The courtyard of the man known as the Slaughter Sword Lord.
The plaintive strains of an erhu drifted from the pavilion.
Qin Wuyi was wholly immersed in that emotional state, feeling only that life was tragic and absurd, and the world full of suffering.
Inside the pavilion, Ning Qingshu, Mo Qingyu, and the servants and disciples attending nearby were also listening intently to the music. Some seemed moved by the emotions in its strains, weeping aloud.
After a long while, the erhu fell silent.
Qin Wuyi sighed deeply. "One tune rends the heart and guts; where beneath the boundless heavens can I find a kindred soul?"
"Elegant. Truly elegant."
Ning Qingshu and Mo Qingyu exchanged glances, offering praise of uncertain sincerity.
"Very well. As long as the arrangements at Mist Swamp are settled, there was no need for you two to make a special trip."
Qin Wuyi put away his erhu.
"We ought to report the specific arrangements to you, Senior Brother Qin. Rest assured, this time we've pooled all three groups' strength. Whether manpower, money, supplies, or effort, we're holding nothing back. Once the trial begins, we'll find the Red-Scaled Fish Demon for you at the earliest opportunity and help you seize first place!"
Ning Qingshu spoke.
"Of course I trust you on that."
Qin Wuyi nodded slightly.
Only someone of his caliber could contend with a Great Demon level monster.
If the Immortal Light Society, the Mysterious Radiance Society, and the Taiyi Pavilion swarmed it together, it was not beyond their ability to deal with it, but the price would be far too heavy.
If a hostile force hampered them even slightly and caused their strategy to fail, the three groups, already gripped by unease, might never recover from the setback, or might even disband.
He believed that