Chapter 40: Attracting Attention, a Life of Vanity and Dreams

On the battlefield, in life-and-death moments, the more afraid one is of death, the faster they die—just like in gambling, those with less money and greater fear of losing usually lose the most. (Gu Long)
……
Silence—not a sound existed in the grand hall. As the melody rose and fell like mountains and flowing water, Qiong Fenglei moved his hands, and the zither emitted incredibly beautiful sounds.
The music was like celestial music, like living spirits, piercing everyone’s ears and making them feel weightless. Amidst these exquisite melodies, everyone seemed to enter another world, with the scent of flowers creating illusions in their minds……
Liu Yi fanned himself carefully, listening intently. He certainly knew that the piece Qiong Fenglei was playing was the famous “Hidden Fragrance.” It seemed Qiong Fenglei was indeed a master of music, having grasped the essence of this piece. It was a pity, however, that his eagerness to succeed caused him to miss out on some of the perfection that could have been achieved had he been more composed.
As time passed, Qiong Fenglei’s hands moved swiftly across the zither, and the piece came to an end……
Qiong Fenglei stood up, hands behind his back, and said to Liu Yi, “Great talent Liu, what do you think of my piece?”
At that moment, the others also woke up from the music, their eyes filled with surprise. If that piece had indeed been played by Qiong Fenglei, then what kind of skill could Liu Yi possess to surpass such exquisite music? Though no one said it aloud, that piece was clearly already at its peak. It was hard to imagine what level of skill would be needed to surpass it.
Liu Yi waved his fan and bowed, saying, “I admire you greatly. I’ve long heard that the master of Shenmen is talented from a young age—everyone in the martial world knows of his brilliance.”
It seemed Liu Yi’s words pleased Qiong Fenglei, who smiled and said, “Young Master Liu, you’re too kind. I wonder if you’d like to……” Qiong Fenglei intended to ask if Liu Yi wanted to compete further, clearly very satisfied with his own playing.
Everyone understood the implication in Qiong Fenglei’s words—he wanted to make Liu Yi back down and avoid embarrassment. Liu Yi glanced at Bo Cangqiong, his expression helpless, perhaps believing Liu Yi was no match for the master of Shenmen. He looked at Shui Er, his expression disappointed, maybe thinking Liu Yi really had no chance of winning. He then glanced at the two guards, his expression scornful, perhaps thinking Liu Yi was just a fraud with big claims but little substance.
Liu Yi laughed heartily, waved his fan, and said, “I truly admire the master’s mastery of music……” Suddenly, his expression turned serious and cold as he slowly said, “But the master must know that new waves always push aside the old. The world today is very practical. If the master remains stuck in others’ styles, even if he tries hard, it will still belong to others. So, today, defeat is inevitable for the master.”
Qiong Fenglei seemed stunned by Liu Yi’s words and couldn’t speak for a long time.
Liu Yi tossed his robe aside and sat down gently, saying, “The piece I’d like to play, ‘Laugh at the Sea,’ was composed by me at the age of eighteen. Please bear with me.”

After speaking, his fingers moved slightly, and the sound of the zither slowly emerged, gradually seeping into everyone’s hearts. Suddenly, the music accelerated, as if a person had instantly reached the end of their life, with white hair and at the age of a hundred. Everyone was astonished; they didn’t know whether this was an illusion or reality…

As they listened, the music softened, like a warm spring breeze blowing into each person’s heart. Finally, at the moment just before the end of life, everyone was moved by this warm breeze. Reflecting on their own lives—busy and striving after fame and fortune—they realized that even at the moment of death, they didn’t have anyone to cherish, let alone those who would cherish them.

The music varied in speed, and the experiences of a lifetime seemed to appear before their eyes. Looking at their past selves, they saw how naive and ignorant they had been, neglecting family and friendship, living a life of futile busyness. What was happiness, after all? And now, on the verge of leaving this world, what could they do? It truly seemed like “a life of vanity is but a dream; I laugh at the vast ocean under the sky.”

When the piece ended, everyone gradually emerged from the illusion. What they all shared in their eyes was tears and sorrow. Liu Yi gently stood up, and a golden butterfly flew in from outside the door, landing on his shoulder.

Liu Yi returned to his seat, sat down softly, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and nodded, saying, “Good tea.”

