CH 7

Chapter 7 part 1

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

“(Older) Sister, will Prince Huang Chao become the Emperor in the future?”

Listening to the endless echoes sounding across the mountains, Han Piao raised his head and asked Feng Xi.

“Emperor? Perhaps he will, perhaps he won’t,” Feng Xi replied as she looked up at the skies, her eyes as bright as the sunlight piercing through the ennead beds of clouds. Her proud demeanor was no less compared to the prince of Huang Kingdom that few could rival.

“He also had the same manner when he spoke!” Han Piao said as he proceeded to imitate Feng Xi, raising his head to look up at the sky, squinting his eyes as he enjoyed the beautiful sunshine.

“Do you admire him, Piao’er?” Feng Xi looked down to observe Han Piao and asked with a smile, “Do you want to be like him?”

“Sister, I only admire him, I don’t want to be like him,” Han Piao answered solemnly as he raised his small dirty face to look at Feng Xi.

“Why?” Feng Xi asked in wonder.

“His radiance is just too dazzling, he’ll overshadow everyone around him. He’s like the sun in the sky, attracting everyone’s attention but there’s only one of him!” Han Piao pointed his finger at the sky and answered earnestly as he looked at Feng Xi. “He’s positioned at the very top where no one can touch, with no companion by his side. Isn’t that very lonely?”

“Hmm,” Feng Xi couldn’t help but gaze at Han Piao, the look in her eyes softening. After a moment, she stroked his head and said, “Piao’er, you will certainly surpass Bai(White) Feng and Hei(Black) Xi in the future.”

“Surpass sister?” Han Piao grinned when he heard her but after a moment of thought, his smile disappeared and he said, “I don’t want to surpass sister, I want to stand at the same level with sister!”

“Positioned at the very top…” Feng Xi seemingly did not hear his words as she gently ran her fingers through the hair flying around at her temples. Her gaze was fixed far ahead, as if peering towards the ends of heaven and earth, to the deepest, darkest of places. “Though he won’t have any companion by his side, he’ll have supreme power, status and honor…..he’ll enjoy endless riches and splendor which will serve as a kind of compensation.”

“But he can’t take those things with him when he dies,” Han Piao argued as he furrowed his brows and said in a hurry, “My mother said that when people die then it’s the end. Those things that you’ve obtained in your lifetime will evaporate like smoke. You can neither keep them nor take them away with you. But Father said that when she dies she could take him with her. I think that mother can take father away when she dies but the Emperor can’t take his throne or power with him when he passes!”

“Oh, I didn’t expect that old man Han would say such things.” Feng Xi smiled gently and patted Han Piao’s head. “Who says the Emperor can’t take anything with him when he dies? Your mother has your father while the Emperor has numerous concubines. When he dies, he will not only be buried along with many rare treasures but many of his concubines as well. He definitely won’t be alone.”

“But they don’t sincerely wish to die with him! If your heart isn’t sincere, when you go to the underworld you won’t be able to find each other, then won’t he still be lonely?” Han Piao persistently contended.

“Sincerity?” Feng Xi suddenly turned around and looked at the road ahead, her eyes gazing in the distance. After a long while, she sighed and said, “In this world, sincerity is very rare, especially in these chaotic times.”

“Then will anyone follow me when I die?” Han Piao suddenly grew concerned of what would happen after his death.

“That I don’t know.” Feng Xi smiled and flicked her finger, gently knocking on his forehead. “Little kid, you’re still so young yet you’re already thinking about matters after death.”

“Then when sister dies, can I go with you?” Han Piao asked, having yet to give up on finding a companion.

“Definitely not,” Feng Xi flatly refused.

“Why?”

“Because you are younger than me, when I die of old age, you can still live well.”

“But I want to go with sister. We can be friends in the underworld and then be reincarnated together.”

“No! A thousand times never! In this life, I’m already unlucky to have to carry a burden such as yourself. I don’t want to continue carrying a burden again in the next life.”

“I’m not a burden! Wait til I grow up, I will protect sister!”

“I don’t need anyone’s protection. You’re better off protecting other important people.”

“Father and mother are both gone, the only important person I have is sister.”

“Your wife and children are your important people.”

“I don’t have a wife or children.”

“In the future you will.”

“I won’t.”

*****

“Young Master(gongzi) candidly unveiled the Xuan Zun Seal. Don’t you fear she will covet it?”

Xiao Jian’s heart was riddled with doubts. His Young Master had always been one that proceeded cautiously but today everything he did was so out of the norm.

“That Miss…..even if you present the whole world on a platter to her, she wouldn’t bat an eye, let alone a Xuan Zun Seal that she deems dirty,” Huang Chao replied.

Xiao Jian nodded, then asked, “Young Master knows her origin?”

“No,” Huang Chao sighed, “I carefully observed them when they ate. That boy named Han Piao, his posture was upright and proper as he ate. Though his clothes were already dirty, he did not let the food stain his clothes in the tiniest bit. This shows that he’s been raised in a strict household since he was young. And those dishes were not common dishes that ordinary people would know yet he was able to name them off the tip of his tongue which shows he certainly comes from a rich household.”

