The White Moonlight Subdues Everyone with a Suona - Chapter 24
Ji Bingyu did not doubt Shen Hege’s words.
Earlier, after agreeing to join Rong Qingyuan at Xueyu Peak, Ji Bingyu met Shen Hege without his disguise—a gentleman like jade, elegant and young.
According to Eldest Senior Brother Li Fuqing, Shen Hege was sent to the new disciple trials by Master Rong Qingyuan intentionally to temper his sharp edges, as his temper was far too good.
Speaking of Li Fuqing, Ji Bingyu suddenly recalled that he was the husky-like child who had lent a helping hand when she was beating up Yan Yiduan that day.
She raised her eyes to look at Li Fuqing, who was standing beside Rong Qingyuan.
Just as she was about to thank him, she caught the charming, wicked smile on his face.
Ji Bingyu: “…” Never mind.
She blankly withdrew her gaze.
If those words had come from Li Fuqing, Ji Bingyu wouldn’t have believed even half of it, but Shen Hege was different.
Her Third Senior Brother was gentle, clean, and possessed a great temper, closely resembling those highly cultured young noblemen from noble families in storybooks.
The words spoken by such an upright gentleman could never be false.
Holding such thoughts, Ji Bingyu looked at the imposing and dignified building in front of her, a surge of excitement rising within her.
Who among those who watched [Legend of the White Snake] in their childhood hadn’t draped a bedsheet over themselves to pretend to be the White Lady? Who hadn’t, after watching a certain tale of rainbow fairies, fantasized about possessing boundless magic power, moving as gracefully as an immortal with every gesture?
In short, before being beaten down by society, who didn’t have a Mary Sue dream!
Ji Bingyu imagined herself holding a pipa, a guqin, a jade flute, or other musical instruments in the future, descending gracefully like a fairy under the obsessed or shocked gazes of the crowd, her sleeves fluttering like snow falling upon the heavens, and she couldn’t help but rub her hands in excitement.
She, Ji Bingyu, was about to become a legendary fairy!
“…Entering the Dao through music, cultivating through sound, drinking moonlight and embracing the starry river, paying no mind to the endless gossip of the mortal realm. Now that you have joined my Changqing Sect, leave all stray thoughts behind and cultivate the Dao with a peaceful heart to achieve true fruition.”
Sect Master Chang Qingzi was still delivering his literary leadership speech.
Ji Bingyu saw her fresh-out-of-the-oven master standing with the newly arrived sect elders, smiling at her at this moment.
…He really liked to smile.
And his smile was indeed very handsome.
When Rong Qingyuan smiled, it was like snow among the pines under the moonlight, carrying a crisp fragrance that wasn’t overpowering.
His appearance was strikingly beautiful, almost described as ‘gorgeous,’ yet it never gave off a sense of frivolity.
The deep, unmelting ink in his eyes remained, yet it never felt overly heavy or dull.
He was truly a contradictory yet fascinating existence.
As Ji Bingyu muttered in her heart, a voice suddenly rang out in her mind unexpectedly.
[Have you recognized everyone?]
The voice was crisp and pleasant to hear.
It took Ji Bingyu a full five seconds to react and realize that her master was sending her a voice transmission.
Oh no, caught slacking off, how embarrassing.
Like a student caught slacking off in class, Ji Bingyu flashed an awkward yet pleasing smile at Rong Qingyuan: [In reply to Master, your disciple has not memorized everyone yet.]
More than just not memorizing everyone!
Ji Bingyu’s entire mind had been captivated earlier by that Nine Layers Pavilion, which was said to “hold countless treasures and encompass all things.”
When Chang Qingzi spoke, she habitually adopted the attitude of facing a morning assembly in later generations—say what you will, I’ll slack off as I please.
In through the left ear and out through the right, she hadn’t heard a single word clearly.
Rong Qingyuan let out a light laugh, seeming extremely amused: [No matter.]
He paused for a moment and added, [Between you and me, there is no need to be so polite; it makes us seem distant instead.]
It was their first time meeting, so shouldn’t being polite and distant be expected?
Yet Rong Qingyuan spoke so naturally and openly that Ji Bingyu didn’t notice anything wrong at all.
Before she even had time to think, Rong Qingyuan began introducing the figures within the sect to her.
Only then did Ji Bingyu learn that Changqing Sect once had the title of the “Four Gentlemen of Changqing.”
At the head was, naturally, Sect Master Chang Qingzi—a hereditary title, where every generation’s Changqing Sect Master was called Chang Qingzi.
He was also the master of the cold-faced Eldest Senior Brother, Xun Yanchi.
Second in rank was Perfected Yunxiao, a female cultivator who maintained a great relationship with Lingxiao Pavillion.
She currently resided on Ruyun peak, and Senior Sister Yu Yun, whom the disciples referred to as “Eldest Senior Sister,” was precisely her disciple.
Ji Bingyu secretly raised her head and glanced at Perfected Yunxiao standing over there.
She saw her wearing a light purple fairy dress, draped in a streaming ribbon as radiant as sunset clouds, her high hair knot held with a few glowing flowers.
Seeming to notice Ji Bingyu’s gaze, Perfected Yunxiao shifted her eyes slightly and offered Ji Bingyu a gentle, refined smile.
Her posture was elegant, free from common cliches—what a gentle and beautiful woman!
Ji Bingyu gasped in her heart, wishing she could rush up and give the beauty a hug!
[…Do you like it?]
Ji Bingyu blinked, not reacting for a moment: [What?]
[What Yunxiao wears on her head is the Buddha Glass Flower, which nurtures fragrance and aids cultivation; it is a product of Lingxiao Pavillion,] Rong Qingyuan said unhurriedly.
