Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 94 - 91: If I could fill my hair with mountain flowers, don’t ask where I belong.

Chapter 94: Chapter 91: If I could fill my hair with mountain flowers, don’t ask where I belong.

"If this isn’t martial arts, I’ll eat my zither," Zhou Ping’an declared.

He felt the karmic fire flickering in his mind, gently pulsing with the lingering notes.

There was no doubt in his mind at that moment.

The sound of the zither was indeed beautiful.

However, there was something amiss with Green Lady, the musician’s skills.

So, here came the question: she hid in Washing Flowers Pavilion to play the zither—not likely just for fun, right?

If someone discovered the secret in her zither music, wouldn’t it be a loss greater than the gain?

Zhou Ping’an always speculated about the world and its people with utmost cynicism.

If it wasn’t genuinely to find a good "husband",

then the purpose of this "Green Lady", at such a great expenditure of effort, must undoubtedly be hidden within the sound of the zither, and all those beneath the stage, including himself, were her "prey".

He had been somewhat unsure of her purpose.

But once the maid who had led him inside instructed the servants to prepare pen and paper, and began taking names, he roughly understood what Green Lady was up to.

"Young Master Li Yuankang has poetry to offer, a reward of a thousand taels of patterned silver."

"Young Master Zhang has poetry to offer, a reward of a thousand taels of patterned silver."

"Young Master Zhao Mengbai has poetry to offer, reward..."

"Young Master Xue Yuting..."

...

’Li, Li Yuankang, isn’t he the son of the Prefectural Magistrate’s family?’

And these "Zhang", "Zhao", "Xue", "Wang" are all from prominent families within the county.

Seeing the fervent admiration in these men’s demeanor.

Zhou Ping’an almost believed he had guessed the "Green Lady’s" intent.

Then, drastically, the maid handed him the pen and paper, staring straight at him, as if saying she would stand there until he wrote something.

"Isn’t this a bit too much for a game?"

Zhou Ping’an felt secretly displeased.

Just meet and negotiate with passwords, alliances, all would be fine.

There was no need to actually make it seem like visiting a brothel.

If news of this got back to the Lin Family, that he had also written a poem or verse to vie for favor, and moreover, for a girl in a brothel.

No matter what Lin Huaiyu might think, Xiao Jiu would probably use this to tease.

"Third Level and Heart Devouring Pill."

The maid leaned close to Zhou Ping’an, her lips barely moving, her voice as fine as a mosquito’s, yet it precisely reached his ears.

What?

A gleam flickered in Zhou Ping’an’s eyes.

"Third Level" might not be particularly specific.

There were countless martial arts in the world.

Any one of them could have a third level.

But, connecting it with the Red Lotus Sect Follower’s identity and the latter mention of "Heart Devouring Pill," he had some idea that she might be referring to the breakthrough method for the "Purifying World Lotus Body" Third Level and the "Heart Devouring Pill" used by the Red Lotus Sect to control key figures within their ranks.

Such elixirs were famously notorious in the Red Lotus Sect.

Zhou Ping’an had been around here for a while, too, and Lin Huaiyu had mentioned it before.

No wonder, they weren’t worried about rebellion from their subordinates.

According to Lin Huaiyu, real key figures like "Holy Maiden", "Saint Heir", "Celestial Maiden", and various helm masters and chiefs were not subjected to these medicinal controls.

The sect bonded these top masters through loyalty and kinship.

Most of them shared similar ideals, or had their own desires.

Fearing it might provoke a spirit of revolt.

For the expendables, though, such considerations weren’t necessary.

The likes of "Dharma Protector Deity General" would likely fit this role.

’Poor Tang Lin’er.’

Suddenly, Zhou Ping’an remembered something.

Of course, he wasn’t some "Dharma Protector Deity General," but the real deal was Tang Lin’er.

Since the maid had mentioned the name "Heart Devouring Pill," it confirmed that Tang Lin’er had fallen for this trick.

No wonder, despite his cheerful exterior, there always seemed a deep, pressing grievance hidden within him.

He was terrified he wouldn’t live to see the day of his revenge.

