Listening to the sound of the zither, it was leisurely and comfortable, as if a stream slowly flowed across the heart, nourishing all things.
Like spring rain seeping in, clearly just sound, yet it gave one vivid images before the eyes, as though stepping into a world conjured by the music.
This was only possible when the music reached a level so high that the player could let the listener feel her inner world.
Listening, Xu Zimo felt his own heart become very calm.
The corridor was quiet, red pillars on both sides.
At the very end of the corridor ahead, a small pavilion appeared.
At this moment a woman was standing inside the pavilion, facing the small lake beyond.
At the pavilion’s entrance hung a beaded curtain.
The curtain was made of strings of fine pearls, with colored wind chimes attached.
As the distant breeze swept across the lake’s ripples, the wind chimes rang “ding-dang.”
“Young Master Xu, this is the place. I shall take my leave now,” the guiding woman smiled and said to Xu Zimo.
She bowed slightly, then gracefully retreated.
Xu Zimo walked straight forward, lifting the pearl curtain of wind chimes with his hand.
The pavilion was not large. In front stood a harp.
A woman in a white lotus dress leaned against the pavilion’s edge, gazing out at the lake.
Her temperament was elegant, just quietly standing there.
Her long dress was flowing and graceful, like a lotus blooming in full.
It was as if lotus blossomed atop lotus.
Her waist was slender, her figure graceful.
Looking upward, her snow-white neck was truly like fresh snow, pure and flawless.
Her flaxen hair flowed freely down her back, lifted slightly by the gentle breeze.
At this moment, sunlight was bright, spring scenery flourishing, everything just right.
Xu Zimo sat by the pavilion’s table, casually pouring himself a cup of tea.
The tea was green, bitter yet carrying a hint of sweetness.
“I’ve heard you understand astronomy and geography, the matters of thousands of years past and future,” Xu Zimo began.
“What is it Young Master wishes to know?” Miss Jing turned, smiling sweetly.
Like February snow meeting warm sun, all haze vanished.
Only then did Xu Zimo take in her appearance.
Her brows were like green feathers, like willow brows yet more perfect, curved just right.
Her skin was like snow, as if washed in milk, smooth and delicate, evoking the urge to reach out and touch.
Her teeth were like shelled pearls, her small cherry lips painted in soft red, her teeth neat and white.
A true beauty, graceful and refined.
Xu Zimo could not help but think of a poem:
“Clouds long to be her dress, flowers her face; spring breeze brushes the railing, dew makes blossoms heavy with charm.”
Clouds wished to be her clothing, flowers her adornment.
The spring breeze stroked the balustrade, dew enriched the blossoms’ splendor.
Throughout his life, Xu Zimo had seen many beautiful women, saints of great sects and more, but none could compare with her.
It was as if each of her features was placed perfectly, just right.
It made one sigh that such perfection could exist in the world.
She carried a faint fragrance, so faint one might miss it without focus.
Yet once one caught it, it carried a strange allure, addictive and impossible to resist.
“What do you know?” Xu Zimo countered.
Miss Jing sat slowly down across from him, her long dress flowing across the floor.
“Does Young Master want to know about his own life, perhaps test me?” she smiled.
“Speak freely,” Xu Zimo nodded.
The path of destiny was ethereal. Even those who perceived the river of fate dared not say they could grasp it.
Only because Xu Zimo possessed the Primordial Chaos Bead could he approach fate.
Otherwise, at the realm of God Meridian, he would never have had the chance to contend with destiny.
So he generally did not believe in talk of fate.
“Young Master was born in the True Martial Sacred Ground, of noble status. But along the way, you have scarcely relied on the sect, always forging ahead on your own. In love, you have not been fortunate. The one you love you cannot meet, and though your hearts align, you cannot be together.”
Miss Jing tapped the table gently with her hand, continuing, “Young Master was born with his own mission. This road is destined to be walked to the end. And that end is one word.”
She slightly parted her lips, smiling as she spoke a single word.
“Demon.”
Xu Zimo slowly raised his head. Though only a few words, they startled him deeply.
Those simple sentences encompassed his entire life.
He realized that before her, there seemed to be no secrets.
Other than his rebirth and God World, nothing seemed hidden.
“Does what Jing’er said sound true?” Miss Jing asked with a smile.
“You do have some ability,” Xu Zimo admitted.
“Just some?” she looked up, her beautiful eyes shimmering, red lips parting slightly as she exhaled fragrant breath.
That sight was indescribably alluring.
“Actually, I wanted to ask about the Blood Rune Beasts,” Xu Zimo said, feeling a bit uneasy.
“One fleeting spring night, and Young Master only wishes to exchange a few trivial words?” Miss Jing leaned against the pavilion’s edge.
Her figure was fully displayed, slender legs resting on the pavilion chair.
“Then what do you want me to do?” Xu Zimo asked.
“I want Young Master to be a beast for once,” Miss Jing laughed.
She rose, her lotus gown blooming as she stepped lightly.
Her jade hands rested on Xu Zimo’s shoulders as she bent slightly, her warm breath brushing his ear.
“In this world, there are true gentlemen, false gentlemen, petty men, and true villains.
Which do you think you are?”
She smiled, “I see Young Master preserves himself well, now with heart belonging to one. But as a man, have you never had desire? Has the thought of lust never stirred? Or is it that Jing’er’s beauty is unworthy, failing to sway you?”
Xu Zimo stared at her, silent for a long, long time.
Finally, he spoke slowly.
“I treat you as a friend, yet you want to take off my pants?”
“Pfft,” hearing this, Miss Jing couldn’t help but laugh.
That laugh was like snow melting, brighter than all else.
It seemed that a true beauty made everything beautiful.
Every movement carried irresistible charm.
“Does Young Master truly have no other thoughts?” Miss Jing continued.
“Just tell me about the Blood Rune Beasts,” Xu Zimo said calmly.
“Hasn’t Young Master already found a way? Why come to ask me?” she replied.
Xu Zimo looked at her seriously.
“You investigated me?”
“Some things cannot be investigated. This is Jing’er’s innate ability.”
“I don’t believe it,” Xu Zimo shook his head slightly.
He had jumped out of the river of fate, many things others could never know.
“But this is the truth, whether Young Master believes or not,” Miss Jing smiled.
“In that case, I’ll take my leave,” Xu Zimo stood, preparing to go.
“Young Master,” Miss Jing called softly from behind.