Bai Wuzi's treasure mirror, gifted to himself, was absolutely flawless. They had known each other for many years; the man was a loyal Daoist friend and didn't even know Ji Xiang. Since the mirror showed Ji Xiang posed no great threat, then he truly posed no great threat.
Prince Lu's worries eased slightly, and he invited the assembled immortals to admire the beautiful scenery of the Qinhuai River.
As it was a grand occasion, the main event was still to come. Before that, Prince Lu instructed the stewards of each pleasure boat to summon the courtesans to play music for the enjoyment of the populace and cultivators.
"Your Highness, descending from your noble status to share joy with the common people, is truly approachable."
Bai Wuzi offered a fitting compliment. Prince Lu quickly replied with humility, "If I am to divide the world with my imperial brother, and to praise and celebrate with the people, then on this matter, this prince cannot fall behind."
"At least in Ying Tian, under my governance, and influenced by this vast collective will, there have been no more instances of theft or murder in these past few years. This prince, here, dares not be humble but must stand forward without yielding."
"Esteemed sirs, how beautiful a force is this collective will! Its wondrous uses are infinite, originating from the myriad people and used for the myriad people! The myriad people do not wish for theft or murder, and thus the immense collective will they gathered influences everyone around them, causing thieves to vanish near Ying Tian, and misfortunes to gradually decrease. The people can thus live and work in peace. Do you not all love such an environment?"
Prince Lu explained the significant reason for the great order near Ying Tian, prompting nods of praise from the other cultivators.
Ji Xiang also pondered for a moment.
Prince Lu was not a good person, but the collective will of the masses, once gathered, would in turn influence the masses. This cycle caused the "evil" elements among the populace to disappear, even transforming into good people who worked diligently and treated others kindly, no longer reverting to their past misdeeds.
Although this was not from the true intentions of these wicked individuals.
These wicked individuals had not truly become good people...
However, at times, was it correct to allow these wicked individuals to indulge their true intentions?
Ji Xiang suddenly recalled a saying from a great power that had once spoken to him!
The Peacock King of Wisdom!
The good that you see may not be good, and the evil that you see may not be evil! But good and evil have long been blurred and indistinct!
Within the actions of those who commit great evil, there also exist acts of goodness. Although not their original intention, they indeed used acts of goodness to achieve their ultimate evil purpose.
"This is actually quite similar to those demons who occupy a region and demand the sacrifice of young boys and girls in exchange for protection from the elements. The only difference is that Prince Lu is more respectable, and his methods are more subtle and less bloody and direct."
"It is said that like spring rain transforming things, subtly and silently, the populace praises the good deeds done by Prince Lu. Therefore, even if he were to become the second Son of Heaven, no one would oppose him."
"Because he has indeed achieved what Emperor Wanli could not."
At this point, Ji Xiang could not help but sigh. How could such matters be clearly explained? If he were to kill Prince Lu, he would instead be spat upon by the masses. Perhaps the most difficult situation in the world is when black and white are reversed, and good and evil are confused!
Fortunately...
He himself was a great devil!
He did not care what the masses said!
Let them talk if they wished!
Ji Xiang nodded slightly, thinking in his heart, "As long as I am neither good nor evil, and only follow the rules of heavenly judgment, you cannot accuse me."
At this moment, Prince Lu's voice reached them. The cultivators looked towards the sky, only to see a white halo spreading across the entire firmament!
"Look, that is the surging collective will! The will of all the people in Ying Tian towards me!"
Prince Lu handed the treasure mirror to Master Yao, spread his arms, and as the moonlight hung high, the imprint of the Fire Bodhi appeared on the back of Prince Lu's robes, visible to all.
Jiang Quzi's eyes trembled, "Is this... the curse of poison planted on you by Huiji Vajra?"
"Supreme Bodhi, Nirvana of Light. For ordinary mortals, this means death..."
Prince Lu nodded, "Finally, I am about to be free from it. As long as I ascend to immortality, the Fire Bodhi imprint will disappear. This means I have completed Nirvana and am no longer bound by the Vajra!"
"Life is like waking from a great dream, suddenly enlightened!"
Gu Ya
"Have all thirteen hundred scholars been brought here?"
Prince Lu asked Master Yao. Master Yao nodded and pointed to several pleasure boats approaching in the distance.
Prince Lie Jie and Lord Huo were on board. Their task was to ensure that when demons appeared, they would not harm other civilians and to maintain order during the demon's feeding. Therefore, their boats were also of a different color from the others.
Brilliant light, adorned with pearls and treasures, filled with gold and jade, illuminated the waves of the river.
The scholars, full of spirit, gathered on the decks of several large pleasure boats. A passage was cleared in the middle of the Qinhuai River. At this moment, they felt as if they were surveying this brilliant human world.
On both sides of the river, boats were like towers, and beauties were like radiant swallows, dancing like butterflies. Music from zithers and drums drifted, a transcendent melody that captivated the soul!
Beneath the river, in the black water.
Thirteen hundred demons emerged!
...
The Qinhuai River was brightly lit.
Qin Nvxiu, disguised as a famous courtesan on a renowned pleasure boat, played ancient melodies, drawing the attention of many idlers, scholars, and even wealthy merchants and nobles from the surrounding boats.
The zither music penetrated the heart, its clear and ethereal sound rippling the river water, yet a pervasive aura of killing intent permeated the air!
It began serenely and profoundly, then as she plucked the strings, with a few rises and falls, a swift and decisive attack, like a crane stealing its prey.
As the zither music grew more rapid, the killing intent seemed to boil, causing the hair of all the listeners to stand on end, as if they were in a fierce storm. Their eyes seemed to see flashes of cold sword light!
For a moment, a surge of spiritual energy rose from each person's body, originating from the dantian and extending to the crown of the head, shaking the heavens!
Someone leaped to their feet, drenched in sweat, but exclaimed with surprise, "The melody is so similar! Could this, could this be Guangling San?"
"To think a woman could play Guangling San so astonishingly!"
Others, even if not versed in music, knew the great name of Guangling San and began to cheer and applaud. Qin Nvxiu looked at the excited scholar and smiled, explaining:
"It is not 'Guangling San.' The Guangling melody of today is not the original tune, but rather compiled by Prince Ning, the son of Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, in his collection of ancient guqin scores."
Upon hearing this, many wealthy patrons, less cultured but rich, began to whisper among themselves, expressing their confusion.
The first Prince Ning of the Ming Dynasty?
That boorish prince could also compose music?! Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover!
"Indeed, the Guangling melody of today originates from that Prince Ning. However, he also consulted ancient texts before compiling and composing the music. As for Ji Kang's Guangling, who can recreate it..."
The scholar shook his head, sighing with emotion. Qin Nvxiu smiled faintly:
"The Guangling melody did not originate from these later generations, but existed as early as the Qin and Han dynasties. At that time, it was called 'Qing San,' and it had another name..."
As her words fell, she pointed a finger towards the sky, and a white rainbow shot across the heavens!
And a great demon suddenly leaped out of the river, only to be struck dead by that white rainbow!
At this moment, Qin Nvxiu's voice, which had been unheard by the stunned listeners, finally reached their ears, resounding like thunder:
"That is!"
"Nie Zheng Assassinating Han Kui!"
With that, she flicked her finger, and the white rainbow shot across the river, heading directly towards the royal boat!