Why do I have so many masters?

The qin represents the ancient sounds and has been esteemed since time immemorial.

In the former era, as the Seven Kingdoms engaged in strife, with distant alliances and close attacks, each developed its own strategies. After Qin annihilated the Six Kingdoms, the art of qin music did not decline due to the chaos of war; on the contrary, it advanced by leaps and bounds, becoming the subject of spirited competition among various noble families.

When Master Jiang Shouyi taught him how to play the qin, he had once appraised the qin music from all over the world, saying that the music of Wu is clear and melodious, much like the broad flow of the Yangtze River, lingering and gently meandering, with the air of a true scholar. The music of Shu is hasty and impetuous, like rushing thunder and surging waves, a genius of the moment, making it difficult to determine the superior or inferior.

This tuning was akin to that of Shu, but not overly forceful, containing the delicate charm of Jiangnan Road, managing not to seem frivolous. Although young, she already possessed the poise of a great master.

Master Jiang Shouyi and the Mistress had once praised that his qin music could achieve a truly untroubled heart, yet they seldom judged his plucking technique. But even on this point of tranquility, compared to the woman currently playing the qin, he was far inferior.

Singing voices from within the walls didn't cease, each falling note marrying the melody of the qin, echoing from afar without being overshadowed by the strings. Though known for her beauty, the woman composed words that conveyed a soaring, heroic spirit.

Many frontier poets of Great Qin could hardly write with such a composed and unperturbed air.

After the song ended, the woman seemed to have left with her qin. The entire brothel remained dead silent until, after a prolonged silence, a thunderous applause broke out. Judging by this reaction, it was expected that today, this pleasure boat would earn quite a bit of silver.

Lv Baiping gazed in wonder, saying,

"Such a woman, I'm afraid, may be more remarkable than many qin masters, right?"

"Just like Uncle Gong Yu when he practices swordplay."

Her eyes twinkled, and she suddenly said,

"I don't quite understand this poem, but the last two lines feel a bit like when we went hunting that day, though you shot more than just eagles, and it didn't snow that day."

"It's just at the end, with the grand departure, it's somewhat similar to 'a thousand miles of evening clouds level'."

Wang Anfeng stood up and slung the sword he held back onto his back, patted his clothes, and smilingly said, "I'm not acquainted with the famously intimidating Miss Yun Meng, nor am I any General. This poem is very good, but it's unrelated to us."

"Miss Lv, it's about time for us to leave as well."

Lv Baiping nodded, her mood clearly lifted by the music she had heard today. She glanced back at the brothel, blinked, and said, "Thank you for taking me out today, so I won't tell Qiaofu that you actually brought me to a brothel."

Wang Anfeng chuckled, nodded, then looked around the courtyard. Not seeing the familiar carriage, he felt a twinge of regret, saying,

"I didn't see Yuchi's carriage, it seems he is not here, and I wonder where he's run off to. It's a pity we couldn't witness Miss Yun Meng showcase her singing talent. But...given his character, perhaps saying he was coming to the flower house was just a ruse, and who knows where he has slipped off to."

Lv Baiping rolled her eyes, clearly unconcerned. Wang Anfeng too stopped speaking and didn't go on. Seizing the moment when most of the people in the brothel were still intoxicated by the recent performance, they flipped over the wall and agilely landed on the street.

Along the road, one could still see qin masters playing, and from within the neighboring brothels, faint melodies could be heard. Yet, it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to return. Having just experienced the sublime music, Lv Baiping found the common tunes hardly pleasing to her ears. She said,

"Let's go back."

"Today has been fulfilling enough. Considering an afternoon has passed, Qiaofu must have completed the sword manual. If we don't go back now, she'll start to worry."

"Mm."

Zhu Yun Meng today wore a dress of delicate silk like layered clouds atop piled snow, the epitome of the graceful and proper fashion of Wu Country in Jiangnan Road.

Great Qin's attire tends towards the simple and solemn, with the imperial regalia being the most majestic and solemn of the Seven Kingdoms. However, when it comes to women's clothing, that of Wu and Chu is far more endearing.

If it were an ordinary brothel woman, she would surely wear her neckline lower, creating an alluring hint of cleavage to give the young scions of noble clans those scratching temptations. Yet Zhu Yun Meng would never reveal more than was modest.

Her black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, adorned upon her head only a simple pearl hairpin. After playing the qin, unlike common women who would thank their patrons, she merely carried her qin and returned to the upper floors.

Upon entering her room, she carelessly placed the ancient qin, worth three thousand gold, on the table. Having received a poem yesterday, the originally prepared music seemed mismatched, so she recomposed it.

This first performance today, where the qin and lyrics perfectly intertwined, also brought to mind the scene she witnessed the day before. The affairs in the city these past days were numerous, and naturally, she knew that what she saw beneath Tiantai Peak on that day must have been a guest of Master Mei San.

And what she saw today, the beautiful woman dressed in white, proceeding with sword in hand, must be a disciple of Qingfeng Edge.

She thought for a moment and was momentarily lost in thought.

Wang Anfeng and Lv Baiping slowly left the alley of pleasure houses. Both being martial artists, even without employing lightness techniques, their pace was faster than ordinary people's. Moreover, Lv Baiping, not wanting to miss the evening meal with Lin Qiaofu, unwittingly used some of Qingfeng Edge's agility skills.

When she looked up, Wang Anfeng was following closely just as he would on any other day, his robe flowing as he moved at ease with a touch of mystery.

Upon returning to the inn, Wang Anfeng, with his keen vision, spotted from a distance the carriage which had cost hundreds of silver coins parked in the inn's stable. Thinking of the 'good deeds' Yuchi Jie had done over the past few days, Wang Anfeng felt it was just the right time to confront Yuchi Jie about his absence from the brothel today.