[If you like it, there should be some in the treasure pavilion on the back mountain of Xueyu Peak. You can fetch some when the time comes.]
That works too?
Rong Qingyuan’s attitude was so natural that Ji Bingyu even felt he was raising her like a daughter.
Ji Bingyu said in her heart: [The Buddha Glass Flower is too precious; Master doesn’t need to trouble himself.]
[Not precious at all,] Rong Qingyuan said nonchalantly.
[Just a flower, it hardly counts as trouble.]
Had she not read the original novel before and known that this Buddha Glass Flower was quite a major sacred object in the original plot—where even the female lead, Yan Liusu, almost lost half her life just to get one—Ji Bingyu would have almost believed that this Buddha Glass Flower was something found everywhere.
With Rong Qingyuan raising children like this, it was a miracle that Xueyu Peak wasn’t full of spoiled brats!
Fortunately, seeing that Ji Bingyu truly didn’t seem to care, Rong Qingyuan didn’t press the matter further and continued introducing the elders of Changqing Sect to her.
Below Perfected Yunxiao was Master Qianming.
His peak was named ‘Piaomiao Peak,’ yet he was not the carefree, indifferent immortal Ji Bingyu had imagined.
Rong Qingyuan used only one phrase to make Ji Bingyu understand Master Qianming’s personality: [He’s a bit like Xuanfeng.]
Ji Bingyu understood in an instant.
Every sect had a trouble-maker, and surely this Master Qianming was the one shouldering that role in Changqing Sect!
Silently dubbing Master Qianming the “Number One Villain of Changqing Sect” in her heart, Ji Bingyu decided that unless necessary, she would walk around anyone from Taixu Peak in the future.
The last of the Four Gentlemen of Changqing was Master Leshui, who lived on Shouren Peak.
Ji Bingyu glanced at Master Leshui standing there, feeling that his muscular, athletic figure was completely out of place with the immortal, otherworldly style of everyone else in Changqing Sect.
[…He is skilled with drums. Though he can appear hot-tempered at times, he is extremely tolerant toward junior disciples, not the type to hold grudges. He is also skilled in crafting equipment, so after joining the sect, you will deal with him often.]
Ji Bingyu silently memorized all of this.
Seeing that Rong Qingyuan seemed to have finished, she couldn’t help but ask: [What about you, Master?]
Heaven’s Will had disappeared to who knows where, and Changqing Sect was merely a minor background element in the original novel, only serving as a villain or providing villainous forces when the main characters needed to level up, with very little screen time.
When Ji Bingyu read the outline provided by Heaven’s Will, aside from “the entire sect consists of musical cultivators,” she didn’t remember many other traits.
Regarding her own master, Ji Bingyu hadn’t read a single word about him in the original novel, yet she vaguely felt that others treated him very differently, seeming quite wary of him.
Rong Qingyuan looked at her, his handsome eyes curving slightly.
[I…]
Before he could finish his voice transmission, he heard Chang Qingzi announce: “Open the Pavilion!”
Instantly, everyone’s gaze, including the accompanying disciples, was drawn to that majestic building.
The vermilion pavilion before them was originally veiled in a layer of mist, making it hard to see clearly.
As Chang Qingzi issued the command, the mist dispersed in a moment, turning into tiny specks of starlight that drifted around the pavilion, making it look even more dreamlike and ethereal.
From the entrance of the vermilion pavilion, a long red heavenly staircase extended directly to the feet of the disciples.
Jade-green water surrounded the Nine Layers Pavilion like a emerald wristband, while a waterfall cascaded nearby, the sound of rushing water filling the air with grand momentum that stirred heroics in one’s heart.
“Go in quickly,” Chang Qingzi smiled, “go and receive your destined magical weapons.”
Ji Bingyu instinctively looked at her master, and the next second, she heard his voice transmission: [Go on, don’t be afraid.]
To be completely honest, Ji Bingyu felt that her master was really a good person, not at all like the rumors that claimed he was a cold-blooded, ruthless, and eccentric invalid.
Ji Bingyu thought to herself as she stepped into the Nine Layers Pavilion.
To put it poetically, in Ji Bingyu’s heart, her master was the perfect blend of “a beauty to overturn cities” and “a delicate, sickly physique.”
Ji Bingyu had never seen an invalid as handsome as Rong Qingyuan.
[Dad, have some backbone! Don’t be won over so easily by a face!]
The elusive Heaven’s Will popped up again.
Unable to form a physical body, it could only send voice transmissions inside Ji Bingyu’s head: [He is actually &…!%￥, Rong Qingyuan is %￥!~]
Ji Bingyu: [? What on earth are you saying?]
Heaven’s Will: [□□□□□□□□□□□□□!!!!!]
Ji Bingyu: [… ]
It was completely censored; she couldn’t understand a thing.
Heaven’s Will also seemed to realize it had no way to say the words out loud.
It let out a deep sigh, wiped its face, and solemnly summarized the lesson: [In short, don’t mess around this time.]
Ji Bingyu furrowed her brows, feeling that this unfilial son’s tone sounded like it wanted to rebel!
Before she could voice her rebuttal, Heaven’s Will instantly shifted its tone, crying pitifully: [I beg you! Dad! I beg you! I really don’t want to go repair the cracks in Heavenly Pillar again!]
Ji Bingyu: […]
She always responded better to gentle persuasion than force.
Seeing Heaven’s Will still driven out of its mind by torture, she felt a bit embarrassed to pick on it further.
After saying this, Heaven’s Will went silent, and Ji Bingyu was in no mood to battle with it anymore.
This was the Nine Layers Pavilion!