“As for that Miss, although her bearing is not worth mentioning, her words and actions flowed with confidence and ease, not gaudy in the least. On the contrary, it makes one feel as if what she said was only a matter of fact.” Huang Chao stopped and turned around. “Jian, what do you think of that Miss?”

“Even if she’s unsightly, she’s confident and at ease with her unsightliness! Even if she’s odd, her oddness is free of vulgarity!” Xiao Jian lowered his head and tightened his hold on his sword.

“A great phrase, ‘confident and at ease, free of vulgarity’!” Huang Chao laughed and continued to walk with his hands clasped.

“Young Master,” Xiao Jian suddenly called.

“Hmm.”

“Did you notice the ornament on her forehead?”

“Ornament on her forehead?” Huang Chao suddenly turned around, his eyes gleaming like a cold light.

“It’s hard to see clearly because she’s covered in ashes and dirt but Young Master mentioned the Bai(White) Feng Xi with snow-moon white robes…… snow-moon white robes….the ornament on her forehead seems to be in the shape of a crescent moon. But Young Master said that Bai Feng Xi had a bearing of utmost elegance. With her appearance….” Xiao Jian stopped to ponder.

“Bai Feng Xi?” Huang Chao murmured the name and then let out a loud laugh, “Ha ha ….It’s her! It must be her! You and I have been led astray by the words ‘utmost elegance’, thinking that she must be a woman of great beauty, how could she possibly have such an unsightly appearance. But though she’s covered in ashes and dirt, her brilliance cannot be concealed. Is that not considered ‘utmost elegance’ then? In this world, she’s the only woman with such high martial skills! The only one who dares not to put the world’s Four Great Young Masters(gongzi) in her eyes should be the world’s strangest woman– Bai Feng Xi!”

“She’s really Bai Feng Xi?” Xiao Jian looked back at the direction of her departure. “This Bai Feng Xi……”

“She openly and justly stood in front of me but I didn’t recognize her. Very well, Bai Feng Xi!” Huang Chao sighed but on his face was a joyous smile. “We will meet again! Feng Xi!”

*****

Since the Emperor lost the Xuan Zun Seal, Qiyun, the region under his direct rule had lost its former glory. Not only were its borders encroached by the other kingdoms, but even its towns and cities were gradually being swallowed up. If not for general Dong Shu Fang who remained loyal to the royal family and led his troops of 100,000 men to defend Qiyun, it would’ve already fallen, its lands divided amongst the six kingdoms.

Over the years, the population of Qiyun was slowly dwindling and as a result, so was its economy. In terms of military strength, it could not compare with Feng(1) and Huang Kingdom. In terms of wealth in resources and literary arts, it could not compare with Feng(2) and Hua Kingdom. Even the weaker kingdoms, Nan and Bai Kingdom had surpassed Qiyun as a consequence of the endless plunder and conquests of land.

From Bai Kingdom to Qiyun, the Wuyun River runs through many country towns and cities. Among them, Yucheng was considered the largest city situated by the riverbank of Wuyun. Located directly south of Yucheng was the city of Lincheng, west was Taulou, north was Jiancheng and east was the Wuyun River. Unlike the other cities at the border that were constantly engaged in scuffles, Yucheng was the most prosperous and peaceful city in the Imperial Capital. With its city gates open in all directions, plus its flat, fertile land, Yucheng was a hotspot for all kinds of businesses. The people there lived and worked in peace. It’s prosperity was a tiny shadow of Qiyun’s past glorious days.

In Yucheng City, there was a five-stories high towering building that faced the river on three fronts and the street on one. This place was precisely where the most famous restaurant in Yucheng was located, Sunset Tower. It was most famous for its signature wine, Duan Hong Ye, as well as the spectacular view of the sunset along the Wuyun River. Each day, guests would come in an endless current, especially at sunset where numerous carriages would line up in front of the building like a stream of flowing water.

Sunset Tower’s owner was most likely not an ordinary person. Looking at Sunset Tower’s flourishing business and reputation, people who didn’t know would assume that the building’s floors were inlaid with emerald glazed tiles, its rooftops specially engraved, its design imposing and magnificent in style. Only in this way would it be worthy of carrying the title of the best restaurant in Qiyun!

But in truth, there was nothing extravagant nor grandiose about Sunset Tower. Though it was built with high quality wood, its interior design was very plain and simple. There were no brocade cloths covering the tables, no embroidered carpets lining the floor, no exquisite lanterns hanging from the ceiling, no dazzling pearl curtains screening the doorways. There were only ordinary tables, chairs and clean tablewares for the guests that came. Though the place was simply adorned, it was arranged uniquely and appropriately in a way that gave off a comfortable and refreshing impression the moment one set foot in the door.

Into the west, I can no longer see you

The setting sun has made its appearance

The dreams of Wan Li mountains and rivers are gone

Up at the sky I look and sigh

With the thought of parting

Into chaos my heart descends

With no more tears left to cry

The shadow of the sail glides as light as an arrow

Passing through the mountains of thousands of miles

(t/n apologies for butchering poems, they are too poetic for me to understand/translate  >_<)

Sunset Tower had a distinct elegance and ambience like the cool evening breeze. From within its quarters, the sad, wistful verse of ‘Farewell’ drifts out and flutters along with the wind, scattering across the golden-red skies of the setting sun on the horizon. Against this backdrop, a white sail approached, gliding across the sparkling river, piercing through the golden rays of the sun like an arrow.

