Chapter 59: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony (3)

Both of their zither sounds carried ten percent of their internal energy and true essence. As they collided, the airflow surged, and the originally calm lake surface surged with rapid waves, looking as if it were about to erupt. Just at this moment, a clear and elegant flute sound suddenly drifted over, passing through the zither sounds like flowing clouds and water. The dark and gloomy slaughter on both sides suddenly stalled, as if an endless long river had suddenly separated the two armies. The flowing water was vast, dividing the tragic battlefield into two, washing away the blood and hostility, leaving only the natural silence of the mountains and rivers.

The flute sound flew like a stream, and the world turned far away. The desert and wild sand in front of everyone gradually turned into a vast night sky, the river was far away and endless, pouring toward the direction of the boundless void, with dots of stars, dazzling and woven traces, flickering with mysterious and brilliant light in the darkness.

Incomparable silence, incomparable emptiness, yet incomparable warmth, as if the world had stopped, the ancient void. Qie Lan's heart shook, and she looked at the water pavilion where the flute sound came from—this was the flute sound that she would always remember, the one that drove the Nine-Turn Exquisite Array in the Royal City.

In the water pavilion, amidst the light gauze, Zi Hao had a jade flute as clear as snow on his lips. Following the flowing flute sound, the spirit stone beads on his wrist gradually emitted a deep, faint light, reflecting that already pale face, almost like ice carving and jade carving. Zhong Yanzi was shocked to see this, discovering that he was actually using the Nine Nether Mysterious Penetration to forcibly suppress the true energy of the two people on the stage. Either Huang Fei or King Ji Cang was an expert in the Nine Domains Jianghu who could not be matched. Even with the power of the Nine-Turn Exquisite Stone, it was difficult to contend with both at the same time, not to mention that neither of these two people would tolerate such provocation.

Sure enough, as soon as the flute sound turned, the two zither sounds broke through the air at the same time, like the thunder of the Nine Heavens shaking with anger, pouring down.

The flute sound changed again, riding the wind and creating clouds, echoing and layering, drifting toward the boundless sky. As soon as the zither sound touched it, it was like breaking into a deep and boundless vast sea. No matter how strong the power was, it could only create huge waves in an instant, and finally, it had to return to the endless calm of the vast sea.

The thin, blade-like zither strings suddenly sharpened at his fingertips. Huang Fei's sword brows twitched, and the zither sound suddenly opened and closed, the momentum fierce, almost like a flying dragon roaring, breaking through the clouds.

At the same time, blood light shone on King Ji Cang's Seizing Color zither, as if a huge fire phoenix was spreading its wings and rushing into the sky, riding side by side with the white dragon, rolling toward the flute sound without distinction.

The zither sound pierced the heart, carrying an unrivaled and powerful true energy. Zi Hao just closed his eyes slightly, his heart method flowing, driving the Nine Nether Mysterious Penetration to completely release the spiritual power contained in the obsidian. For a time, the surrounding clear light was brilliant and dazzling, almost hiding his entire person in the clear light.

The Nine-Turn Spirit Stone produced a response. In the next room, the tourmaline spirit stone on Zi Rao's wrist suddenly burst into seven-colored strange light. Immediately after, the Xiangfei stone of Han Xi on Jian Fang Terrace, the blood Linglong of the Xuan King beside the Seizing Color zither, and the ghost stone in Wanqi Boyan's arms all appeared clear light under the traction of the obsidian. A bright purple light flashed in the sky from the Hengyuan Hall of the Chu Palace not far away, but disappeared in a flash.

Ye Xuanshang suddenly looked at the direction where the purple light disappeared. Before he could turn his head, he heard a sound of breaking gold and jade.

The Seizing Color zither under King Ji Cang's hands suddenly collapsed, and the five strings on Huang Fei's zither broke all at once, shooting toward his face. He quickly waved his sleeves to roll, and the silk strings were suddenly retracted, being forcibly pulled back onto the zither by him. With a *zheng* sound, they were neatly tightened under his fingers, leaving five distinct blood marks.

Listening to the flute sound again, it was long, deep, and distant, like the last light of the sunset, disappearing vaguely. Between heaven and earth, only the blue sea was silent, and the thousand mountains were desolate.

The strings broke and the zither cracked. Huang Fei and King Ji Cang stood up almost at the same time, looking at the water pavilion covered by heavy gauze. The hostility in King Ji Cang's eyes was hidden, and he turned to look at Huang Fei.

The attendants cleaned up the cups that were broken all over the floor, and the Chu King finally boarded Jian Fang Terrace again under the escort of everyone.

