The zither music abruptly ceased, and Zou Xiazi's voice echoed above West Lake, sounding robust and deafening, completely unlike someone facing imminent death.
"Uncle Zou?"
Yan Shouyi was surprised by Zou Xiazi's sudden move. He had thought Zou Xiazi's illness had miraculously healed, but upon closer inspection, Zou Xiazi's complexion showed no signs of improvement.
Old Jin whispered, "This is his last burst of energy. He's willing to scatter his soul to save us."
Hearing this, Yan Shouyi and the others showed expressions of unbearable pain, while Wang Jiwang gritted his teeth tightly.
No one wished for Zou Xiazi to pay such a price before his death, yet it seemed no one else could deal with the paper effigy, Chu Liang.
Upon seeing Zou Xiazi, Chu Liang couldn't help but freeze, a look of wariness flashing across his face:
"Who are you?!"
Zou Xiazi let out a hearty laugh, "Are you too ignorant, or have I been out of the martial world for too long that people have forgotten my reputation? If you don't recognize me, you must at least recognize this zither!"
Chu Liang squinted, his pupils contracting.
He murmured, "You are... the Zither Ghost?! You are old ghost Zou?!"
The Zither Ghost's fearsome reputation was well-known in the martial world, and Chu Liang had heard of it. However, for the past twenty years, the Zither Ghost had vanished, and his fame had faded.
Despite this, Chu Liang felt immense dread upon recognizing Zou Xiazi.
"One string kills one person, one song slaughters a city… You are the killer of a thousand, the Zither Ghost, old ghost Zou!"
The words spoken by Chu Liang, coupled with his deeply apprehensive expression, were enough to illustrate the terrifying legend Zou Xiazi had once forged in the martial world.
Zou Xiazi raised his head proudly and said coldly, "Now that you've heard my name, why don't you pack up and scram?!"
Chu Liang gritted his teeth and, surprisingly, solemnly descended from his palanquin. He bowed deeply with cupped fists from a distance towards Zou Xiazi:
"I only want that child named Wang Zilai. If you hand Wang Zilai over to me, you will be greatly rewarded in the future!"
"Scram!"
As soon as Chu Liang finished speaking, Zou Xiazi suddenly strummed a string, the vibrating strings even unleashing several streaks of sword energy that slashed towards Chu Liang!
Chu Liang's expression changed, and he quickly brought his hands together. Two giant paper figures immediately moved to block in front of him!
However, the colossal paper figures, which even Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong couldn't easily defeat, were instantly shattered by a single move from Zou Xiazi!
Watching the paper fragments fly through the air, Chu Liang was utterly astonished.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "As expected of old ghost Zou, such skill is truly unparalleled in the world!"
Yan Shouyi and the others were even more dumbfounded.
It was important to remember that Zou Xiazi was already in his final moments.
If he were at his peak, wouldn't defeating Chu Liang be as easy as playing?
Zou Xiazi roared, "Wang Jiwang is my son, and Wang Zilai is his younger brother, making him my son too. How dare you demand someone from me?! Scram!"
This retort was overwhelmingly domineering. Yan Shouyi could even imagine the heroic and spirited demeanor of Zou Xiazi from his younger days, when he roamed the martial world with his father.
This was what a true martial artist was like!
Chu Liang's expression was unpredictable. He knew Zou Xiazi's power and dared not openly antagonize him.
Yet, capturing Wang Zilai was his mission. If he failed, he would surely be ridiculed by others.
For a moment, Chu Liang hesitated, unsure whether to retreat.
Although Zou Xiazi was blind, he seemed to see where Chu Liang was and perceive Chu Liang's expression.
Sensing Chu Liang's indecision, Zou Xiazi let out a cold sneer.
"I've given you a chance. If you can't leave later, don't blame me."
With that, Zou Xiazi began to play the zither again!
It was still the same "Ambush from Ten Sides," but this time, the musical onset was much more intense!
The melody seemed to stir the hearts of everyone present, making their hearts beat in time with the rhythm, faster and faster, as if they would explode at any moment!
The calm surface of West Lake rippled, and small waves spread outwards, interfering with and disrupting each other.
Afterward, the lake's surface seemed to boil, and fish leaped out of the water—a rare spectacle indeed!
"Ah—"
Suddenly, a man in black fell to his knees, clutching his head and wailing uncontrollably. He felt as if millions of worms were wriggling in his brain, causing him unbearable agony, making life worse than death. More and more men in black collapsed onto the ground, while Yan Shouyi and the others remained completely unaffected.
"Uncle Zou's zither is so powerful!"
Lin Zitong was extremely surprised. Although she had studied it before, she had no idea about the power of the zither score Zou Xiazi provided.
Her zither playing did have a headache-inducing effect, but that was entirely due to how terrible it sounded.
Seeing his subordinates fall one after another, Chu Liang also felt the urge to retreat.
However, he still stood his ground, forcing himself to remain there.
Suddenly, Zou Xiazi struck the zither board, and the water in the surrounding West Lake exploded, creating waves over ten meters high that drenched all the men in black!
