"If a bird sings in the forest but there is no one to hear it, does it mean that the song doesn't exist?

  "No, it does. This is the foundation of the art of music mastery. It depends on the skill of the person to imbue true meaning to music and shape its existence.

  "Music isn't something invented by humans or even living beings like birds or cicadas. It long existed in the nature before us. Have you ever paid attention to the sound of rain falling on fresh grass? Or how about wind whistling through the autumn leaves in the forest? Or the crackling fury of a storm? These are the songs of heaven and earth.

  "I believe music is the ultimate expression of human, earth and the heavens itself."

  Ling Yun was carefully listening to her, weighing each word in his mind. Her grandiose words sounded too absurd to him.

  "If what you say is true, why doesn't everyone practice this so called art of music mastery if it is so amazing?"

  Her eyes glinted as if she had been waiting for this question.

  "The same reason not everyone can become an alchemist like you and chooses to give up. Lack of talent."

  Ling Yun scoffed at this ridiculous explanation. Even though becoming an alchemist isn't possible for everyone, mostly everyone wishes or atleast tries. It is a very respected profession. But this was his first time hearing the art of music mastery.

  But before he could reprimand her again, she continued. "The main reason is that sadly it is too inefficient. For example, knocking out a person. You know how much time and effort it takes to get to the level of lulling people to sleep with your music? Years and that too only if you have the talent. But a average person can just practice a punch for a few months and knock people out with a single hit to the head.

  "For people not interested in music, learning it would be a waste of time. Unlike alchemy in which even reaching the level of an apprentice can bring you good profit, early progression in music mastery will only make you a better musician. There aren't much opportunities in it."

  What she was saying made sense. There are many arts that are less popular due to demand. Like how spiritual cooking is considered inferior to alchemy or array mastery. Ling Yun believed that music mastery would be considered even lower than spiritual cooking because more people prefer good food to music.

  "Then why do you practice this art?"

  "The same reason you called for me. Love."

  She said it in a sultry voice ending with a wink that shattered his composure. He immediately jumped up and tried to clear any misunderstandings. "NO WAY! I only called you because -"

  "Why are you shouting master? I only meant love for music. Did I speak of something wrong?"

  Her eyes blinked innocently but a slight curve at the corner of her lips betrayed her. But Ling Yun didn't call her out. He awkwardly cleared his throat and sat down.

  "Nothing. Continue what you were saying."

  Her lips quivered at his excuse. This minx is teasing me. Is she a courtesan?

  "I do it because I love music. Also I believe there is untapped potential in the art of music mastery. Remember what I said about making stronger people sing along? Music is such an integral part of the world that people aren't on guard against it. It can bypass strong defences and directly influence the soul.

  "There are four stages of music mastery. At the first stage, you can influence humans and normal animals. At the second stage, you can influence demonic beasts. At the third stage, inanimate objects will listen to your voice and finally-

  "At the fourth stage, the Heavens and Earth will sing along with you."

  Ling Yun could feel his pulse getting quicker as her every word echoed inside his head. What she said seemed unreal but the more he listened to her, the more he was starting to believe. It was like a child choosing to believe in fantastical tales and losing himself in wonderment.

  "Brahma, is what she's saying true?"

  "I don't know anything about music mastery so I can't tell. Also she hasn't shown any art or techniques and only given vague general explanations."

  "Let me teach you a simple technique."

  She gave him a scroll for that technique called "The Seven Harmonics". It seemed like a simple technique to imbue your true Qi into the sounds produced.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Then she brought his flute to her plump lips and played the seven notes in succession. It took her three tries to get accustomed to the flute and then the sound produced by her became so much richer. It were the same seven notes but somehow they felt more real as if each note gently caressed his ear before whispering into it.

  "Why don't you try it once?"

  He took back his flute and as he brought it to his mouth, he suddenly paused.

  Weren't her lips touching the same place just before? Should I wipe it before playing?

  "What is taking so long? Don't be so shy."

  She wiggled her eyebrows egging him on but somehow he felt she knew what he was thinking.

  I'm just overthinking this too much.

  He made his first attempt. Circulating Qi while playing was very difficult and what he produced was worse than the braying of a donkey.

  His face heated up in embarrassment, not willing to look at her reaction. Maybe I should stick to playing normally.

  "Here, I show you again."

  Ling Yun could see the mirth in her pink eyes but she was kind enough to refrain from teasing him. She pointed out his mistakes before demonstrating again.

