Chapter 82 Human Nature Chapter 82 Human Nature...
Chapter 82 Human Heart
Gongzi Yu never used coercion or bribery to employ people; he relied more on understanding human nature. Some people are not afraid of force, nor do they crave wealth; they seem to be invincible because they are without desire. But people are still people; they are not detached from this world, so everyone, regardless of their background, has weaknesses.
If used properly, human hearts are the most powerful tool. The disciples of the Divine Water Palace are indeed incredibly loyal to the Water Mother Yin Ji, but what would they think if they knew that the Water Mother Yin Ji viewed them not as disciples but as her personal possessions?
Gongzi Yu was very curious at the time, so he sent someone to try it out. Some people were so disgusted after learning their identities that they vomited. They didn't care whether they were male or female, or female or female; what they cared about was that they weren't even human. They thought they were working for a pure land for women, to protect the Divine Water Palace, but in the end, they were chosen by the Water Mother Yin Ji as candidates for her harem.
Some disciples were unaware of the situation beforehand, but were disgusted after finding out; some disciples who were favored by the Water Mother Yin Ji were aware of it and even enjoyed it; but some disciples were favored but could only remain silent out of fear.
Now that someone has reached out to them, offering to help them escape the Divine Water Palace and the Water Mother Yin Ji, so they can become normal people, they are naturally tempted.
This incident once again confirmed Gongzi Yu's idea: as long as people's hearts are well utilized, what can't be accomplished? He didn't hide anything and told Ling Hao everything about it.
Ling Hao cast an admiring glance at Gongzi Yu. No wonder he's a major boss, someone who survived after opposing the male lead—that's impressive.
Gongzi Yu was unaware of the string of complaints Ling Hao was internally grumbling. Seeing that she didn't show any disgust at his methods, he felt relieved. He wanted her to see the real him, but he didn't want her to hate him either, so he tentatively revealed part of his thoughts.
Seeing that she was in good spirits, he felt relieved. "So don't worry, Ah Hao, I can find out exactly how much of the Heavenly Divine Water from the Divine Water Palace was stolen, and I can also find out where it went."
"That would be perfect." Ling Hao suddenly looked up and then reached out of the umbrella. "It's not raining anymore."
Gongzi Yu reluctantly put away his umbrella, saying, "The rain has been coming and going so quickly lately."
“That’s normal.” Ling Hao smiled. “Only in Jiangnan do we experience continuous rain. If it happens in Kyoto, then we should be worried.”
Gongzi Yu suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Ah Hao."
"Hmm?" Ling Hao, who had already taken two or three steps, turned back and looked at Gongzi Yu with a puzzled expression.
"Does this mean we've made up?" Gongzi Yu asked. His seemingly ordinary words contained a caution and unease that only he knew.
Ling Hao couldn't help but laugh out loud, "When have we ever argued? Since we haven't argued, there's no such thing as making up. We've always been fine, haven't we?"
"Yes." In that instant, the light in Gongzi Yu's eyes seemed to be lit up, dazzling and bright. "We've always been good friends." He quickly took two steps to Ling Hao's side. "Then he and I are both your friends, you can't be biased."
Linghao blinked.
You remained silent.
Ling Hao looked up at the sky. What could she say? She had promised Mingyue that as long as it didn't cross her bottom line, she would definitely stand by his side. But saying it aloud would be too hurtful, so she could only remain silent, hoping that someone would understand.
Gongzi Yu was annoyed, but not as angry as before. He knew it was too early to compare himself to that idiot; the biggest obstacle between him and Ahao had been removed, and he had plenty of time. He refused to believe he was inferior to that fool.
Seeing that Gongzi Yu wasn't so angry, Ling Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Sigh, it seems even friendships can have their share of drama; it's scary.
On a clear morning after the rain, the air was filled with the fragrance of fresh grass.
Linghao loved this flavor, so after breakfast, she took Suixue (a type of Chinese sword) and practiced swordsmanship in the garden. Practicing swordsmanship is like practicing calligraphy; it requires daily practice. While daily practice doesn't guarantee improvement, neglecting it for a long time will definitely lead to regression.
To become a master swordsman, Ling Hao never slacked off from the day she began learning swordsmanship. Even when she was sick, she would get out of bed to practice. Her master had indeed said that she was a good candidate for martial arts, and the people and events she encountered after leaving the mountain proved that her swordsmanship was indeed outstanding.
However, Ling Hao knew that even with talent, if one didn't put in any effort and squandered time relying on that talent, it was nothing but a waste. So she practiced martial arts diligently every day, and today was no different; she practiced over and over again.
In the pavilion, Gongzi Yu ordered someone to bring in an incense burner and a zither. After burning incense and washing his hands, he sat upright in the pavilion and played the zither.
One person with a sword, one person with a zither, one in motion and one still, seemingly unrelated, yet carrying an endless harmony, as if they were always meant to be.
Sheathed her sword and turned to walk towards the pavilion. "Ayu, what's the name of your zither piece? It's so beautiful." During breakfast, at someone's insistence, she changed how she addressed him.
