The Phoenix’s Return

This group of people was none other than the Zhaixing Pavilion members who had previously ambushed Lin Ke.

After Lin Ke’s escape, they took a brief respite.

They then followed Elder Liu west, rushing overnight to Wangjiang Tower.

Upon arriving at the town that day, they learned that several sects had already gathered there, answering the call of Fang Jiezi.

Known for their unrestrained and taboo-defying actions, the Zhaixing Pavilion members immediately decided to give these righteous cultivators a rude awakening.

As luck would have it, they encountered just such a group at the inn where they were staying.

Elder Liu, the leading old woman, heavily tapped her staff on the ground and sighed deeply.

“When traveling, try not to cause trouble for the Pavilion Master. Do not act too ostentatiously or draw attention,” she admonished.

The masked woman lowered her brows, smiled, and responded with a soft “Yes.”

She gracefully flicked her wrist, retracting her hidden weapons, then stepped back into formation.

A burly man in coarse cloth robes shook his head repeatedly.

“Elder Liu, I beg to differ. If we were to head to Luoyang now and eliminate Fang Jiezi, *that* would be ostentatious. But this current batch of insignificant nobodies? We eliminate one group, and another pops up. It won’t even make a name for us, so how does it relate to being ostentatious in the slightest?”

Elder Liu smiled faintly at his words.

“Protector Peng makes a valid point. In that case, I shall hold my tongue.”

She took a step back, her head drooping as if she were closing her eyes to rest.

Her movement seemed to be a signal.

The Zhaixing Pavilion members behind her instantly formed a battle array, each brandishing their weapons, all aimed squarely at the disciples of Ji Family Sword Manor.

Senior Brother Ling Yafu had overheard their conversation. They spoke as if he and his companions were mere trifles, like discussing how to butcher a piece of meat on a cutting board.

His heart swelled with an uncontrollable rage.

“It seems, sirs, that you are determined to cross us today?” he challenged.

Elder Zhai had already taken the scorched-tail guqin from his back and was plucking the strings to test its sound.

“Lin Qingyi disdained my music, and I accepted that. But now, I have nowhere to vent this suppressed fury, so you all will make perfect sparring partners.”

Ling Yafu watched him, composed and even adjusting his attire.

Just as he was about to retort with a sarcastic remark, a bewildering melody suddenly assaulted his ears.

He inwardly cursed, wanting to warn his fellow disciples to cover their ears.

However, his own skull felt as if it were being hammered repeatedly, a deafening thrumming resounding within, causing stars to burst before his eyes.

He stumbled, collapsing forward in a sudden fall.

The other disciples of Ji Family Sword Manor fared little better, all of them thrown into disarray.

Having heard the melody Elder Zhai played, Ye Di glanced at him in surprise.

“‘Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree’? Isn’t this a guqin piece I randomly composed years ago in a moment of inspiration?” he murmured.

Elder Zhai, having already been frustrated by Lin Qingyi, had a knot of resentment in his chest.

Now, as he fully released it, his power became as grand as Mount Tai, as vast as a flowing river.

Gu Beizhu was close to Junior Sister Ji. She knew that with Ji Yuchang’s cultivation, once the guqin’s sound entered her ears, she would either die or be gravely injured.

With a strenuous effort, she pulled Ji Yuchang towards her, covering the junior sister’s ears with her own hands.

Her face pale, she crouched down and whispered, “Don’t listen. Cover your own ears, do you hear me…”

Before she could finish her sentence, a gush of fresh blood erupted from her throat, staining Ji Yuchang’s cheek a shocking crimson.

Seeing her Senior Sister’s body go limp and collapse, Ji Yuchang was instantly stunned.

Her mind went blank, and she froze in place, utterly unable to move.

The guqin melody had not yet concluded.

Within the inn, most people were either fallen or lying prone, with very few remaining standing.

The masked woman chuckled softly.

“Elder Zhai’s music had no effect on Lin Qingyi. Yet, you choose to vent your anger on these junior cultivators, driving them to their deaths. If word gets out, it might not reflect well on your reputation.”

Elder Zhai stopped plucking the strings and snorted coldly.

“This piece merely bewilders the mind and, at its worst, causes internal injuries. A few months of recuperation will suffice. Compared to Miss Liu’s hidden weapons, which aim to kill with every strike, this is surely far more merciful. Besides, aren’t there still a few standing among those present?”

