Great Master Su

Although Fang Ming estimated that people from White Cloud Temple would arrive soon, he didn't expect that a sudden event would disrupt his plans. "What? Say that again?"

Fang Ming still found it strange and ordered his subordinate to explain the news carefully.

"Reporting to my Lord, according to our intelligence, Great Master Su will arrive in Anchang County on the fifth day of the seventh month to perform. Anchang County is already overcrowded, and gentlemen and scholars from all over Wenchang Prefecture are rushing here continuously. The crowds are growing daily, making accurate verification extremely difficult. I hope my Lord will forgive our incompetence!" Zhou Si said with a wry smile, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Su Xia is an extraordinary woman, renowned throughout the world for her Zither Skill, praised as "her music's purity, like the autumn moon, like the clear river, like the cold abyss, a thousand miles of clear blue, resonating within." She also has a reputation for "harmonizing with metal and stone, her strings and bamboo playing together, making listeners forget their weariness." She is known as a master of the Zither Way.

Legend has it that this woman, despite her noble birth and stunning beauty, remained untainted like a lotus blooming from mud. She once performed in the Imperial Capital, captivating thousands with a single melody. Her companions were never commoners, and she had deep connections with many famous scholars and high officials of the time, a depth that made Fang Ming somewhat wary.

Anchang County was originally a remote place with little interaction with other regions. Fang Ming's current strength was sufficient to monitor all incoming and outgoing traffic. As soon as people from White Cloud Temple arrived in Anchang, they would be discovered, giving him the initiative to act at his leisure. He never expected that Great Master Su would choose this time to perform in Anchang, with crowds like mountains and seas, making surveillance impossible.

"Anchang is tucked away in a corner; why would Great Master Su come here to perform?" Fang Ming asked, as if posing a question to himself.

"My Lord, I know a little about this. Great Master Su claims she wants to travel the world, collect musical scores, and refine her skills. For this, she even refused an official position in the Imperial Garden's Pear Garden. Traveling lightly and simply, she has performed in numerous places, no less than dozens of times. It is said that someone has been following her from the Imperial Capital, not missing a single performance!"

Despite this, Fang Ming still felt that something was not quite right, and his brow furrowed.

"My Lord... I would like to request a day off!" Zhou Si suddenly said.

"You... don't tell me you want to go admire her Zither Skill too?" Fang Ming was startled, realizing he had underestimated the influence of the era's great figures.

"How could I miss such an elegant occasion?" Zhou Si retorted, his tone righteous.

Fang Ming couldn't help but smile wryly, but he said, "The county town has strict laws. You divine officials cannot enter, or you will greatly damage your divine bodies!"

The county town was protected by human way fortune. Fang Ming currently had only about two thousand believers within the town. At this level, he could enter and exit freely, and Wang Zhong and Xie Jin, who held official positions, also had no problems. However, his subordinate divine officials would still be affected. "Alas..." Zhou Si's regret was evident.

"Alas..." Fang Ming rose and walked to the backyard garden. Lush trees cast cool shadows, and a hundred flowers bloomed in profusion. Despite it being summer, the garden was filled with vibrant colors, a marvel of the Law Domain, making one feel as if in an immortal realm. Yet, at this moment, the profusion of colors brought no joy.

Fang Ming strolled leisurely and arrived at a bamboo grove. Within the grove stood a small pavilion, exuding a secluded charm.

A person was in the pavilion, brewing tea and admiring the flowers.

Fang Ming walked over and smiled, saying, "Sir, you have such a leisurely disposition. Have I disturbed you?"

The person was extremely refined and rose to bow. It turned out to be He Yuqing.

"This garden is excellent, but I still prefer this pavilion the most. Your presence, Divine Lord, brings me immense joy; how could you possibly disturb me?" He Yuqing poured another cup of clear tea and offered it to Fang Ming.

"Divine Lord, please try my 'Cloud Top Mao Feng'."

