"Charles has been enlisted by the Silent Authority now and is doing a secret mission." At that time, Wolf Flute had pulled out a document with a vow. He placed it before Ye Qingxuan with a pen he had clearly prepared. "If you want to hear more, sign this and join us."
It finally dawned on Ye Qingxuan. "You just wanted to drag me in?"
Wolf Flute shrugged. "Even if I didn't, you'd try to join in, right? Instead of having you mess around, I'd rather get you in officially."
Ye Qingxuan scanned the paper and signed his name. When he printed his music theory, the contract's secret music theory seeped into his body as well, forming a contract.
"Welcome." Wolf Flute pushed a cup of beer over. He did not mind that Ye Qingxuan was still unmoving. Smiling, he downed his own cup. He wiped his lips and said straightforwardly, "Four months ago, we secretly captured the deputy commander of the Revolutionaries, Constantine. He's locked in the Judgement Tower but sadly, we found nothing.
"According to our spy's information, the Revolutionaries have moved a large amount of elite power to the Sacred City. They're planning something big after the Winter Festival. We must know clearly what they're planning… Otherwise, we don't know how many people will die."
"Spy?" In an instant, Ye Qingxuan understand what the Silent Authority was planning and frowned. "You want Charles to get in? Stop joking. Does he look like a spy?!"
"Yeah, if even you don't believe it, who'll suspect him?" Wolf Flute's expression was strange. "We locked him in the top level of the Judgement Tower. Our planted agent told us that a few days later, there'll be a prison break. Before that, he must receive Constantine's trust, escape with him, and enter the core of the Revolutionaries…"
"And then he'll blow his cover and get cut into dozens of pieces. His feet and hands will get mailed to you and the head'll be given to us for sentimental value?" Ye Qingxuan asked coldly. "Charles isn't suitable for being a spy at all. He probably won't even be able to move past the first step!"
"I told him the consequences and he agreed."
"Yeah because if he doesn't, he'll be sent to the gallows!" Ye Qingxuan raised his voice. "Who wouldn't agree? You'd die anyway!"
"At first I volunteered you." Rather than defending himself, Wolf Flute muttered, "I thought you'd get out of the trial then. After everything's over, you could just disappear and change your identity…but I didn't expect that you could come out without my help."
Ye Qingxuan fell silent.
"If you're angry, then just blame me. For some things, I have no other choice." Wolf Flute smoked and said, "I promise, he'll return safely. Believe me, Ye Qingxuan. Have I lied to you before? You'll be in this too. If you think it's dangerous, you can stop this mission at any time. I'll take care of all the responsibilities." He snuffed his cigarette. The conversation was over.
Thinking of all this, Ye Qingxuan also remembered something Maxwell had said. "You always have to do dirty things for the things you care for…really?" he murmured with his eyes open. The moonlight outside the window illuminated his face. No one replied in the silence. He sighed and climbed up from the bed.
It was two in the morning. In his daze, he seemed to have dreamed about many things but he could not remember anything when he opened his eyes. Tossing and turning for so long, he did not feel any sleep coming. He could not sleep, could not get drunk, could not eat, could not laugh… Everything horrible seemed to happen within these few days. They all came to live with him and refused to leave.
He was frustrated.
He washed his face and took out another bottle of liquor that looked expensive. He placed it under his elbow and found the book Mr. Hu had given him. If he could not sleep, then he would have to find something to do.
Casually, he flipped to the first score.
"Liang Xiao Yin?" Ye Qingxuan laughed at himself. He opened the bottle with his teeth and downed half a bottle. He didn't know what the music was but he would just try it.
Calling out Jiu Xiao Huan Pei, the instrument strings appeared in thin air and crisscrossed. The sound of cracking indus resounded in the still night sky. The music was like chimes but also the roaring of a dragon.
"I've let you down all this time," Ye Qingxuan murmured. He held the music sheets with one hand and ran his other hand down the instrument strings. Disordered notes fell from his fingers. As he deciphered the music score, the music theory overlapped and scattered in the air. It slowly solidified and soon, the moonlight was filled with a gentle melody. It was so serene.