In the twinkling of an eye, the ship had stopped before Sunset Tower. The attendant on shore looked around before quickly making his way up the wooden bridge. He lowered himself to a bow and welcomed the guests as they slowly alighted the ship.

When the black-robed man(gongzi) stepped out from the cabin and onto the wooden bridge, the attendant was momentarily stunned.  He felt as though the person in front of him was beaming in the golden rays of the setting sun which was more brilliant than the morning sunlight. It was as if he was walking out from the golden lights of Western Paradise(from Buddhism). There was a glowing aura surrounding him that could not be concealed.

The attendant stared at him dumbstruck, having long since forgotten why he came in the first place. He didn’t come to his senses until someone had tugged at his sleeve repeatedly. The young man was standing in front of him, less than three feet away with an air of leisure and a gentle smile on his peerlessly handsome face, even his dark jade eyes held a light of mildness.

“Attendant1, you are in my young master’s way.” His sleeve was pulled once again, this time along with the sound of a crisp, childish voice.

(t/n 1.The specific term used here was ‘Xiao er ge’. ‘Xiao er’ literally means ‘little second’ but in this context it means ‘waiter/attendant’ and ‘ge’ means older brother/male. So he’s addressing the attendant politely but I just said ‘attendant’ because ‘older brother attendant’ is a mouthful.)

The attendant looked down and found that a handsome servant boy dressed in green robes  was pulling at him. Coming to his senses, he frantically gave way and said  “My apologies, young master(gongzi).”

The black-robed man gave a slight shook with his head, indicating that there was no trouble. With a faint smile, he said, “I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way.”

His voice resonated like jade in the wind and his faint smile gave the impression of lotuses in bloom.

“Of course! Of course!” The attendant nodded quickly and said, “Please come this way, young master.”

At the same time the black-robed man stepped out of the cabin, a carriage had come to a stop in front of the door of Sunset Tower. The carriage was simple and ordinary, and so was the horse pulling it. However, the attendant standing at the front door did not judge a person by his appearance and still ran over to the carriage enthusiastically. He attentively raised the curtain of the carriage and cordially said, “Welcome to Sunset Tower!”

When the curtain was lifted and the person inside alighted, guests that were about to enter as well as those about to leave the building, even the servants leading the horses and carrying the palanquin had all stopped, their eyes unable to leave the man that had stepped out of the carriage.

He was a young man dressed in plain, white robes. Like white jade that had yet to be sculpted, he exuded a pristine flawlessness that was inherent in nature. His eyes were clear and deep as the waters of the lake without the slightest ripple as if he was free of desire, void of greed. Though he only stood in front of the carriage casually, he was like an immortal standing above in the Ninth Heavens that occasionally gazed down at the world of mortals, detached and calm but with a heart of pity and forgiveness for all living things. The humble carriage was also enveloped in a brilliant light, as if it would ride off into the clouds at any moment and carry away this exceptional young man dressed in white robes.

The young man in white raised his head and looked up at the restaurant’s plaque. He lightly read, “Sunset Tower.”

“Yes! Yes! This is Sunset Tower!” The attendant who had come to his senses nodded his head as he invited and directed the man in white. “Please come this way young master(gongzi).”

“Many thanks,” the white-robed man mildly expressed his gratitude towards the attendant.

“No need! No need!” the attendant said as he grinned from ear to ear.

The man in black entered through the back while the man in white entered through the front. Sitting on the first floor of the building, all the guests couldn’t help but cast glances their way and as a result the clamoring chatter inside gradually grew quiet.

The aura of these two young gentlemen seemingly swept through the hall as they entered. It was truly hard to decide who was more outstanding. A person could live a whole lifetime but it was uncertain if one could come across such an outstanding individual yet presently there were two here at the same time, making one doubt whether one was dreaming!

All the guests were currently preoccupied, casting glances at the two young gentlemen as they couldn’t bear to look at one less than the other.

When the black-robed man entered the door his eyes instantly fixed on the white-robed man.

Though there were many people in the middle of the hall, the first person that entered the eyes of these two men were each other! Even if they were among tens of thousands of people, they would still be able to spot the other party.

They were both stunned at the same time but very quickly they regained their composure and greeted each other with a smile as if they were old friends that happened to meet.

“Young Master(gongzi) Yu?” The black-robed man looked at the refined man in white and voiced his speculation.

“Young Master Feng?” The white-robed man looked at the noble young man in black and also voiced his speculation.

With a smile, they greeted each other with clasped hands. One had the dignified bearing of a noble while the other had the graceful bearing of an immortal.

“Feng Xi is truly lucky to meet the world’s acclaimed Young Master Yu, Yu Wu Yuan.” The black-robed man’s smile was courteous and reserved.

“To meet the famous Hei(Black) Feng Xi that’s known around the world, it’s Wu Yuan that has fate1 today!” The young man in white replied with a gentle smile, a smile that made one dare not get too close for fear of stepping out of line.

(t/n 1. Wu Yuan’s name means ‘no fate’)

The young man in black was Feng Xi while the young man in white was Yu Wu Yuan, the titled number one Young Master of Eastern Realm.

