Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 250 - 214 Thread Puppetry_1

Chapter 250: Chapter 214 Thread Puppetry_1

When Li Xuan left from in front of Long Rui’s study desk, Master Xuanchen’s face had turned ashen.

He heard what Li Xuan said last to Long Rui and didn’t believe Long Rui could answer Li Xuan’s first line of the couplet tonight.

Master Xuanchen, who had done some research on literature himself, understood the difficulty of the couplet. It could very well be an unprecedented masterpiece.

At this moment, all he could do was to comfort himself. After all, there was hardly any life essence left in the Divine Blood Azure Phoenix. If it continued to abstain from eating or drinking, it wouldn’t survive much longer.

Therefore, this bird was actually not worth much. It was merely a dead bird he was giving away—a dead bird—

But how could this fellow possess such talent?

How annoying! After these two rounds, Yunrou must like him more, right?

Hand talking, poetry, and music were exactly what his junior sister liked best.

Master Xuanchen then turned his gaze to Master Zhenru, who was presiding over the third round.

He had given up his intention of humiliating Li Xuan. Li Xuan had not only broken through the first two rounds, but also puzzled the two gatekeepers, Wang Jing and Long Rui.

Such abilities had already made Li Xuan shine enough in Yunrou’s eyes.

Especially that poem—The way Xue Yunrou looked at Li Xuan could melt steel, and also completely melted Master Xuanchen’s heart.

At this moment, Master Xuanchen only prayed that his good friend could pass this round. If not, he really would lose everything.

Was he really going to use that ’Huoyun Phoenix’ to further their gains? To further Li Xuan’s gains?

Master Xuanchen looked at his lower body and thought even Buddha wouldn’t be so generous.

He would rather entrust someone else to give this bird to his junior sister than to let Li Xuan present it to Buddha.

The people below the stage were already discussing fervently.

"This Liudao Division’s Six Paths Bureau Colonel is really something."

"Wang Jing, Wang Xiquan, Long Rui, Long Shouzhi, they are all well-known scholars in South Zhili, and they were all puzzled by him."

"’In search of her in a thousand places/On turning around, she is just where the lamps are waning’—The meaning of this poem is truly profound."

"I wonder what the content of the third round is."

"It didn’t come up, but since it’s presided over by a monk, it must involve Buddhism, right?"

"Speaking of which, is that Master Zhenru from Baosheng Temple?"

"Should be him, the master with innumerable living beings and boundless merit."

"They say he’s the living embodiment of the Medicine Buddha. It is said that ordinary people who are touched by him can avoid sickness and disaster for a year."

"Then this round is a hanger, with Master Zhenru presiding, this Six Paths Bureau Colonel might have to retire in defeat."

There was no table in front of Master Zhenru, only a mat.

Li Xuan walked over with a relaxed expression and sat down on the mat, "Master, what is the subject of this round?"

He didn’t hold much hope for this round. If the content examined by this monk was related to Buddhism, he knew for certain he would lose.

He wasn’t a deity, how could he understand Buddhist scriptures?

Surprisingly, Song Zian didn’t follow him. He didn’t leave the stage either, only fixedly watching Li Xuan’s figure, with his complexion changing unpredictably.

"In my round, there are only three questions for ordinary people. Only after these are passed will the topic set for cultivators be given."

Master Zhenru was sitting upright, and like Long Rui before him, he was examining Li Xuan with a curious look.

"First question, sir, do you see this flag waving, I dare to ask, is it the wind moving, or the flag moving?"

An unusual look appeared in Li Xuan’s eyes, "I think it’s your heart that’s moving."

—He had seen so many of these little Buddhist stories while browsing on his phone in bed.

A glint flashed in Master Zhenru’s eyes immediately.

He then made a motion with his hand, and a drop of water appeared in his palm.

"Second question, may I ask, how can this drop of water be made to never dry up?"

"This is simple." Li Xuan beckoned, calling that drop of water over, then flicked it casually, making it fall into a stream tens of steps away.

"Merge it into rivers, lakes, and seas."

Master Zhenru couldn’t help but nod slightly, "Third question, I have a senior brother who has accomplished his dharma. He believes that everything in the world is empty, all phenomena are empty, the four elements are empty, the five aggregates are empty. People need to let go of all attachments and forms in the world, what do you think, sir?"

Li Xuan smiled, then reached out his hand to Master Zhenru, "Then please give me the prize for this round, Master Zhenru."

Master Zhenru couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows in intrigue: "The benefactor has yet to answer my question."

"If everything is empty, then could I consider your question as nonexistent?" Li Xuan bravely questioned back: "Monk, don’t be obsessed."