At this moment, everyone seemed much clearer-headed. Bo Cangqiong wiped his eyes and said softly, “I’ve spent my life roaming the world, yet I never realized it was so empty. It seems… I need to change myself.”

The two guards behind Qiong Fenglei also whispered to each other, “We should ask the sect leader for leave to go home and see our wives and mothers.”

At that moment, Qiong Fenglei also woke up, leaped back onto his throne, and the two guards stood behind it.

Qiong Fenglei glanced at the guards on either side and then at the crowd below. Clearly, he knew that Liu Yi’s performance was clearly superior to his own, but he didn’t dare say so outright. So, he smiled and said, “Young Master Liu is truly extraordinary. After listening to his music, it feels like meeting a kindred spirit. What’s the need for a competition, Elder Bo?”

Bo Cangqiong stood up abruptly and said, “Yes!”

Qiong Fenglei said, “I’ll lend the ‘Qiankun Mirror’ to Young Master Liu. After all, he does good deeds.”

Bo Cangqiong nodded and said, “Understood.” Then, with a turn and a flip of his hand, he conjured a mirror directly from his palm. The mirror was golden in color, with a handle made of bronze. Bo Cangqiong handed the mirror to Shui Er.

Bo Cangqiong continued, “Although the sect leader has agreed, we still need to be cautious. I’ll send Shui Er with you to Fengmo Town. The ‘Qiankun Mirror’ will be in Shui Er’s care for now. What do you think, young man?”

Qiong Fenglei asked sharply, “What? Is Shui Er also going?”

Bo Cangqiong nodded. “Yes. It’s for the good of our sect. Besides, it’s necessary for our Divine Gate to send someone to help Fengmo Town.”

Qiong Fenglei nodded reluctantly and said, “Alright, that’s it for this matter. You can go now.” He was also anxious to end this quickly, as he had lost miserably in the earlier competition.
Bo Cangqiong, Shui’er, and Liu Yi stood up, bowed, and turned to walk out of the hall…
“I was so scared! I thought Young Master Liu wouldn’t be able to beat the sect leader,” Shui’er said, soothing her chest.
Bo Cangqiong put his hands behind his back and laughed heartily, “Haha, I have confidence in this young man. Otherwise, how could I be Shui’er’s sweetheart? Haha.”
Liu Yi suddenly stopped and said, “Elder, Liu Yi already has a fiancée. I think… you’re not serious, are you?”
Bo Cangqiong quickly grabbed Liu Yi and used telepathy to say, “Stop talking nonsense. Shui’er will get upset. Let’s send her away first and talk later.”
After saying that, he smiled mysteriously at Shui’er ahead. Fortunately, Shui’er was walking in front and didn’t hear Liu Yi’s words clearly. He was also grateful that Bo Cangqiong had intervened so quickly.
In this way, the three of them soon reached the entrance to the stone house. Bo Cangqiong said, “Shui’er, go in first. I need to talk to this young man.”
Shui’er obediently nodded and said, “Okay,” then turned and walked toward the stone house.
Bo Cangqiong pulled Liu Yi to the woods by another set of stone stairs and asked, “Young man, you’re so young already and have a wife. Are you trying to deceive me, an old man?”
Liu Yi waved his fan and replied, “Is it necessary for Liu Yi to lie? Love is love; if not, it’s not. Do I really need to deceive you, Elder?”
Bo Cangqiong hurriedly asked, “Then what about Shui’er? Don’t you like her?”
Liu Yi waved his fan, looking troubled, and said, “Shui’er is indeed beautiful and sensible. I think few people would have the courage to say they don’t like her after meeting her. But Elder, you must understand—liking someone doesn’t mean loving them. Without love, how can there be mutual consent? If I don’t tell her, I’m wasting her feelings.”
Bo Cangqiong scratched his head. He no longer resembled an elder at all; he looked like a child facing a difficult problem.
“But if I tell Shui’er, she’ll be very sad. She’s my only good disciple, and I don’t want to make her sad,” Bo Cangqiong thought as he spoke.
Liu Yi retorted, “If I don’t tell her, that’s when I’ll truly hurt her feelings, and she’ll be even sadder later.”
Bo Cangqiong scratched his head again and said, “Alright, alright. I get confused whenever it comes to feelings. Do as you think is best, but… definitely don’t drive Shui’er away in anger.” With that, he turned and walked outside.
Liu Yi nodded and followed Bo Cangqiong…
Twenty zhang away, the branches rustled slightly, and two girls appeared out of thin air—Shui’er and A Jiu. Both of them held invisible talismans.
A Jiu asked, “So? Did you hear everything? It seems you still haven’t given up.”
Shui’er’s expression was clearly sad. She nodded gently and said softly, “Young Master Liu is a good person. Shui’er doesn’t ask for much! She just wants to see Young Master Liu happy, because that’s also Shui’er’s happiness…”
A Jiu’s face darkened, and she said, “It’s not worth it. You should find someone you love and who loves you too.”

