272: Chapter 272 The Eve of the Auction: The Blind Girl's Thoughts

The night was deep, and stars dotted the sky.

Inside the Hidden Dragon Courtyard, the highest-grade area of the Myriad Treasures Tower, a Spirit Gathering Array transformed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into wisps of white mist that swirled among the pavilions and terraces, making it look like a fairyland.

Inside the main hall, Hua Jieyu had tactfully retreated to the outer bedroom to rest, leaving this quiet moonlight time entirely to her master and the newly arrived blind zither girl.

Xu Chen had changed out of the white clothes he wore while traveling and was now dressed in a loose, moon-white silk robe, lazily leaning against the railing of the spacious star-gazing terrace outside the main hall.

He toyed with a warm white jade wine cup in his hand, his gaze casually scanning the night view of Tianyin City.

A light breeze blew past, bringing a faint scent of orchids.

Xu Chen didn't turn around, but a gentle smile already curved his lips. He heard a light and slightly restrained set of footsteps coming from behind him.

“It's so late and you haven't rested yet. Is the bed in the Myriad Treasures Tower too hard, or are you not used to staying here?”

Xu Chen raised the wine cup and took a small sip, his voice sounding exceptionally peaceful in the silent night.

The newcomer was none other than Gong Yu.

She had already washed away the dust of the mundane world she had picked up at the teahouse during the day and changed into a soft, plain-colored flowing cloud dress. Her waterfall-like black hair was no longer held up by a wooden hairpin but was instead draped casually over her slender shoulders.

Against the backdrop of the hazy white mist from the Spirit Gathering Array, her already clear and peerless face looked even more pitiable, exuding a sense of fragile etherealness that seemed untouched by the mortal world.

Gong Yu followed Xu Chen's voice, slowly walking to the edge of the terrace and stopping two paces away from him.

“The layout of the Hidden Dragon Courtyard is extravagantly luxurious, thousands of times better than anywhere Gong Yu has lived over the years. It's just...”

Gong Yu lowered her head slightly, her eyes, clouded by a layer of grayish-white film, flickering with complex emotions under the moonlight.

“It's just that Gong Yu feels guilty in her heart, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. If the Young Master hadn't acted righteously at the teahouse during the day, Gong Yu would have likely been forcibly taken away by that manager, her reputation ruined. Now, I am even basking in the Young Master's light, living in such a divine residence.”

She lightly bit her bloodless lower lip, her voice carrying a hint of unease and trepidation.

“Gong Yu has nothing of value, only her shallow zither skills. I do not know how to repay the Young Master for this life-changing kindness. If the Young Master gets into a conflict with Unchanging Gold at the Myriad Treasures Tower auction tomorrow because of Gong Yu's matters and invites a fatal disaster, Gong Yu would not be able to clear her guilt even with ten thousand deaths.”

This was the instinctive unease of a girl who had lived in darkness and defensiveness for many years when suddenly faced with an immense blessing.

She was afraid that this protection was just an illusory dream, and even more afraid that she would become a burden to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen turned around, looking at the figure that appeared somewhat thin and fragile under the moonlight.

He didn't use those high-sounding principles to comfort her, but instead reached out and directly grabbed Gong Yu's cold little hand.

Gong Yu's delicate body trembled slightly, but she did not break free.

Xu Chen exerted a little force and pulled her in front of him. The distance between them instantly closed, to the point where they could even feel each other's breath.

“Since I said I would back you up, then in Tianyin City, no one can touch a single hair on your head.”

Xu Chen looked down at her, his tone carrying the arrogance and dominance unique to an Young Master of the Imperial Clan.

“As for repayment... you girl are looking down on your own value too much.”

Xu Chen used his free hand to gently brush away a fallen leaf from Gong Yu's shoulder, his voice becoming low and magnetic.

“You possess the Seven Orifices Exquisite Zither Heart, and your talent in the Great Dao of Music is enough to make even the top Holy Lands in Zhongzhou with Legacies of tens of thousands of years turn red with envy. What you lack is only a backer who can let you play the zither in peace without worrying about mundane troubles.”

Xu Chen released her hand and instead gently pinched her pointed chin, forcing her to look up.

