Una sonrisa puede derribar una ciudad

Capítulo 3

A familiar, clear, and enchanting voice entered Ning Lang's ears. He couldn't help but look in the direction of the voice. Ten steps ahead, there was a building with three large vermilion characters on the plaque: "Yu Lin Lou".

"Yunwu, Yunwu, I've come to see you."

The voice rang out again, gently stirring the heart, and Ning Lang couldn't help but walk over.

The first thing you see is a spacious hall, filled with luxurious gold and jade. A pale yellow figure stands quietly in the hall, head slightly raised. Even from behind, his handsome appearance is beyond description.

Everyone in the hall, whether male or female, who were singing, playing instruments, or laughing, turned their heads to look, their faces filled with astonishment and fascination. Meanwhile, the doors upstairs opened one after another with a bang, and slender figures in red, green, blue, and purple emerged one after another, their hair uncombed, their clothes half-open, their shoes bare, and the shouts behind them... completely ignoring all of that.

"Seventh Young Master! It's Seventh Young Master!"

"Seventh Young Master, we've finally seen you again!"

"Seventh Young Master, you've finally arrived!"

"Seventh Young Master... Seventh Young Master..."

The hall was filled with the chirping of birds and the graceful dance of women, but the man merely tilted his head slightly, glanced at her, and the hall fell silent, followed by sighs.

A melodious voice, as beautiful as a celestial being's, rang out at that moment: "Seventh Young Master..."

The lingering, melancholic melody carried boundless emotions. Before the sound had even faded, a figure in emerald green leaped lightly from the vermilion railing, plummeting down like a swallow losing its wings.

"Ah!" Everyone in the building exclaimed in surprise, and some of the more timid people closed their eyes.

"Yunwu." That soft call sounded like a lover's murmur in the middle of the night, unintentional yet most sincere, how could anyone not be moved? The slender, pale yellow figure floated up lightly, and in mid-air, he reached out and embraced the slender waist of the beauty in green. With the fluttering of his clothes, he landed gracefully like a fairy descending to earth.

"Ah!" This time, a chorus of exclamations filled the hall. "Seventh Young Master! Seventh Young Master! I want one too!" Every beauty in the building wished she were the one being embraced by the Seventh Young Master.

With a flick of his finger, Seventh Young Master silenced the shouting.

"Seventh Young Master, you've finally come to see Yunwu." The stunningly beautiful woman looked up at the person before her, captivated by his shimmering, watery eyes.

Seventh Young Master smiled and said in a charming voice, "I've come to see you."

"You've finally come." Yunwu closed her eyes and nestled close to his shoulder, wishing this moment could last forever.

The room was filled with envy and jealousy.

"It's been a long time since I've heard Yunwu play the flute. I really miss it," Seventh Young Master said softly, gently supporting Yunwu.

Upon hearing this, Yunwu raised her head and softly said, "The jade flute plays every night, awaiting only your arrival."

Seventh Young Master stretched out his right hand, and a white jade fan opened like the moon. He slowly said, "'Xiao Ningbi, a person as beautiful as jade, may she be as beautiful as the moon in the sky,' Yun Wu, please play a tune for me."

“Okay.” Yunwu led him upstairs.

Standing in front of the stairs, Seventh Young Master suddenly turned around, his gaze fixed on the doorway.

In that instant, Ning Lang only heard a loud "thump!" and it took him a long time to realize that it was his own heartbeat.

Seventh Young Master slightly waved his jade fan, covered his lips with a smile, glanced around, and then went back upstairs.

Perhaps the distance was too great, or perhaps the time spent looking back was too short, Ning Lang did not see the person's face clearly, but he was captivated by those eyes.

I've heard that the water in Tianhu Lake at the top of Jiulun Mountain is the clearest and purest water in the world, formed from melting snow and ice that fell from the heavens.

I've heard that the cold jade from the Kunwu Canglei Abyss is the greenest and purest jade in the world, formed from the spiritual energy gathered at the bottom of the abyss.

Those eyes are like the jade of Kunwu, immersed in the Heavenly Lake of Jiulun.

But that's not all.

When he was a child, on summer nights when he was enjoying the cool air, his mother would tell him stories while fanning him with a bamboo fan. The stories were full of demons and monsters hidden in the deep mountains and ancient forests. They would often steal a person's soul with just one glance, causing them to either become infatuated or die.

Those shimmering blue eyes possessed an independent soul, and... it was the soul of a demon.

Ning Lang, new to the martial world, was unfamiliar with everything. Therefore, he did not know that his pair of green eyes were unique in the martial world, nor could he associate them with the famous name that was known throughout the martial world.

