SWNOVELXO Chapter 222
Chapter 222: A Melancholic Melody Known Across the World
Buzhou Mountain, after the collapse of the Heavenly Pillar, Zhugu exhausted a vast amount of energy to forcibly hold it up, leading to its current deep slumber.
Although the four poles of the sky now each have their support, Buzhou Mountain remains crucial to the world.
When Ye Xuan arrived at Buzhou Mountain, it was as dark and gloomy as ever. He gently placed the dissipating Dragon Princess on the ground.
Looking at the pillar of Buzhou Mountain before him, memories of the past flooded his mind, and a trace of melancholy appeared in his eyes.
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This trace of melancholy moved all the cultivators watching. Everyone knew that at this moment, Ye Xuan’s heart was filled with helplessness and bitterness.
He bore many responsibilities that he should not have had to bear. Yet, they did not know what would happen next.
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Ye Xuan knew that he was merely a human and had once been an immortal in the Heavenly Realm.
If he rashly entered Buzhou Mountain, he would only be repelled by the dragon clan of Buzhou Mountain, but now, he had to see Zhugu.
Ye Xuan then raised his hand and took out a bamboo flute. The next moment, a melodious bamboo flute sound slowly flowed from Ye Xuan’s flute, spreading throughout Buzhou Mountain.
Fortunately, Ye Xuan was no longer a mere mortal, otherwise, with his abilities, it would have been challenging to make his flute sound resonate throughout Buzhou Mountain.
As the flute sound reached her ears, the dissipating Dragon Princess seemed to unconsciously show a trace of joy on her face.
However, the expression of Ye Xuan, who was playing the pleasant flute sound, was filled with endless melancholy.
At this moment, he was utterly lost and helpless. He no longer knew what else he could do. For most people, reaching a point of despair would mean death.
However, he could not die.
If he died, he would forget everything, live another life, and then experience another even more desperate life. This was the punishment imposed on him by the Heavenly Emperor.
He had no way to escape…
In the sky, gusts of wind swirled the clouds, forming two vortices like the eyes of a giant dragon, quietly staring at Ye Xuan below.
“Human, your flute sound pleases me greatly. Are you that little fellow from back then?” The next moment, a voice echoed in the sky.
It was Zhugu.
It did not reveal itself but formed eyes with the cloud vortices, quietly staring at Ye Xuan. Before it, Ye Xuan seemed as insignificant as an ant.
“Lord Zhugu, I am indeed that person from back then.”
“You, how did you become like this, little fellow?” Zhugu asked Ye Xuan.
“Due to the incident with the Heavenly Pillar back then, I was punished by the Heavenly Emperor. The detailed process is something Lord Zhugu might not be interested in hearing, so I will not elaborate.”
Ye Xuan said to Zhugu, “I have come to ask for a favor. My wife shielded me from the tribulation and was injured by the lightning. I beg Lord Zhugu to save her life–!!!”
Zhugu’s gaze turned towards the Dragon Princess and casually said, “Little fellow, what do you take me for? Do you think I am the Heavenly Emperor, to be worshiped and to grant your wishes?”
“No, Lord Zhugu.” Ye Xuan said, “I would never dare to compare you with the Heavenly Emperor. It is said that the Heavenly Emperor once had a legend of creating music.”
“But in my opinion, the current Heavenly Emperor no longer understands music. Lord Zhugu appreciates my music, how could you be the same as the Heavenly Emperor.”
He knew that Zhugu loved music the most, so at this moment, he unhesitatingly criticized the Heavenly Emperor.
Back when the Heavenly Emperor was still in the mortal world, he had taught the innate humans the way of music and even created the first long zither in the world.
The Heavenly Emperor could be said to be the ancestor of music in the world. But after he declared himself the Heavenly Emperor and established heavenly rules, he had long abandoned his past.
The current Heavenly Emperor was merely a synonym for power. By criticizing the Heavenly Emperor to elevate Zhugu, Ye Xuan hoped for an unexpected gain.
“I only believe that someone like Lord Zhugu, who appreciates my music, must also have a kind heart and not be someone who seeks vain fame.”
It must be said that this flattery from Ye Xuan was very well-received by Zhugu.
Zhugu said to Ye Xuan, “It is not impossible for me to help you, but I want you to play another tune for me, not with the flute, but with a long zither. Can you do it?”
It was asking not whether Ye Xuan was willing but whether he could do it because if Ye Xuan could not bring it joy, it would not help him.
Even if the Dragon Princess was from the dragon clan, it did not matter. Donghai had submitted to the Heavenly Realm and no longer held Zhugu’s attention.
“Let me try.” Saying this, Ye Xuan looked around, ready to find some materials to make a zither on the spot…
“No need to search, I have a long zither here, you may borrow it.” As the voice fell, a seven-stringed long zither appeared before Ye Xuan.
Looking at the style of the zither, it was no different from the later Jiaowei Zither, without any luxurious decoration.
However, as soon as the zither appeared, it carried a unique charm that resonated between heaven and earth.
Ye Xuan glanced at the Dragon Princess. He knew that his current state of mind was very unsettled, making it impossible to play music that would truly satisfy Zhugu.
But he had to temporarily forget the Dragon Princess condition. He had to calm himself and only then could he play the most beautiful zither music in the world.
He sat quietly in front of the long zither and reached out his hand.
Zheng–!!!
Immediately, the zither sound echoed. In the heavens and the earth, the melodious sound of the zither, like the roar of a dragon, flowed from Ye Xuan’s fingertips.
In this tune, Ye Xuan poured all his emotions.
The innocence of childhood, the carefree youth, the reluctance of parting with the Dragon Princess, the anticipation of reentering the world, the fear of the Heavenly Pillar’s collapse, and the unwillingness to bear the heavenly punishment.
Every thought and emotion were present in the tune. The zither sound made even the eternal dragon Zhugu feel the impermanence of the world.
Although Ye Xuan seemed as insignificant as an ant to Zhugu, it felt Ye Xuan’s sorrowful emotions. Just like a person reading a novel, knowing it is just someone else’s writing, yet still being moved by it.
At this moment, Zhugu couldn’t help but shed a dragon tear.
Finally, as Ye Xuan’s tune ended, a long-lasting silence fell between heaven and earth.
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Everyone watching the scene in the sky fell silent.
Even those with ulterior motives were drawn into the melancholy atmosphere of life’s impermanence created by Ye Xuan’s music.
At this moment, the cultivators of the world, listening to the zither music from the sky, finally understood. It turned out that Ye Xuan had never shown any dissatisfaction, always facing everything calmly and smiling at others.
It seemed as if he did not know dissatisfaction or anger. But in reality, he was not without dissatisfaction or anger. He was just unwilling, unable, and helpless, his heart held too many grievances.