“In this world, people love the guzheng but not the guqin—such is the loneliness of this melody, known only to kindred spirits.”
Compared to the bright, resounding notes of the guzheng and flute, the guqin—traced back to the ancient sage Fuxi—was subtle and serene.
Without a quiet heart, one could never appreciate its beauty.
Thus, there was an old saying: “The guqin soothes the self; the guzheng entertains others.”
At this moment, for He Yingying—mired in misery and despair—the brash and stirring notes of guzheng or flute would only worsen her anguish.
In contrast, the guqin’s mellow and graceful tune, like wind over water, glided softly through the air.
By the time the melody ended, her heart unknowingly quieted.
“If there’s still something you care about… then life or death is no longer something you can decide on a whim, is it?”
Lin Wuming gently set down his guqin and looked at the girl before him.
He Yingying sat blankly, mouth slightly parted, lost in thought.
“Or are you thinking that in your current state, there’s no point in staying alive?”
Lin Wuming continued.
This girl was the ultimate “useless” talent he had painstakingly found.
As long as she agreed to become his junior sister, the [Creation Sacred Dao Manual] would be his.
Even if he had to bluff—he had to get her to agree.
He Yingying finally reacted.
She gave a slow nod, face filled with sorrow and self-mockery.
“But have you never thought—what if your injuries can be healed? What if your meridians can be restored?”
She remained silent.
She knew her injuries all too well.
Shattered knees, blind eyes, meridians nearly completely destroyed.
Even renowned medical sects like Shennong Valley struggled with reconnecting severed meridians, let alone a body with almost every meridian broken into fragments.
Unless the Valley Master of Shennong personally acted—an almost impossible feat—there was no hope.
“You don’t believe me?”
Lin Wuming gritted his teeth.
No way.
He had to win this junior sister over!
He Yingying said nothing, but her expression made it clear—she didn’t believe a word.
“Heh…”
Lin Wuming chuckled, then said…
“You’re probably thinking, in a place this remote, without even a real doctor, there’s no chance you’ll be healed, right?”
Taking advantage of her momentary confusion, he pushed forward:
“Do you really believe this is just a regular village?”
He Yingying’s face showed surprise and uncertainty—her thoughts following Lin Wuming’s words.
Right… the people who chased her wanted her dead.
So why was she still alive?
Hadn’t she lost consciousness the moment she entered the forest?
Logically, she should’ve been killed.
Unless…
The butcher who saved her was actually a hidden master who scared off her pursuers?
And this village…
Seeing she was buying it, Lin Wuming’s eyes lit up.
“Think about it. This isolated place, surrounded by forests—and yet, there’s a village right here. Isn’t that odd?”
He Yingying was completely shaken.
Could this be a hidden haven where powerful experts lived in seclusion?
She inhaled sharply.
If this were true…
Then the “senior sister” he spoke of must also be one of these hidden experts.
If she could become her disciple, maybe—just maybe—her wounds could be healed, she could train again, and one day rise up, return, and take her revenge!
And with a powerful master behind her, her mother would be protected too.
No one would dare lay a finger on her.
“So, do you still believe your wounds are incurable?”
Though Lin Wuming sounded calm and confident, inside he was trembling.
He knew too well—this village wasn’t some hidden land of masters.
It was a plain, rundown place full of old men and women who loved to gossip and exaggerate.
But for the sake of the mission, he had to win her over.
Technically, he hadn’t lied.
Not once had he directly claimed the village was full of experts.
Everything else?
All her imagination.
And those people chasing her?
He had no clue.
His guess might’ve just hit the mark… maybe they’d left her for dead.
Still, if all went well, this girl would become his junior sister—and Lin Wuming would help her in the future.
Once he got the Creation Sacred Dao Manual and became a powerful cultivator, he’d definitely find a way to heal her.
Seeing the girl visibly torn and hesitant, he knew it was time for the final push.
“Sigh…”
He let out a long sigh and said…
“Well, everything depends on fate. Since I joined my master, my senior sister hasn’t accepted a single new student. It was rare for her to agree this time. But if you don’t want it… then perhaps this is just not meant to be.”
As he spoke, he stood up and made as if to leave.
“Wait—!”
He Yingying panicked.
Still dazed and anxious, she instinctively tried to stand, forgetting her shattered knees.
She immediately lost balance and began to fall.
Lin Wuming had been expecting a reaction and caught her easily.
“So light.”
He murmured, feeling her fragile body press against his chest.
This junior sister was tiny—barely reaching his chest in height.
He helped her back onto the bed and gently pressed the sugar rabbit back to her lips.
“Be good, finish your candy first.”
Face flushed with panic, He Yingying dared not miss this final chance.
Whatever he said, she would agree to now.
She opened her mouth and bit the candy gently.
Her mouth was small, so both bunny ears didn’t fit, and one drooped to the side as she gnawed.
Lin Wuming chuckled softly.
‘See? I’m not bad at bluffing after all…’
Look at that—he had his junior sister in the bag.
Next step?
Take her to meet Senior Sister and officially become a disciple.
And then… collect his reward.
The Creation Sacred Dao Manual—soon, it would be his!
He Yingying, still flustered, finished the sugar rabbit quickly, then nervously fidgeted with the hem of her robe, waiting for Lin Wuming to speak.
“Alright then, let’s go see my senior sister first.”
Lin Wuming said, noticing her anxious expression.
Translators note:
Guzheng is a Chinese plucked zither. The modern guzheng commonly has 21, 25, or 26 strings.
Guqin is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument.
Well, he did not lie since its the truth