"Young Master Ning, Young Master Ning!"

Hearing the shouts suddenly, Ning Lang was startled, as if waking from a dream. He realized that he had been holding his breath for a long time, and now he felt a dull pain in his chest.

"Young Master Ning, this is what Seventh Young Master asked me to give you." A pretty young maid handed him a brocade bag.

"Huh? For me?" Ning Lang took it in surprise, opened it, and was immediately stunned. Wasn't this the thing he had left at the Nie residence? The money pouch and medicine bottle were all there, and there was also a small brocade pouch. He opened the pouch and found a few gold leaves inside. He counted them and there were exactly seven leaves, no more and no less. There were also some kind of mark engraved on the tips of the leaves.

"Young Master Ning, have you counted everything? Nothing is missing, right?" The little girl's eyes were fixed on his face, scrutinizing him closely, as if she were very curious about him.

"These aren't mine." Ning Lang honestly handed the seven gold leaves and the brocade pouch to the little girl.

"Oh, this is a gift from Seventh Young Master, please accept it." The little girl smiled and pushed the gold leaf back.

"Seventh Young Master?" Ning Lang asked in confusion, as he didn't seem to know such a person.

But the young girl did not answer, only saying, "This servant has completed her mission, young hero, please go ahead." After saying that, she turned and left.

Ning Lang was left standing blankly at the door, holding the gold leaf in his hand. After a long while, he suddenly remembered the person hidden in the bamboo curtain in the Nie Mansion. He remembered that Nie Chongyuan called him "Seventh Young Master".

"So it was him." Ning Lang slowly turned around, holding the cloth bag, and said in a cryptic tone, "So he's a man."

Part Two: A Child Like a Blue Lotus (Part 1)

June is the time when the summer sun is at its hottest.

Ning Lang, having traveled for half a day, looked around, hoping to find a shady spot to rest. However, in this desolate wilderness, there wasn't even a large tree; all he could see were barren hills and a muddy road cracked by the scorching sun. Just as he was feeling helpless, a melody of a zither reached his ears, and he immediately perked up. Where there's sound, there must be people; where there are people, there's likely a house. He thought, "Why not go and ask for a drink of water and buy some dry rations? I'm very hungry." With that thought, he followed the sound of the zither.

The sound of the zither was extremely faint. Ning Lang worried that the sound would stop before he could find it, so he used his lightness skill to fly away. However, after flying for a long time, he still did not see anyone. After crossing another hill, he came to a lush forest with houses hidden in the woods. He was overjoyed and immediately rushed into the forest.

As the music drew closer, its clear melody filled the air. The tune was simple, yet its beauty was boundless. Every so often, a sharp "ding" would pierce the music, seemingly harmonizing with it, yet also attempting to abruptly cut it off—a subtle yet jarring contrast. With each note, Ning Lang felt a surge of restlessness, instinctively channeling his inner energy to resist it. But the moment he did, his blood and qi surged, his ears rang, and he felt dizzy. "Damn it!" he cried out in alarm. His internal energy was already surging uncontrollably. Just as he was in dire straits, the music abruptly stopped, and a clear, gentle voice sounded in his ear: "Calm your breath, stop your internal energy."

He immediately complied, and sure enough, his internal energy stopped churning, the tinnitus and dizziness gradually disappeared, and the zither music began to play softly again.

"Don't hurt others." A gentle voice faintly sounded, as if admonishing someone.

Ning Lang's curiosity grew even stronger. He completely forgot about his hunger and thirst and went deeper into the woods to see who was playing the zither.

Beyond the woods lay a bamboo grove, its dense, verdant shoots swaying gently in the breeze, instantly dispelling the oppressive heat and restlessness. The zither music remained clear and melodious, the sharp "ding" of the strings still rang out intermittently, but no longer made one's heart race.

After passing through the bamboo forest, a bright and beautiful scene suddenly appeared before my eyes.

Ahead lies a towering mountain wall covered in lush green moss, with a gentle stream flowing slowly down into a clear lake. Jade-like droplets splash on the lake, where green lotus leaves spread like canopies and white lotus blossoms stand gracefully. Beside the lake stands a simple and elegant wooden building, with a floating bridge leading to the lake. In the heart of the lake, amidst the green lotus leaves and white lotus blossoms, a small pavilion is hidden.

