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The sky is high and the sea is wide?

She looked up at the sky filled with the morning light, but felt no joy whatsoever...

...

Doing everything

The sky is high and the sea is wide?

She looked up at the sky filled with the morning light, but felt no joy whatsoever...

...

...This is a separator to connect to the previous chapter = =+...

"Girl, I've finally found you! What are you doing standing here?"

A light pat on the shoulder was heard, and Silver Owl's joyful voice became clear.

She turned her head slightly, speechless.

Yin Xiao was slightly startled when he saw her face covered in tears, unsure of how to respond.

Li Si also rushed over and, seeing the situation, immediately looked ahead. All around were the chirping of birds and insects, the dappled sunlight, and no human presence. She then smiled and said, "Ah, Miss Zuo, it's too dangerous to stay here. Let's go and rejoin the others."

After she finished speaking, she took the little girl's hand, winked at Yin Xiao, and walked away.

Xiao Xiao was in complete disarray, being led away in a daze, without saying a word.

...

About a quarter of an hour later, the three arrived at a tavern in a mountain village. The tavern owner, dressed in a flamboyant manner, sat at the entrance, munching on melon seeds and enjoying the scenery. Upon seeing Yin Xiao and his group, she beamed with joy, tossed down her melon seeds, and rushed over to solicit business, insisting that they come in for a drink.

Yin Xiao and Li Si did not refuse and went straight in.

The proprietress walked behind the counter of the tavern, raised her hand, and effortlessly lifted several wine jars weighing dozens of kilograms each. There was nothing beneath the wine jars, but with a push and a press, the lid on the ground rose up, revealing a tunnel.

The three entered the tunnel and walked for a while before the space suddenly opened up, revealing a hidden world. Below ground was a courtyard with a pond in the center, planted with lotus flowers and carp. Palace lanterns hung all around, illuminating the ground as bright as day. Around the courtyard were several wine jars, their fragrant aroma filling the air.

Those who were originally imprisoned in the Shennong family dungeon have all gathered in this courtyard. Some are healing their wounds, while others are chatting and laughing, creating a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.

He Lan Qifeng lay half-reclined on the couch, surrounded by beauties, enjoying himself immensely.

Upon seeing Yin Xiao and his group enter, Helan Qifeng raised his wine glass and said, "You guys are the slowest of all."

Silver Owl retorted indignantly, "I don't want to leave yet! How can I quell my anger without tearing down a few of their houses?!"

He Lan Qifeng laughed and said, "The Shennong family has many disciples. Once the imperial reinforcements arrive, we have no chance of winning. It is best to quit while we are ahead."

"I think you're getting old. You're hesitant and timid when you do things."

"That's called being cautious and prudent."

"Don't they mean the same thing?"

Seeing this, Li Si smiled and sighed, then stepped forward to smooth things over.

Xiao Xiao stood there, listening to the lively sounds around her, but felt increasingly lonely.

"You're finally back..." Luo Yuanqing's voice suddenly rang out.

She looked up and saw Luo Yuanqing walking briskly in front of her.

"Your martial uncle absolutely refuses to let me use my internal energy." Luo Yuanqing frowned, his tone full of displeasure. "Do you expect me to beg him?!"

Before Xiaoxiao could react, her wrist was grabbed.

Without a word, Luo Yuanqing led her out of the courtyard and into a small path. At the end of the path was a stone chamber, furnished with a table, chairs, and a bed, clearly for living purposes.

Many disciples from the East Sea were gathered inside the stone chamber, with Lin Zhi at the head.

Wen Su lay on the bed with his eyes closed, unsure whether he was asleep or awake.

When Lin Zhi saw Luo Yuanqing and Xiao Xiao enter, he said, "Xiao Xiao, it's good that you're here. ... Senior brother, I won't disturb your rest."

After he finished speaking, he left with his disciples. Luo Yuanqing didn't say anything and turned to walk away.

Xiao Xiao watched them leave with a blank expression, then turned to look at Wen Su.

