The wind stopped almost abruptly and rain began to subside.
The sky was still dark like a pond of ink, speckled with stars, which are the pearls and jadeite deposited by the starry river.
The distant giant tree branches soared skyward and the nearby land transformed into a lush green colour.
A shallow breeze rustled the trees now and then, bringing a refreshing, yet intoxicating aroma.
Sitting on a large, brown rock and with a serious look on his face, Li Muyang earnestly explained to his two classmates standing in front of him in astonishment after witnessing the bizarre scene.
Li Muyang was actually conscious.
From the moment he possessed the ability to play the tune âPhoenix looking for Phoenixâ, he knew somethingâs not right.
He could use a piece of leaf as a musical instrument because back then, when he was bullied and humiliated, and sat by Sunset Lake licking his wounds, he often gently played a sad or cheerful tune with a leaf.
When he played a cheerful tune, his mood turned sad. Other peopleâs world is so beautiful, why is his life so lonely?
When he played a sad tune, his mood became even more gloomy. The world is full of despair, if even the music is so sorrowful, where is the future? Where is the warmth?
Later, he seldom played music again.
However, he had never played the tune âPhoenix looking for Phoenixâ, or listened to it before.
The tune has been lost for hundred years, how would a common teenager from Jiangnan city heard of âPhoenix looking for Phoenixâ?
However, it turns out that he could play this tune, and also achieved the cheerful and light-hearted melody followed by a sorrowful melody before it finally changed into a heart-wrenching tune.
That girl in white who approached him, he desperately wanted to see her faceââ
Those sparks of purple flames were his burning fury, struggle and sufferingââ
He knew that something is wrong.
That thing came out again.
He could not control it at all.
The most deadly thing was that Qiandu and Lin Canghai witnessed it all.
Li Muyang needed to give them an explanation. Whether or not they believe him is not important; whether or not they accept is the most important.
âTeacher Xiahou is your master?â Lin Canghai asked, looking at him with shocked astonishment. The difference between teacher and master is immense; a teacher teaches all students, as long as theyâre willing to listen to Xiahou Qianbaiâs lecture, they can call him âteacherâ. But âMasterâ is different, only people like Li Muyang who is accepted as his disciple can call him âMasterâ.
If Li Muyang did not tell any lies, then it means he will inherit Xiahou Qianbaiâs techniques and is the successor of his status.
People would think highly of Li Muyang and value him because heâs Xiahou Qianbaiâs disciple. And itâs also because of the fact that heâs his disciple that they have a certain respect andââfear towards him.
âOf course.â Li Muyang nodded firmly. âHow would I lie about something like that? If you donât believe meâweâll ask teacher Xiahou when we get back. However, Teacher Xiaohou is a low-profile person, he would not want this to be known to the outside world.â
âSoâââ The corner of Lin Canghaiâs mouth quirked slightly upwards, revealing a cute and charming smile, before he continued: âAre you using Teacher Xiahou to threaten us to help you keep this a secret?â
Li Muyangâs eyes turned cold.
It seems, the situation was a little bit troublesome.
With his hand clasping the hilt of his sword, Lin Canghaiâs taunting smile became increasingly obvious: âWhat? You think what I said is wrong?â
âI have said it before, everyone has secrets.â Li Muyang looked serious. âThose secrets are harmless, as long as theyâre tightly locked in the innermost corners of the heart. However, if someone scattered it around, it would lead to death. Many people will die as a result.â
The smile on Lin Canghaiâs face did not fade when he said: âSo, who do you think is the person who will die?â
âLin Canghaiâââ Li Muyang roared in a deep voice. His eyes gloomy like the sky overhead, the vicious tendency in his heart rapidly rising to his face, as if he might erupt at any time. âDo you have to make things so absolutely difficult?â
âLi Muyang.â The smile on Lin Canghaiâs face finally vanished. That handsome, cute and flawless face unexpectedly has an ill-tempered side. âYou turned yourself into a monster and then threatened us with the name of a teacher to not tell anyoneââDo you have to make things so difficult?â
âIâm not trying to threaten you, Iâm just telling you the facts.â
âWhat kind of facts? The fact that youâre a monster? Or the fact that you threatened us with Xiahou Qianbai?â
âDo you want to kill me?â
âIâm more afraid of being killed by youâââ
âLin Canghaiâââ
âLi Muyangâââ
One clenching the hilt of his sword, while the other clenching his fist.
The two no longer exchanged words, sending flashes and shadows of swords
across from their eyes.
The atmosphere was tense and heavy with hostility, as though a fight might break out at any time.
âPffâââ
Qiandu giggled charmingly.
Her eyes curved like a crescent moon, and her voice was as clear and sharp as a skylarkâs cry.
Qiandu looked at Lin Canghai, then at Li Muyang, before she asked aloud: âAre you two going to fight?â
ââââ
With her arms folded, Qiandu paced back and forth in front of Li Muyang and Lin Canghai: âA fight is good. Since we have nothing to do anyway. Lin Canghai, did you not always wanted to try your âChop off million demons at onceâ and see what stage it is at? Li MuyangââRight, I still donât know what realm Li Muyang is at. He said he just built his foundation, I donât believe it. How can someone who could blow out musical notes that transformed into strange fire only recently built his foundation? Itâs a good thing if you two have a fight, so that I can examine your ability. Letâs see who will be the winner.â
Qiandu waved her, saying: âGo ahead, fight, just pretend Iâm not here.â
ââââ
Li Muyang shot a glance at Lin Canghai and loosened his fist.
In front of Qiandu, Lin Canghai has no temper at all. He also loosened the grip on the sword hilt.
âYouâre not going to fight?â Qiandu glanced at Li Muyang then back at Lin Canghai, before she said glumly: âI wanted to see a fight.â
Lin Canghaiâs lips twisted into a wry smile. âI know you donât want us to fight.â
Li Muyang looked Qiandu seriously in the face, bowed deeply at her and said: âThis time, please.â
âLi Muyang, what do you want me to do?â
ââââ
Qiandu turned to Lin Canghai, saying: âLet me and Li Muyang talk alone.â
Lin Canghai gave an apprehensive glance at Li Muyang. With that, Qiandu immediately understood his mind. âDonât worry, heâs no match for me.â
ââââ