And earlier, the woman who played the zither on stage, using the Bewitching Heart Sound Technique, must have a high level of martial arts, as it seems that she was in control of the Red Lotus Sect members in Qingyang City; otherwise, they wouldn’t have reached out to him.

This made it quite easy to guess her identity.

She was likely the Red Lotus Celestial Maiden.

Positioned just below the "Holy Maiden", she was indeed a powerful figure within the Red Lotus Sect.

The young maid in front of him, appearing somewhat delicate and unremarkable but with agile movements and even breathing, also possessed commendable martial arts skills.

She must be a close confidante of the so-called "Green Lady", the Red Lotus Celestial Maiden.

Now that the other party had spoken this far, the bait was indeed very enticing.

This poem, he had to write after all.

Thinking of Tang Lin’er’s predicament, Zhou Ping’an empathized deeply...

His heart mulled over it.

If it’s about a brothel girl, then I shall compose a verse specifically describing a brothel woman, letting you gain some fame.

Zhou Ping’an was no literary genius who could instantly produce a respectable poem or verse with a wave of his brush.

But since his childhood, his parents had forced him to memorize three thousand ancient poems, so picking one that fit the occasion wasn’t difficult.

Especially after practicing the "Karmic Fire Red Lotus Visualization Method," where in an overclocking state, his memory was frighteningly sharp, allowing him to recall all vaguely remembered things in detail.

At this moment, burning only two white Wish Power Threads, he retrieved from his memory a fine verse tailor-made for a woman in a brothel.

Once it spread.

The Red Lotus Celestial Maiden would forever be associated with this verse, thereby propagating her fame across the world.

Undoubtedly, this was quite an amusing scenario.

Thereupon, he took up his brush and casually wrote down a verse.

His heart bore a slight mischief.

After submitting his "homework".

Zhou Ping’an sat there, sipping floral wine...

Noticing the day waning, the candles within the pavilion were already lit, and those young masters began to grow increasingly anxious.

Two young maids came out.

With smiling faces, they announced.

"Young Master Zhou Ping’an’s poem [Lyric Poems] has won first place, please come with me."

Observing the lead maid’s demeanor, there seemed to be a subtle change from before, showing a slight respect.

Zhou Ping’an was somewhat baffled.

Could it be, having everyone write poems truly had a genuine purpose behind it?

...

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"Indeed, this Brother Zhou seems to have been perfunctory before, with sloppy handwriting, yet somehow he was chosen as a guest behind the curtain. It is difficult for us to accept this."

"If you ask me, even if Miss Qing has a unique taste, she should let everyone know exactly what sublime poetry Brother Zhou wrote to be chosen without even announcing a runner-up."

The young men present started to get noisy.

No one flipped the table, however.

After all, everyone who came to listen to music and watch dances claimed to be scholars and poets.

It wouldn’t do to act in an unbefitting manner.

However, Li Yuankang, true to his reputation as a gentleman of elegance, was not angry despite not being chosen.

He spoke with a smile, "We are not resentful, but we do want to appreciate Brother Zhou’s excellent work. As everyone knows, I, Mr. Li, am most fond of poetry. Please, no offense."

County Magistrate Li Yunxiu generally did not handle matters much, and his good reputation was mostly due to his son.

Zhou Ping’an had often heard of his fame while roaming the streets.

It was said that this Young Master Li often helped orphans and rescued the weak...

To distribute porridge and aid in disasters was a common occurrence for him.

Moreover, this man was handsome and talented, the dream son-in-law of many women secluded in their chambers within Qingyang City.

At that moment, one could see that his demeanor was indeed gentle and not overbearing.

With him taking the lead in saying this.

The other young men also calmed their restless hearts, simply waiting for the maid to speak.

"Well then, let’s take a look at Young Master Zhou’s excellent work."

Seemingly anticipating everyone’s reaction, the leading maid presented the little poem that Zhou Ping’an had previously taken into the back hall and displayed it on the screen.

A row of heads leaned out, looking at it in the candlelight.

The place fell silent.

Only after a long while did they hear sighs of admiration.

"Truly exquisite, we are nowhere close."