According to Chang Qingzi, it was a sacred land that countless music lovers dreamed of day and night!
Soon after stepping into the Nine Layers Pavilion, Ji Bingyu discovered there was more to it than met the eye.
From the outside, although the Nine Layers Pavilion was radiant and appeared majestic and solemn, it looked to be only the size of an ordinary pavilion.
Once inside, however, one realized things were not so simple.
The interior of the Nine Layers Pavilion contained a world of its own.
As soon as Ji Bingyu stepped through the door, she found that there was no ceiling above and no floor below, as if stepping on the clouds; there was no path forward and no road back, as if placed in a realm of void.
Mist swirled around, and occasional immortal music rose gently.
The disciples who had entered together with her had long vanished into parts unknown.
Seeing no hints around, as if intentionally leaving the disciples to act as they pleased, Ji Bingyu simply set aside her worries and wandered freely among the clouds.
After walking for an unknown duration, Ji Bingyu arrived in front of a splendidly decorated room.
The door here was wide open, and there seemed to be a word written on it, but Ji Bingyu didn’t see it clearly.
The next second, dozens of large drums stood there solemnly inside the room.
Seeing someone enter, they showed no reaction whatsoever.
This was the first musical instrument Ji Bingyu had seen since entering the Nine Layers Pavilion.
She couldn’t help feeling a bit excited, taking three steps in two as she prepared to throw herself at those cute and charming drum stands, her left hand already reaching for a drumstick
…she reached the drumstick
…reached the drumstick
…to the drumstick
…yet the drumstick didn’t move at all?????
Ji Bingyu was stunned to find that she couldn’t lift this drumstick at all.
However, she didn’t overthink it; if one place wouldn’t have her, another surely would.
Ji Bingyu immediately gave up on the prettier red-gilded drumstick on the left and reached out toward the paulownia-wood-colored drumstick on her right—still couldn’t lift it.
You don’t look like a drumstick; you look like a wooden club!
Ji Bingyu refused to accept it and tried several drumsticks in a row.
Apart from one drumstick that tried to leap up with its drum and smack her rear after she held it in her hand, the rest were either motionless like chaste maidens or wouldn’t even let her touch them, as if eager to perform a “you chase, I run, neither of us can fly away” on the spot.
Ji Bingyu: ???
What is going on here?
Ji Bingyu could even imagine that if this drum could speak, it would now be yelling loudly in a translated tone: “Oh, stay away, you annoying little thing, or I’ll kick your butt hard with my drumstick!”
Forced melon isn’t sweet, so Ji Bingyu didn’t force it.
Thoroughly practicing the principle of “nothing in the world is difficult as long as you’re willing to give up,”
Ji Bingyu immediately moved away from the drumstick that wanted to commit treason whenever she came within a meter.
After searching the room to no avail, she immediately prepared to leave.
Just then, the door was suddenly pulled open.
“Zhong Ziqi?”
Ji Bingyu recognized the newcomer.
The two had cooperated during the new disciple trial.
Although the other party occasionally showed a hot-tempered side, generally speaking, he wore the guise of an upright gentleman and was quite easy to talk to.
Considering that they were on fairly good terms, Ji Bingyu immediately warned him, “The drums in this room all have terrible tempers and are very hard to deal with. You’d better be careful.” Zhong Ziqi naturally wouldn’t doubt Ji Bingyu’s words.
He carefully stepped into the room, standing at the ready.
“Thanks for the warning, I…”
Before his words could land, all the drums in the room sounded in unison—not an aimless commotion, but a rhythm resembling a piece of music!
Ji Bingyu: ?
It was as if soldiers long stationed at the frontier had finally waited for their general; the drumbeats at this moment were solemn, joyful, tragic, yet carried a clear trace of excitement, making one feel as if standing in ice and snow with a torch of hope in the distance, a tragic song born from the blending of joy and sorrow.
Ji Bingyu: ??
The next second, Zhong Ziqi was surrounded by enthusiastic drumsticks and drums, like catnip straying into a clowder of cats, where everyone wanted a sniff.
Meanwhile, Ji Bingyu was like a goose straying into a clowder of cats, miserable and neglected.
No one cared about her; they only cared about Zhong Ziqi.
Why was there species discrimination!
Outside the Nine Layers Pavilion, Li Fuqing waited, feeling increasingly bored, and began chatting aimlessly with Shen Hege.
“Which instrument do you think Little Junior Sister will end up getting?”
Shen Hege thought about it and shook his head honestly.
“I don’t know.”
Li Fuqing rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t ask you to analyze it seriously, just make a guess.”
He pointed at the crowd of disciples who had rushed over from afar to join the excitement, saying, “Those people will lose spirit stones if they guess wrong. You won’t lose spirit stones, so why don’t you even dare to make a guess?”
Li Fuqing was pointing at the disciples who were laying bets.
This was a tradition in Changqing Sect.
After all, the number of new disciples they accepted each year wasn’t large, especially at Xueyu Peak, where the population was particularly sparse.
Now that Master Qingxu of Xueyu Peak had finally taken a new disciple—who was reportedly the top scholar of this batch and held the title of “White Moonlight Beauty”—how could people not be curious?
“Master Qingxu’s magical weapon is the Fengshe Qin. I guess Junior Sister Ji’s magical weapon will also be a qin!”
“I don’t think so. Junior Sister Ji is unearthly and otherworldly; perhaps her magical weapon is out of the ordinary too. Could it be a rare Phoenix-head Konghou?”
(T/N: Konghou)
“That makes sense. I remember Master Qingxu has a Phoenix-head Konghou. Seems like no one has ever seen him take it out to use?”