As the music theory came into shape, Ye Qingxuan felt the Heaven Ladder within him start turning. The vast music score was established inside him, filling his limbs and creating a complex yet detailed system. Finally, it connected with Liang Xiao Yin. The two used Jiu Xiao Huan Pei as a bridge to become one. The quiet Heaven Ladder took in the new music score without any hesitation as if it was rain after a long drought.
Heaven Ladder strengthened considerably. The chaotic music theory within him had somehow become more coherent than ever.
Ye Qingxuan was stunned. This was the Heaven Ladder? It crossed over the seven schools and operated uniquely! It was originally used to unify all types of music theory under it. All music theory could find a place here. This was the special skill of the Ye family!
"This way leads to the heaven!" It suddenly dawned on Ye Qingxuan. "That's what it means?"
The Ye ancestors had used music theory that crossed the material and aether world to create Jiu Xiao Huan Pei. They also added in the Heaven Ladder that could unify all types of music theory. It was just so they could have an unshakeable foundation!
As long as they had the Heaven Ladder, the Ye descendants could add whatever music theory they wanted to create their own way to the heavens. But no one expected that, down the line, someone like Ye Qingxuan, who had never learned Eastern music theory, would appear. He had never thought of the deeper meaning. He had been using a diamond as a hammer. He didn't know how to use it to its full potential! If Mr. Hu had not given him this music score, allowing Heaven Ladder to lengthen, Ye Qingxuan would still be clueless.
"I really embarrassed myself…" Ye Qingxuan buried his face and sighed.
But when he processed everything, he glanced at the music score weirdly. Liang Xiao Yin was not overly-amazing but it was still a standard official music score. Representing dazzling moonlight and a beautiful dream at night, it was a perfect Mind score. Its influence range was wide and should be extremely difficult.
How did he learn it just by drinking liquor, flipping through the book, and playing casually? His features twisted.
"Mr. Hu, did you give me some children's songs to joke with me?"
Taking a few more gulps, he opened to another score.
"The phoenix flies, searching for the other in the world."
It was "Searching for Phoenix."
This should be the introductory music score for the Eastern School of Summoning. It allowed bird-like phantom beasts to have the aura of a phoenix. If he delved deep enough, he might even be able to summon the kingly aura of a phoenix ruling the world.
"Summoning score? Never learned this before…" Gripping his chin, he thought for a bit and then shook his head. "Whatever. Let's just learn it!"
Putting down his liquor, he placed his hands on the instrument. He deciphered the complex music theory in his heart, but his mind was still drunk. He had no clue what he was doing.
In the beginning, he stumbled over the notes. Things became smoother in the middle until finally, a clear sound spread. Under Jiu Xiao Huan Pei's control, the music theory seemed to come to life. It came out of the aether and transformed into a blurry apparition that flowed under the moonlight. Finally, the blurry bird perched on the instrument and fused into Heaven Ladder. It trembled and extended. The countless music theories shook and a new melody was created.
"I learned it just like that?" Ye Qingxuan was stunned. A little unsure, he opened another bottle to calm himself down. After resting a bit, he flipped to another score.
"The fallen leaves come and go. The perched crows startle…" It was 'Autumn Wind.'
The instrument sounds once again. Under the gloomy melody, silhouettes of crows startle inside the thin moonlight. They pace under the light. An autumn scene appeared.
Reminiscing, oh the long memory; short nostalgia, oh the endless pain…
This was 'Autumn Wind.'
He learned it so quickly! Ye Qingxuan gulped down more liquor in shock. "It seems pretty easy?"
Again!
'South Wind Blows.'
In an instant, a spring breeze blew from the soil. Vitality resounded within the melody and spread. The music seemed to transform into the south wind and blow in all directions.
Thus, everything began growing. Heaven Ladder extended again. It rose happily, taking in the scattered music theory continuously. It was taking shape instantly.
"This works?" Ye Qingxuan scratched his head and flipped the page. Continue!
