Chapter 742: Chapter 742

Jiang Dali gazed intently at Murong Qingqing’s face, which, once the mask was removed, appeared exceedingly sinister and malevolent. His expression was deeply moved.

Her originally fair and smooth cheeks now seemed as if they were painted by a crazed makeup artist with a dark palette, creating a wildly bizarre, unrestrained, brazen image.

Her eyebrows, which were once as gently curving as willow leaves, now looked like the flamboyant wings of a demon slant-flying into her temples.

Her lips, previously as glossy as cherries, were now a sinister shade of purple-black.

Even her eyes, now and then flickered with a chillingly evil intent and coldness.

This transformed what should have been a refined face with a gentle temperament into something filled with bewitching charm and strangeness.

Even the sensation of evil magic that washed over him was so vividly unnerving.

Only now did Jiang Dali notice that even the fingernails on Murong Qingqing’s delicate hand were all purple-black, carrying a faint aura of malevolence.

"Is this the doing of the Heavenly Demon Zither? Can that instrument truly change a person’s magical power?"

Jiang Dali felt a trace of surprise as he focused on the zither on the desk behind him.

Undoubtedly, that was a normal zither, not the Heavenly Demon Zither.

"The Heavenly Demon Zither is indeed infused with a terrible demonic nature that can alter one’s heart and mind... but as long as one maintains an unchanging Piano Heart, one will not be corrupted by the Demon Nature and become a mad demon who recognizes no kin," Murong Qingqing slowly paced as she spoke, her bright eyes turning towards Jiang Dali. "The reason Qingqing did not go out to meet you is that she is only temporarily able to restrain the Demon Nature. Once unable to control it, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Piano Heart? Restrain the Demon Nature...?"

Jiang Dali suddenly nodded in comprehension.

He understood that the so-called Piano Heart must be a state of Cultivation Technique or Heart Realm unique to the Sky Zither Sect, similar to the Sword Heart Clarity of Cihang Jingzhai.

Such a state of mind was the prime Dharma for understanding the Heavenly Human Realm, often enabling one to more easily commune with the natural world, achieve Heavenly Human Communication, and thus break through the barriers of the Realm.

Murong Qingqing took out a jade box from her waist and said, "Originally, my master passed on the ’Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds’ and the ’Heavenly Demon Song’ to me and helped me to grasp the Piano Heart to step into the Heavenly Human Realm, all to fully support me in securing my position as Sect Leader of the Sky Zither Sect.

However, during the succession process, two elders in charge of the Heavenly Demon Zither were tainted by Demon Nature, leading to a bloody battle.

After that battle, the demonic nature of the Heavenly Demon Zither was fully unleashed.

The remaining Demon Nature in me is the consequence of attempting to control the Heavenly Demon Zither in that battle."

As she spoke, she handed the jade box to Jiang Dali, "This is the Jade Cicada Master Jiang once lent me. Now that it is returned to its original owner, I will also keep my promise and am willing to do three things for Master Jiang."

Jiang Dali frowned as he took the jade box containing the Jade Cicada and said, "My original intent was for you to bring the Heavenly Demon Zither and use its power to help me achieve my goals.

But now, while you are a Heavenly Person, you do not have the Heavenly Demon Zither, and I’m not sure if you can still be of help."

Murong Qingqing gave a surprised smile.

Such an expression would not typically be seen on her face.

However, now that it had appeared, it made her original gentle and refined beauty seem somewhat more assertive and authoritative, which reminded Jiang Dali of Dongfang Bubai.

"To speak truthfully, the Heavenly Demon Zither has been taken away by the two elders of our sect who were infected by Demon Nature.

After being infected, both elders significantly increased their strength, and with the Heavenly Demon Zither in hand, I was no match for them that day and could only let them go.

You happened to send me a message afterwards, so I returned to Leshan to wait for you."

Jiang Dali fixed his gaze on Murong Qingqing and nodded, "So, you want my help to retrieve the Heavenly Demon Zither?"

Murong Qingqing said, "That’s right. After much thought, among the people I know, only Master Jiang has the strength to do this, no one else can."