Upon hearing the conversation between the two men, all the guests in the hall were in a state of uproar. Unexpectedly, it was actually Feng Xi and Yu Wu Yuan. These two people were among those titled as the Great Four Young Masters!

“Since it’s a chance meeting, I don’t know if I’ll have the honor of inviting Young Master Yu to a drink of Duan Hong Ye?” Feng Xi asked politely.

“To be able to enjoy the sunset with Young Master Feng at Sunset Tower is truly a blessing of 3 lifetimes,” Yu Wu Yuan replied courteously to the invitation.

With a smile, Feng Xi turned towards the attendant who was leading the way for him and asked, “Is there any space left on the fifth floor?”

“Of course! Of course!” The attendant nodded his head repeatedly as he thought, even if there wasn’t, he had to make free space for these two young masters.

“Young Master Yu, please!” Feng Xi said courteously and stepped aside to give way.

“Young Master Feng, please!” Yu Wu Yuan raised his hand and did the same.

The two men ascended the stairs under countless admiring gazes.

On the fifth floor, there was an elegant room located near the window. With curtain screening the door, the line of sight of prying eyes were all obstructed. The two gentlemen, one dressed in black, one dressed in white, each with their distinct presence and demeanor, took a seat opposite of one another. Standing quietly in attendance on the left and right were Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan respectively.

“Young masters, what would you like to order?” the attendant asked politely.

“What are the best dishes here?” asked Feng Xi.

“Light Breeze Skims Across the Waters, Duckweed Withers, Dew Coalesce in the Cold Moonlight, and Phoenix Trees Shed their Golden Leaves1,” the attendant replied respectfully.

(t/n 1. These are 4 lines from Liu Yong’s poem: Melody of Green Butterflies. It sounds a lot better/poetic in chinese/vietnamese because each line is only 3 to 4 words but when you translate it into english, a lot of words is needed to understand the whole meaning )

“Attendant(Xiao’er ge), are you reciting poetry or naming dishes?” Yu Wu Yuan couldn’t help but laughingly asked as he listened to the elegant names of the dishes the attendant gave.

“Young Master, these are the four most famous dishes of our restaurant,” The attendant bowed his head and replied. He felt that only these elegantly named dishes were suitable with the identities of these two men in front of him.

“Well, to give such an elegant name to a dish, it seems like the owner of Sunset Tower is also a refined and cultured individual.” Feng Xi couldn’t help but chuckle. “What do you think, Young Master Yu?”

“Wu Wuan is usually ignorant of these things. As long as Young Master Feng thinks it’s good, I’m fine with anything,” Yu Wu Yuan said as his line of sight fell on the potted orchids in the room.

“Then serve those four dishes and bring two bottles of Duan Hong Ye,” Feng Xi instructed the attendant.

“Yes, young master,” The attendant replied.

Following the attendant’s departure, the room fell into silence. With the title of the Four Great Young Masters, these two men indeed had an extraordinary bearing of grace and elegance. With this chance encounter, they should’ve been singing praises for one another but for some unknown reason, they kept a distance and seemingly did not make an effort to get too close.

They sat a mere table away but were seemingly separated by the great distance of the Han River. From where they were, they observed and admired one another but did not cross that distance.

Sitting upright, Feng Xi played with the jade ring on his thumb. His gaze would be directed towards the window but sometimes his eyes would fall on Yu Wu Yuan. His long, phoenix eyes always held a hint of an inexplicable smile. With his noble demeanor and leisurely attitude, he truly lived up to the name of the Noble Young Master of Wulin(martial arts circle).

Yu Wu Yuan’s posture was relaxed and at ease as he leaned against the back of his seat. He was also facing the window, his eyes somewhat hazy as if he was peering off into the distance. His expression was calm yet reserved. He was clearly sitting there but was seemingly so far away. It was as if he had immersed himself into the heavens and earth, like the boundless water, able to give a clear reflection of the world and all living things yet at the same time, deep enough to swallow it whole.

Moments later, the wine and dishes were served.

“Light Breeze Skims Across the Waters, Duckweed Withers, Dew Coalesce in the Cold Moonlight, Phoenix Trees Shed their Golden Leaves, and two bottles of Duan Hong Ye” the attendant said, dispelling the silence within the room. “May young masters enjoy the meal at your leisure.”

The attendant proceeded to leave but once he got to the door, he suddenly turned around and asked, “ Don’t know if the two young masters would like to listen to a song?”

“There’s a songstress here?” Yu Wu Yuan finally withdrew his line of sight from the horizons and looked towards the attendant gently.

“Young master, don’t misunderstand. Our Sunset Tower is not a brothel and the songs that Miss Feng, Feng Qi Wu, sings cannot be compared to those songs sung by the women at the brothels. She is a young lady from an influential family who is clear as ice and clean as jade, if not because someone…..” the attendant’s voice suddenly trailed off and he gave a heavy sigh. Then he went on and said, “Miss Feng is the best singer in Yucheng City. If you wish to find out how great her skills are compared to those girls at Yu Lin Pavilion(brothel), this little one1 invites the two young masters to have a listen. This little one never boasts.”

