265: Chapter 265 Resonant Melodies: Who is Playing the Qin?

In the narrow alley paved with bluestone slabs, the purple bamboo on both sides swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze, making a rustling sound.

As the two gradually moved deeper into the lane, the unique hustle and bustle of the main street of Tianyin City gradually faded, replaced by a tranquility that felt far removed from the mortal world.

The spiritual spring in the water channel lapped against the moss-covered stone walls, and the air was filled with a light, fresh scent of bamboo leaves.

Just as the two were strolling past a corner, a faint, almost imperceptible zither melody drifted over the water.

Zheng—

At first, the zither music was just a few intermittent plucks, like melting snow dripping from the tips of spring branches—cold and carrying a hint of probing.

But after only a few breaths, the rhythm of the music suddenly shifted, transforming into a continuous autumn rain, dense and desolate.

Hua Jieyu, following beside Xu Chen, saw the lazy smile in her eyes instantly freeze the moment she heard the zither music.

As the peerless Saintess cultivated with all the resources the Hehuan Sect possessed, she had studied charm techniques and the method of Dual Cultivation since childhood, giving her a perception of all worldly emotions and desires far exceeding that of ordinary people.

At this moment, she was horrified to discover that the zither music coming through the forest and water carried not the slightest trace of worldly dust, but was entirely composed of an inescapable loneliness and sorrow.

As if possessing eyes, the notes disregarded her protective Protective Aura, which was characteristic of a Saint realm expert, and drilled straight into the depths of her Sea of Consciousness like invisible threads.

After listening to just half a movement, Hua Jieyu felt an inexplicable pang of bitterness well up in her heart, causing even the Hehuan Spiritual Qi within her body to stagnate slightly.

This was absolutely not some common folk tune, but the great Dao of musical rhythm that truly touched upon the Laws of Heaven and Earth.

"Young Lord, be careful. This zither music is strange; it seems capable of disturbing one's Dao Heart."

Hua Jieyu paused slightly, immediately putting aside her leisurely mood.

She quietly moved half a step behind Xu Chen, secretly circulating the Imperial Scripture within her body, a faint pink spiritual light flickering on her palm, ready to respond to any hidden musical killing formation.

Faced with Hua Jieyu's vigilance, Xu Chen took no defensive measures, not even activating the most basic protective True Qi.

He even stopped walking, closed his ink-wash folding fan, closed his eyes, and completely relaxed, allowing the sorrowful zither music to envelop him completely.

As the notes continuously entered his ears, the Hongmeng Origin Body deep within Xu Chen's Dantian reacted once more.

If absorbing the Spiritual Qi carrying musical Laws while looking down on Tianyin City from the flying boat before was merely a superficial pleasure, then the resonance produced by the Hongmeng Origin Body upon facing this Soul-piercing zither music was as surging and powerful as a river bursting its banks.

Xu Chen felt the latent artistic cells within him being completely ignited at this moment.

In his Divine Sense perception, the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi transformed into a vast and desolate snowy plain, following the rhythm of the music.

And the one playing the zither was sitting alone atop a cliff amidst driving snow and wind, plucking the strings—which might break at any moment—with frozen fingers, issuing a silent accusation to the merciless heavens.

"Put away your True Qi, Jieyu. This is not a killing formation, nor is it any form of sneak attack."

Xu Chen slowly opened his eyes, a bright, unusual light flashing in his deep gaze.

He turned his head and gently tapped Hua Jieyu's slightly tense hand with his folding fan, giving her a reassuring smile.

"The true Dao of musical rhythm, if used to kill, falls short. This musician harbors no hostility; she is simply too lonely. So lonely that the entire world cannot understand her words, forcing her to pour all her emotions and obsessions into these seven strings."

Upon hearing this, Hua Jieyu slowly dispersed the spiritual power in her palm. She looked toward the direction the zither music came from with some confusion.

"Young Lord means this is merely someone simply playing the zither to express themselves? But the sorrow in this music is so intense it can shake the state of mind of a Saint realm expert. This person's cultivation must be unfathomably deep."

"No, her cultivation is not high."

Xu Chen shook his head with absolute certainty, the look of inquiry in his eyes growing stronger.

"What shook your state of mind is not powerful Spiritual Qi cultivation, but her pure Zither Dao, which has almost merged with the Origin of Heaven and Earth. In this world, there are people born to live for one specific Dao. Her heart is cleaner and more transparent than all those old fellows who call themselves Musical Grandmasters in Tianyin City."

Xu Chen carefully savored the melody from just now in his mind, a smile of great interest curling on his lips.

