by Feng Yue
“Uh…really?” Ye Qingxuan’s expression did not change, albeit becoming a bit stiffer. “Ah, wow, so weird. I don’t get it.” He managed to force out a confused expression but there were thousands of alpacas running across his mind, back and forth.
F*ck! F*cking Charles! You f*cked me up! Ye Qingxuan subtly wiped away the sweat on his forehead. If he had guessed correctly, the mysterious background guy that Wolf Flute was trying to find was him! Who else would spend so much time figuring out those techniques? Where else could Charles find all that data? No wonder Charles kept asking him questions on music theory after he left Anglo. Charles had dragged him to the basement for so many tests and experiments too.
At that time, he had thought Charles had rekindled his interest in music theory and gave him everything without even thinking. He even gave dozens of extra notebooks! As well as the classicism records from Hermes…
No matter how strong Ye Qingxuan was mentally, he could not take the weight of all the alpacas in his mind now. No wonder Charles had been so enthusiastic and warm during that period! He had even treated Ye Qingxuan to dinner many times. Ye Qingxuan had felt flattered but now he knew why. He was totally f*cked!
Wanting to cry, he looked away. A beer would be nice now. However, the most important thing was to get Charles out first. What if he couldn’t stand the torture and dragged Ye Qingxuan in?
“If I remember correctly, Charles can get bail, right?” Ye Qingxuan asked. “If he got involved in forbidden technology without realizing it, and he signed the related vow, he can return to society under the countries’ surveillance… This is hard but I’m willing to help him.”
“If that’s the case, it could work.” Wolf Flute sighed. “But the problem is that that’s not the only crime he committed!”
“Huh?!” Ye Qingxuan blanched. The alpacas started galloping again. There was something else?! What else did Charles do?!
“You know, Anglo forbade Newton to continue researching musician robots. He was unable to do related work at the Royal Research Institute and would receive no funding. However, research is something that needs an endless amount of money.” Wolf Flute smoked. “So who gave him the money and supplies needed?”
“He betrayed the nation?” It dawned on Ye Qingxuan. “Did he sell this technology to another country?”
“Not just that.” Wolf Flute’s face darkened. “The ones who supplied him were the Revolutionaries that always wanted to overthrow the Sacred City and nations…”
Well, f*ck. It’s over. Goodbye, Senior. I’ll take care of the professor. I hope there aren’t Revolutionaries in Heaven.
Hearing this, Ye Qingxuan rose and walked toward the door.
Wolf Flute was confused. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to write a declaration that I’m breaking all ties with Charles,” Ye Qingxuan turned around and said seriously. “Tell the Silent Authority to rest assured. This man has nothing to do with us in the future.”
“No, wait.” Wolf Flute blocked him reflexively. “It’s not that bad yet. There’s still some hope.”
“Oh?” Ye Qingxuan stopped. His lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Wolf Flute realized that he had misspoken and his face grew awkward.
Ye Qingxuan sighed. “We’re old friends. Can you get rid of the superfluous talk?” He sat back down on the sofa and looked at Wolf Flute. “What is going on?”
-
The Revolutionaries were a mysterious organization that arose in the New World colony in the Dark World twenty years ago.
Okay, they were not that mysterious but were far removed from the average person.
Their leader was Gaius, the Angloian official from decades ago who once frequented the Sacred City and had been the hottest figure of all the nations, but was now the top traitor of humanity.
This Romulusian had united pirates, tribesmen, and homeless people. Commanding his loyal military, he took over the authority of the New World colony. After receiving technology and heavy industry from the Chainsaw Fraternity, they established a unique dominion in the barren land. This was the only organization in the entire human world who dared to go against the Sacred City and destroy all unfair authority. All these years, they did everything and sacrificed everything they could to damage the Sacred City’s plans and missions.
Kidnapping, assassins, damage, poisoning… The records of the crimes they committed and disasters they caused could fill half a library!
The countries and the Sacred City always went by the tit-for-tat strategy. Anyone connected to the Revolutionaries would be executed after being captured. No exceptions. No matter their status or backstories.
