Chapter 05: The Celestial Sound Enchants the Mountains

The guards simultaneously let out a muffled groan, and Captain Fang's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly circulated his energy to resist, barely managing to stabilize his stance. He turned to look at the children who were safe and sound, vaguely sensing that this matter was complicated, and secretly regretting it. Such magical power, released through the bowstring, would not harm the innocent; the other party must be someone from the celestial sect, and their cultivation was extraordinary. It was clearly a warning directed at him. If he did not respond, it was likely that the other party deemed him and his people unworthy of dialogue, and their status was likely not ordinary.

The voice was loud and had a strong penetrating power, causing the children to shiver.

He gazed at the willow branches and softly asked, "Are you... the disciple of Uncle Fang?"

Uncle Fang, do not worry, I am just coming over for a stroll, it is nothing serious

The excitement had not yet subsided when Liu Shao sensed a crisis

The children were all somewhat stirred, yet no one dared to imitate, for they clearly saw the cold glint that flashed in Commander Fang's eyes—Commander Fang was not necessarily fully accommodating to this prince, and moreover, the prince could not possibly let them all go; perhaps one could be forgiven, but too many would only face punishment

Firstly, the children have long abandoned the idea of escape; secondly, a magical formation has been set up outside the mountain, making it impossible for them to flee. As a result, their range of activities is no longer restricted. Once this proposal was put forward, the bolder children responded enthusiastically, while the timid ones shrank back to the side

The boys indeed stopped; the two children who had previously been injured by Du Mingchong were still in a state of uncertainty regarding their lives and deaths. Who would dare to provoke Lu Li

While she was lost in thought, Commander Fang Wei accompanied a few individuals into the courtyard, his expression rarely showing a hint of respect.

Upon hearing these utterly merciless words, Fang Weichang and the others were extremely humiliated and secretly gathered their spiritual energy, preparing to strike.

After a while, she suddenly rushed over and embraced the tall young man, trembling as she said: "She is dead! They beat her to death! Lu Li, she was beaten to death!"

A few boys nearby were slowly approaching her, their red eyes glinting with ferocity, fixated on the meat in her hand

Lu Li turned around and smiled, saying, "Alright, stop being willful, let's go."

At that moment, she heard the sound of a piano.

The willow branches were in a state of frustration, and Fang Weichang looked at the girl on the ground and said: "Kill her!"

In the Qingguang area, a guard appeared to report: "Captain Wei, the mountain protection formation is about to be breached"

The faint tone was akin to instructing someone to eat, and many children did not react, including the girl, until the stick fell heavily on her forehead, causing her to bleed; only then did she realize her predicament and began to roll away to evade it

The magic array flickered, and Marquis Wu Yang appeared with the personal guards from his residence

Water droplets splashed, accompanied by a gentle "ah".

Do not fall ill, absolutely must not fall ill

She was surprised that he would make a mistake in recognition

Everyone was taken aback, as it turned out he had been in the room the whole time. It is no wonder, as everyone was startled by the sudden commotion and hardly paid attention to others

In the shadowy city, Su addressed, "I wonder which esteemed immortal has graced us with their presence?" Wu Yanghou spoke, his tone and demeanor markedly different from that of Commander Fang Wei.

With her violet eyes slightly narrowed, Lu Li extended a hand towards her: "Come here quickly, or I will leave."

Raindrops fell from above, and in those eyes, there was a misty haze, concealing a hint of melancholy that did not quite match his age. The young gentleman stood amidst the grass, resembling a green reed, or perhaps a smooth, lustrous pearl

Liu Shao hurried back to the courtyard and, seeing that Captain Fang had not yet arrived, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, quickly forgetting what had just happened.

Su Xin had no idea of her thoughts, smiled slightly, and turned to say: "It is getting late, Uncle Fang, I will head back first"

Fang Weichang slightly frowned. If one indulgent act is allowed, a second will surely follow; the character of this heir has always been too weak. He did not refute this, and with an impassive nod, he said: "The heir is merciful; I will send someone to escort her back shortly."

Only the sound of breathing remains around

This feeling is very familiar, but now she absolutely cannot fall ill. She is not the most outstanding, and Commander Fang will not call a doctor for her. If she becomes too weak to train, they will similarly drag her out and discard her

More than three months have passed, and the children still occasionally wake up from nightmares. One child was even so frightened that he fell ill. The impression left by that scene was too profound, making the children acutely aware that their fate was entirely in the hands of Commander Fang. Commander Fang's training has become even more rigorous, and the competition among the children has become more intense, with each of them bearing injuries on their bodies.

