by Feng Yue
“I am a watch shop owner, the Anglo Second Department’s external brainpower, and the Sixth Department’s confidential consultant. I am a private doctor who has been dismissed by Her Majesty, and I am also the owner of an antique shop in Sacred City.
“If you want to know about my life, I can give you a set of six autobiographies of 2,400 pages. If you want to know my nature, it’s just what you’ve seen already. Ye Qingxuan, what do you want to ask? In your opinion, what is the sensational secret of a fat man like me?”
Ye Qingxuan remained silent for a long time with no more words. Soon he got up. “Well, I should go. See you then.”
Hermes carefully fastened the napkin and waved goodbye. “Be careful. There have been a lot of people watching you recently.”
“Eh?” Ye Qingxuan stopped at the doorway and turned back with a puzzled look.
“You are famous now.” Hermes smiled strangely, exclaiming with exaggerated tone, “Ye Qingxuan, everyone from North Asgard to India knows you!”
Ye Qingxuan was speechless.
“Do you know how others speak of you?” Hermes enumerated with his greasy fingers. “You are a madman, a lunatic, an executioner, a rare genius, a monster who broke through the resonance level within six months, a rising star amongst the musicians! No one can be your rival in resonance. You are only second to the masters!”
Ye Qingxuan froze. “Isn’t it too exaggerated?”
Only second to the masters? No matter from what aspect, these comments had been exaggerated. This was not to praise him anymore but to push him into the fire!
“No, no, no, no exaggeration.” Hermes waved. “I have been around for so many years. It’s my first time meeting somebody as troublesome as you. Think about it. How many people fell from the ranks because of you?”
Ye Qingxuan mused and counted his fingers. Then he found that ten fingers were not enough, and he also found that…there were too many people for him to recall. It seemed that there were quite a few people destroyed by him. Ever since he prepared to go back to Avalon, practically none of the musicians who met him had good endings.
Aha, that’s really awkward.
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Hermes gloated. “Whether you admit it or not, the people who want to challenge you could line up from the city gate to the central plaza!
“Moreover, it’s said that this noon, Maxwell set off with the Sword in the Stone to return to Anglo, so the number of the people seems to have multiplied. I thought you knew that but you appeared in the Central Church in such a high-profile way… It’s like there is a sign written ‘challenge me’ on your head.”
He paused meaningfully here, looking at Ye Qingxuan as if he was looking at a good stepping-stone. “Little Yezi, the storm has not come yet. Don’t get yourself into trouble so soon.”
Ye Qingxuan had nothing to say. He pushed through the door in a complex mood.
Outside the door, several musicians at the end of the corridor heard the sound and looked over. After seeing his white hair, they were stunned at first but their eyes lit up immediately.
Ye Qingxuan also looked at them oddly. “No way…”
Isn’t it too fast?
“Ye Qingxuan?” Soon, a handsome young man ranked out of the crowd, speaking in a polite tone, “I’m Donatro from the Esposito family, a member of the Gregory Choir in the Sacred City. May I have the pleasure to consult with you?”
Ye Qingxuan was silent. He turned back and looked at Wolf Flute in the distance who was ready to watch the show with a cup of hot coffee in his hand. Wolf Flute shrugged helplessly, telling him that he could not help.
“I suggest you better hurry.” Wolf Flute turned and looked out of the window. In the distance, people gradually converged in the Central Church. Musicians rushed to the second floor one by one. He could not help whistling. “Oh, everyone has turned out. Even the pandas in the Sacred City Zoo don’t get this treatment…”
Ye Qingxuan’s expression grew serious.
“There he is! I found him!” There was a noisy sound under the stairs and soon musicians rushed up to the floor one after another. The voices were heard before they even appeared.
“Mr. Ye, I’m Zanaldo, the concertmaster of Jackdaw School, coming for advice!”
“Mr. Ye, I’m Will, the concertmaster of Seclusion School, coming to learn from you.”
“Where’s Ye Qingxuan?” A bold voice shouted, “Rafter from Gudeman School comes to challenge you. If you are a man, don’t run!”