“The Myriad Treasures Tower cannot give you this kind of protection; they would only treat you as a money-making tool and a plaything for their desires. But I can give it to you. As long as you are willing, from now on, you are my, Xu Chen's, person. Your zither only needs to be played for me.”

These words were spoken bluntly and explicitly, without the slightest beating around the bush.

In Xu Chen's view, to deal with a talented woman like Gong Yu who had delicate thoughts and was used to closing herself off, he had to use the most overbearing and powerful method to directly tear through all her psychological defenses, leaving her no room to retreat.

Sure enough, after hearing these words that were equivalent to a declaration of sovereignty, Gong Yu's heart skipped a beat.

On her pale face, a Soul-stirring blush quickly rose like burning clouds, spreading all the way to her crystal-clear earlobes.

Although she was blind in both eyes, her mind's eye was incredibly clear.

She could sense Xu Chen's aggressive gaze at this moment, wandering uninhibitedly over her body. That kind of gaze lacked the nauseating lewdness and greed of someone like Unchanging Gold; instead, it was a pure appreciation and possessiveness of a superior toward a top-tier prey.

“Young Master...”

Gong Yu's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, carrying a hint of bashfulness and panic that she herself hadn't noticed.

In all her years, this was the first time she had her chin pinched so overbearingly by a man while he spoke such heart-racing words.

Recalling the second floor of the Listening to Rain Pavilion during the day.

That figure who, at her most desperate moment, used a piece of ethereal flute music to push open the door to her heart and dissolve her inner demons. That white-clad Young Master who, facing a manager at the Peak of the Dragon Transformation Realm, suppressed him with a flick of his fingers and protectively stood by her side.

All the gratitude, admiration, and the Soul resonance generated in the harmony of the zither and flute completely fermented at this moment into a cup of strong and intoxicating aged wine.

Those hard shells once used to resist the whole world turned into a pool of spring water in front of Xu Chen.

Gong Yu slowly closed her hollow eyes.

She didn't retreat a single step, nor did she dodge Xu Chen's hand pinching her chin. Instead, following her instincts, she stood slightly on her tiptoes and gently pressed her burning cheek against Xu Chen's warm and broad palm.

“Gong Yu's life was saved by the Young Master in the first place. This riddled zither heart was also repaired by the Young Master's flute music.”

Gong Yu's cheek rubbed gently against Xu Chen's palm, her voice becoming tender and firm, carrying a kind of resolution like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon.

“If the Young Master does not dislike Gong Yu for being a blind and flawed person, then from now on, Gong Yu's hands, this zither, and even this broken body all belong to the Young Master. I will follow you in life and death, with no second thoughts.”

Feeling the burning temperature coming from his palm and that submissive dependence like a kitten, the smile in the depths of Xu Chen's eyes grew even richer.

This dust-covered priceless treasure was finally completely taken into his possession.

As for that slight physical flaw...

Xu Chen took the opportunity to withdraw his hand and wrapped it around Gong Yu's slender waist, gently bringing her into his embrace.

“So what if you're blind? As long as I am here, I will tell you about all the beautiful scenery in this world one by one. Moreover, with the Xu Family's heritage, it's not difficult to reshape a pair of Divine Eyes that can see through all illusions.”

Xu Chen lowered his head, his nose almost touching Gong Yu's smooth forehead.

“It's getting late tonight. Since your heart's knot is untied, go back and rest early. Gather your spirits, for tomorrow evening, I will take you to the auction at the Myriad Treasures Tower to watch a grand show. And while we're at it, we'll completely tear apart that damned Heavenly Dao Contract.”

Gong Yu leaned against Xu Chen's broad and solid chest, listening to that powerful and steady heartbeat, feeling it was the most wonderful melody in the world.

She didn't question whether the promise from Xu Chen's mouth was true or false; at this moment, as long as she could stay in this man's arms, she wouldn't feel the slightest fear even if the sky fell.

“Gong Yu will follow the Young Master's arrangements.”

She nodded obediently, blushed, and stepped out of Xu Chen's embrace. After giving Xu Chen a graceful bow, she turned and walked along the corridor toward her guest room.