This was a line that anyone who wanted a quiet life would never touch. Thinking of this, Ye Qingxuan could not help but moan from his bed. “Senior, it seems like you’re totally dead this time.”
It was one in the morning now. He had already left Wolf Flute two hours ago. After returning to the embassy, he tossed and turned on his bed. It was his first day out of jail and he already had insomnia. Thinking back to Wolf Flute’s words, he felt a chill.
“Newton and the Revolutionaries had some sort of agreement and received supplies in return. The one responsible for getting the supplies was Charles…”
“No way!” Ye Qingxuan had retorted. “Charles doesn’t have common sense but he wouldn’t be stupid enough to interact with the Revolutionaries.”
“I know he’s innocent.” Wolf Flute had sighed. “Look at him. I’ll believe you if you say he runs nude through the women’s bathhouse. But to say that he’s brave enough to deal with the Revolutionaries…”
“Then what’s going on?”
“To be honest, he did not know he was dealing with the Revolutionaries from start to finish. He thought they were rich merchants from India and wanted to fund a new project. He treated them warmly and called them his brothers. When we followed evidence to arrest him in the Sacred City, he didn’t even know what was going on. He thought we were arresting him for spitting on the ground! Spitting, oh my God…”
Wolf Flute had buried his face in his hands. “When he said that, the guy in charge almost turned green. How could he turn the Silent Authority into city guards?”
“That’s how he is. Just beat him up if you don’t like it.” Ye Qingxuan sighed. “He’s not insensitive though. If you tell him how severe this is, he’ll cooperate with you. Would you like me to talk to him? If you can have some mercy and imprison him for life, we can definitely find a way to reduce his sentence!”
“I know he is innocent and he’s been cooperative.” Wolf Flute nodded and his features turned troubled. “That’s why we gave him a chance to redeem his sins.”
-
Thinking of this, Ye Qingxuan was heartbroken. He rose and pulled out the hardest liquor in Maxwell’s cabinet and drank it all. After finishing, he fell onto the bed and tossed and turned. Finally, all his complicated feelings could only turn into a sigh.
“Senior, you really f*cked up this time.”
430 Frustration Increases
“Charles has been enlisted by the Silent Authority now and is doing a secret mission.” At that time, Wolf Flute had pulled out a document with a vow. He placed it before Ye Qingxuan with a pen he had clearly prepared. “If you want to hear more, sign this and join us.”
It finally dawned on Ye Qingxuan. “You just wanted to drag me in?”
Wolf Flute shrugged. “Even if I didn’t, you’d try to join in, right? Instead of having you mess around, I’d rather get you in officially.”
Ye Qingxuan scanned the paper and signed his name. When he printed his music theory, the contract’s secret music theory seeped into his body as well, forming a contract.
“Welcome.” Wolf Flute pushed a cup of beer over. He did not mind that Ye Qingxuan was still unmoving. Smiling, he downed his own cup. He wiped his lips and said straightforwardly, “Four months ago, we secretly captured the deputy commander of the Revolutionaries, Constantin
e. He’s locked in the Judgement Tower but sadly, we found nothing.
“According to our spy’s information, the Revolutionaries have moved a large amount of elite power to the Sacred City. They’re planning something big after the Winter Festival. We must know clearly what they’re planning… Otherwise, we don’t know how many people will die.”
“Spy?” In an instant, Ye Qingxuan understand what the Silent Authority was planning and frowned. “You want Charles to get in? Stop joking. Does he look like a spy?!”
“Yeah, if even you don’t believe it, who’ll suspect him?” Wolf Flute’s expression was strange. “We locked him in the top level of the Judgement Tower. Our planted agent told us that a few days later, there’ll be a prison break. Before that, he must receive Constantine’s trust, escape with him, and enter the core of the Revolutionaries…”
“And then he’ll blow his cover and get cut into dozens of pieces. His feet and hands will get mailed to you and the head’ll be given to us for sentimental value?” Ye Qingxuan asked coldly. “Charles isn’t suitable for being a spy at all. He probably won’t even be able to move past the first step!”