“Ha, forget the Phoenix-head Konghou, even Master Qingxu isn’t someone everyone sees often, right?”
The disciples bickered noisily, creating an exceptionally lively scene.
Shen Hege went over quietly to take a look and found that the option with the most bets placed was still the qin.
After all, Rong Qingyuan was famous for the qin, and among the three disciples under his seat, Shen Hege was also skilled in qin techniques.
Thus, most disciples placed their bets on the qin. This was hardly surprising.
“Come on, Third Junior Brother, place a bet too.”
Facing Li Fuqing’s teasing, Shen Hege felt a bit helpless.
“No, Eldest Senior Brother, I’m not really good at—”
The demonic nature in Li Fuqing’s bones hadn’t been erased.
The more Shen Hege refused, the more amused he felt.
“Don’t worry about winning or losing, just place a random bet based on your understanding of Little Junior Sister. What do you think—”
Before Li Fuqing could finish his sentence, a residual note from a pipa came whistling through the air.
This residual note was not the decadent sound of a pipa in the memory of mortal men, but forceful and resounding, carrying a trace of decisive slaughter.
Li Fuqing quickly ducked out of the way, using his flute to block it, barely dodging in time.
Fortunately, this person didn’t actually intend to take Li Fuqing’s life.
When Shen Hege saw the newcomer, he let out a long sigh of relief, his voice tinged with joy.
“Second Senior Sister!”
The person who arrived was Second Senior Sister Shaoyang Yu of Xueyu Peak.
She bowed, greeting the Sect Master and elders, then walked over to Shen Hege and Li Fuqing, coldly sweeping her gaze across Li Fuqing.
“Stop fooling around.”
Shaoyang Yu’s voice was not loud, but her pressure was formidable, causing even the disciples running the betting pool in the distance to lower their voices.
Even Li Fuqing, who was usually lawless, reined himself in before Shaoyang Yu.
Unlike her fellow disciples who preferred fairy-like attire, Shaoyang Yu wore a mask year-round to cover her face, tying her hair behind her head, devoting herself entirely to cultivation and rarely coming out to see people.
Her coming out this time was surely due to receiving the news of a new Little Junior Sister.
Seeing that Rong Qingyuan hadn’t spoken up to stop it, Li Fuqing thought for a moment.
Taking advantage of his young form, he sidled up to Shaoyang Yu’s side again.
“Then what kind of magical weapon do you think Little Junior Sister will bring out?”
Shaoyang Yu looked over.
By now, several disciples had emerged one after another from the Nine Layers Pavilion.
They were either nervous or excited as they displayed the magical weapons they had obtained, everyone’s expression filled with joy.
Shaoyang Yu thought for a moment and said, “It doesn’t matter what magical weapon Little Junior Sister gets.”
Regardless of what magical weapon Ji Bingyu obtained, whether its attack power was strong or weak, as her senior sister, she would protect her well.
Shaoyang Yu firmly believed in this.
Inside the Nine Layers Pavilion, Ji Bingyu, who was “the hope of everyone,” was currently doubting her life choices.
Just now, upon hearing that solemn and stirring drum music, Zhong Ziqi’s expression had been equally moved.
At that moment, he could no longer hear or see anything else; his mind and eyes were filled entirely with his drumbeats.
So Zhong Ziqi strode forward, and those drums that had treated Ji Bingyu with utter disdain earlier immediately surged forward with enthusiasm, looking as if they were about to throw a party around Zhong Ziqi the next second and sing a high-pitched tune of “What is the Happy Planet.”
Who would have thought that this Zhong Ziqi, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, would turn traitor too!
Ji Bingyu: My mistakes, 886.
(T/N: 886 ( bā bā liù) is an internet slang that sounds very similar to the English phrase “Bye-bye, le” (bài bài le), meaning “Bye-bye now!” or “Gotta go!”)
She left the room without hesitation.
In the journey that followed, she encountered a jade flute that flew through the air to crash straight into her to perish together, an unknown instrument that looked like a harp, and a flying pipa that was extremely pretty but bought a train ticket overnight to run away the moment it laid eyes on her.
Ji Bingyu felt that once she stepped out of the Nine Layers Pavilion, she could write a book titled [The Misunderstood Life of Ji Bingyu], tearfully denouncing the discriminatory behavior of these musical instruments.
After it happened too many times, Ji Bingyu even began to doubt whether she could get a musical cultivator’s magical weapon that belonged to her at all.
Ji Bingyu was heartbroken—was this the suffering of being tone-deaf!
Even the musical instruments were rejecting her!
What was Heaven trying to do to such a poor, cute little fairy like her!
After waving away a certain dark-wood flute that tried to attack her for the 10086th time, Ji Bingyu kept a straight face, continuing forward with a deadpan expression.
Before Ji Bingyu could walk much farther, the next room appeared out of thin air right before her eyes.
This time, Ji Bingyu clearly saw the character on the plaque in the very center of the room: “Qin.”
Having learned from her experience in the previous drum room, Ji Bingyu was fully prepared this time.
She planned to run away immediately if things looked bad after pushing open the door.
Same room, same arrangement of displays.
Ji Bingyu took a deep breath and pushed open the final doors with force!
Unlike the drum room’s obvious luxury and splendour, the decoration of this qin room was clearly much more reserved and steady—elegant and ancient, carrying the classic charm settled over a thousand years.
Stepping her left foot into the room, Ji Bingyu immediately saw dozens of guqins standing upright in a neat row before her.
Seeming to sense someone’s arrival, the guqins trembled with excitement, eager to charge right up to Ji Bingyu! Ji Bingyu never expected the guqins to be so enthusiastic, completely different from those pretentiously aloof, hot-tempered old drums from before!
