Upon hearing Huang Yunchong’s words, the Li brothers’ eyes immediately lit up with the gleam of gossip. Especially Li Zuoyue. Not only were his eyes shining brightly, but even the third eye of his Sword Dao on his forehead couldn’t help but widen.
Even the soundly sleeping Li Longji seemed drawn in. He didn’t wake up, but continued to snore with his eyes closed while silently pricking up both his ears. The supposed aloofness of the Sword Sect disciples was on full display.
Among the crowd, the only one who remained composed was probably Wang Xiu. On one hand, he was on his second life and had lived alone in the Divination Sect for many years; his mind was as still as an ancient well. On the other hand, Wang Xiu’s life experience far surpassed that of the four clueless Li brothers. He could tell at a glance that Huang Yunchong was bragging.
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, for gaining Mana +88.]
"That’s Senior Brother Huang for you," Wang Xiu exclaimed. "I knew your title of ’Omniscient Beneath the Mountains’ wasn’t just for show."
"Since Miss Feiyin was willing to tell you her true identity, it must be because you understood her music and she recognized you as a kindred spirit!"
Huang Yunchong looked embarrassed. "Ahem... yes... that’s right."
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, for gaining Mana +88.]
The Li brothers’ gazes grew even more gossipy. While it was true that a fair lady is a fine prize for any gentleman, if one’s own brother managed to woo the campus belle, the first reaction wouldn’t be jealousy, but an insatiable need for gossip. This was a common sentiment shared by most young men.
Wang Xiu’s lips curled into a slight smile. Then, adopting a regretful expression, he sighed, "In that case, I won’t ask anymore." Follow current novels on NoᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt
Li Zuoyue, Li Longhao, Li Longji, and Li Longyou all stared, bewildered.
We’ve already dropped our pants for this, and now you’re telling us you won’t ask?!
Wang Xiu continued solemnly, "Miss Feiyin has said before that the bond between gentlemen should be as unassuming as water, focused on discussing the Dao through music with the talents of Vermilion Bird City. If one can understand her music, one is naturally qualified to know her identity. For Miss Feiyin to tell you her true identity, Senior Brother, is a sign of her recognition and trust in a kindred spirit. I don’t understand the musical Dao, so I haven’t earned her approval. That means we aren’t fated to know."
"Since we aren’t fated to know," he went on, "wouldn’t it be unreasonable to force you to disclose her identity? Senior Brother Huang, rest assured. Although my four Senior Brother Lis and I are very curious about Miss Feiyin, if you don’t wish to tell us, we absolutely will not press you."
The man with dark circles under his eyes let out a heartfelt sigh of relief.
Wang Xiu then grinned. "However, while we can’t be so improper as to pry into Miss Feiyin’s identity, I am truly curious about the story between you two, Senior Brother. How did you meet and come to know each other? I imagine it must be a legendary and romantic tale!"
Huang Yunchong was baffled.
Good grief. One thing after another! What kind of romantic experience could I possibly have with Miss Feiyin? I haven’t even seen her face! Wait a minute...
Suddenly, Huang Yunchong had a breakthrough.
I may not know who Feiyin is, but these idiots sure as hell don’t know either! And if none of us know... then I can make up any story I want, can’t I?
After discovering this loophole, Huang Yunchong’s spirits instantly soared.
"Of course!!!" Huang Yunchong slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed with excitement. "Junior Brother, I’m not bragging, but the affection between Feiyin and me is absolutely true and heartfelt! Our devotion is unwavering, our feelings are mutual, and our love will last until the seas dry up and the rocks turn to dust!"
"To be honest, Little Yin sees me as her confidant. She has invited me to her pavilion to listen to her music on numerous occasions. She even... she even holds a deep affection for me, intending to marry no one else!"
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, for gaining Mana +88.]
Instantly, Li Zuoyue perked up.
Li Longhao perked up.
Li Longyou perked up.
Even Li Longji’s snores subsided, and his ears, pricked up high, began to twitch.
Seeing everyone staring at him with faces full of admiration and envy, Huang Yunchong grew even more excited, feeling a certain perverse thrill. He waved his hand grandly. "It was on a splendid, moonlit night. Having just finished cultivating, I was in Sage Mode and wandering the streets out of boredom when I heard a mournful melody drifting through the night sky. It was a lament, poignant and filled with an inexplicable sadness."
