In the One-Line Sky of Wei Nation.
In the courtyard, Huangfu Tianlong looked at Chen Hongfei with a cold gaze.
Besides, Ye Ping’s gaze was unfriendly too.
Ye Ping didn’t like causing trouble and he wasn’t reckless either. Even when he encountered some obnoxious people, he would at most just ignore them.
For example, bootlickers like Chen Hongfei.
Ye Ping didn’t hate bootlickers. After all, no one would be willing to behave that way if it wasn’t for love.
However, the problem was that it was Chen Hongfei’s business if he liked Fairy Zi Shuang, and there was no need to get others involved.
Ye Ping was extremely disgusted with such bootlickers. One man’s treasure might just be mediocre in the eyes of others.
It was indeed wrong of Huangfu Tianlong to interrupt the zither performance, but he had already apologized as soon as he could, for himself and on behalf of Huangfu Tianlong.
He had already openly apologized to everyone including Fairy Zi Shuang. What else did he want from them?
‘Does he really just want to cause trouble?’
Chen Hongfei was not intimidated by Huangfu Tianlong’s questioning, and instead, his gaze turned cold while he looked at Huangfu Tianlong.
“Huangfu Tianlong, you are indeed very powerful, but surely you don’t think that you’re invincible just because you’ve defeated everyone in the Ten Nations, do you?”
Chen Hongfei’s gaze was cold and he wasn’t scared of Huangfu Tianlong at all.
Perhaps others were afraid of Huangfu Tianlong, but he, Chen Hongfei, was not.
Chen Hongfei was an elite of the Chen Nation too. When Huangfu Tianlong wanted to challenge the Chen Nation Academy, he was actually planning to take him on immediately but the elders of the academy gave him a task.
They wanted him to leave the Chen Nation Academy, which made him infuriated, although he understood that the elders of the academy merely wanted him to preserve his strength and showcase them at the Ten Nations Grand Tournament.
However, Chen Hongfei was still exasperated, especially after Huangfu Tianlong defeated nine major academies in a row.
Chen Hongfei was not the only one, many people from the top three academies of Li Nation, Chen Nation, and Jing Nation, bore a grudge against him because of that matter.
After all, no matter what, Huangfu Tianlong actually defeated everyone he fought within the Ten Nations and had merely lost to Ye Ping in the Jin Nation.
If it was not for the fact that he had been defeated in the Jin Nation, Huangfu Tianlong would probably face a lot of people who would take the initiative to challenge him when he arrived in Wei Nation.
After all, none of the segments of the Ten Nations Grand Tournament involved a combat fight this time, thus causing many to be upset.
Now that there was such an opportunity, Chen Hongfei naturally wouldn’t let it go either. That was the reason that he kept picking a fight time and time again.
The main reason was because of Fairy Zi Shuang, followed by his desire to fight Huangfu Tianlong.
He wanted to defeat Huangfu Tianlong and show the cultivators of the Ten Nations that the elites of Chen Nation were the strongest.
Chen Hongfei did not panic at all even though Huangfu Tianlong had already broken through to the seventh level.
He was a Dao cultivator, not a physical cultivator. He had a certain ability to suppress. Besides, so what if it was the seventh level? He was confident that he could defeat him with a single punch.
In the hall, Chen Hongfei was indeed going against Huangfu Tianlong, be it for private reasons or not.
After hearing what Chen Hongfei said, Huangfu Tianlong’s expression remained unchanged and he was still staring at Chen Hongfei coldly.
“I’ve never felt invincible, but it’s a piece of cake to deal with someone like you.”
Huangfu Tianlong was incredibly disgusted with Chen Hongfei.
“Shall we try then?”
Chen Hongfei got up, and in an instant, the terrifying aura spread. Green light surrounded him before condensing into a gourd.
That was the spiritual energy transformation, which was akin to the Blood and Qi Furnace. When there was dense and rich spiritual energy, one would be able to transform it with some refinement and tempering. Once the transformation was done, the Dharmic powers would become stronger.
That was Chen Hongfei’s confidence.
However, Chen Hongfei held it against himself. If Huangfu Tianlong hadn’t broken through to the seventh level, he would have a chance at defeating him.
However, Huangfu Tianlong could indeed suppress him effortlessly now.
Clang!
However, at this moment, the harsh sounds of the zither filled the air, and in the next moment, everyone couldn’t help but look at the pavilion.
“Gentlemen, will you do me a favor and stop arguing?”
Fairy Zi Shuang spoke up slowly and hoped for them to stop arguing.
After she said that, everyone fell silent.
They could tell that Fairy Zi Shuang was indeed a little upset.
