Transcending the Nine Heavens - Chapter 334

Chapter 334

“How was my idea, brilliant right?” Young Master Yu had long forgotten his dejection . He had blocked those thought, and was proudly laughing now .

“Clever! It is very clever . . . ” Chu Yang replied . It seemed like he was crying and laughing at the same time .

[You should be glad that I am no match for you at present! Had I been capable of beating you… I would’ve granted you a death by a thousand cuts . . . ]

“Relax; this matter of the phoney Nine Tribulations Sword’s Master is easily discernible . You need not worry about it . ” Young Master Yu said as he patted Chu Yang’s shoulder . “Moreover, the Nine Tribulations Sword’s Master and the nine super clans are going to start a bloody battle sooner or later . So it really won’t matter if it happens a little early . ”

“The plan is certainly ingenious,” Chu Yang secretly gritted his teeth . Then, he suddenly asked in an astonished tone, “Why will the Nine Tribulations Sword Master and the nine super clans start a bloody war one day? These words . . . I cannot understand . ”

“Nine Tribulations overturn the heavens,” Young Master Yu broke into laughter . “The nine super clans of the Upper Three Heavens are the main target of the Nine Tribulations Sword Master . Only by overthrowing the original nine super clans will he establish the new order . This is the destiny of the Nine Tribulations Sword Master . ”

“Destiny?” Chu Yang murmured, "What destiny?"

“The match is tomorrow,” Young Master Yu said, “so we shall depart this place about three days later . Will you accompany us, or . . . ”

[Do I want to go together with you? Unfortunately I haven't attained my main objective here . ]

Chu Yang smiled bitterly, “I still have some matters to attend to here . So I will stay for some time . ”

“That's fine,” Young Master Yu said deeply . “Geniuses are likely to die in their prime; you must be careful . ”

Chu Yang's head was full of sinister thoughts .

The morning sun took its place in the sky .

The golden sunlight sprinkled on the clear lake's surface, while the breeze formed faint ripples on it . This made the Lake’s surface flicker, creating a strange sense of tranquillity .

It felt as if the water-birds on the shore had sensed this tranquillity, and did not dare to emit a sound for the fear of ruining it .

Suddenly, a ‘drumming’ sound overthrew this reign of silence .

“Thump!”

The sound seemed similar to a person’s heartbeat . It echoed as it pervaded everywhere and resounded through the skies . Suddenly, it seemed as if the entire world was filled with the intense drumbeats .

These monotonous yet intense drumbeats were capable of arousing people's most primitive thoughts of bravery . Suddenly, the blood in their veins began to surge, as if boiling with anger .

The clouds would act as banners and the noisily wailing wind as trombone; the sky would be regarded as a battlefield and the sun would serve as a lantern . The Gods and the Devils would be the soldiers to fight in this battlefield .

Today, a legend would be born!

Today, one would witness the birth of a legend from this generation!

A nine feet tall husky fellow stood in the middle of the stage . His whole body was clad in a red robe . He looked just like a deity with those drum-sticks in his hands as he pounded on both sides of an enormous drum .

One moment the drumbeats were enthusiastic . And in the next… restrained like the stagnant water in a deep pool; as if standing firmly like the peak of a high mountain .

The drumbeats continued for a while . Then suddenly, a wisp of a transverse flute's sound cut through the sky; just like an Eagle that had suddenly come out of seclusion, and had soared into the sky . The flute’s sound was sharp yet melodious .

“Hurray . . . ” those who were supporting the Transverse Flute Master suddenly went crazy and burst into cheers .

The mournful sound of a flute spread across the sky just as the thousands of audiences cheered for the Transverse Flute Master’s victory . The melody sounded as if the soldiers’ widows were weeping with their mouths covered . Though the sound of the cheers was loud, it still could not suppress such sorrowful sound . This sound was distressful enough to penetrate down to the bone of the listener…

A tide of people cheered along with the rise and fall in the music . The flute-sound and the sound of the transverse flute entwined with each other on the Ninth Firmament; neither willing to back-down . One was clearly intense, while the other was like a muffled sob . Nevertheless, both were at par with each other .

The crowd was surging with excitement when —

‘Clang!’

