In the heart of the flower stood a pistil over five inches long.
The pistil had a head, shoulders, and a waist, though its legs weren’t very distinct, as if a woman was standing in the center of the flower, singing.
"Little brother, look how beautiful she is!"
There was something odd about the Wine Gourd.
Li Banfeng glanced at it and continued to walk. "There’s nothing good to look at, and the singing isn’t that great either."
No matter how the Wine Gourd tried to persuade him, Li Banfeng refused to linger.
The singing abruptly stopped, and the pistil leaped out from the center of the flower, blocking Li Banfeng’s path.
"Sir, please wait. You say my singing isn’t very good, but what makes you say that?"
Anyone else would have been astonished that the pistil could leave the heart of the flower.
Li Banfeng wasn’t surprised. He looked down at the pistil and earnestly replied, "If it’s not good, it’s not good. What more is there to say?"
"To say it’s not good after listening to just a couple of lines, isn’t that a bit judgmental? You should listen for a little longer."
The scenery around them suddenly shifted; the wilderness vanished, replaced by vibrant lights and melodious music.
There was a stage, a dance floor, and round tables.
Li Banfeng was sitting at a round table, a glass of wine in his hand.
On the stage stood a stunningly beautiful woman in a green cheongsam, singing the song "Endless Love" with deep emotion. She was the Songstress.
The surrounding guests watched the Songstress intently, holding their breath for fear of missing a single note.
This was a dance hall. No one was dancing on the floor, as everyone’s gaze was captured by the Songstress.
Li Banfeng was not captivated; he was contemplating his current situation.
Li Banfeng had no such experience.
The Songstress watched Li Banfeng, a glint of coldness in her eyes.
Li Banfeng tried to draw his Tang Sword, but instead pulled a rose from his waist.
The Songstress smiled and walked from the stage over to Li Banfeng.
She took the rose, brushed it against Li Banfeng’s cheek, and asked softly, "Sir, do you still find my singing unpleasant?"
Li Banfeng answered truthfully, "Indeed, it’s unpleasant."
The Songstress’s expression turned fierce, and she grazed Li Banfeng’s cheek with the rose.
The thorns cut his skin, and blood flowed out, but Li Banfeng felt no pain.
The Songstress spoke softly, "I think you haven’t listened enough. You should listen a while longer here."
Li Banfeng then asked, "And if I say it sounds good?"
The Songstress shook her head. "Then you certainly wouldn’t be sincere."
"What if I sincerely say it sounds good?"
"Then you shall listen here for a lifetime."
"You’re being unreasonable, aren’t you?" Li Banfeng tried to stand up, but his legs felt like cotton, utterly devoid of strength.
The Songstress patted Li Banfeng’s face. "This is my territory. My word is law here."
Li Banfeng’s eyes snapped open; he had struggled free from the dream.
He was still standing in the wilderness, listening to the Wine Gourd introduce the Broken String Chrysanthemum.
"Little brother, when you encounter Broken String Chrysanthemums, you must be sure to avoid them. If you step on one, it’s like stepping on a whole cluster. There are many more flowers ahead waiting to ambush you. For instance, that Songstress Flower... Little brother, look how beautiful she is..."
Li Banfeng snatched the Wine Gourd off, tossed it aside, and broke into a run, only to find himself back in the dance hall, holding a glass of wine, seated at the round table.
The Songstress stood on stage, smiling at Li Banfeng.
「...」
"Little brother, I was just telling you about the Broken String Chrysanthemum, did you hear me? If you heard, answer me! This place has a lot of Broken String Chrysanthemums, so you need to be extra careful!"
The Wine Gourd was introducing the Broken String Chrysanthemum to Li Banfeng, but halfway through her sentence, Li Banfeng suddenly stopped responding.
"Little brother? Little brother..."
The Wine Gourd was somewhat displeased. Compared to other Magical Treasures, she felt more like Li Banfeng’s confidante, and believed there should be at least basic respect between them.
She circled Li Banfeng. Seeing the vacant look in his eyes and hearing his slightly labored breathing, the Wine Gourd realized he had fallen asleep.
The Wine Gourd called out a few times, but Li Banfeng didn’t respond. She floated into the air and slammed herself directly into Li Banfeng’s head.
THUMP! THUMP!
The sounds were muffled. Li Banfeng did not wake up.
The Wine Gourd couldn’t hit his head again. If Li Banfeng passed out, he’d be completely trapped in the dream and might never wake up.
"Tang Sword, cut little brother, but not too deeply!"
The Tang Sword slid from its scabbard, circled Li Banfeng twice, then retreated back into it.
The Wine Gourd asked, "What do you mean by that?"
The blade replied, "How could a loyal minister slay his master?"
"I’m not asking you to slay your master! Just cut him enough to make him feel pain, that’s all!"
The Tang Sword refused, "I am a loyal servant; I would never commit such a treacherous act."
You couldn’t really blame the Tang Sword for being so doctrinaire.
The Tang Sword was considered a high-tier Magical Treasure, possessing far more Spiritual Wisdom than ordinary ones, but he could not violate the principles of his own nature.
All Magical Treasures have their own self-defined nature and the rules that come with it.
The Gourd saw herself as his confidante; teasing him or playfully hitting him a couple of times was perfectly fine for her.
But the Tang Sword defined himself as a ’loyal minister and valiant general.’
Until he delivered his three strikes, the Tang Sword had to maintain absolute loyalty to Li Banfeng.
Unless he was to duel Li Banfeng after having delivered the three strikes, the Tang Sword would never attack him under any other circumstances.