“I told him the consequences and he agreed.”
“Yeah because if he doesn’t, he’ll be sent to the gallows!” Ye Qingxuan raised his voice. “Who wouldn’t agree? You’d die anyway!”
“At first I volunteered you.” Rather than defending himself, Wolf Flute muttered, “I thought you’d get out of the trial then. After everything’s over, you could just disappear and change your identity…but I didn’t expect that you could come out without my help.”
Ye Qingxuan fell silent.
“If you’re angry, then just blame me. For some things, I have no other choice.” Wolf Flute smoked and said, “I promise, he’ll return safely. Believe me, Ye Qingxuan. Have I lied to you before? You’ll be in this too. If you think it’s dangerous, you can stop this mission at any time. I’ll take care of all the responsibilities.” He snuffed his cigarette. The conversation was over.
Thinking of all this, Ye Qingxuan also remembered something Maxwell had said. “You always have to do dirty things for the things you care for…really?” he murmured with his eyes open. The moonlight outside the window illuminated his face. No one replied in the silence. He sighed and climbed up from the bed.
It was two in the morning. In his daze, he seemed to have dreamed about many things but he could not remember anything when he opened his eyes. Tossing and turning for so long, he did not feel any sleep coming. He could not sleep, could not get drunk, could not eat, could not laugh… Everything horrible seemed to happen within these few days. They all came to live with him and refused to leave.
He was frustrated.
He washed his face and took out another bottle of liquor that looked expensive. He placed it under his elbow and found the book Mr. Hu had given him. If he could not sleep, then he would have to find something to do.
Casually, he flipped to the first score.
“Liang Xiao Yin?” Ye Qingxuan laughed at himself. He opened the bottle with his teeth and downed half a bottle. He didn’t know what the music was but he would just try it.
Calling out Jiu Xiao Huan Pei, the instrument strings appeared in thin air and crisscrossed. The sound of cracking indus resounded in the still night sky. The music was like chimes but also the roaring of a dragon.
“I’ve let you down all this time,” Ye Qingxuan murmured. He held the music sheets with one hand and ran his other hand down the instrument strings. Disordered notes fell from his fingers. As he deciphered the music score, the music theory overlapped and scattered in the air. It slowly solidified and soon, the moonlight was filled with a gentle melody. It was so serene.
As the music theory came into shape, Ye Qingxuan felt the Heaven Ladder within him start turning. The vast music score was established inside him, filling his limbs and creating a complex yet detailed system. Finally, it connected with Liang Xiao Yin. The two used Jiu Xiao Huan Pei as a bridge to become one. The quiet Heaven Ladder took in the new music score without any hesitation as if it was rain after a long drought.
Heaven Ladder strengthened considerably. The chaotic music theory within him had somehow become more coherent than ever.
Ye Qingxuan was stunned. This was the Heaven Ladder? It crossed over the seven schools and operated uniquely! It was originally used to unify all types of music theory under it. All music theory could find a place here. This was the special skill of the Ye family!
“This way leads to the heaven!” It suddenly dawned on Ye Qingxuan. “That’s what it means?”
The Ye ancestors had used music theory that crossed the material and aether world to create Jiu Xiao Huan Pei. They also added in the Heaven Ladder that could unify all types of music theory. It was just so they could have an unshakeable foundation!
As long as they had the Heaven Ladder, the Ye descendants could add whatever music theory they wanted to create their own way to the heavens. But no one expected that, down the line, someone like Ye Qingxuan, who had never learned Eastern music theory, would appear. He had never thought of the deeper meaning. He had been using a diamond as a hammer. He didn’t know how to use it to its full potential! If Mr. Hu had not given him this music score, allowing Heaven Ladder to lengthen, Ye Qingxuan would still be clueless.
“I really embarrassed myself…” Ye Qingxuan buried his face and sighed.