She smiled slightly, dimples appearing on her cheeks, pulled out a chair, and said, "Master Jiang, please sit and allow Qingqing to offer you a drink.

At the same time, I will play a piece for you so that you can judge Qingqing’s current strength, which should not disappoint you."

"Oh? A tune that can impress a boorish man like me who knows nothing about music would indeed be quite rare."

Jiang Dali sat back leisurely, picked up a cup of wine, and accepted the strong liquor poured by Murong Qingqing’s delicate hands holding the wine pot.

Murong Qingqing’s body spun lightly, entered behind the bead curtain, and sat down in front of the zither.

She looked out the window at the distant green mountains, recalling the girl she had seen that day, a tinge of sorrow flashed in her heart, and she began to quietly sing.

"White hair flows down three thousand feet, one smile and all the world’s affairs seem inconsequential. What in the world could bring you joy?

I find the green mountains enchanting, and I presume the green mountains view me the same..."

"Ding ding dong dong!"

The zither began to resonate.

At first, it was barely audible, like a gentle flowing spring, then suddenly it burst into a loud sound that filled the room and even echoed outside, wandering everywhere.

In that moment, no one could clearly discern where the zither sound was coming from.

Perhaps it arose from within each person’s heart?

In the courtyard, Bai Ting, Yin Feng, and others were also involuntarily lost in the sound of the zither.

At this moment, it felt as if all other sounds between heaven and earth had vanished, leaving only the tinkling clarity.

The zither’s clear and beautiful sound carried with it a touch of melancholy, like a sorrowful maiden confiding in a close friend.

Sometimes slow and calm like a gentle stream, sometimes rapid and cascading like a waterfall, sometimes crisp as pearls dropping onto a plate, sometimes low and murmuring like whispers, it was so intoxicating that listeners couldn’t help but be utterly immersed in the world created by the zither sound.

Each note left a lingering impression.

Even Jiang Dali, who was tone-deaf, couldn’t help but be moved by the melody and slowly merge his thoughts into this seemingly magical rhythm.

The zither’s sound suddenly stopped.

The zither’s sound rang out again.

Like the moon over the sea suddenly transforming into angry waves crashing against the shore, ferocious waves towering into the sky.

Like tides that come and go, washing in and washing out.

Likewise, human affairs constantly change, and hearts are ever capricious.

A strong, indissoluble melancholy and passion emanated from the zither, drawing upon a peerless magic power to shake the soul.

Murong Qingqing’s slender, purple-black fingers fluttered like sinister, purple-black butterflies over the trembling zither strings.

It was as if a breathtakingly beautiful woman was dancing a plaintive dance for her beloved.

Murong Qingqing’s expression too became sorrowful and lost in emotion.

She seemed truly transformed into the woman moved by Jiang Dali.

Thinking of how Jiang Dali devoted himself to other women, yet remained indifferent to her own affections,

her heart could not help but feel a profound sadness.

The zither’s tune changed, hinting at the tenderness within a warrior’s resolve, resembling a love between good and evil, as if it was the ultimate song of heaven and earth.

Outside, in the courtyard, Bai Ting had closed his eyes, deeply moved by the music that bared the soul, recalling unspeakable memories of the past.

Even Jiang Dali, listening to the zither, saw a gradual change in his normally stern gaze.

He thought of someone, of a heart that might still be warm.

Scenes from the past emerged like a tide in his mind, unearthing memories that had been sealed away.

A captivating bell tone also swept through his mind, accompanied by the unrestrained beauty of a woman’s face.

Across from the Power Gang on the banks of the Yangtze River.

A fragrant breeze wafted by.

A woman whose body moved with a vulnerable, boneless seductiveness approached.

She, dressed in white, with her feet bare like jade, her long hair cascading down past her black pupils, wore a smile on her lips but cold desolation in her heart, smiling with stubborn defiance.

"You truly have a heart of stone... I should have expected this."

"But I won’t give up. One day, you will regret it, and you will come looking for me.

Do you think you can pursue the Heartless Path?

You are not Pang Ban. In this grand world, to go on, you cannot be alone. Yet I am the one who can help you, and you will come looking for me. You will realize your mistake."