'Ji Yue Yin,''Qing Ye Yin,''Feng Lei Yin'…
The room had become a mess. Everything seemed to have left the material world. Under the music, everything was blurry and inside the melody. At times, a sun would rise and everything would renew; sometimes, it would be an endless night with the moon in the sky and a cool breeze blowing; other times, wind and thunder raged furiously… The Heaven Ladder continued growing.
Within the melody, a faint rhythm emerged. It was like a pulsing heart.
Ye Qingxuan continued.
'Listening to the Spring on the Stone,''God's Words,''Man and Stork'!
The singing of a bubbling creek came from all directions, transforming into a flood and thundering river. It flowed over the stone and things were reborn. It became solemn and grave, old and crude. As if meeting with a god, it was ancient yet vigorous. Finally, it turned and there seemed to be an old man with a sword and white storks dancing. The man and stork emerged within Jiu Xiao Huan Pei and joined the Heaven Ladder.
It trembled. Countless music theories broke apart at once then rejoined under an invisible power. Finally, the vast music theory of Philosopher's Stone was enveloped as well, becoming one. The majestic vitality spread from his limbs. All his wounds healed instantly. Fresh blood began flowing through him like a flood. There seemed to be a river inside his body.
Under the rumbling of the flood, a heavy and low heartbeat sounded. A whirlpool appeared in the aether sea. Countless aether was sucked in by the msic. Silver rays of light flowed into the instrument strings and collected within his body. They operated with the complex music theory. Under the guidance of the aether, the vast music score finally started turning and showed its true nature.
Ye Qingxuan realized that he was unstoppable. Finishing the bottle, he started flipping through all the pages.
"Moon of Mount Guan,''Dragon Roar in the Sea,''Changmen Complaint,''Huo Lin Cao,''Wind and Cloud'…
The instrument sounded once again. Sparse notes scattered. The bright moon illuminated Mount Guan and wind raged. Sea tides crashed and the dragon roared without end. The moon hung in the night, illuminating those inside Changmen.
Ye Qingxuan was lost in his own world. His eyes scanned the music scores and he strummed Jiu Xiao Huan Pei. Aether rose in waves and spread out. Finally, the melody spilled like mercury into all directions.
The crisscrossed strings covered the entire embassy, extending with the scattering moonlight. Within the light and melody, a faint heartbeat sounded. Under the unclear rhythm, the entire embassy became wispy. Countless apparitions rose under the moonlight. It was as if everything had become removed from reality and entered a hallucination. Moonlight shone down. The line between illusion and reality blurred.
Everything in his dream was before his eyes now.
In the end, all the scenes were woven into a vast and beautiful dream by the melody. Reversed dreams appeared, a moon hung in the sky, the sun shone radiantly, rivers flowed, the land stretched to the horizon, dragons roared…
"So annoying!" Bai Xi was startled awake from her dream. She tossed her pillow in anger. "Who the f*ck is playing music at midnight?!"
Furious, she climbed out of bed but discovered that her room had somehow changed. The western-styled furniture had become somber eastern decorations. White curtains fell from the large room. Two lines of firelight illuminated the room. The pearls on the walls reflected with the light, creating an elegant and luxurious scene.
Stunned, her eyes quickly turned cold. She clenched a fist. Faraway bells rang under her fingertips. Zhaodang flashed past and destroyed the realistic dreamscape. Everything blurred and broke.
She put on a jacket and slippers and walked out. She was annoyed. Her mood was already bad from dreaming of all that. Seeing it when she woke up really pissed her off.
Cracking her knuckles, she was ready to find that annoying guy and have a good 'talk.' But when she pushed open the door and followed the music, she found Maxwell and Abraham sitting in the hallway and smoking.
"Principal?" She frowned and said without hesitation, "What are you all planning now?"
"What can I do?" Maxwell smoked and said lightly, "It's your messed up cousin. The day he got released, he became a marquess, signed an agreement with the Silent Authority, drank all my wine, and leveled up.
"His heart of sound resonated with the aether sea. Disturbing reality, he saw into the dreamscape." Maxwell stared at the large moon outside the window and murmured, "He's at the Disturbance level now."
