sea ​​ballad

Chapter 2
The sky is blue and its color is pure; looking up at it, it is infinitely high; the undercurrent is thousands of miles away, and the roads on land and water are different.Kunlun Ruins is like a dream.

It was another peace banquet. He had put aside what happened in the previous era, but he had never forgotten it.The turquoise water helped him remember everything. He could not forget anything, as long as it had happened in this water.

"City Lord, the invitations are ready. Do you want to send them to all tribes immediately?"

The city lord sat on a large chair made of flowers. These flowers were very different from those on land. They were colorful, bright and fragrant.The white petals shine with colorful light, like branches and leaves turned into pearls.The sunlight is reflected on people's faces, and the waves are moving and shining on people's eyes. Not only is it not dazzling, but it also has an everlasting fragrance.

The palace itself is a garden, a mysterious and ancient garden under the sea.The man known as the City Lord has hosted two Peace Banquets on this chair. This time, he felt a little sad. Maybe he was old. Although his skin was shiny and his face remained the same, his heart was already old.His heart is still an ordinary one. No matter how terrifying the city lord is in the legends or how powerful he is in the eyes of foreigners, even if he can open mountains and divert water like his ancestors, he cannot erase the slightest trace of sadness in his heart.Looking up again, the top of Kunlun Mountain has gradually become blurry, the sky is extremely blue and the bottom is bottomless.That is the real horror, the real remoteness, the unreachable realm, the empty realm that even gods cannot trace back.But his circular city and the plants and trees in it could not help him worry alone.The children have grown up, and each generation of children has a mission that they must face and a path to take. The exotic flowers and plants in the city and the spirit of the fairy will guide them, and he will do his best to protect them.

"The red water is moving. I don't know how many innocent souls will be unable to return home this time."

"City Lord, you don't have to worry too much. The last red water movement passed safely."

"I hope I'm overthinking it."

"What's more, you have already responded this time. I believe that all races will not act rashly before the Peace Banquet."

"Yeah, I'm going to see the children. The Shengping Banquet is the most important moment for them. I should also find a suitable candidate and hand over this chair."

"City Lord, I have something unclear. This time there were two streams of red water moving, with almost the same power. At first, when the young master and I went to investigate, we almost chased them to the edge of the quicksand. But before we returned to the city, the pottery bells rang in unison. You have responded. But the direction is east of Yuancheng."

"Has General Jing ever chased the source of the red water?" The city lord frowned slightly and asked slowly.

"The defender dare not disobey the order. The city lord has repeatedly asked not to cross the quicksand boundary. Moreover, with the young master by his side, the defender does not dare to take any risks." Before he finished speaking, the defender was already kneeling on the sand and gravel, with scales on his body. The piece stood upright and trembled nervously.

"Get up quickly, I will investigate this matter. The most important thing right now is the Shengping Banquet. Everything will be discussed after the Shengping Banquet. As for the quicksand border, you can naturally pass it when you send the invitation to Wensha City. Although the Wensha City Lord has a crazy personality Arrogant and uninhibited, but after so many reincarnations, there will be no more thoughts that I can't let go of."

"If everyone had your cultivation level, City Lord, there would be peace in the world."

"Defending the city, there is never really peace, but some people steal a moment of peace, and some people are obsessed with fighting for a moment." Otherwise, how could I see the top of the Kunlun Mountains more and more clearly, and become farther and farther away from the infinite sky? .Yu Zhe didn't say the last sentence. As the city lord, he couldn't let others know his thoughts. This would not do him any good.The same principle applies to the way of the Lord, both on land and under water.He couldn't help but laugh, as if mocking himself and a bit helpless and desolate.

He walked out of the garden, and within a few steps there was another garden. The maids were hanging the most beautiful water plants around the garden, and inlaying the most dazzling pink pearls in the coral bushes. Made into decorations, they are not wearing clothes, but the decoration is just right. Colorful petals and shining branches embellish their elegance and dexterity beautifully.