"Crown Prince, save me!" A girl was the first to react, rushing in front of Su Xin.

Who is it? After multiple incidents of food theft, Liu Shao has developed a habit of remaining vigilant at all times

Su Xin remained silent

Fear

As she approached, several girls surrounding Lu Li displayed expressions of disdain and averted their gazes

The guardians of the celestial gate protect the mortal realm, yet your returns are disheartening. The tone is even colder than before, "If you offend again, do not blame me for being heartless"

Su Xin? Liu Shao thought for a moment and tentatively asked, "You are not like us, are you?" Just by looking at his attire, it was impossible for him to have been sold in.

Has the heir come here, and is the lord aware of it?

After a while, a faint voice came through: "In pursuit of petty gains, they engage in mutual slaughter. The Martial Sovereign's creation has not lasted a thousand years, and the martial arts have already fallen to such a state."

Under the clear sky and the moonlight, a figure emerged

Now asking him to let her go, he would surely agree! The willow branches were almost unable to hold back, yet facing the cold gaze of Captain Wei above, she ultimately did not dare to speak, swallowing her words back down.

Liu Shao became even angrier and picked up a stone to throw it into the water

In a moment, the sound of the zither rose again, gradually forming a melody that was somewhat more tranquil than before; however, the sense of oppression contained within it remained undiminished, each note striking like a hammer on the heart

The supervising guards have arrived, and the children are following instructions to sit cross-legged and practice. Liu Shao has an outstanding talent for concentrating energy, and her practice is exceptionally smooth, encountering almost no obstacles. In contrast, the other children beside her are sweating profusely, seemingly struggling immensely. Liu Shao cannot help but feel proud, thinking to herself that it is clearly not difficult at all.

Marquis Wu Yang suddenly recalled something, his expression changing, and he smiled as he cupped his hands towards the air: "I am unaware of what matter has disturbed your esteemed presence. My ignorance has led to many oversights and disrespect."

Lu Li indeed called her: "Liu Shao'er, are you going or not?"

"The piano is not bad," Lu Li said with a smile that was not quite a smile as he gazed at the night sky. "It would be good to go and see him."

There is no comfort, only the statement of facts

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Liu Shao exhibited a hint of vanity, quickly stepping out of the line, her small face displaying a clear expression of pride

This young heir has never shown any interest in martial arts, and he often has criticisms regarding his own actions. Commander Fang Wei did not expect him to come, and upon seeing him scanning the children with his eyes, he tentatively suggested: "If the heir has taken a liking to someone, just call them to play with you."

He knew he would not forget himself. Liu Shao was pleased to see the anger in Bai Feng's eyes, feeling secretly triumphant, and said while touching his forehead: "I... I don't really want to go"

Nanhua Mountain, disciples under the gate of Chonghua Palace, have experienced the profound principles of martial arts

A soft grunt was heard as several dark figures descended from the sky, revealing four martial arts disciples. Their attire resembled that of the guards of the Marquis's residence. At this moment, they lay on the ground, their expressions weary. An expert could easily discern the reason; they had been crippled and their foundations severely injured.

Still commenting, pretending! Liu Shao pouted, for she enjoyed his protection and did not dare to stray far from him, yet she was always unwilling to approach him like Bai Feng and the others. She deliberately stood still, not moving.

The ground continued to tremble slightly, and the guards, aware that they were facing a master, all stepped forward. Captain Fang raised his hand to stop them, looked up at the sky, and questioned rather impolitely: "Your Excellency, visiting the mountain at such a late hour, may I ask what insights you have to share?"

She absolutely does not want to owe him anything; he is not trying to please her at all. He is merely approaching her intentionally, helping her, protecting her, and ultimately making it so that she cannot live without him! He is just as detestable as that person!

Only after they left did the children begin to discuss again. No one knew what had happened, but seeing that Commander Fang and his team had passed, their unease dissipated somewhat, replaced by confusion and excitement—who could be so formidable as to cause trouble for martial arts that even Commander Fang could not handle?

