Chapter 1169: Chapter 1168: Phoenix Cry Zither and Obstacles to Leaving the Capital
Lu Zheng borrowed the kitchen of the Lingwu Royal Mansion to prepare a grand feast. Out of courtesy, he invited not only Jing Qianyu but also the couple of this generation’s Lingwu King to the table.
Then, there was plenty of Wuliangye and Flower Carved Wine, and Lu Zheng even gifted a few jars to the Lingwu Royal Mansion and Master Lin Yi.
Master Lin Yi: (๑`･ᴗ･´๑)
Early the next morning, Master Lin Yi left with Li Lingyu, saying they would explore around the annex cities outside of Zhongjing.
Lu Zheng didn’t eagerly catch up to them; he merely emphasized that they could visit Tonglin County anytime during their travels, where he would personally cook to treat them well.
...
"Could it be that mighty being descending?"
"Not sure, a True Spirit descending is unrecognizable before awakening, unless facing a danger that threatens the Divine Soul, like if I find an opportunity to use Phoenix Divine Fire to refine his Divine Soul..."
"Forget it, there’s no rush. But if it’s true, there’s no need to worry about those Celestial Demons descending. Even if he isn’t as powerful as Erlang God, he’s still a top-tier expert."
...
The half-month passed quickly.
During this time, Lu Zheng and company stayed at the Lingwu Royal Mansion, continuing to enjoy Zhongjing, spending half the time watching plays and the other half shopping.
Shen Ying took some time to pray at the Central City God Temple, accompanied by Si Lingxi and Lu Zheng, and with her own substantial background, she received high-level hospitality.
Liu Qingyan also took the time to visit a few famous medical institutions in Zhongjing. However, she didn’t want to reveal her identity as Lady Qingyi, so she didn’t meet many renowned physicians, just observed the methods of Zhongjing’s doctors.
Following that, apart from visiting every theatre in Zhongjing, they watched football, polo, and kite flying competitions, as well as insect and bird fights.
Speaking of bird fighting, when Si Lingxi was present, she casually released a trace of her aura, prompting all the birds present to stretch out and sing with their best voices, much to the astonishment of those watching the bird fights.
During this period, Lu Zheng also visited the Observatory, learning that both Vice Director Huang Ruoxing and Capital Envoy Lin Zhengfei were not present. As they were unfamiliar with him, he naturally didn’t pry further.
Therefore, Lu Zheng didn’t bother visiting the Anomaly Suppression Bureau either, as the search for Celestial Demons in Pingdong Dao primarily involved the Observatory. Since the two people he knew were absent, he wasn’t too keen on visiting the Anomaly Suppression Bureau. Acting too zealous might not seem appropriate anyway.
A month into their stay in Zhongjing, Lu Zheng’s zither was completed.
...
"How does it look?"
In the Bitter Tea House, Ouyang Kui gazed at Lu Zheng with anticipation, while Lu Zheng looked at the Yaoqin on the table in front of him.
The zither was three feet, six inches, and five tenths long, with a round sky and square earth, encompassing a microcosm within.
Its body was meticulously carved from thousand-year-old Phoenix Tree Wood, decorated with golden phoenix patterns, and its strings tightly wrapped with Cold Ice Jade Silk, emanating a slight chill.
The whole zither seemed similar to other Yaoqin, yet its subtle details were all distinct. Lu Zheng could tell without even touching it that this zither was crafted exclusively for him. Just sitting in front of it and extending his hand slightly, he could feel its intricate comfort.
"Zheng——"
He gently plucked a string, producing a pure, resonant sound, with no reverberation, showcasing its purity.
"A fine zither!" Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up. This zither, in comparison to the Phoenix Tail Zither, was truly worlds apart.
In the past, Xiaotiantian seemed destined to become Madam Niu...
"Play a tune, please play a tune!"
Ouyang Kui’s face appeared slightly pale, despite being a cultivator, because crafting a zither consumed a lot of mental energy. Dedicated for a month, his aura felt somewhat weak.
However, Ouyang Kui was very enthusiastic at this moment, his eyes blazing as he looked at Lu Zheng and the zither, his hope evident.
Lu Zheng ran his hand over the zither body, feeling a surge of excitement. "Does this zither have a name?"
"Phoenix Cry!" Ouyang Kui declared resolutely, "I was inspired by your ’Phoenix Order.’ During the crafting, I kept hearing the cries of phoenixes, so I’ve named this sound ’Phoenix Cry’!"
