Chapter 126 - 119: Lingering Zither Melody

However, Luoxia City was so massive that he’d need a guide. But at the moment, neither Song Luhuai nor the other young clan members were in the general store. They had probably gone to the East Market to buy what the clan needed; otherwise, he could have had Song Luhuai show him around.

Just as Song Changsheng was thinking about whether he should hire someone, an attendant busy at the counter seemed to notice his need and volunteered, "Young Clan Leader, are you going to the West Market? Do you need a guide?"

He followed the voice with his eyes and saw a rather youthful-looking young man, about eighteen years old, with handsome features and a vibrant, energetic air.

Seeing this, Song Xiantu quickly said, "Young Clan Leader, his name is Qingluo. He was born here in Luoxia City and has lived here for eighteen years. He knows the city like the back of his hand. Having him as your guide will save you a lot of trouble."

It dawned on Song Changsheng. ’A "local," and just when I was worrying about not having a guide. Isn’t this perfect?’

He smiled and nodded. "Then I’ll have to trouble you to guide me, Qingluo."

Song Qingluo shook his head hastily. "No trouble, no trouble at all! It’s my honor to guide the Young Clan Leader."

After bidding farewell to Song Xiantu and the others, Song Changsheng left with Song Qingluo. Walking down the bustling street, Song Qingluo asked cheerfully, "Young Clan Leader, are we going straight to the West Market?"

"Are there any interesting places along the way?" Now that he was out, Song Changsheng was in no hurry and planned to stroll his way there.

Without hesitation, Song Qingluo replied, "Up ahead, there’s a branch of the Eight Directions Pavilion. It’s said to be the largest in the entire southwest of the Daqi Kingdom, and a lot of visiting Cultivators love to go there."

Song Changsheng was naturally familiar with the great name of the Eight Directions Pavilion. There was a branch in Liuyun Marketplace as well, one that completely overshadowed the six major Foundation Establishment Influences of Ling Province.

Though he was somewhat interested, a mental check of his coin purse quickly extinguished the thought. The Eight Directions Pavilion had many treasures, but their prices were just as dazzling.

Seeing Song Changsheng’s lack of interest, Song Qingluo quickly added, "A little further on, there’s an auction house. The Great City Lord’s birthday is coming up soon, and many people are expected to attend, so the auction house is preparing for a large-scale auction."

The mention of an auction house reminded Song Changsheng of the time he helped that mysterious person bid at the Liuyun Marketplace. He had learned a great deal back then.

’This auction will probably be much larger than the one at the Marketplace, won’t it? I could come take a look when the time comes.’ Song Changsheng made a mental note of it, then gestured for Song Qingluo to continue.

Song Qingluo thought for a moment. "Then there’s Celestial Sound Mountain."

"Celestial Sound Mountain? What’s that?"

Seeing that he was actually unaware, the young man’s face lit up as he began his animated explanation, "Young Clan Leader, Celestial Sound Mountain is where the Great City Lord conducts his closed-door cultivation. It’s right in the center of Luoxia City.

The Great City Lord is the only Tier Four Musician in all of Daqi, and he is a master of the Dao of Music. The disciples under him are also skilled in music and often practice their instruments on Celestial Sound Mountain.

Whether it’s strumming zithers, playing ocarinas, or striking ancient lutes... the list goes on. The music carries for miles, never ceasing throughout the day.

Sometimes, the Great City Lord even plays his zither personally. Many people have broken through their bottlenecks while listening to its sound. Word spread like wildfire, leading to crowds of people gathering at the foot of the mountain to cultivate. It’s become one of the great wonders of Luoxia City."

Realization dawned on Song Changsheng as he listened. He couldn’t help but think of Zhuang Yuechan, who had explored the cavern residence with them. She was a disciple of the Great City Lord, and she carried a Jade Zither, its lingering notes capable of killing without a trace.

But her skill was worlds apart from the Great City Lord’s. He had experienced it firsthand—a single strand of the master’s zither music had caused him to lose his composure. It was no wonder it could help others achieve breakthroughs.

’Fellow Daoist Zhuang is a local Cultivator, Fellow Daoist Zhu is in Bian Province, and there’s that swordsman who might be Fellow Daoist Xu... So, without even realizing it, the few of us have gathered in the same place again.

The workings of fate are truly wondrous.’ Filled with emotion, Song Changsheng now found himself interested in this Celestial Sound Mountain and gestured for Song Qingluo to lead the way.