As the heir of the marquisate, he certainly understands the methods of his father and General Fang. He knows how these children came in and what their purpose is, without needing to ask. However, he is helpless against his father and has only brought it up a few times before letting it go

The children had been living in the mountains for several months and were already familiar with the terrain. Lu Li accurately led everyone to the position of Commander Fang, who, along with his guards, was gathered at the summit of the main mountain, fully on guard. The children quickly stopped and gazed from a distance, yet they never caught sight of the intruder, only hearing the distant sound of a guqin.

In response to her demands, he merely frowned.

The girl was overjoyed, repeatedly bowing her head in gratitude

One month, one qin, one sword, one person

A junior disciple from our sect was assigned to track down the Heart-Eating Demon. At the foot of Kunlun Mountain, he unexpectedly encountered a distinguished disciple from your esteemed sect, which led to four of our disciples coveting his magical treasures. Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, they launched a surprise attack. The other party paused and said, "It turns out that my junior disciple is not as skilled as others. However, your disciples took advantage of their numbers to bully the few, and even resorted to a sneak attack. I believe that using martial skills in such a manner is better off abandoned. Since we have harmed a distinguished disciple, I have come to apologize and to seek an explanation on behalf of my junior disciple from your esteemed sect."

The evening breeze fills the valleys, and the sound of flowing water feels cold to the ears. The overcast sky begins to drizzle, and the voices of the girls faintly drift from the mountain hollow; they must still be gathered around Lu Li.

Only Lu Li remained standing there quietly, his expression unchanged

The air currents trembled, the ground shook violently, and dust fell in a flurry between the beams

The guard captain Fang Wei arrived outside the courtyard with his attendants, and upon seeing him, the children immediately quieted down, no longer daring to make a fuss

Gentle, yet without excessive indulgence, it resembles a lofty act of charity. The girl in illness is fragile and sensitive, with no trustworthy person by her side, filled with grievances and fears that have no outlet for expression. She wishes for him to stay and accompany her, yet he actually accuses her of being willful. Liu Shao stands there, deeply aggrieved, on the verge of tears.

Commander Fang nodded and called out: "Liu Shao, come and meet the Young Master!" Duke Wu Yang was very fond of his son, and small matters should indeed be handled according to his wishes

In the face of the reprimand, none of Wu Yanghou and the others spoke up.

The girl cried in terror: "Spare me! Young Master, save me!"

The voice is remarkably youthful, clear and crisp, akin to the autumn wind pushing through the clouds, the tide rising over the sea, sweeping across a thousand mountains, with a lingering resonance. The plain tone reveals no signs of joy or anger, yet it is filled with momentum, without being the least bit jarring

It is no wonder that the martial arts disciples are envious of the possessions of the disciples from the immortal sect. However, they not only failed to seize them but were also caught and had their efforts wasted. The martial arts disciples have lost face, and according to their usual conduct, they will certainly resort to killing to silence witnesses and preserve their reputation

Liu Shao suppressed the discomfort in her body and instinctively searched for Lu Li, only to find that he was nowhere to be seen in the crowd

Bai Feng happily invited him: "Let’s go take a look, who is so impressive?"

Fang Weichang was filled with anger and was about to step forward to speak, but was stopped by Marquis Wu Yang.

Look, he knows very well that she is afraid, yet he cannot even spare a word of comfort! Liu Shao inexplicably felt a chill all over her body, suddenly pushed him away, wiped her tears, and ran into the room.

No, there is no, the willow branches are swaying continuously, you must come again. At least with him here, Captain Fang should not be too harsh on himself.

Are you afraid of death, Liu Shao'er

Liu Shao collapsed weakly to the ground, unable even to cry.

When Su Xin walked out of the courtyard, Liu Shao felt a sense of pride in her heart and looked at Lu Li with raised eyebrows—now there is still someone who can protect her! When she truly needs him!

The sound of the zither suddenly turned somber

"I don't want to stay here, I will die, please let me go back!" The frail girl had not eaten anything for an entire day. Sensing that this young master was gentle and kind, she rushed out desperately to plead.

The cries suddenly ceased, and the courtyard fell silent. The girl finally lay on the ground, no longer moving.

In a short period of time, she experienced countless things that she had never dared to imagine before. The fluctuations in her emotions were too sudden and intense—fear, shame, despair... They far exceeded the capacity of the little girl to endure. She was on the verge of collapse and thus eagerly sought comfort; his presence made her feel less alone.

In a daze, something brushed against her foot. Liu Shao looked down and saw the girl struggling to roll to her feet, her face covered in blood. Liu Shao was so frightened that she let out a piercing scream and jumped far away.

