The melodious, lingering notes of a zither drifted slowly up from the raised platform on the ground floor.
The music was as crisp as a clear spring, as soft as fine drizzle, and as gentle as a spring breeze.
Everyone who had been waiting for their drinks paused in their movements.
Such an ethereal melody made one involuntarily close their eyes to drink it in, letting down every heavy burden in their heart just to savor this fleeting moment of tranquility.
When the piece came to an end, the crowd remained lost in its reverie, unable to pull themselves away for a long time.
Several people drifted to the railing by the stairs and looked down.
Li Guanqi and his companions were slightly taken aback to discover that the woman seated before the ancient zither on the stage was dressed in a blue, roundel-patterned lozenge-brocade pleated skirt. A light blue veil covered her face. Though she wore light makeup, her eyes were exceptionally pure. Her slender, scallion-white hands were flushed slightly red with the cold.
Ye Feng whispered, "Isn't that the woman selling osmanthus cakes? Why would she come perform at a brothel?"
Zhong Lin's brow furrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he said softly, "Perhaps she has hardships at home."
Li Guanqi merely swept a glance over her and said nothing more.
Human suffering was too vast for anyone to remedy; some people spent every day simply trying their best to survive.
"Attendant."
The servant who had been waiting nearby bowed respectfully. "Young master, at your service."
With a flick of his sleeve, Li Guanqi produced a silver ingot—a hundred taels. It was not an exorbitant fortune, but certainly far from a modest sum.
"Order some tea for the young lady playing the zither downstairs."
Accepting the silver, the servant bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir! I will let her know right away."
Li Guanqi waved a dismissive hand. "That won't be necessary. Just bring our drinks quickly."
The servant bowed hurriedly and retreated. "Understood! I'll go hurry them along at once."
Once the food and drinks were served, the four began feasting heartily.
Right then, a knock sounded at the door.
*Thump, thump, thump.*
Li Guanqi frowned slightly and realized that the woman was standing right outside.
With a wave of his hand, he opened the door. The woman first curtsied in greeting outside before stepping inside.
Seeing that no courtesans accompanied the group, her brow visibly eased.
Her voice remained as gentle and melodious as before, though lacking a touch of its earlier warmth. Nor did she display any embarrassment at running into them here.
Parting her lips, she said softly, "This humble woman's surname is Song, given name Zhi'ang. I have come specially to offer a cup of tea to express my gratitude."
With that, she picked up the teapot from a side table and poured a cup of tea for each of them.
Having served the tea, Song Zhi'ang prepared to leave. At that moment, Zhong Lin's brow knitted slightly.
Raising his wine cup, he remarked softly, "A hundred taels of silver, and you only come up to serve a cup of tea? Not even going to play a single piece?"
Li Guanqi turned his head and gave Zhong Lin a calm look.
Seeing that look, Zhong Lin immediately realized he had spoken out of turn. Tossing back his wine, he waved a hand at Song Zhi'ang.
Standing rooted to the spot, the woman clutched her skirt tightly and lowered her head, speaking in a soft voice: "I can, but that requires extra pay."
Song Zhi'ang's voice was extremely small, yet her insistence on separate payment was utterly resolute.
Li Guanqi had already lost all interest. Besides, even if she played now, the music would carry a sour note.
An ingot of silver flew toward her. Li Guanqi said gently, "Take it. After all, the tavern won't take a cut from this hundred taels. There's no need to play. If you are ever in high spirits next time and feel like playing of your own accord, we would gladly listen again."
Looking at the silver ingot in her hands, Song Zhi'ang's eyes instantly welled with red beneath her veil.
Her lips trembled slightly, but she only gave Li Guanqi a pair of deep, lingering looks before bowing low and stepping out of the room.
His interest thoroughly spent, Li Guanqi turned to Zhong Lin and said in an even voice, "Do not look down on anyone simply because you hold the status of an immortal. I came here for nothing more than to listen to some music and drink some wine.
"All people are born equal. It is only due to varying circumstances that some spend their lives in wealth without a care, while others are born into poverty yet carry blazing souls."
As he finished, Li Guanqi could hardly conceal the disappointment in his eyes.
Although Ye Feng also came from a privileged background, he never put on airs—even when getting along with Lin Dong.
Zhong Lin's expression shifted repeatedly, his gaze growing conflicted.
The four walked out of Qingxiao Pavilion in complete silence. Yet as they flew on their swords to leave the city, they caught sight of Song Zhi'ang, dressed in thin clothing, carrying bundle after bundle of medicinal herbs as she braved the biting wind on her way home with a face full of joy.
This sight struck a deep chord within Li Guanqi's heart, reminding him of that snowstorm-ravaged night long ago when he had been just like her.
Except back then, he had not been as fortunate as Song Zhi'ang to meet a youth willing to bestow silver.
The other three harbored thoughts of their own. Ye Feng watched Li Guanqi's conflicted expression with a hint of curiosity.
Lin Dong looked left at Zhong Lin and right at Li Guanqi, wanting to say something to mediate, but in the end, he never spoke up.
Early the next morning, everyone was awakened by the sect elders.
Qin Xian instructed Eldest Senior Brother Wu Bing to lead the group to Mount Tianyu to register their sect status.
Today, Wu Bing wore a green-trimmed embroidered robe paired with a green jade sash and a patterned gold crown.
His face was fair as jade, his dark brows sharp as swords, and his burly frame radiated masculine vigor.
Looking at the ten disciples before him, Wu Bing smiled and said, "Junior brothers and sisters, follow me."
*Hum! Swish!*
Wu Bing's figure transformed into a fiery red streak of light that leaped into the sky.
The others flew on their swords in close pursuit behind him.
Li Guanqi's mind jolted. In his perception, Eldest Senior Brother Wu Bing gave off an extremely dangerous sensation—one that made the hairs all over his body stand on end!
*So strong!*
Li Guanqi said in a hushed voice, "Sword spirit, if it were him, would he be qualified to become a heroic spirit in the Hundred Champions Illusion?"
The sword spirit's voice sounded slowly in his mind: "Very likely, though he has not reached that level yet. Still, his potential is immense."
Li Guanqi nodded silently. Anyone who earned such praise from the sword spirit was certainly one in ten thousand.
Soon, they followed Wu Bing to Mount Tianyu. The base of the mountain was bustling with clamor as countless sect disciples arrived on flying swords.
The three leveled mountain peaks that had once seemed enormous now appeared rather crowded.
Heading straight for the third leveled peak, the group touched down, after which Wu Bing turned back to Li Guanqi and said, "Junior Brother Li, wait here with the others for a moment. I will go register our sect status first and return to lead you over."
Li Guanqi smiled, nodded, and replied softly, "Go ahead with an easy mind, Senior Brother. We can wait here a while."
Wu Bing turned and flew through the air, while Li Guanqi turned to the rest and said, "Let's just wait here for a bit, everyone."
Yet just as Wu Bing departed, three groups of people came walking toward them from the front!
Li Guanqi narrowed his eyes, murmuring beneath his breath, "Qixian Sect, Qinglong Island, Zixiao Pavilion."
The leading disciples of the three sects naturally spotted Li Guanqi as well, their gazes turning toward him filled with hatred.
At that moment, the leader of Zixiao Pavilion turned and led his disciples away.
However, the disciples of Qixian Sect and Qinglong Island marched straight toward them!
Chapter 120