When Qiu Niu Left the Music

Ju Yunxiu had already begun playing the zither. The music was melodious and heavenly, clearly far superior to Qin Yi's skill level. Qiu Niu, just like in the legends, circled the end of the zither, eyes closed, swaying its head and completely absorbed in the music.

Qin Yi stared at it for a long time, but couldn't tell if it was faking it.

If Taotie can be this cute, it's not surprising that Qiu Niu is also this cute, right? But Qin Yi knew very well that the dog was afraid of Liusu, and it was only because it was under Liusu's Wrath Soul Curse that it didn't suffer a backlash. It was a ferocious beast, and its true nature was not this cute.

By now, they've developed a fairly good relationship and even become somewhat assimilated, but without Liusu, Gouzi is quite arrogant. Qin Yi doesn't even dare to say whether Gouzi will remember their friendship once the Wrath Soul Curse is lifted; the probability of him turning on them is quite high.

What about Qiu Niu?

No one compressed it into this shape, nor did anyone cast a spell on it.

Is it merely because of a love for music? State of Mind free from attachment, following one's heart, simply liking music is liking music, a childlike expression?

That seems to make sense.

Qin Yi believed this was their nature, just like the vengeful spirit of the Yazi or the treasure-guarding spirit of the Pixiu— it was perfectly normal. One could hate them because of differing perspectives, but one couldn't say their behavior was incomprehensible.

But Qiu Niu's love for music should have many ways to express it. As the ruler of the Sea Forbidden Ground, the master of all races in the Ten Thousand Li Sea Region, even if you imprisoned your Senior Sister to play music for you, it would be more normal than this mode, right?

Is it because it requires a sincere performance from my Senior Sister?

Qin Yi was completely baffled.

Everyone has a different perspective. Senior Sister probably sees Qiu Niu much like I see Gouzi, so she can't be very wary of it. Let's switch perspectives... It's obvious that Senior Sister is a little suspicious of Gouzi, so let me be wary of Qiu Niu. This way, we can both step out of our blind spots, which is a good fit.

If there are really no problems, then of course everyone will be happy.

Just as I was thinking this, the song ended.

Qiu Niu opened its eyes and met Qin Yi's gaze. It smiled slightly, then continued to savor the moment with its eyes half-closed.

Ju Yunxiu gently pressed the strings of her zither and pondered, "Listening to the music of the sea has indeed been very helpful to my understanding. But there's no need for more concerts like this..."

Qiu Niu remained coiled at the end of the zither, nodding and saying, "Their music is too one-sided and monotonous. One can understand it in some ways, but listening to it more is of no benefit. Only your zither, Elder Sister, possesses such endless variations, expressing all the sounds of the world."

Ju Yunxiu shook her head. "I'm still far from good enough."

"But you're already on your way." Qiu Niu's expression was somewhat fanatical. "Only you can reach the finish line."

Qin Yi, who was listening nearby, wanted to ask, "Are you not capable?" But Ju Yunxiu didn't seem surprised at all, and simply said, "Did you have your fill?"

Qiu Niu finally broke free from its coiled position around the zither's tail, transforming back into a majestic dragon-snake. "My enjoyment for today is over... Let's discuss some serious matters first, and listen to fine music another day."

As her posture changed, even her tone of voice changed. The previous slightly cute feeling turned into a composed one, and she stopped mentioning "Elder Sister" that she used to say all the time.

It glanced at Yu Shang, said nothing, then turned to An'an and said calmly, "Are you trembling with fear or do you want to stay here? Do you have something to say to This King?"

An'an mustered her courage and said, "The Nine Great Kings borrowed our Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearl and has not yet returned it. Please, Your Majesty, make the decision..."

Qiu Niu interrupted, "Did you ask him for it?"

An'an paused for a moment, then said, "Not yet..."

"You don't even dare to ask for your own things back, so what's the point of asking others?" Qiu Niu said. "This time it's just borrowing and not returning, but what if someone forcibly takes them next time? Just like when someone captured one of your people to make pearls, Jiao Tu didn't stand up for you, This King why should I clean up your mess?"

An'an opened her mouth, her face contorted in bitterness.

Qiu Niu's words make a lot of sense... but this...

Qiu Niu said calmly, "If you had the fortitude of the Feathered People, others would have to think twice before offending you, and if they made enemies, they would have to come to This King for mediation and suppression. Dignity is earned through one's own efforts, not obtained by praying to gods and Buddhas."

Yu Shang, standing beside her, paused for a moment, while An'an's forehead was damp with sweat.

