That Fair-Faced 'Sage' {Completed}

42. One-Of-A-Kind Apology

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It had gotten late, so Shuǐ ChénLín and Lu FengHo had left the crystal willow, and were walking back towards the grounds together.

"Tomorrow, the junior disciples in the yellow realm, begin their first 'Enchantments and Seals' lesson." Lu FengHo was saying. "I'm taking them to the east field at dawn, so they can cultivate and draw natural energy."

"Umh. You will be out most of the day." Shuǐ ChénLín said.

Lu FengHo nodded. "Yes, but I'll return before nightfall. I learned a new song, so we can met under the crystal willow again."

The two walked in companionable silence, and then came to a crossroads, with their lodges in opposite directions.

"See you tomorrow." Lu FengHo waved him goodnight.

"Sleep well." Shuǐ ChénLín returned the wave.

Shuǐ ChénLín was still a short way from his lodge, when a light wave of sounds reached his ears.

'A guzheng?'

It was late night, and to his knowledge, no one around his lodge should be outside.

He stopped, cautiously reaching out with his senses, feeling for any abnormal auras.

But the music had stopped as well.

He took a step, and the music followed his step, and then stopped when he stopped.

He took a few more steps, and as he expected, the music continued as well, till he stopped again.

The ends of his lips lifted in interest.

Every strum of the strings seemed to surround him, and as each wave of the beautiful sound hit him, it was clear that this was a technique, not just music.

Yet strangely, he didn't feel the least bit threatened, and instead it filled him with warmth.

It was Lifting... Irresistable.

It was unreasonable, but it felt as if he could reach out and touch thase intricate sounds, and he couldn't prevent his steps from pulling him in that direction.

His chest swelled in anticipation, and the music was rising as well, in a dramatic increase in tempo, as if to match his now faster steps.

With every one of his footfalls, there was a trinkling, intricate slide, as the player's fingers glided over the strings, creating a sound like a light rippling of water, which made him feel like the music was within him, or he was within it, or he accompanied the music, or it accompanied him...

It was like his whole being was wrapped and woven around the heavenly melody that drew him closer, and he arrived at his bamboo lodge to find his disciple sitting in front of it.

'Zhao LanFeng!' Shuǐ ChénLín was a bit surprised at the sight.

Zhao LanFeng sat right by the door, with his eyes shut, and his fingers flying across the many strings of the instrument.

There was a force of wind around him, not strong enough to alarm, but just enough to blow his hair and robes about. There was also a mild flow of aura surrounding him, which bright purple and completely different from his usual black aura.

Shuǐ ChénLín halted his steps, and the music stopped as well.

The wind slowly died down, the purple aura vanished, and Zhao LanFeng opened his eyes.

A silent moment passed. Then two.

LanFen finally held out a hand, revealing the small painted pebble on her palm, and it was at that point that Shuǐ ChénLín even realized, that they had been surrounded by the illusionary fireflies, which flew happily about, bathing the two in their magical glow.