Chapter Eighty-Three: Sitting Face to Face, Speaking of the Past; The Lute’s Melody Dispels the Demons Within

A gentle night breeze drifted over the mountain, its darkness deep and serene. In such a setting, a graceful woman willing to listen to your past sorrows—what a romantic scene this was. Yet, Wood replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Junior Sister. It’s true, I suffered some hurts in my youth—bullied by peers, overlooked by parents and teachers, years spent pining in vain for a girl I could not have. Even later, I still brooded, unable to understand why I had to endure such trials. But now, though those memories are not insignificant, they pass over me like a light wind, no longer weighing on my heart.”

“In truth, what meaning is there in recounting one’s pains to others? Is it to win their pity or sympathy? What purpose does that serve? I’ve long understood—that is merely the way of the weak.” Wood spoke calmly.

Yaxin Yi was startled, then praised him, “Senior Brother, you have a noble heart!”

Wood went on, “Besides, look at who I am now—why should I wallow in self-pity, burying myself in past regrets and sorrows?” With a laugh, he raised his arms to the sky and said, “Those former classmates and teachers are like specks of dust before me now—why should I care about them?”

“It’s just that I didn’t expect the past I thought I had let go of to come surging back under your music, clouding my reason with resentment, and that is why I lashed out at you.”

Yaxin Yi brushed her hand across the strings, the zither’s notes lingering in the air, and said softly, “Have you truly let go? Perhaps those memories are just buried deep, waiting for the right catalyst to breed inner demons.”

Wood felt a shock in his heart. He bowed and said, “So this was your purpose, Junior Sister. Thank you for your reminder—I will take heed.”

Yaxin Yi sat cross-legged, her voice chiming lightly, “Senior Brother Wood, would you like to hear a tune from me?”

If she had asked this of anyone else, given her reputation—“Seven-string zither, ninefold melodies; common men keep their distance”—no one would have dared accept. But Wood harbored a strange affection for her, trusting she meant him no harm. He sensed she felt some guilt and wished to use her music to elevate his state of mind. Smiling, he nodded and said, “Junior Sister, your music is exquisitely beautiful. To hear it is my good fortune.”

Yaxin Yi murmured assent, and the melody began again. This time, the tune was gentle as a sigh, like morning dew moistening petals, like the dawn breeze caressing willow tips. Listening, Wood’s mind drifted back to bits and pieces of his past: bullied as a child, he grew cautious and quiet, an ordinary-looking boy of modest stature, easily lost in a crowd. If not for the chance discovery of the Dimensional Trading System, he might still be idling his days away after college. His only redeeming quality was perhaps the innocence and kindness he had preserved in his heart.

But after acquiring the system, he gained power to stand above the masses. Somehow, he changed—the pure-hearted boy hiding in a corner, watching his beloved walk away, became someone else. In his place was a stranger, seeking solace and worth in women and violence—the wild night with Qiao’er, the madness with Mu Siyu. That self sought comfort and meaning through conquest and bloodshed.

Amid these thoughts, the soft zither music seemed to reach out, as if a gentle hand stroked his hair, making up for the warmth he’d lacked as a child, offering him affection and care. Unbidden, tears slid down his face. He tried to restrain them, but could not; they fell in heavy drops, carrying away all the resentment and burdens long suppressed in his heart, falling to the dust and troubling him no more.

A long time passed before the music ceased. Wood awoke with a start, hastily wiping away his tears, and said in embarrassment, “Junior Sister, you must be laughing at me. I don’t know why, but thinking of the past just now, I…”

Yaxin Yi said, “You need not blame yourself, Senior Brother. My purpose in playing was to catalyze your state of mind, hoping to help remove your inner demons and hasten your enlightenment. See if your heart and cultivation have improved.”

Even without her saying so, Wood could feel it. Never before had his mind felt so light—his former confusion and burdens vanished, and the world around him seemed wondrous and beautiful. He sensed he had somehow ascended to a higher state, and, most importantly, no longer needed to fear the heart demons that haunt cultivators. Overjoyed, he said, “Thank you, Junior Sister!”

Yaxin Yi replied, “It is nothing. Since I stirred your past sorrows, I am obliged to make amends.”

Hearing the gentle words and the faint fragrance unique to women, Wood suddenly blurted out, “Junior Sister, would you teach me to play the seven-string zither? I’ve always been fond of music theory.”

