Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 117 - 114: The Feast at Hong Gate (Subscribe Request)

Chapter 117: Chapter 114: The Feast at Hong Gate (Subscribe Request)

The night of the full moon.

Huanhua Water Pavilion.

Zhou Ping’an held an invitation and entered the building again.

He moved as if entering his own home, familiar with every turn, he headed straight for the rear garden.

Along the way, the courtesans and servants who saw him in his pale green robe, with a saber slung at his waist, showed no fear but rather greeted him with giggling smiles.

"Ping’an Lang, you are here at the Washing Flowers Pavilion to see Sister Qing again today," one teased, "Aren’t you tired of listening to that qin music? Why not come to my Embroidery Pavilion for a sword dance exchange."

"Next time, next time."

Zhou Ping’an gave them a polite but slightly embarrassed bow as he gently declined.

A couple drumbeats sounded.

A figure in a red dress appeared at the window to the left, where someone from the Embroidery Pavilion partially hid their face, revealing an astonishingly supple figure.

One beauty laughingly said, "While the qin and flute play in harmony, there always comes an end. However, my drumbeats could use some improvement. I would like to seek advice from Young Master Zhou."

This was naturally the Pear Blossom Maiden.

The four famed oirans of the Washing Flowers Pavilion: Qianqian’s slender waist, Lihua’s drum, Qiuxiang’s sword dance, and the Green Lady’s qin...

Originally, each of them had earned a reputation over time, and now it was the Green Lady’s turn to be the most popular.

But no matter the skill, if one saw too much of it, it would become a routine.

Just like the men in this world.

Someone else’s wife always seems better, no matter how stunning one’s own wife is.

There is no other reason.

The words "novelty" alone are enough to explain everything.

Even if one is satiated by exotic delicacies, sometimes one still yearns for the simple taste of vegetables and radishes.

So, for Qianqian, Lihua, and Qiuxiang, even if they fell out of favor, they weren’t particularly worried.

However, after Zhou Ping’an had sung "Lyric Poems" all over Qingyang, spreading far and wide, the demand for the Green Lady’s company immediately soared a hundredfold.

She began to stand in a class of her own amongst them.

It was as if the song had been infused with a soul.

Or as if a brand had been given a story.

No matter how fed-up people got, they would still patronize the place, clinging to the elegance of that poem predicted to be sung for a century.

Throughout history, from the north to the south of the great river, it has always been so.

If a person or thing is imbued with added cultural value, obviously it becomes something different.

How could one endure it?

No matter what, one must strive for a poem or a piece of writing.

Otherwise, would one still have a foothold?

"Are you inviting me to watch the dance and admire the drum? Or are you thinking of asking me to write a poem?"

Zhou Ping’an didn’t overestimate his charm in response to the girls’ enthusiasm, nor did he think himself a universally beloved reincarnation of the famed beauty Pan An.

If it was a peaceful and carefree time, he would have been happy to enjoy other arts.

But under the current tense circumstances, since he was there on important business, he could only disappoint the women’s intentions.

"Some other day I’ll come and appreciate the Pear Blossom Maiden’s drumming..."

Zhou Ping’an continued on his way, effortlessly elegant, ensuring he offended no one.

Whether in modern society or in historical times, he held great respect for those "teachers" who pushed human progress forward with innovative knowledge.

They sacrificed themselves for others, burning to light the way for everyone.

Resolving social conflicts, dispelling the malice in people’s hearts, their contributions couldn’t be greater.

With these thoughts, Zhou Ping’an cleared the mess of musings from his mind.

He had arrived at the Water Pavilion.

Several refined beasts rose up with sly smiles to welcome him.

"Brother Zhou, we’ve been waiting for you. Without you, the banquet lacks a touch of elegance."

"Indeed, I never would have imagined Brother Zhou to be so accomplished in both literature and martial arts. Recently, your past exploits have been the talk of the town, ringing in everyone’s ears. My apologies for any oversight."

"This time, if not for Brother Zhou’s aid, my Zhang family might have taken a big fall. Come, let’s drink three cups to that, I’ll take the lead as a gesture of respect."

Zhang Yuanhao beamed with joy.

His Zhang Family, having matched against the disciples of the Hehuan Sect, had unexpectedly held their own, and even during the confrontation, had managed to bring back the severed head of the second-in-command of the Black Mountain Bandits to display in the city as a warning.

It could be said that not only was their reputation unharmed, but it was actually enhanced.

The biggest contributor to this success, of course, was Zhou Ping’an.

This was known not only to him but also to the sons of other influential families present, who were very much aware of it.

Therefore, this gathering was even more spirited than previous meetings of discussing poetry and prose.

Who wouldn’t want to establish good relations with such a formidable expert?

Especially when the world was growing chaotic, and violence was on the rise. Anyone with a bit of sense could feel the undercurrent of unrest.

Even these carefree young masters couldn’t escape the atmosphere of insecurity.

They all wanted to do their part, however small, for their own family’s cause.

"Eh, why haven’t I seen Brother Yuan Kang today? He’s never late to our gatherings..."

Zhao Mengbai of the Zhao Family, resplendent in brocade and jade, with a powdered face, suddenly asked in surprise.

Before Zhou Ping’an came to prominence, Li Yuankang had been the leader of this pack. With the best combination of literary and martial arts skills, he was also known for his generous and mild-mannered nature and could hold a conversation with anyone.

There were hardly any in the room whose relations with him were poor.

