"Forget it, let them go," Shen Lang said, pulling Wang Yuyan's hand as she rushed forward. "They're a peculiar family, why bother arguing with them."
"But you just saved that woman, and her family treated you like that. Aren't you angry?" Wang Yuyan looked at Shen Lang, utterly confused.
"I saved her, not for her, nor for her family," Shen Lang smiled, then turned his gaze to the red-clothed girl. "Now, are you convinced?"
"I'm convinced—" The red-clothed girl smiled radiantly. "Brother Shen, you are not only proficient in music theory, but your medical skills are also at a divine level. I am truly convinced."
"My name is Zhen Mi, from the Zhen family in Longdu. I am extremely honored to meet a distinguished person like Brother Shen."
"Zhen Mi?" Hearing the red-clothed girl's words, Shen Lang was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected anyone to share the same name as that legendary Luo River goddess.
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a woman named Zhen Mi, who had an unfortunate life. She was first married to Yuan Shao's son, Yuan Xi. After the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Cao, and Yuan Xi fled in a panic, abandoning Zhen Mi and her family. She was then taken by Cao Pi, Cao Cao's son. Initially, Cao Pi doted on Zhen Mi, but later, due to the machinations of the beautiful and intelligent Queen Guo, Cao Pi grew increasingly disgusted with Zhen Mi and eventually ordered her execution. It is said that when Cao Zhi wrote the "Ode to the Luo River Goddess," his description of the goddess's beauty was inspired by Zhen Mi.
"Graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon." How beautiful the historical Zhen Mi truly was, posterity can only guess. But it can be affirmed that she must have been a peerless beauty, otherwise, the "Seven Masters of Jian'an," including the three Caos, would not have been moved by her. And Zhen Mi's beauty did indeed possess a certain divine charm of the Luo River goddess. One can only hope that she will not suffer the same misfortune as the historical Zhen Mi.
"Grandpa Zhou, I lost, completely and utterly. Please give Brother Shen a check for one hundred million." As Shen Lang was slightly stunned, Zhen Mi said to the white-haired elder.
"Yes—" Not only was Zhen Mi convinced by Shen Lang's medical skills, but the white-haired elder was also profoundly impressed. He couldn't believe that someone could cure a person whom Zhen Mi had practically declared as good as dead.
"This kid, so young, yet so unfathomable. It would be good if he could become a friend of the Zhen family," the white-haired elder mused, looking at Shen Lang, before leaving.
Two minutes later, the white-haired elder returned and handed a check to Zhen Mi.
"Brother Shen, this is the one hundred million from our bet. Please accept it." Taking the check, Zhen Mi presented it to Shen Lang with both hands, her expression filled with reverence.
"Thank you—" Shen Lang did not refuse. He took the check, glanced at it to ensure it was in order, and directly put it into his pocket.
"I just earned a hundred million like this?" Wang Yuyan, standing beside him, was dumbfounded. Previously, she had always assumed Shen Lang's money came from ill-gotten gains, that he robbed and murdered for it. Now, she realized how foolish she had been. It was strange if this guy, with all his abilities, would be short of money. Thinking that her grandfather had worked for decades to accumulate billions, while Shen Lang had earned a hundred million in less than ten minutes, Wang Yuyan's mood was complex.
"Sister, please come with me to the Zither Pavilion. I will play the 'Guangling San' for you there." After handing over the check, Zhen Mi said to Wang Yuyan. She had lost, not only having to give Shen Lang a hundred million but also to play a tune for Wang Yuyan. This was the wager, and she had to honor it.
"Go ahead—" As Wang Yuyan looked at Shen Lang, he smiled. "I'll wait for you downstairs."
"Okay—" Hearing Shen Lang's words, Wang Yuyan followed the red-clothed girl upstairs. Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan, however, went downstairs.
Song Shidao had been waiting downstairs for a long time. Seeing Gu Qinghan and Shen Lang descend, Song Shidao's expression showed slight surprise. "Why are you only coming down now? Was it because you saved the critically ill Zhao Shihua?"
"Yes—" Shen Lang nodded.
"Although the Zhao family is quite detestable, Zhao Shihua is a decent girl. It's good that you saved her," Song Shidao said with a smile of praise for Shen Lang. "Shen Lang, well done."
Just as Shen Lang was about to reply, a melody echoed from the rooftop of Wangbei Tower. The music was clear and pure, sometimes flowing like a stream in a secluded valley, sometimes powerful like a dragon's roar and shattering jade, and at other times like surging waves crashing against the shore, resounding with a powerful rhythm.
Hearing the music, Shen Lang, Gu Qinghan, and Song Shidao all stopped thinking for an instant. Everyone closed their eyes, their thoughts pulled back over two thousand years. They felt Nie Zheng's grief when his father was killed by the King of Han for forging a sword. They felt Nie Zheng's gnawing hatred for the King of Han every time he thought of his father. They felt Nie Zheng's forbearance as he willingly played music for the King of Han, entertaining his enemy, to get close to him. They felt Nie Zheng's ferocity as he, filled with grief and indignation, drew the fish-gut sword and lunged at his enemy.
That sword strike was like a white rainbow piercing the sun. That sword strike was unstoppable. The sword pierced the King of Han's armor and was snapped. However, his grief and pain had transformed into the most terrifying force in the world. Although the sword was broken, the sword energy continued, piercing the enemy's heart and killing him in the palace.
At this point, Shen Lang felt Nie Zheng's joy at avenging his father, but this joy lasted only for a moment. Suddenly, Nie Zheng thought of something, and his joy turned to fear. He had assassinated the king and would surely die. He did not fear death, but his appearance resembled his sister's. If he died, he would surely implicate her. Therefore, he took his broken sword and disfigured himself, gouged out his eyes, and committed suicide by disemboweling.
"Ding..." At this point, the piece ended, and the music ceased. This performance was a celestial melody. Whether it was Wang Yuyan in the Zither Pavilion or Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan downstairs, tears flowed uncontrollably. When Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan looked up, they saw hundreds of birds suddenly appear in the sky above Wangbei Tower, circling endlessly.
"This girl's zither playing is getting better and better," Song Shidao remarked before turning to leave. As he turned, two tears slowly fell from Song Shidao's eyes.
"Brother Shen, let's go," Wang Yuyan came downstairs five minutes later, her eyes red, and said to Shen Lang. Zhen Mi's performance of "Guangling San" had made Wang Yuyan understand what a celestial melody was. At this moment, Wang Yuyan was filled with shock and an indescribable sense of gratitude. If it weren't for Shen Lang, she wouldn't have had such an intimate opportunity to hear this ancient masterpiece.
"Sister, we're leaving," Shen Lang smiled upon hearing Wang Yuyan and then said to Gu Qinghan.
"Wait a moment." Seeing Shen Lang about to leave, Gu Qinghan took an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Shen Lang. "Little brother, this is the reward for the capture of the bandit Nalan Wushuang. A total of thirty million. Please accept it."