"Charles has been enlisted by the Silent Authority now and is doing a secret mission." At that time, Wolf Flute had pulled out a document with a vow. He placed it before Ye Qingxuan with a pen he had clearly prepared. "If you want to hear more, sign this and join us."
It finally dawned on Ye Qingxuan. "You just wanted to drag me in?"
Wolf Flute shrugged. "Even if I didn't, you'd try to join in, right? Instead of having you mess around, I'd rather get you in officially."
Ye Qingxuan scanned the paper and signed his name. When he printed his music theory, the contract's secret music theory seeped into his body as well, forming a contract.
"Welcome." Wolf Flute pushed a cup of beer over. He did not mind that Ye Qingxuan was still unmoving. Smiling, he downed his own cup. He wiped his lips and said straightforwardly, "Four months ago, we secretly captured the deputy commander of the Revolutionaries, Constantine. He's locked in the Judgement Tower but sadly, we found nothing.
"According to our spy's information, the Revolutionaries have moved a large amount of elite power to the Sacred City. They're planning something big after the Winter Festival. We must know clearly what they're planning… Otherwise, we don't know how many people will die."
"Spy?" In an instant, Ye Qingxuan understand what the Silent Authority was planning and frowned. "You want Charles to get in? Stop joking. Does he look like a spy?!"
"Yeah, if even you don't believe it, who'll suspect him?" Wolf Flute's expression was strange. "We locked him in the top level of the Judgement Tower. Our planted agent told us that a few days later, there'll be a prison break. Before that, he must receive Constantine's trust, escape with him, and enter the core of the Revolutionaries…"
"And then he'll blow his cover and get cut into dozens of pieces. His feet and hands will get mailed to you and the head'll be given to us for sentimental value?" Ye Qingxuan asked coldly. "Charles isn't suitable for being a spy at all. He probably won't even be able to move past the first step!"
"I told him the consequences and he agreed."
"Yeah because if he doesn't, he'll be sent to the gallows!" Ye Qingxuan raised his voice. "Who wouldn't agree? You'd die anyway!"
"At first I volunteered you." Rather than defending himself, Wolf Flute muttered, "I thought you'd get out of the trial then. After everything's over, you could just disappear and change your identity…but I didn't expect that you could come out without my help."
Ye Qingxuan fell silent.
"If you're angry, then just blame me. For some things, I have no other choice." Wolf Flute smoked and said, "I promise, he'll return safely. Believe me, Ye Qingxuan. Have I lied to you before? You'll be in this too. If you think it's dangerous, you can stop this mission at any time. I'll take care of all the responsibilities." He snuffed his cigarette. The conversation was over.
Thinking of all this, Ye Qingxuan also remembered something Maxwell had said. "You always have to do dirty things for the things you care for…really?" he murmured with his eyes open. The moonlight outside the window illuminated his face. No one replied in the silence. He sighed and climbed up from the bed.
It was two in the morning. In his daze, he seemed to have dreamed about many things but he could not remember anything when he opened his eyes. Tossing and turning for so long, he did not feel any sleep coming. He could not sleep, could not get drunk, could not eat, could not laugh… Everything horrible seemed to happen within these few days. They all came to live with him and refused to leave.
He was frustrated.
He washed his face and took out another bottle of liquor that looked expensive. He placed it under his elbow and found the book Mr. Hu had given him. If he could not sleep, then he would have to find something to do.
Casually, he flipped to the first score.
"Liang Xiao Yin?" Ye Qingxuan laughed at himself. He opened the bottle with his teeth and downed half a bottle. He didn't know what the music was but he would just try it.
Calling out Jiu Xiao Huan Pei, the instrument strings appeared in thin air and crisscrossed. The sound of cracking indus resounded in the still night sky. The music was like chimes but also the roaring of a dragon.
"I've let you down all this time," Ye Qingxuan murmured. He held the music sheets with one hand and ran his other hand down the instrument strings. Disordered notes fell from his fingers. As he deciphered the music score, the music theory overlapped and scattered in the air. It slowly solidified and soon, the moonlight was filled with a gentle melody. It was so serene.