But when he processed everything, he glanced at the music score weirdly. Liang Xiao Yin was not overly-amazing but it was still a standard official music score. Representing dazzling moonlight and a beautiful dream at night, it was a perfect Mind score. Its influence range was wide and should be extremely difficult.
How did he learn it just by drinking liquor, flipping through the book, and playing casually? His features twisted.
“Mr. Hu, did you give me some children’s songs to joke with me?”
Taking a few more gulps, he opened to another score.
“The phoenix flies, searching for the other in the world.”
It was “Searching for Phoenix.”
This should be the introductory music score for the Eastern School of Summoning. It allowed bird-like phantom beasts to have the aura of a phoenix. If he delved deep enough, he might even be able to summon the kingly aura of a phoenix ruling the world.
“Summoning score? Never learned this before…” Gripping his chin, he thought for a bit and then shook his head. “Whatever. Let’s just learn it!”
Putting down his liquor, he placed his hands on the instrument. He deciphered the complex music theory in his heart, but his mind was still drunk. He had no clue what he was doing.
In the beginning, he stumbled over the notes. Things became smoother in the middle until finally, a clear sound spread. Under Jiu Xiao Huan Pei’s control, the music theory seemed to come to life. It came out of the aether and transformed into a blurry apparition that flowed under the moonlight. Finally, the blurry bird perched on the instrument and fused into Heaven Ladder. It trembled and extended. The countless music theories shook and a new melody was created.
“I learned it just like that?” Ye Qingxuan was stunned. A little unsure, he opened another bottle to calm himself down. After resting a bit, he flipped to another score.
“The fallen leaves come and go. The perched crows startle…” It was ‘Autumn Wind.’
The instrument sounds once again. Under the gloomy melody, silhouettes of crows startle inside the thin moonlight. They pace under the light. An autumn scene appeared.
Reminiscing, oh the long memory; short nostalgia, oh the endless pain…
This was ‘Autumn Wind.’
He learned it so quickly! Ye Qingxuan gulped down more liquor in shock. “It seems pretty easy?”
Again!
‘South Wind Blows.’
In an instant, a spring breeze blew from the soil. Vitality resounded within the melody and spread. The music seemed to transform into the south wind and blow in all directio
ns.
Thus, everything began growing. Heaven Ladder extended again. It rose happily, taking in the scattered music theory continuously. It was taking shape instantly.
“This works?” Ye Qingxuan scratched his head and flipped the page. Continue!
‘Ji Yue Yin,”Qing Ye Yin,”Feng Lei Yin’…
The room had become a mess. Everything seemed to have left the material world. Under the music, everything was blurry and inside the melody. At times, a sun would rise and everything would renew; sometimes, it would be an endless night with the moon in the sky and a cool breeze blowing; other times, wind and thunder raged furiously… The Heaven Ladder continued growing.
Within the melody, a faint rhythm emerged. It was like a pulsing heart.
Ye Qingxuan continued.
‘Listening to the Spring on the Stone,”God’s Words,”Man and Stork’!
The singing of a bubbling creek came from all directions, transforming into a flood and thundering river. It flowed over the stone and things were reborn. It became solemn and grave, old and crude. As if meeting with a god, it was ancient yet vigorous. Finally, it turned and there seemed to be an old man with a sword and white storks dancing. The man and stork emerged within Jiu Xiao Huan Pei and joined the Heaven Ladder.
It trembled. Countless music theories broke apart at once then rejoined under an invisible power. Finally, the vast music theory of Philosopher’s Stone was enveloped as well, becoming one. The majestic vitality spread from his limbs. All his wounds healed instantly. Fresh blood began flowing through him like a flood. There seemed to be a river inside his body.
Under the rumbling of the flood, a heavy and low heartbeat sounded. A whirlpool appeared in the aether sea. Countless aether was sucked in by the msic. Silver rays of light flowed into the instrument strings and collected within his body. They operated with the complex music theory. Under the guidance of the aether, the vast music score finally started turning and showed its true nature.
Ye Qingxuan realized that he was unstoppable. Finishing the bottle, he started flipping through all the pages.