Shui’er gently turned her head and said, “Sister Ajiu! What do you think is worth it and what isn’t? Then why do you still follow Young Master Liu? So—do you think that once his image is etched in your heart, can you still blend in with someone else’s?”
Ajiu stammered in embarrassment, “I, I… it’s… it’s just for fun that I followed him.”
Shui’er smiled gently—so beautiful, so stunning—even Ajiu liked it. Then Shui’er softly said, “It seems Shui’er is much more successful than Sister Ajiu. At least Shui’er dares to love. Even if there’s a cliff or an abyss ahead, as long as Shui’er has truly loved, she has no regrets.” With that, she lightly lifted her silk dress and walked outside…
Ajiu watched Shui’er disappear and thought to herself, “Maybe I really fail as a person. I’m not as brave as Jili’er, nor as sincere as Shui’er. So what am I doing now? Am I wrong just for pursuing the happiness I want? Hmph! Damn fool, how do you manage to win over girls so easily? Just a few months out and already like this. I can’t keep an eye on him in the future.” As she thought this, she laughed too.
Meanwhile, Liu Yi finally obtained the ‘Qiankun Mirror’. He stretched and walked over to the stone table, only to find that neither Ajiu nor Shui’er was there. Instead, Da Dao Wang and one or two of the Ten Heroes were lying on the table basking in the sun.
Liu Yi sat down and tapped the table, saying, “Alright, enough. Time to get up. After noon, we’ll return to Fengmo Town.” Then he took out a teacup and poured himself a cup of tea.
Da Dao Wang shook his stylish hedgehog haircut and said, “Boss Liu, did you get the treasure? What does it look like? Show us.”
Liu Yi took a sip of tea and said, “Mm, I did. It’s on Miss Shui’er. Shui’er will come with us to Fengmo Town to exorcise demons.”
Da Dao Wang drooled and said, “Hehe, Shui’er is going too? Great, great! I can learn the ‘Invisibility Talisman’ from her, hehe…” His laughter grew even more lewd.
“‘Thunder Curse!’” Shui’er shouted loudly.
A thunderbolt struck—loud and fierce. A massive bolt hit Da Dao Wang straight on. With a flash of lightning, his bones were shattered, and he lay on the ground, his legs twitching uncontrollably. His body was black as charcoal, smoke coming from his mouth. With wide eyes, he cried, “Why is it always me who gets hurt!”
One of the Ten Heroes quickly changed seats and whispered, “We should stay away from this guy from now on. What if Shui’er misses her target next time and it’s us who suffer?”
Shui’er clapped her hands and said, “Let this guy keep thinking nonsense. I’ll strike him every time he thinks something bad.”
Liu Yi shook his head and took a sip of tea, saying, “Shui’er, you should know that using violence to deal with violence only makes things worse. I think you’d better think of another way.”
Ajiu ran over smiling and stood beside Shui’er, saying, “The best way is to follow Da Dao Wang every day. Whenever he thinks nonsense, just darken him—see how violent he becomes.”
Liu Yi nodded and said, “That makes sense. It’s a good idea, though… a bit cruel.”
Shui’er smiled at Ajiu and said, “Sister Ajiu’s idea is good, but I don’t want to follow him every day.”

Ajiu smiled awkwardly and said, “Alright, enough playing. Let’s take a break. We still have a long journey ahead this afternoon. I’m really eager to see what those demons look like.”
Shui’er nodded as well. Everyone, except for Da Dao Wang who was lying on the ground, was by the table, drinking tea and resting.