“Where did you find such a handsome young gentleman?” The woman in purple walked back downstairs and tapped Su Zhe’s chest with her silk fan.
“He’s my little brother. I wanted to test if he’s a reliable man,” Su Zhe smiled.
The woman in purple was startled: “What do you mean? Are men who enjoy themselves in my tower not reliable? And why are you testing men anyway?”
“I forgot to tell you. I’ve found my daughter.” Su Zhe took out his pipe and lit the tobacco.
The woman in purple was first shocked, then delighted: “That’s wonderful! Hasn’t this been your greatest wish all these years?”
Su Zhe nodded: “Indeed. And then my daughter met this young man you just saw. I feel she might have fallen for him. This boy—I watched him grow up. He’s reliable in every other way, but knows nothing about matters of the heart.”
The woman in purple glanced upstairs: “So has this young man passed your test?”
Su Zhe took a puff of his pipe and said with satisfaction: “Coming to the colorful Hundred Flowers Tower yet only wanting to listen to music—that puts my mind at ease.”
“But looking at his face, I see he’s fated for a life of detachment,” the woman in purple sighed softly.
“Didn’t you also say I was destined to die on the road? Yet here I stand, and I even have a daughter now.” Su Zhe said with a smile, “Our family is going through great changes. This young man will surely be able to change his so-called destiny.”
Upstairs, seeing Second Master Tu’s nervousness, Su Muyu initiated a conversation: “Does Second Master often come to listen to music?”
Second Master Tu sat up straight: “I used to come frequently. Back then, the national master Miss Feng was the resident musician. After Miss Feng left, I didn’t come for a long time. Now Miss Wan plays the zither, and friends say her music rivals Miss Feng’s, so I came to listen.”
“Oh? How do you find it?” Su Muyu asked.
“Though in my heart it still doesn’t match Miss Feng’s, it’s indeed extraordinary.” Second Master Tu replied, “What does young master think?”
“Ah. Regarding music, I only know a little,” Su Muyu shook his head, “I’m not qualified to judge others.”
With a sharp “zheng,” the woman on the platform plucked a string forcefully. Second Master Tu immediately made a gesture for silence: “If we talk more, Miss Wan might get angry.”
Su Muyu nodded slightly and stopped talking.
Second Master Tu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this reportedly top-tier assassin wasn’t so terrifying after all, and even seemed quite friendly. He wondered if the rumors were exaggerated, or if this person only became a demon when drawing his sword. Better to listen to the music for now and find a chance to slip away later.
The hall grew quiet as the woman began playing again, but this time the melody suddenly changed. Gone was the previous gentleness, replaced by an intense martial spirit. The music grew rapid and passionate as if transporting everyone to a battlefield of thundering hooves. Second Master Tu listened with closed eyes and gradually began to sweat, his breathing becoming rapid. This couldn’t be achieved by music alone—surely the player was using inner force through the music to control everyone in the hall.
Second Master Tu had realized this but couldn’t break free from the control.
The others in the hall were even less able to resist, all falling into a dream state.
In the dream, blades flashed and swords glinted.
Thousands of horses thundered.
A woman sat with her zither amid the battlefield, oblivious to the life-and-death struggles around her, just playing faster and faster, the music growing more intense. A gust of wind lifted her veil.
The face beneath was not merely beautiful but carried an edge uncommon among ordinary women.
“Rise!” Su Muyu suddenly stood up, waving both hands. Every sword carried by anyone in the hall flew out, swirling rapidly around him. Su Muyu caught a long sword that flew from the high platform, then leaped up and used it to strike the other five swords simultaneously.
“Ding ding ding ding ding,” came the clear, melodious sound of clashing swords.
The swords scattered in the air, forming the pattern of a flower.
Su Muyu gently spun in place, his robes flying, exuding an air of grace.
He turned his swordplay into song and dance, responding to the woman’s music.
“Excellent!” The woman on the platform grew excited, and in an instant, her music transformed from martial spirit to desolation.
As if after a battle’s end, when all that remained were bleached bones.
A single survivor stood on the battlefield, embodying endless desolation and solitude.
Su Muyu gently waved his long sword, and the five spinning swords suddenly fell, surrounding and trapping him. Caught in this sword formation, he hesitated for a moment, then suddenly pointed his sword skyward. The weapon left his hand and pierced through the roof.
Moonlight streamed in, shining on the white-gauze-covered platform, creating a gentle pale blue glow.
The music stopped abruptly.
Everyone awoke from their dream state, all covered in sweat but feeling an unprecedented exhilaration. They looked at each other wordlessly, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
“Return.” Su Muyu raised his hand, and the five swords around him returned to their scabbards. The final word fell from above; he caught it and gently waved it forward, sending it through the white gauze to land beside the musician.
The musician stood up and smiled: “Young master, what elegant swordplay.”
“The lady’s music was even more impressive,” Su Muyu nodded slightly. “Being able to hear this piece today makes Muyu’s visit worthwhile.”
The woman in purple came up at this moment and frowned at the scene: “Wan’er, General Ye’s carriage is waiting below to receive you.”
“Very well.” The woman turned her head slightly, gave Su Muyu one last look, then left with her maid.
“General Ye?” Su Muyu mumbled.
“Ye Xiaoying, the fierce character in the Northern Li army who’s second only to King Langya and Lei Mengsha,” Second Master Tu explained.
“I see.” Su Muyu nodded slightly.
The woman in purple walked over, looked at Su Muyu, then glanced up at the hole above, sighing helplessly: “Although I said all of the young master’s expenses at the Hundred Flowers Tower would be waived today, that doesn’t mean Young Master Su can destroy my tower.”
Su Muyu hurriedly took out a banknote from his robe: “It wasn’t intentional. I’ll pay for the damages.”
Second Master Tu picked his nose and muttered under his breath: “Isn’t that the money he won from our Qianjin Tower…”