( 1. The term used here is ‘xiao de’ which is a humble way of addressing himself towards those who are superior to him)

As his last words were spoken, he had a proud look on his face. The two gentlemen couldn’t help but smile and did not question his unfinished words.

“Earlier I seem to have heard the song “Farewell” from afar. Was that sung by Miss Feng?” Feng Xi lightly asked as he stopped stroking his jade thumb ring.

“Yes, that is the song Miss Feng often sings!”

“In that case, please invite Miss Feng to sing a song for us,” Feng Xi said as he waved his hand.

“Yes!” the attendant replied and left.

Zhong Li stepped forward to pour wine for the two men.

“Young Master Yu, let’s have a taste of the famous dishes and wine of this Sunset Tower,” Feng Xi said with a smile.

“Hmm.” Yu Wu Yuan brought the cup of wine to his lips and had a taste. Moments later, he nodded and said with a smile, “It’s warm and fragrant, this is good wine!”

Feng Xi also took a sip and nodded. “You’re right.”

Then he picked up his chopsticks and extended it towards the ‘Light Breeze Skims Across the Waters’ dish and picked up a piece which looked like a purple water lily.

“So it’s eggplant, hmm…..yes, eggplant is usually difficult to cook because it absorbs oil easily and would thus often taste too greasy, but this tastes light and sweet and just melts in your mouth. You can taste not only the fragrance of eggplant but also lotuses.”

“In the middle of the duckweed it’s a bit yellow, no wonder it’s called ‘Duckweed Withers’.” Yu Wu Yuan extended his chopsticks towards the dish that looks like duckweed and picked up a piece to try. “It’s actually cucumber, hmmm… it’s perfectly half-cooked, making the texture smooth and crunchy. It tastes best when it’s still rich with juice. These must have been freshly picked.”

“Dew Coalesce in the Cold Moonlight?” Feng Xi looked at the thin, circular pieces on the plate that were round and smooth as the full moon. Picking up a piece, he could see a pearl-like drop of dew on it. When he bit off a corner, a stream of crispy sweetness enveloped his taste buds. “It seems the main ingredient for this dish is lotus root. The lotus root is quite young and tender. Cutting it into evenly thin pieces and dotting it with the dew of snow lotus, it’s not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes. ‘Dew Coalesce in the Cold Moonlight’, a good name indeed!”

“Phoenix Trees Shed their Golden Leaves turns out to be napa cabbage,” Yu Wu Yuan tasted the last dish. On the plate, the cabbage leaves were displayed in the shape of a palm. It was yellow in color, giving off a lustrous and tender countenance.

“Ha, I didn’t expect Sunset Tower’s most famous dishes were all vegetable dishes, all made with ordinary ingredients,” Feng Xi said with a sigh.

“To utilize ordinary ingredients and cook them with such flavor, present them uniquely and give such unusual names, the owner of Sunset Tower is indeed not an ordinary person,” Yu Wu Yuan praised with a smile.

“Judging by the style of this restaurant, it’s not difficult to imagine what the owner is like.” Feng Xi admired the surroundings and said, “Within simplicity there is elegance. Some things may appear ordinary but it’s actually unique. Such masterpieces, I haven’t seen for a long time.”

“As the sun sets behind the tower,

As the call of an eastern bean goose breaks out,

the wanderer south of the Yangtze River

Takes out his machete to have a look

He slaps the railing of the window

No one understood

The intention of his ascent,”

Yu Wu Yuan leisurely recited a poem as he peered out the window. Against the horizons, there were a few ships slowly sailing by.  “Don’t know what the owner of Sunset Tower had in mind when he built this restaurant.”

(t/n 1. This is a poem by the poet Xin Qiji. Its a verse from the poem The Water Dragon Sings on the Pavilion for Appreciating Hearts. I did some research and I think it’s about a man, a wanderer from the south of the Yangtze River. He’s at a pavilion/tower and is watching the sunset and listening to the cry of a wailing goose from the window on the top floor. The goose is crying because he has lost his flock and this is a metaphor for being lost or lonely. He takes out his machete and looks at it but at the end he could only slap the railing of the window. This is supposed to signify that he is thinking of using the machete on the battlefield to serve his country but in the end he couldn’t. It shows the man’s eagerness and anger that he couldn’t fulfill his ambition and he’s alone at the top of the tower by himself as no one understands him. The first verse of the poem has the words “Louri Lou’ in it which is ‘Sunset Tower’ so that’s why I think Yu Wu Yuan recited this poem. I think he was wondering why the owner of the restaurant seemingly named the restaurant after this poem. )

“Oh.” Feng Xi smiled and his eyes reflected the golden glimmer of the setting sun as he looked towards Yu Wu Yuan. “Perhaps that person has poured the ‘intentions of his ascent’ into this tower, it’s just ….. Young Master Yu is the one that doesn’t need to worry about ‘no one knowing’.”

“It’s a pity that Wu Yuan is ignorant and senseless so it’s useless to mention ‘intentions of his ascent’,’” Yu Wu Yuan withdrew his gaze from the window. He instead looked at Feng Xi observingly, his eyes reflected the golden light of the setting sun but they were calm and collected, without the tiniest ripple.

“Then that’s a pity indeed,” Feng Xi stated rather regretfully.

