Der Gipfel der Kampfkunstwelt

Kapitel 8

Two pairs of legs tread through the years to pursue perfection.

No regrets about our departure and never coming back.

Who are you, stained by the clear light of the sun and moon?

Who am I to have drunk the waters of the Milky Way?

Taking advantage of their drunkenness, they went to the mortal world to experience a period of turmoil.

Next time, we'll meet again across mountains and rivers.

We are separated by rivers and mountains, a distance of 108,000 miles.

I met you in a land that didn't belong to me.

It was fate or coincidence that made us brothers.

It's that kind of intangible understanding that you can only hope to encounter.

"Good! Zhijin... no, Duanjin, you always seem to have many unexpected talents... This song, and that piece in the play, both seem different from the ordinary, truly... wonderful! Did you compose this piece?"

Although Queyue has sung other songs and ditties, even those that are commonplace, they still demonstrate her high level of skill in that area. However, the arrangements in these two pieces are so superb and unexpected that they are unheard of.

Queyue put down her pipa and smiled faintly, "Adi flatters me. I could never compose such a free and unrestrained piece. It was all taught to me by my sisters in the past."

"Your sister is truly an extraordinary woman... If I ever have the chance, I must meet her!"

The crescent moon smiles silently. Opportunity, it seems, is elusive.

She adjusted her pipa and continued leisurely—

A pair of birds meet in the sky

A glass of wine can dilute right and wrong.

Two pairs of legs have traversed thousands of mountains and rivers without ever getting tired.

Even if we don't meet in a foreign land

Who is it that would stand by me through thick and thin?

Who am I to open my heart to you?

The legends of the world shatter in the blink of an eye with a gust of wind...

Suddenly, a burst of applause interrupted the music, and the crescent moon stopped again. A large ship was slowly approaching on the lake, and several people on the deck were looking towards the source of the music, wondering who was playing such celestial music.

"Excellent! Young master, your skills are truly remarkable!"

A tall, slender man in his thirties praised the performance. Queyue and Adi noticed that although he was old, his appearance remained serene and refined, his demeanor transcendent, as if he were a recluse untouched by worldly affairs. The other passengers on the boat were dressed in vibrant colors, creating a scene of dazzling beauty, like springtime. The boat was also piled high with musical instruments, clearly indicating that it was a typical music troupe from Shuiyue City on a rehearsal and performance tour. The two men didn't stand on ceremony, bowing gracefully, "Thank you for the compliment!"

At this moment, another laugh rang out, and an old man with a long beard stepped out from among the group, laughing heartily, "Hahaha, I've been a musician for many years, and this is the first time I've heard such a novel and interesting tune. Would you two be so kind as to have a friendly exchange on the boat and enjoy the scenery of the lake together?"

The two exchanged a glance and both felt there was nothing wrong with it. They were simply going on a whim anyway, so why not accept the invitation?

"In that case, thank you for the invitation, sir."

The other boat came over with a plank, and Adi pulled Queyue onto the boat. The old man from before laughed and said, "I am the troupe leader of the Dance and Music Hall, and people call me Rong Lao'er. This is Yi Moran, the owner of Shuiyue Qinlou."

"I've heard so much about you." Adi and Queyue bowed, and Yi Moran returned the bow with a faint "You're too kind."

Shuiyue is famous for its mountains and rivers, and even more so for its songs and dances. In the Shuiyue song and dance world, everyone knows "Qinlou," and some have even said that Qinlou's songs are the best in Cangzhou. They had also heard of this dance and music troupe; among the various dance and music groups in Shuiyue, although it wasn't the largest or the most famous, it had the best reputation.

"It's a rare treat that our Dance and Music Hall and the Qin Lou group have enjoyed a boat trip and conversation together today, and to hear such celestial music! The flute and pipa playing are both of superb skill. We are fortunate to have met two such accomplished individuals. May we ask how we should address them?"

"I dare not accept such praise. My name is Adi, and this is Duan Jin."

"Alright, please, both of you."

The people on the ship laughed and jokingly ushered them onto the deck. At a glance, the spacious ship had several low tables, laden with fruits, desserts, fragrant tea, and sweet drinks, along with various musical instruments, scattered casually yet not cluttered. Clearly, the atmosphere here was quite lively before they encountered them.