"Today’s poem will surely spread far and wide. Miss Qing’s fame will surely increase a hundredfold thanks to this; in the north of the Central Plains, who wouldn’t know Brother Ping’an’s great name?"

Admiration was written all over Li Yuankang’s face.

He bowed politely, apologizing for his earlier doubts.

"Not only do you like it, but the lady herself is also extremely fond and chose this poem at first sight," said the delighted leading maid.

It seemed to raise her own glory.

Damn...

This reaction isn’t right.

Zhou Ping’an was immediately taken aback.

His expression was peculiar, watching as everyone gathered around him calling for drinks to discuss poetry and such, he quickly gestured with his hands saying, "I am embarrassed, let’s gather another day."

Following the maid, he walked towards the garden behind the pavilion.

He could faintly hear as he left.

Behind him, Li Yuankang and others were reciting:

"Not for the love of the worldly life, but it seems the previous fate misled.

Flowers fall and bloom on their own time, always relying on the Eastern Lord.

Leaving is inevitable, staying is futile!

If one can have mountain flowers in full bloom upon their head, ask not where the servant will return."

...

Ascending the hall, as the curtains gently parted.

A woman in a pale green dress with a cheerful smile that merged both a pure and sly temperament greeted him.

After exchanging greetings, her slightly hoarse and unique voice tingled the listener’s heartstrings.

"With the help of the gentleman’s words, the cultivation of my ’Bewitching Heart Sound Technique’ has greatly improved. I am truly grateful and apologize for any previous disrespect."

Miss Qing was straightforward, entirely different from before.

Previously on stage playing the zither, she was as distant as snow on a high ridge.

There was all manner of grandeur and posture, making her unapproachable.

She even staged a somewhat challenging poetry contest.

To the extent that Zhou Ping’an nearly left in a huff.

Feeling that the other party was insincere about cooperation.

Now, however, she seemed to be a completely different person. Before even finishing her sentence, she had already handed over a prescription and a porcelain bottle.

"Inside this bottle are three Mysterious Yang Pills; each one capable of advancing Young Master Zhou by one level of the Lotus Body.

Because the main ingredient of this pill is hard to find, and the last two levels are too difficult to cultivate, no more were prepared.

If the gentleman is willing, he might try to find a Pill Master to attempt its production."

Zhou Ping’an was slightly excited.

Meeting without mentioning anything else but offering such benefits first, he had to admit, this Miss Qing had truly made an impression on him.

But why isn’t she angry at all?

Zhou Ping’an was initially puzzled.

Looking at the woman opposite, who smiled confidently and proudly.

He suddenly realized.

After all, he was still viewing the occupations of this world through the lens of modern society, which was somewhat biased.

The poem might have been about the women of the pavilion.

But in this world with the appearance of the ancient times, not all pavilions are the same; a high-class "Qing... Pavilion" such as this one is less of a brothel than a theater.

The woman’s self-awareness was not that of a courtesan.

But that of a star.

The main attraction was her skills, not her body.

And mingled with societal elites, high officials, and the wealthy.

Even the Emperor couldn’t resist coming to listen to the music.

Where did she rank low in status?

Thinking this way, he understood.

In modern society, which of those celebrities could not be considered of high status?

Therefore, in the present society, this poem not only did not degrade but actually elevated...

Only to hear Miss Qing continue, "As for the Heart Devouring Pill, once the pill breaks, a bug is born; a hundred pills produce a hundred different bugs. It’s beyond my ability to help."

"However, I know Sister Yunling’s character. Although she is ruthless, she wouldn’t sever all ties. There’s a glimmer of hope left for Young Master Zhou."

"What do you mean?"

"Achieve a great feat, strive for the title of the Red Lotus Holy Son. In this way, a mere Heart Devouring Pill will no longer be a hindrance."

Miss Qing’s eyes brimmed as she looked at Zhou Ping’an as though seeing a treasured possession.

It was unclear what benefits Zhou Ping’an obtaining the position of Red Lotus Holy Son would bring her.

But judging from her current attitude, it seemed to be an investment.

Including the earlier writing of the poem, it also seemed to be a verification of something.