Chapter 256: It All Comes Down to Grudges and Resentments in the End
Chapter 256: It All Comes Down to Grudges and Resentments in the End
Qing Tianyou felt a bit embarrassed and said, “There’s no reason to take it for free.”
As he spoke, he took out the few jade cups from his sleeve and handed them to Chen Changsheng.
Qing Tianyou said, “I also heard that in the Mortal World, people believe in giving a gift in return. So, you gave me this Bamboo Xiao, and I will give you the jade cups.”
Chen Changsheng smiled helplessly and said, “This Bamboo Xiao was just made from what was nearby. How can it compare to a set of white jade cups?”
Qing Tianyou smiled and said, “In my eyes, this Bamboo Xiao is far more valuable, thousands of times better. Besides, since we see each other as friends, why should we compare which is higher?”
After hearing this, Chen Changsheng stopped refusing. He took the white jade cups from him and put them into his sleeve.
Qing Tianyou smiled and said, “Besides the xiao, is there anything else?”
“Naturally, there is.”
The two of them sat cross-legged on the long bamboo and drifted along the stream. Along the way, they talked about things used in the Mortal World to make sound and music—xiao, di, se, qin, xun, sheng. Chen Changsheng told him everything he knew about them.
Qing Tianyou listened very closely and also asked Chen Changsheng about how these instruments were made.
If something was complicated, Chen Changsheng could talk about it for a long time, but Qing Tianyou did not want to miss a single word.
For him, these things were the most precious of all.
Who could have guessed that the Azure Eagle on the mountaintop would be so obsessed with music.
The two of them lost track of time talking. They talked from noon until dusk, and the long bamboo had passed through the valley and come to a wide-open place.
Qing Tianyou looked up and took a deep breath, saying, “The road ahead is long…”
He still had lots and lots to learn. But because he knew the road ahead was long, he found it all the more fun. In his view, things that had an end were the most boring.
Chen Changsheng took a sip of wine and said, “There are many more. If I wanted to finish talking about everything, it would take many days.”
For some reason, Qing Tianyou felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this. Then he asked, “By the way, we’ve been talking so long, and I still don’t know why you came to the Demon Realm?”
Chen Changsheng said, “I was already here, so I came.”
Qing Tianyou paused for a moment, then understood, and smiled. “Just as you said, all Green Mountains in the world are the same. There’s nowhere I can’t go. Living so freely—I’m a bit envious.”
Chen Changsheng asked, “But you are an Azure Eagle, soaring through the skies. How can that be any worse than me?”
Qing Tianyou shook his head and said, “A demon like me can see the whole Demon Realm cleanly in not much time. Once, twice, three times, four times—I’ve long gotten tired of it.”
“Heavens! This Demon Realm may seem big, but to me, it’s really just a small patch of land.”
Chen Changsheng saw longing for the outside world in his eyes, with no hiding.
Chen Changsheng shook his head and said, “If you went to see the Mortal World outside the Demon Realm, you might be disappointed.”
Qing Tianyou asked puzzledly, “Why is that?”
Chen Changsheng said, “Look around. In the southern wastelands, sadness and hardship are everywhere. Countless people have no home. Disasters and troubles are in every place. The green mountains are no longer green, the streams have dried up, and people struggle to live.”
Qing Tianyou paused, seeming a bit surprised. “This…”
Chen Changsheng continued, “You’d understand once you saw it.”
Qing Tianyou said, “That may not be so. Not long ago, a Sword Qi shot up from the human settlement. The demon kings of the Thirty-Six Caves were planning to break the city and leave soon. But after seeing that Sword Qi, they held back out of fear. It will probably take a long time yet.”
“The demon kings of the Thirty-Six Caves?” Chen Changsheng looked at him.
Qing Tianyou paused, then snapped out of it, saying, “Let’s not talk about these things.”
Chen Changsheng nodded; it was better not to bring up these matters.
“Speaking of which, how long will you stay in the Demon Realm?” Qing Tianyou said. “It’s a dangerous time now. If you are found, things might get very bad for you.”
Chen Changsheng laughed and said, “How long is up in the air. As for the danger, don’t worry. I have my ways.”
After hearing this, Qing Tianyou said, “Are you really sure? This isn’t something to joke about.”
Chen Changsheng nodded and said, “Don’t worry.”
Qing Tianyou hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, “Alright, then. I’ll go with you. I know the Demon Realm roads well, so I can help you avoid trouble. In return, will you tell me how that Breezier is made?”
Chen Changsheng looked surprised, then laughed and said, “No problem!”
The two of them traveled together. The Demon Realm might not be as big as the outside world, but it had its own kind of beauty.
Qing Tianyou and Chen Changsheng traveled together. Qing Tianyou pointed the way ahead, and Chen Changsheng spoke about the Breezier.
With Qing Tianyou guiding them, they hardly saw any monsters. The way was very quiet, with lots of scenery.
During this time, Qing Tianyou even tried to make a Chang Qin. But the material he picked was not so good. The strings snapped several times, and he found no way to fix it.
Chen Changsheng said, “I heard that Chang Qin strings are mostly made from silk twists. I don’t exactly know how to make them, but the twisting skill isn’t simple.”
“Silk?”
Qing Tianyou stroked his chin and said, “If it were silk from a Silkworm Demon, maybe it would work. But do people in the Mortal World really use demons’ silk for making the qin?”
“It’s only regular silk.”
“Oh? How can regular silk make strings? Wouldn’t it snap when played?”
Chen Changsheng smiled and said, “Thousands of strands twisted together form a string. Even though silk feels soft, twisting hundreds of strands into one, weaving them, makes it very strong.”
After hearing this, Qing Tianyou sighed and said, “Then making strings from silk really isn’t easy.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Other things can be used instead. What you said—Silkworm Demon silk—might work right away.”
“Let me try later.” Qing Tianyou said. “There’s always a way. Actually, I’m more interested in what you said about making strings.”
“Thousands of strands twisted together…” Qing Tianyou murmured, then said. “Is that why humans have held the gap in the Demon Realm for so many years?”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng shook his head and said, “Not entirely. The Divine Domain relies on being tough now.”
Qing Tianyou froze upon hearing this and quickly said, “I asked the wrong thing again. Good thing you didn’t say anything big.”
“Really, it’s fine.” Chen Changsheng said. “Anyway, I trust you.”
“Really…”
Qing Tianyou shook his head and said. “But no matter what, I am from the Demon Race. You should still be careful. Things I don’t need to know, better keep from me.”
Chen Changsheng nodded and said. “Alright, then. Let’s stick to small matters.”
Qing Tianyou smiled; that was just as he wanted.
Qing Tianyou said. “Actually, I don’t fully understand this. Why can’t humans and the Demon Race live together? Without that, none of this would happen.”
Chen Changsheng said. “With grudges and resentments beforehand, it’s hard for the two races to make peace.”
Qing Tianyou could only sigh helplessly.
Grudges and resentments beforehand—it all comes down to that, grudges and resentments beforehand…