Chapter 39 039 Caught in the Act
"Those distinguished guests over there are quite picky, and none of the musicians are satisfied. Jiangxue, we can only rely on you tonight."
"Those are people we can't afford to offend, so we must serve them well. Don't worry, you'll be rewarded handsomely."
Song Chi: "..." What does she need that reward for?
"No, I have a bit of a stomachache and I'm not feeling well. I'm afraid I won't be able to serve Qinyin tonight."
"How could that be? Look at your rosy cheeks, you don't look uncomfortable at all!"
This flower seller is blatantly lying. Her face is veiled; how could she possibly see any rosy cheeks?
However, she struggled slightly. Just then, across the corridor, Mo Shubai and Xue Rongzhan turned out. Without a word, Song Chi followed the flower girl quickly, disappearing into the flowers and trees.
Then they were taken to the Bright Moon Pavilion, where a musician was already playing the zither.
That person's zither playing was already excellent; Song Chi knew she was one of the few truly skilled players in the Jade Dew Garden.
As soon as Song Chi arrived, the other party looked at him as if he needed to be saved.
Good heavens, it's that same old melody, "The Melancholy of Love." This melody will probably haunt her for the rest of her life.
Song Chi only heard an uncontrollable, violent voice inside: "Where's the new musician? Has he arrived yet?"
That's none other than Ye Qingyu.
Help! How did I end up with this awful thing? Junior Uncle, come quick, help me!
Song Chi frantically pressed the jade pendant and tried to run away, but Hua Niang grabbed him tightly and laughed loudly.
"They're here, young master, the person has arrived."
"Jiangxue, quickly play the zither to serve the young masters."
Song Chi was practically forced to sit down. She quickly turned and hid behind the curtain, and then the music slowed down slightly before Ye Qingyu's ruthless voice came through.
"If your hand isn't broken yet, play it quickly."
Then, a top-grade spirit crystal the size of a fist slid in through the curtain with a snap. "Well played, I'll reward you handsomely."
I'll give you a piece of my mind!
Song Chi was furious. Ye Qingyu was indeed annoying wherever she went!
Now that the die was cast, she had no choice but to play the "Hehuan" piece, but she changed the tone of the zither.
To everyone's surprise, Ye Qingyu and the others just laughed. "This time it's just right, not bad. Although the tone is a bit off, that heartless feeling is there."
Jiang Linyue opened her mouth but couldn't speak human language.
Song Chi now understands this kid's personality. He's not some gentle and refined young nobleman at all; in private, he's gloomy and has a vicious tongue. He's just as annoying as Ye Qingyu.
After that piece was finished, Ye Qingyu and the others played "Drunken Flower Shade".
Song Chi still granted their request. This resulted in another round of light laughter.
"Could this be Song Chi's sister, whom she's outwardly known to the public? Her piano skills are more exquisite than anyone else's, yet the music is devoid of emotion!"
Jiang Linyue chuckled and probably slumped onto the couch.
Oh right, right! I have no feelings, you all have the most feelings, okay?
Song Chi was truly speechless. In fact, those whose musical skills weren't particularly refined couldn't discern the emotions hidden beneath her technique. Unfortunately, Jiang Linyue's musicality was indeed excellent, as was Ye Qingyu's.
The piece was finished.
"Continue!" they commanded.
Then came Ye Qingyu's sinister laugh. "Wait! What are you doing hiding like that? Come out! Let me see your face."
Song Chi: "..."
Not only did he say that, but he also stood up and walked over. He was about to pull back the curtain.
A loud drumbeat could be heard from the main courtyard, followed by the cold and intense sound of the pipa.
"Hey! That's—the Fairy in Butterfly Robes playing music in the Flower Butterfly Pavilion."
Ye Qingyu and the others were drawn over. Then, after listening for a bit, they heard Jiang Linyue muttering to herself.
"This smell... if I didn't know Song Chi was in Baihuaxi, I would have thought she had been kidnapped to write music for Fairy Butterfly."
