"Where did you bring such a handsome young man from?" The purple-clad young woman descended from the second floor and tapped Su Zhe's chest lightly with her gauze fan.
"He's my little brother. I wanted to test if he's a reliable man," Su Zhe chuckled.
The woman in purple froze momentarily: "What do you mean? Are you saying men who enjoy themselves in my establishment aren't reliable? And why are you testing men anyway?"
"I forgot to tell you. I've found my daughter," Su Zhe said as he took out his pipe and lit the tobacco.
The purple-clad woman first looked startled, then delighted: "That's wonderful news! Wasn't this your greatest wish all these years?"
Su Zhe nodded: "Indeed. Now this daughter of mine has met that young man you just saw, and I suspect she's fallen for him. I've watched that boy grow up—he's reliable in every other aspect, but I know nothing about his romantic inclinations."
The woman glanced upstairs: "So he passed your test?"
Taking a puff from his pipe, Su Zhe said contentedly: "Coming to this dazzling Hundred Flowers Brothel and only wanting to listen to Guqin music—that puts my mind at ease."
"But judging by his face, that boy has the look of someone destined for a cold, lonely life," the woman sighed softly.
"Didn't you also say I was the type to die halfway through my journey? Yet here I stand, alive and well, with a daughter now," Su Zhe laughed. "Our family is undergoing great changes. That boy will surely alter what you call his 'destiny.'"
Upstairs, noticing Butcher Second Master's nervousness, Su Muyu initiated conversation: "Do you often come to listen to music, Second Master?"
Butcher Second Master sat upright: "I used to come frequently. Back then, it was the national master Miss Feng who presided here. After she left, I stopped coming for a long time. Now it's Miss Wan'er playing the Guqin. Friends say her music rivals Miss Feng's, so I came to listen."
"Oh? What do you think?" Su Muyu asked.
"Though in my heart she still doesn't compare to Miss Feng, her skill is indeed extraordinary," Butcher Second Master replied. "What does the young master think?"
"I only have a passing understanding of music," Su Muyu shook his head. "I'm hardly qualified to judge others."
With a sharp "zheng," the woman on the platform plucked a string forcefully. Butcher Second Master immediately made a silencing gesture: "If we keep talking, Miss Wan'er will get angry."
Su Muyu nodded slightly and said no more.
Butcher Second Master exhaled in relief. This legendary top assassin wasn't as terrifying as rumored—in fact, he seemed quite amiable. Perhaps the rumors were exaggerated, or maybe he only transformed into a demon when drawing his sword. For now, he'd focus on the music and find an opportunity to slip away later.
The hall fell silent as the woman resumed playing. But this time, the Guqin music suddenly changed its tone, shifting from gentle and melodious to fiercely martial. The rapid, passionate notes transported listeners to a battlefield of thundering warhorses. Butcher Second Master closed his eyes, listening as sweat gradually formed on his body and his breathing grew labored—effects no mere music could produce. Clearly, the player was using her internal energy through the music to influence everyone present.Butcher Second Master had already realized this, but no matter how hard he tried to break free from the control, he couldn't.
The others in the room were even less able to resist, all falling into the dream.
Within the dream, blades flashed and swords clashed.
A thousand horses galloped.
A woman stood in the midst of the battlefield holding a guqin, oblivious to the life-and-death struggles around her, only playing faster and faster, the music growing increasingly intense. A gust of wind blew past, lifting her veil.
The face beneath the veil was not just extraordinarily beautiful—it carried an edge most women lacked.
"Rise!" Su Muyu suddenly stood, waving his hands. Every sword in the room flew from its scabbard, swirling rapidly around him. Su Muyu grabbed a longsword that had flown down from the high platform, then leaped up, striking the other five swords in midair with his own.
"Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding," came a series of crisp, melodious clangs.
At the same time, the swords scattered in the air, forming the shape of a blooming flower.
Su Muyu spun lightly in place, his robes fluttering with effortless grace.
He wove song and dance with his sword, responding to the woman's guqin music.
"Excellent!" The woman on the high platform was intrigued. In an instant, the music shifted from a martial tone to one of desolation.
As though a battle had ended, leaving only bones in its wake.
A lone survivor stood on the battlefield, surrounded by endless desolation and solitude.
Su Muyu flicked his sword lightly, and the five spinning swords suddenly descended, encircling him, trapping him within. Su Muyu hesitated briefly within the sword array before suddenly pointing his sword skyward. The blade flew from his hand, piercing straight through the roof.
Moonlight streamed in, casting a soft blue glow over the white-draped high platform.
The music stopped abruptly.
Everyone awoke from the dream, drenched in sweat yet feeling an unprecedented exhilaration. They exchanged silent glances, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
"Return." Su Muyu raised his hand, and the five swords flew back into their scabbards. The last sword descended from above—he caught it and flicked it forward, sending it through the white veil to land beside the guqin player.
The musician stood and smiled. "Young master, what an exquisite sword dance."
"Your guqin music was even more remarkable," Su Muyu nodded slightly. "To hear such a piece today makes my journey worthwhile."
At that moment, the purple-clad madam approached, frowning slightly at the scene. "Wan'er, General Ye's carriage is waiting below to take you back."
"Very well." The woman tilted her head slightly, casting one last glance at Su Muyu before leading her maids downstairs.
"General Ye?" Su Muyu murmured.
"Ye Xiaoying—a ruthless figure in the Northern Li army, second only to the Langya King and Lei Mengsha," Butcher Second Master explained.
"I see." Su Muyu nodded.
The purple-clad madam walked over, eyeing Su Muyu before looking up at the hole in the roof with a resigned sigh. "Though I said all your expenses at the Hundred Flowers Brothel today would be waived, that doesn't mean you can tear the place apart, Young Master Su."
Su Muyu hurriedly pulled out a banknote from his sleeve. "My apologies. I'll compensate for the damage."Butcher Second Master scratched his nose and muttered to himself, "Isn't this the money won from our Thousand Gold Platform..."
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