The scene shifted, and the woman rebuked fiercely.

"Do you think you can just erase my memories at will?"

Her eyes, full of resentment and enthrallment, lingered on Jiang Dali, whose brows were furrowed. She turned and lightly stepped away, floating off. Her delicate beauty seemed like a spring shower, her tears sparkling like raindrops, leaving behind a sense of desolation that seemed to tinge the entire sky gray.

Looking back on past desolation...

Leaving behind, unaffected by wind or rain.

The zither music came to a tranquil end.

Jiang Dali’s eyes suddenly turned to an absolute and chilling heartlessness, entering a state of Heartless Extreme, shattering all the memories in his mind.

He sharply came back to reality, his eyes wide and astonished, touched by Murong Qingqing’s presence.

All around, silence reigned.

Within and outside the house, there was no sound to be heard.

Murong Qingqing gracefully stood up, softly saying, "Village chief, the wine has cooled!"

Jiang Dali frowned, looking at the cup in his hand, calmly stating, "The Sky Zither Sect lives up to its reputation. Was that the Heavenly Demon Song?"

Murong Qingqing advanced lightly, lifting the bead curtain and stepping out, replying, "It was indeed the Heavenly Demon Song. The Heavenly Demon Song focuses on moving the spirit through zither tones and intentions, while the Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds focuses on inflicting damage and destruction upon both the spirit and the body with its melodies and vibrations.

Village chief, upon hearing the Heavenly Demon Song just now, did it remind you of someone?"

As she spoke, her beautiful eyes stared intently into Jiang Dali’s.

To her, Jiang Dali’s austere countenance made one feel he was a cold and heartless person at first sight.

Yet when the Heavenly Demon Song played, the fluctuations in his emotions betrayed that he was, in fact, a man of deep feelings.

Jiang Dali drained the cup of wine in his hand and said, "Have you seen Wanwan?"

Murong Qingqing approached to pour him wine, continuing, "Before my master passed, she informed me that if I had a chance to witness the Yin Gui Sect’s Heavenly Demon Dance and listen to the Heavenly Demon Sound, it would deepen my understanding of the Heavenly Demon Song.

Thus, I made a trip to the Yin Gui Sect.

Initially, Miss Wanwan did not wish to see me, let alone divulge the secrets of the Heavenly Demon Dance and Heavenly Demon Sound. However, after she heard that my master was saved by the Jade Cicada bestowed by you, village chief, she changed her mind and agreed to meet me."

She paused, then looked steadily at Jiang Dali, "Miss Wanwan personally performed the Heavenly Demon Dance and played the Heavenly Demon Sound before me, allowing me to touch upon her deeply hidden emotions.

Village chief, you doubted my strength earlier, so I boldly demonstrated it.

Also, as a gesture of appreciation to Miss Wanwan, I took the liberty of expressing the emotions she had revealed to me through the Heavenly Demon Song."

Upon saying this, Murong Qingqing wanted to voice her own doubts, but seeing Jiang Dali’s expression turn cold again, she sighed inwardly and held back her questions.

"Your Heavenly Demon Song is impressive indeed; it managed to stir the very soul of this village chief. I underestimated you," Jiang Dali said with a nod to Murong Qingqing, "Given that, even without the Heavenly Demon Zither, you might be able to assist me this time."

Saying this, Jiang Dali stood up and added, "I am entangled in many affairs, and there is no time to delay. Prepare yourself, we will leave now."

Murong Qingqing expressed surprise, "Village chief, your coming and going is so hurried, where are we heading now?"

Jiang Dali glanced sideways out the window and said indifferently, "Listening to the wind and rain from a high pavilion, leisurely watching the path of the Martial World. We are going to find someone who has retired from the Martial World."

"Oh? The person whom the village chief personally seeks must be extraordinary."

"He is a Swordsman! Known in the past for his wild swordplay!"

"Oh? Can he be compared to the treasure sword at your back?"

(Request for monthly and recommendation tickets! The next update will be in the early hours of the morning. Please cast more monthly votes, we’re only seventy to eighty votes short for the next added Chapter.)