I Have a Golden Crow

In Xixia Town, a young man and woman were walking along the empty streets, connected by a flower vine, one in front and one behind—the scene was rather odd.

The young man's eyes were vacant, his steps neither fast nor slow.

The woman behind gripped the flower vine tightly, following step by step.

The closer they got to the town center, the clearer the sound of the flute became, and the more it captivating it was.

Yang Qingqing's brows knit gently, and as she listened to the faint static, she turned her head slightly, only to see a middle-aged man silently appear.

Formerly one of the Seven Saints of Great Xia, Cheng Feng!

Cheng Feng gazed into the distance at Du Yu's back, his emotions mixed and complicated.

Since the beginning of January, for a full three months, the soldiers had tried everything they could to establish contact with West Xia's Flute, but had always failed to do so.

Yet Du Yu had only just arrived in Xixia Town, and within just a few hours, he had already been summoned by West Xia's Flute!

It was simply incredible!

Cheng Feng could tell that West Xia's Flute was luring Du Yu toward it.

What in the world did this kid do?

He always seemed to attract the favor of ancient spiritual artifacts…

The Shadow Gu Tower was like that, the Jade Gourd was like that, and now so was West Xia's Flute!

Cheng Feng strode forward briskly to Yang Qingqing's side, falling into step with her.

Yang Qingqing: "Elder Cheng."

Cheng Feng lowered his voice and cautioned, "Guard your mind."

Yang Qingqing nodded gently. She could naturally sense the terror of the flute music—these few blocks' walk had doubled the pressure on her mind!

Soon, they saw the enormous arched gate of West Xia Park.

The lush green park was now empty of exercising elders and dancing aunties, the only thing remaining was the ceaseless flute sound ringing in their ears.

As Cheng Feng stepped through the park gate, a hurdle in his heart was also overcome!

Before, the closest he had gotten to West Xia's Flute was just outside the park gate; right after, he had received a severe warning from the artifact.

But now, under Du Yu's lead, the West Xia flute sound did not change at all, and actually allowed the group to enter the grounds.

As the three delved deeper into the park, a massive silhouette emerged into view.

It was an enormous young maiden.

Her indistinct figure sat on the lawn, both legs curled elegantly to one side as she faced the shimmering artificial lake.

Though her features were blurry, one could still vaguely discern her relaxed expression.

A thirty-meter-long stone flute was held in her hand, pressed to her lips as she played, utterly lost in her music.

Suddenly, the flute fell silent without warning.

The maiden opened her ethereal eyes and lowered her gaze to look down.

At the same time, Du Yu stopped walking, shaking his head from side to side.

Cheng Feng raised his solitary hand and signaled; Yang Qingqing at once stepped several paces back, though her grip on the flower vine and on Du Yu did not loosen.

"Huh?" Du Yu looked dazed, his attention immediately caught by the illusory hem of a skirt before him.

The phantom long skirt flowed like the sea, washing right up to Du Yu's feet.

As he gazed up along the skirt, Du Yu couldn't help but tilt his head back.

"Ah!" Du Yu gaped foolishly—a giant face hung in the sky above, quietly watching him.

This... is it the West Xia Flute Spirit?

Much clearer than the aerial photos—those were all blurry, but the enormous maiden before him had distinctly outlined curves and lines.

It took Du Yu quite a while to respond. He didn't even know how he'd ended up here.

Nor could he tell if this place was reality or a dream.

The giant's downward gaze didn't just send a tremendous psychic shock through Du Yu; it also brought a suffocating sense of oppression!

Gulp. Du Yu's Adam's apple bobbed, his heart thundering, his palms aching.

Looking rather dim-witted, he gazed down at his own hands, then followed the flower vine, turning to look behind him.

Behind him, Yang Qingqing and Elder Cheng Feng stood side by side, and the immortal master's hand was still holding the flower vine.

Yang Qingqing met Du Yu's eyes and silently mouthed, Don't be afraid.

"Mm, mm." Du Yu nodded vigorously, his confidence restored!

I'm not afraid!

Is there anywhere safer than being next to Master Qing... Holy crap!

Du Yu's body went rigid—the enormous maiden slowly lowered her hand, and the immense thirty-meter-long stone flute landed horizontally right before Du Yu.

Because Du Yu was turned back to look at Master Qing, the stone flute now stretched across his vision; paired with the maiden's arms and hands, it enclosed him completely.

The massive stone flute blocked his view to the front.

The phantom arms on either side hemmed in his vision further, and the entire scene seemed shrouded in an "illusion filter."

With no other options, Du Yu looked up.

But the face of the giant girl, so enormous it seemed to blot out the sky, left Du Yu reeling.

When a being's size far exceeds what a human can accept, even if it shows no hostility, one can't help but feel fear and awe deep inside.

"Crack! Crack!"

The sound of fragments breaking rang out—the thirty-meter stone flute was shattering piece by piece!

Beneath the falling pieces, a surge of pure Demon Breath was revealed.

As the thick Demon Breath condensed, the giant flute rapidly shrank in size!

In the blink of an eye, a pure white long flute landed upon the girl's fingertips.

Spotless, smooth, and translucent, like condensed fat.

This must be the so-called "mutton fat jade," right?

Within the huge pads of the girl's fingers, the white jade flute looked like a tiny needle. As her fingertips turned, it slipped down to the ground.

"Pop."

Just like that, the white jade flute landed at Du Yu's feet.

Du Yu was puzzled, tilting his head back to peer at the girl's face.

That expressionless face still radiated an unbearable pressure…

"I—I can't play the flute," Du Yu stammered.