Master Zhenru laughed: "Indeed, this is an extreme view, a delusional understanding of the scripture. It seems benefactor is truly wise! I, a humble monk, am glad to offer the stake willingly right now. However, as I was entrusted this task by others, I must be faithful to it. If benefactor intends to obtain the Huoyun Phoenix, you must pass another test."

As he spoke, he pushed a wooden box to Li Xuan.

"This test is to gauge musical knowledge. However, I, a mere monk, have no musical talent, so I must rely on objects to accomplish this."

He opened the wooden box, and a wave of music suddenly sprang up. But what really drew attention were the eight white light spheres that floated out from it.

At first, Li Xuan thought it was just a regular music box, but when he saw those eight light spheres, he appeared slightly stunned.

If he looked closely, within those spheres were miniatures that looked like Thumbelina.

They were dressed in red gauze that was slightly visible, like smoke and fog.

Each elf had an incredibly beautiful appearance, with their bodies shrunk together, their hands tightly wrapping around their knees, and with six pairs of transparent wings wrapping them closely.

"What are these?" Li Xuan was quite shocked, looking at Zhenru curiously.

"They are ’sound spirits’ from the west, given to me as a gift by a missionary three years ago. However, they are now almost fading."

Master Zhenru sighed, "It’s my fault. I don’t have any musical knowledge which caused these ’sound spirits’ to wither. Hence, for my test, you must play a tune that qualifies as food for these ’sound spirits’ to nourish them back to their spirit.

If benefactor can do that, then not only can you take the Huoyun Phoenix away, but these eight ’sound spirits’ can also be taken. Then I could have found a true master for them."

Li Xuan became even more puzzled: "Food? What does that mean?"

Just at that moment, he noticed numerous blood threads suddenly protruding from behind him.

Li Xuan quickly reviewed his own Shenpo and found that the lid of the ’Four-Legged Gilded Universe Star Cauldron’ had been slightly opened, and the red-robed female ghost was peering out curiously. On her small face was a look of yearning and anticipation. Her bloody eyes were constantly conveying emotions to Li Xuan.

In summary, she wanted, wanted, badly wanted!

Li Xuan thought fine, for the sake of Huoyun Phoenix and these eight ’sound spirits’, he must pass this test no matter what!

Master Zhenru patiently explained: "These ’sound spirits’ feed on music. And it must be top-notch music either played with outmost skill or a new melody they have never heard before. They were said to be born in the west. In a forest-like garden city. People there play music every day using instruments that are completely different from those in the east, and many of them are maestros, so their life there is extremely cheerful."

"Understood."

Li Xuan gave a slight nod, then looked around: "Who here has a flute that I could borrow?"

He now has several hundreds of top-notch songs in his mind, all of which were popular hits from his world. Plenty of them were traditional-style songs that have been popular in recent years.

But Li Xuan couldn’t sing these songs since he would be off-tune as he never practiced singing.

However, for about five months, Li Xuan studied the flute out of interest. He practiced a few melodies after mastering the basic techniques then placed the flute under his bed when he moved on to a new interest.

"I have one!" Xue Yunrou came to his side and handed a Xiang Fei flute to Li Xuan.

She looked at Li Xuan, full of surprise. Xuan, he actually knew music as well?

Xue Yunrou felt that her Xuan was like an inexhaustible treasure, always able to surprise her.

Li Xuan held the flute in his hand, first trying to play a few notes to familiarize himself. Then, a graceful and melodious flute sound reverberated above the stage.

Xue Yunrou could feel his technical skills were rusty, but after just a few moments, her face grew serious.

Li Xuan’s tune was extremely pleasing, something she had never heard before.

And those eight sound spirits, initially motionless, began opening their golden eyes and intently watching Li Xuan as the song progressed.

At this moment, Master Xuanchen below the stage had a face ashen as death, thinking how did this guy know everything?

It’s over, it’s over, he probably going to lose all the stakes he put up.

However, about sixty breaths later, though the eight sound spirits had loosened their curled up bodies, they remained listless.

"Excuse me, benefactor, what is this tune?" Asked Master Zhenru in prayer, "I’ve never heard of it before."

"The song is called ’Flying Snow and Jade Flower’."

In fact, it’s a theme song from the anime "The Qin Empire: Moonlit Majesty", which Li Xuan enjoyed hence practiced. He continued to stare at those eight sound spirits, wondering was it because the song was too short?

Indeed it was short, the whole song was just over a minute long.

After some contemplation, Li Xuan put the Xiang Fei flute to his lips again. This time, he played "’The Puppet Show".

As the melodious flute music entered the ears of the crowd once more, the eight sound spirits, that were initially displaying lethargy, now jolted, started flapping their wings, and landed one after another on Li Xuan’s shoulders, head, and the flute. Their eyes were half-closed, engrossed in the serene melody, their faces blushing with intoxication.