40 Bloodline of the Dragon (2/2)
”Huh?” Ye Qingxuan’s entire world view was flipped and thrown out the window. ”Isn’t it white?!”
”White hair is rare in the East. There’s maybe one per thousand people. You saw during the afternoon, right? Yunlou’s procession had many black-haired female officials. In the East, it’s a celebratory event to have a white-haired baby. It’s a sign of Avatism—you’re born with characteristics of your ancestors. And you have the potential to become a Musician. This type of person is known as ‘Deva.’ Every white-haired child is accepted by the Imperial Academy to study as a musician. But the success rate is probably around thirty percent.”
Ye Qingxuan had a headache. He thought he had heard Bai Xi wrong. ”Wait, you said that out of three white-haired people, only one can become a musician?!”
”That’s right. What’s the ratio in Anglo? One thousand to one?”
After thinking for a moment, Ye Qingxuan shook his head, ”Not even.”
”Yeah, that’s why it’s rare.” Bai Xi toyed with her own hair, her face full of pride. ”In Eastern legends, people come from the sky. The legends say, before the dark ages, everyone had the robes, beauty, white hair, and good wine of the Deva. Life was perfect and unbelievable. But later, the Deva became tainted and fell to Earth. Some began to forget their past and their hair gradually turned black in the mundane world. Only the elite still have their white hair. To protect their lineage, they can’t marry others.”
”It’s that strict?” Ye Qingxuan stuttered, ”Does it work?”
”Don’t know. It’s been a few hundred years and many families have disappeared because of war and natural disasters. Other than the rare occasion of Atavism, there are only nine pureblood families. They’re known as the Dragon Bloodline Nine.” Bai Xi continued, ”More than two-thirds of all Eastern musicians are from these nine families. They have a lot of secrets and techniques. Apparently, they’re all protected by artifacts that bless their families. Every descendant must be tested by the artifact in the Ancestral Hall when they come of age. If they pass, they’ll be enlightened. Maybe mysterious knowledge or sheet music appears in their minds. Or maybe it’s the even more treasured…talent. It’s a gift to the lineage and their eternal shackles.”
”So is ‘Taiyi’ the Princess Yunlou’s talent?” Ye Qingxuan asked.
Bai Xi chanted quietly, ”An auspicious day, the pleased soldier and Emperor; stroke the long sword and jade earring, tinkling gems and glittering jewels…Of all the talents, ‘Taiyi’ is the most powerful one. It means dominance. This type of talent is known as the ‘Scepter’ in the West. Only high ranking musicians can have this power.”
”You know a lot.” Ye looked at Bai Xi strangely. ”Hey, cousin, are you a Dragon Bloodline girl who ran away from home?”
”Cousin, you have such a creative imagination.” Bai Xi gazed at him with disdain. ”But there’s only one elite family with the surname ‘Bai’ in the East, okay? It’s the regent who stole the country’s power thirty years ago—Bai Heng. But the rest of the family died when he caused all that trouble.” Saying this, she gestured with her pinkie finger like a hooligan, ”If I’m his daughter, all I have to do is point with my finger, and everyone would rush over to beat up that Princess Yunlou.”
”I suddenly feel that it’s a blessing to the citizens that you aren’t a princess.” A sharp pain suddenly came from the back of Ye Qingxuan’s head. Bai Xi had pulled out a strand of his hair. She also pulled out one of her own and put them together, comparing the two.
”Hey, what are you doing?”
”Nothing, just making sure.” Bai Xi waved him away, focusing on the two strands of white hair, making noises of surprise.
If one looked closely, it was clear that their hair was different. While Bai Xi’s hair was a pure silver white, Ye Qingxuan’s hair had a light shade of golden yellow flowing through it. It was easy to miss if one did not pay attention.
”A mixed blood’s white hair…it’s incredible, no matter what.”
”Is it really weird?” Ye Qingxuan asked.
”I already told you. Only purebloods can have white hair. I’ve never heard of a mix with white hair. The first time I saw you, I thought you dyed your hair. Even if they’re both Easterners, if a Deva and commoner married, their children would lose the white hair gene. How powerful must your father’s lineage be?” She paused, her expression twisting into shock, ”You…are you the bastard child of some big elite family?”
”Your imagination is too wild.” Ye Qingxuan knocked the side of her head, interrupting her. ”My father was an average musician. My mother wasn’t anyone special either. Let’s end this topic here.”
”What a pity,” Bai Xi murmured. ”If you’re a pureblood, then you can become a musician, even if you’re mute.”
Ye Qingxuan stayed silent for a long time before suddenly chuckling. ”What’s pitiable about things like this?” He paused then said, ”Okay, let’s go. We should head back.” Ye Qingxuan shook his head. Pushing aside the memories of the past, he stood up.
”Oh,” Bai Xi replied quietly. She was not very willing. It was rare to be out, and she had not had enough fun yet.
Seeing her unwillingness, Ye Qingxuan laughed. Maybe he could bring her outside more often if they had more delivery or procuring chores.
Just as they turned to leave, an ancient voice sounded behind them.