126 The Vengeful Spiri (2/2)
Finally, Silo calmed down. He leaned back in his chair, seeming to still have some doubts. ”And...anything new about that dark musician?”
Po Sinai shook his head. ”Nothing new.”
”That vengeful evil spirit. Apparently he challenged the parliament. The robin wants us to track Sherlock Holmes.”
”Understood.” Po Sinai rose. He was about to leave politely, but Silo stopped him.
”Warn our people to be careful. Do not provoke him, understand?” Silo was full of prudence. ”Sherlock Holmes is the dark musician that even Puspotkata thinks is a tough enemy. Just let the parliament deal with him. You don't want to wake up in the middle of the night and see something standing in front of your bed, do you?”
Imagining it, Po Sinai shivered. He cautiously shook his head.
”Then go ahead.”
With the parliament and the robin in his mind, Ye Qingxuan quietly closed the door, and urged Bai Xi to leave.
-
”Vengeful evil spirit?” Once they were in a quiet place, Bai Xi finally could not help but speak, ”Cousin, that’s a cool nickname!”
”Those are just rumors. Don’t mind them.” Ye Qingxuan shrugged. He was concentrating on controlling the melody and blocking the eyes around them, but in his mind, he was contemplating. Should he leave a note behind after taking the stuff, seeing as they had given him a nice nickname? He could not wait to plaster the warning onto Silo’s face! Those b*stards…
-
”Should be here.” Ye Qingxuan gazed at the entrance in the distance and frowned. Those Indians really sacrificed a lot in order to help Puspotkata break through!
Flames lit up the darkness like huge bonfire before the door. More than twenty brawny men with white turbans sat outside the door. They kept a sharp eye in all directions, preventing anyone from getting close. There were also a number of stout and fierce dogs looking around with their red eyes. They were some rare mixed breed. Maybe some strange creature’s blood flowed in them.
And in the middle, there was a very strange-looking man. Clad in rags, he looked like a beggar. The only decent thing on him was something that might be underwear, covering his crotch. His bare skin was rough and scarred.
He sat cross-legged on the ground. His smooth, rippling muscles were like twisted wire. It made him look as if he was made from scrap metal and iron pieces, his edges were sharp. His head was bare and his beard was scruffy. There was lice in there too. He was disgusting!
Ye Qingxuan put up his guard. This guy...could he be an ascetic monk? According to rumors, those monks were known for their extreme training and tribulations, and often had unbelievable powers.
Physical prowess was nothing to them. Some were even musicians at the Student level, and were experts in the mysterious Seven Note Chanting. When they became musicians, they would become Mahiraga, a mix of the School of Modifications and Choir. Really difficult to fight!
Ye Qingxuan could not tell just how powerful the man was, but the situation seemed tricky. Fortunately, the man was not a musician yet.
Ye Qingxuan took a deep breath and warned Bai Xi to be careful. He activated Jiu Xiao Huan Pei.
Even though Ye Qingxuan had improved after the last run-in, it was still tough to use Black Friday on forty people. Luckily, he had his trump card: the Double Snake Time Meter.
He whispered gently, ”All is dark. Only the Tree of Life is forever green.” With a small click, the second hand began to move. One minute.
--
In the stillness, the ascetic monk, sitting cross-legged on the stone steps, suddenly became alert. Amidst the messy breathing sounds, a faint melody suddenly rang. It sounded like a wail. It was hard to distinguish it from the moans coming from the brothel. It was like a black river from the bottom of the heart. The feeling of desolation surged in his heart. He could not help but sighed, feeling great loneliness.
A few decades ago, he had killed his junior fellow in order to be chosen. If that child was still alive, he might be beside him now. Having a companion would make the ascetic journey less lonely.
Recalling that boy’s smile, he became sad. But he quickly recovered, thanks to his training.
He looked up, as if nothing had happened, as if the illusionary melody had never existed. Beside him, the few drops of sweat on the stone steps gradually disappeared, leaving nothing behind.
-
In the tunnel, Ye Qingxuan staggered when he finally finished playing, and almost fell down. Bai Xi caught him and handed him a tube of the potion to restore his energy.
Ye waved it away. He rested for a few seconds and felt much better thanks to Jiu Xiao Huan Pei. Without it, he would have been sapped.
Cold wind blew in the tunnel. He looked up at the door up above. His expression turned serious.
At the end of the tunnel was a brass door. It was covered with engraved notes and music scores. It seemed to be high quality alchemy equipment. At a glance, he could see that it was reinforced, had an alarm and more. It would take a lot of effort to open it. But the door that should have been closed was now opened, revealing the faint shadow behind the door. A gleam of scarlet seeped out.