Chapter 77, Evening Song of the Drunken Fisherman

Translator: StarReader

 

In a private room adjacent to the third-floor hall of Heaven Falcon Inn, separated by pearl curtains, a melody of ancient zither music quietly began to play.

 

Everyone felt as if they were witnessing, in the southern Wu Region waterscape where the sun set, a fisherman drifting on the Song River, drunk and singing, his fishing boat echoing near the Pengli shore.

 

The zither music only established a tone, yet it drew everyone in.

 

“T-this zither sound is so familiar!”

 

Among the young heroes, many revealed expressions of surprise. Some even stood up abruptly, looking towards the private room with eager anticipation.

 

“Isn’t it Young Miss Ah Nu’s zither?!”

 

“Yes, it is her music! I’ve heard it once!”

 

“In today’s Wu Region martial world, only Young Miss Ah Nu can produce such a sound. However, she is a top-tier courtesan of Mist Terrace, who always plays songs exclusively for guests within Mist Terrace and rarely goes out for entertainment. I can’t believe that Manager Liu invited her to assist in tonight’s celebration. This is truly a pleasant surprise!”

 

“No wonder, I saw a few first-rate experts from Mist Terrace driving a Mist Terrace carriage downstairs just now! I was wondering who had arrived; it turns out they were escorting Young Miss Ah Nu to Heaven Falcon Inn.”

 

In the hall, the young heroes all revealed expressions of surprise and excitement.

 

“Quiet! Let’s listen to Young Miss Ah Nu’s song before discussing anything.”

 

“Yes, we mustn’t disrespect Young Miss Ah Nu’s zither.”

 

The young men present in the hall quickly straightened their posture, instinctively falling silent to listen intently to the ethereal zither melody.

 

Han Shu heard the zither sound resonate, and her expression immediately changed. She cursed inwardly, [It’s actually her… Uncle Liu, you’re so careless; how could you invite her?]

 

Tonight was a grand feast she had meticulously planned, designed to significantly elevate her martial reputation.

 

She was the undisputed center of attention at the banquet, the one and only shining star.

 

However, she hadn’t expected that, in order to add color to this banquet and give the young men a grand surprise, Uncle Liu had actually invited another beauty renowned for both her artistic talent and appearance from Gusu City.

 

Uncle Liu had said this morning he would handle the arrangement for the lavish banquet, and she, delighted, hadn’t questioned the details, busying herself inviting various young men.

 

Uncle Liu didn’t have time to discuss it with her, so he directly invited the renowned courtesan Ah Nu, famed in martial circles, to play the zither and add to the festivities.

 

Had she known, she wouldn’t have entrusted everything to Uncle Liu, creating this unexpected surprise that left her completely unprepared.

 

Han Shu regretted her decision.

 

But now that things had come to this, there was no turning back. She could only strive to perform well at the subsequent banquet and recapture some of the spotlight.

 

As soon as Ah Chou heard the ancient zither sound, he instantly became alert, perking up his ears.

 

Soon, his face flushed with excitement as he shook Su Chen’s wrist, saying, “Brother Chen, listen quickly. She’s here; she’s actually here! I told you before, the two unparalleled beauties of the Wu Region, the one everyone knows, Young Miss Han, while the other is currently playing in the next room!”

 

Su Chen seemed to comprehend the situation.

 

He recognized the musician the moment the zither music began to play.

 

Long ago, when he was still a third-rate practitioner, he had secretly explored the Han Mountain Daoist Temple and spent an hour at the Mist Terrace, where he had heard this refined and understated zither music.

 

However, on that day, the music had been somewhat unpolished.

 

Now, three years later, her zither skills had already reached a magnificent state of perfection, flowing like clouds and water, like large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate, without a trace of immaturity.

 

…

 

A faint, graceful melody drifted through the air. The zither music was clear, understated, and distant. Accompanying the ancient zither sound, a young woman began to sing in a melodious voice.

 

‘The moon and the universe shine as one,

 

The floating population living on boats fear the time from dusk to dawn;

 

Sleepy from drink, they look vacantly at the morning village noise.

 

The mist and ripples (mountain and river scenery) are ancient.

