Chapter 148: Butterfly Lovers

Ever since he was a child, the Third Prince of the Eastern Ocean had been bold, unrestrained, and free-spirited, traits that displeased the Dragon King of the Holy Sea, who consequently sent him to travel across various realms. He started as a mere soldier in the southern frontiers of the Loulan Kingdom, yet in a mere five years, he rose from a common private to a grand general, bestowed with a third-rank official title—second only to Prince Chu within the southern frontier army.

His commander, Prince Chu, had recently returned to Yanzhou. On account of his son, Chu Youcai, Prince Chu had stormed the Forbidden Palace of Loulan, inflicting severe injuries upon Yan Nantian of the Yan Gate, a scandalous event that had set all tongues wagging. Having also heard that Chu Youcai was the author of numerous poems and being an avid admirer of *Ode to the Gallant*, the Third Prince had firmly etched the name Chu Youcai into his memory. Never had he imagined, however, that he would encounter Chu Youcai right here.

Yet, a lingering doubt troubled his mind: according to the rumors, wasn't Chu Youcai supposed to be a man of refined features and peerless beauty? Why, then, did he look so fierce and terrifying?

At that moment, the King addressed Chu Youcai, saying, "Our esteemed guest has rendered such a monumental service, and We shall reward you handsomely. Name whatever reward you desire, and do not hesitate to speak of it."

Chu Youcai turned to look at the Halberd-Bearer, who, catching his intent, stood up, walked to the center of the grand hall, bowed respectfully, and said, "Our esteemed guest has lost his way while yearning in his heart for the Inscription Kingdom. Now that the day for the Relief King to accept disciples draws near, might Your Majesty be so gracious as to permit the use of the Samsara Seal?"

At these words, all the officials fell silent, and the entire hall instantly dropped into a dead hush.

The King knitted his brows deeply, evaded the subject by speaking of other matters, and declared, "Our esteemed guest was able to slay the dark-arts-wielding Profound Yin Spear, demonstrating supreme cultivation and an extraordinary bearing. We hereby bestow upon him the rank of a Lower Fourth-Rank Grand Doctor."

Hearing this, Chu Youcai was slightly taken aback. He had not expected the King to confer a fourth-rank office while remaining reluctant to grant the use of the Samsara Seal. A bitter smile involuntarily tugged at the corners of his mouth, yet he still stepped forward to bow and express his gratitude.

Just then, a wave of enchanting silk-and-bamboo music drifted in from the surroundings, soaring up into the clouds. Evidently, whenever joyous occasions arose, the external orchestra would strike up such melodies.

Having expressed his thanks, Chu Youcai returned to his seat. The Halberd-Bearer murmured gently in his ear, "The post of Lower Fourth-Rank Grand Doctor comes with generous stipends, yet requires no administrative duties. One is merely expected to perform a tune during grand festivities."

Chu Youcai nodded.

At that moment, the King spoke up, "We previously heard the Halberd-Bearer report that you possess great talent and excel in performing elegant melodies. Might We have the pleasure of enjoying your artistry?"

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince of the Eastern Ocean showed a flicker of curiosity. Chu Youcai was skilled in music as well?

Without hesitation, Chu Youcai rose to his feet and replied, "With pleasure."

Already, a palace maiden by his side had retrieved a guqin and placed it before him.

The surrounding music died away, leaving everyone waiting in anticipation for Chu Youcai.

With a solemn expression, Chu Youcai relaxed his wrists and slowly began to play.

When the notes first sounded, they were gentle and tender, stirring the souls of all who listened.

For a moment, everyone listened intently. At first, the melody sounded exceedingly exquisite, but as its tempo proved slow and uncharacteristic of the style of the Great Luosha Kingdom, some could not help but frown slightly.

The piece Chu Youcai was playing was *The Butterfly Lovers*. As the music flowed past its midpoint, Chu Youcai slowly conjured up the poignant folk romance in his heart.

Zhu Yingtai, disguised as a man, had studied alongside Liang Shanbo, their hearts beating as one in perfect harmony. Yet, when Liang Shanbo later assumed the post of a county magistrate and traveled with a gift of bride-cakes to propose marriage, he discovered that Prefect Ma had already betrothed Yingtai.

