Translator – Misty

Chapter 6: The Young Master of Crimson Flame

The old man, with white hair and beard, stood at the entrance of the garden in a clean robe, his turbid eyes fixed on Gu Qingfeng with an incredulous look. He seemed quite excited, his lips quivering slightly.

“I have spent my life studying the famous melodies left by the King of Crimson Heavens, but it was not until I heard you play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ that I realized there are higher mountains beyond mountains, and heavens beyond heavens. It’s incredible, truly incredible!”

The little girl ran over to the old man and affectionately called him grandpa.

Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly, replying modestly, “The old gentleman flatters me.”

“Flattery? No! I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable in music. The way you played ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ was nothing short of marvelous, in terms of finger technique, strings, and rhythm. Most astonishing was that you played without using any spiritual techniques, yet you managed to reveal the essence of the piece, immersing and enlightening the listener, as if reliving the ancient times and witnessing the King’s retreat in the Azure Sea. I am utterly impressed and humbled.”

The old man’s abundant praise left Gu Qingfeng sitting casually in the pavilion, merely smiling without further modesty.

“Grandpa, is this big brother really that amazing?”

“Playing ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ without spiritual techniques and still revealing its essence,” the old man nodded in admiration. “This young man’s musical attainment is indeed rare; I am ashamed to compare.”

The old man bowed and asked, “May I have the honor of knowing your esteemed name, young master?”

Gu Qingfeng stood up, tidied the melon seed shells on the table, and replied softly, “My surname is Gu, first name Qingfeng.”

Gu Qingfeng?
The old man repeated the name, thinking of all the musical geniuses he knew, but found no recollection of this name. Not wanting to probe too deeply, he bowed and said, “Hearing you play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ has been an eye-opener. May I invite Master Gu to share a few drinks?”

“Share a few drinks…”

Gu Qingfeng pondered; he had left without informing Ouyang Ye, wondering how she was doing. Deciding against it, he replied, “I would like to, but… I have a friend waiting for me… perhaps another time.”

Gu Qingfeng walked over, ruffled the little girl’s hair, handed back the guqin, and said, “Keep practicing, little girl. I must go now.”

Watching Gu Qingfeng hurriedly leave, the old man exclaimed, “I never expected to meet such a profound young musical talent here today.”

“Grandpa, is he really that skilled in music? Are you truly inferior to him?” The little girl had never heard her grandfather praise someone so highly, not even her most admired Sister Xian. “Grandpa, aren’t you exaggerating?”

“Not at all,” the old man responded. “His technique and control over the strings were exquisite. Most importantly, he played without any spiritual techniques, yet fully conveyed the essence of the piece. His musical skill is undoubtedly unfathomable. Saying I am inferior might even be an understatement.”

“Ah… How does he compare to Sister Xian then?”

“That… I dare not say. Sister Su is a contemporary musical prodigy and the only one who can play the Monarch’s profound melodies with such sentiment. As for Master Gu’s true level of skill, I truly do not know.”

“Right, Grandpa. I was struggling with Sister Su’s melody earlier, especially the ‘Three-leaf Plum Blossom’ tune, but the big brother taught me to change the technique and spiritual formula, and then… I played it effortlessly.”

“Oh? Really?”

The old man took the sheet music, stroked his beard, and examined it closely. His expression grew more astonished as he read. After trying to play it himself, he gasped in amazement but couldn’t contain his excitement.

“This piece, meticulously composed by Sister Su, is considered perfect. That you struggled with the ‘Three-leaf Plum Blossom’ tune is normal due to your cultivation and understanding of music… but… replacing the ‘Four-String Minor Feather Technique’ with the ‘Light Caress Cascade Style’ and ‘Three-String Minor Repetition Technique’ surprisingly… even more mysteriously… it’s simply unbelievable!”

Excited, the old man took several deep breaths to calm himself and continued, “Master Gu’s musical talent is perhaps even deeper than I imagined, not inferior to Sister Su…”

“Sister Su said she might come to this musical event…” the little girl mentioned softly. “I wonder if she will meet this big brother.”

“If Sister Su knew her piece was modified to sound even more mystical, I wonder how she would feel…”

The old man, still stroking his beard, couldn’t stop marveling, “I wonder which sect or school Master Gu belongs to. His musical proficiency is truly unimaginable… unimaginable…”

… mysticnovel.com

After leaving the garden, Gu Qingfeng headed back the way he came. Upon returning to the bathing area, he found Ouyang Ye pacing back and forth, apparently very angry.

Clearly, the young girl was furious. Gu Qingfeng approached her quietly, intending to tease, “Girl, whom are you waiting for?”

“Who are you!” Ouyang Ye glanced at Gu Qingfeng and snapped, “I’m annoyed right now, get lost!”

Gu Qingfeng chuckled, “So quick to forget?”

Huh?
That voice sounded familiar.

Ouyang Ye turned around, scrutinizing Gu Qingfeng. The more she looked, the more familiar he seemed. Then, she exclaimed in surprise, “You! You’re Gu Qingfeng?”

