Chapter 265: Painting the Valley
Chapter 265: Painting the Valley
Qing Tianyou took the Bamboo Xiao from Chen Changsheng’s hand, treasuring it like a found treasure.
He felt a bit unsure at first. He thought back to the melody Chen Changsheng had just played and attempted to play it himself.
The first time, no sound came out. He tried again. On the third attempt, a sound finally emerged.
“Wu…”
“Ping Yun!!” Qing Tianyou’s eyes lit up. “That’s Ping Yun!”
Then he covered some holes and blew again.
“This is Shang Shang Yun!”
“Shang Xia Yun!”
“This is… no, no, this one…”
Qing Tianyou paused. This tone didn’t sound like Shang Xia Yun, yet it was very close.
“It’s Bian Zhi,” Chen Changsheng said.
Qing Tianyou asked, “Is this one of the extra two notes beyond the five pure tones you spoke of?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Yes. There’s also Bian Gong. Try covering the second hole, and then…”
Qing Tianyou followed the method and produced a tone between Gong and Shang.
“I understand! I understand now!”
Qing Tianyou grinned. “Wonderful! Truly amazing! Ha ha ha ha…”
His laughter faded. He glanced at Chen Changsheng, then brought the Bamboo Xiao to his lips.
“Wu~”
Clear, harmonious tones flowed out, connecting and weaving into a melody. Blended with the gentle mountain breeze, the music drifted sweetly to the ears.
While playing, Qing Tianyou slowly closed his eyes.
He became completely lost, swept away by the harmonies gathered from Heaven and Earth.
Memories flashed through him: towering mountains and flowing rivers; rain pattering on rocks; bamboo groves rustling; stones cracking on slopes. Everything merged into this melody, pulling all the wonders of nature together.
Chen Changsheng suddenly stilled. He looked up.
The very plant life essence within this mountain forest suddenly came alive around them.
The essence felt intelligent, drawn here by the sound.
Flowers blossomed on the shore. Butterflies flew through the woods. Bird calls echoed distantly. Even the creek seemed to ripple along with his music.
Flowers, birds, fish, insects—all leaped and danced under the tune.
A butterfly landed on Qing Tianyou’s shoulder. A braver one settled right on the edge of the Bamboo Xiao.
The plant life essence and Spiritual Energy for miles around gathered here like thin wisps, filling everything with life.
Chen Changsheng snapped back to attention. How he looked at Qing Tianyou changed in that single moment.
He pulled out his Wine Gourd and took a long drink. A thoughtful smile touched the corner of his mouth.
One Bamboo Xiao. Melodies merging into the Great Dao. Attracting all life from Heaven and Earth. A glimpse of the ultimate truth unfolding before him.
Qing Tianyou opened his eyes. Seeing the miraculous scene around him, he froze. The Xiao music paused for a heartbeat.
“What’s this…?”
“Don’t look back.”
Chen Changsheng’s voice was firm, protective. “I, Chen, will guard your Dao!”
Qing Tianyou jolted back to focus. He steadied himself briefly, closed his eyes again, and raised the Bamboo Xiao.
Fish in the stream began circling the long bamboo. Butterflies fluttered near him. Birds from the Mountain Stream soared overhead.
Mountains and water and fish; flowers and butterflies and birds—they mirrored and merged flawlessly, perfect harmony without any hint of disorder.
This scene unfolded before Chen Changsheng, dreamlike and unforgettable.
Natural melodies filled the air, holding everything together. The sound of the Bamboo Xiao seemed to fade away. At that center sat Qing Tianyou, seated upon the water in his ink-blue short robe, the core of this breathtaking landscape.
“How carefree…,” Chen Changsheng murmured softly. He raised a hand. A pure white butterfly landed gently on his fingertip.
“This… is nature.”
Chen Changsheng watched Qing Tianyou. This single melody stirred an indescribable awe within him. The Dao resonating within pure music, merging with nature itself – the Dao of Heaven and Earth truly held wonders beyond expression.
“Wu….”
The last note of the Xiao dipped and faded.
Fish in the stream slowly swam away. Butterflies drifted off from the creek. Birds returned to their nests. The vibrant colors of the flowers softened…
Qing Tianyou lowered his Bamboo Xiao. When he opened his eyes again, a faint glow of Spiritual Energy swirled within his gaze. Through melody intertwining with nature, nurtured by Heaven and Earth’s vegetal essence that had gathered, he had ascended into the next level, the fabled Seventh Realm.
Qing Tianyou seemed dazed. He looked at the dispersing wonders, then down at his own self.
“What was that?” He asked, utterly bewildered by the spectacle.
Chen Changsheng explained, “There are Three Thousand Great Daos, each different. Some cultivate martial strength to shatter mountains. Others cultivate the sword, slicing open the gateway of heaven. Strength or sword are seen as paths. So too is sound. Strange sights just appeared because of the pure natural melodies woven through your Bamboo Xiao. You have taken half a step onto that Great Dao.”
“Dao…” Qing Tianyou whispered the word. He recalled the feeling – forgetting himself, becoming part of the natural world itself. “That… was Dao?”
He looked down at the Bamboo Xiao in his hands. It felt impossible. Unbelievably sudden. And the idea of such a Great Dao? He had never heard of such a thing.
Shaking himself, Qing Tianyou realized, “I… I reached the Seventh Realm.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “It was destined.”
Qing Tianyou raised his hand but hesitated. “I heard… in the Mortal World, if you receive help from another, you should bow in thanks.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “There is no debt to thank. You and I met in this valley. You didn’t hold me being an outsider against me. I didn’t mind that you aren’t human. It felt like meeting an old friend beneath the Green Mountain. We talked freely, finding great joy.”
Qing Tianyou’s heart swelled with happiness. “Good! Good! Very good!” he exclaimed three times. “My mistake! Please don’t blame me!”
Chen Changsheng asked, “That piece you played just now… does it have a name?”
Qing Tianyou shook his head. “It came from years of listening to the rain and wind. I could play it somewhat using jade cups, but… it always felt like something was missing. Today, I got this…”
“This is a Xiao,” Chen Changsheng offered the instrument’s name.
“Good name! The bamboo you mentioned among the Eight Winds? Right?”
“Precisely.”
Qing Tianyou squeezed the Bamboo Xiao. “Playing it now… it felt different. That missing thing? It felt like it just… clicked. It wasn’t the melody wrong, it was the instrument.”
“Thinking the melody lacked something, I never named it. Now that I know its essence comes purely from nature…” Pausing, he looked directly at Chen Changsheng. “This tune became complete only because we met today. I’m bad at thinking up names. Why not let you name it instead?”
“Me…?” Chen Changsheng pondered. “The melody sings of nature’s free spirit. At its very first note, it drew every creature of this secluded valley to us, swirling at your side, lingering without end… like waking dream turned into a Scroll Painting.”
“Melody like a brush. The valley like a painting.” His voice settled. “Call it…”
“Painting the Valley.”
“What do you think?”
Qing Tianyou savored the name: “Melody as brush, valley as painting… Painting the Valley. It should be! Exactly so!”
He laughed, eyes bright. Then he looked at the instrument. “This Xiao…”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “It… is yours.”