Chapter 007: The Monster of the Dark Music River

On the Yu family’s riverboat, a young woman in a blue dress was about to ascend to the second floor when the boat owner blocked her path.

“Qu Ling’er, long time no see!”

“Brother Yu, mind your own boat and step aside!”

The “Brother Yu” Ling’er referred to was Yu Qixian, the proprietor of the Yu family’s riverboat—a suave man of the martial world whom Ling’er had known for years.

Yu Qixian stood at a lofty height, his frame lean, with alluring eyes, handsome brows, and willow-shaped lips. There was always a hint of rakish charm mingling with the worldly experience etched on his face, giving him the air of a carefree wanderer who navigated the gray areas of society with ease.

Today, he wore a light gray silk robe patterned with subtle designs, a departure from his usual flashy attire. His long hair was tied neatly, lending him an air of refined decorum, almost like the scion of a noble family. But Ling’er was not deceived by appearances; she knew him for the charming rogue he was—at times cultured, but more often rebellious and wild at heart.

Whenever they met, they would quarrel, yet both benefited from the acquaintance. Ling’er received news from the world through him, while he learned from her where to find promising new musicians.

“Ling’er, are you gathering news again? Why not stay on the first floor where the guests are plentiful? Those upstairs prefer privacy—don’t get me in trouble!”

“I know, don’t worry!”

Finally shaking off the bothersome Yu Qixian, Ling’er hurried upstairs and knocked on the door of a private room.

When Ji Lin saw Ling’er enter, he instantly grew excited and asked, “How did it go?”

“Don’t worry, it’s already been delivered!” Ling’er arched a brow with a smile, then sighed, “Your junior sister is truly a peerless beauty!”

Ji Lin beamed with pride. “Of course! But it’s been ten years since we last met—I wonder how she’s changed.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be satisfied. Where’s Brother Wei?” Ling’er glanced around but saw no sign of Lan Shui.

“He’s gone to the Northern Hua Kingdom on business and hasn’t returned yet. By the way, is the information you provided accurate?” Ji Lin never minced words and couldn’t keep his questions to himself.

Yesterday, in the Azure Valley, Ji Lin had already questioned Ling’er and received some news. Upon hearing it, Lan Shui had left to investigate in the Northern Hua Kingdom, leaving Ji Lin to wait on the boat. Now, Lan Shui had yet to return.

Annoyance flashed across Ling’er’s face as she glared at Ji Lin. “Doubt me if you like! No one’s forcing you to listen.”

“No, don’t be upset. It’s just that you’re back and my senior brother isn’t—I’m worried!”

“Hmph! I’m done meddling in your affairs. My goal is met—I’m leaving!” Ling’er turned to go, but Ji Lin caught her by the wrist.

“Wait, you said your goal is met? What goal? I’m not aware of any.”

Ling’er paused, realizing her slip—she’d let her excitement get the better of her, just like her master. With a trace of resentment, she replied, “I just wanted to see Miss Xueze’s famed beauty for myself, that’s all…”

“Truly?” Ji Lin sounded skeptical.

“Truly!” Ling’er, unaccountably patient, answered every query.

Ji Lin released her, smiling gently. “I was worried you’d sent false information to harm my brother!”

“I wouldn’t dare! I know you’re formidable—I wouldn’t provoke you. Why not accuse me of coveting your good looks instead?”

“Could it be… you really have such intentions?”

Ling’er sneered. “Wipe that ever-changing look off your face. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be for you!”

Ji Lin grinned sheepishly and wandered to the table, pouring himself a cup of tea. He glanced at Ling’er. “Miss Qu, care for some tea? Shall we wait here for my beautiful senior brother to return?”

Before Ling’er could reply, a sudden violent jolt shook the boat. The Yu family’s vessel was large—such turbulence was rare. Ling’er grew curious. “What kind of helmsman did Yu Qixian hire?”

“You know the boat owner?” Ji Lin asked.

“Of course!” Ling’er replied, heading for the door. “I’ll go check on him!”

“Wait!” Ji Lin called after her. “It’s not safe outside. Please, Miss Qu, stay here a moment.”

Curious, Ling’er joined Ji Lin at the window. “Why has the river turned color? Let me send out my spirit butterflies to investigate!”

“No! It’s the river fiend at work—don’t let your spirit butterflies die in vain!” Ji Lin grabbed his sword and headed for the door. “Tell the boat owner to stop the vessel and move everyone inside!”