As the music theory came into shape, Ye Qingxuan felt the Heaven Ladder within him start turning. The vast music score was established inside him, filling his limbs and creating a complex yet detailed system. Finally, it connected with Liang Xiao Yin. The two used Jiu Xiao Huan Pei as a bridge to become one. The quiet Heaven Ladder took in the new music score without any hesitation as if it was rain after a long drought.
Heaven Ladder strengthened considerably. The chaotic music theory within him had somehow become more coherent than ever.
Ye Qingxuan was stunned. This was the Heaven Ladder? It crossed over the seven schools and operated uniquely! It was originally used to unify all types of music theory under it. All music theory could find a place here. This was the special skill of the Ye family!
"This way leads to the heaven!" It suddenly dawned on Ye Qingxuan. "That's what it means?"
The Ye ancestors had used music theory that crossed the material and aether world to create Jiu Xiao Huan Pei. They also added in the Heaven Ladder that could unify all types of music theory. It was just so they could have an unshakeable foundation!
As long as they had the Heaven Ladder, the Ye descendants could add whatever music theory they wanted to create their own way to the heavens. But no one expected that, down the line, someone like Ye Qingxuan, who had never learned Eastern music theory, would appear. He had never thought of the deeper meaning. He had been using a diamond as a hammer. He didn't know how to use it to its full potential! If Mr. Hu had not given him this music score, allowing Heaven Ladder to lengthen, Ye Qingxuan would still be clueless.
"I really embarrassed myself…" Ye Qingxuan buried his face and sighed.
But when he processed everything, he glanced at the music score weirdly. Liang Xiao Yin was not overly-amazing but it was still a standard official music score. Representing dazzling moonlight and a beautiful dream at night, it was a perfect Mind score. Its influence range was wide and should be extremely difficult.
How did he learn it just by drinking liquor, flipping through the book, and playing casually? His features twisted.
"Mr. Hu, did you give me some children's songs to joke with me?"
Taking a few more gulps, he opened to another score.
"The phoenix flies, searching for the other in the world."
It was "Searching for Phoenix."
This should be the introductory music score for the Eastern School of Summoning. It allowed bird-like phantom beasts to have the aura of a phoenix. If he delved deep enough, he might even be able to summon the kingly aura of a phoenix ruling the world.
"Summoning score? Never learned this before…" Gripping his chin, he thought for a bit and then shook his head. "Whatever. Let's just learn it!"
Putting down his liquor, he placed his hands on the instrument. He deciphered the complex music theory in his heart, but his mind was still drunk. He had no clue what he was doing.
In the beginning, he stumbled over the notes. Things became smoother in the middle until finally, a clear sound spread. Under Jiu Xiao Huan Pei's control, the music theory seemed to come to life. It came out of the aether and transformed into a blurry apparition that flowed under the moonlight. Finally, the blurry bird perched on the instrument and fused into Heaven Ladder. It trembled and extended. The countless music theories shook and a new melody was created.
"I learned it just like that?" Ye Qingxuan was stunned. A little unsure, he opened another bottle to calm himself down. After resting a bit, he flipped to another score.
"The fallen leaves come and go. The perched crows startle…" It was 'Autumn Wind.'
The instrument sounds once again. Under the gloomy melody, silhouettes of crows startle inside the thin moonlight. They pace under the light. An autumn scene appeared.
Reminiscing, oh the long memory; short nostalgia, oh the endless pain…
This was 'Autumn Wind.'
He learned it so quickly! Ye Qingxuan gulped down more liquor in shock. "It seems pretty easy?"
Again!
'South Wind Blows.'
In an instant, a spring breeze blew from the soil. Vitality resounded within the melody and spread. The music seemed to transform into the south wind and blow in all directions.
Thus, everything began growing. Heaven Ladder extended again. It rose happily, taking in the scattered music theory continuously. It was taking shape instantly.
"This works?" Ye Qingxuan scratched his head and flipped the page. Continue!
