Extra - Shiyun

Shiyun was already sitting in front of the blue stone table in the courtyard, her fingertips lightly touching the strings of the zither, and a piece of "Pure Heart and Universal Benevolence Mantra" poured out like flowing water.

The clear, melodious sound of the zither startled the birds perched under the eaves; the sound of their flapping wings harmonized with the strings, creating ripples in the thin mist.

Chen Ze stood under the corridor with his sword in his arms, listening with his eyes closed. After a long while, he said in a cold voice.

"In the third section, the Shang tone is lowered by half a point."

Shiyun raised her eyes and glanced at him indifferently.

"The wind was strong last night, and the tide was high."

Chen Ze: "...An excuse."

Shiyun remained silent, her fingertips making subtle adjustments, and the music returned to its perfect state.

In the afternoons at the Hundred Birds Gang, there is often a game of chess.

Shiyun plays white, Xijiang plays black, and a deadly intent lurks on the chessboard.

Drunk on the breeze, a mint leaf dangling from his lips, he watched from the sidelines, his pipe lightly tapping the edge of the table.

"Xi Jiang, if you don't make a move soon, this game is over."

Xi Jiang remained calm, his black chess piece hesitant to be placed between his fingers.

Shiyun picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and suddenly said.

"You've hesitated for too long."

Xi Jiang raised her eyes: "Your trap is too obvious."

Shiyun smiled slightly and lightly tapped a corner of the chessboard with her fingertips.

"Give it a try."

Xi Jiang made his move, and Shi Yun followed closely behind with a white piece.

"Smack."

"General."

Drunk in the breeze, he shook his head.

"Xi Jiang, you've been tricked again."

Xi Jiang calmly finished playing the game.

"Win it back next time."

Shiyun rose with a flick of her sleeve, her robes billowing like clouds.

"I'm waiting for you."

The study was filled with the faint scent of ink.

Shi Yun picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and with a flourish of his brush, a painting titled "Solitary Angler on a Cold River" gradually took shape.

Distant mountains are like dark eyebrows, a lone boat floats on the water, creating a desolate and lonely atmosphere.

Pan-frying fish peeked through the door frame and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Brother Shiyun, how much can you sell this painting for?"

Shiyun didn't even look up.

"Not for sale."

Fried Fish: "Then give it to me?"

Shiyun paused, then looked up at her.

"You understand painting?"

He was perfectly justified in frying fish.

"I don't understand! But it's beautiful!"

Shiyun was silent for a moment, then picked up her brush and added a crooked little duck to the corner of the painting, and pushed it to her.

"Take it."

Fried fish: "..."

(Later, Zui Qingfeng sold this painting at a high price to a pretentious wealthy businessman under the guise of an "abstract masterpiece.")

Sunset

Shiyun stood atop the tallest sycamore tree in the gang, her robes fluttering in the wind, her figure like a crane, poised to take flight.

The eldest brother squatted under the tree, his colorful headgear tilted askew by the wind.

"Shiyun! Come down for dinner! Stop pretending."

Before Shiyun could respond, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and suddenly darted out, like a snow feather skimming across the eaves, disappearing into the twilight in a few leaps.

Chen Ze stood by, sword in hand, watching coldly.

"Showing off."

Zui Qingfeng exhaled a smoke ring.

"His lightness skill is good, but unfortunately he doesn't like to take people with him."

A moment later, Shiyun returned, carrying a sprig of newly blooming winter plum blossoms.

Xi Jiang took it and placed it in the celadon vase on the table.

"From the back mountain?"

Shiyun: "Yes, it opened early this year."

In the dead of night, all was quiet.

Shiyun sat alone on the rooftop, a scroll of "Ziwei Doushu" open on her lap, her fingertips lightly touching the star chart, her eyes calm and deep.

A gentle breeze rose up, and the pipe tapped against the roof tile.

"Stargazing again?"

Shiyun: "Mm."

Zui Qingfeng followed his gaze.

"What did you see?"

Shiyun said calmly, "It will rain tomorrow."

Zui Qingfeng: "...Can't you at least look at the good and bad fortune?"

Shiyun closed the book.

"Heavenly secrets must not be revealed."

Zui Qingfeng scoffed: "Pretending."

Shiyun remained noncommittal, rose, and flicked her sleeves, her robes fluttering in the night wind.

"Let's go, time to sleep."

...

Every morning at the Hundred Birds Gang, a warm cup of tea is always placed in front of everyone's door.

The eldest brother's tea was invigorated with mint, the Drunken Breeze's tea was sweetened with honey, the Dust Marsh's tea was extremely strong, the Western Crimson's tea was extremely weak, and the Fried Fish's tea... was sickeningly sweet.

There's always an extra tuft of millet on the edge of Dog Egg's bowl.

Shiyun never admitted that he put it there.

But whenever he was frying fish, he would ask with a smile.

"Brother Shiyun, did you brew the tea today?"

Shiyun would only glance at her indifferently, her fingers continuing to play the zither.

"eventful."

The melodious sound of the zither filled the air, and the wind chimes tinkled softly under the eaves.

The mornings at Bai Niao Gang are as usual.