Ji Bingyu, who was originally feeling a bit down after being repeatedly rejected, was resurrected on the spot!
She, Ji Bingyu, felt that she was capable again!
She, Ji Bingyu, stood tall once more!
At this moment, Ji Bingyu’s mind was filled with images of herself wearing a white fairy dress, descending gracefully as her sleeves fluttered, set against a background of countless floating flower petals softly swaying in the breeze onto a ground of fallen blossoms.
Just like the typical grand entrances of white moonlight characters in early web novels—no matter what was happening at the time, even if two forces were engaged in a fierce battle, the moment the white moonlight appeared, everyone would instantly freeze their actions, staring in absolute enchantment and adoration.
Of course, the adoration part wasn’t necessary; Ji Bingyu, the drama queen, simply wanted to act like a total boss.
She looked at a guqin from afar.
This guqin was vermilion-brown all over, bearing natural wood grain patterns, its body shimmering with radiant light.
Among the pool of plain and restrained guqins, it seemed to come with its own spotlight, catching the eye of Ji Bingyu, whose nature held quite a few drama-queen traits.
She understood.
If all encounters in the world were long-awaited reunions, then all her previous tribulations were meant for her to reunite with this guqin!
With an excited heart, Ji Bingyu reached out with a trembling hand, wanting to have her very first intimate contact with her guqin—
Suddenly, a gust of wind howled, followed immediately by several flashes of sudden thunder, causing the Nine Layers Pavilion to shake as if an earthquake were rocking the mountains.
Ji Bingyu couldn’t help but squint her eyes, which hurt from the biting wind.
Yet, amidst the roaring thunder, her palm suddenly touched something hard.
Ji Bingyu’s vision was still a pixelated blur; she couldn’t see clearly and could only guess based on touch.
This object could be held in her hand, and judging by its size, it didn’t seem like a qin. It was cold to the touch, perhaps something like a jade flute or Xiao.
Regardless, Ji Bingyu was deeply moved.
Rather than risking being struck by lightning, it had still delivered itself to her side—what kind of spirit was this?
This was recognizing her from the bottom of its heart as the most suitable master!
Having been rejected by all sorts of instruments along the way, Ji Bingyu tightly grasped the musical instrument in her hand, extraordinarily touched.
As if sensing Ji Bingyu’s surging emotions, the surrounding wind gradually died down, the thunder grew faint, and everything seemed to quiet down into peacefulness—spring remaining, all things reviving, years quiet and beautiful.
With an excited, joyful mood akin to a bountiful harvest, Ji Bingyu lowered her head and looked intently at what was in her hand—
She saw that the object in her hand was ink-black all over, looking noble and cold, casting a cool wood-colored light that reminded one of autumn rain, wind, and birds singing in mountain streams.
It seemed as though it might turn into swords slicing down the next second, its cold pride unconsciously reflecting amidst shifting lights and shadows.
Yet even so, it couldn’t change the fact that this was a motherf***ing suona—
“…Na?!”
Ji Bingyu was shocked on the spot.
Even though she was used to stormy waves and had even experienced something as unbelievable as transmigrating into a book, she still felt that the scene before her eyes was completely mind-boggling.
No, even if you don’t give me an ethereal guqin or zheng, at least give me a jade flute or a pipa!
At worst, giving me a drum would be fine too!
What does giving me a suona now even mean!
Ah! Tell me what it means!
Her sweet dream of becoming a little fairy collapsed, and Ji Bingyu’s inner self couldn’t help but burst into a prairie dog scream!
Ah—
Nine Layers Pavilion! What will you use to repay what you owe me here!
(T/N:If you’re not familiar, the suona is a traditional Chinese horn that is hilariously loud, extremely high-pitched, and famous for being played at funerals. You literally cannot look delicate or ethereal blowing into one—your cheeks are puffed out, and the noise completely drowns out everything around you. Ji Bingyu went from envisioning a romantic fairy tale to realizing she’s going to sound like a one-person chaotic parade every time she enters a fight. So, Ji Bingyu’s dream of becoming a drop-dead gorgeous, floating immortal fairy playing a soft, graceful flute or qin is literally burned to ashes… haha!)
…
Li Fuqing initially had the mood to joke with others, but after seeing several disciples emerge, he finally couldn’t sit still anymore.
He secretly glanced at Rong Qingyuan, who was dressed in grand attire, and asked in a low voice.
“Master, is it really fine for Little Junior Sister to stay inside the Nine Layers Pavilion for so long?”
Rong Qingyuan turned his head slightly and said, “No matter.”
The Nine Layers Pavilion wasn’t a dangerous place.
On the contrary, with numerous magical weapons and layers of illusions set up by the elders, calling the Nine Layers Pavilion the safest place in Changqing Sect was no exaggeration.
Master Qianming nearby overheard the conversation between the master and disciple and couldn’t help cold-snorting.
“Just hope she doesn’t tear down the Nine Layers Pavilion on a whim.”
Judging by his tone, he clearly knew about Ji Bingyu’s actions during the new disciple trial, likely having exchanged notes with his good friend, Daoist Xuanfeng.
Rong Qingyuan looked at Master Qianming and said with a smile, “So Master Qianming thinks so highly of my young disciple?”
Master Qianming: “?”
“Inside the Nine Layers Pavilion, there are not only illusions set up by you and me, but also layers of formations established by past sect masters. Even if the elders present were to force their way in, they might not emerge unscathed. Yet Qianming, you feel my young disciple can tear down the Nine Layers Pavilion relying solely on her own power…”
“It seems Master Qianming places high hopes upon my young disciple.”
