The young man selling houses took me to the iron gate of a retro-style residential community called "Yumingxuan".
After handing me all the keys to the nine houses in the complex, he said with a grin, "It's not that I don't want to take you in, I'm just allergic to the pollen inside. Just tell me which one you like."
Judging from his evasive expression, it was clear that he was lying, and he was very likely very resistant to the plum trees inside.
But I didn't pay much attention to it, and just nodded knowingly.
After a moment of contemplation, he earnestly instructed me, "But there's one thing you should remember, beautiful lady: if you see that tree with the array, do not touch a single brick, tile, or even a single stone inside. Do not pick or touch any of the flowers inside!"
I smiled calmly again.
He took the key and went inside without hesitation.
As soon as I stepped through the gate, I suddenly felt a cool breeze blowing in my face.
Now, although I can neither see nor distinguish any demonic or monster-like aura, my experience tells me that the wind blowing is not an ordinary one.
But as a cultivator, even without magical power or spiritual power, no matter what demons or monsters you encounter, do not be afraid. As long as you are full of courage and determination, the righteous energy of heaven and earth will come unbidden to protect your safety and prevent any ghosts or monsters from getting close to you.
However, ordinary people cannot control their fear. Once their fear is revealed, they are easily attacked by evil spirits and lose their lives.
Even though I sensed that there were indeed unclean spirits here, I was never afraid of anything.
This residential area is not large. Looking around, you can see five two-story retro-style buildings with eaves and rooftops on each side as you enter from the main gate.
After passing a large stone engraved with the name of the community at the entrance, there is a tree-lined path that divides the two rows of buildings on the left and right.
But I must say, the environment here is quite nice.
Shady trees, birdsong and fragrant flowers.
Walking along the winding, cobblestone path, the flowers, trees, and shrubs here, in stark contrast to the noisy, bustling, and brightly lit street corners outside, create a sense of tranquility that feels out of place.
Just as I was walking straight along this tree-lined path to the middle of the way...
Then I saw the legendary plum tree.
It was a sturdy old plum tree that was bound by a seven-star formation, tied with thick iron chains, and covered with yellow talismans.
It is summer now, but this plum tree is completely bare, unlike the lush greenery around it. It looks like a withered, dead trunk.
For some reason, looking at this withered tree bound with iron chains and talismans, I felt a sense of desolation, decay, and loneliness.
I even felt a little sorry for her.
But just as I was about to take another step forward...
But then I heard the melodious sound of a guqin.
Even this piece of music... seems somewhat familiar...
It turned out to be the only cheerful tune that Zhou Lang had ever taught me.
Now, however, a mournful and sorrowful melody is being played.
Such a melody was once only played by Fang Rou.
Could it be her?
Judging from the source of this music, it's not far from here, it's practically right next door.
It's in that small building to the left of this tree.
Filled with astonishment and surprise, I walked in the direction from which the music was coming...
When we arrived at the entrance of that building, the main door was a small, fan-shaped wooden door.
The wooden door was half-open and not closed.
I couldn't help but reach out and push it away...
The wooden door creaked open as I pushed it open.
A young man with short, choppy hair, dressed in a retro blue long gown, was sitting upright in front of a guqin in the courtyard.
Her long, slender, fair fingers plucked the strings with fluid grace.
It seems rather strange that a man who is out of step with this era and can play the guqin would appear in this place.
However, I was so engrossed in this piece of music that I even felt a little dazed.
He wasn't Fang Rou, but he didn't look like anyone I knew either.
But Zhou Lang said that this piece was one he composed himself, and not many people know how to play it.
After the piece was played.
I was quickly jolted out of my reverie by the music: "Who are you? Why are you playing this piece?"
This person can play Zhou Yu's original compositions, so he must be someone related to Zhou Yu.
After hearing my words, the man slowly raised his deep eyes and looked at me: "Miss Ahua, how have you been?"
Do you recognize me? I squinted and looked the person up and down. His appearance and figure did seem somewhat familiar.
But after searching my memory for a long time, I couldn't recall ever knowing anyone who could play this piece.
"Do we know each other?" I asked him suspiciously.
"We know each other? Miss Ahua, you really have a bad memory. Back then, I was the one who chased after you relentlessly, and now you've forgotten me..."
He smiled slightly and looked at me with piercing eyes.
His words only made me more confused, and I looked at him with even more bewilderment.
But after careful consideration, the only man I've been relentlessly pursuing is Zhu Silang, the immortal Lingyan who underwent tribulation in the mortal realm back then.
Ah Niu had told me that he and Wen Heng were from the same lineage of immortals. He recognized Wen Heng's figure and could also play Wen Heng's tunes.
And the only people who are not afraid of the ghosts here are cultivators, so it should be certain that it is that one: "Immortal Lingyan?" I blurted out.
"Oh? It's more friendly to call me Zhu Silang." Zhu Silang smiled slightly and gestured to the other person in the seat next to him, "Ahua, please sit down."
Although he initially appeared as Wen Heng, once I realized he was Zhu Silang, the incarnation of the immortal Lingyan, I unceremoniously sat down in the empty seat he pointed to.
He then casually poured me a cup of tea on a small square table with tea and teaware set on one side and handed it to me slowly.
As I took the teacup, I asked directly, "What, Immortal? Did you come here specifically to wait for me? Or have you come to the mortal realm to undergo another tribulation?"
"Have you ever seen an immortal descend to the mortal realm to undergo tribulations while still retaining their memories?" He poured himself a cup of tea and replied leisurely.
"Indeed, then why have you come here?"
"It's fun, so I came down to the mortal realm to take a look. I never imagined that we would meet again by such a fortunate coincidence!"
"You really are an immortal. You hated me to the bone when you were a mortal, but now that you're an immortal, your perspective has broadened. What? You don't hold a grudge against me anymore?" I teased him as I sipped my tea.
"Not only do I not hold a grudge, but I also miss those years when Ah Hua adored me..." Ling Yan said with a touch of pride and arrogance.
"Pfft..." I spat out the tea in my mouth.
Deliberately changing the subject: "This tea isn't very good."
I never imagined that the things I did back then to pursue Zhou Lang would be used against me as a pretext to mock me.
"It's alright..." Ling Yan said to himself as he seriously savored the tea he had just brewed.
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