A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 267: Fusion of Mind and Thought

Huaying Tower, inside Lanxiang Garden.

Lan Ying frowned slightly and looked at the master and servant in front of her with curiosity.

A fair-skinned young man, with his hair tied up and wearing a crown, wearing a gorgeous suit with rolled edges, his eyes are lively, like colored glaze, and his temperament is clear, like clear autumn water.

But the servant behind him was like a mountain of flesh, with a ferocious and ugly appearance, which made Lan Ying feel terrified when she saw him.

But these two people are obviously not from Xiangu County.

At this time, Fan Yuanhai was in Lian Ying's room next door with a few people. She guessed that the person in front of her was most likely the sect's envoy, just like Fan Yuanhai.

Lan Ying knelt down and bowed, then said with a smile, "Sir, I have prepared a feast of wine. Please take a seat. I will serve you a few drinks to relieve your fatigue."

Lu Qingzhu said, "No need. I never drink."

"Ah..." Lan Ying was stunned for a moment. It was the first time she heard that people didn't drink alcohol in a brothel.

"I heard that Miss Lan Ying is an excellent musician. I wonder if you could please play a song for me." Lu Qingzhu had a simple mind and went straight to the point as soon as he opened his mouth.

She came here just to listen to the piano, why would she care about anything else?

Lan Ying hesitated for a moment and said, "If you ask me to do so, of course I can do it."

Although Lan Ying was puzzled, she was wary of the identity of the man in front of her as the sect's envoy. Secondly, this young man was bright and smart, which was quite pleasing to her eyes.

What's the harm in just playing a song first?

This was the first time for Lan Ying to start playing the piano before she even sat down.

She walked gracefully to the piano platform not far away.

Lu Qingzhu stood there with his hands behind his back, looking around at the decorations in Lanxiang Garden.

In Lanxiang Garden, many of the decorations were quite exquisite, and the eight-panel screen was even more luxurious, but Lu Qingzhu just glanced at them with little interest.

When she was young, she often stayed with her grandfather, who lived in a secluded cave deep in Changliu Mountain and led a simple life.

Lu Qingzhu was influenced by the extravagant lifestyle and had never liked it.

Lan Ying had already sat in front of the piano. She first lit a stick of calming incense in the incense burner on the table next to her.

Then she lifted the yellow silk covering the zither, sat upright, took a deep breath of the fragrance, and as she slowly exhaled, her bare hands had already plucked the first string.

Lu Qingzhu was quite fond of music, her eyes lit up when she heard the sound of the strings, she heard the hidden meaning behind the strings and thought to herself: It is said in the martial arts world that brothels are full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, it seems this saying is indeed true.

Lan Ying had already slowly plucked the sanxian, and like throwing stones into the center of a lake, the sound of the zither spread out slowly, one stone after another...

At this moment, Lan Ying became calm and suddenly entered into rhythm.

The bare hands plucked the strings, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and the music lingered...

Lu Qingzhu stood there, feeling refreshed.

She suddenly flipped her hand and held the xun that she had found in Guyuezhai.

Lu Qingzhu held the xiao in both hands, blowing out notes from time to time, matching Lan Ying's music...

Lan Ying's music, accompanied by Lv Qing's bamboo xun, gradually changed...

Lan Ying was surprised. She was fascinated by music and had been immersed in it for many years, so she had already acquired considerable skills. Therefore, she could better understand the powerful sound of the small instrument played by Lu Qingzhu, which she was not familiar with.

It was a dull humming sound that gradually expanded and enveloped the space...

Because it wanted to play in harmony with the sound of the xiao, Lan Ying's piano music gradually became more intense...

The passionate sound of the piano and the distant and deep sound of the xiao merge into one song...

Lü Qingzhu played more and more happily, while Lan Ying plucked the zither with both hands, as fast as beating a drum, and sweat oozed from her forehead...

At this moment, the sound of the xiao became lower and lower, and finally floated away like a mosquito...

Lan Ying's piano music also slowed down again...

Finally, the sound of the xiao faded away, and Lan Ying plucked the strings for the last time, ending with a clanging sound...

The sound lingers in my ears...

Lan Ying was exhausted and enjoyed herself so much while playing this piece of music. She and Lu Qingzhu smiled at each other. Just when they were playing together, they were almost in a state of spiritual connection.

This feeling was something Lan Ying had never experienced before. One can imagine how happy she was at that moment.

Lan Ying looked at Lu Qingzhu, wishing she could imprint his appearance deeply into her eyes.

"What kind of instrument is that, sir? The sound is so unique!" Lan Ying calmed herself down and looked at the xiao in Lu Qingzhu's hand, asking with a puzzled look in her eyes.

Lan Ying was indeed very curious, and as soon as the unique sound rang out, she was drawn to the piano.

Although Lu Qingzhu played very lightly at the beginning, as if to cooperate with herself, but the moment the sound rang out, her piano sound had changed. When the sound became louder, her piano sound could only struggle to hold on and barely share the same sound.