Yuzhe knows how to appreciate the scenery of the garden and how to appreciate the splendor of life.He found the most delicate girl deep in the coral bush. The girl's hands were like catkins, and her waist was like a willow swaying. Her slight smile seemed to melt the glacier and rejuvenate the earth.

"Why did dad come here? Don't you need to supervise your brother and sister's learning?" Yu Shenghan swam out of the coral bush in a few seconds and half leaned against the pillar decorated with oysters.

"Do you need me to supervise your sister's studies? Although your brother is a bit proud, he will never be willing to be worse than your sister Ze Yu."

"Okay, Sister Zeyu is good at everything. She is elegant and dignified. She is good at playing the piano, calligraphy and painting, and is well-educated and intelligent. I am just playful and don't want to learn anything."

"Why would the art master let you play in the garden at this time?" Yu Zhe asked softly with a smile on his face.She was afraid that speaking too loudly would hurt her little daughter's crystal clear skin.

"How could she let me play? She punished me to clean the garden and dress up because I couldn't remember those 'feathers' and 'singing the word Gong in Shang'. Dad, as for my daughter, I just want to hide it." In the forest, I admire flowers in spring, hear the chirping of insects in summer, be drunk by the moon in autumn night, and reflect the snow in winter. As for music and dance that everyone knows, I am really not good at it. Not to mention playing the harp and singing, even dancing, I can only I can dance with my hands and jump with my feet, but I don’t know why.” His words were lively and joyful, but his voice was rare among women in the city.

Yu Zhe shook his head. As long as his daughter likes him, there is no reason not to like him. As for a father who doesn't like his daughter, why should he embarrass her?He just smiled, smiled, and gradually fell back into his previous worries. Yu Shenghan still shuttled between him and the coral, and his mind seemed to drift to a far away place, extremely cold and extremely hot. Shen.He kissed his daughter's hand and hurried away.

Over the past few hundred years, the city has become more prosperous than when his ancestors were there, but he knows better than anyone else that the countless rare treasures in the city are just ornaments used to decorate women's faces and decorate gardens. flowers and plants.Only the people here, these family members who have lived for hundreds of years, even a guard or a maid, are the most precious and valued to him. He does not allow anything to destroy the peace of the city, and does not allow anyone in the city to suffer because of him. Fault hurts.

Especially people on land, in their eyes, "people who are not of my race must have different minds."There are endless conquests among the kings, grudges among the various tribes, and it is difficult for people to know each other's true feelings.People's hearts are unpredictable and inadequate. There are often no good words behind people's hearts. I don't know whether it is a coincidence written by literati of the past dynasties or it is just the fact.

The worries of defending the city are also his worries at the moment. The red water movement will occur every 36 years. No matter where it occurs, it will inevitably lead to natural and man-made disasters, continuous wars, rampant diseases or rampant alien beasts. Of course, for some people, this It is also an opportunity and a challenge, and the replacement of the dynasty is inevitable.

It's just that it's the spring rain on the land at this time, and red rain is falling at this time, and the weather will definitely be chaotic in the future.

Worried, he walked around the garden vines and followed the current up until he reached the point where he could hear the sound of the land clearly. He listened with bated breath for a long time before returning to the garden.Since ancient times, the sound of governance is filled with peace and joy, while the sound of troubled times is filled with resentment and anger.Nowadays, there are strange sounds in Dongjing, Wensha, Congji, and Beiming. They belong to Wensha, and Dongjing is particularly angry.It has been moaning in deep mourning since the last century, and has been meditating to this day.Yu Zhe believed that the chaos in the red rain did not originate from Congji, but that the blood sacrifices in the east territory had been collected by him and flowed all the way to Yuan City, which would inevitably lead to chaos in the upper water. Therefore, the red water in the east territory was also expected by him.The sound of the North Ming Dynasty originally entered the Moon Palace, but now for some unknown reason its sound is dull.

