Thousand-year-old zither: Star and Moon!
When this ancient zither appeared in the Embracing Moon Brothel, it immediately caught everyone's attention.
It was difficult to determine the price of such a top-grade instrument from the Path of Music.
If it were to fall into the hands of people like Feng Nanming, Yue Tai'a, and Chu Xiaolian who knew nothing about the Path of Music, it would be almost useless.
But for a bigshot in the field of music like Miss Mingyue, this zither was extremely valuable.
It could even double the effect of her Ethereal State of Mind!
In all honesty, even if she were to trade a high-grade Spiritual Tool for it, it would still be worth it!
After all, instruments of the Path of Music were very hard to collect as most sources were monopolized by the elite disciples of the Miaoyin Holy Land.
"This gift is too expensive. I cannot accept it."
A clear and cold voice came from within the Winter Plum Pavilion. "Please take it back, Young Master Feng!"
Feng Nanming said, "You don't have to feel burdened, Miss Mingyue. To be honest, I spent nothing to acquire this ancient zither."
"Half a year ago, while I went down the mountain to vanquish some demons, I got acquainted with a mortal musician."
"His hands were injured by a demon and he could no longer play the zither for the rest of his life. Hence, he told me to find this zither a good home."
"Today, as I heard you play the zither, I felt that it was truly heavenly."
"For this, I am gifting you this zither to fulfill what my friend has entrusted me with!"
"I sincerely hope that you will not turn down this gift!"
Feng Nanming was confident and solemn in his speech, but he was also bleeding on the inside.
Gifted by a mortal musician? How could something as great as that happen in this world?
For Star and Moon, he emptied years of his savings and even borrowed a sum from his master!
The only thing he had not done was to sell his blood!
However, he could not say that!
After all, he and Miss Mingyue were not on familiar terms yet.
It would be too abrupt to gift something this expensive at a first meeting. It would easily displease the gorgeous lady.
Hence, he would be better off concocting various pretexts, such as coming up with a musician who did not necessarily exist. Firstly, it would reduce the stress of the receiving party.
Secondly, it would set up his glorious image of vanquishing evil and helping the world in front of the crowd.
Thirdly, he could use 'missing his friend' as a reason to come to Miss Mingyue from time to time and listen to some songs.
Things would be awkward at first, but it would become easier afterward.
Over time, Feng Nanming believed that with his charm, he could definitely win her over.
The truth seemed to be just as Feng Nanming expected.
Hearing that Feng Nanming did not spend a fortune to buy the zither, but gifted it to fulfill a wish for his "friend," Miss Mingyue was no longer adamant in her refusal.
From the Winter Plum Pavilion came an ethereal voice that said, "You have a warm heart, Young Master Feng. I admire that part of you."
"But even if this is the case, I'm willing to purchase this zither at the price of a high-grade Spiritual Tool."
Feng Nanming wanted to strike while the iron was still hot. "Miss Mingyue, are you looking down on me?"
"Today is your birthday. What kind of gift requires its recipient to pay money?"
"That friend of mine once said that a good zither is easy to get but a good friend is hard to acquire and that if I find this zither a good master, I must convince that person to accept it."
"It is an honor for this zither to be able to accompany you and make beautiful music through your hands!"
"This wonderful piece—how can it be measured with money or Spiritual Stones?"
A voice came from the Winter Plum Pavilion, "Nevermind, it is I who have fallen out of style."
...
The door of the Winter Plum Pavilion opened slowly and a maid walked out of the door, descending gracefully.
Although she was just a maid, her appearance was already quite attractive, at least better than the ladies Chu Xiaolian had seen earlier on.
"Young Master Feng, Miss Mingyue loves the zither that you gifted."
The maid was holding a golden token. "This is the Embracing Moon Brothel's golden VIP token cast with Spiritual Gold."
"Those who possess this token can enjoy a 30% discount for service in the Embracing Moon Brothel.
"Young Master Feng, please accept this gift from the lady."
Feng Nanming's eyes lit up as he accepted the token while smiling. "To be honest, I rarely visit places like this.
"However, since this is a gift from Miss Mingyue, I will definitely visit more often to relish her performance."
At this moment, Jiang Shengxie had already returned to Chu Xiaolian and Yue Tai'a's side.
He muttered in a whisper, "Listen to her perform often? How delusional."
Aside from Senior Brother Li, who else could enjoy such a privilege?
At this moment, Feng Nanming looked towards Jiang Shengxie and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Jiang, my gift has been presented.