"Miss Lanying, don't you recognize this thing?" Lu Qingzhu handed the xun in his hand to Lanying.

Lan Ying took it, looked at it carefully, and then shook her head.

Lu Qingzhu was a little puzzled. Lan Ying's zither sounded clear and melodious, and it was obvious that she was quite accomplished in music. How could she not recognize this instrument?

Lan Ying returned the Xun to Lu Qingzhu and said, "I have seen many musical instruments, but I have never recognized this one."

Lu Qingzhu looked at the xiao in his hand, slightly surprised, and thought to himself: Is there no one playing the xiao here?

She herself had been able to play it since she was a child, and had seen it in Gu Yue Zhai, so she thought it was a common musical instrument. How could she know that the method of playing it had been lost for more than a thousand years? How could Lan Ying know it?

However, Lu Qingzhu did not take this matter to heart. She smiled and said, "Today, I played a song with Miss Lan Ying, which made me feel very happy. It can be said that this trip was worthwhile. Goodbye!"

As Lu Qingzhu said this, he was about to leave.

Lan Ying's heart tightened, and she asked anxiously, "Are you leaving, Master?"

Lu Qingzhu said: "I have already appreciated Miss Lan Ying's piano skills, which are indeed extraordinary. And they even played a piece together, which was perfect."

After Lu Qingzhu finished speaking, he took Amo and walked out of Lanying Garden.

Lan Ying was stunned for a long time. She never thought that they were playing together just now, and they were so absorbed in the music. It was rare to meet someone who not only caught her eye but also had a deep understanding of music. He was a little light in her bleak life, but she didn't expect that this light would be like a meteor, flashing by and disappearing.

Lan Ying was not willing to let it go, she quickly ran out, trying to catch up with Lu Qingzhu. But when she reached the door, she suddenly stopped.

She was just a prostitute and their romance was just a fleeting one. What qualifications did she have to keep him?

Lan Ying stood there, thinking of her own tragic life story, and then thinking of Lu Qingzhu's clear and lively eyes, she couldn't help but feel sad and burst into tears...

Lu Qingzhu took Amo and walked slowly out of Lanxiang Garden.

She came here to learn piano skills. Isn't it great to come with excitement and leave with satisfaction?

After Lu Qingzhu left Lanxiang Garden, he was ready to take Amo back home. But when they just reached the corridor, they suddenly heard the sound of drums and laughter coming from the next room.

The laughter came from Fan Yuanhai and Zhu Qunxiang.

Lu Qingzhu's eyes moved, revealing an interested look. She suddenly turned and walked towards the Lianhualuo next door.

When Lu Qingzhu walked to the door of Lianhualuo, he saw two burly turtle slaves guarding there.

The two turtle slaves looked at A'mo, whose body was like a mountain of flesh, behind Lu Qingzhu, and there was obvious anxiety in their eyes.

"Sir, there are distinguished guests in Lotus Palace. Please do not disturb them."

The eunuch was a little hesitant. Lu Qingzhu flipped his hand and slapped a silver note into the eunuch's hand, saying, "I know the person inside."

The eunuch saw that Lu Qingzhu was dressed in gorgeous clothes, was generous, and was accompanied by such a fierce servant, and was obviously of some status. After a moment of thought, the eunuch opened the door and let the two in.

Lu Qingzhu and A Mo slowly stepped into the Lotus Flower.

In the Lotus Fall, Lian Ying had a small drum tied around her waist with her belly button exposed. She beat the drum while twisting her waist, which made Fan Yuanhai, Zhu Qunxiang and others very excited.

Lian Ying noticed the obsessed expressions of several people and felt very proud. She looked around with a bright smile...

Just then, Lu Qingzhu walked in with Amo.

Lian Ying was dancing happily when she suddenly caught a glimpse of someone coming in from the corner of her eye. She stopped immediately and looked at Lu Qingzhu with an angry look.

Fan Yuanhai, Zhu Qunxiang and others were just stunned!
The originally lively scene suddenly became quiet the moment Lu Qingzhu and A Mo stepped in.

Fan Yuanhai, Zhu Qunxiang and others were stunned, not only because of the sudden intrusion of Lu Qingzhu and A'mo, but more because Lu Qingzhu was dressed in men's clothes, with a handsome appearance, sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. For a moment, they actually thought he was a young man.

Fan Yuanhai was holding a glass of wine in the air. He was the first to react and said with a smile, "Qingzhu is here too. Please take a seat!"

Fan Yuanhai said, looking at Lianying and said: "Miss Lianying, this is us together, please continue dancing!"

When Lian Ying saw that Lu Qingzhu was a bright and gentle young man, the anger in her heart had dissipated. Now when she heard Fan Yuanhai say this, she immediately smiled and danced even more vigorously in her enchanting manner.