Yaxin Yi was taken aback. “How skilled are you?”

Wood flushed, “I’ve never learned at all.”

She fell silent, and he said awkwardly, “The zither is a profound art and I have no foundation. My request was too forward—never mind.”

But Yaxin Yi said, “If you truly wish to learn, I can share what I know. I just don’t know if you have the talent for it.” Placing the zither before him, she explained, “The Yao Zither has seven strings, covering the five tones. The first string is Yellow Bell, the third is the Gong mode. There are five modes: Slow Jue, Clear Shang, Gong, Slow Gong, and Ruibin.” She explained each in turn.

Though Wood knew nothing of music, he now possessed the “Shadow Imprint” talent of the Divine Dragon King, making his comprehension extraordinary—he understood instantly. Seeing his aptitude, Yaxin Yi was pleased and taught him finger techniques, letting him try a short piece. He fumbled at first, with some notes off and his fingers stiff, but Yaxin Yi sighed, “For a beginner, your sense of the music is already refined. The zither is the voice of the heart—perhaps your open mind is the reason.”

Wood replied modestly, “Junior Sister flatters me. I wonder how long it will take before I can play as you do.”

Yaxin Yi blurted, “Do you wish to learn the Ninefold Zither Melody?”

Wood quickly said, “You misunderstand, Junior Sister! I have no intention of prying into its secrets—I simply wish to learn music.”

Yaxin Yi pondered a moment. “It seems you are truly talented and will soon master many pieces. But, I’m afraid I cannot teach you the Ninefold Melody.”

Wood answered, “Of course, that must be a secret art of the Water Moon Sect. As an outer disciple, it’s only right you don’t teach it to me.”

Yaxin Yi shook her head, “No, it’s not a sect secret.”

“Oh?” Wood was surprised, but thought such a profound art would naturally be kept secret, so he said no more.

Unexpectedly, Yaxin Yi explained, “The Ninefold Melody cannot be played by most. Even my master, the sect leader, cannot perform it. I created it myself, and only my seven-string zither can play it.”

Wood was astonished. “What? You created this art yourself? Genius—truly a genius!”

He was deeply impressed. It was said that Bai Yijian, the leading genius among young cultivators, retreated at the sound of her music. Yaxin Yi’s talent was truly beyond description.

But Yaxin Yi only smiled calmly, “It’s not as mysterious as it sounds, but it is my secret and not convenient to discuss now. But you, Senior Brother, have already reached the Unity of Five Elements. The elders all praise you as a reincarnated immortal.”

“Unity of Five Elements?” Wood was puzzled.

She explained, “Unity of Five Elements and Reversal of Yin and Yang are states in cultivation. After surviving seven heavenly tribulations, cultivators with great talent can wield the five elements as one, moving between them seamlessly—this is Unity of Five Elements. As for Reversal of Yin and Yang, legend says those who survive nine tribulations and reach the level of immortals can achieve it.”

Wood smiled faintly—he knew his own situation. Without the “Shadow Imprint” talent, he could never have grasped the Shangqing Technique or mastered the five elements so quickly.

Suddenly, he recalled something. “Junior Sister, your seven-string zither has ninefold tones, but from what you said earlier, it seemed you only used six?”

Yaxin Yi replied, “To be honest, my cultivation is not high enough—I can at most use seven. But since six did not affect you, I saw no reason to waste energy on the seventh.”

Wood was startled. This woman was so candid, even revealing her level to him. As his thoughts wandered, Yaxin Yi said softly, “Senior Brother, it’s late. I must return.”

“Ah, you’re leaving?” Wood was suddenly reluctant to part. Yaxin Yi rose and added, “Senior Brother, I have one request.”

He nodded, “Please say it.”

Yaxin Yi said, “At the upcoming tournament, if you face disciples of the Water Moon Sect, I hope you’ll show mercy and not harm them.”

Knowing his cultivation was unmatched among his peers, Wood promised without hesitation, “You have my word.”

Yaxin Yi bowed and walked slowly down the mountain, her white robes distinct in the misty night.

Halfway up the slope, Wood watched Yaxin Yi’s departing form, standing quietly in place. Deep inside, something surged and trembled.

He took a long, deep breath.

All was silent in the world.

No, I must banish this shadow from my mind.

A voice echoed within him.

Gritting his teeth, he slowly walked down the mountain.