The more they talk, the more sense it makes, but they really can't do it...

"I understand the nature of our kind," This King Qiu Niu. "If you insist on acting according to your nature, This King. Just as This King love music, I will love music, and there is no need to change. If you want to live in seclusion, then live in seclusion for life. Whether you are captured or robbed, then bear the consequences yourself. Why suffer injustice?"

An'an said helplessly, "What if we offer up our treasures and ask the King for protection?"

Qiu Niu said, "Offering treasures can only get you the protection of those who love them, but when those who love treasures want to take your precious treasures, you will have to suffer the consequences yourself."

An'an's face was pale.

After listening for a while, Qin Yi found that he couldn't really refute it.

But this perspective is too cold. Beyond its own interests, there is no good, no evil, no benevolence, no most impartial scales... Is this the meaning of formlessness? However, since it has taken this path, how can one be too clear-headed when it is obsessed with pleasure?

He couldn't help but ask, "If I help her, will the King think it's wrong for an outsider to interfere?"

Qiu Niu asked curiously, "Why are you helping her? Are you after her body?"

An'an blushed, while Qin Yi remained calm, simply shaking his head. "That's only right. An'an is my friend, and she regards me as her teacher. I can't offer the same detached perspective as Your Majesty."

Qiu Niu asked with great interest, "Benevolence and righteousness are not the will of Heaven. The more you care about, the more you are bound; when will you be able to transcend them?"

"Then I will not transcend it." Qin Yi replied, "Just as Your Majesty does not abandon joy, Qin Yi will not abandon righteousness."

Qiu Niu raised a brow, then suddenly laughed and turned to Ju Yunxiu: "This kind of person would be a good junior brother... as long as he's not lying."

Ju Yunxiu smiled gently, her eyes softening. "Qin Yi didn't lie."

Qiu Niu laughed, "Do you want me to help the Clam Clan? Just say the word..."

"No." Qin Yi instinctively didn't want his Senior Sister to owe Qiu Niu any more favors, so he interrupted directly, "As long as the King doesn't take sides, I'll get this Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearl for An'an!"

Qiu Niu wasn't angry at being interrupted, and said very good-naturedly, "Okay."

After saying those two words, as if he thought he had finished speaking, he turned to Gouzi without even looking at An'an: "Taotie, if you want to come back, it will strengthen my forces in the sea, and I don't object. But others may not feel the same way as me, so you need to do something else to shut up the other eight mouths."

The dog said, "Beat someone up?"

Qiu Niu chuckled, "Ten thousand years ago, there were still nine Jian Mu Fruits. If you just give up competing for this thing, I'm afraid others won't object too much."

The dog was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "And this batch of Jian Mu Fruit may only contain six or seven."

Qiu Niu smiled, "So you knew all along."

The dog said, "What's so strange about that?"

Qiu Niu said, "There are only six or seven. There's not enough competition among the brothers. If you suddenly barge in, it will only make others angry. They'll join forces to drive you away immediately."

The dog chuckled and said, "You're so sure you can get one, so you're willing to give your Senior Sister face and agree?"

"Exactly," Qiu Niu replied matter-of-factly. "And if you were here, the Feathered People would be more at ease, wouldn't they? What reason would I have to disagree?"

The Yu Shang changed color slightly.

The adorable Great Great King from before has completely changed.

Qin Yi, however, felt that what he had just seen was at most a fat ox, but this should be called Qiu Niu.

Perhaps my previous behavior wasn't an act... If I was going to act, I should have done it properly, why keep changing it? Maybe... I only act like that when my craving for music kicks in?

The dog slowly said, "So, you mean you want me to help solve the Jianmu problem, or you want me to secretly kill a couple of them first? Let me think... These are turbulent times, you certainly don't want to lower your strength, so it won't be the latter. But you also know I'm useless at everything, except eating, so you can't count on me to solve the Jianmu problem, can you?"

Qiu Niu narrowed his eyes. "Of course, there are other methods."

"Oh?"

"There is something in the world that will surely have a miraculous effect on the revival of the Jianmu tree. Most of the brothers are unable to leave this place, and although I can go out, I cannot wander too far. You, on the other hand... if you can get your hands on that thing, even just a part of it, then nothing else will be a problem."

"What?"

"Profound and mysterious, the Door of Myriad Mysteries."

Qin Yi's heart skipped a beat.

The dog casually replied, "I don't know where that thing is."

"I know."

"Where?"

"Kunlun Void".