Before long, the two arrived at the foot of Celestial Sound Mountain. For a city to contain mountains—and more than one—spoke volumes about its sheer size.

Celestial Sound Mountain was about ten thousand feet tall, with lush vegetation and swirling clouds and mist. Its steep body resembled a sharp sword piercing the heavens, magnificent and imposing.

In terms of height, Vast Mist Peak was leagues ahead. But in terms of Spiritual Qi concentration, Vast Mist Peak couldn’t even hope to compare.

In the entire Daqi Cultivation World, you could count the number of Tier Four Spiritual Veins on one hand. One of them lay here, beneath Celestial Sound Mountain, potent enough for a Golden Core Master to cultivate.

Just as Song Qingluo had said, music from Celestial Sound Mountain was incessant, audible from a great distance. There were zithers and lutes, bamboo flutes and reed pipes...

Despite the variety of instruments, the sounds were not chaotic, blending together as if in a grand concert, though the specific melody was unclear.

And indeed, a large crowd of several hundred people had gathered at the foot of the mountain. Among them, one could even spot Foundation Establishment Cultivators, all sitting on the ground with their eyes closed in concentration.

’The birthday banquet a year from now will probably be held up there. I wonder if I’ll be able to see Fellow Daoist Zhuang.’ Song Changsheng looked up along the mountain’s ridge, a sense of anticipation growing in his heart.

The last time, Niu Dazhuang had left in a hurry with Zhuang Yuechan, and they hadn’t even exchanged a way to contact each other. Otherwise, he could have called her down for a chat.

After pausing to listen for a while, Song Changsheng prepared to turn and leave. But just as he took the first step, a clear, melodious zither note suddenly rang out, overpowering the sounds of all the other instruments.

The zither’s melody flowed like a babbling brook—graceful, melodious, and pleasing to the ear, filling one with a sense of peace and joy. Song Changsheng froze mid-step. The music was incredibly familiar.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the person playing the zither had to be Zhuang Yuechan. Compared to a few years ago, her skill in the Dao of Music had advanced by leaps and bounds; even he was slightly affected by it.

A smile touched Song Changsheng’s lips. ’Fellow Daoist Zhuang must have already become a Tier Two Middle Grade Musician. If that Nameless Swordsman is indeed Xu Yunhe, then all four of us who survived that day have reached Foundation Establishment.’

They had been through life and death together, and were among the few people Song Changsheng considered friends. Seeing that none of them had fallen behind on their path, how could he not be happy?

The road to eternal life was far too lonely. To have a few good friends journeying alongside him was one of life’s greatest blessings.

A moment later, the piece concluded. Song Changsheng gave a distant salute toward the mountain peak, then continued forward with Song Qingluo...

"Young Clan Leader, do you know the person who was playing the zither?" Song Qingluo asked curiously.

"An old acquaintance, yes," Song Changsheng nodded.

A look of envy immediately appeared on Song Qingluo’s face. In his eyes, a disciple of the City Lord was an impossibly lofty figure. Then, a hint of confusion crept in. "But isn’t this your first time here?"

"I met her in Ling Province. At the time..." Song Changsheng gave him a rough summary of what had happened.

"In Ling Province? Wow... I’ve never even left the city." Song Qingluo’s eyes were filled with envy as he looked at Song Changsheng. This Young Clan Leader didn’t seem much older than him, yet he was already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and had so many thrilling experiences.

"Ling Province is a wonderful place. Though not as prosperous as Luoxia City, it is the root of us, the disciples of the Song Clan."

"Root..." Song Qingluo seemed dazed. Ever since he was little, his father had told him their roots were in Ling Province, their home on Vast Mist Peak. But he had been born here and had never once set foot in Ling Province.

"Young Clan Leader, what kind of place is Vast Mist Peak?"

"It’s a place that carries our clan’s glory. There..." Song Changsheng explained it all, speaking of the Scripture Pavilion, the Elder Council, the clan trials...

Song Qingluo’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, until they shone with boundless longing. He thought to himself, ’At my age, if I were in the main clan, I’d probably be participating in the trials by now...’

The two continued walking and chatting. Gradually, the flow of people around them increased, and the noise grew louder. They could faintly hear the various shouts of vendors hawking their wares.

Song Qingluo pointed ahead excitedly. "Young Clan Leader, the West Market is just up ahead!"

Song Changsheng looked out and saw a huge square filled with countless stalls. Throngs of Cultivators moved among them, stopping from time to time to browse and buy. It was a lively scene.

A smile crept onto his lips. "A good place to find some hidden treasures."

...