Chapter 69: Literary Competition - A Dream of Worldly Affairs
The atmosphere suddenly turned incomparably awkward. Long Yin’s booming voice broke the silence, shifting everyone’s attention. “Lin Xiao, for this stage of the competition, the winner is Wuchen, do you concede?”
Lin Xiao bow his head and said. “I’m already convinced in heart and by word. I prostrate myself in admiration.”
Long Yin nodded. “In that case, let us start the second stage of this competition!” pausing in thought, “Lin Xiao, I heard you always keep a flute by your side since you were a child and that your attainments on the flute have reached perfection. Is this rumour true?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this rumour is actually true. My name ‘Lin Xiao’ has the word ‘Xiao’, which is the same as ‘Xiao’ (flute). Since I was born, my fate has already been tied to the flute. When I was a child I loved the flute as I do my life. Everyday I would set my own rules to practice the flute. Anywhere I go, the flute will be by my side, not only to relax my mind, but also serving as my sword in times of crisis. Among all the things I’ve learned, the flute is what I am best at.” as Lin Xiao said this, he pulled out a white jade flute from his sleeves. During this occasion and even prior to the previous competitions he had the flute on his person, proving that the flute indeed did not leave his side.
“Very well. Rumour has it that no one is better at the flute than you. That every time you play, even the birds in the sky or the crawling insects in the ground will gather around and listen. But excluding your family, no one has ever had the opportunity to enjoy your playing. Since you have your flute with you, the second stage will be a flute playing competition! And at the same time, let me also enjoy the so-called real sound of the flute. Are you certain that you can win this?” Long Yin asked.
Long Yin’s words were not wrong. Tian Long Nation had an ongoing rumour that Lin Xiao of Lin family has an attainment in the flute that has reached a supreme realm transcending worldliness and had attained holiness. Its sound is like something from the heavens. If the flute was played on the riverside it shall attract the geese and lure out the fishes. If played from the forest it shall attract different beasts to gather around by his side to linger. People talk about such incredible myth-like rumours, but none of them have actually heard it. Among the people present, excluding the people from the Lin family, nobody else has heard him play. That being the case, people were not only quite expectant, but were also very excited about it. As Lin Xiao had mentioned, among all the things that he had learned, this is where he excelled, and he is unlikely to be a man who is full of empty promises.
Lin Xiao held the flute lightly, gently stroking it as if it were his devoted lover. He said absently, “This flute is called A Dream of Worldly Affairs. It was a memento from my mother, and she loved it dearly. When I was three she had given it to me in her last moments before dying of an illness…This is the only thing she left me. After her death, I had cried for three days and three nights and swore never to abandon this flute.”
He relaxed a bit, then held up the white jade flute. “Every time I remember mother, I would play this flute. For seventeen years, I have never missed a day. As the time goes by, my emotions got involved, my thoughts got involved, and two years ago even my heart got involved. It knows my heart, and I also know its heart. For this lifetime…I will never leave it. I haven’t challenged anyone to a flute competition before because no one can match me. Bleak sounds from this world could not compare to the sound of my flute nor even deign to play alongside it.
The expression on Lin Xiao’s face was of nostalgia and pride. The people did not think that he was exaggerating. His affection to this flute as well as his manipulation of it are known to be far beyond the realm of ordinary people.
“Today, for the sake of my Lin family’s reputation, I, Lin Xiao will use this flute to compete.” As he began to play, his surroundings began to shift. The sound of the flute flowed into the air of the cold spring, suddenly like the sea waves pushing forward layer by layer, then like snowflakes swirling wave by wave, to a whirlwind bursting through the canyon, everything changing quickly before dripping through the quiet night sky of the Milky Way...
The sound once again changed its course, turning into a mournful yet touching sound, as if they were hearing the beautiful singing of a young lady. Their hearts slowly reflected a distinct figure. She seemed to be only seven or eight years of age, approaching slowly with graceful steps, but no matter how many steps she took, she did not move from her place.
A warm wind blew and sunlight shone. The sky suddenly erupted flower petals dancing through the wind, the grass under the feet of the young lady began to sprout wildflowers. From the earth, a dark green colour spread throughout the area, dotted with thousands of purples and reds. This is the beauty of the spring.
A cool wind blew as the young lady suddenly transforms into a twenty year old woman. The corners of her mouth curl up into a smile and she starts dancing lightly and gracefully. A scorching sun was up in the sky, all living things prospered, heaven and earth flourished. This is the breath of summer.
A bleak wind blows, the young lady transformed into a middle aged woman, losing her grace as she slowly drifted. She did not sing or dance, only walking forward silently, footsteps calm and unhurried. The earth had dried up, all living things started to ignore the heaven and earth’s urge to retain its state, and slowly weakened. This is the depression of the autumn.
Cold winds blow, she is an old woman with temples covered in grizzled hair, she staggered with every step, eyes that were once beautiful now cloudy. The earth had lost its vitality, blanketed by pure white snow, covering what was once full of beauty and hope. Finally, the figure collapsed in the middle of the cold wind covering the body with snow. Her figure can no longer distinguishable. This is the conclusion of the winter.
The sound of flute stopped, freezing the people’s thoughts to that last snowy world. That is the final destination of every person. No one can escape the final stage of life.
Translated by: Fatty_Uncle
Edited by: patrick_father_of_dragons