"Look, isn’t that him over there? And what’s with the little monk?"

The slightly plump figure is Xue Yuting from the Xue Family, who is now looking around in all directions.

Suddenly, with a point of his hand, he saw, at the winding path to the secluded spot, a white-robed gentleman strolling leisurely towards them—it was none other than Li Yuankang.

What’s different from usual is that one step behind him followed a young monk with delicate features, about eleven or twelve years old. His round, bald head reflected the orange and pink lantern lights, looking just like a lantern.

"The son of my father’s old friend insisted on coming with this foolish brother to see the world. It would be improper to refuse, so I had no choice but to bring him along."

Although Li Yuankang spoke of this absurd situation, he did so with a strange dignity that made it seem entirely natural.

After a brief explanation, everyone accepted it without question.

What’s more ridiculous is...

Even though the young monk had come to the Washing Flowers Pavilion, he wasn’t like other kids, looking around everywhere.

Instead, he sat to one side very maturely, with his eyes following his nose and his nose following his heart, fingers reciting beads and his lips muttering softly, too quietly to be heard...

Seeing his dignified appearance, it would be strange if he wasn’t reciting scriptures.

"This little master doesn’t look simple, perhaps he’s come here to refine his heart. However, he’s much too young for heart refinement..."

Zhang Yuanhao commented, then started laughing at his own words.

The crowd humored him with unified agreement.

Zhang Yuanhao made his point clear.

You don’t even have the capability yet, what kind of heart are you refining now?

"Don’t mind him, and don’t avoid meat and wine on his account. His sect has no taboos."

Li Yuankang laughed heartily, then turned his head to Zhou Ping’an: "Brother Ping’an, your verse ’I’d rather be a leader of armies than a scholar alone’ stirred my blood, making me wish to go to the border and bathe in bloodshed...

Such a heroic poem, without an innate courage, truly can’t be written by just anyone, come come, I toast to Brother Zhou."

"Together, together."

Zhou Ping’an raised his cup and smiled, once again unable to resist sensing his mind’s lotus, yet still without any abnormalities.

Even more so, the other person’s expression was sincere, and his gaze crystal clear, which was quite impressive.

If he hadn’t heard from Zhang Yuanhao’s inner voice that this Young Master Li Yuan had once badmouthed him behind his back...

He almost thought the other person truly regarded him as a good friend.

The less he could detect anything wrong...

The more serious the matter became.

It proved how clever the other party’s methods were.

After talking about poetry, discussing lyrics, and chatting about some interesting recent events in Qingyang City, faint music started to drift over.

"Miss Qing has arrived; this time, we must get her to drink a couple of glasses."

Zhang Yuanhao egged on.

He looked stocky and robust, but his alcohol tolerance seemed not so good.

After only seven or eight cups, his face had turned slightly red, and he was clearly drunk.

Li Yuantang also joined in the fun, "If we really want Miss Qing to drink, then naturally we need Brother Zhou to make the move. We don’t carry enough weight, and it’s not right for us to be so forward with a lady."

"Exactly, Brother Zhou, we’ll count on you later..."

The rest followed suit, encouraging him.

"Let’s skip the drinking; instead, allow me to play another piece on the qin."

The voice came before she appeared.

Behind Green Lady followed two maids, wearing an orange-yellow chiffon dress embroidered with large red peonies, elegant yet joyful, her face adorned with a gentle smile. This was quite different from the usual coldness that kept others at a distance.

For a moment, all the men stared, transfixed.

Not one raised any objections.

They all cheered excitedly.

"This piece, Crane Soaring to the Skies, is for everyone’s entertainment."

She truly lived up to the title ’Immortality Seeker’.

As the music began, Zhou Ping’an didn’t even feel like talking anymore.

He felt the music piercingly clear, cleansing the frivolous and confused sounds of the past, and it seemed as though he was listening to the ocean’s waves crashing against the shore and watching the clouds floating leisurely by. Amid the ethereal sounds emerged a touch of heroic sentiment.

For a moment, everyone felt as if they didn’t need to dwell on the past. They should seize today and look forward to tomorrow, for there was much to be done in this life.

The music had just stopped when the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic.

Zhou Ping’an silently marveled.

Those who earned the title "Red Lotus Celestial Maiden" indeed possessed outstanding talents. He wondered what sort of person the Holy Maiden was and what kind of capabilities she had.

He knew that following this piece ’Crane Soaring to the Skies’, the next one would be ’Long Yearning’. This time, Green Lady wouldn’t be entertaining others or herself, but she would be serious.

She was going to use the ’Oblivion Melody’ to test Zhou Ping’an.

The two were currently enjoying a pleasant honeymoon phase of cooperation.

Zhou Ping’an’s small request was naturally something Green Lady wouldn’t refuse.

So, after a few auspicious words, she began another piece.

As this piece played,

It started off unremarkable, and everyone was wondering why Green Lady’s qin skills had deteriorated so much when the melody changed.

Zhang Yuanhao was the first to become silent, suddenly feeling an absence of interest. The drinking seemed to lose its appeal.

The others became pensive too.

They remembered certain people who had left indelible marks on their hearts in some months and years past, whom they had almost forgotten.

Zhou Ping’an felt a slight stirring in his heart.

The Red Lotus Karma Fire Heart Flame in his mind suddenly leaped,

Clearing out the melancholy from the depths of his heart...

A cursory glance swept over Li Yuankang, and his eyebrows twitched slightly.