But this change came a bit early, only more than twenty years after the last era.If it is after the Peace Banquet, at least the clans can make preparations early.He understood that the disaster on land was unavoidable, but he just hoped that it would be a little slower. After the Peace Banquet, Wancheng could fulfill its promise and do its part.

"Happiness has ambition, voice has grace. What is the city lord worried about? Could it be that he has something to ask for from the city on land?" The woman's gait was light, as if she was swimming in water or stuck on sand and gravel.The stars between her brows are bright, and her voice is like the rain falling on the chime-shaped building.

"Lianchi, if you can hear me, you will understand my mood at this time." Yu Zhe whispered.

"If I could hear, how could I have such a quiet life now?" Ye Lianchi smiled lightly, like a fairy.Not only has her appearance and temperament not changed over time, but she has become more and more beautiful.But such a beautiful woman lost her hearing.

"Perhaps the sect masters will agree to end the seal of the last era. After all, whether we want to admit it or not, changes have begun. The new era has arrived early, and it is time for you to regain your freedom."

"For a musician, sorrow and music come from the heart, and the city lord does not need to worry about the matter of sealing. Although the various tribes in the past dynasties have respected Wancheng as the leader, it is only when the world is at peace. Once there is a change, it is difficult to guarantee that the various tribes will give way. The city lord is in trouble; you don’t need to get involved with them about the sealing of Lianchi. Now that the Peace Banquet is approaching, the top priority is to select the new city lord and the successors of each clan. If something goes wrong, I’m afraid this era will be full of sorrows. Neither land nor water will be spared."

"It's really valuable that you have such a broad-minded mind. Believe me, if I have the chance, I will definitely ask the sect leaders that you are no longer allowed to sing, and you will be deprived of your hearing. Alas, the punishment back then was too heavy." Yu Zhe looked at it. My own student, she was about the same age as Xiaoyu back then, but her appearance remains the same now, but she has lost the most important thing about being a musician.He felt pity in his heart and shed tears without realizing it, but no one in Wan City would see the tears shed.

"I'm afraid I will never be able to repay what Lianchi owes the city lord. After I made a big mistake, you still kept me in Wan City, and asked me to teach the children to learn arts, so that I could float to the city with the children on a full moon night. On the water surface, I don’t have to be pressed into a heavy stone in exchange for the breath of the sun and the moon. Although the cage restrains me from dancing in the moonlight, Lianchi is still extremely grateful. If the city lord takes any more blame for me, when will I have a chance? Return the favor."

Ye Lianchi spoke softly and softly, but could not hide her tranquility and grace. Her voice was the most beautiful in the city, and no one could compare with her to this day.She didn't deserve the most beautiful thing taken away from her.Yuzhe shook his head, knowing that what he said at the moment was just asking for Lianchi's forgiveness. Now it was indeed difficult for him to speak to the sect masters and help her more.Everything should have been fought for more than 30 years ago, and she should have been protected at that time.

Did she ever feel resentment toward herself?He had no way of knowing. He relied on his sense of hearing, so he couldn't read the sorrow and joy on the face of Ye Lianchi, who couldn't sing.He believed what she said, and he believed her when she said she didn't hate him; when she said she knew she was wrong, his heart was full of pain; when she said she hoped to teach her children to learn skills for the rest of their long lives, he saved her from suffering. She said that she would stay in Wan City for the rest of her life and never wanted to see outsiders again, so he made a cage for her so that she would not have to worry about meeting outsiders when she changed her life.He did everything she wanted for her, but that was after the big mistake had been made, after the sect masters were unwilling to forgive her, and after the sect masters conference took away her most precious ability.These are trivial.Over the years, the only thing Yu Zhe didn't dare to ask himself was whether he was wrong to let her come back.He didn't dare to ask himself, nor Ye Lianchi, nor his best student.Would it have been right if she had been allowed to stay on land?

"Are the children okay? Are there any particularly good candidates?" Yu Zhe asked as he recovered his thoughts.