Song Chi: "..." This "Breaking the Formation Melody" was indeed composed for Fairy Dieyi after Qingluan Gongzi begged her. Junior Uncle also said he would help Qingluan Gongzi, as this was his last chance to escape the Jade Dew Garden. Only if Fairy Dieyi's fame skyrocketed would this veteran courtesan have a chance to retire. Otherwise, the brothel owner would never let go of Qingluan Gongzi, this cash cow.
Her ability to peacefully cultivate music in the Jade Dew Garden was all thanks to Young Master Qingluan's help. Moreover, he was helping her escape this hell on earth.
Song Chi naturally lent a hand. She had heard the Butterfly Fairy's zither playing; its sound was dignified and grand, perfectly suited to such a powerful and unrestrained piece. Thus, this piece resounded on this Lantern Festival night!
"Let's go take a look!" Ye Qingyu and the others said.
Then, without even looking at the young musician, he flew away in the blink of an eye.
Song Chi felt a cold sweat run down her back. This time, she was determined to run back to her dormitory in the backyard! If she couldn't afford to offend them, couldn't she at least avoid them?
Unexpectedly, halfway there, he was seized by the steward. This was no match for the Flower Maiden; Steward Sun held immense authority in the Jade Dew Garden. Song Chi had no choice but to go along.
This time, it was inside several buildings by the Flower and Butterfly Pond where the Butterfly Fairy was performing her music.
When Song Chi arrived, the zither piece had already been played for the second time. The entire hospital was still bustling with noise, with everyone shouting for it to be played again.
The Fairy in Butterfly Robes, dressed in red, played the pipa in her hands, its sound like tearing silk in the cold wind. She was a woman as vibrant and passionate as a rose.
But it ended up in this place.
Song Chi sighed softly. He followed the steward to play music for a steward of the Immortal Alliance; this time, there were two musicians present.
That steward was quite formidable; he used his spiritual power to seal away Fairy Butterfly's zither, leaving only the zither player to play.
He was drinking and chatting with two other men, all smiles. This steward was tall and had a somewhat sinister face. His appearance did resemble Yin Qiang's somewhat; he was clearly not a good person.
Although none of the seven major powers in the world truly respect the Immortal Alliance, the Immortal Alliance, having sealed an ancient musical secret technique, is indeed indispensable in many matters within the cultivation world. In short, the Immortal Alliance exists in this mysterious way, serving as a stepping stone for many cultivators. This is because positions above the level of steward in the Immortal Alliance are extremely lucrative. Therefore, many cultivators are desperate to join the Immortal Alliance.
The Deacon Wang in front of them was chatting with two other people. It seemed that an elder of the Immortal Alliance had stepped down, and Deacon Wang wanted to seize the position. Therefore, he was trying to win over these two elders.
Despite the many benefits he offered, the two elders remained silent with just smiles. Finally, one of the elders spoke up: "We know that you, Deacon Wang, are capable of securing the position of Ninth Elder, but it's not that we don't want to promote you. With your cultivation level, you absolutely must reach the Nascent Soul stage to be qualified to become an elder. This is a rule that has remained unchanged for the Immortal Alliance for ninety thousand years, and we cannot change it."
The deacon's face contorted in shock. "My cultivation is progressing rapidly; I will soon reach the Nascent Soul stage," he assured him.
The two elders then said, "In that case, as long as you can attain the Nascent Soul stage within three months, we will certainly not refuse to give the Jiang family some face."
The Jiang family? It's likely the Jiang family to which Jiang Linyue belongs, indeed one of the eight great families. Furthermore, they are related to the Mo family, to which Mo Shubai belongs, and are allied with the Ziyan Divine Palace.
Song Chi just felt that if the Jiang family were plotting to seize the position of elder, they wouldn't need to send someone like this to do it.
Of course, she only listened to the gossip casually. Tonight, she focused on playing the zither and didn't even consider using her wood elemental power.
