Melodious guqin music floated up from the floor below, drifting gently into the upstairs room. It was as refreshing as spring water, as soft as a drizzle, and as tender as a summer breeze. The group, waiting for their wine to arrive, paused to savor the music.
One by one, their eyes drifted shut, carried away by the ethereal notes that seemed to lift the weight from their shoulders and offer a rare moment of peace.
As the music came to a close, the group stayed lost in their thoughts for a moment before hurrying to the balcony to look down. Onstage, they saw a girl seated in front of the guqin, dressed in a blue pleated dress adorned with floral patterns. A thin veil covered her face, yet her eyes shone brightly beneath the makeup. Her hands were as fair as white jade, with a hint of red undertones.
Ye Feng murmured, “Isn’t that the girl who sold us osmanthus cakes? What’s she doing performing in a brothel?”
Zhong Lin frowned. After a moment’s pause, he said, “Perhaps her family has their own reasons.”
Li Guanqi glanced down without speaking. Tragedy had no rules. Some people were simply trying to survive.
The waiter standing outside bowed and said, “How may I help you, sir?”
Li Guanqi took out a hundred taels of silver. It was not a lot, but not little either. “A drink for the young lady playing the guqin.”
The waiter bowed and said, “Thank you, sir. I’ll tell her.”
Li Guanqi waved him off. “That won’t be necessary. Just hurry up with the wine.”
The waiter bowed and replied, “Yes, sir! I’ll inform the kitchen right away.”
When all the wine and food they ordered were on the table, they started to eat and drink to their heart’s content.
There was a knock on the door.
Li Guanqi frowned upon realizing that the girl was outside the door. He opened the door, and she bowed before entering.
Her gaze swept the group, and when she saw that none of them were accompanied by women, her furrowed brow relaxed a little. “My name is Song Zhi’ang. I wanted to share a cup of tea with you all to express my gratitude.”
Her voice was as gentle as before, though it lacked its previous warmth. She showed no trace of embarrassment at having met them earlier. She picked up the teapot on the table and poured everyone a cup of tea.
Once she had finished her own cup, she rose to leave.
Zhong Lin frowned slightly. Lifting his wine cup, he said, “A hundred taels, and all we get is a cup of tea? Not even a song?”
Li Guanqi turned his head and glanced calmly at Zhong Lin.
Zhong Lin immediately realized he had said something inappropriate, so he downed his cup and waved Song Zhi’ang off.
The girl stood still, gripping the hem of her dress tightly. She lowered her gaze and said softly, “I could... but it costs extra.”
Song Zhi’ang had spoken in a very small voice, but she mentioned the extra payment with absolute resolve.
Li Guanqi had already lost interest. After a remark like that, even the loveliest song would be tainted.
A hundred taels of silver flew toward Song Zhi’ang’s hands. Li Guanqi said gently, “Take it. I know the brothel doesn’t take a cut of tips. There’s no need to play anything for us. Perhaps on our next visit, but only if you want to.”
Song Zhi’ang looked down at the silver in her hands. Beneath the veil, her eyes turned red. Her lips trembled slightly. She took a long look at Li Guanqi, then bowed and quietly left.
The mood had soured. Li Guanqi turned to Zhong Lin and said evenly, “Just because you’re a cultivator doesn’t mean you should look down on others. I only came here to enjoy some music and wine. In this world, all are born equal, though certain external factors lead some people to live luxurious lives while others struggle in poverty.”
There was undeniable disappointment in Li Guanqi’s eyes.
Despite coming from a wealthy family, Ye Feng never put on airs, even when interacting with Lin Dong.
Zhong Lin’s expression changed from surprise to shame.
They walked out of Azure Cloud Brothel without saying a word.
As they flew out of the city on their swords, they caught sight of Song Zhi’ang again. She was still wearing her thin clothing, braving the cold winds as she made her way home. In her hands were several bags of medicinal herbs, and though her cheeks were red from the chill, her face shone with excitement.
The sight struck a chord in Li Guanqi. It reminded him of a snowy night long ago, when he too had trudged through the cold. That night, unlike Song Zhi’ang, he hadn’t met anyone willing to offer some silver.
Each of them fell into their own thoughts. Li Guanqi stared after the girl, his gaze distant. Ye Feng looked at him curiously. Lin Dong glanced from Zhong Lin to Li Guanqi. He wanted to say something but decided against it.
The next morning, their sect elders woke them up early. Qin Xian instructed Eldest Senior Brother Wu Bing to lead the group to Heavenly Tiger Mountain for registration.
Wu Bing was wearing long, green robes with embroidered hems, a green belt, and a golden Guan[1] on his head. His skin was as fair as jade, his eyebrows as sharp as swords, and his muscular body radiated masculine energy.
Wu Bing looked at the ten people and smiled. “Dear juniors, come follow me!”
Wu Bing turned into a fire-red streak of light and flew up into the sky, while the rest flew on their swords behind him.
A shiver ran down Li Guanqi’s spine. Every instinct told him that Wu Bing was dangerous—so dangerous that his skin prickled with goosebumps.
Li Guanqi asked, “Sword Spirit, does he qualify to become a hero in the Hundred Prides Illusory Realm?”
---Probably, but he’s not quite there yet. However, he holds great potential.
Li Guanqi nodded to himself. If Sword Spirit held him with such high regard, then he must be a rare prodigy.
Very soon, they arrived at Heavenly Tiger Mountain. There was a bustling crowd at the base with countless sect members arriving on their swords. The three platforms on the mountains had previously looked gigantic, but now, it was getting quite crowded.
They headed straight for the third peak’s flat summit and landed. Wu Bing turned to Li Guanqi and said, “Junior Brother Li, please wait here with the others. I’ll register our sect and return to guide you all.”
Li Guanqi nodded with a smile. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. We’ll wait here.”
Wu Bing flew off while Li Guanqi turned and said, “We’ll wait here then.”
Three batches of people arrived. Li Guanqi’s eyes narrowed. Seven Strings Sect. Azure Dragon Island Sect. Purple Cloud Sect.
The leaders of each sect also spotted him. They glared at him with seething hatred.
The leader of the Purple Cloud Sect turned away and left with his disciples. But the other two sects? Their disciples were walking straight toward him.
1. A type of headwear in Hanfu, i.e. the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese. ☜