As he spoke, he glanced at Ji Yuchang and Ye Di.

Ji Yuchang had not yet fainted, thanks entirely to her Senior Sister Gu Beizhu’s swift reaction.

Gu Beizhu had desperately channeled her inner energy to protect Ji Yuchang’s meridians, allowing her to barely endure the assault.

This situation had not escaped Elder Zhai’s notice. He deduced that Ji Yuchang, with her own abilities, would certainly not cause any trouble.

However—

Elder Zhai turned his head to look at the other man. He had descended to the main hall and was thoughtfully observing him.

Elder Zhai mused, ‘I, Zhai Dingbo, have dominated the martial world my entire life, establishing myself in the Silence Realm.

‘Never before have I played two pieces in a matter of days, only for someone to remain completely unaffected.

‘Could it be that I am truly old, and it is time to step aside for the younger generation?’

As this thought crossed his mind, he grew even more agitated.

Suddenly, the young girl loudly shouted at the man, “Weren’t you very impressive when you tried to kill me just now? Are you scared now that these people look so fierce? Shameless and bullying the weak, what kind of hero are you?”

Ji Yuchang’s outburst startled everyone present.

Elder Zhai inwardly thought, ‘This is bad. Could this man be with them?’

‘This person’s martial arts are unfathomable. If I make an enemy of him, I might not fare well.’

The masked woman lowered her brows and glanced at Ji Yuchang, then let out a soft, mocking laugh.

“An unintelligent young lady…”

Elder Liu, however, stared intently at the man. She wondered, ‘Why does this man bear such a resemblance to the countless portraits the Pavilion Master once painted, tirelessly holed up in her study, forgetting even to eat and sleep?’

Ye Di also furrowed his brows, finding the girl not just unreasonable, but almost adorably foolish.

Ji Yuchang had been raised in luxury. Everyone she had ever met or encountered seemed eager to revolve around her.

If she were a little wiser, she would cherish her good fortune.

She would reciprocate the overflowing love she received with an equal measure to those she cared about.

Both loving and being loved were abilities. Moreover, in this world, many people never even had the chance to exercise such abilities.

Ye Di had only briefly met her, yet he knew she lacked this capacity.

In her world, it was likely that everyone being kind to her was simply taken for granted.

Her very existence was a blessing, and she was inherently superior to others.

This ingrained sense of superiority might stem from her birth, her upbringing, or her personality.

However, Ye Di did not intend to label her and dismiss her outright.

Because, though rare, he had still met individuals who, despite their privileged upbringing and arrogant nature, would nonetheless generously pour their enthusiasm and affection onto others.

They didn’t consider it shameful or beneath them to be kind. Sometimes they would be willful and spoiled, but they would always read the room, never truly causing genuine displeasure.

Ye Di ignored Ji Yuchang’s shouts.

He walked up to Elder Zhai, looking directly at his solemn expression.

“The piece you just played, was its title ‘Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree’?” he asked.

Elder Zhai was taken aback by the question.

“Young hero, how do you know the name of this piece?” he inquired.

“Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree” was originally Mister Xiao’s favorite composition.

Whenever she had leisure, she would play it within the pavilion.

Elder Zhai, being deeply fascinated by music, was very interested in Mister Xiao’s unique masterpiece.

Mister Xiao was also very generous. Upon hearing that Elder Zhai wished to learn the piece from her, she not only held nothing back but even seemed exceptionally pleased.

It was as if she were showing off her beloved to others, as she imparted all her insights into “Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree.”

Given this, “Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree” could almost be considered a unique composition of the Zhaixing Pavilion.

Elder Zhai was certain he had never met the person standing before him. How could he accurately state the name of the guqin piece?

Ye Di’s conjecture had been confirmed, yet the cloud of suspicion in his heart only thickened.

There were likely only a handful of people in the entire world who had heard the guqin piece “Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree,” and that included those already buried.

He had believed this guqin piece would vanish with his death, becoming extinct.

Unexpectedly, it had reappeared in the martial world a hundred years later.

He had observed the masked woman’s hidden weapon technique, “Little Heavy Mountain,” earlier, and knew they were likely from the Zhaixing Pavilion.

With a shift in his thoughts, Ye Di opened his mouth and asked, “May I inquire about your lineage, sir? Who taught you this guqin piece, ‘Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree’?”