“Mr. Ye, I’m Sairol, a professor from Trinity College. I have several questions about interpretation that I hope you can enlighten for with.”
“I’m…”
“…representative of Rock Institute…”
“Concertmaster…”
“The Caucasian Ice Wind School…”
“The Golden Sparrow Music Division…”
Groups of musicians rushed up and jammed the entire corridor. With shortness of breath and redness of eyes, they were like a group of animals in heat, staring at Ye Qingxuan as if he was a walking stepping-stone or a ticket to fame. Of course, their excuses were also diverse. Some came for asking an advice, some wanted to have a consultation, some wanted to challenge him. Someone even came to avenge someone that Ye Qingxuan could not remember… They came with modesty or arrogance, confidence, or a mysterious smile.
Ye Qingxuan silently looked at the surging heads before him. Those unfamiliar faces were filled with fighting spirit, which was simply inexplicable to him. He frowned and his eyes grew cold.
“Wait!” As he prepared to speak, the young man who came first in the crowd, Donatro, stood up and blocked the crowd. He called, “Gentlemen, I know that you all want to see Mr. Ye but there are so many people. I’m afraid Mr. Ye is too busy to treat us all. We can’t let others say that the Sacred City doesn’t know manners.”
He paused and said, “Why don’t we pick up a few representatives and ask Mr. Ye about music theory? Let’s do best of three rounds. I suppose Master Ye won’t refuse our sincere kindness.”
“Yes!”
“I agree!”
In a blink of an eye, those musicians were convinced. There was not even the slightest sign of the intense enthusiasm from before. Even Ye Qingxuan also sighed with relief… h*ll no!
He seemed to be at an advantage if the group of people went through preliminary rounds. However, he knew that this was planned from their clumsy acting. He had not even agreed to a duel yet. These b*stards wanted to defeat him with numbers.
Ye Qingxuan’s expression darkened. Looking back to Wolf Flute, he said straightforwardly, “Are all the musicians of the Sacred City like this?”
“Some of them.” Wolf Flute blew his hot coffee, squinted at the group of guys, and said, “This group of people is not well off locally. They came to the Sacred City to get an advanced education so that they can fake their resume. Most of them have enough money but lack skills. They always gather together, seeming majestic, but in fact, the truly powerful musicians would just ignore them.
“They have no sense of existence so that they have to attack the politics of the Sacred City or the big families every day. With the identity of musician, they become fearless. They always gather to cause trouble, but people who do not like them have no idea how to deal with them…”
He paused with a strange smile. “Hey, little Yezi, someone doesn’t like you. They might want to teach you some lessons.”
“Why?”
“Because you are more famous than they are.” Wolf Flute said confidently, “Isn’t this enough?”
Ye Qingxuan was wordless. This was enough. He was the real thorn in the flesh to those who had been longing for fame and fortune for many years and those without any achievements. One never knew what kind of birds would live in big woods. Similarly, all kinds of people lived in this world.
Hearing Wolf Flute’s voice, Donatro’s eyes immediately darkened. But soon, he returned to the previous humble enthusiasm with a smile.
He was emboldened. Now the situation had been settled. Witnessed and forced by so many people, Ye Qingxuan had to jump into this trap.
Ye Qingxuan did not have to fight. But after tonight, the entire Sacred City would know that he had run because of fear. If he fought, the results would only be worse since they were prepared.
If he won, he was a bully.
If he lost, he would naturally lose his fame.
Even if they just held on for a few minutes and then gave up early, then they could boast that Ye Qingxuan was nothing big and they had a draw with him… Even if Ye Qingxuan tried to explain in the future, the truth would no longer be important with so many gossiping mouths and rumors. Everyone liked to watch something like ‘the gifted musician’s defeat at the Sacred City’.
Facing the challenges of the elites, the genius who was hailed in the past dared not to fight but flee! It was exposed that Ye Qingxuan was actually overhyped! No matter how he defended himself, he would become a total clown. As long as the public opinion was unanimous, there would definitely be countless people to insult him and worsen the situation. Within half a month, his reputation would be down in the gutter.
