16 Who can rival its brilliance?
The competition lasted several days. The number of participants was moderate, but there were many spectators and quite a few with ulterior motives. Ruoyao's high ground was already booked, and Ruoyao was busy greeting guests. I was bored alone. Zijin had disappeared somewhere, not showing up for days. Lianxi was either sleeping or sticking close to me. Presumably, this wasn't his first time here, so he wasn't particularly excited.
Today's competition is for musical instruments and dance steps. Looking at the crowd that's packed in, three layers deep, I shook my head and sighed. I pulled my cloak tighter.
Several guzheng (Chinese zithers) had already been set up on the stage. Ruoyao turned and smiled at me. Huixin saw me and nodded. We didn't talk much, but there was a feeling of instant connection, like meeting a kindred spirit too late. He said I resembled Xiangshang, and I smiled. It's hard for anyone trained by a master to be so unlike him. Having experienced pain and hardship, one gains enlightenment: life is short, why not drink and sing? True feelings are rare, why not cherish the person before you?
Ruo Yao finished his work and sat down. "Today is going to be very interesting," he said, looking at me with a knowing look.
I didn't ask, but I knew that besides remorse, there must be another important figure at the end. Who could it be?
On the stage, a young boy began to play, finished his piece, applauded, and bowed. His skill was immediately apparent. Another boy went up and played, then applauded, bowed, and performed the same piece.
In less than half an hour, ten boys were eliminated. Some expressed regret, while others said it was expected. They were all sensible people, and none of them showed distress or ridicule.
Today, Hui Xin was dressed in bright red, his exquisitely handsome face and alluring smile captivating everyone from afar. Even before the music began, all were mesmerized. Hui Xin remained unsurprised, his fingers dancing across the strings, the melodious sound swirling and enchanting. The initially gentle, undulating tones took on more subtle variations, like ocean waves transforming from small ripples into towering surges, each crashing against the rocks. The melody, with its rises and falls, shifted unexpectedly in his graceful fingers, and the hall fell silent, everyone completely mesmerized.
“A truly repentant heart,” Ruo Yao praised sincerely.
When the song ended, the crowd remained speechless for a long time; even the belated applause couldn't evoke a single expression of remorse. The beginning was alluring, the end was cold. This is remorse.
"There are two more competitors; Juexin is next."
"Is it him?" I looked at Ruoyao, who was smiling but not saying a word. "How old is he? Is he sixteen?"
"He's nineteen. He just has a baby face." Huixin walked in slowly, looking at Ruoyao. "It's him, he's the gift you prepared for me?"
That boy was no ordinary person; his eyes held a wealth of complex emotions, as if he had weathered many storms. At nineteen, he had already seen through the illusions of the world. One couldn't fathom what his past held; it was unimaginable.
His slender, jade-like fingers guided the zither with graceful strokes. He played the zither directly without using his fingernails, which suggests either profound skill or a willingness to risk injury—a truly moving and admirable feat.
There was no tranquil beginning, no dramatic journey, and no overly triumphant ending. From start to finish, it can only be described in two words: poignant and beautiful. Like the poems of Shang Xie, the earth-shattering emotions, the great love that transcends life and death, move the heart, cause heartache, wound the soul, and ultimately break the heart.
"As expected of someone who has impressed Ruoyao, impressive. But, the grand finale hasn't been shown yet, has it?" Huixin looked at Ruoyao's smiling face.
At the same time, thunderous applause erupted in the lobby. Even the VIPs on the second floor couldn't help but clap along.
"Historically, the gathering of talents has always been achieved by one of the Four Young Masters. I wonder if I am qualified?" The boy stood up, his gaze fixed on Ruoyao and Huixin. Huixin frowned, while Ruoyao remained smiling.
“If you defeat Feiwu…” Ruoyao looked at me. “Go, Feiwu. I’ve already reserved the last and best spot for you.”
“Not fog?” He let out a scornful laugh.
Ruo Yao took out the Vajra Fan and moved gracefully, softly chanting.
The Sword of Regret roams the four directions.
The purple-gold soft sword could not block it.
Yao's hidden weapons are difficult to defend against.
