 'Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts,' it's being carried out in the name of the imperial court and according to the laws of the Great Song Dynasty. If anyone commits unjust acts, it will not only damage the prestige of my Lian family but also the face of the current emperor. Young Master Wei, you must know this, right..."

Wei Qi laughed and said, "Young Master Lian is quite right. I was too hasty..."

Lian Zhao nodded without saying anything.

“However, I am curious. The Lian family is known for its unparalleled archery skills, yet today, Young Master Lian's three arrows missed two of their intended targets…” Wei Qi said. “The Lian family is loyal to the court, and they would never bend the law for personal gain or condone bandits. So, it must be their archery skills…”

Lian Zhao frowned and said, "I am still young and my skills are not yet proficient. I have made a fool of myself in front of Young Master Wei..."

“Hehe, Young Master Lian is too modest. After all, one out of the three arrows hit its mark…” Wei Qi smiled, but his eyes were icy cold. “It’s getting late, so I won’t disturb your rest any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”

He exchanged a few pleasantries and then left the room.

As soon as he left, Lian Zhao's expression turned cold. He turned around with a hint of disdain, walked to the edge of the couch, and sat down. Beside him lay a five-foot-long wooden box. His fingers gently traced the surface of the box, he pondered for a moment, and then opened it.

Inside the box lay a carved bow. The bow was over four feet long, made of steel, its body wrapped in silk, pure white, and adorned with jade at the horns. It didn't resemble a weapon at all, exuding no murderous aura, but rather seemed like a work of art. Above the bow were four small characters: "Frosty Sky Embracing the Moon."

Beside the bow, there was also a scroll. Black background with white text, very solemn, and two large characters on the cover caught the eye: Shenxiao.

Lian Zhao reached out, picked up the scroll, and gently unfolded it. On it, written in running script, were the following words:

"Nan Dou Yan Shou: The Three Corpse Divine Needles supplemented with lodestone from the Shennong family"

Beidou has killed: What has disappeared is unknown.

Zhu Yang: The Seventy-Two Islands of the East China Sea with Double Blades

Frosty Sky Reaching for the Moon: The Archer and the Lian Family

Si Chen: Halberd Hero Fortress

Martial Spirit: Dao Taiping City

Lan: Jianyue Lan Sword Sect

Liquan: A Gun-wielding Yue Fei

Zhanlong: "The whereabouts of something are unknown."

Indeed, this is the "Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts" that everyone in the world covets...

Lian Zhao frowned as he looked at the document. At the end of the document, two characters were written in a flamboyant style: Han Qing.

Over a decade ago, the Shenxiao Sect dispatched numerous people to search for the whereabouts of the "Nine Emperors' Divine Weapons." One of their disciples, Han Qing, single-handedly ventured into several renowned sects in the martial world. However, shortly afterward, Marshal Yue Fei was unjustly killed, and the Ghost Master disappeared from the martial world, leaving the matter of the Nine Emperors unresolved. This list of Shenxiao Sect members likely belonged to the Ghost Master at that time. Now, many of the weapons listed have changed hands and are difficult to locate. The few that are confirmed are all within the possession of major martial arts sects—retrieving them would be no easy task.