'Ji Yue Yin,''Qing Ye Yin,''Feng Lei Yin'…
The room had become a mess. Everything seemed to have left the material world. Under the music, everything was blurry and inside the melody. At times, a sun would rise and everything would renew; sometimes, it would be an endless night with the moon in the sky and a cool breeze blowing; other times, wind and thunder raged furiously… The Heaven Ladder continued growing.
Within the melody, a faint rhythm emerged. It was like a pulsing heart.
Ye Qingxuan continued.
'Listening to the Spring on the Stone,''God's Words,''Man and Stork'!
The singing of a bubbling creek came from all directions, transforming into a flood and thundering river. It flowed over the stone and things were reborn. It became solemn and grave, old and crude. As if meeting with a god, it was ancient yet vigorous. Finally, it turned and there seemed to be an old man with a sword and white storks dancing. The man and stork emerged within Jiu Xiao Huan Pei and joined the Heaven Ladder.
It trembled. Countless music theories broke apart at once then rejoined under an invisible power. Finally, the vast music theory of Philosopher's Stone was enveloped as well, becoming one. The majestic vitality spread from his limbs. All his wounds healed instantly. Fresh blood began flowing through him like a flood. There seemed to be a river inside his body.
Under the rumbling of the flood, a heavy and low heartbeat sounded. A whirlpool appeared in the aether sea. Countless aether was sucked in by the msic. Silver rays of light flowed into the instrument strings and collected within his body. They operated with the complex music theory. Under the guidance of the aether, the vast music score finally started turning and showed its true nature.
Ye Qingxuan realized that he was unstoppable. Finishing the bottle, he started flipping through all the pages.
"Moon of Mount Guan,''Dragon Roar in the Sea,''Changmen Complaint,''Huo Lin Cao,''Wind and Cloud'…
The instrument sounded once again. Sparse notes scattered. The bright moon illuminated Mount Guan and wind raged. Sea tides crashed and the dragon roared without end. The moon hung in the night, illuminating those inside Changmen.
Ye Qingxuan was lost in his own world. His eyes scanned the music scores and he strummed Jiu Xiao Huan Pei. Aether rose in waves and spread out. Finally, the melody spilled like mercury into all directions.
The crisscrossed strings covered the entire embassy, extending with the scattering moonlight. Within the light and melody, a faint heartbeat sounded. Under the unclear rhythm, the entire embassy became wispy. Countless apparitions rose under the moonlight. It was as if everything had become removed from reality and entered a hallucination. Moonlight shone down. The line between illusion and reality blurred.
Everything in his dream was before his eyes now.
In the end, all the scenes were woven into a vast and beautiful dream by the melody. Reversed dreams appeared, a moon hung in the sky, the sun shone radiantly, rivers flowed, the land stretched to the horizon, dragons roared…
"So annoying!" Bai Xi was startled awake from her dream. She tossed her pillow in anger. "Who the f*ck is playing music at midnight?!"
Furious, she climbed out of bed but discovered that her room had somehow changed. The western-styled furniture had become somber eastern decorations. White curtains fell from the large room. Two lines of firelight illuminated the room. The pearls on the walls reflected with the light, creating an elegant and luxurious scene.
Stunned, her eyes quickly turned cold. She clenched a fist. Faraway bells rang under her fingertips. Zhaodang flashed past and destroyed the realistic dreamscape. Everything blurred and broke.
She put on a jacket and slippers and walked out. She was annoyed. Her mood was already bad from dreaming of all that. Seeing it when she woke up really pissed her off.
Cracking her knuckles, she was ready to find that annoying guy and have a good 'talk.' But when she pushed open the door and followed the music, she found Maxwell and Abraham sitting in the hallway and smoking.
"Principal?" She frowned and said without hesitation, "What are you all planning now?"
"What can I do?" Maxwell smoked and said lightly, "It's your messed up cousin. The day he got released, he became a marquess, signed an agreement with the Silent Authority, drank all my wine, and leveled up.
"His heart of sound resonated with the aether sea. Disturbing reality, he saw into the dreamscape." Maxwell stared at the large moon outside the window and murmured, "He's at the Disturbance level now."