Over there, Steward Wang was probably very confident in his righteous Nascent Soul cultivation, and soon became happy, ordering wine, dishes, and beautiful women to be served.
The two elders wanted to hear Fairy Butterfly's zither, so Deacon Wang immediately broke the seal and opened the doors and windows wide. The wind carrying the icy snow from outside blew in, along with Fairy Butterfly's third rendition of a murderous melody.
However, this time, as the music ended, the Butterfly Fairy bowed and withdrew. A leisurely melody then drifted from the Flower and Butterfly Pond below.
With the beautiful women attending to them, the two elders became somewhat lax and unruly.
They even asked with a laugh, "Deacon Wang, haven't you found a girl you like?"
Deacon Wang chuckled. "As you all know, I have rather unusual tastes. I only like slender, youthful women."
The two elders laughed and said, "That's not difficult. Just have two young girls come to serve you."
The steward stood up. "No need for that. I've already set my sights on someone tonight."
As she spoke, she walked towards Song Chi and the others. Of the three musicians, only Song Chi was a woman.
Thinking of words like "slender figure" and "youthful," Song Chi's expression immediately turned very ugly.
She grabbed her zither and leaped toward the back door.
Unexpectedly, a loud bang, as if the wall had been violently broken, came from next door.
"Who goes there!"
The two elders and Deacon Wang couldn't help but turn extremely pale as they looked at the wall that had collapsed halfway.
"So it's Elder Yang and Elder Chen?"
Then a figure in purple appeared and bowed. It was Xue Rongzhan, and Mo Shubai, dressed in blue robes, walked over slowly, staring coldly at Steward Wang.
"So it's you two young masters!" The two elders of the Immortal Alliance showed great respect for Xue Rongzhan and Mo Shubai, immediately letting go of their earlier anger and revealing smiles. It was as if the wall that had just breached their side had never existed!
After all, these two are not only direct descendants of the eight great families, but also the Venerable's precious disciples, and they are also exceptionally talented. They are certain to have a place among the Venerables in the future. They don't want to offend such people.
Deacon Wang's expression changed several times, but he immediately put on a smile.
"I don't know where I have offended you two. If I have done anything wrong, I apologize to you both and ask for your forgiveness."
He spoke in a rather humble tone.
"I am unharmed!" Xue Rongzhan said, but a gust of wind blew past his sleeve.
Mo Shubai tried to stop him, but Xue Rongzhan was already prepared. Then the curtain was blown open, and Song Chi's attempt to run was blocked by the wind.
As she turned around, her veil was coincidentally blown open by Xue Rongzhan's gentle breeze.
Because of the commotion they were making, people were actually opening windows everywhere to watch the excitement.
Just as Song Chi's veil fell off, Ye Qingyu's voice, filled with gritted teeth, came from the other side.
"Song Chi!"
Immediately, the boy's chest heaved with rage, and his eyes seemed to want to kill her hundreds of times.
Song Chi covered his face and tried to run away.
To everyone's surprise, a voice trembled with anger.
"You—you brat!"
It was his master's voice. Song Chi was so frightened that his heart trembled, but he still made a last-ditch effort and fled through the window.
But what good is that? A finger of spiritual energy quickly followed and struck down!
"Master, this is all a misunderstanding!"
"Listen to me, old man, ouch, it hurts!"
"You still feel pain! You brat, coming to a place like this! Tell me, was it that bastard Yun Huai who did this!"
"No, that's not true. I just happened to be passing by!"
"Just passing by. Huh? With your seductive makeup, you say you just passed by? I'll teach you to stray from the righteous path, I'll teach you to be unorthodox, cultivating some kind of wood-elemental immortal technique!"
"You're still running—!"
Then everyone saw the figure in green chasing after the little girl in red, beating her up all over the place.
At first, it seems Venerable Xueqiao was so enraged that he didn't even remember to use his magic to cover himself. Only after chasing and fighting for a while did he manage to cover himself up a little.
Then he stopped hitting her and grabbed the little girl in red by the back of her collar.