There were men and women on the boat, all of them young and beautiful, like flowers in full bloom, laughing and joking like nightingales. They were not at all shy or awkward around strangers. They ushered them to their seats and then sat down themselves.

After everyone was seated, it was Old Man Rong who spoke again: "I was just about to have my son perform a newly created dance, so please join us, dear guests, for your appreciation and guidance."

A boy, about fourteen or fifteen years old, stood up and walked to the center in response to Old Man Rong's words. He had fair and delicate skin, large, dark eyes, and long, curled eyelashes that fluttered, making him instantly likable.

A woman in a pink dress sitting next to Adi and Queyue chuckled and whispered to them, "He is Liu Zhi, the youngest among those in our dance troupe who have already performed on stage..."

They had heard of this name before. As the young man's silk dance was breathtakingly beautiful, Old Man Rong selected several more people to perform, offering his critique and guidance along with the rest of his dance troupe and the musicians from the brothel. Throughout, the woman in pink kindly explained things to them and occasionally refilled their tea. Adi seemed quite familiar with their carefree and joyful lifestyle, responding naturally and comfortably. Queyue, however, had never seen anything like it. Due to her past missions, she had encountered many people of the night—some suffering, some finding joy in hardship, some utterly depraved and drifting with the tide, laughing and merrily—but she had never seen such a relaxed, harmonious, and cheerful group. They seemed completely enjoying themselves, without the slightest reluctance or unwillingness. Anyone immersed in their joy seemed to gradually be infected by it.

Chapter Sixteen

Queyue gradually noticed that it seemed to be Rong Lao'er who was always speaking, while Yi Moran, who was also the master of the first floor, just smiled faintly, occasionally giving a few pointers to the performers, and then watching with a smile.

She couldn't help but pay more attention, vaguely recalling the owner of Qinlou, who seemed to have a chronic illness and hadn't been seen much in recent years.

The man, with a calm smile and a touch of languor and weariness, sat behind the low table. Although he was nearly thirty, his appearance still revealed his unparalleled elegance, like the first wisp of morning mist in a verdant bamboo forest, ethereal and otherworldly. Even his slightly pale complexion and lips could not conceal his charm.

Noticing that "Duan Jin" was looking at him, he simply smiled slightly and nodded, showing no discomfort whatsoever.

"Gentlemen, I wonder if you've come to Shuiyue for sightseeing or for business?" Old Man Rong asked cheerfully. Adi replied with a smile, "We're just wandering around and looking around; we don't have any particular destination in mind."

"Haha, that's great! It's a rare opportunity to meet you both, and these children appreciate your talents so much. Why don't you stay at my place for a while, so the children can have another chance to learn from you two? What do you say?"

"In that case, we'll have to trouble the old man."

"Not at all, not at all. My neighborhood is always bustling with people. The children are very happy that you two young gentlemen have graced us with your presence, hahaha..." The old man was in good spirits and laughed heartily, making one feel that being too polite would seem awkward.

Queyue never imagined she would have this kind of life, so carefree and spontaneous, going wherever she pleased, so relaxed and at ease. It seems that being with Adi has even made her catch his lazy, carefree attitude.

The lake cruise was truly enjoyable, and even as they returned in the evening, they were still reluctant to leave. Several young men and women, some from the brothel and some from the dance hall, kept pestering Adi and Queyue for tips. Although the boat carried both dance troupes and musicians, the dance hall members made up the majority of the passengers. Seeing how much the children wanted to continue, Old Man Rong consulted with the owner of the clothing store, and they decided that the people from the brothel could also stay at the dance hall for a while, and then return home satisfied.

Shuiyue City covers a vast area, and the Dance and Music Hall and Qinlou are quite far apart. Since it's close to the Dance Hall and it's currently the off-season, the Master of the Clothing Pavilion didn't refuse. Seeing the disciples' happy expressions upon hearing the news, he simply smiled with a faint sense of satisfaction, a calm and serene smile, yet tinged with a hint of detachment.

This man, though physically weak, possessed an charm that was in no way diminished. Mature and reliable, he seemed destined to always quietly stand by, providing a safe haven for his followers. Even Queyue couldn't help but notice him often, finding it hard not to perceive the kind of magnanimous aura about him that made people want to rely on him and immerse themselves in his presence.