Upon seeing this place, Ning Lang felt a sense of peace and tranquility, all his hunger and fatigue vanishing instantly. He moved his feet, walking along the lake for a while, then stepped onto the floating bridge and headed straight for the center of the lake. From the outside, he only saw clusters of blue lotuses, but upon entering, he realized that the lake was extremely vast. After walking for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the sound of a zither suddenly became clear. Looking up, he saw two men sitting opposite each other in a small stone pavilion, one playing the zither, the other strumming a sword.

The man who flicked his knife had his back to him, dressed in black, his face obscured, yet his silhouette exuded a cold and aloof air. He held the knife horizontally in his hand, flicking it with his finger; the sharp "clink" was his doing. The man playing the zither faced him, his head slightly bowed, dressed in a lotus-green robe, his features elegant and refined, his dark hair half-tied to his crown and half-draped over his shoulders. He wore no adornments, simple and serene, embraced by lotus leaves, like a banished immortal.

Ning Lang involuntarily stopped a few feet away from him, not daring to disturb him. But the man in the blue robe playing the zither looked up at him. The man, who seemed like a banished immortal, had a pair of misty eyes that seemed to be looking at him from across thousands of mountains and rivers, so distant yet so deep and moving.

"There is tea and snacks available. Please help yourself." The man in the blue robe smiled slightly at Ning Lang, as if he knew Ning Lang's great hunger.

That smile dispelled Ning Lang's awe and tension, making him feel as warm and familiar as if he were seeing his own senior brother. Moreover, he recognized the clear, gentle voice as that of the person who had just saved him from danger, and a sense of goodwill immediately arose in his heart. Looking to the side, he saw a teapot and teacups, as well as several plates of snacks, on the wide railing of the stone pavilion. He should have kept quiet until he saw them, and his throat felt parched and his hunger flared up. He swallowed hard, and seeing the person playing the zither and wielding the sword, Ning Lang forgot all about formalities and entered the stone pavilion. He poured himself some tea and drank three cups to quench his thirst, then picked up the snacks from the plates and began to eat, all the while observing the two people.

They were both young, around twenty-three or twenty-four years old. From his position, he could see the profile of the man who played the zither, and felt that his lines were as sharp as if carved by a knife, perfect yet ruthless. With his eyes closed, all things in the world seemed like dust. The man playing the zither, on the other hand, played with effortless ease, sometimes swift and sometimes gentle. His ethereal eyes would sometimes glance at the man who played the zither, and sometimes gaze far away at the green lotus and white water lilies, exuding a leisurely and carefree air.

"How about we take a break?" After some time, the man in the blue robe finally spoke.

Although it was a question, the hand that was playing the zither had already let go, the zither music stopped abruptly, and the sound of the dagger being struck also ceased at the same moment.

The man with the drawn knife opened his eyes, looked at the person opposite him, and said, "Why can't we always have a proper duel?"

The man in the blue robe smiled gently and said, "You have few rivals left, why be so persistent?"

"Hmph!" The black-clad man who flicked his knife snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied. "You're just like him, but one day I'll have to settle things clearly and decisively."

"So there's another person in this world who has left you helpless," the man in the blue robe replied casually, while taking out a silk handkerchief to wipe the strings of his zither.

The man in black flipped his hand, and the knife fell back into its sheath on his back. "I was wondering the same thing. You and he are supposed to be equals, so how come you've never met?"

The man in the green robe paused slightly, then looked up and smiled at the man in black, saying, "So it's him. Alas, I've heard of his fame for so many years, yet we've never met. It's always been a regret of mine."

A faint hint of mockery flickered in the man's eyes. "He said the same thing."

"We'll meet again if fate allows," the man in the blue robe said nonchalantly. Turning his head, his hazy eyes looked at Ning Lang, his smile subtle and just right. "Were the tea and snacks to your liking?" His clear voice and gentle demeanor made him seem like a spring breeze even in the sweltering summer heat.

Ning Lang blushed upon hearing this, stood up, clasped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you, young master. I... I'm full. It was delicious." It was indeed delicious. The tea was refreshing and fragrant, and the pastries were unlike anything he had ever tasted before. He wondered what they were made of.

The young man in the green robe glanced at him quietly and smiled slightly, "You don't need to be so polite. I am Ming Huayan, the owner of this place, and this is Lie Chifeng." He pointed to the man in black opposite him and clasped his hands in a fist salute, "I am truly sorry that I almost accidentally injured you during my casual game just now."

If any martial artist heard the names Ming Huayan and Lie Chifeng, they would immediately feel a sense of awe. However, the person they were facing was Ning Lang, who was new to the martial arts world and had only performed one foolish act of chivalry. Therefore, he could only awkwardly clasp his fists and lower his head slightly, not daring to look directly at the young man who resembled a blue lotus.

