“I am the future sect master of the Chaoyang Immortal Sect, Chaoyangzi!” Chaoyangzi declared before sitting down. With a wave of his hand, he produced some spiritual wine.
“What’s the point of drinking tea? Since fate has brought us together, we should drink to our heart’s content!”
Ye Ju also enjoyed wine, but she feared revealing any flaws if she got drunk. So, when Xiao Wangyou poured her a second cup, she covered the cup with her hand.
In the courtyard, Steward Zhu, Chaoyangzi, Tianji, and the Two-Pupiled Elder accompanied Yun Ya and Yun Yi in a lively drinking session. As the wine flowed and spirits soared, Tianji’s mood grew even more exuberant. He flicked his sleeve, and before him appeared a guqin, similar to the modern guzheng in Huaxia, but with a more ancient and majestic design.
“Haha, in such a scene, how can there be no music to accompany it? Shall I play a tune for everyone?”
“Naturally! We shall listen with rapt attention.” Yun Ya, a noble young master skilled in music, was overjoyed.
The others all applauded in agreement. In that moment, the awkwardness and distance between them vanished, leaving only the simple pleasure of drinking and appreciating music. True friends feel no fatigue from a thousand cups. The Two-Pupiled Elder’s eyes crinkled with a smile. This was the life of immortals, with good food, good company, and music. Why had he always been drawn to the secluded mountains and forests in the past?
The melody tinkled crisply and powerfully, like a leisurely stroll by a babbling brook. The notes cascaded like pearls falling into a jade plate, seeming to penetrate the heart. Ye Ju, having had two cups, also felt inspired. The current music stirred within her an urge to dance.
She summoned her guard, and it slowly transformed into a long sword in her hand, the dark green hilt grasped by a hand as white as jade. Ye Ju was wearing a goose-yellow, leaf-green, layered robe with wide sleeves cinched at the waist, exuding a fresh and natural aura. She then lightly tapped her toes and leaped into the air, standing in the center of the open space. Chaoyangzi’s heart stirred; was the Divine Venerable about to perform a sword dance?
Tianji changed his tune, the guqin’s melody becoming percussive, fast, and forceful. Ye Ju’s sword moved like a playful dragon swimming in water, her skirt swirling gracefully. Before her, it seemed as if there were a thousand troops and ten thousand horses, yet she, with her single sword, moved as if in an unresisted realm, slashing and conquering. Suddenly, the music softened, evoking the mournful cries of warriors falling on the battlefield. Her swordplay also slowed, losing its triumphant aura of a hundred battles won, resonating instead with the heroic sacrifice of men returning home in shrouds of horsehide.
Her sword, like a white snake flicking its tongue, was exquisitely graceful. At times, she was as light as a swallow, her sleeves fluttering. The sword qi hissed, shaking a tree full of falling cherry blossoms. Spring arrived quietly, and the courtyard was, before anyone knew it, filled with the colors of the season. The guqin’s melody soared, and as the sword light flashed, she moved with the agility of a swimming dragon. Waves of killing intent surged anew.
Tianji could only play in accordance with the Divine Venerable’s sword movements. She stepped as if treading on lotus flowers, her posture delicate and her charm like flowing water; at times, she was seen treading the Big Dipper, a flash of silver light revealing her sharp and brilliant edge. Her sword dance astonished all present. The crowd watched, mesmerized. Was it the wine that intoxicated them, or the sword dance that bewitched them? When the swordplay became fierce, everyone felt an surge of heroic spirit, wishing they could join her in the army and slay their enemies…
As the music ended, the ethereal and valiant woman in the center of the courtyard gracefully sheathed her sword. Ye Ju felt as though the sword dance had dispelled all her inner frustrations, leaving her refreshed and invigorated. She turned and smiled at everyone. Seeing the varied expressions on Chaoyangzi and the others’ faces—astonishment, bewilderment—a flush crept onto Ye Ju’s cheeks, making her feel a little embarrassed.