Back at the dance and music hall, the girls happily arranged accommodations for Adi, Queyue, and the people from Qinlou. After half a day of interaction, Queyue had gained a slight understanding of the dance and music hall and the people from Qinlou.

The dance and music troupe's leader, Old Man Rong, was a cheerful and easygoing man who indulged the young children in his troupe, making them all friendly and outgoing. They were known for their playful antics, often disrespecting even Old Man Rong. The people of Qinlou, however, were slightly different. Although equally young and energetic, they held their master, Master Yi, in high esteem. Master Yi was kind and gentle, but also of quiet nature and slightly unwell. He never joined in the children's antics, preferring to watch them play quietly, seemingly content with that alone. Therefore, the difference in their positions among their respective disciples was quite clear.

Although the dance hall was spacious, the rooms were quite crowded with so many people coming in at once. Queyue, disguised as Duan Jin and dressed as a man, was assigned to a room with Adi. Just as they were settled, a rainbow-like cloud floated into the room, playfully leading them on a tour.

Queyue and Adi were dazzled and pulled outside, where others were already waiting with the Qinlou people, heading out to various parts of the neighborhood to enjoy the sights. Among them, the "Rainbow Clouds" who had just been to their room were particularly eye-catching—a group of seven women dressed in different colored dresses: pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. They were among the highest-ranking disciples in the dance and music troupe, managing everything except for Old Man Rong. Their colorful skirts, reflecting the vibrant flowers and willows in the courtyard, created a dazzling display of color, a stark contrast to the predominantly pink, green, and white attire of the Qinlou troupe.

Queyue didn't think there was anything wrong with the diverse styles of dresses at the dance hall; they were beautiful, but she personally preferred the uniform blue dresses with their more subdued colors at Qinlou.

Since the woman in the pink dress had been greeting them from the boat, they were already quite familiar with each other, so they naturally walked beside Queyue and Adi. Although Queyue knew that Shuiyue valued singing and dancing, she hadn't expected the dance hall to be so vast. In addition to the stage and seating in the front yard, the living quarters and practice areas in the back yard, there were also large gardens and woods. The peach and cherry blossoms were in full bloom in the woods, and the trees and flowers were in full bloom, vying for attention.

The woman in the pink dress, named Xiao Tao, saw Que Yue gazing at the scenery in a daze and suggested with a smile, "It's getting late today, and we can't fully appreciate the scenery here. I suppose we won't be able to open the stage tomorrow either. How about we set up a banquet in the woods tomorrow, so everyone can continue the feast that wasn't finished on the boat, with fine wine and delicious food, and have a great time?"

Upon hearing this, everyone readily agreed, and with suggestions coming one after another, a rough plan was quickly reached. They then arranged to meet early the next morning and went to rest.

Xiao Tao escorted them back to their rooms, and before leaving, she hesitated slightly, softly calling out, "Young Master Di, Young Master Duan..."

"Hmm? Is there anything else, Xiao Tao?" Adi responded with a smile, his warm smile gentle and kind. Xiao Tao was slightly distracted by his smile, but suddenly felt a little unnatural. She smiled and said, "Nothing, you two young masters should rest early. There's probably more fun to come tomorrow."

"Thank you for your care, Miss Xiaotao."

Xiao Tao smiled and left.

As they watched the door close, Adi and Queyue exchanged a knowing glance—Xiaotao seemed to have something to say just now? But why did she stop?

It probably isn't anything important...

"Let's get some rest early. You sleep in the bed, and I'll sleep on the couch. We'll probably have to get up very early tomorrow."

Queyue seemed a little uncomfortable. While this carefree and indulgent lifestyle was wonderful, it always felt unreal to her… She had never truly imagined that such a life could belong to her. “Adi, is this really okay for us… to just keep having fun like this?”

Adi suddenly laughed and teased, "Zhijin, are you destined to be a busybody too? Don't worry, there's nothing waiting for us to do anyway. We have money and time, so we can just go wherever we want and have fun. Don't think too much about it."

She really wanted to be as carefree and easygoing as Ah Di. She smiled helplessly. Indeed... although such a life was too wonderful for her to bear, making her feel like she was in a dream, she could live one day at a time, just like Ah Di, without having to think too much.