Suddenly, the light sound of footsteps could be heard ascending the stairs along with a faint fragrance. The approaching footsteps came to stop in front of the thin curtain and the faint shadow of a graceful figure could be seen.

“I don’t know what song the guests wish to listen to?”

The woman’s voice was clear yet cold, carrying a hint of pride.

However, Yu Wu Yuan’s attention was on the dish Dew Coalesce in the Cold Moonlight as he had a taste and appeared not to have heard the woman’s question.

Feng Xi lifted his wine cup to take a sip and faintly replied, “ Whatever Miss Feng wishes to sing, you can sing.”

There was a momentary silence behind the curtain before the sound of the pipa suddenly resonated like the sound of falling pearls. Like the orioles searching for flowers, like the ice gathering beneath the stream, the song was not complete yet it had already stirred the heart.

Hearing the pipa, both men were taken by surprise and they glanced towards the curtain.

Who would’ve expected a person from such a place to exhibit such amazing skills.

“Who listened to the flute last night?

Lonely cicadas are ceaselessly wailing

Under the luminance of the cold moon, the clay-pot tea is an uncomely sight

In my dreams, I’d rather dance and sing”

The woman’s voice rang clearly through the curtain and lingered by their ears as they envisioned a lonely figure beneath the cold moon, the pot of tea and the calling cicadas in the night.

Listening to the wistful song while watching the sunset on the horizons, they momentarily felt a sense of loneliness though they were in the company of one another. In their hearts, there seems to be a tune of flute echoing alone, for who, it was uncertain.

After the song ended, there was a momentary silence. The woman outside did not sing another song and remained standing there quietly.

“Princess Xi Yun is truly talented. The poems she composed have actually passed along and are even sung at restaurants on these streets,” Yu Wu Yuan remarked with a sigh as he mentioned Feng2 Kingdom’s Princess Xi Yun who was famous for her outstanding civil and military talents.

“This song and this voice are full of emotions. It’s truly rare to come by,” Feng Xi also praised the person standing outside the curtain.

“It is said that Young Master Feng is a man of many talents. Although you’re a man of the Jianghu, among the Four Great Young Masters, it’s been said that you possess the most knowledge. After today’s encounter, I see that it’s indeed true,” Yu Wu Yuan suddenly stated as his eyes lightly fell on Feng Xi.

“In front of Young Master Yu, who would dare claim to be a man of many talents?” Feng Xi said with a light smile.

The two men casually conversed and seemingly have forgotten that there was another person standing outside the curtain.

“Dong… Dong… ” Outside the curtain came the sound of steady approaching footsteps.

“Young Master Yu.” The sound of footsteps came to a stop in front of the curtain and a deep voice was heard.

“Come in,” Yu Wu Yuan said as he placed the cup of wine down.

The curtain lifted and what came into view was a man in black and woman in green holding the pipa in her arms, her expression unchanged. The curtain fluttered to a fall, too quickly for anyone to notice the look in her eyes.

“Young Master Yu, Young Master has sent you a letter,” The man in black respectfully handed over the letter.

“Hmm.” Yu Wu Yuan received the letter and nodded slightly.  “You can go.”

“Yes.”

The man in black lifted the curtain once more and retreated. He did not spare the woman standing there a glance but Feng Xi did and what drew his attention was the look in her eyes, there was resentment, anger and even a trace of helplessness.

The curtain fluttered to a drop.

The inside and outside of the room were like two different worlds separated by this thin curtain.

Yu Wu Yuan opened the letter, a silk paper with written black ink words. He quietly read through it and his eyes gave a slight ripple.

“If Miss Feng doesn’t mind, why don’t you come inside and have a drink with us?” Feng Xi asked as he glanced at the curtain with a trace of interest gleaming in his eyes.

After a long while, there was still no response and the atmosphere seemingly condensed. One could feel the hesitation of the green shadow behind the curtain.

In the end, the curtain lifted and the green figure entered. Her eyes silently swept over the lofty and immaculate man in white and paused slightly before her eyes ultimately shifted towards the poised man in black who was sitting on the other side.

Feng Xi carefully observed Feng Qi Wu and was somewhat surprised that this woman was the best songstress in Yucheng City. She was dressed simply with a plum hairpin fixing her hair. Her face had no touch of rouge or makeup but she was still beautiful nevertheless. She had a peach-blossom face and willowlike brows. But between her brows there was a hint of proudness and her expression gave off a distinct coldness that seemed as if she would refuse any man within a thousand miles.

“Miss Feng, please,” Feng Xi lightly said.

Zhong Yuan immediately stepped forward to pour a cup of wine and then offered it to Feng Qi Wu.

Feng Qi Wu didn’t receive the cup and continued to just stare at Feng Xi silently.

Feng Xi enjoyed his cup of wine leisurely as he watched her.

As for Yu Wu Yuan, his eyes were still on the letter but his thoughts seemed to have drifted elsewhere for he hadn’t even realized that there was an additional person in the room.

After some time, Feng Qi Wu took the cup of wine with one hand and finished it in one gulp.

“It turns out Miss is so forthright!” Feng Xi saw that she had finished the cup in one breath and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“This is the first time that Qi Wu has drunk a guest’s wine,” Feng Qi Wu coolly replied.

