"Those I once cherished, Heaven left uncared for; those I now cast aside, people come to pity! The fortunes of the world race as swift as lightning, while fate towers as high as the heavens..."
As he walked toward the thatched hut, he heard someone singing.
The song was bold and forthright, yet it carried the sorrow of ill-fated times and secret heartbreak.
Following the song, he saw an old man sitting before the thatched hut, striking stones as he sang. Though his tone was filled with grief and indignation, his eyes revealed the unyielding spirit of a hero.
"What a fine song. It seems you harbor pent-up resentment, Senior. Might you tell me of it?"
Nie Yun approached with a smile.
"Hm?"
The old man was startled to see him, then broke into laughter. "Good, good! I never thought that after all these years, someone would find this place! Come, sit and drink!"
With that, the old man conjured a wine flask as if by magic and poured a cup. Before it even reached him, the fragrance of wine had already filled the air.
"Then I shall trouble you."
Nie Yun sat before the stone table, lifted the wine cup, and gave it a sniff. He could not help narrowing his eyes as he praised it from the heart. "Fine wine!"
Though he praised it aloud, he did not drink.
"Of course it is fine wine. I have treasured it for many years. Drink it, and I guarantee it will lift your spirits! What, will you not taste it?" The old man looked over.
"I will taste the fine wine in a moment. I merely passed by and wished to ask you, Senior, what place is this? Was I not in the Sword Pool just now? How did I