Liu Shao held her heavy head, praying in terror. She longed to close her eyes and have a good sleep, but she dared not to sleep. She was afraid that if she fell asleep, she would not be able to wake up the next day

She thought she had escaped to safety, but little did she know it would lead her to hell! This is even more brutal than starving to death! The children were horrified, their previous envy transformed into relief, especially Liu Shao, who stood there in a daze, her small face pale. Just moments ago, she had entertained the same thought, and fortunately, she did not voice it; otherwise, her fate would have been the same as that of this girl

This statement, once made, has become serious

The familiar voice was utterly tempting, and Liu Shao bit her lip, ultimately following along as she always did, lacking any resolve.

Lord Wu Yang asked in a deep voice: "I wonder how my subordinates have offended your esteemed presence?"

"Follow me." With a command from Commander Fang, he led the guards to retreat in formation.

These boys all failed to complete their tasks on time, and it is no wonder they chose Liu Shao as their target. One reason is that girls are easier to bully, while most other girls come from impoverished backgrounds, helping their families with chores from a young age, and are healthy and robust. Only Liu Shao is fair-skinned and slender, usually described as delicate and charming, but at this moment, she has become someone weak and easily bullied

Seeing her clever and adorable demeanor, the young gentleman smiled at her with considerable fondness and said, "My name is Su Xin"

He is the heir! Not only was Liu Shao excited, but the children also had their eyes shining with excitement. They did not fully understand the status of the heir, but they knew that he was the only son of the Marquis of Wu Yang, and that he was more formidable than Commander Fang, even Commander Fang had to listen to him

The echoes have not yet faded, and the power still lingers. The air waves surge and roll above, accompanied by the sound of "crackling," as if something invisible is about to shatter and collapse, causing the moonlight to dim significantly.

Su Xin was taken aback and took a step back: "You ... ... "

Su Xin was about to speak when a sharp whistle suddenly sounded from a distance, signaling the start of the training

Liu Shao surprisingly managed to hold on, yet she had previously lived a life where everything was handed to her without effort. Now, despite her hard work, she still lagged far behind Bai Feng and the others. Fortunately, she had Lu Li to protect her. Lu Li was highly regarded by Commander Fang Wei, and during this time, Du Mingchong incited a few children to provoke him. Subsequently, a boy was dragged away, and from then on, no one dared to provoke him again. Under his protection, Liu Shao lived in constant fear—she vaguely sensed Lu Li's cold-bloodedness from that incident, perhaps even worse than Du Mingchong. But what could she do? He could protect her and would not humiliate her, and that was enough. At least he liked her and would not treat her that way.

Willow branches are busy stamping their feet: "Hey, you, you... Lu Li!"

Hearing the gloating from the willow branches, one realizes that those who practice martial arts are not good people. Not only do they refuse to help capture demons, but they even dare to attack the immortal elder. Truly despicable!

Su Xin quickly found the target in the crowd: "Uncle Fang, call her over."

Lu Li indeed appeared at the door

As expected, Liu Shao has once again obtained a bountiful supply of food, and Commander Fang has always been generous towards the victors

The sound of the zither is truly resonant, soaring to the utmost heights, akin to the shattering of stones and the breaking of clouds, the ringing of bells and the shattering of jade, carrying the force to shake mountains and overturn seas, breaking through the night, arriving across the sky, and instantly echoing through the valley

The night is silent, and the sounds of breathing rise and fall within the room

The eardrum ached sharply, and Liu Shao's spirit was suddenly invigorated. Instinctively, she covered her ears, and the other girls also woke up in alarm, screaming. Liu Shao quickly got up and rushed out the door. As soon as she reached the yard, she saw several boys from next door running out.

For a long time, there was a profound silence in my ears

The children gathered in the courtyard one after another, becoming a chaotic mass in their panic

In front of so many people, Su Xin felt it was inappropriate to say much. After a while, he said: "I will return to the residence and come to see you again in a few days"

Someone suggested: "Shall we go and take a look as well?"

"Lu Li, are you going or not?" Bai Feng called softly as she walked to the door

He sighed and said, "Everyone will eventually die, so what is there to fear? You must get used to it"

When the willow branches opened their eyes again, the bright moon in the sky remained as before, yet the figure of a person was no longer in sight

Save me

"I need to practice now, so I will take my leave!" Liu Shao hurriedly bid farewell, disregarding the calls from behind, and ran off quickly

The screen was inexplicably dazzling, and Liu Shao instinctively closed her eyes, yet she could still feel the overwhelming aura.