Huang Fei was also surprised in his heart about which state's guest was in the water pavilion, but he did not show it on his face, stepping forward and bowing slightly: "I was careless just now and startled the royal carriage. I hope the King will forgive me." It was clearly bowing to plead guilty, but there was no humility in his words, and the Chu King did not mind: "Is the beloved minister okay? Just now..." After all, he was the monarch of a country, looking at the arrogant Xuan King, he could not say the words of lingering fear, "Your Highness Xuan King's zither art is exquisite... These two zithers are truly a pity."

King Ji Cang's Seizing Color zither, which he was proud of, was actually destroyed on the spot by someone with true energy. He thought that there was an expert in the Chu Guo helping, and he was annoyed in his heart. These words sounded very harsh. He raised his narrow eyes, just about to retort, when Huang Fei's timely smile interrupted him: "After many years of friendship, I have only truly seen Your Highness's zither art today. Hearing your elegant sound, my heart is fascinated, and I am truly not satisfied. It is a pity that it is difficult to ask for advice again today. Why don't I set up a banquet in the mansion tomorrow and invite Your Highness to enjoy it, so as to exhaust the remaining interest?"

Neither angry nor hot, soft inside and sharp outside, he was actually inviting him to discuss the outcome again. King Ji Cang sneered: "How can I fail Your Highness's kindness? Just don't know..." His eyes, with ulterior motives, drifted to the Chu King, who was still in shock, "Is the Chu King willing to go together, so as to add some interest?"

The Chu King was still hesitating, and Huang Fei intervened: "Didn't the King say a few days ago that he wanted to go to my mansion to visit the garden and enjoy the flowers? In my opinion, it is better to choose a day than to hit the day. Since Your Highness Xuan King invites, please move the King to visit. I will definitely arrange everything properly." As he spoke, he glanced at Helian Yiren beside him as if unintentionally, and the arrogance in his eyes flashed like a sharp spark.

The De Tian Pavilion, built by imperial decree in the Shao Yuan Jun Mansion, collects the world's famous flowers in one garden. When the flowers bloom, it is the most beautiful scenery in the Chu capital, and the imperial garden of the palace cannot compare to it. Every spring, the Chu King would take the Queen and Princess to play, and sometimes even stay in the Jun Mansion for several days before returning. Helian Yiren had long been very dissatisfied with this and had been obstructing it in every way. At this time, facing Huang Fei's provocation of being favored and arrogant, he could not help but be furious.

The Chu King turned his head to the Queen and said: "What does the Queen think of the beloved minister's proposal?"

The Queen said pitifully: "I have been feeling a bit bored lately, so it's good to go out and move around. Everything is up to the King."

The Chu King said: "That's good, then follow the beloved minister..."

"The King must not!" Helian Yiren suddenly interrupted.

The Chu King was startled by Helian Yiren and asked in surprise: "Why is the beloved minister doing this?"

Helian Yiren swept a glance at Huang Fei and said in a deep voice: "Huang Fei invites the King to the mansion to take the opportunity to assassinate the King. The King must not fall into his trap!"

The Chu King looked surprised, and Huang Fei's thin lips curled coldly, looking at Helian Yiren, and said slowly: "The Marquis's words are a bit of a false accusation. I cannot afford this crime of rebellion!"

Helian Yiren sneered: "Huang Fei, you and the Xuan King have a secret agreement to assassinate our King, usurp the government and sell the country, and promised the five border cities to the Xuan Kingdom as a reward. Do you think no one knows about such a sinister intention?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone's face changed. Han Xi was the first to be unable to hold back: "Helian Yiren, don't talk nonsense! How could Huang Fei rebel?"

Huang Fei first gave Han Xi a charming smile, shook his sleeves, put his hands behind his back, and raised his eyebrows: "The Marquis speaks as if it were true. It sounds like people can't help but believe it, but there is no proof. May I ask how the Marquis proves that I have this disloyal heart?"

Helian Yiren turned to the suspicious Chu King: "King, I intercepted a secret letter between Huang Fei and the Xuan Kingdom a few days ago, and only then did I learn of the conspiracy between them. Huang Fei and the Xuan King are very close, and the King has seen it with his own eyes. This matter is definitely not my nonsense."

The grand ceremony had unexpected events, and the guests watching the ceremony, apart from looking at each other, also had some thoughts of watching the excitement, mostly watching the changes. Even King Ji Cang, one of the parties involved, just watched coldly without saying a word, his eyes falling on Huang Fei, changing from cloudy to sunny, gradually revealing some interesting meanings.

The Chu King was undecided for a while. Although he did not believe that Huang Fei would rebel, Helian Yiren's words were firm and could not be ignored: "Since the beloved minister said so, then... you can bring the secret letter for me to see."