He and Yingtai had planned to elope, but he was seized by estate servants and beaten to near-fatal injuries. Even when Lady Zhu came to the magistrate's yamen to intimidate them, Liang Shanbo remained steadfast.

Yet, for the sake of Yingtai, Lady Zhu suddenly dropped to her knees before him. Forced to pick up the writing brush, his hand trembled, and despair filled his gaze.

He remembered when he was gravely ill, how Yingtai had brought him medicine, shielding the scalding bowl with her hands; he remembered how she loved to imitate his gesture of striking the bell when opening class; he remembered that tender, entwined night amidst the pouring rain.

He did not write the characters down; instead, a mouthful of blood surged from his lips, and not long after, he vomited blood and died. Yet, before drawing his last breath, he begged his mother to bury him by the roadside where Yingtai’s wedding procession would pass, yearning to catch one last glimpse of her.

On her wedding day, Yingtai's face was coated in a thick layer of white powder, pale as a ghost.

When the head of the Zhu family forcibly altered the route of the wedding procession, a gust of wind swept them directly before Liang Shanbo's grave.

At this juncture, Chu Youcai's music surged to an overwhelming crescendo, shattering hearts and souls, evoking the cries of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix and the roars of dragons shaking heaven and earth.

It was precisely as the verse goes: "Ask what love is in this world, that teaches life and death to intertwine."

Thunder and lightning crashed, the grave of Liang Shanbo burst open, and Zhu Yingtai flung herself into the tomb. Moments later, a pair of butterflies broke from their cocoons and fluttered away into the sky.

For the duration of half a meal, the entire hall remained deathly silent, devoid even of the sound of a cough. With the final note, a crisp *clang* rang out, resembling the striking of a pure, resonant bronze chime.

For a long moment, everyone sighed in utter admiration.

The Third Prince of the Eastern Ocean found it hard to believe that Chu Youcai's music possessed such enchanting power; despite his extensive travels across the world, he had never heard a melody so mournful yet so breathtakingly beautiful.

By now, the King was heaping praise upon praise. He loudly proclaimed, "Grand Doctor Chu's performance is truly sublime! Such a melody has never been witnessed before. To have heard this tune is indeed Our greatest honor."

Bowing, Chu Youcai replied, "Thank Your Majesty for the praise."

As if the music had stirred old memories, the King let out a deep sigh. After a long pause, he asked, "Does the Grand Doctor know why Our nation judges people by their appearance and reveres physical visage above all else?"

Chu Youcai was startled, and the surrounding officials looked equally perplexed.

Without waiting for a reply, the King continued on his own: "Our country lies in the remote corner of the sea market, plagued by countless marauding bandits. With little rain or mist locally, crops struggle to grow, forcing us to rely on trade at the sea market merely to survive. Over time, the nation ceased to be a nation. More than a century ago, King Kang, blessed with leopard-like eyes and a ringed gaze, let out a single thunderous roar when bandits invaded, terrifying them until their livers and gallbladders shattered. Ever since that day, our kingdom has honored King Kang's visage above all, and gradually, those bandits no longer dared to trespass into our interior lands. Furthermore, King Kang handed down the Dance of Loyalty Songs and Swords—the songs of loyalty harmonize officials and commoners, while the sword dance keeps the body agile."

Hearing this, Chu Youcai was suddenly enlightened. He had not expected that the legendary Great Luosha Kingdom held such a peculiar origin.

The King then proceeded, "Yet up to this day, because our nation has been overly obsessed with physical appearance, song, and dance, our national strength has steadily declined. The time for reform has truly arrived."

With a solemn expression, he said to Chu Youcai, "Today, We grant you the opportunity to use the Samsara Seal. The Samsara Seal can be activated only once a year, and it requires numerous Samsara Wonder Stones, which are not easily gathered. Should the Grand Doctor succeed in becoming an Inscription Master in the future, We hope you will weave inscriptions of wind and rain for our land, ensuring favorable weather, national prosperity, and peace for our people."

With that, he dispatched the Halberd-Bearer and others to retrieve the Samsara Wonder Stones.

Filled with gratitude, Chu Youcai bowed deeply in thanks. At the same time, recognizing the immense rarity and preciousness of the Samsara Wonder Stones, he resolved in his heart to help seek out many more of them in the days to come, while also assisting the Great Luosha Kingdom in growing increasingly prosperous and strong.