The Prodigies War
chapter-1826

Upon noticing Liu Qingyan's gaze, Lin Xun opened his eyes and said with a smile, "Do you believe me now?"

Liu Qingyan nodded as a slight smile appeared on her lips. "I still feel like I'm dreaming."

Lin Xun was dumbfounded. He said, "This is what we call the heavens will always leave a way for us. Miss Qingyan, since the Heavenly Sound Pavilion is now too busy solving their predicament, you and your master should be safe."

Liu Qingyan softly grunted in acknowledgment. The gloomy look between her brows had faded substantially, making her beauty shine more brightly than before.

She sat down beside Lin Xun, tilted her head, and asked, "Elder Yu Xuan, who do you think the murderer is?"

Her voice was as pleasant as the sound of nature.

Her clear eyes glittered like stars under her picturesque eyebrows, giving a sort of ethereal, otherworldly air. Just listening to her alone felt like a rare pleasure.

Lin Xun picked up the gourd, took a sip, and teased, "How would I know? Perhaps...it's a master who couldn't bear to see a lovely flower like Miss Qingyan suffer?" However, Miss Qingyan shouldn't call him a murderer. After all, he's a living Bodhisattva who wishes to save people from suffering."

Liu Qingyan glanced at Lin Xun with expectant eyes. She was soul-stirringly beautiful whether she was angry or happy.

She thought for a moment and said, "Regardless of whether he's a living bodhisattva or a murderer, I only know that Elder Yu Xuan went out for a while and brought back amazing news for me. I will definitely repay Elder if there is a chance in the future."

"No need to wait for the future, you can repay me now."

Lin Xun suddenly remembered something and said, "I've long heard of Miss Qingyan's exceptional musical talent. Moreover, you're also said to play a rare instrument called the Ancient Law Ocarina. Will you give me the fortune of listening to a tune?"

Liu Qingyan said in surprise, "Ancient Law Ocarina? Where did Elder hear that? I've never revealed that instrument since entering Heavenly Sound Pavilion."

Lin Xun inwardly cursed. Just as he was about to try and explain, Liu Qingyan nodded with a smile. "However, if Elder wishes it, this little girl will try not to be too disappointing."

As she spoke, she retrieved a palm-sized musical instrument shaped like a droplet. It had nine holes and its surface glowed with a warm, jade-like luster.

The Ancient Law Ocarina!

An imperceptible gleam rose in the depths of Lin Xun's eyes.

He recalled the time when he lived in the mine prison, at the age of seven.

On a snowy night, Mister Lu sat alone on a mountain peak, drinking amidst the snow and wind.

As he began to feel the alcohol buzz, Mister Lu unhooked the Ancient Law Ocarina on his waist and called the seven-year-old Lin Xun to his side.

No conversation followed. Instead, Mister Lu began to play the Ancient Law Ocarina.

An indescribable sense of sadness and desolation flowed amidst the quiet vastness, wind, and snow.

It was the first time that Lin Xun, who was only seven at the time, heard such a feeling of loneliness.

After the song was over, Mister Lu looked into Lin Xun's eyes and said, "Remember this song. It is the final trace your mother left before leaving."

From then on, the Ancient Law Ocarina and that peculiar song were forever engraved in his memory.

Liu Qingyan didn't notice Lin Xun's abnormal state. Her fingers pressed on the Ancient Law Ocarina as she gently placed it on her red lips and blew.

A melodious nature-like sound spread like wisps of wind swaying in the starry sky and echoed across the mighty river of time...

Lin Xun drank in silence. His long-sealed memory began to unravel as he thought of Mister Lu and his days in the mine prison.

Under the ink-black sky, starlight sprinkled onto the quiet courtyard as a heart-stirring melody gracefully drifted.

……

"To take a blade for another; to kill in the world of mortals."

In another courtyard, a hemp-clothed youth lazed in a rocking chair.

His hands were cupped behind his head as he crossed his legs and hummed, "Uhm, wrong, it should be to laugh with a cup of wine and to kill in the city."

The hemp-clothed youth had naturally also heard about the bloody incident that had occurred on the ship. His first reaction was to slap his thighs and sigh in amazement. "What a fierce brother!"

Wasn't it fearsome to declare you would kill those from the Primordial Dao Court and then kill them?

At the time, the hemp-clothed youth had felt a strong impulse to find Lin Xun to have a good chat and a drink.

If Lin Xun refused, the hemp-clothed youth would threaten to expose him.

After all, he was the only person on the boat who knew the culprit's identity.

Fortunately, he had been stopped by the old woman who repeatedly implored him not to get involved and just watch from the sidelines.

This naturally spoiled the hemp-clothed youth's mood. As he lay in the rocking chair, he faintly heard beautiful music drifting over from a certain courtyard in the distance, causing him to feel increasingly depressed.

It seemed that after committing the murders, Lin Xun had returned to enjoy the company of a beautiful woman and wonderful music. How carefree of him.

In contrast, the hemp-clothed youth couldn't even leave his abode, which made it all the more frustrating.

A knock soon sounded from the door.

The hemp-clothed youth immediately got up with a whoosh and rushed to open the door. "Granny, I'll go see who's there. I promise not to cause trouble so please don't get involved."

The old woman felt a sense of helplessness. She knew that the kid was a free spirit by nature and it must have been depressing to be stuck inside for so many days.

The hemp-clothed young man opened the door and greeted the visitors with a smile. "Who is it?"

Outside stood a group of Heavenly Sound Pavilion experts led by a Saint-King Stage Elder named Cheng Wen.

"Young Master, we have some questions for you."

With a stormy expression, Cheng Wen indifferently said, "Additionally, if you don't mind, we will also have to search your residence. Young Master should be aware that an incident occurred tonight, and I hope that Young Master will cooperate."

His tone was firm, indicating that there was no room for compromise.

The hemp-clothed youth's smile receded as he weakly said, "I see. Sorry, but it has nothing to do with me."

Bang!

He shut the door and muttered, "To think that they're suspecting this young master. These idiots are truly blind."

In the distance, the old woman said, "Young Master, do you understand now? That guy is a mass of trouble who will make anyone who touches him suffer."

The hemp-clothed youth sighed, "I just wanted to have a little chat."

Another knock sounded from the door.

The hemp-clothed youth raised his eyebrow, opened the door, and saw Cheng Wen and the others looking at him with unkind and angry expressions.

"Oh, unwilling to give up, huh."

The hemp-clothed youth crossed his arms and smiled mischievously. "Why do your expressions look so ugly? Did someone die?"

"Young Master, please show some respect!"

Cheng Wen gritted his teeth, nearly exploding from anger. "Although this is Guest Welcome Mountain, it is also the territory of my Heavenly Sound Pavilion. Regardless of your background, don't blame me for being impolite if you refuse to cooperate!"

In the distance, the old woman inwardly cursed.

However, before she could stop him, the hemp-clothed youth suddenly reached out.

Crack!

The Heavenly Sound Pavilion Saint-King Elder's neck was twisted like a fried dough twist.

Next, his body turned to ash as if he had been incinerated and scattered without a trace. He had no chance to react from start to end.

The hemp-clothed youth smilingly said, "Those who dared to threaten this Young Master are all dead. You...are no exception."

His eyes curved like crescent moons, making him appear harmless.

Before him, the experts who followed Cheng Wen stiffened. Their faces were filled with terror as a chill ran through their bodies.