Chu Liang shivered with fear, and his mental defenses finally crumbled!
He actually knelt on the ground on the spot, raising his hands above his head, and shouted at Zou Xiazi:
"Show mercy! I will retreat now and disturb you no further!"
This casual strumming had caused the explosion of West Lake. If Zou Xiazi truly intended to kill them, Chu Liang felt he would have no chance of escaping!
Chu Liang believed he was still alive because Zou Xiazi was old and no longer as bloodthirsty as before.
Therefore, fear ultimately overcame reason, causing Chu Liang to kneel and beg for mercy.
Zou Xiazi stopped his actions. The men in black who had recovered endured the pain and knelt obediently on the ground, not daring to cause any trouble, only hoping Zou Xiazi would spare their lives!
Chu Liang and his subordinates, who had been pursuing Yan Shouyi and the others with disdain just moments before, were now all kneeling before Zou Xiazi!
Yan Shouyi and the others now truly understood the power and reputation of the Zither Demon, old ghost Zou!
"Scram!!" Zou Xiazi roared.
Chu Liang and his group felt as if they had received a great pardon and hastily gathered their belongings to flee. The men in black vanished in a flash, but Chu Liang still had to wait for the paper figures to return to carry his palanquin. He was so anxious he wished he could carry the palanquin himself and run.
Seeing Chu Liang and his group finally leave, Yan Shouyi showed a slight smile. But before he could turn to thank Zou Xiazi, he saw Zou Xiazi suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood, collapsing powerlessly onto the ancient zither!
The ancient zither, stained with blood, looked even more weathered.
"Uncle Zou!"
"Dad!"
Everyone's expression changed drastically. They rushed forward to pat Zou Xiazi's back and help him breathe.
"My time is short, and it's beyond saving…"
Zou Xiazi smiled and, with their help, lay on his back on the chair.
"Dad…" Wang Jiwang's eyes were filled with tears, his throat choked with emotion, rendering him unable to speak for a moment.
The reunion with his father and the parting from a dying loved one occurred on the same day. This immense shift in his life brought Wang Jiwang unspeakable pain.
Yan Shouyi also felt immense reluctance. "Uncle Zou, if only we could have been stronger…"
"Compared to our time, you are already very good…" Zou Xiazi comforted him. "I always thought I would die alone, but I never expected to have you young ones by my side now, and to see my own son… I have no regrets in this life, even in death!"
"Son…"
"I'm here!" Wang Jiwang wiped away his tears, but his eyes immediately filled with them again, making it difficult to even see Zou Xiazi's face.
"Shouyi is a good child. After I'm gone, you must stay by his side to repay the Yan family for their kindness to us… Your father and I were like brothers, and I hope you and Shouyi can support each other… This is my only wish, can you promise me?"
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but sniffle. He was trying his best to restrain himself, but seeing Zou Xiazi still thinking of him on his deathbed, he couldn't help but become emotional and shed tears.
Wang Jiwang clasped Zou Xiazi's hand and nodded heavily, repeatedly agreeing, "I promise… I promise everything, Dad, I'll agree to whatever you say…"
"Shouyi." Zou Xiazi called Yan Shouyi's name again.
Yan Shouyi quickly took Zou Xiazi's other hand. "Uncle Zou, I'm here."
"You may find it difficult to understand your father's actions, but he has many unspoken reasons. Sometimes… don't push him too hard."
Speaking of Yan Chou and the others, a smile appeared on Zou Xiazi's face. He seemed to be recalling the moments he spent roaming the martial world with Yan Chou and the others.
Perhaps, besides listening to his wife play the zither under the bridge, this was the most beautiful time of Zou Xiazi's life.
To put Zou Xiazi's mind at ease, Yan Shouyi nodded silently.
Now, Zou Xiazi had no regrets.
With his clouded eyes, he looked at Wang Jiwang, and his eyes, which had not closed for a long time, slowly shut.
Like a weary worker, he peacefully drifted into dreams.
His breath stopped.
Silence fell upon the surroundings.
Looking at the deceased Zou Xiazi, an indescribable pain surged in everyone's hearts.
Wang Jiwang, holding back his tears, buried his head in Zou Xiazi's chest, feeling the fatherly love he had always yearned for.
The mute Wang Zilai, seeing his elder brother so heartbroken, finally showed a reaction. He gently grasped Wang Jiwang's hand, as if offering him strength.
"He's gone," Old Jin said, pursing his lips, feeling immense guilt.
Despite the astonishing skill of the Qihuang School's ancient physicians, they ultimately couldn't control life and death. Old Jin wondered if he were more powerful, perhaps he could have extended Zou Xiazi's life by a few more years.
Lin Zitong tightly grasped Yan Shouyi's hand. Yan Shouyi turned and pulled her into his embrace.
Although she couldn't see Yan Shouyi's face, she could feel his trembling chest and the large tears falling onto her shoulder. Even through her clothes, they were so clear.
Long Feicheng simply sat on the ground, his limbs spread out, gazing blankly at the sky.
Among the myriad of stars, one gradually dimmed, as if announcing the fall of a powerful figure.