He had come to Tianyin City specifically to listen to music and relax his mind; he hadn't expected to find such an excellent kindred spirit hidden in this remote, narrow alley.

"Let's go meet this high-level musician. I want to see what kind of hands can play such a heart-rending tune."

Xu Chen pointed toward the depths of the alley with his folding fan and began walking again with his long legs.

This time, his steps were no longer as casual as before; instead, they subtly matched the rise and fall of the zither melody's rhythm. Every step seemed to land precisely on the nodal points of the notes, appearing unhurried and graceful.

Hua Jieyu followed obediently behind him, a flicker of curiosity arising in her heart regarding the zither player her Master mentioned.

The two followed the winding bluestone alley, tracing the sound.

The purple bamboo forest gradually thinned, and the view ahead suddenly opened up. The end of the alley connected to a wide inner-city lake.

Beneath the weeping willows by the lake stood a quiet, two-story wooden teahouse.

Unlike the opulent restaurants and mercantile houses in the center of Tianyin City, which were often inlaid with gold and Top-Grade Spirit Stones, this teahouse was entirely constructed from aged agarwood. The surface of the wood was not coated with any flashy alchemic lacquer, preserving the ancient texture left by the erosion of time.

Under the flying eaves of the teahouse hung a pale blue cloth banner, washed white, with the three characters 'Listening to Rain Pavilion' written in delicate handwriting.

The sorrowful yet transcendent zither music was drifting out from the second floor of this Listening to Rain Pavilion.

Xu Chen stood outside the teahouse and looked up to examine it.

The teahouse's business seemed rather sparse.

In the spacious main hall on the first floor, only a dozen or so patrons were sparsely seated. Without exception, the tea in front of these people had long gone cold, yet they remained completely oblivious.

Everyone had their eyes closed, their expressions either sorrowful or infatuated, completely immersed in the plaintive zither music drifting down from upstairs.

Behind the counter, the manager who should have been handling accounts was propping up his chin, a cloudy tear hanging from the corner of his eye, perhaps recalling some old, sad memory.

Controlling the minds of all the patrons in the hall with just the sound of his zither—this level of skill indeed lived up to Xu Chen's assessment of him as a kindred spirit.

Xu Chen paused briefly outside the door. Only when the first movement of that piece slowly concluded and entered a brief pause did he close his folding fan and lead Hua Jieyu across the slightly aged wooden threshold of Listening to Rain Pavilion.

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the silent first-floor hall, startling the waiter who had been dozing near the door.

The waiter snapped awake, quickly wiped his mouth with the rag draped over his shoulder, and rushed forward with a fawning smile.

"My apologies, esteemed guests. I was so engrossed in the music just now that I failed to greet you sooner. Do you two wish to have some clear tea in the hall, or would you prefer to go upstairs to the private seating area to listen to the music?"

The waiter's gaze quickly swept over Xu Chen and Hua Jieyu.

Although he couldn't discern their depth, Xu Chen's spotless white robes and the inherent noble bearing of a superior radiating from him caused the waiter to instinctively bend his waist, making his tone even more respectful.

"Upstairs."

Xu Chen said flatly, tossing out a round Top-Grade Spirit Stone.

The Spirit Stone cut a faint gleam across the air and landed steadily in the wooden tray held by the waiter, emitting a crisp 'ding' sound.

In this Eastern Wasteland region, Top-Grade Spirit Stones were hard currency; many Loose Cultivators might toil for a hundred years and still not accumulate one.

The waiter stared at the Top-Grade Spirit Stone in the tray, which radiated rich Spiritual Qi and was pure and flawless, his eyes instantly fixed, and even his breathing became rapid.

"Arrange a seat for this Young Master closest to the zither player. It needs to be quiet; do not let anyone disturb us."

Xu Chen commanded faintly.

"Yes, sir! Esteemed guests, please proceed upstairs!"

The waiter nodded and bowed repeatedly in excitement, immediately turning to lead the way, his waist bent so low that it almost touched the ground.

"The Heaven-rank private seating area upstairs is just vacant. It is only separated by a bead curtain, offering the best view and the clearest sound. Esteemed guest, please follow me."

Under the waiter's eager guidance, Xu Chen and Hua Jieyu stepped onto the slightly creaky wooden stairs, moving toward the second floor of Listening to Rain Pavilion.

As the distance closed, the profound sorrow of the Dao, which flowed with the zither music, grew increasingly intense.

Xu Chen's lips maintained that gentle smile, and a hint of expectant light flickered in his deep eyes.