"Pipa? What kind of instrument is that?"
Faced with the demonic cultivator's interrogation, Li Tuo looked at Jia Xitong, his nerves trembling and cold sweat pouring down his face.
He didn't know what Xitong was holding, nor did he know if Xitong actually knew how to use it. Could this makeshift contraption really fool them?
"The instrument that Huanxilou has just developed is something we wanted to present to Lord Demon Prince as a gift. If you're curious, I'll play a piece for you first."
As she spoke, Jia Xitong picked up the pipa and casually played a tune for the man. Her playing was actually just average, but the pipa was something new and interesting.
A group of people examined it for a while and, seeing that it was made of ordinary wood, returned it to her.
Just as Li Tuo was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Jia Xitong was called back again.
Why are you wearing a veil?
“My daughter was scalded on the face when she was young, and her face was frightening. I was afraid of scaring others, so I have worn this veil since I was a child.”
These demonic cultivators didn't believe this explanation. "Take off the veil and let us see."
Upon hearing this, the woman hesitated for a moment, then slowly removed the veil from her face.
The moment it was removed, everyone gasped.
The person's face was contorted with grotesque and disgusting pain. Even the demonic cultivator, accustomed to seeing dead bodies, was startled by her appearance.
"How dare she! A woman like this dares to perform in front of the Demon Prince?!"
The guard shouted angrily, determined to throw her out.
"My lord, we only have this one musician who can play the pipa. Please rest assured, she always wears a veil and will never take it off."
The courtesan of Huanxilou, who was already under control, said, "Don't worry, she can't even see anyone backstage."
"Alright, let them go."
The older of the guards, a demonic cultivator, said, "Her face is already burned like this, why are you still making things difficult for her?"
This demonic cultivator... is actually a pretty good person.
Jia Xitong couldn't help but touch the person she had deliberately made to look scary, and was somewhat surprised for a moment.
"They're gone."
Li Tuo, who was next to her, nudged her and led her away at a faster pace.
And that's how I got by.
The city of Shanghai is built very luxuriously, truly resembling a mini-capital within a large metropolis. Inside, pavilions, terraces, and themed areas are all decorated with exotic and luxurious décor.
Soon, they heard the sound of string and wind instruments outside.
Ahead was a large viewing platform, and on a two-meter-high canopy in front of the platform, an unknown little tune was playing softly.
In the stands.
Sitting at the highest point, Bai Yu Zhenjun was utterly bored.
He had no interest in watching these demonic cultivators' frivolous and decadent pursuits; he was only forced to sit here. Looking at the performance below, his brows furrowed deeply.
The Demon Lord was watching his emotions closely. Seeing his impatience, he waved his hand to dismiss the people on stage. "Isn't there another group of geisha? Let them come up on stage."
If that still doesn't please the Demon Prince... then kill them all.
Their voices were neither quiet nor distant, just enough to reach Bai Yu Zhenjun's ears. He looked at the Demon Elder with a cold expression, unmoved by what he said.
So what if they threaten him? These are all demonic cultivators.
Nirvana is Nirvana, and he is himself.
Even if they have some intricate connection, he will not have any pity for the demonic cultivators.
Below, the music starts and it's about to begin.
The courtesan descended from the sky amidst a shower of flower petals, while the other dancers filed in through the back staircase. Li Tuo stood among the crowd, his graceful figure and elegant dance steps a result of several days of training; every smile and gesture, even his expressions, were perfectly executed.
After the dance ended, Li Tuo stood confidently on the stage, feeling that he had danced exceptionally well.
The other dancers stood on the stage, heads bowed, not daring to look at the Demon Prince, but excited and expectant as they awaited the prince's reward.
Soon, a group of men with weapons stepped forward. Their leader shook his head slightly. "The Demon Prince is not satisfied with your performance. Drag them away and execute them."
This seemingly casual remark sent everyone sprawling on the ground plummeting from the heights of despair.
"My lord, please spare me, my lord."
"My lord, please spare my life!"
...
All of them prostrated themselves on the ground and kowtowed desperately. At that moment, Bai Yu Zhenjun felt that they were the same as the people of those small countries in the martial arts cultivation world.
Li Tuo knelt on the ground along with the others, but his gaze was already fixed behind the black curtain. If they were really going to kill, he and Xi Tong would have no choice but to first incite a disturbance and then seize the opportunity to break out.
Just then, music started playing from backstage.
I've never heard this music before.
It was novel, light, and cheerful, as if it could sweep away all the depression and gloom in people's hearts. Even Bai Yu Zhenjun, who had originally shown no interest, couldn't help but look up at this moment.
The Demon Lord, observing his movements, gestured to his men to wait.
After the song ended, Baiyu Zhenjun straightened up and looked towards the darkness.
"Who's hiding inside? Step forward!"
The Demon Elder gestured for his men to bring her out, and Li Tuo watched as Jia Xitong moved from behind the scenes to the forefront—
That's it, the Venerable One will definitely not entrust him with important matters in the future.
"Was that piece you played just now?"
The Demon Elder glanced at the Demon Child above and then asked.
"Yes, sir."
Jia Xitong replied upon hearing this.
Why are you wearing a veil?
"Because my face is ugly and terrifying, I wear a veil and sit backstage so as not to frighten you gentlemen."
Upon hearing this, the Demon Elder gestured to the martial artist next to him to check. The man lifted his veil, glanced at Jia Xitong's face, and then quickly looked away.
He nodded slightly upwards to indicate that this was true.
What piece of music are you playing?
"Your Excellency, the piece my daughter played is called 'The Song of the Pipa.' It tells the story of a monk who, due to persecution, wanders from place to place and encounters a fellow countrywoman with a similarly troubled past on a lake."
During their conversation, they were moved by what they felt and then composed a poem and music.
Finally, something has come up that interests True Monarch Baiyu.
"Since it's such a story, it should be a sad and desolate piece of music, so why are you playing it so cheerfully?"
"Because... I'm not sad."
Jia Xitong said to him, "After all, life goes on. Sometimes you just have to solve problems instead of wallowing in self-pity."
Upon hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Bai Yu Zhenjun's eyes. He then closed his eyes and remained silent.
Seeing his interest in the pipa playing, the old demon asked him, "Do you know any other pieces?"
"some."
Play one of your best pieces.
What's your best skill?
The melody flashed through Jia Xitong's mind, and she immediately picked up the pipa. A powerful, almost murderous sound rang out from her fingertips—
The best piece she played was "Ambush from Ten Sides"!
---Aside---
Goodnight everyone, updates will resume tomorrow!
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