He was only a Demon Tamer after all; faced with such an ancient magical artifact, he was a bit intimidated.

Especially this West Xia's Flute—after hundreds and thousands of years of cultivation, having resurfaced by its own strength, its power could well be imagined!

To compare: the Jade Gourd, at the same rank, could imprison a Demon Saint!

Before the Shadow Gu Tower made its ultimate sacrifice, even the Great Xia Seven Saints·Cheng Feng himself would be unceremoniously thrown out the door if he attempted to climb it!

No room for negotiation at all.

The pressure from an ancient spiritual artifact was no joke.

The enormous maiden remained expressionless, gently nudging the white jade flute even closer to Du Yu.

Honestly, if the girl had even a hint of a smile, Du Yu wouldn't be quite so pathetic.

I mean, it's not like I haven't met artifact spirits before!

The Shadow Gu Tower is overbearing, sure, but not without a gentle side; the Jade Gourd is practically obedient and friendly.

But you, Flute, why are you so cold?

That poker face—who are you trying to scare... Wait?

Right!

An idea sparked in Du Yu's mind, and black mist began to swirl over his body.

The Flute Maiden watched Du Yu silently, unconcerned with his little trick, still intent on having Du Yu play the flute tune.

But as Du Yu, transformed into the Black Mist Woman, reached out and touched the girl's giant fingertip…

At last, a hint of change appeared on that frosty face!

The Flute Maiden seemed momentarily puzzled, then slowly relaxed.

The changes in her expression were caught by both Cheng Feng and Yang Qingqing, who guessed the two must be communicating.

Black Mist Woman (Du Yu): "I can't play the flute, but I can hum you a tune—you can play it back by ear, is that alright?"

Flute Maiden: "Spiritual Artifact."

Unfortunately, the communication between Shadow Gu Tower and West Xia's Flute was purely telepathic; Du Yu couldn't hear her actual voice.

But judging by the Flute Maiden's aura, maybe her voice would be like Master Qing's?

Du Yu: "Yes, this is my spiritual artifact, the Shadow Gu Tower. Before you reemerged, the Shadow Gu Tower resurfaced to the world ahead of you.

I heard the Shadow Gu Tower's story, learned about its past, helped it fulfill its wish, and signed a spirit contract with it after.

What's your story?

What made you change your own nature, persist through centuries, and descend upon this world once more?

What do you want to express? Or… what is your wish?

Tell us, Flute. Our Human Race is very willing to help you."

Flute Maiden: "Looking for someone."

Hearing this, Du Yu's heart sank.

He didn't want to play the villain, but lying to an ancient spiritual artifact would be extremely unwise!

It would only leave behind huge hidden dangers.

Du Yu was silent for a good while, then replied mentally, "Whoever you're looking for is probably no longer in this world.

I don't know when you fell asleep, but it's now 997. It's no longer the era you were born in."

The Flute Maiden's expression changed ever so slightly; her eyes lowered, her look dark: "I know.

I've been awake so long now—maybe I shouldn't keep fooling myself."

Du Yu opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

The Flute Maiden bowed her head, forcing a thin smile: "I spent a long, long time in darkness, piecing together my broken body one fragment at a time.

With each piece mended, a decade or more would pass in the human world…"

Listening to those words, a pang of sadness welled up in Du Yu's chest, and he didn't know how to respond.

Centuries spent in darkness—who could know how she'd survived it?

Slowly, the Flute Maiden gazed to the west.

Her eyes glimmered with complexity: "If I can't find him, then I'll find someone like him."

Following the Flute Maiden's gaze, Du Yu turned his head; through the illusion filter, all he saw was emptiness, not a soul in sight.

Whoosh!

The Demon Breath stirred, setting off a violent gale!

The white jade flute on the grass suddenly soared up, endless Demon Breath swirling forth from within.

In a flash, the giant white jade flute appeared once more!

The Flute Maiden gripped the shining flute, lifted it to her lips, and the music began anew.

But this time, the melody had only one simple tune—smooth and drawn out.

Du Yu was instantly caught, swiftly dragged into a dreamscape.

Not far behind him, Yang Qingqing's brows drew tight.

The sudden, prolonged flute note was far more lethal than anything played before!

Her eyelids began to droop; she even felt an urge to collapse into slumber then and there.

"Ahem." Cheng Feng gave a quiet cough.

His voice wasn't loud, but it jolted Yang Qingqing awake, rescuing her from the strange trance!

Light returned to the woman's eyes. She immediately focused, holding her breath and bearing the onslaught of the flute's note.

A full fifteen minutes later, the tune suddenly shifted!

A melodious, winding flute song now drifted between heaven and earth, like the music of the spheres!

In Xixia Town, even the soldiers paused briefly.

People craned their necks or exchanged glances, curiosity mingling as they bent their ears to the brand-new melody.

For three months, the tune of West Xia's Flute had finally changed.

And this melody… this…

Such a beautiful tune—did Great Xia ever have anything like it?

At the same time, in a children's hospital on the outskirts of West Xia City…

This place was far from West Xia Park, with no trace of the flute to be heard.

Yet, Fu Jianzhou—fast asleep—suddenly opened his eyes and sat up in bed.

"Senior Brother Fu?" Li Mengnan hurried to the bedside. "Senior Brother, you're awake—you…"

Before she could finish, Li Mengnan's expression changed: "Third Sister! Shiwei?"

"What?" Lin Shiwei rushed out from the bathroom, just in time to see Fu Jianzhou knocking aside Li Mengnan who was blocking the way.

His face blank, eyes vacant, like a puppet under someone else's control, he walked unsteadily toward the doorway…