"I followed the sound of the music and saw a solitary figure, a young lady, sitting in a pavilion in the middle of a lake. I’m not just bragging, but a man of my vast experience with women could see the vulnerability deep within her heart at a single glance! In that moment, I knew she needed me!"
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, for gaining Mana +88.]
With that, Huang Yunchong paused, sighing slightly as if lost in remembrance.
Li Longhao, being the most impatient, quickly pressed him, "Senior Brother, what happened next? What happened next! Was that girl Miss Feiyin?"
"Don’t rush me," Huang Yunchong said with a helpless expression. "Give me some time to make up... I mean... to reminisce while drinking."
Damn it all. Asking me, an old rake with virtually zero experience in romance, to cook up some beautiful, pure love story? Isn’t that just bullying an honest man? Whatever! I may have never experienced pure love, but I’ve certainly experienced plenty of girls. And stories? I’ve heard my fair share of those too! Hmm, I’ll just adapt one of their sob stories.
Huang Yunchong continued his tale in a solemn tone, "I walked up to her and asked why her music was so sorrowful. She told me she was born into a poor family in a remote, mountainous region. Her mother had passed away long ago, her father was gluttonous and lazy, and she had a sickly younger brother at home..."
"Wait a minute!" Li Zuoyue’s mouth twitched as he cut in. "Miss Feiyin’s mother passed away, her father is lazy, and she has a sickly younger brother?"
Isn’t that a bit too much? Are you sure you’re talking about a True Disciple of the Sonic Sect? That sounds completely unbelievable!
Ahem. Huang Yunchong realized he’d gone too far. His face reddened slightly as he huffed, "Don’t be so impatient! Well, she said her family’s situation was very difficult and that she had to support them all by herself. Luckily... she met an immortal. The old immortal brought her to the Sanqing Immortal Sect, allowed her to join the Sonic Sect, and taught her to practice sonic Daoist Magic. Her life became much better after that."
Li Longhao asked again, "If her life got better, why was she still crying?"
Huang Yunchong grew flustered. "She... she... Her cat died!" he blurted out. "Yes, that’s it, her cat died. She had a cat that she had raised since it was a kitten. After joining the Immortal Sect, she had to leave her family, so that cat was her only remaining companion. She was sad because her cat died. That’s perfectly reasonable, isn’t it?"
Reasonable... my ass!
Wang Xiu barely restrained his urge to mock him and burst out laughing. He put on a curious expression and asked, "And then? And then? How did you comfort her, Senior Brother?"
How did he comfort her? A proud smile spread across Huang Yunchong’s face, clearly pleased with the story he’d concocted. "I told her that I also have a cat, and we could share our experiences. And besides, my cat can do backflips!"
[Detected someone boasting. Congratulations, Host, for gaining Mana +88.]
Li Zuoyue was speechless.
Li Longhao, Li Longji, and Li Longyou were speechless.
Wang Xiu was speechless.
「Meanwhile, in the Secret Chamber above.」
Behind curtains that could block any prying Divine Sense, a graceful figure in white robes paced slowly. The figure carefully extended their Divine Sense, scanning the area several times. Only after confirming that no one was spying did they slowly remove the white mask from their face.
As the mask came off, the handsome face of a young man was revealed. The previously slender and willowy figure gradually transformed, becoming tall and statuesque.
"Sigh," the leading True Disciple of the Sonic Sect, Qin Guangling, lamented softly. "I wonder when these days of performing in drag will ever end."
I, Qin Guangling, am a dignified man, steadfast in spirit and with a heart pure in its devotion to music. I truly despise stooping to such vulgar acts.
Especially when sitting on that high platform, facing the wolf-like gazes of those male prodigies below. Qin Guangling always felt his behind clenching nervously, terrified that one day his cover would be blown. He had sworn to himself more than once: *This is absolutely the last time I’ll cross-dress. There won’t be a next time.*
Alas, when performing the "Light Clouds Drifting Melody" at the same Minor Accomplishment Realm, ’Feiyin’s’ appearance fee was three, sometimes even five times higher than Qin Guangling’s. The gender bonus was just too large—so large that even he, the top disciple of the Sonic Sect, had to cast aside his integrity.
There was no helping it; the Sanqing Immortal Sect was just too poor.
Hey, you do what you have to to make money... there’s no shame in that.