Ling’er hesitated, then nodded and hurried off to inform Yu Qixian.

Yu Qixian, seeing the river’s strange state, did as Ling’er suggested. Once all the passengers were inside, he and Ling’er rushed outside.

No sooner had they emerged than Ling’er saw Ji Lin leap to the prow, sword drawn. The whirlpool in the water grew larger by the moment, but Ji Lin decisively slashed at it. His sword energy struck the spinning vortex, casting shimmering light and slowing its rotation, though the water’s color turned a deep, ominous black, as if endless darkness lurked below.

Within a few exchanges, the whirlpool vanished. Suddenly, a black three-headed river fiend burst from the water. The creature was massive enough to block half the river, its three heads similar in size but bearing different expressions, its body wreathed in a foul black mist.

The beast fixed Ji Lin with a murderous glare and spat a torrent of foul water at him. Ji Lin dodged with ease and slashed at the monster, sending a wave of sword energy that forced it back several meters. Though his sword was no magical artifact, Ji Lin could channel spiritual power into it, making it formidable nonetheless.

“Three-headed river fiend, why do you wreak havoc here?” Ji Lin pointed his sword at the creature.

The river fiend shuddered, knowing itself no match for Ji Lin, and tried to speak—yet all three heads spoke at once, their voices a muddled cacophony.

Ji Lin glared, barking, “Speak one at a time!”

The leftmost head lunged forward, snarling, “I’m here to eat human flesh!”

Without hesitation, Ji Lin swung his sword and severed the left head. Bone and gore flew, dark fluid staining the river, but the water’s color quickly returned to normal.

Seeing this, the middle head recoiled, pushing the right head forward. The right head leaned in coquettishly and said, “I’ve come in search of beauties!”

Ji Lin again dispatched it without a second thought, slicing off the right head. Only the middle head remained, trembling as it cautiously extended forward. In a small voice, it said, “I… I’m here to find a musician!”

“For what purpose?”

“I heard there’s a master musician aboard. I love the sound of strings and came to listen!”

Ji Lin was puzzled but, for the peace of the vessel, prepared to finish it off. At that moment, Yu Qixian ran up, calling out urgently.

“Benefactor, wait!”

He reached Ji Lin’s side and pleaded for mercy. “The river fiend must have a reason for coming—please, spare it!”

“You fool, did you hear that nonsense about a musician?” Ling’er strode up behind Ji Lin and called out, “Put an end to it quickly, before someone comes out and gets frightened!”

Ji Lin tightened his grip on his sword, but Yu Qixian anxiously held him back. “Please, benefactor, have mercy!”

The river fiend dove back into the water and soon vanished. Ji Lin sighed. “Well, it’s your choice now.”

“It’s all right! If the three-headed fiend disperses and the water clears, it means it’s reverted to a mundane creature and poses no threat.” Ling’er saw the water return to its former clarity and laughed lightly. “See, the water’s clear! The records call this the Black Music River Fiend. It only appears when it senses the presence of a talented female musician.”

“But my boat often hosts female musicians—isn’t that a problem?” Yu Qixian grew worried.

“Are you dense? You’ve had female musicians before, but never saw the river fiend—those were just ordinary ones. This time you’ve found a true prodigy. Shouldn’t you go and test her out?”

With that, Ling’er hurried after Ji Lin, while Yu Qixian remained, uncertain whom to thank. He hadn’t opened the first floating teahouse for business or for pleasure alone, but in hopes of finding an exceptional musician.

Yu Qixian’s mother valued female musicians highly, for she was the Lady of Music from the Western Sea Estate, forever seeking a suitable disciple to oversee all the estate’s musicians.

Yu Qixian seldom returned to the Western Sea Estate, for it was a place of women, and he had no wish to inherit his mother’s legacy. As a condition, he agreed to help her find a worthy disciple to inherit her unique musical arts and then take charge of the musicians at Morning Glow Palace.

“My senior brother hasn’t returned yet. Miss Qu, please leave,” Ji Lin refused to let Ling’er back into their private room.

“Hey, weren’t you just inviting me in for tea to wait for him?” Ling’er protested.

Ji Lin shot her a cold glance, said nothing, and closed the door.

Outside, Ling’er stamped her foot in annoyance. “Fine, I won’t go in! I was about to compliment you, but it seems I was being foolishly sentimental.”