Wandering Songs at the Ends of the Earth

Chapter 1

Wandering the World

1. Traveling Song

Early autumn, dusk, by Mirror Lake, in Zui Dongfeng, the most bustling restaurant in Linzhou. The proprietress, Ruyi, swayed gracefully up to the top floor pavilion of the restaurant. On a small couch by the window, a boy who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old lay listlessly.

"Oh my, what's gotten into you this time?" Ruyi swayed in front of the young man, feigning a stare. "Could it be—this wandering has finally led to lovesickness?! Who is your beloved? How old are you? What kind of person do you look like…?"

"Hey beautiful, can you please stop shaking me like that?! It's making me dizzy!" the boy muttered in annoyance.

"Oh, this is my own creation, the 'Wind Swaying Willow Step.' Little Ge'er loved it when she was learning to dance!" Ruyi struck a pose as if she were the number one dancer in Linzhou back in the day.

"I'm not that old fox! What are you so smug about!"

"Old man... cough! It's been half a month since we last met. How is Zelang?" Ruyi feigned admiration and a slightly shy expression.

"I'm going to die!"

"ah!"

"Next time I see that old fox, I'll definitely..." The boy gestured fiercely with his hand.

"Little Ge, please have mercy! You continue here, I'll go down and check on things. It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival, time to count money until your hands are sore!" Ruyi was really annoyed by Xingge's words. She wondered what had happened to this master and disciple pair this time, and she slipped away while talking.

The boy watched the figure sway away. Ten years ago, the old fox saved Ruyi, the number one dancer in Linzhou. He then used some connections to settle Ruyi's enemies. Ruyi then brought in a famous chef named Ada, and together they opened this Zui Dongfeng restaurant. The boy had been exploited and forced to perform here since he was a child. He had been traveling freely for the past three years and had just returned. And now he's back again... That's bad enough, but there's something even worse... That old fox is such a villain!

I turned to look out the window. The setting sun dyed Mirror Lake red, a gentle breeze ruffled the autumn water, and red leaves fluttered in the wind... I felt depressed!

-----------------------------------------The Past of Xingge--------------------------------------

From the time Xingge became aware of things, she lived in the mountains near Linjia Town in Linzhou. There lived an old man and an old woman who always called themselves "Old Servant" and addressed Xingge as "Little Miss." There was also a young master named Ze who would appear at their home for three or four months of the year, whom Xingge habitually called Old Ze. Xingge knew that she had no blood relation with them, because the two graves they often took her to see were her biological father and mother.

There was a study in the house, which was where Lao Ze spent most of his time when he was home. Lao Ze was a refined and multi-talented man, especially skilled in calligraphy, painting, and playing the zither. He spent most of the year traveling the world with a narrow bundle. When he was at home, besides teaching Xing Ge, he would often sit in his study, playing the zither and reciting songs in front of a painting of a beautiful woman, sometimes whispering, sometimes lost in thought.

When Lao Ze was not at home, Xing Ge would occupy the study, and gradually discovered that there had been traces of four people in the study.

The first person was a man named Jing, and most of the items in the room bore his rubbings. There were also several collections of his own writings. The collection covered all sorts of subjects, from poetry appreciation to strategies for governing the country, women's grooming, palace construction, martial arts classics, medical texts, methods of discerning character… even sexual techniques. There was also a large cabinet in the room, specifically for storing exquisite mechanical tools, as well as many mechanical and engineering blueprints. Judging from the arrangement and style of the study, Jing was the original owner of the study.

Another signature is "Mei," which should belong to a woman. This woman and Jing were lovers. There are some of their love writings in the study, as well as a diary of Mei, which records Mei and Jing's daily life. The words reveal her to be a quirky and clever beauty.

The names of these two people are the same as the words on the tombstone.

The third one is Lao Ze. Lao Ze's belongings are displayed in a separate cabinet, mostly calligraphy, paintings, musical scores, and that long, narrow bundle...

The last one, the one Xingge felt was the most intimate, the most familiar, the most real, and the warmest. It was the beautiful woman in the picture that Lao Ze was staring at in a daze. This beauty had silently accompanied Xingge through decades of loneliness in the study, her watery eyes always gazing warmly at you from any direction. She always wore a gentle, bright, and radiant smile, making those who saw her feel as if they were surrounded by spring blossoms. However, apart from this picture, Xingge could only imagine the beauty's elegance from Lao Ze's music and gaze, and speculate about the past between the beauty and Lao Ze.