After all, this was only a trivial matter, and if they made mountains out of molehills, it would be detrimental to their reputation.
Chen Hongfei was slightly silent and soon spoke up immediately.
“Forget it, I’ll just do Fairy Zi Shuang a favor. I wouldn’t do them a favor if it were someone else.”
Chen Hongfei immediately turned into a bootlicker again.
Huangfu Tianlong got ready to attack but Ye Ping spoke again.
“Junior Brother Huangfu, let’s enjoy the music.”
Ye Ping did not want to continue the fight as he felt that it was meaningless. If word about it were to get out, there might be claims that Huangfu Tianlong and Chen Hongfei had gotten into a fight because of jealousy.
Besides, it wouldn’t be good to get into a fight. After all, they were there to be guests, and no matter what, fighting on someone else’s turf was indeed embarrassing.
Hence, Ye Ping spoke up to stabilize the situation.
“Senior Brother Ye, I’m only doing this for your sake. If it was someone else, no one can try to persuade me.”
Huangfu Tianlong nodded. He seemed to be extremely respectful towards Ye Ping and wasn’t saying those words to Ye Ping but to Chen Hongfei.
The meaning was simple. If not for Ye Ping, he would have definitely attacked.
Chen Hongfei humphed coldly. He initially wanted to say a few words, but in the end, he did not say anything. After all, Fairy Zi Shuang was already feeling rather uncomfortable, and if they continued, he would lose the upper hand.
Huangfu Tianlong humphed coldly before sitting down with Ye Ping.
The battle was resolved just like that.
Ye Ping sat down while Huangfu Tianlong followed suit. Immediately afterwards, he took the initiative to pour a glass of wine for Ye Ping, as well as one for Li Yu.
“Unfortunately, there is no combat battle in the Ten Nations Grand Tournament this time.”
Huangfu Tianlong sat down. His voice wasn’t loud, but the people present were all geniuses and their cultivation levels were not weak either. They naturally heard Huangfu Tianlong’s voice.
However, most people did not want to get involved and thus pretended that they didn’t hear anything.
“Some people are really glad that there isn’t a martial arts battle in the Ten Nations Grand Tournament this time.”
Chen Hongfei was taking a jab at Huangfu Tianlong while chatting with the person beside him.
In an instant, Huangfu Tianlong wanted to continue making a sarcastic remark about him.
However, Ye Ping lifted his glass and said, “Drink and enjoy the music.”
The calm voice sounded and Huangfu Tianlong fell silent. However, he nonetheless raised his glass while Li Yu followed suit. They knew that Ye Ping was not afraid and that he simply did not want to cause trouble.
However, someone couldn’t help but speak when they saw how awkward the scene was.
“Fairy Zi Shuang, I heard that you heard a famous saying several years ago and you said that you wanted to turn it into a song. Have you done so yet? Will we be fortunate enough to hear it?”
Someone spoke up in a bid to ease the embarrassment. Otherwise, if that went on, they might really get into a fight.
Indeed, once he said that, everyone chimed in one after another.
As people who knew Fairy Zi Shuang, they all knew that Fairy Zi Shuang was famous for her zither skills in Wei Nation. Besides, with her stunning beauty, she became the leader of the four fairies in Wei Nation.
About two years ago, Fairy Zi Shuang chanced upon a famous saying. As the saying goes: a saying could be turned into a song but it would be difficult the other way around.
For a zither master, getting a good song was not as good as getting good lyrics.
Having obtained the lyrics, Fairy Zi Shuang immediately went into seclusion for about a year, and it was said that she had already turned it into a song.
Now that someone had brought it up, everyone naturally chimed in. One reason was that they were trying to support her, and another reason was that they were filled with curiosity and wanted to hear the song.
“Yes, who in the entire Wei Nation doesn’t know about Fairy Zi Shuang? In terms of the Dao of zither, Fairy Zi Shuang could be considered the best in the Ten Nations, and in terms of looks, Fairy Zi Shuang is definitely the most beautiful too.”
Chen Hongfei spoke up.
His words of flattery had indeed made everyone get goosebumps.
Even the others couldn’t help but be uncomfortable after hearing it.
‘Why do you keep bragging? You’ve already become the best in the Ten Nations?’
‘That’s a bit overboard, right?’
Even though Fairy Zi Shuang felt uncomfortable, she admitted that she was the leader of the four greatest fairies of Wei Nation. After all, it was an indisputable fact. However, she couldn’t stand the fact that they had called her the best of the Ten Nations.
After sighing, Fairy Zi Shuang felt a little upset too. No matter what, Chen Hongfei was her suitor, and as an outstanding fairy, she naturally understood it too.