Ye Qingxuan quickly understood this all. He even predicted their various arrangements and means. The plan was really easy and well thought out. It was as perfect as heaven.
However…things like that did not exist in this world!
He looked up and asked softly, “You have reached an agreement?”
Seeming to have not sensed his mockery, Donatro’s smile was still warm and humble. “What do you think, Master Ye?”
Ye Qingxuan smiled. The smile was particularly disturbing. Everyone who was familiar with this b*stard knew that every time he smiled like that, someone was going to meet his misfortune.
Under everyone’s gaze, he stepped forward and looked down on Donatro. He raised a finger and pointed to his face. “Do you know who I am?”
In the silence, everyone was stunned. They looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what Ye Qingxuan meant.
“Ye Qingxuan?”
“Anglo sword bearer.”
“Gifted musician…”
“The man second only to the masters?”
Listening to their noisy and confused voices, Ye Qingxuan became satisfied as if he was enjoying the praise. It felt so good to him.
When the voices stopped, he nodded and looked at Donatro. “What else?”
What else? What else was there?
Donatro’s eyes darkened. He quickly thought about what Ye Qingxuan meant. Suddenly, it felt as if he was struck by lightning. In an instant, his face changed.
Because Ye Qingxuan slowly raised a jade tablet before him.
The jade tablet was of extremely rare quality and carved with fine and solemn patterns. The engraving contained unique aetheric fluctuations and was stamped with the unique emblem of the Aurora royalty. It was created Ministry of Rites and it was the only one in the world.
“I can enter the temple without taking off my shoes or my sword. People should call me my title but not name. I’m Marquess Ye Qingxuan.” Ye Qingxuan stooped to look at Donatro’s face, smiling as if looking at kindergarteners. “Do you have a title?”
Donatro’s face was livid. He clenched his teeth with speaking.
They had predicted all possible results but forgot this one.
Ye Qingxuan was not just a brilliant musician which sounded great but actually meant nothing. He was the Marquess verified by the Sacred City, the representative of the Blood of Glory, the future Archduke. He was the superior with all the honor and majesty in the world!
This b*stard was now a Marquess who would not be accused of bullying, adultery, plunder or arson! He didn’t have to pay attention to the so-called challenges and did not have to care about hurtful rumors.
He had the whole Sacred City—no, all the nobles in the world—behind him. If they dared to play any tricks, make up any rumors, or gossip…the Amnesty Department would never let them go!
In a dead silence, Ye Qingxuan walked around Donatro. He reached out, pointing to the faces in the crowd. “Do you have a title? You? And you? Forget it. With that penniless look, I know you don’t. You, you, and you…”
Finally, in the silence, someone made a sound. “I do.”
“Oh?” Ye Qingxuan smiled. “What title?”
The young man’s face twitched, and after a long time, he squeezed the answer from his teeth. “Viscount.”
Ye Qingxuan snorted and said nothing. He just huffed in disdain, mocking them. “No more?”
Donatro was livid as he looked at Ye Qingxuan. “You—”
Crack! Before he finished his words, Ye Qingxuan slapped him. He was so fast, the strength was cruel, and the intention was quite vicious. One slap made Donatro go blind. All of the people sank into a daze.
Such an attack should have activated Donatro’s shield and ricocheted. But when he slapped down, his hit had contained music theory. Before the shield was unfolded, it was completely disintegrated. Even the alchemy ring was cracked.
This shield was a completely joke to Ye Qingxuan. It was no thicker than a piece of paper.
“You…Ye Qingxuan…you!” Donatro staggered back, holding his face blankly and feeling the hot pain. He finally understood what had just happened. His eyes became furious, his expression twisted. His face was red with anger.
Ignoring this, Ye Qingxuan just flicked his finger and lightly said, “You did not know my status before, so you were innocent. But now, you have to learn to use the honorific. Pay attention to your identity, ‘young man’.” Ye Qingxuan emphasized the last two words. His mockery was quite palpable.