At this moment, the little girl stopped struggling. She obediently clasped her hands together and let them hang down in front of her. With her head down, she was being held by Venerable Xueqiao and swayed in the wind.
They looked truly pitiful. And strangely, it made you want to laugh.
Anyway, Ye Qingyu and the others bit their lip, their cheek muscles twitching slightly, just to keep from laughing. Serves them right!
She really dares to come to a brothel to study music!
If Mo Shubai hadn't stopped her, she would probably have fallen into Deacon Wang's hands and be left helpless.
Thinking of this, Ye Qingyu's gaze almost pierced through the head of the Wang steward. Jiang Linyue felt the same way; she had seen this Wang steward before at the Jiang family home, where he shamelessly flattered her cousin. He dared to do that, and even preferred slender, youthful women!
Deacon Wang: "..." How could he have known things would turn out this way? In the past, even if the musicians were unwilling, he could force them, and they could only suffer in silence. Today, he knew he was in deep trouble, having offended someone he couldn't afford to offend. The thought that he might lose the elder's position filled him with anger and resentment. Yet, he dared not show it in the slightest, fearing that if someone with ulterior motives saw it, his situation would worsen.
"Shubai, come here too."
Xueqiao Venerable picked up Song Chi and turned to call out to Mo Shubai.
Mo Shubai then bowed to Xue Rongzhan to take his leave, and then bowed to the two elders of the Immortal Alliance before flying up.
Soon, Venerable Xueqiao flicked his sleeve and flew away.
Nie Yunhuai had previously met with a person he had sent out to inquire about the ancient holy land of sound cultivation and received a music scroll, so he went to check it out.
However, he actually returned in time. Of course, even if he hadn't, the jade pendant he gave Song Chi would have created a puppet. Even with his Nascent Soul cultivation, he couldn't harm Song Chi. He had originally planned to secretly capture Song Chi and leave, and had already devised countless ways to kill Deacon Wang.
He dared to touch his men; who gave him the audacity?
However, he was a step too slow, which led to Shu Bai stepping in to help Song Chi out of the predicament.
Seeing Song Chi being arrested, and thinking of his senior brother's character, Nie Yunhuai wanted to offer an explanation.
"Nie Yunhuai, you should also return to the sect." That was the result of his senior brother's sinister words.
The fact that he was calling him by his full name showed that his senior brother was truly angry this time. Nie Yunhuai sighed inwardly. If his senior brother was going to dismiss Song Chi because of this, he would take the child as his disciple and leave the Qingjian Sect.
In the past month and a half, he witnessed the child's comprehension and rare temperament! He knew he could never be so steadfast at his age. She clearly disliked even the smallest plants in Jade Dew Garden, and felt a deep-seated aversion to men. Yet, for the sake of the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique, she calmly endured it all.
Such a temperament, even among the most talented disciples of the sect, or those with exceptional spiritual roots, would likely be unbearable for such torment and humiliation.
This was the wood-elemental immortal disciple, or rather, partner, he had been searching for for many years.
In the cultivation world, there are probably not a single sound cultivator who follows the orthodox path with a wood spiritual root. They might not even have the ambition to do so.
On her way back to the sect after being caught, Song Chi knew she was probably doomed. Knowing her master's character, there was no way he would tolerate a disciple like her who had taken the wrong path.
The thought of all his efforts ending in failure, and his promising future in cultivation being completely ruined, was truly disheartening.
She sighed and quickly accepted the reality. It was just that her parents probably wouldn't be able to accept it. A disciple rejected by a Venerable One—who in the entire cultivation world would dare teach her? She could forget about ever walking the path of cultivation again in this lifetime.
The path of cultivation has essentially ended his future.
But to say she regrets it wouldn't be accurate. She was going down this path anyway, no matter what. The only problem was that she failed.
Therefore, she remained calm throughout her journey back. Before leaving the sect, she planned to leave half of the beauty and health-enhancing herbs for her master and a small portion for her senior brother, Mo Shubai. This was as a way of giving back to them for their nurturing of her.