Fang Ming saw the mist rising to the top of the cup, the liquid a clear, slightly yellow hue. As soon as he took a sip, the taste was mellow and sweet, with an orchid-like aroma and a deep, lingering aftertaste. Even he, who was not particularly skilled at appreciating tea, couldn't help but praise, "Excellent!"

"Hehe..." He Yuqing smiled and said, "The production of this tea is complex, requiring precise timing and conditions to achieve perfection. Even in my household, we cannot drink it often. You, Divine Lord, who can manifest all things with divine power, have graced us with this taste..."

Fang Ming took another sip before saying, "I was planning to find you, sir. I didn't expect to meet you here. I have something I wish to consult you about."

"Please speak, Divine Lord!" He Yuqing's expression turned serious as he said.

"Do you know of Great Master Su?" Fang Ming asked without hesitation and then recounted the situation.

"Great Master Su! I have long heard of her esteemed name. I've heard she excels in both zither playing and beauty, but alas, I have never had the chance to meet her!" He Yuqing said with great emotion.

Seeing Fang Ming's expression darken, he quickly added, "However, her mother was rumored to have connections with a certain Taoist sect and died of illness in her early years. Su Xia is accompanied by the 'Amorous Swordsman' Hou Bai as her guard, who is said to have been captivated by her music and willingly serves her."

"Oh!" Fang Ming's interest was piqued, but He Yuqing's knowledge ended there. His family was a Prefectural Aristocracy, not a Great Clan, and their influence did not extend to the Imperial Capital.

Fang Ming stood up, paced a few steps, and murmured, "Su Xia... White Cloud Temple..." He chewed on the words, feeling that there were hidden secrets.

Meanwhile, Yuheng, whom Fang Ming was thinking about, had already arrived in Anchang County.

Thanks to Su Xia, Yuheng was very cautious. He changed into a scholar's robe and rode a donkey, appearing like a young gentleman from the Lower Class, eager to admire Su Xia.

Such individuals were common these days. Fang Ming's subordinates, lacking Qi Observation Spiritual Power, inadvertently allowed Yuheng to blend into the county town and find a small inn to stay in.

He rented a room, and the innkeeper solicitously brought hot water, followed by wine and dishes: roast chicken, boiled meat, several stir-fried vegetable dishes, and a bowl of soup with an appetizing aroma. The Taoist Sect did not forbid meat, so Yuheng tipped the innkeeper a few coins and had him leave.

Although Yuheng had reached the Grain Avoidance realm in his cultivation, he still needed to supplement his Essence with food. He did not need to be restrained when coming down the mountain.

However, after closing the door, Yuheng frowned when he saw that no one was around.

"What was that on the road just now? It seemed like a Ghost Cultivator, yet not. It wasn't a fierce ghost or a vengeful ghost either. And the faith in the Earth God in the city is also very peculiar. This place is indeed very strange!"

Yuheng had opened his spiritual eye and could naturally see ghosts. On the road, he had encountered scouts dispatched by Fang Ming, but being naturally cautious, he did not wish to alert them. Furthermore, he did not even go to White Water Temple, fearing he would be monitored.

"And for Su Xia to actually come here, it's truly..."

Yuheng vaguely knew Su Xia's identity, and when he thought of his master's words before descending the mountain about Wu Long being in the south, his heart pounded with fear.

"I didn't expect to have to use this so soon after arriving in Anchang..." Yuheng smiled wryly.

He took out two talismans from his robe, folded them a few times, and they transformed into two paper cranes. Yuheng whispered a few words to the cranes and then cast a spell, saying, "Go!"

The paper cranes seemed to gain sentience, fluttered up, and glowed with a faint light. They passed through the window and flew in two directions.

This was a secret technique of White Cloud Temple, Flying Crane Message, which could only be used by true disciples. The paper cranes possessed a divine ability that ordinary people could not see and could travel a thousand li in a day, surpassing the Bluebird in delivering messages.

One of them flew to White Water Temple in the city to inform them of his arrival, instructing White Crane not to act rashly or come to greet him.