 

In such tranquillity, who could have earthly worries?

 

Laughing at clouds and smoke, I revel in the land of drunken dreams.

 

In a wine jar lies a vast universe; within a jug, the sun and moon endure.

 

Through the dusky twilight, with staggering steps, sails the boat of the drunken old fisherman.

 

Shadows sway, and songs rise and falter.

 

As the evening glow blooms in splendor, fishermen’s songs resound on every side—

 

Their boats heavy with harvest, joyously, joyously they return home… joyously they return home.’

 

The zither music was ethereal, like the sound of celestial beings.

 

The singing was like a dream.

 

For a moment, everyone in and out of the Heaven Falcon Inn, including the second floor and first floor, paused from eating and chatting, immersed in the ethereal melodies of the zither and singing.

 

…

 

“Shadows sway… late evening glow, fishermen’s songs resound, a rich harvest… joyously returning home…”

 

Su Chen listened to the ancient zither music, murmuring softly.

 

Suddenly, his face turned pale as snow, as if he had fallen into a trance; his heart ached like a twisting knife, his fingers digging into his flesh, filled with intense pain.

 

“Hee hee… happily… returning home~!”

 

Ah Chou was listening with rapturous delight and joy when she noticed the change in Su Chen’s face beside him and questioned him with surprise, “Brother Chen, what happened to your face?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

Su Chen closed his eyes, sighing lightly.

 

He shook his head gently.

 

After a while, he gradually loosened his hands clenched into fists.

 

…

 

The ancient zither music of a fisherman seemed to halt time beneath the evening glow and linger in the fishing songs.

 

It was unclear how much time had passed.

 

The silence of the third-floor hall was suddenly broken as the young heroes realized the zither music had ceased long ago. A sense of emptiness filled their hearts, as if something were missing.

 

“Wonderful! A truly marvelous piece, Evening Song Of The Drunken Fisherman, and that verse, ‘The floating population living on boats fear the time from dusk to dawn/Sleepy from drink they look vacantly at the morning village noise.’ I’ve long heard that Young Miss Ah Nu’s fame surpasses that of the Wu Region, her zither music unparalleled. I’m ashamed I haven’t had the chance to witness it myself. Now, having finally heard it, I can attest to the truth of her reputation. Such celestial melody transports one to a realm beyond the mortal world—a world beyond the hurried and frivolous lives we lead! In the presence of Young Miss Ah Nu’s music, we are all mere common folk.”

 

Manager Liu expressed his astonishment and admiration.

 

The Evening Song of the Drunken Fisherman captivated everyone.

 

“Young Miss Ah Nu!”

 

“May we have the honor of a glimpse?”

 

The young heroes rose to their feet, enthusiastically applauding and eagerly peering towards the adjacent elegant chamber.

 

The young heroes of the Wu Region were known for their refined tastes. Who didn’t admire a beauty?

 

Unfortunately, a screen of sheer fabric separated the hall from the chamber, obscuring the woman’s appearance.

 

Gusu boasted ten thousand households, and the Wu Region nearly a million. Throughout the dynasties, the waters of the Wu Region produced countless beautiful women.

 

But to earn the title of the Two Beauties Surpassing the Wu Region, one must be more than just beautiful. Even Han Shu, without her brother, a Grandmaster, and without being the Young Leader of the Heaven Falcon Group, and without the enthusiastic pursuit of the young heroes, could not have earned the title of one of the Two Beauties Surpassing the Wu Region.

 

Only a beauty renowned throughout the martial world could achieve such fame.

 

Only Young Miss Ah Nu of the Mist Terrace, known throughout Gusu, could share a name with Han Shu.

 

Throughout the martial world, Young Miss Ah Nu was skilled in zither playing, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, and music, and sometimes composed poetry. For three years, she studied diligently at the Mist Terrace. Since her debut, her unparalleled zither skills have earned her the title of Queen of the Wu Region. Her fame throughout the martial world surpassed even that of Han Shu.

 

Numerous groups of martial disciples in the Wu Region were her devoted followers, yearning for a glimpse and desiring to hear her play just a single tune.