"Ze Yu is talented and gentle, and is already proficient in music and musical instruments; Zizhu must be the young master of the clan, and has an innate ability to control animals, but his temperament is deeply hidden and elusive. Han Jia and Xie Lin have just begun to sing, and they are harmonious The rhythm of the sounds must have reached the ears of all the sect masters. Young Master Xiaoyu has a cheerful nature and seems to love flowers, insects, birds and beasts more. Maybe it is difficult for her to study music and dance diligently, but as a young master, she has to practice the strengths of each sect. Fortunately, she works hard, and although her talent is not enough, it is not too bad. There are two disciples from the East, two from Beiming, four from the Congji clan and Wensha, a total of eight disciples. Although the identity of the young master is hidden, if You can still guess a certain percentage after careful identification. As of now, it seems that after the Peace Banquet, each clan will be able to get a successor, but whether it is a related young master or not, the artists can only guess privately."

"Each clan has followed the tradition of Yao and Shun in promoting virtuous people since ancient times, and they will never change their successors without authorization because of blood ties. I am no exception to this. Because you know Xiaoyu, you will inevitably feel compassion, but please forget her. With her identity, if she is really inferior to others, neither she nor Sheng Zheng will be an exception."

"Aren't you worried that each sect leader will choose an outsider to take over the city?"

"Don't worry, Wancheng has its own ancestors to protect it. The descendants of Wancheng should also be diligent and practice hard. If their true skills are not as good as others, it will be difficult to bear the heavy responsibility of Wancheng."

"You have always had great confidence in Yuancheng, and you have never doubted yourself." Ye Lianchi's voice was still gentle.The smile is still beautiful.

The city lord did not respond, this is the fate of everyone, and no clan should have any indiscretions.

Xiaoyu finished cleaning the garden and wandered to Yechi Palace.There are two guards outside Yechi Palace. They say they are protecting the apprentices studying in Yechi, but in fact they are guarding Yechi.Everyone in Wan City knows this, but no one will despise the owner of Yechi Palace because of this. Although she made a big mistake, the disaster did not reach the water after all. For the ordinary people in the city, Ye Lian Chi's mistake was just a family matter between clans.People only know that her singing is melodious and moving, and can heal wounds and illnesses. People who are miserable are happy to hear it, and tired people are inspired to listen to it.Maybe Ye Lianchi is just too good, so good that no one in Jieyu Fan can match her, and the mistake she made is also the romance that the girls in the city secretly yearn for.

Young girls in Wancheng will come to the Jieyu Fan every 14 years old. The Jieyu Fan reflects the face of the girl's destined partner. The marriages of the people in Wancheng throughout the ages have been destined by the Jieyu Fan. After the wedding, the couple spends their time together in the morning and evening every day. Sing once, people who love each other will sing a harmonious tune, and the city will have a long history because of this harmonious sound.

On the night of her 14th birthday, Lianchi and her second sister came to Jieyu's fan together. Her sister looked at the fan first and found out that the destined person was the Wensha clan leader who had just succeeded that year.The two sisters have a deep relationship and are immersed in happiness and longing for a better future.Encouraged by her sister, Ye Lianchi walked carefully to Jieyu's fan. In an instant, dark clouds gathered and thunder fell into the sea.In the blink of an eye, the two sisters didn't realize what happened, and Jie Yu fan fell silent.Ye Lianchi didn't know what was going on, she just kept rubbing her eyes, but except for the faint shadow of fog in Jieyu's fan, there was no face of a person.

"What happened? Was that thunder just now?" Ye Yilan walked to her sister worriedly and saw her expressionless face. Her previous joy disappeared without a trace.She worriedly asked one after another, "What happened? What was reflected in Jieyu's fan?"

"It's nothing." Ye Lianchi did not look at her sister, and Yilan's voice seemed not to reach her ears at all.

"Impossible. The vision just now was so terrifying. Someone in the city must have noticed it. Maybe someone outside the city also noticed it. Lianchi, tell me what happened to Jieyu Fan just now?"