The other flew directly to the mountain gate. Su Xia was performing, yet the sect had not received any news. Although the secular disciples did not know Su Xia's identity and had not reported it, the person in charge of information was highly suspicious. With Wu Long's emergence, caution was paramount.

Yuheng watched the paper cranes fly away, his gaze seemingly following them, emitting a faint glow...

In the blink of an eye, it was the night of the fifth day of the seventh month. The county town was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder.

Great Master Su had arrived in Anchang County yesterday and, it was heard, received a warm welcome from County Magistrate Wei Zhun. All her entourage was accommodated in the County Yamen.

County Magistrate Wei reportedly had a pleasant conversation with Great Master Su, personally booked the entire Yingke Tower, and dispatched yamen runners to maintain order, thus preventing any incidents.

Yingke Tower had been greatly renovated, with floors opened up and connected. Vermilion lacquer and jade cups adorned the beams draped with light gauze. Fresh flowers were specially procured from high mountains to decorate the entire building, lending it a unique elegance.

A high stage was erected in the center of the main hall, this being the venue for Great Master Su's performance. Over a dozen private rooms were built on the second floor, exclusively for officials and nobles. The first floor was for general seating, designated for prominent families and wealthy gentry. As for ordinary citizens, this was an elegant affair, how could they share it with the common folk?

Although Yingke Tower was already spacious, after this renovation, it could accommodate a thousand people. However, demand still outstripped supply. The Anchang Four Great Families, with their local influence and Identity, managed to secure a private room on the second floor.

Inside the private room, incense smoke swirled, and tea and pastries were served, all exceedingly elegant and fragrant. However, at this moment, only one person was in the room; the masters of the Anchang Four Great Families were nowhere to be seen. This person was unremarkable in appearance, and his fingers were calloused, unlike that of a distinguished person, more like a farmer.

This person was Fang Ming's spiritual clone. Although the masters of the Four Great Families were also interested in this elegant event, compared to what came after death, they knew what was more important. After jointly booking this private room, they dismissed the maids and servants, leaving Fang Ming to enjoy it alone.

The private rooms on the second floor were designed ingeniously. Looking out from the windows, one had a clear view of the high stage, with excellent sightlines that didn't obstruct each other.

Fang Ming was lost in thought when he heard shouts.

"Great Master Su is out!"

"Truly a national beauty of heavenly talent!"

His heart stirred, and he looked out the window.

He couldn't help but freeze. He saw a peerlessly beautiful woman, her white dress like snow, fluttering in the wind, exuding an indescribable ease and grace as she looked down at the clear stream, composed and self-assured.

The moon cast its clear light, gently and slowly, bathing her in its tender glow. It made her seem as if she were formed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, like a spirit of nature, not meant to appear in the mortal world.

With her steps, the surroundings seemed to transform into a fairyland, emitting an ethereal aura, allowing one to comprehend the true meaning of beauty, a Daoist intent that surpassed the brushstrokes of any master painter.

Especially her eyes, which seemed to contain all the emotions of the mortal world, yet also held a fondness for all things, her gaze flowing like autumn ripples, causing Fang Ming to recall his own youthful love from his past life.

Fang Ming was awestruck by her unparalleled, transcendent immortal posture and beauty, unable to speak for a moment.

Just then, she spoke softly in her pure, sweet voice, "Su Xia thanks everyone for coming to support me. I can only offer one song to express my gratitude!"

Fang Ming was startled, and then snapped back to reality.

That brief moment had almost made him feel like he had reincarnated.

He came back to his senses then and used his Qi Observation Spiritual Power. He was startled again.

He saw clear light swirling, and red and yellow qi gathering, transforming into ripples. Above them, green qi rose, forming a small cyan seal. The cyan light flashed, stinging Fang Ming's eyes. When he tried to look again, he couldn't see. At this moment, Su Xia seemed to sense something and glanced over unintentionally, causing Fang Ming's heart to leap.