"I'm not angry, I'm worried. He almost lost his life just now. Go and apply some medicine to him, I want to be alone."
Upon hearing Liu Liu's words, Dai Mei nodded. The楼主 (Louzhu, leader) had always been concerned about Duan Mu. His personality was a bit tempestuous, but he was one of the earliest to follow the 楼主, and their bond was the deepest.
What the 楼主 didn't know was that many times, Duan Mu's actions were simply because he missed her. Since she didn't come to see them, he would cause trouble, because only by causing trouble would the 楼主 come to care for them.
The night was cool like water, the moonlight was deep, the gentle breeze stirred the lotus leaves, swirling into ripples.
The wind blew the curtains, flowers fell, and the gentle light, like jade, poured into the room like silver gauze.
On such a quiet night, she suddenly felt inspired and wanted to play "A Spring River Flower Moon Night." Fortunately, there was a zither in the room. Although it was just an ordinary zither, it was enough.
She knelt before the table, the moonlight shining on the strings, half bright, half dark.
She lightly plucked her jade fingers, adjusted it slightly, and then pressed down. Melodious zither music flowed from her fingertips, like a little sprite waking up in the dark night, nimbly and lightly running through the verdant and misty forest, reveling and laughing. Then it softened, as if the fragrance of the earth was rushing towards them, with the sweet freshness of herbs.
Liu Liu was lost in her own music, unaware that the vast Qing Lian Mountain Villa seemed to have been broken by a spell. Everyone's hearts paused at that moment. What beautiful music it was, as if it could wash away the evil in people's hearts and return a pure land.
"This music should only exist in heaven," everyone exclaimed, savoring it long after the piece ended. Who stirred the soul of the dark night? Who played such a pure song, light and clear as an infant's?
Dai Mei applauded lightly and walked to Liu Liu's side.
"The 楼主's zither playing is getting better and better. It truly makes people want to listen more."
"You, you always know how to flatter. Go rest now. You all have a martial arts competition tomorrow, so don't overexert yourselves," Liu Liu stood up, her eyes shining, a smile on her lips. Playing a piece of music had indeed made her feel much better. This was her way of relieving her stress.
"Is Duan Mu alright?"
Dai Mei shook her head. He had been worried that the 楼主 would be angry. Seeing that her master had asked her to apply medicine, he became elated again.
Actually, she knew everything. Although he seemed fierce and aggressive on the surface, he was actually too afraid of losing her. Therefore, he only wanted to hold onto her tightly, and now, what he wanted to hold onto was the 楼主.
"Let's wash up and go to bed," the two said as they washed and retired.
The next day, the martial arts competition officially began. After breakfast, everyone arrived at the martial arts arena early. A new platform had been built, two meters high, draped with red silk curtains on all sides, and hung with lanterns.
Several chairs were already placed on and around the platform, for the Martial Arts Alliance Leader and several highly respected individuals. If anyone present exhibited vulgar or shameful behavior, they would be immediately expelled from the competition.
Of course, Liu Liu did not comment on their behavior. She merely lowered her head and earnestly instructed Wu Lang Jun, "You must absolutely not take any lives. It doesn't matter even if you lose. Our Seven Star Tower doesn't want to seize the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader. We just want to make a name for ourselves. Our purpose has already been achieved, so there's no need to waste any more effort on the rest."
"Yes, 楼主?" Wu Lang Jun responded lazily.
"Did you get your number?" Liu Liu asked caringly. Each sect had a number, and they would go on stage according to their number. Liu Liu glanced at the number in Duan Mu's hand; it was in the twenties. They would have to wait for a while, so they sat down at ease.
They decided to first observe the skills of other sects. In fact, the later the number in the competition, the better it was. It allowed one to gather the strengths of all sides and avoid their own weaknesses, thus making it easier to win.
The people from Seven Star Tower calmly looked towards the high platform. People were already appearing on the platform.
The masters from renowned sects like Wudang and Shaolin took their seats. The last to appear was the Martial Arts Alliance Leader Zhan Yun, dressed in blue. His appearance drew countless screams and applause.
Liu Liu also clapped twice. Knowing that the Emperor was Zhan Yun's man, she knew that today, no one else could take the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader except Zhan Yun. Even if someone surpassed him in martial arts, sects like Shaolin and Wudang would still refuse to acknowledge it.
This was because they were Zhan Yun's people, and also Emperor Feng Xie's people.
"Do you know? Alliance Leader Zhan actually ordered people this morning to post portraits, looking for an ugly woman with a birthmark on her face. I heard that whoever provides information can receive a thousand taels of silver notes."
Two voices, not too loud and not too soft, reached Liu Liu's ears. Liu Liu's body trembled, and she looked at Dai Mei with shocked surprise. "No way?"
Dai Mei was equally startled. What was Alliance Leader Zhan up to? He had even posted portraits to find his master. It was only one encounter, and now he was posting portraits everywhere looking for her. It seemed his master was scared.
Liu Liu's figure flickered, and she left the martial arts arena. Dai Mei followed closely behind her.
Indeed, white portraits were pasted on the white walls on both sides of the street. The person in the painting was remarkably like herself, especially the red birthmark. She believed there would be no other person in the world who had such a large red birthmark.
Liu Liu's expression suddenly darkened, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes. She really wanted to rush in and pull Zhan Yun down to beat him up. However, she was still the Seven Night楼主 at the moment, so she could only command herself to take a deep breath and calm down.
Dai Mei's behavior was unusual. Normally, she wouldn't lose her composure like this. What was wrong this time? Even if Zhan Yun posted portraits, no one recognized her, so what was there to fear? He reached out and patted the 楼主's hand.
Her fingers were surprisingly cold and pale. It was evident that her master was very angry, perhaps even terrified.
"What's wrong, 楼主?"
"Dai Mei, I will leave Black Wind City early tomorrow morning and rush back to the capital. You and Duan Mu will stay to compete. The outcome doesn't matter, as we aren't trying to seize the position of Alliance Leader. We just need to build the reputation of Seven Star Tower." Liu Liu's expression had calmed down, and she instructed Dai Mei calmly and unhurriedly. Dai Mei raised her beautiful slender eyebrows and exclaimed in disbelief, "What happened?"
"Have you forgotten that the Emperor is in Black Wind City? As soon as he sees this portrait, he will recognize me. What do you think he will do? If he finds out that I'm not in the palace and have become Zhan Yun's so-called concubine, do you think the Liu family will be alright?"
A cold, clear light flashed in Liu Liu's clear eyes. Her dark hair swayed proudly in the wind. Her figure shifted, and she turned back towards the martial arts arena. Dai Mei followed behind her motionlessly.
No wonder her master's expression changed. She had forgotten about the Emperor being in Black Wind City. She feared that he would find out about this matter soon, and it seemed her master should return quickly. She hurried forward a few steps.
"楼主, why don't you leave now? I'll arrange the rest."
Liu Liu stopped and thought for a moment. It would be better to leave after dark, otherwise, it would attract attention.
"I will leave Black Wind City when it gets dark. You all stay."
"Alright," Dai Mei nodded. The two of them quietly walked in and found their previous seats. Duan Mu saw them walk in and said softly, "It's our turn."
Liu Liu and Dai Mei looked up. Indeed, Wu Lang Jun was in the arena competing with someone. His opponent was from the Wudang sect. Wudang's techniques were quite accomplished, but the young man who went on stage had clearly not learned the basics. In just a few moves, he was subdued by Wu Lang Jun.
And in just these few moves, many people had recognized Wu Lang Jun. A commotion arose from the crowd, wondering why the renowned Wu Lang Jun would obey a child, which was not losing face for himself.