Episodes 17-18

The next morning, Xiao Tao came to wake them up early. Her slightly curved eyebrows and smiling eyes were always endearing.

"The two young masters are already up? Please come with me. The banquet and table have been set up early this morning, waiting for everyone to take their seats."

"A stage? Why do we need to set up a stage?" Adi asked casually, and Xiaotao just smiled sweetly, "You'll see when we get there."

When Adi and Queyue arrived in the forest, they learned that someone had leaked the news that Qinlou and the dance troupe were going to have a banquet to exchange singing and dancing skills. As a result, several larger music halls were eager to join in, and in the end, even officials and nobles were alerted and came along. Since the Shuiyue region revered singing, dancing, and music, various events and performances were common, and it was common for county magistrates and nobles to host or be guests. Therefore, no one felt constrained by the arrival of the officials and nobles; on the contrary, the scene became more and more lively. In the end, due to the large number of people, it was changed to each music hall and dance troupe only sending a few representatives to sit at the table.

A simple private banquet was turned into such a grand affair. Queyue felt that their public appearances were inappropriate, but Adi just smiled and said, "Is everything alright? Probably..." If there was something wrong, they could figure something out later.

Queyue had no choice but to sit down without any problem.

Because of the presence of distinguished guests, the dance performance was obviously much more grand than yesterday. The first to take the stage were Xiao Tao and Teng Lan in a purple dress. Someone carried a huge drum onto the stage and laid it on its side. The two small and slender girls were dancing a drum dance.

The two women were barefoot, with ribbons wrapped around their calves, disappearing into the hem of their skirts.

That drum was so big that even a strong man striking it with all his might would only produce a dull thud. Yet, when two girls jumped onto it, each step they took on the drumhead produced a resounding boom. It's hard to say whether this was due to skill or the result of years of practice.

Two figures leaped and intertwined on the drum, ribbons fluttering. Their petite and graceful figures blended with the powerful drumbeats, creating a striking beauty from the contrast. As soon as the music stopped, the drumming ceased, and thunderous applause erupted. The dignitaries in the audience were full of praise, and the heads of several dance troupes offered their comments and guidance.

Queyue had no idea that the atmosphere in Shuiyue was so open.

Yesterday, due to limited space on the ship, the variety of dances performed was limited, but today's performance was breathtaking. Having practiced dance for many years, I watched attentively and learned a great deal from the performances. Just as I was engrossed in the show, I suddenly heard someone mention my name.

"If we're talking about masters of traditional performing arts, then Brothers Adi and Duan Jin are certainly no less deserving of the title. Especially after hearing Young Master Duan's celestial music yesterday, it still lingers in my ears..."

"Oh? If that's the case, why not invite Young Master Duan and Young Master Di to play a tune as well?"

The others chimed in, and Queyue couldn't refuse. Turning her head, she saw that Adi had a rare look of schadenfreude on his face, and he urged her to go up and show herself.

She rose gracefully and said with a gentle smile, "Since some of you have already heard the pipa yesterday, I, Duan, will now make a fool of myself and present a song and dance. Please, Adi, play the music."

Old Man Rong exclaimed in admiration, "Excellent! I never imagined Young Master Duan was so talented. Please—"

Adi glanced at Queyue with slight surprise, not at all surprised that she had dragged him into the mess, as if asking: Are you alright?

She nodded slightly, indicating that he didn't need to worry. After continuous treatment, her injury was much better than when she replaced Raoran to perform the dance last time. Although her muscles and bones still occasionally ached, she could still move around. Besides, her priority was singing, and dancing was secondary. She would carefully consider this performance and avoid hurting her muscles and bones.

"Could you please lend me a fan?"

Old Man Rong immediately ordered someone to bring over a fan. A handsome young man in white stood amidst the peach blossoms, while Adi sat beside the zither and asked in a low voice, "What tune should we play?"

Do you still remember the song I danced at the banquet for the young prince?

Adi paused. He certainly remembered it; being a master of music, he wouldn't forget a piece he'd heard even once, let alone one so deeply etched in his memory. However, that piece was extremely tender and seductive; how could he possibly portray Queyue, dressed in men's clothing?

As the music began, Crescent Moon, like a young opera singer, gave a slight bow and gently unfolded his folding fan—