Rong Qingyuan had always spoken in an unhurried tone. He didn’t finish his sentence, yet achieved a meaning that went far beyond words, subtly dragging down the other party. It not only made people feel that Qianming, who said those words earlier, was out of his mind, but also forcibly made people taste a hint of conspiracy.
Li Fuqing glanced at Master Qianming with sympathy.
He couldn’t understand why this person was rendered speechless by Rong Qingyuan’s ridicule every single time, yet still insisted on coming over to let Rong Qingyuan slap his face again.
Li Fuqing stroked his chin and thought to himself: perhaps this was just a unique personal quirk?
Master Qianming had no idea what Li Fuqing was thinking; he was once again angered by Rong Qingyuan to the point of being unable to speak.
“Rong Qingyuan, you—”
Before Master Qianming could finish speaking, Rong Qingyuan suddenly covered his lips and coughed, his entire face filled with illness as if he were nearing the grave.
Master Leshui couldn’t watch any longer: “Alright Qianming, say a few less words. Don’t go picking on Qingxu for no reason.”
Master Qianming: ?
Master Qianming: “I’m picking on him?!”
Perfected Yunxiao chimed in: “Qingxu’s young disciple is still inside the Nine Layers Pavilion, so he is naturally worried. I see that young disciple is cute and clever, and holds no grudge against you, so why must you speak in riddles and insinuations, Qianming?”
Master Qianming: ??
Master Qianming: “Was I the one speaking in riddles and insinuations?!”
Rong Qingyuan coughed lightly twice and sighed: “Bingyu is young and was bullied before, making her truly pitiable. If she has offended you in any way, Master, please forgive her.”
Master Qianming: ???
Master Qianming: “She was bullied?!”
Wait a minute.
By the end of it, even Master Qianming fell into confusion.
Could it be that the Ji Bingyu described by his good friend—the one who could poke through the heavens, stir up the seas, tear apart giant waves with a wave of her hand, and slice through secret realms with a forty-meter blade—was fake?!
Before Master Qianming could speak, Sect Master Chang Qingzi, standing to the side, shook his head and said, “Alright, everyone quiet down.”
Witnessing his master defeating the enemy without fighting once again, Li Fuqing couldn’t help admiring him in his heart.
The tea scent overflows; terrifying to such an extent!
While the few of them were bickering, another male disciple emerged from the Nine Layers Pavilion.
Now, Ji Bingyu was truly the only one left inside the Nine Layers Pavilion.
After waiting and waiting, even Shen Hege, who had a good temper, couldn’t help but feel anxious.
He said worriedly,”Could Junior Sister be injured inside? Or was she attacked by the music of qins and drums, accidentally straying into a secret realm?”
Zhong Ziqi, who had already come out, remained silent for a moment before his mouth twitched.
“Senior Brother doesn’t need to worry, I feel like she isn’t someone who would get bullied.”
It was already good enough if Ji Bingyu didn’t bully others!
Pei Leye nodded in agreement.
“Senior Brother Shen, don’t worry. I also feel that Grandmaster Ji…Fellow Daoist Ji…would definitely not be defeated by such a simple trial!”
Shen Hege had been to the trial and knew that Pei Leye and Ji Bingyu were on good terms, but Shaoyang Yu didn’t know.
She raised her eyes and glanced at Pei Leye.
“You know her very well?”
“Of course!” Pei Leye was filled with pride, “Fellow Daoist Ji is exceptionally gifted, a rare genius, possessing extraordinary talent—she is no ordinary mortal! She has courage and perseverance that others lack, as well as determination and forward-thrusting bravery that others don’t have. I believe she will definitely get a unique magical weapon in the end!”
Pei Leye’s tone was filled with an unknown pride and an obvious confidence in Ji Bingyu, attracting sideways glances from everyone around.
Even the taciturn Xun Yanchi couldn’t help looking at Pei Leye.
This new disciple had just been accepted as an inner disciple by Master Qianming, yet Master Qianming and Ji Bingyu’s master, Master Qingxu, were visibly on bad terms.
This young disciple actually declared Ji Bingyu’s excellence so openly before everyone, which was practically slapping Master Qianming directly in the face!
Eldest Senior Sister Yu Yun found it both amusing and sympathetic toward Master Qianming.
She coughed lightly, “Alright, let’s quietly wait. Junior Sister Ji should be coming out soon.”
Just as Yu Yun’s words landed, the Nine Layers Pavilion was suddenly surrounded by a gust of whirlwind, and the next second, the main doors crashed open!
“The… the main doors?!”
“Am I seeing things?! The Nine Layers Pavilion actually opened its main doors?!”
Some disciples were so shocked their voices cracked.
But one couldn’t blame them; the probability of the Nine Layers Pavilion opening its main doors was simply too small.
Unless a divine weapon came into existence, the Nine Layers Pavilion never opened its main doors.
Even the composed Chang Qingzi stood up instantly, while Rong Qingyuan was already standing against the wind at the entrance of the Nine Layers Pavilion.
He blocked everyone’s prying eyes.
Thus, the moment Ji Bingyu stepped out of the pavilion doors, the first person she saw was her own master.
Rong Qingyuan’s face was pale, which contrasted even more with his crimson lips.
He looked languid, yet wearing elaborate robes did not steal even half a bit of his radiance.
Black hair and red lips, resembling a red lotus transformed into human shape in Buddhist legends—even if fierce fires roared right at his face, he could still handle it calmly, possessing jade bones and a green robe, walking alone in purgatory, smiling as he watched the world’s prosperity.
A beauty to overturn cities, a delicate, sickly physique.
For a moment, Ji Bingyu forgot what she was holding in her hand, striding forward quickly to ask with concern, “Master, your complexion looks bad. Did someone bully you?”