Before they could speak, Ye Qingxuan waved his sleeve. “I’m tired. Let’s call it a day.” He stood with his hands behind his back. “It is rare for you to come and wait to see me, the Marquess. To be mindful of your sincerity, I will not dispute your offense.” He paused, looking at those furious faces. He smile cheerfully and said word by word, “You may kneel and leave now.”
In the silence, he played with the jade tablet. The jade tablet was warm and gentle but looked like flashing lights, stinging people’s eyes.
In the silence, the viscount was the first to bow down to him. Then, everyone bowed their head. People with no title knelt on one knee while the other nobles looked respectful, daring not to reveal the slightest dissatisfaction or irritability.
Seeing them lower themselves obediently, Ye Qingxuan could not help laughing. He kicked the guy before him to the side and crossed the crowd as if he was crossing a thoroughfare, relaxed and unrestrained.
In the crowd, Donatro, kneeling with humiliation, clenched his fists. His eyes were bloodshot. Today should have been his day to fame. He had spent so much effort and money in exchange for the opportunity. He didn’t expect it could come to this state!
While passing by him, Ye Qingxuan seemed to stop a little. The voice of scorn sounded in Donatro’s ear.
“Come for advice?” Ye Qingxuan smiled. “Do you qualify?”
435 Morning Call
Night fell gradually after dusk. A beautiful voice echoed through the cells of the Judgement Tower.
“Oh, hit a horse, hit a hose, hit ah-oh-ah horse~” Someone sat in bed and sang lovingly at the bare wall, “Twenty-one horses, thirty-one horses, forty-one horses…one hundred and one horses but still not as good as hit~ a horse~”
The entire prison was immersed in this cheerful song. All criminals felt the beauty and hope of life. Repenting their sins, they could not help but shed tears, moaning in pain with their heads down.
“Charles, I’m going to kill you tomorrow!”
“Shut up! Stop singing!”
“Guards! Where are the guards? I’ll confess, I’ll confess! Make him stop!”
Finally, even Constantine could not stand it. He coughed awkwardly and cut off his singing. If he did not do anything now, the b*stard would be killed tomorrow.
“You seem happy, Charles… Uh,
is there good news?”
“Today’s Sunday, Mr. Constantine. Did you forget?” Charles said animatedly. “We get grilled meat!”
“Huh?” Constantine was still troubled. “Just that?”
Charles froze. “Is grilled meat not good?”
Constantine shook his head helplessly. “Stop singing. I’ve had indigestion these past two days. You might need to take my portion.”
“Really? I’d love to help eat it for you!” Charles was ecstatic. “Sir, you must take care of your health as you age. Should I ask the guard for fried chicken to help nourish you?”
Constantine really wanted to roll his eyes. Finally, he shook his head and stopped speaking.
Seeing him like this, Charles could not help but sigh. “Mr. Constantine, I know you’re an important figure and look down on grilled meat but we’re in the Judgement Tower now. We’ll either live here for free for the rest of our lives or we’ll get dragged to the gallows and there won’t be a tomorrow… Life is hard so don’t treat yourself badly. Grilled meat is great. Why don’t you like it?”
Constantine shook his head. “Charles, you are satisfied from meat because there is no sun in your heart.”
“Sun?” Charles chuckled. “The sun has already set.”
“It’s still there. You just can’t see it.” Constantine looked up and out the window behind Charles’s back, staring at the black sky. “As long as you stand high enough and close your eyes, you can still hear the deafening sound in the long night. The sound of the sun’s operation echoes through the vacuum, changing in the atmosphere.
“It lifts the tides of aether, pouring down endless light and heat, pushing the world… It is there, waiting for you to find it. When you have a true sun in your heart, you will not be pained by dust or cheered by the mirage before your eyes. You will look further into the distance.”
There was a long silence.
Charles gaped at him. After a while, he felt that he needed to give a reaction so he nodded as if suddenly enlightened. “Oh.”
Constantine mused for a while and could not help but laugh at himself. He waved his hand. “I said something hard to understand. Don’t mind it. It’s almost dinner. Go eat grilled meat. After saying all this, I want to eat some more too.”