Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The sound of Jiang Yi blowing the leaf was not particularly moving. In fact, it was nowhere near as beautiful as the song the Sonar Thearch played on the zither. To people who loved music, the song that Jiang Yi was playing was really not worth creating a scene over. It belonged instead to the kind of music that peasants listened to.
Jiang Yi was not musically-inclined. When he was little, he did not qualify to study such an upper-class hobby. Instead, he played with grass and leaves just like the other poor children did. That explained his poor choice of musical instrument.
Today, this low-class musical performance was taking place in the Divine Sonar Valley belonging to the Sonar Thearch. Moreover, the people listening were the most important ones in the surrounding regions, the ladies from the Yin Clan and a gentleman from the Zhan Clan. What’s more, many elders and great young masters from the Chen Clan were well-versed in music. If word about this performance got out, nobody would have believed it. This was like performing low-level dao patterns in front of the Nine Thearchs or displaying sword skills in front of the teachers of Sword Dao clans. It was that laughable.
The problem was… nobody was laughing!
Instead, everybody was beginning to look slightly confused. A small proportion of people fell silent as their eyes clouded over, albeit not as much as they did when the Sonar Thearch had been playing. The elder of the Chen Clan widened his eyes and looked over at Jiang Yi. He listened quietly to his song. The Great Young Master of the Chen Clan closed his eyes and gently caressed his zither. He looked like he was enjoying the music.
The tune was simple. It sounded like a children’s song. The techniques that Jiang Yi used were relatively easy as well. Nobody was surprised by any of these things. The song was not moving overall and was even a little boring. Even so, many people seemed to lose their focus. Some ladies began to tear up.
“Uh…”
Yin Ruobing felt an inexplicable urge to cry as well. She closed her eyes and forced herself not to lose control. Still, the song that she was hearing moved her deeply.
She had said earlier that love could kill. Now, this song that she was hearing carried with it love—a deep love—that seeped into the listeners’ hearts, causing them to feel a strange sadness. It reminded her of her family and the love of her life. The song also awakened her deepest and darkest memories, causing her mind to wander back to times that she did not ever want to recall.
Even after the song ended, they continued to pay attention.
The moment Jiang Yi stopped playing, Yin Ruobing opened her eyes and looked over at him. She caught him just in time to see him put the leaf in his hand down. His eyes were still closed, and his lips were still curled up slightly in a gentle smile. He was absolutely charming.
Jiang Yi looked like a cool man, but the smile on his face softened his entire demeanor. It caused Yin Ruobing’s heart to be moved. She suddenly realized that the man she was looking it might not be as cool as he made himself out to be. Instead, he was a graceful gentleman—an extraordinary one that she would never forget for the rest of her life.
The two of their faces were beginning to match up. Yin Ruobing looked even closer at Jiang Yi, refusing to look away as if determined to find something out.
“Alright!”
It was a pity that the elder of the Chen Clan interrupted everybody’s thoughts. The smile on Jiang Yi’s face disappeared. His expression hardened once again, and he looked foreign. He both looked and felt far too different from the man in Yin Ruobing’s mind.
“He’s a musical genius!”
The elder exclaimed as he got to his feet and walked over to Jiang Yi. He nodded slightly before turning to Tang Ming. In a serious tone, he asked, “Elder Tang, what is this man’s name? Is he from your Tang Clan?”
Tang Ming stiffened and then got to his feet. “Elder… this is a commander of the Tang Clan. His name is Yi San.”
“En!”
The elder nodded once again and grinned. “Would Elder Tang be willing to let him go then? The Supreme Teacher gave instructions for us to accept him into the clan as a disciple. If the Tang Clan is willing to let him go, we will definitely pay a satisfactory price for him.”
“Wow!”
Everybody present broke out of their silence immediately. It had been a full thirty years. Was the Sonar Thearch really intending to take another disciple? This man of the Tang Clan was really lucky. If he could remain under the Sonar Thearch’s wing for just a couple of years, he would be able to advance to the Demigod Realm soon.
Tang Ming and the commanders of the Tang Clan looked astonished. Yin Ruobing and Zhan Tianlei also looked slightly puzzled. Only Jiang Yi remained expressionless. Nobody could guess what was on his mind.
Tang Ming secretly rejoiced. He acted like he was being put on the spot as he gritted his teeth and said, “As long as Yi San is alright with it, I can agree to this arrangement on behalf of the Tang Clan. Being selected by the Sonar Thearch is Yi San’s privilege.”