“I thought you’d forgotten me.”

“You! Where did you go, do you know how long I’ve been looking for you!”

“I went to find you, of course.” Gu Qingfeng yawned and stretched, “You left me alone, and when you didn’t come back, I had to go looking for you.”

“You! Hmph!”

Ouyang Ye wanted to scold him but realized she hadn’t explained things clearly when she left.

“Fine, I’ll let it slide this time, but…”

Ouyang Ye eyed Gu Qingfeng suspiciously, commenting, “I didn’t expect you to look quite handsome after bathing and changing, but… something feels off.”

“What’s wrong?”

Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, looked himself over, and found nothing amiss.

“It feels strange, I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

Ouyang Ye pondered deeply. She felt a special aura about Gu Qingfeng, like… a stagnant pool of water. Yes, that’s it! A stagnant pool, devoid of vitality and filled with gloom. Yet, this gloom wasn’t like those ancient cultivators with centuries of practice but a quietness that was uncomfortably and frighteningly serene, like the stillness of the deep sea or the terrifying silence of vast darkness.

How strange!
Why is that?

Suddenly, a shout interrupted her thoughts.

“Ye Ye, I’ve been looking for you for quite a while. So you were here.”

Arriving was a young man in his twenties, handsome and dressed in exquisite clothes, clearly from a wealthy family. His eyes and brow exuded arrogance.

“Li Sen?”

Seeing the young man, Ouyang Ye’s eyes flickered with disgust, replying irritably, “Why are you here too?”

“I came for your aunt’s musical event. You and Yunhong Brother are performing, so I thought I’d join. I’ve been waiting here for a long time. Let’s go together.”

“No need, you go ahead.”

Ouyang Ye glanced at Gu Qingfeng and said, “Let’s go.”

“Ye Ye, who is he?”

Li Sen looked wary upon seeing Gu Qingfeng.

“None of your business.”

“Ye Ye…”

As Li Sen was about to speak, Ouyang Ye turned around, impatiently saying, “Li Sen, can’t you see you’re annoying? Always pestering me at the sect and now here too, so irritating!”

“Tell me who he is!”

“None of your business!”

Frustrated, Ouyang Ye grabbed Gu Qingfeng’s hand and prepared to leave.

Seeing Ouyang Ye holding hands with this stranger, Li Sen’s anger boiled over, his voice cold and forceful, “Ye Ye, is he that Chiyang Young Master you fell in love with at first sight?”

“It’s none of your business!”

“Not acceptable! You must tell me!”

Ouyang Ye, on the brink of a breakdown, had been pestered by Li Sen for nearly two years since joining the Yunxia Sect. Facing Li Sen, she expressed her disgust, “What do you want, anyway?”

“I just want to know who he is!” Li Sen’s aura was fierce, demanding, “Is he that Young Master of Crimson Flame?”

“Fine! Since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you!” Ouyang Ye linked arms with Gu Qingfeng, angrily saying, “Yes, he is the Young Master of Crimson Flame I fell for at first sight. Are you happy now?”

“What!”

Li Sen was shocked, then shook his head, denying, “Impossible! I’ve investigated; the Young Master of Crimson Flame you mentioned is a dragon among men, with exceptional cultivation and involvement in all ten arts of immortality, especially in music. If such a person existed, why haven’t I ever heard of Young Master of Crimson Flame great name in the Qingyang region?”

“When did I ever tell you Young Master of Crimson Flame was from our Qingyang region?” OuYang Ye extended her hand to take Gu Qingfeng’s arm, occasionally adjusting his belt and straightening his collar, making very intimate gestures as if to provoke Li Sen. She said, “If he’s not the Young Master of Crimson Flame who made me fall in love at first sight, do you think I would behave this way?”

“You!”

Li Sen, unable to contain his anger, stared intensely at Gu Qingfeng and demanded, “Are you really the Young Master of Crimson Flame?”

“Me?”

Gu Qingfeng looked at OuYang Ye, who subtly winked at him, as if to say: Hey, play along, will you?

Feeling somewhat speechless but not refusing, Gu Qingfeng stood up straight, pointed at Li Sen, a playful smile crossing his lips. He put on an arrogant demeanor and said haughtily, “That’s right, young man, I am indeed the Young Master of Crimson Flame.”

“How dare you steal my woman?! You! Are! Seeking! Death!”

Watching his beloved holding the arm of another man, Li Sen’s anger surged uncontrollably, his voice cold and biting as he yelled through gritted teeth.
“Who’s your woman?! Li Sen, if you dare say that again, don’t blame me for being rude!” OuYang Ye snorted coldly and said, “And I’ll have you know, it won’t be long before I become the Dao companion of Young Master of Crimson Flame, and then we’ll start dual cultivation… So, don’t bother me anymore!”

With that, OuYang Ye, holding onto Gu Qingfeng, left without looking back.

(End of Chapter)