Xingge was exceptionally talented from a young age, praised by everyone in the village. However, Old Ze showed no delight. Sometimes, when he was tired of teaching Xingge, he would look at him with a mixture of blessing and curse, sighing, "So lifelike!" Xingge knew he was referring to the one in the grave, and felt displeased. Even if he resembled this annoying Old Ze, it was better than resembling a grave! Old Ze was, after all, alive! But Old Ze wasn't often home, so from a young age, Xingge was like dried seaweed soaking in a sea of books, aimlessly and indiscriminately absorbing knowledge, and even practicing some skills from the books. His grandparents often said, "So lifelike!"

Until she was seven, Xingge clearly remembered that it was a single-volume book with a black cover and white thread binding, telling the story of a wandering knight. One man, one horse, one zither, one sword, traveling the world.

When Xingge met Lao Ze again that year, he told Lao Ze that he wanted to be a chivalrous knight-errant with both courage and a heart of music in his life!

A strange light flashed in Lao Ze's eyes. He picked up the zither and slowly began to play a tune Xing Ge had never heard before. The music was gentle and soothing, like silk threads slowly lingering in his heart, carrying joy, longing, and melancholy... the blazing sun, the bright moon, the vast ocean, the boundless grasslands, from the highest heavens to the deepest hells... birth, old age, sickness, and death; joyful encounters, resentful meetings, loving separations, and unfulfilled desires...

Xingge felt a surge of heat rush to his heart. The music stopped for a long time, and he still couldn't produce a single note. He only wanted to follow this old man to the ends of the earth.

Old Ze looked at Xing Ge quietly, then chuckled softly, "Don't want to stay here anymore? Want to wander the world from now on? Fine! I'll help you!"

Six years later, Xingge finally realized—he had been fooled!

Six years

Old Ze said that a wandering knight must be proficient in martial arts, practicing diligently through the coldest winters and hottest summers. At the same time, he helped Zui Dongfeng sweep away all sorts of shady characters.

Lao Ze said that a wandering knight-errant must be proficient in music, singing, and dancing, and also serve as a musician and dancer in Zui Dongfeng.

Old Ze said that even wandering knights need to eat, and a gentleman loves money but acquires it in a proper way. He sang as he went... while also working as an accountant at Zui Dongfeng.

Old Ze said that a wandering knight is alone and must know how to take care of himself, and that singing... is the second chef of Zui Dongfeng.

Lao Ze said that a chivalrous knight-errant should be erudite and sing while traveling... As a result, everyone in Linzhou knew that Zui Dongfeng had a living history book.

Old Ze said the wandering knights still need...

As Ruyi counted the silver notes, she said, "Zelang! This little Ge is truly amazing; he can do anything!"

While enjoying the food, Ada said, "Young Master Ze, my culinary skills have finally been passed on. Little Ge'er has truly surpassed her master!"

The elderly couple passed away one after another, each holding Old Ze's hand before they left: "Young Master Ze, thanks to your excellent training, our young lady is so outstanding. We can finally give an explanation to Young Master Jing..."

Xingge roared, "You old fox!!! Six years ago, you took advantage of my youth and used 'Wandering the World' to lure me in... I worked for nothing for six years! I wanted to be a wandering knight-errant, not the top courtesan of Zui Dongfeng!!!"

Old Ze chuckled inwardly. Six years to realize! He still spoke sincerely, "Xingge! You've finally found yourself. My martial arts and cultivation can no longer guide you. You can go to the people on this list one by one and hand over these tokens. Remember not to get the order wrong. They will make you more like a wandering knight. You can come back in three years to see if you can become a qualified wandering knight!"

Xingge pondered for a moment, then took the roster and the token. "I will first go to Yanshan to ask for something I need."

"You've taken a fancy to that old devil's thing?!" This was unexpected for Lao Ze. He narrowed his phoenix eyes and chuckled, "I've always disliked that old devil. It'll be difficult for him to find out you're my disciple! Your 'Sea Moon' isn't good enough for you?"

"You old fox, you want to enslave me for another ten years with 'Sea Moon', don't you!" Xingge smiled strangely, and Lao Ze felt a chill run down his spine.

The next day, Xingge, dressed as a young man, headed towards Yanshan.

2. Famous musical instruments and precious swords

Since ancient times, a true hero must have a famous zither and a precious sword by his side!

Famous zithers in this dynasty include Haiyue, Feipu, and Li Sao.

The Sea Moon and Flying Waterfall were palace treasures in the previous dynasty, and should logically remain in the palace in this dynasty as well. That old fox must have obtained the Sea Moon through some unknown means, and then concealed the inscription on the soundboard, making it so that only those skilled in such arts can discern its sound. It's unlikely that Ruyi and Ada even knew it was the Sea Moon; this old fox is trying to lure them with this. How hateful!