"I wonder what is it that you've prepared, Junior Brother? How about you bring it out so that I can be enlightened?"
Jiang Shengxie sneered, "Do you think you've already secured the win, Senior Brother?"
Feng Nanming smiled confidently without saying a word.
Jiang Shengxie took out a small box made of white jade from his arms indifferently.
Through that layer of white jade, one could faintly see a red hairpin with a shape that was quite exquisite.
"A red hairpin?"
Feng Nanming sneered. One must know that his gift was an ancient zither named Star and Moon.
For Miss Mingyue, the value of this ancient zither was even higher than that of a high-grade Spiritual Tool.
Using a mere red hairpin to compete with me? Could it be that this red hairpin is some kind of top-grade Spiritual Tool?
Hu-huh, that's simply impossible!
Feng Nanming smiled. "When you deliver the zither, please inquire with Miss Minyue about which gift she likes more, the zither or the red hairpin."
The maid nodded, taking the zither and the tiny box and flying towards the Winter Plum Pavilion.
Time passed by in minutes and seconds.
After a long time, the door of the Winter Plum Pavilion slowly opened, and the maid once again flew down from the Winter Plum Pavilion.
She looked at Feng Nanming and smiled. "Miss Mingyue said that the zither is exquisite in shape and has an ethereal sound quality. She likes it very much."
Feng Nanming looked at Jiang Shengxie and said triumphantly, "Junior Brother Jiang, the game is up."
The maid said helplessly, "But Miss Mingyue still feels that the red hairpin is more in line with her heart. That is her favorite gift today!"
Feng Nanming: "?!"
Jiang Shengxie laughed. "Hahahaha, it is true that the game is up, Senior Brother."
He extended his hand to grab the Phoenix Sword in Feng Nanming's hand. The latter's face was full of reluctance, but in the end, he loosened his grip, aggrieved.
"Senior Brother, you're welcomed to redeem your sword at Vast Ocean Peak. Of course, the price will be slightly higher than before."
Jiang Shengxie was in high spirits. He dragged Chu Xiaolian and Yue Tai'a into their private room, no longer depressed with his previous defeat in the sword duel.
Like a big rooster that had won a fight, he was absolutely valiant in appearance!
...
"Senior Brother Jiang, what exactly have you gifted to Miss Mingyue that makes her like it so much?" Chu Xiaolian asked curiously.
Jiang Shengxie chuckled. "Just the most ordinary hairpin in the mortal world. I have hundreds of these in my pocket. I just randomly picked one and gave it to her."
The corner of Chu Xiaolian's mouth twitched. "T-that's it?"
Jiang Shengxie said triumphantly, "He doesn't even know who he's competing with. I'm old acquaintances with Miss Mingyue, of course, she has to help me.
"The funny thing is Feng Nanming was so smug just because he got a gold token. Who doesn't have a token?
"I have a Purple Gold Token here. 50% discount, buy two free one!
"But did I brag about it?"
The corner of Chu Xiaolian's mouth twitched. "So Miss Mingyue is just playing along with you?"
Jiang Shengxie said proudly, "This is called personal charisma!"
Yue Tai'a interjected while munching on his fruit plate, "Bah, enough of that crap! Miss Mingyue hates it when you visit the brothel to see girls.
"Why would she ever conspire with you and take part in something as unsightly as this?"
"She isn't lying. It is true that the red hairpin is her favorite."
Chu Xiaolian was stunned. "But isn't it just an ordinary red hairpin?"
Yue Tai'a nodded. "It is an ordinary hairpin from the mortal world. However, I saw Senior Brother Jiang secretly carving a sentence onto that jade case."
Chu Xiaolian became even more curious. "What sentence did he carve on it?"
Jiang Shengxie glared at Yue Tai'a and said helplessly, "Happy Birthday, Junior Sister Mingyue—from Li Hanguang."
...
What the!
The corner of Chu Xiaolian's mouth twitched. It was no wonder.
No wonder even the priceless zither could not compare to this red hairpin.
He actually presented the gift in the name of Senior Brother Li!
Well, it actually made sense!
Miss Mingyue treats Senior Brother Li as a literal God. Let alone a hairpin, even a rock from him was worth more than anything!
Gold Token, Purple Gold Token, 50% discount or 70% discount, these were all nothing but a joke!
If Senior Brother Li were here, I bet he could even bang the most popular courtesan for free!
That's what I'd call a true winner in life!