The elder nodded and turned to face Jiang Yi: “Junior Brother Yi, are you willing to join our Divine Sonar Sect and become one of your disciples?”
Jiang Yi looked blankly at him as he felt a thousand gazes land on him. He paid special attention to Yin Ruobing’s beautiful eyes locked on him. He was in a predicament. He had intended to go to the Mystic Divine Mountain quietly. Now, he was unwittingly put on the pedestal once again.
He wanted to learn the Divine Sound Heaven Skill, but this would mean remaining in the Divine Sonar Valley for at least a couple of years. How would he go to the Mystic Divine Mountain then? Thus, he stuttered, “I… have to think about it.”
“Pff!”
Many people who had been drinking tea or alcohol spat a mouthful of their drinks out. Yin Ruobing and Zhan Tianlei’s expressions twisted. A commander of the Tang Clan aside, even Yin Ruobing and Zhan Tianlei themselves would not hesitate to take up an opportunity to learn from the Sonar Thearch. Even if this man were to accept a place in the Divine Sonar Sect, it was not like he would not become a slave of the Chen Clan. Why did he have to think about it?
The elder was evidently shocked, but he recovered quickly. Smiling gently, he said, “Alright, if you decide within these three days, you are welcome into the sect at any time.”
Tang Ming threw a sideways glance at Jiang Yi and whispered, “Yi San, why are you still considering? I will explain it to our clan for you. If the Clan Head finds out about this, he will surely allow you to take the Sonar Thearch as your teacher anyway. This would be an honor to our clan as well.”
It was obvious that Tang Ming was only saying this for the sake of the audience. He had no power to sway Jiang Yi’s decision at all. Of course, in his heart, he felt anxious for Jiang Yi as well. Why would he give up such a good opportunity?
The elder turned back to return to his own seat and then glanced at both Jiang Yi and Yin Ruobing. Once again, he grinned. “Since Lady Yin and Young Master Yi have realized the deeper meaning behind the Sonar Thearch’s song, you are both welcome to enter and leave the Divine Sonar Valley as you please from today onward. You would be treated as distinguished guests of the valley.
“That’s right… since you are distinguished guests, I should decide on behalf of the Supreme Teacher. You will be allowed to enter the divine spring mystic realm once. It would be up to you to realize anything that you can from inside there. This divine spring mystic realm was where the Supreme Teacher realized his skills. It is an extremely precious place. Even the disciples of the Chen Clan themselves are only allowed to enter three times in their entire lives.”
“Wow!”
On hearing about this mystic realm, many people exclaimed. Yin Ruobing’s eyes brightened immediately. She got to her feet and bowed toward the elder respectfully. “Thank you for your favor, Elder. Ruobing is extremely grateful for this opportunity.”
Jang Yi had not yet decided whether to become a disciple of the Sonar Thearch, but he was not stupid enough to let this opportunity pass him by. He quickly cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Elder!”
“Hahaha!”
The Family Head of the Chen Clan turned to the Young Master of the Chen Clan and said, “Little Chen, bring these two distinguished guests to the divine spring mystic realm. After you two enter, please treasure whatever time you have inside there. You would only be allowed to stay a maximum of six hours each time you enter.”
Jiang Yi and Yin Ruobing exchanged a meaningful glance. Both of them were obviously feeling awkward. Zhan Tianlei’s expression hardened. It was obvious that he was feeling uneasy about Yin Ruobing and Jiang Yi staying in the mystic realm for such a long time. However, he controlled his expression quite well. He seemed to become calm again after just a split-second. The Sonar Thearch was here, and Yin Ruobing was very skilled herself. Since Jiang Yi was still acting as a general of the Tang Clan, he likely would not dare to pull any tricks.
“This way, please!”
The Young Master of the Chen Clan reached out to show the two guests the way. Yin Ruobing was the first to follow him. Instinctively, Jiang Yi wanted to touch his nose. However, on realizing that Yin Ruobing probably would recognize him if he did that, he stopped himself. Keeping his expression cool, he followed Chen Chen toward the Chen Courtyard.
Yin Ruobing turned back after walking a couple of steps. She looked at Jiang Yi curiously. The corners of her lips curled up slightly as if she seemed to be smiling slyly at Jiang Yi. She looked so much like a fox demon in disguise.