Now go back to bed.
She felt so calm, which could probably be categorized as her truly having no heart.
However, Master's face remained dark. Mo Shubai tried to speak several times, but ultimately didn't know how to offer any advice.
Soon, the three returned to their sect.
"Take it out, that scroll of music!" At that moment, the master stretched out his hand.
Song Chi obediently handed over the music scroll.
"Go kneel over there."
Immediately, Song Chi knelt before the memorial tablet of his grandmaster, Venerable Qingya. This was his master's master, his junior uncle's father, and the previous sect leader of the Qingjian Sect.
Then, my junior uncle actually came back too, calling out "Senior Brother" with a grin.
Song Chi knew this guy was going to get beaten up. Sure enough, the two Venerables went next door and had a fierce fight. If Venerable Tonghua hadn't come to mediate, the two probably would have smashed this sacred land of Cloud Sea Pine Mountain to pieces.
Song Chi only heard a voice coming from within the spiritual energy storm.
"If you don't want this disciple, I'll take her as my disciple!"
Unexpectedly, Junior Uncle is so responsible. But Song Chi wouldn't do such a thing; although this person meant well, it was really too much of a slap in the face to his master.
The master shouted something, but no one knows what it was.
Venerable Yun Huai's retort was extremely fierce, and it was heard again.
"The right path, the right path! Father and you two are the same, always shouting about the right path."
"Immortal techniques are immortal techniques; what distinction is there between good and evil? It is precisely because of such deep-seated prejudices that you have not made any progress in the Nascent Soul stage. Don't tell me that you have never considered the Wood Spirit Root Sound Cultivation Method!"
"Hmph! How hypocritical! Second Senior Sister, have you really not thought about this? Your golden spiritual root has been unstable lately, hasn't it? Hmph, have you already vaguely sensed that your Dao heart is unstable? You must not drop your cultivation level. Losing Master's face is a small matter, but becoming a laughing stock in the cultivation world is a much bigger one."
"You bastard!" Then Venerable Tonghua got angry and probably joined the battle.
The three fought fiercely and argued even more fiercely.
They fought from dusk till nightfall. It ended badly.
Before leaving, Venerable Yun Huai repeated his words: "You don't want this disciple, but I do!"
All that could be heard was the master's roar. "Who said I didn't want this disciple? Get out!"
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he knocked Venerable Yunhuai out of the barrier.
Venerable Tonghua looked around. "You two, sigh, I can't control you anymore." Then he vanished in an instant.
Song Chi knelt until late at night. His master came over, glanced at the memorial tablet, and then silently looked at it for a while.
"I'm here to ask you, why do you want to cultivate this Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique?" he finally couldn't help but ask.
"This disciple only wants to become stronger!"
"To become stronger? With your perception of the mysteries of heaven and earth, the metal spirit root would be faster, so why start with the wood spirit root?"
Song Chi thought to herself, firstly, that green leaf magic treasure—it would be a real shame not to develop and utilize it properly. Secondly, she had actually considered the combat methods of sound cultivation long ago.
"Master, I've always had a question. If sound cultivation simply involves releasing spiritual blades using a golden spiritual root, then why not just become a sword cultivator and cut faster, more freely, and more directly? Why bother with sound-based activation and searching for those mysterious and unpredictable secrets of heaven and earth? It doesn't make sense!"
Venerable Xueqiao: "..." He had considered this issue before; in fact, no one who cultivates sound can avoid being tormented by this problem.
"You continue."
"This disciple believes that the combat method of sound cultivation should be field control. The most effective way to control the field is to intimidate the opponent's mind and control them like a puppet. This should be the true killing move of sound. Of course, these are just some of my shallow and foolish opinions. I am sorry for disgracing my master."
What crime could she have committed? This is something every sound engineer is trying their best to achieve, but in reality, almost none can be accomplished.