Su Xin hesitated, yet could not bear it, and spoke up to plead: "I see that she is frail, and keeping her would be of no use; Uncle Fang, please let her go back."

In the presence of this amiable young man, Liu Shao unexpectedly felt a wave of embarrassment and shame, unconsciously hiding away all her past arrogance. She tugged at her wrinkled collar and shyly uttered a soft "mm".

Su Xin was very pleased: "Is your name Liu Shao'er?"

The Chief Guard instructed the two attendants: "You two, escort the heir back."

One will not die immediately; the prolonged process signifies deliberate torment. In the end, that sound is no longer a human voice, but a wretched and shrill cry akin to that of a small beast.

The girl's body was dragged away, and Commander Fang left with his guards. Bloodstains remained on the ground, and only then did the children awaken from their dreamlike state, crying softly.

Fang Weichang's expression remained unchanged as he instructed the guards: "Take her away."

Commander Fang looked at the guard beside him, and the guard replied in a low voice: "I have already reported it to the Marquis."

Previously, there was a need to draw clear boundaries, yet now, one is compelled to seek refuge. Liu Shao, blushing, sat down beside Lu Li and silently ate.

They want to steal! Liu Shao hurriedly protected the food with both hands, blinking her eyes in a flustered manner. Suddenly, she quickly picked up the meat and the bread and ran towards Lu Li, who was not far away.

Liu Shao is extremely anxious, worried about tomorrow's training

Uncertain of what Bai Feng asked, Lu Li smiled in response, showing no concern for this side.

Su Xin noticed that her expression was unusual and asked, "Are you alright?"

In an instant, the indifferent night sky became resplendent

Liu Shao looked up in disbelief, angered by his indifference. His attitude conveyed to her that he did not care at all about such matters, and his violet eyes reflected a calmness born from experience.

In the late night, Liu Shao struggled to turn over, her eyes fixed on the corner not far away

He is slightly older than her, dressed in a light green outer robe, revealing the collar of a purple-blue inner garment, with a luxurious gold and jade ornament at his waist. Unlike Lu Li's striking and captivating appearance, his forehead and chin are both well-rounded, and his eyebrows are not arched like Lu Li's, but rather flat, giving him a gentle and docile look. This demeanor, imbued with kindness, far surpasses the favorable impression brought by his appearance.

At his feet lies a long sword gleaming with silver light, while with one hand he presses down on an ancient zither floating in front of him. The moonlight behind him casts a deep silhouette, obscuring his features and attire, revealing only the long, flowing, and billowing wide sleeves of his plain robe.

Moonlight filtered through the window, illuminating a lifeless face. There lay a girl who had not eaten for two days, so emaciated that her bones were visible. Perhaps tomorrow she would be dragged away by the guards

Marquis Wu Yang immediately cast a stern glance at everyone, then politely saluted into the air: "The sect of immortals has a covenant regarding martial arts; this matter is entirely due to my lax governance, and I feel ashamed. If your esteemed self is willing to grant me a small favor, please show yourself and meet me."

I dare not anymore! Master, do not hit! Do not hit!

Knowing his identity, Liu Shao was no longer as natural as before and replied cautiously, "Yes"

He claims to be a disciple, suggesting that his status is not high. In the face of the courteousness of the esteemed martial arts master Wu Yanghou, he did not even utter a humble phrase like "I dare not". Such disregard for martial arts is truly arrogant and presumptuous, causing Fang Weichang and others to wear solemn expressions.

"I am leaving," Lu Li said before walking away

As the sound of the zither ceased, after a moment, a voice resonated from the midair.

"Drag him out and throw him away!" Commander Fang's gaze swept over the crowd, his vicious eyes sharp as blades. "This is the fate of those who betray the Lord Marquis."

Finally, he patted her head and soothingly said, "Alright, go to sleep."

Eyelids feel heavy, head is slightly dizzy, body feels cold, discomfort is increasingly severe

Su Xin! Liu Shao immediately recognized the boy at the front, and was greatly surprised

Beside the large stone, the visitor elegantly wiped the droplets of water from his face with his sleeve, showing no signs of annoyance, indicating that he came from an exceptional background and upbringing