As Lian Ying looked around, her eyes would occasionally glance at Lu Qingzhu who was sitting at the edge.

Not long after Lu Qingzhu and Ah Mo sat down, Zhu Qunxiang suddenly came over with a glass of wine and said with a smile, "Miss Qingzhu, the aged wine from Huayinglou is really good. Come, have a taste of it too."

Just as Zhu Qunxiang raised his glass, Ah Mo's big hand suddenly clamped around his wrist. Zhu Qunxiang felt pain in his wrist, but he couldn't get away. Ah Mo looked at him with a beast-like look and said, "My young lady never drinks! Also, next time you talk to my young lady in a frivolous way, I will tear you apart with my bare hands!"

Zhu Qunxiang's face turned pale, because he could tell that when Ah Mo said he would tear him apart with his bare hands, he meant it literally.

Lu Qingzhu just sat there indifferently, not even looking at Zhu Qunxiang from beginning to end.

Zhu Qunxiang looked at Amo's loosened wrist and saw several fingerprints and scratches, like iron branding, but he knew that Amo had shown mercy on him and did not hurt his bones.

Zhu Qunxiang stepped back with embarrassment.

In addition to the dancing Lian Ying, Fan Yuanhai and the others noticed the situation here. Suddenly, a strange atmosphere filled the air.

Lu Qingzhu didn't care at all. She sat there, watching Lianying dance, but the more she watched, the more bored she felt. She suddenly said, "A dancer's dance is like a swordsman's sword. It is her soul and dignity. It's really boring to show off one's appearance like this!"

Because of what happened to Zhu Qunxiang just now, Fan Yuanhai and the others had calmed down at this time, so Lu Qingzhu's words slowly reached Lianying's ears. Lianying's body paused. How could she continue jumping?
At this time, Lu Qingzhu had already stood up and walked away with Amo without saying a word.

Fan Yuanhai smiled awkwardly. Even though he was eloquent, he didn't know how to handle the situation at this moment.

He admitted that what Lu Qingzhu said was correct, but this was a brothel, a place for showing off one's appearance!
After Lu Qingzhu and A'mo left Lianhualuo, they walked down from the second floor and went straight out of Huaying Tower.

"Amo, do you think Huayinglou or Antique Street is more fun?"

"Of course Antique Street is fun. Here there are only people playing the piano and dancing, and the people are annoying. People in Antique Street are not as comfortable as they used to be."

Lu Qingzhu smiled and said, "Amo is right."

That morning, seeing that tomorrow was the day for the registered disciples' assessment, Xiao Zongting specially took Duan Rong and Xiao Yu to the front of the county office to familiarize themselves with the venue.

Xiaowu Zeyingtai is not a flat ground, but a group of wooden stakes with the same spacing between them.

This is to increase the difficulty and allow the two contestants to decide the winner more quickly, thereby saving assessment time.

This wooden stake is called a plum blossom stake because the gaps between the roots are the same left and right, front and back. Therefore, one wooden stake together with the other four wooden stakes form a pattern similar to a plum blossom.

Duan Rong and Xiao Yu stood on the plum blossom pile and exchanged a few moves.

Xiao Yuyun's snake steps are still at the mastery level.

However, Duan Rong's Cloud Snake Step had already broken through to the minor success realm due to his accidental enlightenment at Wild Boar Mountain.

In addition, Duan Rong's deliberate avoidance, the body movements and footwork he displayed were completely different from Xiao Yu's.

After the two exchanged a few moves and became familiar with the venue, they jumped down from the plum blossom pile.

Afterwards, the three of them returned to Xiao Zongting's courtyard together.

Xiao Zongting explained a lot more to the two of them, mostly about some points that required special attention in the plum blossom pile fighting.

As far as martial arts were concerned, Xiao Zongting no longer had much to pass on to them. He had already taught Duan Rong and Xiao Yu the three nameless moves that he had been contemplating and conceiving during the last period of his life.

Duan Rong sat in front of Xiao Zongting. He could feel the complicated feelings Xiao Zongting had when he looked at him. On the one hand, he was happy that Duan Rong could participate in the selection of registered disciples. But on the other hand, he felt a little disappointed.

He dedicated his entire life to the Yuanshun Escort Agency. He originally wanted to train Duan Rong as his next self, hoping that Duan Rong would become the head of the Yuanshun Escort Agency in the future.

However, Duan Rong was obviously more capable than he had expected. Only a year had passed, and now he had to participate in the selection of registered disciples together with Xiao Yu.

Once he entered Taiyi Sect, unless Duan Rong failed to advance to the outer sect disciple, he would never come back to be the head of Yuanshun Escort Agency. Thinking of this, Xiao Zongting felt empty in his heart...

On the contrary, Xiao Yu looked at Duan Rong with encouragement.

Duan Rong had been with the Xiao family for a long time, and he knew their thoughts very well. However, as far as he was concerned, he was determined to enter the Taiyi Sect!

(End of this chapter)