In these 100,000 years, only our Grandmaster should have accomplished this. However, our Grandmaster's methods have all been sealed away, waiting for a destined person to uncover the truth.
"You really want to practice that Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique?" Venerable Xueqiao asked.
Song Chi: "It's not like I absolutely have to practice..."
The voice was weak, and Venerable Xueqiao's face twitched. This was what that bastard Yun Huai had said: this girl was the most determined person he had ever met, and she had a higher level of understanding and persistence regarding the idea of the Wood Spirit Root than he did.
As it turns out, all he did was threaten her a couple of times, and the girl betrayed him.
Venerable Xueqiao immediately handed over the scroll.
But Song Chi took the scroll, his eyebrows twitched slightly, and then quickly brought it down.
"Does Master intend to expel this disciple from the sect?" As if the answer had been completely given, her porcelain-white face appeared even paler than usual.
Venerable Xueqiao: "Who said that? You really want to acknowledge that scoundrel Yun Huai as your master?"
Song Chi immediately pursed his lips. "This disciple wouldn't dare!"
Venerable Xueqiao snorted coldly, turned his back, and walked to the door to stand still. "You may practice this Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique if you wish, but you must never go to that kind of place again!"
"Master—!" A voice behind him trembled with shock.
It was rare to see a glimpse of the child's true emotions. Even without turning around, Venerable Xueqiao could see the shocked and ashamed look in the girl's eyes as she looked over.
She still knows to feel ashamed, which shows she has some filial piety.
"This disciple will never go again, Master, please rest assured."
"Okay, go back and rest." Venerable Xueqiao pointed and sent the Blood Stasis Removing Ointment flying over, then turned and headed to the backyard.
Soon, they heard You Qin's voice outside the door.
“Master released you. I knew he was the most soft-hearted.”
"My master is indeed...sigh, I really am not a good disciple." This was true in both her past and present lives, Song Chi silently added in her heart. In her previous life, she only loved playing music; awards and future prospects were too much for her to care about. Her teachers looked down on her, but ultimately didn't pressure her. Her parents were the same.
Unexpectedly, her master in this life also felt such sincere affection for her, a disciple with barely any talent.
Song Chi could only think to himself, "What have I done to deserve this?!"
"Look, Senior Brother is still lingering at the foot of the mountain. Oh? He's been spotted and disappeared. Haha! Senior Brother is just a cold-faced but soft-hearted guy."
"Yes, Senior Brother is a good person!"
"What a good person," Venerable Xueqiao scoffed in the inner courtyard. She'd only saved this brat at a crucial moment, and now she was envious of her senior brother's kindness. For the previous eight or nine years, this brat had never even exchanged a glance with Shubai.
That stubbornness is truly unmatched.
Of course. His decision to let Song Chi continue cultivating the Wood Spirit Root Immortal Technique wasn't entirely out of compromise. It was because the battle with Yun Huai had greatly surprised Venerable Xue Qiao, and Venerable Tong Hua was likely feeling the same way.
Yun Huai had only been cultivating for twenty or thirty years in the Nascent Soul stage, yet his cultivation had advanced at an astonishing speed, and he had barely reached the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
He and Venerable Tonghua spent two hundred years on the righteous path to the Nascent Soul stage... only barely managing to raise their cultivation to the late Nascent Soul stage. This stark contrast proves... perhaps the path Yun Huai has chosen is not wrong.
However, the cultivation method required witnessing all the filth of the world, which caused Venerable Xueqiao to frown deeply.
He still needs to keep a close eye on her. A young girl like Song Chi is nowhere near as sensible as Yun Huai, that dissolute scoundrel who was already a playboy in his youth. Yun Huai didn't just see the world's filth; he was already living in it and yet remained perfectly content.
That bastard!
Thinking back to the moment he suffered a stroke when he met Song Chi at the brothel, Venerable Xueqiao couldn't help but curse his junior brother angrily.
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Author's Note: [Cat emoji][Cat emoji] This is the second update for today~ We're going to the secret realm tomorrow, don't rush.
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