Festival Begins

The River Mountain Hall was filled with anticipation as the sound of a gong reverberated through the high-ceilinged chamber. In the heart of the stage, under the watchful gaze of hundreds, sat a young woman, robed in an exquisite purple dress, her hair elegantly coiffed into a bun. This was Liu Yue, her former simple green dress now replaced with a striking attire. She was surrounded by a group of young men and women, each holding an instrument, each a note in the orchestra she was about to conduct.

As the room hushed to a whisper, the crowd was filled with murmurs of awe and excitement. The woman on stage with the Guqin was a well-known talent, and her performance marked the start of the festival. Allowing the silence to hold sway for a moment, Liu Yue positioned her slender fingers above her instrument, ready to coax forth the melodies it harbored.

With a straightened posture, she plucked the first note, its sound echoing through the vast hall, reaching even the most remote corners. As the reverberations of the first note faded, she played another, her hand gliding effortlessly across the Guqin, weaving an enchanting tapestry of sound.

Flutes began to weave their way into the melody, painting vivid images of mythical landscapes in the minds of the audience. The slow, rhythmic strumming of a harp punctuated the crescendo of the music, stirring the hearts of the spectators.

Liu Yue, at the epicenter of the musical storm, quickened her pace, guiding the other musicians in her symphony. Her skill was evident, her performance flawless. As she reached the climax of the musical masterpiece, the thunderous rumble of large drums echoed through the hall, and the gong that signaled the start was struck once more.

The music swept over the audience like a tidal wave, filling them with an intoxicating thrill, whetting their appetites for the festival. As the song reached its end, the instruments fell silent one by one, until only Liu Yue's gentle strumming resonated in the air.

As silence once again claimed the hall, a thunderous applause broke out. Cheers filled the air as Liu Yue rose, bowed gracefully, and exited the stage with the other musicians. The stage was cleared, and an older man in his 60s, dressed in a dignified grey suit, stepped forward.

The cheers gradually subsided as he began to speak, his voice resonating through the hall. "The River Mountain Gathering has begun! The introduction was a musical piece by the musical prodigy, Liu Yue, as many of you know. Now for the 'Virtue Calligraphy', Yi Wang is the youngest Master attending. He will have the honor of presenting his art."

The Virtue Calligraphy event was a traditional opening to the River Mountain Gathering, designed to showcase the proficiency of the main families' Young Masters. The youngest Master present would create a calligraphy piece, and the participants would strive to mimic it. The one who replicated it the best would receive a reward. This year's reward was a Vitality Rejuvenation Pill, a prize whose value was akin to a fortune.

The Vitality Rejuvenation Pill was a concoction of herbs aged over long periods of time, and was notoriously expensive to produce. To put its worth into perspective, the annual income of a wealthy branch family, such as the Li Branch Family, was around 30,000-40,000 gold taels, where a single gold tael could sustain a family for a substantial period. Thus, the pill's value of around 7,000 gold taels was an enormous sum.

Once the announcer concluded his speech, the young man in question, Yi Wang, glided onto the stage. His long purple robes rustled softly as he moved, the silk catching the light in a mesmerizing display. He made his way to the center, where a desk had been prepared for him, complete with traditional calligraphy paper, high-quality ink, and a meticulously crafted brush.

As Yi Wang began to grind the ink stick in the ink stone, the announcer, with a flourish, produced a small box. "This very reward is of particular interest to those who tread the path of martial arts. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, a Vitality Rejuvenation Pill!" He opened the box to reveal a large pill, its gray color streaked with rivulets of red.

The crowd erupted into gasps of astonishment and whispers spread like wildfire. The announcer closed the box with a snap, turning to see Yi Wang ready to begin. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, please maintain silence as our young master performs," he requested, his voice respectful. The hall fell silent, the air thick with anticipation.

With a graceful flick of his wrist, Yi Wang dipped the brush into the ink, ensuring it was thoroughly coated. He held his arm aloft for a moment, as if summoning his inspiration, before swiping the brush across the paper in fluid strokes, his movements a dance of elegance and precision.

His calligraphy was a wonder to behold, each stroke expertly executed, each character flowing seamlessly into the next. It was hard to believe that such a masterful piece was created by a youth in his early teens. The words he left on the paper read: "Four Months"!

The audience erupted in respectful applause, though confusion rippled through the crowd. While the calligraphy was undoubtedly exquisite, the message it conveyed was shrouded in mystery.

...

Once the older man finished outlining the intricate steps Yi Tian should follow to remain undetected, he took his leave. He had suggested that Yi Tian's unexpected assignment to the battlefield could be a result of Elder Jun's rising suspicions, and advised that laying low was the most prudent course of action for the time being. As a consequence, the covert deliveries to Bai Lu would cease.

Yi Tian was left alone in the room with the younger man, Li Wei. Twisting to face him, Li Wei flashed a reassuring smile. "Don't fret, Young Master Yi," he crooned, a sly note hiding beneath his comforting words. "My father has powerful allies, just as Elder Ling. There's no need to work yourself into a frenzy."

However, despite Li Wei's misinterpretation, Yi Tian was, in fact, a picture of serenity. His mind worked like a well-oiled machine, analyzing the situation, searching for any potential advantages or pitfalls. He glanced at Li Wei, mirroring the latter's smile with a counterfeit one of his own, and nodded. "I appreciate your reassurance," he replied, his instincts telling him that there was more to Li Wei than met the eye.

No sooner had Yi Tian finished his polite response than the resonating strike of a gong echoed through the hall. Both men's attention was drawn towards the sound, and Li Wei stated, a hint of excitement in his voice, "It's beginning."

Yi Tian shifted his gaze to the stage, where Liu Yue had taken center stage. He found himself taken aback by her transformation. Gone was the unassuming, almost childish girl he had encountered earlier. In her place stood a radiant, elegant lady, draped in a sophisticated purple dress, her face subtly enhanced by makeup.

His eyes followed her as she began to coax the melodies from her Guqin. The music she produced was ethereal, and Yi Tian found himself captivated. As he listened, a sudden clarity washed over him. He was now able to discern the intricate techniques she employed, and his newly heightened awareness allowed him to pick up on the subtle variations in pitch that he had previously missed.

When the music came to a close, the audience erupted into applause. Li Wei rose to his feet, clapping enthusiastically, a broad smile on his face. Yi Tian also joined in, his applause more reserved but no less sincere. He was genuinely impressed by Liu Yue's performance, her music having woven a spell that held him under its sway.