Zombie Bodyguard-Chapter 1647 - 1644: Shadows of the Night

"Sure, not only well-read but also able to reference classic texts and apply them practically." Xiao Manxuan widened her eyes in amazement, though she was more yearning for the scene Lin Tian depicted: "I really want to see what it feels like to be in that setting."

"We could come for a date someday." Lin Tian joked.

"You villain, I won’t date a villain." Xiao Manxuan glared at him, yet there was a faint sweet smile at the corner of her mouth.

The two chatted and laughed, showing no tension about facing the Secret Master.

There are many paths on Red Leaf Mountain, but if you’re not familiar, it’s easy to take a wrong turn. Guided by memory, Lin Tian made his way through the mountain forest and finally reached the other side of the mountain.

The southern side of the mountain is much gentler in terrain compared to the north, with richer vegetation, and doesn’t have as many rocks as the north. This difference is likely caused by mountain climate, anyone who has studied high school geography should know a bit about it.

"Look, there’s a pond." Xiao Manxuan suddenly pointed ahead, exclaiming.

Lin Tian grabbed her hand and quickened their pace to the pond’s edge. The water body before them was actually quite expansive, larger than a typical fish pond.

A mountain stream flowed out from the mountains and gathered at the foot, forming this pond. The water was crystal clear, shimmering under the moonlight, with branches of trees along the shore dipped into the water, like a classic beauty grooming her reflection.

It’s September now, and autumn has begun. Some trees have already donned red leaves, which occasionally fall, floating on the water’s surface and drifting downstream, embellishing the pond with little red Heavenly Stars.

"It’s so beautiful." Xiao Manxuan let go of Lin Tian’s hand, spreading her arms wide with a face of pure enchantment.

Not just her, even Lin Tian found the pond’s night scene stunningly beautiful. Who knew in such a remote wild area, there exists such an enthralling night view.

If only there was a Fairy bathing scene, it would be even more perfect, Lin Tian imagined wildly, then chuckled to himself, indeed he was still a mundane person, even thinking of a Fairy bathing image in such a beautiful paradise.

Conveying his wild thoughts and activating his super perspective, Lin Tian scanned the pond’s surroundings and noticed a large rock on the opposite shore marked with a symbol.

"Let’s go over there." Lin Tian took hold of Xiao Manxuan again and moved towards the opposite shore.

They quickly arrived at the rock, and Lin Tian studied the mark carefully, confirming it was the sign Ning Luoxi had set. Though this large rock was naturally formed, its surface was exceptionally smooth, making it a perfect natural lute stage.

Lin Tian undid the wooden box and opened it, taking out the ancient lute and placing it flat on the rock. It must be said, the pond’s moonlit atmosphere paired with the ancient lute created a charming nostalgic ambiance. With Lin Tian and Xiao Manxuan, this handsome couple, it resembled scenes from ancient poetry under the flower and moon.

"Ding..."

The phone in his pocket suddenly rang with a message notification sound. Lin Tian took it out, seeing it’s a message from Ning Luoxi.

"Let Xuanxuan play the lute, and after the piece ends, find an excuse to leave for a while to let the Secret Master think there’s an opportunity. But rest assured, the array around the rock protects Xuanxuan, able to withstand an attack from the Secret Master." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

This was her message, Lin Tian didn’t know where Ning Luoxi and Zhang Zhicheng were, nor did he check around to find them, just casually pocketing his phone as if nothing happened.

He had just opened his mouth to say something when Xiao Manxuan proactively spoke: "Lin Tian, why don’t I play you a piece? Just for the two of us to hear, what would you like to listen to?"

"Legend has it during the Pre-Qin Period, the Lute Master Bo Ya once played the lute in a desolate mountain and Zhong Ziqi discerned the lute’s essence, amazing Bo Ya, leading them to become bosom friends. After Zhong Ziqi’s death, Bo Ya was deeply saddened by the loss of his confidant, thus broke the lute, never to play again." Lin Tian recalled a tale and mentioned it casually.

Xiao Manxuan smiled gently and said: "I understand, you’re talking about ’High Mountain Flowing Water’.

Finishing her words, she lifted both hands above the ancient lute, paused slightly, then her slender fingers pressed onto the lute strings. The fingers danced like sprites jumping on the strings, a melodious lute sound echoed, swirling above the pond.

Though Lin Tian wasn’t knowledgeable about lute music, when the sound entered his ears, his mind unfolded like an ink painting. A small boat floated on the lake, one person sat inside playing the lute, another stood at the bow observing, distant green mountains extended, majestic and vast, amid the water mist, there seemed a mountain stream flowing out, the faint sound of water adding to the mountain’s majesty a touch of grace and airy lightness.

Gurgle...

A soft murmur mixed with the lute sound traveled to his ears, Lin Tian followed the sound, saw some fish emerging to the pond’s surface, blowing bubbles at Xiao Manxuan, mischievous yet full of spiritual energy.

A white shadow leaped from the forest heading towards Xiao Manxuan, Lin Tian glimpsed, it was a white wild rabbit. There are no large beasts on Red Leaf Mountain, only such gentle small animals.

The rabbit hopped to the front of the lute stage, then obediently half-sat on the ground, ears trembling slightly, as if listening to the lute, or perhaps attracted by the sound.

Previously, Lin Tian had witnessed a flock of birds coming to court; this time the unusual movements of rabbit and fish didn’t shock him much, only piqued his curiosity about the ancient lute’s origin that could resonate with animals.

The lute’s sound sometimes deep and majestic, sometimes light and leaping, like towering distant mountains, like trickling streams.

When the last note faded, the surroundings turned incredibly silent, as if even the insects were enchanted by the lute sound, forgetting their calls. The fish swam leisurely, as if afraid their water noise would disturb the Lute Master.

Of course, all this was Lin Tian’s illusion, as fish and rabbits couldn’t possibly comprehend lute tunes, only attracted for unknown reasons.

"Caw caw..."

Suddenly, a series of unpleasant caws sounded from the forest, followed by a black bird flying up, heading to another large tree.

The rabbit seemed startled, jumping away in the opposite direction of the black bird as if fleeing for its life, and the fish in the water quickly swished their tail, swimming to deeper water.

"What piercing bird calls, what kind of bird is that?" Xiao Manxuan gazed at the indistinct black silhouette under the night sky, curiously spoke.

"Owl? Or nightingale? A black mass, can’t see clearly, I’ll go check." Lin Tian said, yet recalling the incident on the cliff where he encountered such black birds, appearing and departing so unexpectedly, very eerie.

Xiao Manxuan felt a tight squeeze in her heart, hurriedly said: "Lin Tian, don’t leave me."

Lin Tian was touched, looking back at Xiao Manxuan, her slightly trembling gaze made Lin Tian’s heart ache.

Honestly, Lin Tian wasn’t confident in Zhang Zhicheng’s Array; if it failed, he couldn’t bear the consequences. Without hesitation, he reached out, holding the little girl’s hand, pulling her to his side.

But Lin Tian still feigned nonchalance, saying: "Let’s leave the ancient lute here, we’ll go check this mysterious bird."