The zither sounded . It was as if ice and snow were falling from the Ninth Heaven . However, it didn’t sound ominous!

The vast crowd's mood was unexpectedly suppressed by this zither's sound, and was suddenly stagnated .

'Clang!'

The zither resounded again; it sounded just like ice falling on jade .

The cheers gradually faded . People shut their mouth and opened their ears .

'Clang!'

The sound of the zither grew louder and louder . It seemed as if an immortal from the Ninth Heaven had descended to the human world . …and his rainbow-feathered clothes fluttered as he flew high into the sky; it seemed as if he had completely discarded his desire to go return to the heavens .

The entire Lotus Lake fell silent .

Only the sound of the zither, the flute and the transverse flute rippled in the vast sky .

The three sounds seemed to have melted together . But on listening carefully, they were actually different .

The flute-sound and the transverse-flute-sound were competing fiercely against each other . Moreover, they were also launching an offensive attack on the zither's sound .

However, the zither's sound was indifferent . It had a sense of aloofness from reality… as if looking disdainfully upon all living things .

The zither’s sound was disdainful in the sense that it didn’t wish to compete with anyone . It felt as if it was an independently erected flag . It seemed similar to the bright moon calmly hanging in the sky and looking down on the earth . It was angelic, soft, graceful and motionless; it had a multitude of deportment .

The sound of the zither was only heard for a moment, and then faded away .

Only the sound of the flute and transverse flute remained in the atmosphere .

Jun Lu Lu faintly sighed in her cabin .

Young Master Yu stooped outside the thin veil . He crossed his hands behind his back and asked, "What happened?"

Chu Yang stood alone on the other side; his figure appeared desolate . [It seems like a violent storm is about to rise in this lively atmosphere . It will fling the current atmosphere inharmonious . Everyone appears to have been intoxicated… I alone am sober . ]

Chu Yang couldn’t help but laugh on hearing Jun Lu Lu sigh in response to Young Master Yu's inquiry . He then replied in place of Jun Lu Lu, " …because she cannot stand such opponents . "

Jun Lu Lu smiled calmly and said, “Qing Yang is right . ” She leisurely placed the zither in front of her and looked at the clear and sparkling lake through the veil . There was a meaningful look in her eyes as she said, “Perhaps I would’ve been evenly matched with them if my skill was at the level it was before I met Minister Chu in Iron Cloud .

“I may have come out victorious by a fluke if I had played the zither earlier .

“However, my present tuning needs to be cultivated properly . Participating in this level of a contest has really profaned my zither’s sound,” Jun Lu Lu said as she smiled bitterly . She then gently shook her fragile head . However, her posture was sprinkling out a sense of pride .

“Not necessarily… it is hard to predict the outcome of a match . ” Young Master Yu nodded and said, “You saw that? The First King Level Master of Golden Horse Riders Department, Jing Meng Hun has entered the boat of the Flute Master; and Diwu Qing Rou is actually on Transverse Flute Master's boat . ”

“So what?”

“Nothing . Diwu Qing Rou has the power to rally supporters in Great Zhao . He is powerful enough that he can even extinguish the sun, and he seems to have chosen his favourite candidate . ” A cold intention flashed in Young Master Yu’s eyes as he continued, “He is on Transverse Flute Master’s boat which means that he has secretly amassed support for the same . ”

“He might as well; I anyway am not in the mood . ” Jun Lu Lu smiled indifferently . “My interest in the victory and defeat of this contest has suddenly faded away . I don’t wish to participate anymore . ”

“I am already worthy of having Master’s cultivation!” Jun Lu Lu said .

“There's no harm in backing out while you still have time . ” Chu Yang smiled and said, “It would be blasphemous to the zither's sound if things gets dragged and you end up getting the second place after fighting in a one-side battle . The zither's soul won't forgive you then!”

Jun Lu Lu’s eyes lit up .

The tall platform bore witness to the people from aristocratic families . They were preparing to announce the commencement of the ‘Match of Three Masters’ with solemn and respectful faces . …when suddenly —

A wisp of the zither’s sound suddenly sprang, and started to rise . It seemed as if a ray of sunlight had sprung up at the horizon on dawn, only to blossom into ten thousand multi-coloured rays of sunlight .

Their faces could not help but be stunned .