"No...you're welcome. I...my name is Ning Lang. I was just passing by and heard the music, so I came. I'm sorry for disturbing you. I...I'll be going now." He turned to leave, but after taking only one step, he suddenly turned back. "I'm sorry, I ate your food and haven't paid yet." He took out a money pouch from his pocket, thought for a moment, and then picked out a gold leaf from the brocade pouch and handed it to Ming Huayan. "Is this...enough?" His round eyes looked at him questioningly.

Ming Huayan was taken aback, looking at the pair of clear black and white eyes in front of him, and then chuckled softly: "Please put them away quickly, Your Excellency. It is my honor that you like those crude things, how could I dare to accept money?"

"This... isn't that a bit much? I ate your food for no reason, and it's such good stuff." Ning Lang felt very guilty. As he spoke, he handed the gold leaf in his hand forward again. The man in black, Lie Chifeng, raised his eyes and looked at it. His gaze sharpened, and then he turned to look at Ning Lang.

That glance sent a chill down Ning Lang's spine. He felt as if the man's gaze was like a blade, and the man himself, sitting there, was like a drawn sword, its sharp edge gleaming coldly. Ning Lang's hand trembled involuntarily.

"It is fate that we met. You are also a person of the martial world, so why bother with such worldly formalities?" Ming Huayan raised his finger and gently pushed away the golden leaf in front of him.

"This..." Ning Lang looked at the gold leaf in his hand and then at the celestial figure in front of him. He suddenly felt that his actions were a desecration of him, and quickly withdrew his hand. But as soon as he withdrew his hand, he felt that he had made too obvious a gesture, as if he was reluctant to part with the money. His face immediately turned red with embarrassment, and he was caught between handing over the gold leaf and accepting it.

Ming Huayan found the embarrassed young man in front of him quite amusing; such a simple-minded person was truly rare in the martial arts world.

"How about I treat you to a meal next time?" Ning Lang thought for a long time and finally came up with a compromise. He looked at Ming Huayan with great enthusiasm.

“Okay.” Ming Huayan agreed without hesitation.

"That's good, that's good." Ning Lang chuckled and scratched his head.

"Where did you get this gold leaf?" A cold voice suddenly interrupted from the side.

"Huh?" Ning Lang was startled and turned to look at Lie Chifeng. Following his gaze, he saw the gold leaf in his hand and honestly replied, "It was given to me by someone called 'Seventh Young Master' when I was in Yucheng."

A sharp glint flashed in Lie Chifeng's razor-sharp eyes. He then scrutinized Ning Lang from head to toe, shook his head, and seemed to find it unbelievable that someone like him could receive a gift from the Seventh Young Master. He asked, "Who are you? Where are you from? Where are you going? What are you doing?" He asked four questions in a seemingly matter-of-fact manner. If it were anyone else, they would have thought that this person was rude and lacked manners. How could he interrogate someone like that? They could only be thankful that he was asking Ning Lang.

"I'm Ning Lang, from Lanzhou. I originally went to Yunzhou to look for someone, but I couldn't find them, so I've been looking around." Ning Lang scratched his head and smiled a little embarrassedly. "Um... my senior brothers used to say that the martial arts world is a lot of fun..."

"Lanzhou? Yunzhou?" Lie Chifeng's brows furrowed. "Who are you looking for?"

“My mother wants me to go find Lan Can… Yin…” Ning Lang blushed again when he said that name, and his voice lowered.

Lie Chifeng's eyebrows twitched upon hearing this. He glanced at him again, his gaze falling on the silver spear slung over his shoulder. Then he said slowly, "You should be able to see him at 'Changtian Manor' in Huazhou in mid-July."

"Huh?" Ning Lang looked up abruptly, his face filled with barely suppressed surprise. "You mean... Lan Canyin?"

“Mm.” Lie Chifeng nodded.

"Who is Lan Canyin?" Ming Huayan asked curiously from the side.

Lie Chifeng turned to look at Ming Huayan, a mocking look resurfacing in his eyes. Ming Huayan suddenly realized something and laughed, "'Seventh Young Master Lan' is famous throughout the martial arts world, but few people mention 'Lan Canyin'. I really can't remember him right now."

"This... in Huazhou..." Ning Lang didn't hear this and jumped up, then realized he had lost his composure in front of others, and immediately lowered his burning face. "Young Master Ming... Master Lie, thank you, I'll be going now." After saying that, he clasped his hands in a salute, then looked up at Ming Huayan and then at Lie Chifeng, smiled sheepishly, and turned to leave.