Rong Qingyuan paused, his eyes curving as the deep ink in them rippled out, “Never.”
Ji Bingyu followed Rong Qingyuan’s gaze and caught Master Qianming looking over as well.
Ji Bingyu narrowed her eyes.
Master Qianming’s cheek twitched, feeling extraordinarily furious.
What is wrong with you master and disciple? Why do both of you think the other will get bullied???
Do you two have some kind of misunderstanding about each other?!
Are you two people who are so easy to bully?!
Seeing Ji Bingyu finally emerge, Li Fuqing and the other two also breathed a sigh of relief, stepping behind Rong Qingyuan.
Li Fuqing said, “What treasure did Little Junior Sister get? Quick, let us have a look!”
Ji Bingyu’s body stiffened, her hand holding the suona trembling slightly.
She finally remembered what she had forgotten.
Instinctively, Ji Bingyu didn’t really want others to know about her magical weapon.
She still held a faint hope of being a gentle, beautiful little fairy at Changqing Sect.
Uncertain if Rong Qingyuan saw Ji Bingyu’s dilemma, he made the final call.
“Return to the peak first, then discuss further.”
…
Rong Qingyuan was truly a person of his word.
After sending a voice transmission to Chang Qingzi, he swept his sleeves, brought Ji Bingyu onto his magical weapon, and flew away on his qin.
Attempting to fly on a qin for the first time, Ji Bingyu couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous.
Below were misty mountain ranges, stretching out like giant dragon skeletons coiled around Changqing Sect.
Looking down from the qin, all she saw was a expanse of lush green; she couldn’t see anything else clearly.
Fearing she might lose her balance and fall straight down to shatter into pieces, Ji Bingyu couldn’t care less about being mocked and firmly clutched Rong Qingyuan’s sleeve.
Facing Rong Qingyuan’s inquiring gaze, Ji Bingyu spoke righteously, “All things in the world are fleeting vanity, only Master can give me a sense of security! I won’t let go even if I die!”
“Mhm,” Rong Qingyuan nodded slightly, “that last sentence, you said it with an aura of ‘dragging someone down with me even in death’.”
Ji Bingyu: “…”
Rong Qingyuan’s tone was so sincere that she couldn’t tell for a moment whether he was analyzing it seriously or teasing her.
Fortunately, Xueyu Peak wasn’t far from the Nine Layers Pavilion, and they landed quickly, arriving directly inside the cave abode Rong Qingyuan had prepared for Ji Bingyu.
After all was said and done, Ji Bingyu trusted the words Rong Qingyuan had spoken when inviting her over even more.
Eldest Senior Brother Li Fuqing had a baby face, and his figure was also like that of an eleven- or twelve-year-old youth.
Though he was silly at times, looking like a wicked husky, he wasn’t a bad person, and he cared about her very much.
Earlier, when coming out of the Nine Layers Pavilion doors, aside from Rong Qingyuan who was already waiting outside, Li Fuqing ran the fastest.
Second Senior Sister Shaoyang Yu wore an iron mask year-round, looking stern and unsmiling, carrying a cold, iron-blooded vibe, yet she cared about her unexpectedly well.
She even gave her a welcome gift—a super beautiful dressing table along with many gorgeous and delicate clothes and jewelry, all fairy-styled.
Ji Bingyu burst into tears of gratitude on the spot, almost hugging Second Senior Sister’s thigh and calling her a “soulmate.”
As for Third Senior Brother Shen Hege, Ji Bingyu was more than familiar with him.
He behaved entirely like a gentle gentleman, having no flaws other than a slightly slow-tempered personality.
“Alright, now Little Junior Sister knows us too. Quick, tell us, what magical weapon did you get?”
Li Fuqing couldn’t help opening his mouth first, even eagerly introducing his own weapon, “My magical weapon is a Xiao.”
(T/N: Xiao/ Vertical flute)
Shaoyang Yu said, “My magical weapon is a Pipa.”
Shen Hege said, “Mine is a Guqin, though it isn’t as nice-looking as Master’s.”
Facing three pairs of expectant eyes, Ji Bingyu fell silent for a moment, instinctively looking over.
[If you are willing, you may tell them; if you don’t want to, I will take them away.]
It wasn’t that she was unwilling, just a bit embarrassed.
Since they were all on the same peak and everyone would find out sooner or later anyway, Ji Bingyu hardened her heart and slammed the suona she had been hiding in her sleeve onto the table with a “bang.”
“This is it.”
Li Fuqing’s eyes widened.
Shaoyang Yu seemed dazed.
Shen Hege’s smile froze on his face.
Ji Bingyu’s mouth twitched.
Having gone through grand waves, great heights, and deep drops, her mindset had already flattened out.
“Feel free to laugh if you want to. Really, holding it in isn’t good for your health.”
In the end, it was Rong Qingyuan who couldn’t suppress a light laugh from his throat, followed by Li Fuqing bursting into uncontrolled laughter.
Shaoyang Yu also couldn’t help pursing her lips, while Shen Hege shook his head with a smile.
“It’s… quite a match.”
Ji Bingyu: ???
She raised her head in confusion, unable to refrain from wondering what kind of image she held in Third Senior Brother Shen Hege’s heart.
Rong Qingyuan asked, “What is the name of your magical weapon?”
“It has a name?” Ji Bingyu blinked, “I haven’t thought of a good one yet.”
“No need to think of one yourself. The names of musical cultivators’ magical weapons in our Changqing Sect are predetermined by heaven.”
Li Fuqing wiped away the tears from laughing at the corners of his eyes and said, “It’s the very first word you spoke after receiving the instrument.”