Oh?” After hearing this, Feng Xi turned to look at her. There was a touch of red on her cheeks due to the wine and because of this, her cold, haughty expression somewhat wanned, making her appear lovelier. “Miss, your musical talents are outstanding. Many people must’ve contended to invite you to sing for them.”

“Qi Wu has never drunk with the guests.” Feng Qi Wu’s voice was still cold, her eyes still on Feng Xi, as if they were the only two in the room.

Feng Xi looked at her. Her eyes that were clear as ice gleamed indignantly. But what was the reason for it?

“Then it seems Feng Xi is lucky that Miss would give me the honor.”

Feng Qi Wu remained quiet but there was a touch of desolation in her eyes.

When she first sang at Sunset Tower, she knew that she had fallen, her life would be full of hardships and she could never return to the life she had before.

However, even if she was offered riches and honor, even if she stood in front of the red silk, she would not bat an eye. She’s rather throw it away, drive those young men away and just live a life like water flowing along in the stream. Despite the spring wind or autumn moon, she still had the pride of her past clan and kept her dignity. She was not willing to fall to the point of plunging in mud, forever not able to reincarnate in the next life because in the depths of heart there was still a trace………a trace of unwillingness to surrender.

Before she came, the attendant had praised these two men as individuals that were hard to come by. Listening to the attendant’s praises just made her loathe them even more. She had assumed that there were just another pair of mindless, rich young masters that chased after beauty. But she was mistaken. They had let her stay behind the curtain and did not show any interest in her at all. She couldn’t help but feel a trace of shame and surprise.

The moment the curtain lifted, she saw his eyes, they were dark as midnight, deep and boundless yet they gleamed with a dazzling light like that of the sun. For a brief moment, she seemingly was lost in the darkness of those eyes but she did not feel cold nor panic. On the contrary, there was a warmth in that darkness that silently entered her heart which she had not felt for many years.

The warmth had yet to fade when the curtain was lifted once more. She saw those eyes again, they shone with the shimmer of dark jade, a whirlpool of darkness and light that was so dazzling. But she knew that if she were to fall into that whirlpool, she would never be able to escape! Fortunately, the curtain fell and shielded those eyes. She wanted to leave quickly but her legs were heavy in place.

In that moment of hesitation, she could hear his voice calling her.

The instant his calming voice sounded, it seemed as if she was hearing fate beckoning her. She knew it was unavoidable and could only helplessly accept fate’s arrangements.

When the curtain lifted again, she welcomed those eyes that were dark as night. Those eyes belonged to the man in black, his very presence radiated like the luster of dark jade, so impeccably black!

“Qi Wu has been singing at Sunset Tower for four years but this cup of wine from Young Master is the first that I’ve drunk,” She said. Her words were different but the meaning was still the same. She just hoped that he understood that he was her first!

“Feng Qi Wu?” Feng Xi repeated the name and looked at the woman thoughtfully. Although her expression was cold, but in the depth of her eyes, there harborded a kind of aspiration, so deep that it made one feel pity.

Listening to him call her name, Feng Qi Wu’s heart surged with a sense of bitterness. The man who had given her this name had already become part of the golden earth. She still had this name yet she failed to live up to his expectations.

“These past years, I’ve travelled across the six kingdoms but it’s the first time I’ve heard such a wonderful voice,” Feng Xi paused slightly, then looked at Feng Qi Wu and calmly said, “I do not know if Miss would like to accompany me to see the mountains and rivers beyond Qiyun?”

Afterwards, he picked up the bottle of wine and poured himself a cup. He was no longer looking at Feng Qi Wu. It was as if it was not important whether or not she agreed.

But the moment she heard his invitation, a glimmer of light flashed in Feng Qi Wu’s eyes but very quickly it disappeared. Her face was still beautiful as peach blossoms, cold as ice just as before. But her slender hand gently stroked the pipa strings which vibrated like the surging waves of emotions in her heart at the present moment.

Feng Xi finished the cup of wine and looked over towards Yu Wu Yuan. This man who seemingly did not belong to this mortal world actually held an unexpected trace of sadness between his brows.

“I wonder what kind of good news did Huang shizi send for Young Master Yu to be so engrossed in the letter?” Feng Xi casually asked but his eyes seemed to already have a clear understanding long ago.

Hearing this, Yu Wu Yuan came back to his senses. He looked out the window, seemingly at something but as if nothing he gripped the letter and with a gentle wave of his hand, it turned into dust as it floated out the window, falling towards the river down below.

“There’s both good and bad news.”

“Is that so?” The smile on Feng Xi’s elegant face was slightly shrewd. “The good news should be related to the Xuan Zun Seal right?”

Yu Wu Yuan’s expression was still calm and collected as he reached for the wine cup. Gazing down at the clear wine in the porcelain cup, he gently gave it a shake and the wine rippled.  Instead of answering, he asked, “How do you know the letter is from Huang shizi?”

“It is well known that because of Young Master Yu’s single sentence, Huang shizi had decided to give you the respect of an advisor,” Feng Xi lifted his cup close to his nose. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the fragrance of the wine. “Besides, jade silk paper is only used by the royal family. Can ordinary people afford to use it to send a letter?”