[What is the matter? The competition hasn’t yet begun… then why is the Zither Master showcasing their talent so early? This has never happened in the past nine competitions!]

[What is the Zither Master trying to do?]

The sound of the zither resounded at a moderate pace . It seemed as if a king had calmly stepped out, and was steadily walking towards the throne for his coronation — his chest stuck-out and his head held high .

The vast crowd was silent .

Diwu Qing Rou had been chatting with the Transverse Flute Master . He couldn’t help but stop the discussion . He started to listen attentively and calmly .

The zither’s resolute notes advanced, and everyone closed their eyes . It was as if they were visualizing that King’s footsteps on the blue dome of heaven and earth; his anger seemed to be swallowing rivers and mountains as he advanced forward .

He arrived in front of the imperial throne finally .

The sound of the zither was suddenly impassioned . With a clang of metal, it said — I alone hold supremacy over the world .

It seemed as if the king had slowly turned around to face the common people . The expression in his eyes was gentle, yet he seemed to be looking disdainfully from the corners of his eyes . Then he proceeded to sit down… slowly .

He went ahead and sat on the throne .

The zither’s sound fiercely built up . It sounded splendid, solemn and respectful… as if all the wars in the four seas had quietened down!

The King was overlooking the whole world .

Was it possible that the king of the world had appeared?

The dust had settled .

The sound of the zither sank .

The blue sky was silent .

The hundreds of thousands of people at the Lotus Lake made little sound for a long time .

The level of the zither’s music had exceeded every person’s imagination .

Apparently, they had seen the king staging an uprising along with the zither’s sound . He commanded the soldiers forward to fight throughout whole world and fine horses ran unhindered in the battlefield . He laughed as he unified the four seas(1) and his eyes rose to gaze at the world .

I shall reign over the six directions, and the eight wastelands . (2)

King!

This was the real king!

Diwu Qing Rou gently sighed . His eyes revealed colours of fascination . It may have not been that important for other people, but Diwu Qing Rou had wanted to sweep the Universe and unify all under the skies his whole life . His heart couldn’t help but sway on hearing that zither’s sound . He let out a long sigh and muttered, “Apparently I see a road that is full of killing . I finally see that it’s full of killings and massacres . . . but that is the successful journey of a King!”

The transverse flute was horizontally positioned near its master’s lips . However, her eyes showed colours of intense envy; it was a kind of emotion that was between anger and admiration which had seemingly engulfed her thoughts .

“She is stronger than you,” Diwu Qing Rou calmly said as he looked at the Transverse Flute Master . “And stronger than him . ”

He said ‘him’ . This naturally meant that he was referring to the Flute Master!

The jade flute sorrowfully fell from her hands . She powerlessly turned her head towards Diwu Qing Rou . Her cherry lips quivered with a sense of loss, “What does the Prime Minister wish to know?”

Diwu Qing Rou faintly smiled . He then pulled out a portrait and asked in a soft voice, “May I ask Young Miss if she has seen this person?”

The Transverse Flute Master’s body shook as her eyes showed simultaneous emotions of shame and resentment . She gritted her teeth as she maliciously said, “I would still recognize this bastard’s bones even if he turns into ashes!”

It was the same man who had used a big fish to pull his boat .

Diwu Qing Rou’s eyes revealed a happy expression .

On the Zither Master’s boat, Young Master Yu straightened his back to stand up with a feeling of heroism that had suddenly appeared in his heart . He felt as if his entire spirit was brimming with a sense of pride .

…the source of this zither sound was none other than his lover .

Suddenly, Young Master Yu faced towards the sky and laughed . Then he whistled towards the sky .

The vast sky’s weather became turbulent with the sound of his whistle!

His whistling sound surged forward . It rushed forth uninhibited, and directly ripped through the white clouds in the sky . It cleared the clouds away and revealed the resplendent clear sky .

“I am so happy!” Young Master Yu howled loudly . He then shouted, “I am the revered monarch of the entire world . I have covered a long and difficult road full of trials and tribulations! Who dares to defy me?!”

His voice spread far and wide, vibrating between the heaven and earth . It contained the wrath of a fanatical tyrant who would overturn rivers and mountains!

Notes:

There are four seas in china .

There are eight wastelands in china .