  His second try turned out to be worse than the first. He heard a slight giggle beside him but when he turned to look, she was only smiling innocently at him. He narrowed his eyes at her but she simply raised her hand silently asking for the flute before giving another demonstration.

  This cycle continued on. His grating noise would be accompanied by her melodious laughter, then she would play while he would silently watch and learn; this duet of the two lovers of music lasted throughout this night.

  ***

  "Well it's time to leave."

  He spoke out when the first ray of dawn peeked through the window. They both were so lost in her lessons that she felt that time passed in the blink of an eye.

  No I can't let him leave like this.

  She frantically thought of a way to maintain this connection. If she let him go, they may never see each other again. She needed him for her future plans.

  "Can I continue giving you lessons? You are naturally talented at this so it would be a waste to end like this. Don't you like music?"

  She knew she was grasping at straws. Why would an upcoming alchemist waste his time learning to play the flute?

  "I don't visit establishments like this. I was only dragged here by my friend."

  "You don't have to come here. I can come to whichever place you decide."

  He paused for a while as if contemplating something. Each passing second was making her heart frantically race, a single no would end everything.

  "Why are you going this far?"

  His question surprised her, she never thought he would ask something like this. His voice was raw begging for an honest answer and she could see her face clearly reflected in the blue oceans of his eyes.

  "Because I want to repay you. You really saved my life by not reporting to Madame Feng. I believe one lesson isn't enough for the kindness you showed me."

  She couldn't tell him of her plans at this stage so she used this excuse. His eyes flashed with disappointment for a moment before he was smiling again. No, it was a guarded smile. She knew this because she had seen his true smile many times this night.

  "You can come to my place whenever you are free. So how should I call you?"

  "My name is Chen Yinying. You can call me Yinying, master."

  He nodded at her before leaving. She remained lying on the bed after the door was closed. He must have realised that she wasn't a simple musician. She was having too much fun teaching someone for the first time and left her guard too open.

  But the night was over and she had to cover herself with a veil again to protect her secrets in the light of the day. She couldn't afford to be careless, she had to fulfill her promise.

  But she had caught the disappointed look in his eyes. For some reason it bothered her and refused to leave her mind.

  Maybe I should've answered like this- It was fun teaching you so I want to see you again.

  ***

  "So friend, how was it? From your face it looks like you didn't enjoy much. Was the girl not to your liking?"

  Ling Yun had met Jin Hao outside the entrance. He was sporting a wide grin, clearly he had enjoyed his night.

  "No, there wasn't any problem with girl. It's just that in the morning, everything felt so fake. The girl, the night, her sweet melody, it was all a lie."

  "Hahaha!" Jin Hao started laughing and slapped his shoulder. "Friend you really are too young. It is a brothel, ofcourse her whispers are all sweet lies to make men feel good. Everyone knows that. But the important thing is that the time you spent with her, did you have fun?"

  "Tchh."

  After another poor attempt, Ling Yun clicked his tongue out loud. He was starting to get frustrated and Chen Yinying barely containing her giggles at his side wasn't helping.

  "Maybe it isn't for me?"

  "No no master you are definitely improving."

  "Really?"

  "Yes! Now you can make Nascent Soul cultivators laugh to their deaths with your playing."

  With that she finally burst out laughing. Ling Yun wanted to snap back but hearing her joyful laughter, he couldn't find it in himself to get angry and laughed along with her.

  His lips curved into a small smile and he finally answered, "Yes, it was pretty fun."

  ***.

  "So where were you last night?"

  Mu Feixue had been waiting for her baby the whole night. Originally she was happy that he was finally going outside to have fun but as the hours passed by, she was starting to get worried. Only her trust in her baby stopped her from going out and searching for him.

  But when he arrived an hour after sunrise, her worst fears were confirmed. He was carrying the scent of vixens on him.

  "I was at the Thousand Fragrance Palace. But before master can ask more questions, let me say that nothing happened. I didn't even want to go and was only dragged in by Jin Hao."

  She scoffed internally at his plain lie.

  After spending all night in a brothel, you tell me nothing happened. Do you think I'm so gullible?

  Hmmph! Let me check.

  She scanned him from head to toe using her divine sense. She was about to call out his lies but what she found left her flabbergasted. She scanned again. Then a second time. And the once more to be finally assured.

  "You must be tired so go and rest."

  How is this possible? He went to the place notorious for sucking men dry and there are no traces on him.

  My baby slept in the top brothel of this city without doing anything for me.

  This must be what poets call true love!