"The Wuhuang Zither became famous because of someone; it seems this Phoenix Cry will become renowned because of music." Lu Zheng smiled slightly, "Since it’s named Phoenix Cry, let me play ’Phoenix Seeking Phoenix.’"
"Phoenix Seeking Phoenix?"
"Phoenix Seeking Phoenix!"
As the words fell, Lu Zheng began to gently pluck the strings, and the music began to flow.
A tune of Phoenix Seeking Phoenix, the lover’s feelings are heart-wrenching.
A crimson feathered sky, dancing with interlocking necks in a rainbow garment.
Once the tune concluded, Si Lingxi remarked, "A fine zither," then sat beside him, lightly waved her hand, and the Wuhuang Zither appeared on the table in front of her.
"Zheng——Zheng——Zheng——"
As soon as the zither sound started, Ouyang Kui’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the Yaoqin in front of Si Lingxi.
"This is...this is..."
Shen Ying chuckled softly, transmitting quietly, "That’s the Wuhuang Zither, didn’t you want to see it?"
Ouyang Kui’s eyes nearly bulged out, staring blankly at Shen Ying.
"Don’t make a fuss."
Ouyang Kui nodded repeatedly, covering his almost jumping heart, listening to Si Lingxi harmonize with Lu Zheng’s tune.
The same piece, one with high intensity and vigor, the other with gentle and lingering notes, blending together, allowing the listeners to feel the interwoven emotions, compelling and full of love.
As the harmonious sound lingered, the entire Bitter Tea House fell silent, and the zither makers, servants, and even visitors were all enchanted by the piece.
Until the music ceased, and its lingering notes faded away, the crowd rushed into the back courtyard of the Bitter Tea House, only to find Ouyang Kui alone there.
Ouyang Kui appeared elated, his eyes shining as he fiddled with a porcelain bottle in his hand, though his mind was not on it.
"A marvelous tune! A fine zither!"
"A millennium ago, zither crafting masters truly had their exceptional skills."
"But I am no less competent. Phoenix Cry, it won’t be inferior to Wuhuang, ha ha!"
"Having heard the Wuhuang, my next zither, my next zither, I can definitely take it one step further, surpassing it!"
"Oh? Wait a minute."
"But...but where else, other than the Phoenix Goddess and Young Master Lu, can I find such world-class zither players in the future?"
"Without a world-class zither player, who could match the peerless zither crafted by my hands?"
Ouyang Kui became more confused as he thought, noticing the group of disciples and several guests with significant status in Zhongjing seemed to want to ask him something. He decisively waved them off, "I need to go into seclusion!"
"Master...the ten-year term..."
"I’ve just crafted a zither, wait for the next ten years, if I’m still alive."
...
Outside Zhongjing, a carriage rolled slowly.
"Are we leaving already?"
"Why, do you want to stay in the Imperial Palace a few more days?"
"I didn’t have a proper tour." Lin Wan said, feeling a bit regretful.
"Great Jing isn’t Blue Star, after all, there is an Emperor, and the Imperial Family has to save face." Liu Qingyan chuckled, attempting to console her.
After leaving Bitter Tea House, they visited the Imperial Palace once, met Jing Gaoqi, and only then left Zhongjing after expressing their gratitude.
During this month, with Jing Qianyu’s company, they almost toured all of Zhongjing, enjoying everything and meeting everyone they needed to.
Besides Chixiao Temple and Fahua Temple, they also encountered many cultivators in Zhongjing and a group of nobles. Although verbal sparring with the frivolous ones was inevitable, they didn’t encounter reckless killings, aligning more with Lu Zheng’s impression of a prosperous capital.
During these days, the ladies got along well with Jing Qianyu, gifting her a few bottles of elixir before leaving to aid her cultivation progress, and invited her to visit Tonglin County when she ventured out of the capital.
"We’ve been out for more than a month, I wonder how things are at home." Liu Qingyan began to feel homesick.
"Without your supervision, I imagine Qing Quan is probably quite happy." Shen Ying teased.
Lin Wan thought for a bit, "I should go back too."
Just as Lin Wan finished speaking, Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed, then Si Lingxi calmly said, "No rush, let’s deal with the flies first."
The next moment, a Buddha’s chant echoed in everyone’s ears, "Amitabha Buddha!"
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