Chapter 128 - 128: The Young Man Challenges the Nomad Flute, Fight the Whole of Lin’an (1)
As the wine and dance were accompanied by hundreds of falling flowers, the shadow of the golden hairpin fell into the silver lamp.
The dance in Falling Flower Pavilion was peaceful and beautiful.
An Le held the old yellow wine in his hand. His white clothes and wide sleeves were filled with the spring breeze, and his cool hair was draped over his shoulders. He looked at the Falling Flower Pavilion under the starry night sky. He had naturally heard of this most famous place in Lin’an Prefecture, but he had never stepped foot in it.
The flower boat on the West Lake was also a place of fireworks, but compared to the Falling Flower Pavilion, it paled in comparison. Be it extravagant or luxurious, it was far inferior.
If not for Fairy Yun Rou’s presence on the West Lake Flower Boat, it would not have attracted so many scholars.
The biggest difference between the Falling Flower Pavilion and the many flower boats on West Lake was that cultivators came and went in the Falling
Flower Pavilion. Basically, cultivators would choose the Falling Flower Pavilion instead of the flower boats on West Lake.
This huge Falling Flower Pavilion seemed to be a miniature of the prosperity that was like a dream after the Great Zhao Dynasty moved south. It eroded one’s bones and soul, grinding one’s ambition.
The 15th place on the Little Sacred Ranking was taken by Ximen Qiuhua. He was a rather unconventional genius on the Little Sacred Ranking. He was at the fourth realm of both Spirit Refinement and Body Tempering, but he was only 22 years old.
Unlike Wang Qinhe, Ye Wenxi, Sima Pudu, and the other geniuses, Ximen Qiuhua did not have any noble background. In fact, his status was a little lowly. He was birthed by a dancer in the Falling Flower Pavilion.
He grew up in the Falling Flower Pavilion and later revealed his talent. He was chosen by the existence behind the scenes of the Falling Flower Pavilion. Other than his lowly status, he obtained the qualifications to study and participate in the Imperial Examination.
However, Ximen Qiuhua went to the Literary Department to study. He only went there a few times and never went again. This was because even though his lowly status had been removed, he still could not mingle with the students of the Literary Department.
Those Confucian scholars from the Literary Department who often roamed the Flower Pavilion all knew Ximen Qiuhua’s identity and mocked him. They were ashamed to study with him.
In the end, Ximen Qiuhua returned to the Falling Flower Pavilion and studied hard. Because he had been nurtured in the Falling Flower Pavilion since he was young, he had mastered good zither skills, brewed good tea, and was even good at playing a good flute.
In fact, in the Falling Flower Pavilion, his position was comparable to many courtesans. This was because the people came to look for Ximen Qiuhua not because of his beauty or their peculiar hobby, but because they admired his zither skills, tea skills, and flute music alone.
Of course, no one dared to act recklessly because the person behind Ximen Qiuhua was the existence in charge of the Falling Flower Pavilion. It was rumored that their status and power were unimaginable.
An Le smiled and recalled the information in Madam Hua’s letter.
Ximen Qiuhua’s image gradually appeared in his mind.
Brushing off his white clothes, An Le stepped into the Falling Flower Pavilion.
A crescent moon shot into the room, brushing the spring wind into the curtain.
In front of the Falling Flower Pavilion, many scholars and cultivators paid attention to the handsome youth who was slowly walking over with a pot of old yellow wine and two swords at his waist.
Master An’s name was definitely extraordinary in Lin’an now. There were 3,000 poems recited in front of Prime Minister Qin’s Residence and the extradition of the righteous had long become an unforgettable scene for countless people.
Therefore, when An Le appeared, many cultivators in front of the Falling Flower Pavilion stopped in their tracks, especially some Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Ranking of the Literary Department. Their drunkenness was instantly swept away by the rain and wind. They widened their eyes and stared
at the youth.
“Master An.”
Many cultivators had fervent gazes as they greeted An Le. However, they also secretly sized up the youth. Master An, who was filled with heroism, had also come to the Falling Flower Pavilion to seek pleasure?
However, it was rumored that Master An went to the West Lake to view the flower boats and did not come to the Flower Pavilion. Could it be that… he had changed his taste?
Unlike the Confucian scholars of the Literary Department, many scholars did not have much conflict with An Le. They greeted him with admiration and the intention to get close to him.
An Le smiled and bowed. He returned the greetings one by one and stepped into the beautiful Falling Flower Pavilion.
A fragrant wind blew over. Several graceful figures approached quickly. Before they approached, they slowed down and bowed.
“Greetings, Master An.”
The words spoken in unison were soft and charming, making An Le’s expression turn serious.
The graceful figures moved aside one after another. An old but graceful woman who still retained her youthful beauty slowly walked over, looked at An Le, and bowed.
“I’ve long heard of Master An’s name. Seeing Master An come to my Falling Flower Pavilion today, the Falling Flower Pavilion is really honored. Look at my sisters, their eyes are almost watery.”
The woman pinched a round fan with chrysanthemums drawn on it. Although her words were exaggerated, her posture was elegant and carried the gracefulness of a noblewoman.
“Master An, go upstairs first. I’ve prepared the best room for you, and you can choose from our younger sisters. I heard that Master An’s painting skills are unique. Our Falling Flower Pavilion also has younger sisters who are good at painting. I hope Master An can give us some pointers.”
The woman smiled like a peach blossom and said softly.
An Le smiled and looked at the woman in front of him. The woman looked ordinary, but the Age Qi lingered on her body. She was probably at the third realm.
He cupped his fists and said, “Sister, I came to the Flower Pavilion to look for someone. Please pass on the message that the 16th on the Little Sacred Ranking, An Le, has come to challenge him.”
The smile on the woman’s face froze.
The surrounding scholars and scholars, as well as many cultivators who were watching, fell silent when they heard An Le’s words.
This was a challenge with the title of the Little Sacred Ranking?
Challenge who?
It was naturally the genius of the Falling Flower Pavilion’s Little Sacred Ranking, Ximen Qiuhua.
“This… This Master An, it’s really boring to fight in a beautiful place like the Falling Flower Pavilion. Why don’t I let Miss Tianxiang chat with Master An? She likes Master An’s ink bamboo so much that she can draw it every day..”