“I just played it randomly, it doesn’t have a name.” Gongzi Yu gestured for her to sit next to him.
Ling Hao sat down opposite Gongzi Yu without hesitation. "You play so well even when you're just playing casually. You're really amazing, Yu." She reached out and gently touched the strings. "I can't do that. I can only play cotton."
Gongzi Yu laughed, "You've even worked as a cotton fluffer?"
“It’s just a description,” Ling Hao said irritably. “My master wanted to train me to be an all-rounder. He even said that a top swordsman in the martial arts world can’t just know how to wield a sword, but also needs to know something else. But unfortunately, I don’t have any talent.”
When she was learning swordsmanship, her master, though not effusive in praise, couldn't hide his satisfaction. But when she started learning the zither, the flute, and the xiao, his face was filled with pain. "Anyway, before I gave up, my master gave up first."
The old master's exact words were that he wanted to live a few more years, and that not being blind or deaf was an old man's best support. So he didn't want to lose his hearing because of his disciple; that would be too much of a loss.
Linghao still felt indignant when she thought about it. Her master had gone too far! Did he mean she had no talent whatsoever, and that the music she composed was almost deafening him? Humph, he didn't even know how to use encouragement to educate his disciple!
Thinking about the past makes Linghao angry.
But Gongzi Yu smiled, a gentle smile, "How about I teach you?"
"No, no." Ling Hao abruptly withdrew her hand. "I have no affinity with any kind of zither, flute, or pipe. Let's not make things difficult for each other. If possible, I'll just fluff cotton faster."
Gongzi Yu chuckled, "Why do you have to be so obsessed with cotton fluffing?"
"Because this is what I know how to do." Ling Hao tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Actually, that's not quite right. I don't know how to fluff cotton." Although her master had laughed at her, she thought about it seriously and realized that fluffing cotton required skill. She had never tried it and didn't know if she could do it.
"It's alright." Gongzi Yu moved the incense burner to the side. "If you want to hear it in the future, I'll play it for you." With that, he moved his hand, his fingers moving back and forth on the strings, and another melodious tune flowed from his fingertips.
Ling Hao placed Sui Xue on her lap, propped her face up with her hands, and listened to the music. As she listened, her gaze involuntarily fell on Gongzi Yu's face, and she thought to herself how long and thick his eyelashes were, like a small fan.
As she looked at him, her gaze drifted downwards, settling on his features. Ling Hao wondered how exceptionally handsome his biological parents must have been to give him such a near-perfect face, like something out of a game model. Although she was already used to it, she still occasionally drifted into a daze.
Zhuge Zhengwo followed the poem into the garden and stopped when he heard the sound of a zither coming from the garden. He knew that Gongzi Yu could play the zither, and that he played it very well; he had even been fortunate enough to hear him play once. But he also knew that if he got closer, he would never be able to hear the whole piece.
So he stopped, intending to listen to the whole song before crossing the moon gate.
He stopped, and the poems naturally didn't continue forward, but instead stood beside Zhuge Zhengwo.
As he listened, Zhuge Zhengwo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. The music could reveal the heart, but why did it sound like Gongzi Yu's heart was in turmoil? Or even a little ecstatic? Impossible, that was Gongzi Yu, who had always been calm and composed since childhood and had never changed his expression.
Zhuge Zhengwo doesn't understand.
In the pavilion, Ling Hao didn't detect the slightest problem. She could only judge whether a piece of music was pleasant or unpleasant; she couldn't be expected to notice even a minor flaw. After Gongzi Yu finished playing, she even applauded him earnestly, saying, "That was beautiful."
Gongzi Yu was somewhat helpless and disappointed. "Besides being pleasant to listen to, did you hear anything else, Ahao?" She used the music to express her feelings, but did she hear even a trace of the feelings in the music?
"It's exceptionally beautiful." Ling Hao couldn't discern anything else from it, so she could only offer her most sincere praise, "This music should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear it on earth?" Her expression was utterly earnest, determined to let Gongzi Yu know just how genuine her praise was.
Gongzi Yu was both amused and annoyed. "My music is just so-so. Your praise is excessive." Besides, the point wasn't even about the music.
“Who said that?” Linghao disagreed. “In my opinion, your music is the best.”
"real?"
“Of course,” Linghao nodded emphatically, “I just think your piano playing is the best, and that’s more true than gold.”
Gongzi Yu smiled again. His smile was like a lotus flower unfolding its petals on the water, possessing a captivating beauty. His Ah Hao was praising him; how could he not be happy?
As expected, Ling Hao was once again distracted by Gongzi Yu's smile.
Gongzi Yu's eyes flickered. Had he somehow found a weakness in A-Hao?
Meanwhile, Zhuge Zhengwo, who was just stepping through the moon gate, thought: "..."
Was he being a bit redundant? It felt a little awkward. Maybe he should just turn around and leave now, and come back another time?
But the next moment, Ling Hao and Gongzi Yu both cast their gazes at him.
Zhuge Zhengwo: "..."
Okay, we can't leave now; it would be even more awkward to leave.
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Author's Note: Zhuge Zhengwo: …………
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