Now, Fei Wu enters the fray. Fei Wu is the top-ranked of the Four Young Masters we all recognize, and also Xiang Chang's only disciple. Pi Xie Jue Xin, it's up to fate now.”
I smiled wryly, regretting that Ruo Yao had misunderstood my intentions. She looked at me with a smile, waiting to see me make a fool of myself. "Please." Juexin sat down and began another performance. This was the most extreme challenge, where both sides were alike, and one of them would always be overwhelmed and swallowed up by the other's music. There were few challenges like this, but it was the most direct, because the outcome would be decided immediately.
I didn't move, but took out a flute, Xiang Chang's "Myriad Colors", a jade flute carved from emerald red stone that seemed to be dazzling as if it were flowing with blood.
Since he desires love, hate, and death, I will respond with a song of desirelessness, hopelessness, thoughtlessness, and apathy. There will be no eternal love, no desolate sorrow, no desperate hatred, and no dramatic ending. With a heart devoid of thought and desire, free from all wants and expectations, I can see through the illusions of the world, achieve instant fame, ascend to heaven with ease, and become a demon, a madman.
Gradually, I found myself alone again in my world. There was no disturbance from the world, no complicated emotions, no desires, no longing. All the love and hate seemed to dissolve into water, flowing into the ocean, unable to stir even a ripple. After a long while, I finally awoke from my reverie, smiling apologetically at Ruoyao, having forgotten why I'd come. Ruoyao nodded, her face filled with regret as she looked at me with a bewildered expression.
After a long while, Ruoyao turned her head and looked at the excited Juexin, uttering only one sentence from her luscious lips: "You lost."
Bixie Juexin suddenly slumped down in his seat. Then, everyone stared intently at the curtain in front of us, without any thunderous applause or cheers, only dumbfounded silence.
After a long while, Juexin stood up, reverting to his usual arrogant demeanor. He said respectfully, "I want to see your face."
"If she weren't a beauty of unparalleled grace, wouldn't she be an eyesore?" I asked softly.
"I just want to see the eyes of someone who can see through all living beings so clearly, is that alright?" he persisted.
If Yao nodded at me, I slowly pulled down my cloak.
"As expected." Juexin laughed, a wild laugh. "I accept my defeat wholeheartedly. You are not an ordinary person at all, so why are you competing with an ordinary person?"
"Juexin, that's enough. You lost. Don't make excuses," Huixin scolded him.
"There will be more dance steps tomorrow. I look forward to your wonderful performance." Ruoyao smiled, walked down the stairs, and began to greet the guests who were still in a daze.
"You're really something. You've even won over that kid." Zi Jin suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Although your appearance isn't as outstanding as mine, that dazzling purple is absolutely unforgettable. From now on, you are truly the number one among the Four Young Masters, and no one can impersonate you."
I thought the dance competition the next day wouldn't be my problem, but unfortunately, Zijin made an excuse, saying he injured his leg. I offered to take him to the doctor, but he refused. Then Ruoyao tied me up and forced me to participate. I've never learned any dance steps in my life, I said.
“It’s alright. Xiang Chang has a unique martial art called ‘Walking the Heavens,’ which is originally a sword technique, but it can also be used as a dance.” Ruo Yao said, pushing me into the fray. “Only when Hui Xin fights against you can he unleash his most exquisite footwork.” With that, she pushed Hui Xin, who looked bewildered and had clearly been framed by her, into the fray.
So, Huixin wielded a sword, and I countered with a whip. The clash of blades, the flamboyant movements, a perfectly normal duel was described by those who knew nothing of martial arts as a superior dance. I truly don't understand their eyes; was that a mere flourish? I clearly held a soft whip, and Huixin was wielding a sword! He was clearly contorted with rage, hacking and slashing without mercy, as if he wanted to use me as a substitute for Ruoyao and kill me. After the match, many withdrew, Ruoyao smiled smugly, Huixin gritted his teeth, and I was drenched in sweat. Later, I learned that the gossip of the martial world had changed again.
The Purple Beauty Dances Amidst the Misty Sky
The Sword of Regret roams the four directions.
The purple-gold soft sword could not block it.
Yao's hidden weapons are difficult to defend against.
I really can't dance, I swear by my master's memorial tablet.
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