In both her past and present lives, she had never performed a sword dance before. It was merely a sudden impulse, and indeed, drinking made one impulsive…
“Was it… not good? Your expressions are a bit strange…” Ye Ju feigned composure, reminding herself that she had once been a Divine Venerable, and this situation was trivial. It was just too casual, dancing with her former subordinates with a sword she had once considered somewhat effeminate…
“Excellent! Hahaha, little fairy, you truly are a hidden master!” The Two-Pupiled Elder broke the silence. This girl’s sword dance was truly unparalleled!
“Fairy Ye, your sword dance has broadened our horizons. I can only lament that my musical skills are too shallow to accompany you properly. This was an impromptu performance; please give the piece a name!” Tianji couldn’t help but speak, so excited that he almost called Ye Ju Divine Venerable.
“Fellow Daoist Tianji, you are mistaken. Fairy Ye’s sword dance is astonishing, and your melody should only exist in the heavens, rarely heard on Earth! A masterpiece!” Yun Ya’s heart was stirred, and he couldn’t help but applaud in agreement.
Yun Yi was still immersed in the breathtaking sword dance. Fairy Ye’s returning smile was deeply imprinted in his mind. He realized that the dance was beautiful, and the dancer was even more so.
Steward Zhu stroked his newly trimmed beard, his eyes full of pride. His fairy was indeed a genius. He had noticed that it was her first time dancing with a sword; she had been a bit hesitant and uncoordinated at first, but then she became more natural and fluid, achieving a state of utter perfection!
Ye Ju felt a little unsteady under their praise, happy but not showing it.
“Of course, everything this fairy does is the best! How about naming this piece ‘Remembering Today’? And let this sword dance of Qingyang be a congratulatory performance for your wedding?” Ye Ju said, looking at Chaoyangzi.
Chaoyangzi’s gaze was fixed on Ye Ju. His left heart pounded uncontrollably. He hadn’t fully recovered from the stunning beauty of Ye Ju’s sword dance. His expression was complex. Finally, he bowed to Ye Ju. At that moment, he regretted bringing out the wine to liven things up. If it was to celebrate his wedding, then it should be exclusively his. Then these Divine Venerables wouldn’t be able to see her dance!
Ye Ju found Chaoyangzi’s ancient bow peculiar but didn’t think much of it, slipping away. She paid no mind to the reactions of the others. Xiao Bai hurried to follow. Her sister’s sword dance had stunned her. She realized that swords could kill, but they could also be as beautiful, fierce, and commanding as her sister’s dance!
“Sister, wait for me! You’re so amazing, I want to learn sword dancing too.” Xiao Bai chirped as she followed, with another little shadow trailing behind them. Xiao Wangyou had stopped serving wine, handing the wine pot directly to A You, and had followed them. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Ye Ju.
Ye Ju had no choice. She set up a barrier and entered her spatial realm. She actually didn’t know how she had managed to perform the sword dance so cohesively, achieving a perfect fusion of music, sword, and person. She had only studied classical dance for a while in Huaxia modern times.
Entering the realm, Ye Ju indeed began teaching the two little ones. Long San could see the outside world from within the realm, and he had watched the entire performance. Therefore, Long San played an identical rendition of ‘Remembering Today.’ Ye Ju was very surprised. She hadn’t expected Uncle Long San’s guqin skills to be so superb that he could perfectly replicate it after hearing it just once. Ye Ju danced again. However, this time, she no longer felt that sense of unity between the guqin and the sword. The two little girls, however, were having a wonderfully joyous time learning.
Outside the spatial realm, Yun Ya in the courtyard seemed to sense something the moment Ye Ju entered her realm. He suddenly felt that Fairy Ye had departed.
Tianji savored the name ‘Remembering Today’ that the Divine Venerable had given to the piece. After a while, he clapped his hands and laughed loudly, exclaiming, “Wonderful! This name is fitting and powerful. Only those who have achieved great fortune since ancient times are worthy of the name ‘Remembering Today’! Whether victor or vanquished, both are heroic figures worthy of remembering today. As for ordinary folk, they are content with basic needs and live mundane lives, lacking the ambition of a swan. They don’t even have time to reminisce about the past.”
“Who is making such merry noise? I am curious, and have arrived uninvited!” A strange voice suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard gate.