Elegance Is Bullshit

He remained defiant, but his four brothers grew increasingly uneasy. How many of them had managed to survive this long in the Cultivation World? Avoiding the strong and embracing the weak was one of the Principle of survival. This Niu Youde was clearly unfathomable; they couldn't Fang Ming why Fang Ming was so stubbornly persistent—was taking such a huge risk worthwhile?

"Justice resides in the hearts of the people?" Yue Qianchou's fingers danced incessantly on the strings of his zither, and he scoffed, "If justice truly resides in the hearts of the people, then what is the difference between the secular world and the Cultivation World? If everyone held justice in their hearts, there would be no need for people to fight and kill each other to the death. 'If a man does not look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him'—these eight words are most fitting for the Cultivation World."

These words silenced the campfire-lit wilderness, leaving only the lingering sound of the zither. Everyone reflected on their past experiences in the Cultivation World, truly believing that self-preservation is the only way to survive. Many let out a soft sigh as they downed strong liquor...

"Your thinking is too one-sided and extreme. For example, this senior..." Fang Ming pointed righteously at the one-armed old man in the Kaoshan Pavilion and said passionately, "Not only is his cultivation profound, but he has also silently maintained Ghost Manor countless years, preventing it from becoming ruins and providing a place for us wandering Rogue Cultivator to stay. Can you say that this senior's actions are also a case of 'every man for himself'?"

"That's quite a flattery. Hopefully, he'll save your life someday!" Yue Qianchou glanced at him disdainfully, ignoring him, and began to play a melancholy tune on his zither. Looking around, he smiled faintly and said, "Drink today, for tomorrow we may meet again. Niu Youde offers this song to help fellow wanderers Rogue Cultivator."

As soon as he finished speaking, his ten fingers suddenly began to frantically pluck at the strings, producing a chaotic and noisy sound that made everyone's teeth ache.

Everyone glared at him, baring their teeth. He'd been speaking so warmly just moments before, how could he be so disgusting in the blink of an eye? Fang Ming, his delicate brows furrowed beneath the veil, felt a surge of joy. So it was all an act...

Just as everyone's thoughts were in complete disarray, the ear-piercing noise abruptly stopped. As everyone's minds calmed and they breathed a sigh of relief, a beautiful melody of tinkling sounds gently flowed into their hearts. It was like a cool breeze suddenly enveloping them in the unbearable heat of summer, making them exhale with a comfortable groan—so refreshing!

As the gentle sounds of the zither gently touched everyone's hearts, Yue Qianchou, accompanied by the Yue Qianchou and flow of the tide, recited in a desolate tone. "Heroes rise and fall with the times, once you enter the world of martial arts, time flies by. A thousand years of cultivation are but a fleeting moment in laughter, nothing surpasses a life of drunken revelry!"

A cool night breeze blew, the campfire flickered, and the crackling of the burning firewood couldn't pull everyone back from their daze. A few short incantations instantly transported them to the turbulent Cultivation World.

The past events flashed before their eyes, making it difficult for the Rogue Cultivator recall. Triumphs and setbacks surged before them, intertwined with countless tears and blood. How much had they sacrificed, and how much had they gained? Had they sacrificed more or gained more? How long would this dream continue? And had all these years of relentless pursuit been truly worthwhile?

"Life is but a fleeting dream..." Many people murmured this, then shook their heads with bitter smiles and sighed. What can relieve sorrow? Only strong, fragrant liquor! The Rogue Cultivator sitting around the campfire, as the prelude to the zither music played, raised and lowered the wine jars, and the clear, cool liquor went straight down their throats.

For a moment, the aroma of wine wafted everywhere, making this hazy night, filled with the glow of the campfire, both clear and enigmatic, something to be cherished forever. "Life is short, but a good drink is best," everyone said, admitting they couldn't be that carefree, but tonight they would drink until they were completely drunk...

Fu Chun and Qin Jiaxing stared at Yue Qianchou, mouths agape, as if they didn't recognize him. Was this really their old boss? They had followed Yue Qianchou for some time now, and this boss was ruthless and merciless, readily resorting to killing. He also frequently uttered vulgarities like "I'm the boss" and "I curse my mother." It was truly unimaginable that he could utter such profound words. And looking at his current air of sober elegance amidst the chaos, and the romantic, carefree manner he displayed while playing music, it was quite frightening!

Are we hallucinating? Fu Chun and Qin Jiaxing looked at each other, their faces full of disbelief.

The six women from Yan Lan standing to the side were practically staring at him with eyes full of wonder! They all bent their knees, rested their chins on their hands, and stared at him with mesmerizing eyes... This man was truly captivating to women!

Her eyes, hidden beneath the veil, had always been calm, though they had previously shown a flicker of emotion. Now, however, they were stirred with a stunning ripple, like a stagnant pool that had been disturbed by a small stone, causing a stir in the heart that was difficult to calm.

Fang Ming suddenly woke up, his expression shifting inscrutable as he stared at Yue Qianchou. Yue Qianchou, tuning his zither, also inadvertently gave him a disdainful look. Indeed, Yue Qianchou was looking down on him...

How dare you pretend to be cultured in front of me? Culture is bullshit, something only idle people with nothing better to do. Who has ever seen someone who can't even afford to eat pretending to be cultured? Culture is a son of a bitch, I've done whatever I want with it, I'm done with it a long time ago. Today I'll show you what a true master of pretentious culture looks like: playing the zither, singing, and reciting poetry, haven't you ever seen that before? That's called overflowing talent!