There were definitely many who would try to bootlick fairies.
A fairy without suitors was not a good fairy.
With that thought in mind, Fairy Zi Shuang could only sigh helplessly, but she soon continued to speak.
“Two years ago, I did receive some good lyrics when I traveled through the Ten Nations.”
“I spent two years turning it into a song, but I haven’t been satisfied with it so I hadn’t dared to perform it. Since you’re willing to listen to me play the zither, I shall embarrass myself today.”
What Fairy Zi Shuang said was a half-truth.
She had indeed gotten extraordinary lyrics.
However, after two years of studying it, she still wasn’t satisfied as she felt that something was missing. In the end, she put it aside because of some matters.
Since everyone was around, she would perform.
She would also try to get them to brainstorm. Someone might be able to point out the problem.
“Okay, let’s be quiet and listen to Fairy Zi Shuang play the zither. Stop interrupting her. Those who can’t understand, just leave, don’t ruin our mood.”
Chen Hongfei said with a smile, but he was clearly directing that comment at Ye Ping and Huangfu Tianlong.
Ye Ping did not answer and simply drank a sip of wine calmly. He couldn’t be bothered to retort.
Huangfu Tianlong stayed silent too. After all, Ye Ping didn’t say anything either.
Ding.
In the next moment, the zither sounded and Fairy Zi Shuang did not want Chen Hongfei to continue arguing with them. Hence, she immediately started playing some music.
All of a sudden, the beautiful melody of the zither sounded.
The melody was beautiful but Fairy Zi Shuang seemed rather melancholic.
Everyone listened quietly.
At this moment, Fairy Zi Shuang spoke up, her voice extremely pleasing to the ears.
“When will there be a moon?”
“I ask the sky.”
“Oh, I wonder.”
“Which year is it?”
However, as soon as she spoke, Ye Ping was stunned.
‘Isn’t this a modern-day song?’
‘Is Fairy Zi Shuang also a transmigrator?’
‘No, I seem to have said those lyrics before.’
‘Yes, yes, yes, when I went to the Heavenly Fragrance House and got in a poetry battle with a poet. I had indeed mentioned those words.’
Later on, Ye Ping won the favor of some beauties but he got too drunk and didn’t do anything that night.
However, he didn’t expect to actually hear his own words here.
Yes, someone copied his words.
Ye Ping took a sip of wine and somehow felt that the world was really small.
However, he soon got immersed in the song too.
Everyone seemed mesmerized.
Huangfu Tianlong was not a senseless person. After hearing the music, he couldn’t help but be enticed.
After a long time, the sound of the zither stopped as she stopped playing the song.
However, the crowd did not come back to their senses as they were still immersed in the beautiful music.
Time passed bit by bit.
A full fifteen minutes passed.
Finally, someone came back to his senses and couldn’t help but clap his hands while saying, “Good, good, what a wonderful song.”
In an instant, everyone couldn’t help but recover from the shock.
Soon, they started applauding and seemed to be mesmerized.
“As expected of Fairy Zi Shuang, this song is the epitome of the melancholy of this world and it perfectly describes the misery of lovesickness that I feel.”
Chen Hongfei’s eyes were red as he was moved by the tune. To him, the song was very emotional.
It was as if it was describing him.
He was crying as a bootlicker.
After hearing his words, everyone felt a great sense of chilliness.
‘This is too much.’
‘Why am I getting involved?’
“This song is really beautiful and it’s a high quality piece. It perfectly describes the sorrow of parting and the agony of romance in this world. You’re really worthy of being a zither expert.”
“Yes, it’s a superior piece of work.”
“This is a heavenly tune. How many are there in this world?”
“The song is beautiful, the tune is beautiful, and so is the composer.”
Everyone praised incessantly. Although some of them were just exaggerating for the sake of praising her, most of them genuinely complimented her.
Hearing the compliments from the crowd, Fairy Zi Shuang smiled lightly, but she wasn’t intending for them to praise her.
Instead, she hoped that someone would point out the shortcomings.
At that moment, Fairy Zi Shuang could not help but speak.
“Everyone, are there any flaws in this song?”
Fairy Zi Shuang asked.
She wanted to hear the opinions of the crowd.
“Fairy Zi Shuang, you’re really overthinking. You sang this song beautifully and both the mood and your voice were mesmerizing. I think it’s perfect.”
“Yes, this is a perfect song. Fairy Zi Shuang, you might be too much of a perfectionist.”
“Fairy Zi Shuang, this song is the best song I’ve ever heard in my life. I somehow feel a little upset now, and I’m scared that I’ll never get to hear such a tune again in the future. My heart hurts so badly, how can you do this to me?”