Wen Su opened his eyes, sat up, looked at Xiao Xiao, frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying like this?"

Startled, she reached up and frantically wiped her face with her sleeve.

Just as Wen Su was about to get out of bed, his internal energy suddenly became agitated. He let out a low groan, braced himself on the edge of the bed, and his body trembled slightly.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiao walked over and said, "Uncle-Master... let Miss Luo calm your qi."

Wen Su calmed his inner energy and raised his eyes, saying, "I don't want to owe her a favor."

Seeing his pale face and shallow breathing, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but worry, "You finally managed to..."

Wen Su interrupted her, "Why did you save me?"

Xiao Xiao didn't know how to answer, so she just stared blankly and remained silent.

"The Shennong family was willing to lend a hand, Luo Yuanqing said he would help me channel my internal energy... You did all of this, didn't you..." Wen Su said, "Am I worthy?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao said, "Uncle-Master... wasn't it all my fault that you got hurt?"

Wen Su remained silent.

Xiao Xiao forced a smile and said, "My master said that you must repay what you owe. If you can get Miss Luo to heal your injuries, I will consider my merits complete."

Wen Su spoke, "You don't owe me anything..." He hesitated for a long time before saying, "The Ghost Master died because of me..."

Xiao Xiao said, "Uncle-Master, with your skills, you can't kill my master."

“He died to save me…” Wen Su said.

Xiao Xiao was stunned when she heard this.

“That day, my master and I attacked the Ghost Master. With his skills, escaping wouldn’t have been difficult.” Wen Su’s voice was filled with clear regret as he spoke. “At that time, my master actually struck me with his palm. I never expected the Ghost Master to come to my rescue. If it weren’t for that, he would never have been injured by my master…”

Xiao Xiao vaguely remembered the day Wen Jing attacked her and Wen Su. She had used needles to force Wen Jing back and then pulled Wen Su away to escape. At that time, Wen Jing had said something like, "Exactly the same." At the time, she didn't understand the meaning of those words, but now she understood them clearly.

Looking back now, my master's dying words, "Never be a good person," were not just a piece of advice, but also... self-deprecation?

“I was a puppet trained by my master from the very beginning. The so-called father-son relationship was just self-deception…” Wen Su said. “If I had been sober from the start, I wouldn’t have dragged you into this. I owe you and your master an unpayable debt. Now you’ve saved me. What am I supposed to do?”

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Xiao replied, "Uncle-Master, I have no ambition. I only know that if I listen to Master in everything, I will definitely be right. Since Master saved you, it is only natural for me to save you, isn't it?"

Wen Su hesitated, then remained silent.

Xiao Xiao knew that everyone had their own troubles and she was powerless to comfort them, so she smiled and said, "Uncle-Master, my master said that one must be humble in life. I will go and call Miss Luo in now."

She was about to turn and leave when her wrist was grabbed. Startled, she didn't have time to turn around before she heard him say, "Come with me..."

Xiao Xiao suddenly turned around and looked at Wen Su.

Wen Su's fingers tightened, his voice growing increasingly somber, "How long I live, I don't care. I'm weary of the troubles and grudges of the martial world... If you're willing, let's leave here together. Let's find a place where no one knows us, where the sky is high and the sea is wide, and we can be free..."

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but recall Lian Zhao's words: "The sky is high and the sea is wide; no one can imprison your freedom..."

The sky is high and the sea is wide, she is free and unrestrained... Is this really what she wants?

Wen Su waited for her answer, but she remained silent, her eyes gradually welling up with tears. Unconsciously, he slowly let go of her hand and turned his head away.

Xiao Xiao finally realized what was happening, but still didn't know how to answer. She lowered her head and stood there blankly.

The silence became oppressive.

"I want to rest now, you can go out first."

When the sound, which sounded like a sigh, rang out, Xiaoxiao felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She responded softly, turned around, and walked out.

Wen Su looked up, watching her leave, his helplessness deepening. He raised his hand, gently touched his forehead, closed his eyes, and tried to calm himself.