The most legendary is the "Li Sao," a zither typically made with a paulownia wood top and a catalpa wood bottom, lacquered in black or chestnut color, with inscriptions on the body. This zither, however, is made of century-old red ebony wood, covered with clear lacquer, its entire body gleaming red, without any inscriptions. It has been passed down through generations in the martial arts world, and whoever possesses this zither is known as the "Zither Demon." The succession is determined by the current Zither Demon choosing the next successor at a certain time, and this current "Zither Demon" resides in Yanshan.

Equally renowned as the "Qin Demon" is the "Xiao Immortal," whose flute is named "Tianwen." The title of "Xiao Immortal" was already held by a fifteen-year-old boy two years before Xingge arrived at Yanshan. The old "Qin Demon" must be getting anxious, Xingge thought, a smile spreading across his face.

Upon arriving at Yanshan, he revealed the old fox's name, and sure enough! The next day, Xingge, dressed in red with flowing hair, encountered the Old Qin Demon sitting on a stone wall by a spring. The Old Qin Demon had white hair but a youthful face, dressed in red, with a crimson qin on his lap, playing a tune called "Flowing Water," its melody eerie. Surprisingly, an old man in white robes sat beside him, his demeanor ethereal and otherworldly.

Xingge was about to bow when the music stopped abruptly. "No need, little one. Are you really that Ze boy's apprentice?"

Xingge bowed and said, "Indeed, this junior Xingge greets Master Qinmo."

"Ze, you can't bear to part with that 'Sea Moon'? So you try to scheme against my 'Li Sao'!!"

"Coming to Yanshan was Xingge's own idea; his master was against it."

"oh?!"

"The master thought that his disciple's request for 'Li Sao' was an insult to the sect..."

"snort!"

"Xingge believes that 'Li Sao' surpasses 'Hai Yue' in both sound and form, and its centuries-old tradition and lofty intent far exceed those of the Gongqin!" Xingge chuckled inwardly. Oh well, old fox, sorry!

"It's rare for someone so young to understand such profound principles." The old Qin Demon praised him, but then changed the subject, "Then why did you become that boy's disciple?"

“Xingge is an orphan, raised by my master since childhood. I cannot go against my master’s kindness…” Xingge’s face was sad, and he thought to himself: Old fox, I have wronged you in order to obtain the precious zither.

"Hahaha, if Ze knew what you said, he'd be furious... hahaha... little brat, you really dare to say that! But I love your treacherous spirit of betraying your master for 'Li Sao'. Your master has already written a letter saying a few good words for you. Come, let this old man hear your zither skills." With that, he tossed the "Li Sao" to Xingge.

Xingge caught it safely, thinking to himself, "That damned old fox really did use a dirty trick!" But thankfully, the Old Qin Demon was wild and unrestrained, much more lovable than that fox!

Calm your mind, place the zither on your lap, raise your hand and strum the strings, the music echoing through the mountain stream...

After the piece ended, the old Qin Demon said in a deep voice after a long silence, "It is Ze's good fortune to have a disciple like you..." After another long pause, he continued, "This piece, 'Wandering the World,' was composed by your master. Back then, it was truly moving and unforgettable, but after that, he developed a deep obsession and could no longer play it with the same brilliance... Now, at your age, you play this piece so beautifully, truly embodying the spirit of the Qin Demon! Haha, very good! You will stay here for three months, and I will teach you some more techniques. This 'Li Sao' is yours!"

Xingge was overjoyed, and smiled unrestrainedly, "Xingge greets Master 'The Demon of the Qin'!"

"Old brother, look at my androgynous disciple, whose aura is like a demon. How does she compare to your beautiful and ethereal Ran'er?" The old Qin Demon turned his head and smiled provocatively at the white-robed old man who had remained silent.

Xingge immediately realized that the old man in white must be the former "Xiao Immortal," and stood up to bow: "Greetings, Immortal Xiao!"

Old Xiao Xian smiled faintly, "Little devil, this time the old devil has someone to play with!"

In the days that followed, Xingge lived a very carefree life, entertaining his family with colorful clothes, sweet words, fine wine and delicacies, and coaxing the old Qin Demon to teach him all his skills. He even used this to coerce and entice the old Xiao Immortal to admit that he, a little devil who was neither male nor female and came from all walks of life, was much more considerate than that handsome and jade-like woman!

March passed in the blink of an eye, and with just one sentence, a mark was left on Xingge's heart.

"What is most important for a qin player? It's not the act of burning incense and purifying oneself, not the famous qin on the table, not the skillful hands that play the qin. It's here." The old qin demon pressed a palm to his chest.

Finally, Xingge presented each of the two elders with a wind-driven massage chair. With the smiling words of the old Daoxian and the tearful embrace of the old Qinmo, he carried the "Li Sao" down Yanshan Mountain, taking the register and tokens to ask for favors.