“Ha ha, Young Master Feng is very observant,” Yu Wu Yuan remarked with a smile as he gazed at Feng Xi. Momentarily, this man who was alway gentle like the spring breeze gave off a chill that was comparable to the autumn wind. But it was only for a brief moment. Very quickly, with the blink of an eye, he was back to being as gentle as water, relaxed and at ease, the Young Master Yu that’s withdrawn from worldly affairs.  “In the letter, Huang shizi mentioned two good news and one bad.”

“The good news should be the Xuan Zun Seal, the bad news…..” Feng Xi’s eyes fell slightly as if he was studying the white porcelain cup in his hand as he faintly said, “The bad news should be that General Fierce Wind died on Mt. Xuan?”

“Indeed.” Yu Wu Yuan did not find it surprising that Feng Xi knew this. He stretched his hand out the window and poured the wine in his cup into the Wuyun River. He faintly said, “Yingzhou has departed first. Tomorrow, perhaps it will be me next.”

“I wonder what the other good news is?” asked Feng Xi.

“Bai Feng Xi,” Yu Wu Yuan calmly replied. When he said this name, his calm eyes suddenly rippled ever so slightly.

“Bai Feng Xi?” Feng Xi repeated as the hand holding the wine cup nearly shook.

“Hmm, he said that in Nan Kingdom he came across Bai Feng Xi, a woman of exceptional bearing,” Yu Wu Yuan said with a faint sigh as his eyes slightly swept over Feng Qi Wu.

“How can meeting that woman be considered good news.” The elegant expression on Feng Xi’s face became slightly distorted. Whether there was a flash of disappointment or expectation, it was uncertain.

“To meet the female hero Feng who’s renowned along with Young Master Feng as ‘BaiWhite Feng HeiBlack Xi’, Wu Yuan would also feel that it’s a rare fortune.” Yu Wu Yuan disregarded Feng Xi’s words and spoke as if he greatly admired Bai Feng Xi.

“Aii(sigh)….. In my opinion, meeting that woman is the unluckiest thing in the world!” Feng Xi stated as he placed the wine cup down. He was no longer interested in drinking but there was still a light smile on his face.

“Well, whether it’s good or bad, it’s different from person to person,” Yu Wu Yuan persisted as he looked at Feng Xi with a shallow, inexplicable smile.

“Shh!” Suddenly there was the sound of a short shrill of a flute by the river.

Hearing this, Feng Xi’s eyes flashed. He stood and bowed to Yu Wu Yuan. “I have something I need to take care of, I hope that I will get the chance to have a drink with Young Master Yu another day.”

Yu Wu Yuan also stood and returned the bow. He did not ask him to stay and said with a light smile, “Since Young Master Feng has something to take care of, I will not hold you back. If we’re fated to meet, Wu Yuan shall invite you to a drink next time.”

“Very well,” Feng Xi nodded and turned towards Feng Qi Wu.

“Miss…..”

“I’ll go with you!” Feng Qi Wu blurted out. For a moment, she seemingly saw fate nodding in satisfaction that she had succumbed to its arrangements. At the same time, she felt Young Master Yu’s eyes on her and could seemingly hear the silent sigh in his heart.

She could only smile helplessly.

This was her calamity and she willingly accepted it.

“Oh?” Feng Xi lifted a brow and asked, “You’ve already decided?”

“Yes, I’ve made up my mind and I’ll never go back on it!” Feng Qi Wu’s voice was so low that she thought only she could hear it. But all four people in the room could hear her clearly. Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan exchanged glances and sighed at the same time.

“Then let’s go.” Feng Xi said with a light smile and headed for the door.

Feng Qi Wu hugged the pipa in her arms, it was the only thing she truly possessed. Looking back at Yu Wu Yuan, she nodded slightly to bid her farewell, thanking him for understanding her heart’s desire in the blink of an eye. Though she never told him, nor did she have the courage to, at the very least he still understood!

She then lifted her head and followed after that man’s footsteps. Within Sunset Tower, countless eyes sent her off and no one came to stop her.

On the wooden bridge, the attendant caught up to her and handed her a bundle. “Miss Feng, the owner asked me to hand this to you. He said it belonged to you.”

Feng Qi Wu took the bundle and her eyes flashed with a shallow light. She then raised her head, her face still carrying a cold expression, she said, “Thank the owner on my behalf for his care over the past years.”

“Alright!” The attendant nodded, “Miss Feng, take care of yourself.”

“Hmm.” Feng Qi Wu nodded and headed towards the black ship, towards fate’s beckoning….….what would be the ending?

At the top of the tower, Yu Wu Yuan watched as the ship set sail. He poured the rest of the wine into the cup and downed it in one breath.

“So Hei Feng Xi is actually this kind of person.”

Whether he was praising or sighing it was uncertain.

“This move, even Huang Chao dare not make.”

Thinking of that Miss Feng Qi Wu before she left, he let out another sigh. She clearly knew that the road ahead was fraught with thorns yet she still insisted on taking that path. He really didn’t know whether to call her foolish or praise her for her courage.

He then looked down at his own palm. Tracing his fingers over the lines on his palm, he smiled wryly with a feeling of emptiness as if he was all alone in the vast mountains.

“I wonder what kind of person that Bai Feng Xi is like?” he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a touch of sorrow.