Yue Qianchou's previous rambling on the piano was intentional, not just spontaneous. Since everyone had already listened to several pieces, it was like having enjoyed a delicious meal, and then another delectable dish was served. To truly appreciate the pure flavor, one needs a glass of water to rinse away any remaining taste buds, preventing a mixed and unpleasant experience.

Yue Qianchou's furious, chaotic outburst was like a glass of tasteless water, completely washing away any lingering aftertaste in everyone's minds. Only after this display of power did he smugly begin to show off, having snatched what should have been Fang Ming's romantic night for himself.

While everyone was still sighing and lamenting their wasted time, Yue Qianchou recited in a resounding voice to the melody of his zither. "Riding the sword, I roam the vast world, white bones piled high, birds startled into flight. The mortal world is like a tide, people like water, I can only sigh that few return from the martial world!" The last syllable of his voice carried a hint of melancholy, a touch of sorrow at parting.

"The mortal world is like a tide, people like water, only alas, how many return from the martial world..." The rogue Rogue Cultivator repeated this over and over again... Recalling their early days in the Cultivation World, everyone was innocent, who didn't have a few friends? But who survived? Even among those who still cling to life, who can still retain that innocence? Deceit and treachery, survival at all costs, forgetting their roots...

"Alas, how many heroes return from the martial world..." Suddenly, someone stood up, threw the wine jar in his hand into the distance, and roared wildly under the night sky. "The Cultivation World, you bastard!" The man's eyes gradually closed, and two tear tracks slid down his bushy beard, gleaming in the light of the campfire.

This person was none other than Tian Ye, Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator. Perhaps he was thinking of his deceased relatives and friends. The two people beside him also had red eyes, remaining silent and only knowing to gulp down their drinks.

Beside the pavilion on Mount Kao, under the incandescent lanterns, behind the green gauze curtains, a woman's lips moved slightly, uttering a barely audible murmur, "Riding the sword, I roam the vast world, white bones piled high, birds startled into flight. The mortal world is like a tide, people like water, alas, how many return from the martial world..."

This seemed to be the first time the mysterious woman had spoken. Her voice was melodious, like silver beads falling onto a plate. It was crisp and clear, incredibly pleasant to the ear, but unfortunately, those below her, with their limited cultivation, couldn't hear it. Only the old man behind her heard it. The one-armed old man slowly turned his head to look at Yue Qianchou, his usually calm eyes now somewhat dim, as if he had pierced through the night and glimpsed a distant past...

"Hahaha..." A burst of unrestrained laughter suddenly rang out under the night sky. The bonfires flickered, and everyone was jolted awake to see Yue Qianchou laughing heartily. The music of the zither also began to flow freely, his ten fingers as bright as blooming lotus flowers, moving freely across the strings.

The gentle, flowing music seemed to be admonishing everyone: since the past is too painful to recall, why not let it go and laugh it off... Suddenly, the music surged, and everyone's emotions rose and fell with it. Suddenly Yue Qianchou into song. "The sea laughs, the tides surge on both banks, rising and falling with the waves, remembering today. The heavens laugh, the world's tides rise and fall, who wins and who loses, only heaven knows. The mountains and rivers laugh, the misty rain stretches far, the waves wash away so much of the mortal world. The breeze laughs, yet it stirs loneliness, only the setting sun remains of my heroic spirit. La la la... la la la... ha ha..."

The song echoed across the wilderness. Though the night was dark and the moon and stars were few, everyone's State of Mind were instantly transported to another realm. Under the clear sky, they watched the ocean's waves rise and fall, and the vicissitudes of life seemed like fleeting clouds, the struggle for fame and fortune as insignificant as smoke. How many in the Cultivation World lived in constant fear and anxiety, their lives reduced to mere amusement amidst the chaos of the world? Nothing compares to the carefree joy of watching the sunset with a gentle breeze!

Yue Qianchou's carefree strumming of his fingers, his unrestrained singing, and his wild, hearty laughter left the six women of Yan Lan mesmerized, unable to contain their emotions and momentarily lost in a daze. Fu Chun and Qin Jiaxing were speechless. They genuinely suspected that their leader had been possessed by some unclean spirit.

Inside the Kaoshan Pavilion, the one-armed old man's cold gaze gradually melted. Beside the pavilion, the green veil over his head fluttered without wind, revealing eyes fixed on the unrestrained Yue Qianchou. His softly curved red lips parted slightly as he murmured, "The landscape laughs, the misty rain is far away... Is this a piece composed by Yue Qianchou?"

"... The common people laugh, no longer lonely, their heroic spirit still remains, laughing foolishly..." Yue Qianchou sang, he himself could not help but get into the mood, and he played and sang with seemingly crazy passion. That unrestrained style was truly inspiring.

Not to mention the others, who swayed their upper bodies to the tune, their flying swords clanging and jingling once more, echoing the music as Yue Qianchou sang loudly. "The sea laughs, the tides surge on both shores, floating and sinking with the waves, remembering this day..."

The song, both heroic and catchy, was perfect for these men to vent their frustrations. After being led through a few repetitions, they all sang it flawlessly. Under the night sky, around the bonfires, the aroma of wine mingled with the wild, unrestrained singing, drifting across the fields. Beside the Kao Mountain Pavilion, a veiled woman raised her flute, gently placing it to her lips...

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