"Sister, Jieyu Fan." Ye Lianchi recovered from the astonishment, and knelt down on the ground while supporting Ye Yilan's hand. "Sister", she choked and could hardly make a sound. "There is nothing in Jieyu's fan, nothing." Ye Lianchi was both sad and frightened, and Ye Yilan felt the same fear.

"It doesn't matter. Maybe you can see it tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Maybe Jieyu Fan can't be displayed twice in a row." Ye Yilan comforted incoherently.

"Sister, I'm scared. I feel so scared." As she spoke, Ye Yilan felt that her sister's weak willow-branched hands kept shaking. Maybe it was because of nervousness. They were getting harder and harder, as if they were holding gold and stone. The power grows in the weak flesh and blood.

"Let's go find the city lord. He must know what's going on." Ye Yilan helped her sister up, held her trembling and stiff waist and swam toward the main hall.

"Sister, no, don't tell the city lord, I don't want him to know." Ye Lianchi said repeatedly, his voice almost pleading.

"No, the Jieyu Fan is related to the safety of the city. If there is any situation, you should report it to the city lord. Don't worry, it has nothing to do with you. Maybe you just happened to be close to it. The city lord will not implicate you with the Jieyu Fan. Together." Ye Yilan said firmly.

"No, sister, I don't want the master to know." Ye Lianchi tried his best to break free from Ye Yilan's arm.Seeing that Ye Yilan was doing the same, Ye Lianchi repeated, "I don't want the master to know what happened just now."

"Why?" Ye Yilan's skin turned a colorful purple, which was a unique change when she attacked.

"If I insist not to go, are you going to force me? Sister, are my words so weightless in your heart?" Ye Lianchi's sad voice rang in Ye Yilan's ears. This kind of sadness is extremely sad. Going away with an injury made her unbearable.

"You actually sang such plaintive words to me." Ye Yilan frowned and before she finished speaking, she already held a crescent-colored weapon in her hand.

"Qi Xing Guan." Ye Lianchi looked fearful. "Sister, do you believe me when I say I didn't chant?"

"I believe it, but if others can't hear your lamentations, how can I not understand them? Now they are sounding into my heart. If I continue to be in a stalemate with you like this, I'm afraid I won't be able to get out of the virtual state of sorrow. "

Ye Yilan did not hesitate. She placed the Seven Star Tube to her lips. Her bright eyes were like swords and her breath was like a whip. She lightly jumped back and upwards, and the song "Xiaoxiao" was already flowing out.

"There is nothingness and loneliness, Xiaotiaoxiaoxiao, Qi is flowing."

"Sister, I really don't." Seeing Ye Lianchi slumped to the ground, Ye Yilan's music was interrupted by a sword light.

"You came just in time, we were just about to go see the city lord." Ye Yilan returned to her complexion as white as the bright moon, and said gently. Thinking that she would soon be the wife of the city lord of Wensha City, she felt even more arrogant.

"Why are the sisters of the Ye family fighting here?" the man asked, hugging the unconscious Ye Lianchi.

"Mr. Jing doesn't know something, just now." Ye Yilan was about to say what happened to her sister when she approached Jieyu's fan, but she felt that there was no need to tell such a thing to a barbarian general.So he said, "Sister Cai just wanted to compete with me, so we thought there was no need to rush to find the city lord, so we made some fist and kick gestures here. The young master just happened to be passing by, and he thought we had some kind of dispute. I'm afraid you misunderstood. .”

Ye Yilan was indeed as beautiful as her sister, well-educated, and had a noble temperament. Jing Shoucheng was embarrassed to doubt what she said.

"Master Jing is supporting my sister like this. If others see it, I'm afraid it would be inappropriate for both my sister and Master Jing."

Hearing what Ye Yilan said, Jing Shoucheng immediately let go of his hand. Ye Lianchi slowly fell to the gravel, and he couldn't help but help her up again. "I can't control what others see. Since you just said you wanted to find the city lord, I will escort you to the main hall."

Ye Yilan had no choice but to agree with a low smile and a smile, "Then there will be Mr. Lao Jing."

(End of this chapter)