Ji Bingyu repeated mechanically,”The very first word?”
“Yes,” Shaoyang Yu added, “the instrument is connected to the master’s innate nature, so the first word spoken after receiving the instrument becomes its name.”
“For instance, my pipa is named ‘Traversing Rivers and Mountains,’ Third Junior Brother’s qin is named ‘Spring Wind,’ and Eldest Senior Brother’s Xiao is named simply ‘Wild’—these are the names of our magical weapons.”
Ji Bingyu said, “…Na.”
Rong Qingyuan snapped open his folding fan with a swoosh, concealing the smile at the corners of his lips.
Shen Hege looked at her in confusion, thinking she still didn’t understand the meaning of the instrument’s name, and explained carefully.
“When we musical cultivators first begin cultivating, in order to better resonate with our instruments during spars and combat, we must call out the instrument’s name to better mobilize our mind and body to connect with heaven and earth, obtaining the sound of heaven and earth to cultivate the Dao.”
Ji Bingyu said, “Na.”
Li Fuqing couldn’t help it, “Why does Junior Sister keep making ape noises?” He said, “I heard there is a species of ape in the mortal realm with strange calls. Their favorite sound to make is ‘Na.’ Could it be that Junior Sister saw such an ape in the illusions of the Nine Layers Pavilion just now?”
Ji Bingyu shook her head.
Her gaze was unfocused, like a solitary soul drifting between heaven and earth.
“My suona is named ‘Na’.”
Li Fuqing: “…”
Shaoyang Yu: “…”
Shen Hege: “…”
Silence, silence was Xueyu Peak tonight.
A moment later, Li Fuqing laughed so hard he couldn’t straighten his back, practically rolling on the ground.
“My goodness, Little Junior Sister! Ji, Ji Bingyu, as expected of you!!!”
While laughing out of breath, Li Fuqing didn’t forget to tease Ji Bingyu.
“In future spars—no need to wait for later, just during the upcoming inner sect arena matches… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Following Li Fuqing’s words, Shen Hege envisioned Ji Bingyu on the trial stage shouting statements like ‘Na, come out!’ ‘Na, attack him!’ ‘Na, hold on a bit longer!’… and he couldn’t help wanting to laugh out loud either.
(T/N: “Na” is used phonetically to spell out a loud, brassy, or blaring sound. When someone plays a suona, the noisy honking sound it makes is written out in text as “Na~ Na~”. It also doubles as a vocalization of screaming or groaning in utter defeat. When Ji Bingyu was screaming inside her head from the shock, her inner thoughts were basically blaring “NAAA!” like the horn itself.)
Second Senior Sister Shaoyang Yu was the most thoughtful.
Although she also couldn’t hold back a laugh, she at least remembered to comfort Ji Bingyu.
“After all, it is a divine weapon from inside the Nine Layers Pavilion. It’s been a very, very long time since anyone has obtained a divine weapon.”
As for Master Rong Qingyuan, he had already laughed earlier.
Thus, Ji Bingyu looked around at everyone, feeling that her master standing among them was still so calm and composed, his demeanor lofty like a fallen immortal descending to earth, looking exceptionally reliable.
Ji Bingyu was moved in her heart.
Yet before she could stay moved for more than a few seconds, she heard Rong Qingyuan ask with a smile, “What is your Innate Melody?”
Innate Melody?
What was that?
Ji Bingyu raised her head blankly, voicing her question out loud.
Shen Hege, who had failed to hold back his laughter earlier, felt deep remorse.
Seeing Ji Bingyu ask, he hurriedly made up for it.
“It is the very first piece of music that surfaced in Junior Sister’s heart after receiving Na—cough, the suona.”
The very first piece of music that surfaced in her heart after receiving the suona?
Ji Bingyu said blankly, “I don’t know. At that time… there was no music at all?”
Now even Li Fuqing stopped laughing, furrowing his brows, “That’s impossible.”
Shaoyang Yu pondered for a moment and asked, “Could a divine weapon be different from other musical instruments?”
Shen Hege said, “No matter how different, there shouldn’t be a total lack of an Innate Melody.”
He explained to Ji Bingyu, who was still bewildered.
“The Innate Melody, like the magical weapon, is the piece of music we musical cultivators are best at using. Regarding your natal soul flame and even your cultivation progress, even if you learn many more pieces of music later, the Innate Melody is extraordinarily important.”
Hearing this, Ji Bingyu realized it wasn’t a minor issue.
But she was certain no music had surfaced in her heart back then!
Ji Bingyu finally began to panic slightly.
Everyone involuntarily looked toward Master Rong Qingyuan, only to see him ponder for a few seconds before making the final decision.
“Since we are all present today, there is no need to fear even if something goes wrong. Try calling your magical weapon first and play a tune.”
Ji Bingyu nodded.
She took a deep breath, opened her hands toward the table, and called affectionately.
“Na!”
The suona seemed to have been waiting for a long time, its body trembling as it swiftly flew into Ji Bingyu’s hands.
She held the suona and blew hard—
“AH—AH AH—”
A prairie dog’s roar echoed out from Xueyu Peak, piercingly terrifying and echoing through the clouds, sending utter chills down one’s spine.
What kind of sound was this?!
“…Junior Brother, do you… feel… your ears swelling and your head spinning?”
“Senior Brother, more than that… I, I also feel like I can’t breathe properly, and I’m even getting spots in my eyes and can’t see clearly.”
The disciples who came under Master Qianming’s orders to deliver a challenge letter looked at each other, both filled with intense terror.
Xueyu Peak was actually even more terrifying than the rumors; it was simply terrifying to such an extent!