 

She was now the most valuable virtuous person at Mist Terrace, becoming the most famous pillar of Mist Terrace and the money tree for the Caravan Guards.

 

She played only one song a day, and each song cost one hundred silver taels.

 

It was the highest price in Mist Terrace and even in the entire Gusu City.

 

But there were still many wealthy merchants, wealthy young masters, and martial artists who were willing to pay such a price to hear her play a song for them alone.

 

Those who have heard Lady Ah Nu perform were so captivated that they became devoted followers. Many martial disciples took pride in having listened to her exclusive performance inside Mist Terrace, but most couldn’t afford the steep price. Even if they could, they must wait their turn and pay a deposit. Some wealthy merchants, after hearing her play once, long to do so again but find the next opportunity weeks away, leaving them deeply disappointed.

 

Lady Ah Nu rarely left Mist Terrace. When she did, she was always escorted by top-tier caravan guards riding in a carriage. Her presence on the streets of Gusu City would surely cause a sensation!

 

Today, her presence at this Wu Region Young Hero Banquet was an extremely rare exception.

 

“Wonderful, wonderful! Young Miss Ah Nu’s zither skills are amazing; I’m charmed!”

 

Wang Fuhao, his face flushed with excitement, frantically clapped. It was obvious he was one of Ah Nu’s most ardent supporters. He initially came to the feast to join in the fun but didn’t expect such a pleasant surprise.

 

“Manager Liu, please ask Ah Nu to grace the feast tonight!”

 

“Having come all this way, it’s a shame to play just one song and leave, isn’t it?!”

 

The young martial artists were all very excited and said so.

 

Han Shu felt a profound sense of frustration.

 

It was supposed to be her event, so how had it become Young Miss Ah Nu’s banquet? It felt like her spotlight was stolen!

 

Han Shu knew Manager Liu’s intentions were good, to enhance her banquet, but it ended up doing more harm than good.

 

“Please, everyone, remain calm. The banquet will begin shortly, and Young Miss Ah Nu will appear and take her seat,” Manager Liu said.

 

He was so engrossed in the music he hadn’t noticed Han Shu’s displeased expression, raising his hand to pacify the young heroes.

 

He knew what these young heroes enjoyed. Engaging a renowned musician like this would ignite the atmosphere of the banquet.

 

Soon, several first-rate guards and two maids from Mist Terrace escorted a graceful girl from a private room.

 

The alluring girl appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old, with rosy lips, pearly white teeth, snow-white skin like fragrant rouge, lightly tinted eyebrows, and beautiful eyes. She was already strikingly beautiful, even for a girl.

 

It was Mist Terrace’s Young Miss Ah Nu.

 

“Young Miss Ah Nu’s zither skills truly live up to her reputation, enchanting everyone!” Manager Liu remarked. “I’d only heard rumors of Young Miss Ah Nu in the martial world, but I’ve yet to know Young Miss Ah Nu’s full name.”

 

“Manager Liu, I am but an orphan from Gusu City and have no name. Moreover, courtesans and entertainers are officially registered as lowborn individuals. Without abolishing this lowborn status, even across the world, one can only reside in a small corner of a brothel, and there’s no need for a formal name. Manager Liu can simply call me Ah Nu.”

 

“Sigh, Young Miss Ah Nu possesses such extraordinary zither skills, a true pinnacle of talent in our Wu Region, yet she has no surname; this is indeed regrettable,” Manager Liu said with a hint of regret.

 

The Mist Terrace belonged to the Caravan Guards; he wouldn’t interject on the matter.

 

Manager Liu did not dwell on the issue, instructing a disciple of their sect who was waiting nearby: “Fetch Young Miss Ah Nu two hundred silver taels! This is an extra gift from me to Young Miss Ah Nu; it doesn’t count towards the expenses of this banquet.”

 

Soon, a Heaven Falcon Group disciple brought a tray laden with twenty silver ingots, each worth ten taels.

 

“Thank you for the reward from Manager Liu.”

 

Ah Nu smiled faintly, nodding slightly, which served as a gesture of thanks.

 

At her indication, a maid standing nearby accepted the tray overflowing with silver ingots and withdrew.