After three years of wandering, Xingge finally discovered that the old fox was actually quite well-connected. He had connections with five martial arts sects, two powerful merchant guilds, an academy, and even a brothel… Wherever he went, he was treated with great hospitality, and everyone readily granted his requests. Xingge, of course, didn't stand on ceremony, accepting everything he could learn with a smile. These people didn't inquire about Xingge's origins, wholeheartedly teaching him, making Xingge understand that in the martial world, personal relationships are truly crucial!

On his return journey, the handsome sixteen-year-old young man sailed down the river to Linzhou. He was overjoyed at the thought that if he could get that precious sword back, he could travel the world from then on!

Speaking of the finest swords of our time, Xingge has long had his eye on one.

Legend has it that in a past life, a pair of martial arts masters, a couple who had weathered many storms, decided to retire from the martial world and become a pair of wandering heroes. They commissioned a master swordsmith, renowned for his unparalleled skill, to forge two nameless swords, one white and one black, from white steel and black iron. They then used blood as a sacrifice. These swords appeared unremarkable, except that they would change color and become incredibly powerful after being soaked in blood, perfectly suited to the couple's desire for seclusion. Because the swords were indistinguishable by appearance, and because almost everyone who witnessed them soaking in blood, except for their wielders, died instantly, their provenance has remained a mystery throughout the ages. The swords have only been seen a few times in hundreds of years. Later generations called the white sword "Morning Crimson" because it glowed like the morning sun after being soaked in blood, and the black sword "Night Crimson" because it turned as red as a crimson ribbon in the night. The twin swords last appeared twenty-six years ago during the Southern Frontier Campaign. At that time, a young couple fought alongside the army against the Southern Barbarians. The dazzling light and murderous aura of the two red swords shook the battlefield. After the great victory, the Southern Frontier was at peace, and the two heroes and their two swords never appeared again, their whereabouts unknown.

Xingge's heart belonged to the "Chaodan" sword, but its whereabouts are unknown! Hehe!

Three years later, in the study, the beauty in the painting still smiled. Oh, beauty, how captivating you were back then! I longed for you! After greeting the beauty, Xingge turned and sat opposite Lao Ze at the desk. Lao Ze hadn't changed much since Xingge could remember; he remained elegant and refined. But today, his usually unassuming phoenix eyes held complex emotions. On the desk lay the long, narrow bundle Lao Ze always carried. He gently stroked it, murmuring, "Wan'er, Wan'er, are you satisfied with this little devil, Xingge? She'll grant your wish, won't she…?"

Xingge had rehearsed this scene in his mind a million times. He bowed to the portrait of the beauty and said, "Aunt Wan, whatever your wish is, Xingge will definitely fulfill it for you!"

"Do you still remember what you said to your teacher when you were seven years old? That was also Wan'er's wish. She couldn't fulfill it, but you can, right?" Old Ze looked at Xing Ge with a complicated expression.

"able!"

Old Ze paused, seemingly having pondered for a long time, and slowly said, "Ge'er, when your Aunt Wan passed away, there was only one person she couldn't let go of. This person had a wish. Before you begin your life as a wandering knight, would you please go and help him fulfill his wish? That way, Wan'er can rest easy over there."

"good!"

"You make such a promise so easily?!"

"If I break my promise, I'll... I'll... I'll... But that person might not want my help!"

“Ge’er, no one can stop you from doing what you truly want to do!” Old Ze frowned unhappily.

"Very well! I swear this oath in the name of chivalry! If I break this oath, may I never be a chivalrous knight in this lifetime!"

“Then I can rest assured. Go find this old lady, she will tell you about the person you need to help and the background of the matter,” Lao Ze wrote a few words on a piece of paper and handed it to Xing Ge. “Ge’er, I have given you everything I can. Tomorrow I will start to wander the world and not come back. Ge’er, take care…” Lao Ze’s eyes seemed to be filled with tenderness.

Xingge thought that although Old Ze had his faults, the kindness of raising and teaching him for more than ten years was genuine. Now that they were parting, he didn't know when they would meet again. His throat tightened, and his eyes welled up with tears. "Master..."

Old Ze smiled, waved his hand, and turned to leave the study.

Xingge was somewhat depressed due to the sorrow of parting, but after opening the bundle on the table, joy immediately welled up in her heart. A white sword lay quietly on the table, with no special features on its surface...

The next morning, Lao Ze set off on his travels, lightly dressed. Xing Ge also arrived in Zui Dong Feng, Linzhou, carrying a zither and a sword.

"Little Ge'er, I've missed you so much... Three years! You've really blossomed into a dragon among men!" As soon as Ruyi saw Xingge, she rushed over like a swallow, hugged Xingge in her arms, and looked her over carefully.