Suddenly, footsteps approached. He looked up and saw Luo Yuanqing standing by the bed, frowning at him.

Wen Su glanced at her but remained silent.

"Do you really want to just leave?" Luo Yuanqing asked.

Wen Su frowned. "What's it to you?"

Luo Yuanqing sighed softly and said, "Wen Su, we've known each other for six years. I know you better than anyone. You are the chief disciple of the East Sea. Among your peers, no one can match you in martial arts and strategy. In the many battles between the East and South Seas, you have always been the most valiant. You also have a share in the foundation of the East Sea..."

"Why are you saying all this..." Wen Su said wearily.

"The name 'Double Yin Blades' carries weight in the martial world. Can you really abandon everything?" Luo Yuanqing stepped forward and said, "Wen Jing has already abandoned the East Sea and cooperated with the Japanese. Can you really just watch the foundation you built with your own hands fall into the hands of these pirates?"

"Enough," Wen Su said sharply. "What I do is my business!"

Luo Yuanqing angrily said, "You think it's that simple? Do you think the people of the martial world will let you go? Do you think the imperial court will let you go? Look at yourself now. If it weren't for your nephew's sake, Yin Xiao and Gui Mei would have killed you long ago! In the martial world, you can't let your guard down unless you're on your deathbed. Don't you understand this principle?"

"Isn't the destruction of the East Sea what you've always hoped for? What does my life or death have to do with you?" Wen Su said.

Luo Yuanqing paused for a moment, then said, “Wen Su, you know this well. The East and South Seas are vast, and although there is conflict, in truth, neither can truly conquer the other. Now, the Pearl Islands of the East Sea are occupied by the Japanese, posing a threat to the South Sea. My previous use of poison was indeed against the code of the martial world; if you were to die because of it, it would damage the reputation of the South Sea.” She finished speaking deliberately, then paused, and said, “Wen Su, I'll make one more deal with you…”

Wen Su remained silent and did not respond.

“We will form an alliance and exchange the two volumes of the ‘Mysterious Moon Heart Sutra.’ I will also help you reclaim the seventy-two islands of the East Sea. After the matter is accomplished, you will return six islands to me and open the East Sea shipping lanes.” Luo Yuanqing finished speaking in one breath. “This is a losing proposition for me. Whether you do it or not is up to you.”

After Luo Yuanqing finished speaking, he walked out without looking back.

Wen Su looked down at his hands, unsure whether he should clench them tightly or not...

...

...This is a dividing line indicating that Xiaoxiao is currently extremely conflicted = =+...

As Xiao Xiao stepped out of the stone chamber, she saw that the people in the courtyard had already gathered together and were discussing something.

Helan Qifeng was still half-reclining on the couch, with Bajitian and a group of Shennong disciples standing in front of him.

He Lan Qifeng said in a leisurely tone, "Elder Ba, there's no need to be so polite. Although my Qu Fang is not a prestigious sect, we cannot tolerate such treacherous people who play with human lives. Now, the Shennong family has colluded with the Shenxiao sect and joined forces with the imperial court. If we go there rashly, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock."

"I told you long ago, you're just being cowardly," Silver Owl scoffed. "I've already sent a message by carrier pigeon to inform the 'Xiufeng Village' forces to arrive, and the matchmaker has also gathered the Xuanling Daoist followers. With everyone's strength combined, are we still afraid we can't subdue the Shennong Family?"

Helan Qifeng smiled. "For battles in the martial world, this number of troops is certainly enough. However, don't forget that the Lian family's troops are also arriving soon. Fighting against the imperial army is not so simple..." As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Zhi, "Just look at what happened to Donghai and you'll understand."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhi frowned, "Donghai indeed underestimated the enemy that day..."

“In short,” Helan Qifeng stood up and said, “to deal with the Lian family, we should use strategy, not brute force. After all, the Lian family are court officials, and they shouldn’t get too involved in matters of the martial world that have nothing to do with the Nine Emperors’ Divine Artifacts. We can take advantage of this to avoid the Lian family’s sharp edge.”