Chapter 73: The Gentle Call of the Deer

Upon hearing these words, Yan Chixia’s expression changed yet again. His face darkened, and he glared angrily at She Meier’s enchanting, smiling visage, his voice stern and cold:

“She Meier, don’t even think about it! I, Yan Chixia, am a man of upright virtue and integrity. I would never stoop to anything improper or sordid—”

Before he could finish, She Meier, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, cut him off in a sweet, teasing voice, “Oh, Yan Chixia, why are you so angry all of a sudden? I was only joking with you! How could you take it so seriously? I am a disciple of Zixia Palace on Mount Lishan—how could I possibly behave so recklessly? Hee hee, all right, handsome, stop scowling like that! You look terribly frightening. If you’re not fond of jokes, let’s be serious. Yan Chixia, since you desire the ‘Ruyi Divine Ark’ so much, I’ll give it to you unconditionally—”

“No!” Yan Chixia interrupted her, his tone resolute. “She Meier, thank you for your kind offer. But I will never accept something for nothing. I do not believe in unearned rewards or enjoying the fruits of others’ labor.”

“Fine, fine—have it your way. Let’s pretend I never said any of that,” She Meier said with a bewitching smile. “Yan Chixia, how about I invite you to watch a fine show?”

“Oh?” Yan Chixia asked, puzzled. “What show?”

“Hee hee… That’s a secret!” She Meier replied with feigned mystery. “Just wait and see, Yan Chixia.” With that, she whispered, “Ruyi Divine Ark, obey my will.” Instantly, the ark ceased flying and began a straight descent from a height of thirty feet.

Yan Chixia, perplexed, could not help asking, “She Meier, what are you doing?”

“Hee hee… Inviting you to a show!” She Meier replied, her face alight with happiness.

Yan Chixia looked down and saw a patch of grass and dense shrubs below, where seven or eight strange beasts prowled about. His expression changed drastically. “She Meier, don’t let the Ruyi Divine Ark land! There are so many monsters below—if we descend recklessly, we’ll certainly be beset by them!”

“What’s this, Yan Chixia? Are you afraid?” She Meier teased him. “It seems the disciples of Qingxu Monastery on Mount Zhongnan are nothing but timid cowards!”

“You—” Yan Chixia shot her a glare. “Enough with your mockery! Each of those beasts is radiating spiritual light—their cultivation must be extraordinary. They’re not something we can afford to provoke—”

Before he could finish, the Ruyi Divine Ark had already come to rest on the ground.

Sure enough, the monsters, catching sight of the ark, swarmed toward it, quickly surrounding them on all sides. They bared their fangs and claws at Yan Chixia and She Meier, roaring thunderously, their cries shaking the ark.

Yan Chixia, seeing this, sprang to his feet and shouted, “Halt!” At the same time, he drew the Crimson Hero Sword from its scabbard.

“There’s no need to slaughter a chicken with an ox-cleaver! Yan Chixia, sit down and watch what I can do,” She Meier said calmly, seated with composure. As she spoke, she silently recited an incantation and summoned the Demon Melody Zither from her storage ring, cradling it in her arms. Her delicate fingers danced across the strings, and immediately, a wave of chilling, martial music surged forth, rolling outward like a mighty tide.

The monsters, who had been menacing and ferocious, suddenly contorted in agony at the sound, wailing and clutching their heads as they scattered in panic.

Yan Chixia watched in amazement. “How strange! She Meier, this music is stirring and heroic, bold and unrestrained. To my ears, it is beautiful, yet those monsters cannot bear it and flee in utter pain. Why is that?”

“That is the difference between man and beast,” She Meier answered lightly. Seeing the monsters all flee in haste, she ceased playing.

Yan Chixia laughed. “She Meier, was this the fine show you invited me to see?”

“No,” She Meier replied, rising to her feet, “That was just a prelude. The real show is still to come. Yan Chixia, let’s go outside.”

As she spoke, the hatch of the Ruyi Divine Ark swung open of its own accord.

She Meier, her long hair cascading over her shoulders and clad in a lotus-hued, pomegranate-colored gown, emerged first, carrying the Demon Melody Zither in her arms. Yan Chixia, gripping his Crimson Hero Sword, followed close behind. The moment he stepped outside, he felt invigorated, his whole body suffused with a refreshing vitality. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, he exclaimed, “Ah, the spiritual energy here is so rich!”

“Naturally—otherwise, this wouldn’t be called the Valley of Doom!” She Meier replied with a radiant smile. With high spirits, she took a few steps forward and stood on a patch of grass, cradling her zither. Her slender fingers began to pluck and strum, coaxing forth a melodious tune.

At once, soft, flowing music rippled through the valley—clear and gentle, as if a mountain spring were trickling by, soothing the soul.

Yan Chixia stood beside her, puzzled by her actions, just as he was about to inquire, he saw, in time with the music, a beautiful nine-colored deer bounding swiftly toward them.

“Ah!” Yan Chixia exclaimed in delight, “A nine-colored deer? She Meier, your Demon Melody Zither is incredible! Not only does it send monsters fleeing in terror, but it can summon a nine-colored deer as if to battle-drum!”

The nine-colored deer arrived before Yan Chixia and She Meier, its spirit alight, and, enraptured by the melodious music, began to dance with joy.

Witnessing this scene, Yan Chixia was utterly delighted, his heart brimming with wonder. “Marvelous! A nine-colored deer dancing—such a sight is unheard of, truly an eye-opener! She Meier, this is a show like none other!”

“Truly?” She Meier said, thrilled. “If you enjoy it, Yan Chixia, then watch a while longer!”

With renewed focus, She Meier played the Demon Melody Zither with even more passion. The music soared, ethereal and stirring, like the very harmonies of heaven.

The nine-colored deer, intoxicated by the music, danced more wildly still, lost in ecstasy. After a quarter of an hour, it suddenly stopped, trotted up to She Meier, and gazed at her with affection, calling out in clear, melodious tones.

Yan Chixia, hearing this, was astonished. “A deer’s call in the wild, seeking its food… But here, where there is no such fare for a nine-colored deer, why does it call out so? Could it be speaking with you?”

“Yan Chixia, you are perceptive,” She Meier replied with a charming smile. She stopped playing, stored the Demon Melody Zither back in her storage ring, then recited another incantation and summoned a sharp, curved blade. Stepping to the deer, she grasped one of its vibrant, beautiful antlers and, with a swift motion, sliced it cleanly off.

Yan Chixia was aghast. “What? She Meier, the nine-colored deer is so lovely and gentle—why would you treat it so ruthlessly?”