The order was passed down, and Helian Yiren ordered people to take the letter. Two teams of armored and sword-bearing imperial guards surrounded Jian Fang Terrace, and the atmosphere was quite tense for a while. Han Xi glared at Helian Yiren, annoyed that he caused trouble at her coming-of-age ceremony, and whispered to the Chu King: "Royal brother, don't easily believe the slander of others. If Huang Fei wanted to rebel, he wouldn't wait until today when the sister-in-law is pregnant. It must be that Helian Yiren is unconvinced by him and framed him on purpose."

The Chu King looked at the somewhat frightened Queen and patted her hand comfortingly, but said nothing. Huang Fei, on the other hand, had a smile of indifference, and bowed to King Ji Cang gracefully: "The trivial matters of our country have made Your Highness laugh. It will take a lot of time to go to the Marquis Mansion. Why don't we return to our seats and don't wait here in vain, wasting the beautiful spring scenery." By the way, he ordered singing and dancing, and invited everyone to continue drinking and having fun.

Returning to the banquet, King Ji Cang, who had not spoken, held a jade cup in his hand, staring at him with a smile: "What is this playing?"

Huang Fei smiled half-truthfully: "Why doesn't Your Highness wait and see? Are there few agreements between you and me?"

After all, the Xuan King is the Xuan King. The Xuan King, who has confronted Shao Yuan Jun for many years and knows him deeply, others don't know the intention, but how can he not understand?

This ceremony that shocked the Nine Domains, with undercurrents surging and wind and clouds rushing, is Huang Fei clearing internal troubles and sending him, King Ji Cang, a letter of war.

If he wins, not only Huang Fei, but the entire Chu Guo will be in his pocket. If he loses, he will lose his country and life, and even the qualification to compete for the world.

Such a big gamble is no longer a victory or defeat under the sword, or a loss or win in the zither. Only someone as conceited as Huang Fei and as arrogant as Huang Fei would do it decisively. Just this domineering spirit of tilting the country is enough to make people have the urge to draw their swords and try.

Draining the wine in the cup, King Ji Cang raised his eyes to the front of the stage, reflecting some wine color and some charm, instantly enchanting and terrifying: "True or false, I will accompany you to the end! If you can't do it later, I will simply solve the Chu King for you. I don't care about the reward of the five border cities, as long as you remember my heart."

Being stared at by such eyes and hearing such shocking words, there was no tremor in Huang Fei's smiling eyes, and he was still handsome and pleasant: "If I really want to do it, there is nothing in this world that I, Huang Fei, cannot do. Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

Not long after, the guards who were ordered to go to the Helian Hou Mansion returned with the person who took the letter. The Chu King ordered the maids who served the wine to retreat, stopped the drums and music, and the confidant of the Marquis Mansion knelt in the distance and handed the secret letter to the guards, who passed it layer by layer, and finally sent it to the Chu King.

The Chu King coughed lightly, looked at the two important ministers in front of him, and opened the letter. Han Xi, who was standing by, hurriedly leaned over to look, let out an "Eh," and then her pink face turned cold. Without waiting for the Chu King to speak, she pointed at Helian Yiren and said: "Helian Yiren, you have such courage..."

"Han Xi!" The Chu King stopped her, his brows furrowed, and he looked at Helian Yiren. Helian Yiren was afraid that the Princess and the Queen would protect Huang Fei, and said anxiously: "King, I have verified that the handwriting and seal on this letter are all true, not forged. Please take the traitor down quickly and hand him over to the prison department for questioning!"

The Chu King stared at him and asked: "Is this secret letter really true?"

Helian Yiren said: "It is absolutely correct. The King need not doubt it anymore. It is better to deal with it as soon as possible!"

The Chu King's expression was gloomy, as if he was very unhappy. He took a deep breath, and suddenly let out a heavy cold snort, throwing the secret letter in his face: "Good! Then you tell me how to deal with it!"

Helian Yiren was startled, took the letter in his hand, and his face changed drastically in an instant. He knelt down immediately: "King, forgive me, I... I..."

The Chu King interrupted him: "The evidence is in your hands, what else do you have to say?"

The bright sun shone on the jade in front of him, making it dazzling. At this moment, sweat seeped from Helian Yiren's forehead: "King, please see clearly, I am also... thinking for our Chu Guo..."

"Hmph!" The Chu King was furious: "I'm afraid that besides thinking for our Chu Guo, there are some ulterior motives! From tomorrow on, you don't have to go to court anymore. Just stay in the mansion and reflect on your mistakes, and wait for the disposal!"

The monarch on the seat was furious. Helian Yiren only realized that he had fallen into Huang Fei's trap and glared at him fiercely. Huang Fei had a smile that could not be fathomed. Seeing him look over, he raised the jade cup in his hand and bowed gracefully. In the shadow on one side of Jian Fang Terrace, the person who delivered the letter raised his head slightly, with an overly bright face and a strange smile...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 60 =====