Everyone spoke up. The few people in front sounded reasonable but it was different when Chen Hongfei said it.
It was disgusting.
It was really disgusting.
After hearing his words, everyone else couldn’t help but be repulsed.
‘Must you bootlick to such an extent?’
They were disgusted.
In the pavilion, Fairy Zi Shuang also somehow felt uncomfortable.
However, at this moment, someone suddenly spoke out of curiosity.
“Fairy Zi Shuang, where did you get these lyrics from?”
Among the hundreds of people, some were still sane and they could tell that the song lyrics were beautiful. Although her voice was pleasant, the lyrics were the core.
Hence, they couldn’t help but ask.
After hearing her words, everyone was curious.
“I think these lyrics were written by Fairy Zi Shuang but she’s not after fame and fortune, so she found a random reason, is that right?”
Chen Hongfei said, being a complete bootlicker.
His words were rather shameless and Fairy Zi Shuang couldn’t stand it either.
In the pavilion, Fairy Zi Shuang hurriedly spoke.
“No, these lyrics are written by the top scholar of Jin Nation, Householder Qing Lian. He’s not to be offended.”
Fairy Zi Shuang explained.
“Householder Qing Lian?”
“Who’s Householder Qing Lian?”
“Oh, no wonder. Turns out it was written by Householder Qing Lian.”
“Eh? Do you know who Householder Qing Lian is?”
“I know a little bit about who he is. Householder Qing Lian is the most talented person in Jin Nation and he is very debauched, unrestrained, and carefree. He is a literati who is extremely famous in Jin Nation for his poetry, calligraphy and painting. Some wealthy and powerful people are all huge fans of his poetry and literature.”
After the crowd heard the mention of Householder Qing Lian, most people still did not quite understand. They were cultivators who were usually interested in the cultivation-related things. Hence, they would only occasionally be exposed to things like music, chess, calligraphy and paintings.
Since they were not part of the circle of literati, they were naturally unaware.
However, there were some people who knew a little bit and could reveal the origin of Householder Qing Lian.
“No wonder this song is so familiar. It turns out to be Householder Qing Lian. Hahahaha, Fairy Zi Shuang, to be honest, I know Householder Qing Lian, and we are very close to each other.”
Chen Hongfei spoke up.
He was smiling widely, as if he really knew Householder Qinglian.
“Really? Young Master Chen, do you really know Householder Qing Lian?”
At this moment, Fairy Zi Shuang couldn’t help but get up in the pavilion. Although her stunning face was covered by the purple veil, it was obvious from her tone that she was a huge fan of Householder Qing Lian.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been that excited.
“Of course. I also had tea with Householder Qing Lian some days ago and we share a close relationship, we’re just like brothers. However, I didn’t expect that you’d like Householder Qing Lian’s poetry. In this case, I’ll invite him over next time for some tea.”
Chen Hongfei said with a smile.
He was obviously lying.
How could he know Householder Qing Lian?
He was just boasting in front of the goddess.
Since they didn’t know Householder Qing Lian anyway, he could just brag. Besides, even if they knew him, there was nothing they could do. Well, Householder Qing Lian had more than one friend.
Unless Householder Qing Lian was present, no one could expose him.
Chen Hongfei was certain that
Householder Qing Lian was not around!
If Householder Qing Lian was present, he would drink all the water in the lake.
“Okay then, thank you very much, Young Master Chen, I do like the poetry of Householder Qing Lian and I didn’t expect you to know him. If I can meet him, he’d definitely be able to review my song.”
Fairy Zi Shuang said smilingly.
In an instant, Chen Hongfei smiled in joy.
However, a strange sound suddenly filled the air at this juncture.
Pfft.
Li Yu snorted, he really couldn’t stand it any longer.
Li Yu spat out a mouthful of wine and couldn’t help but be astonished.
‘What’s going on?’
The cultivator sitting in front of Li Yu could not help but get up and frown at Li Yu.
Having been splashed by wine for no reason, he was obviously displeased. If it wasn’t for the fact that Huangfu Tianlong was around, he would have long hit him.
For a moment, the crowd could not help but look at Li Yu with their eyes full of curiosity as they didn’t know what happened.
Chen Hongfei looked over too.
He couldn’t help but humph.
“What a boor. He’s been ruining my mood time and time again. What are you people trying to do?”
Chen Hongfei’s eyes were full of anger.
Li Yu hurriedly apologized to him before looking at Chen Hongfei.
“Did you say that you know Householder Qing Lian?”
He had a bewildered gaze.
