If it were merely a matter of stepping forward to prove that Gu Qingfeng had modified Little Blue Flower Language to make it more profound and perfect, Wenzhu Master would have done so without hesitation. He also couldn't stand the way Wei Jiaojiao was humiliating Lan Feier and the venerable seniors of the Fengyun and Huoyun branches. He had originally intended to do just that. But the problem was, Xiao Jinr had also blurted out the matter of Immortal Su Hua massaging Gu Qingfeng.
If he stepped forward to testify now, wouldn't that damage the Immortal's reputation?
This was a consideration Wenzhu Master couldn't ignore. However, the innocent and naive Xiao Jinr didn't think so far ahead. She just wanted her grandfather to step forward and prove it, which effectively pushed Wenzhu Master into a corner—he had no choice but to testify. Looking at the anxious Xiao Jinr, Wenzhu Master sighed and said,
"This old man was present that day. Young Lord Chiyan did indeed point out the various shortcomings in the Immortal's Little Blue Flower Language, and after his modifications, the piece became more accessible, more profound, and more perfect."
If the words of Xiao Jinr and Ouyang Ye were taken as a joke, then Wenzhu Master stepping forward to testify made everyone pause in astonishment.
Wenzhu Master was a highly respected elder musician in the Four Great Regions, with extremely deep attainments in musical arts and a sterling reputation. He was absolutely worthy of being called venerable and esteemed. His testimony now caused the previously noisy scene to fall silent instantly. Everyone looked at him with puzzled expressions.
Especially Lan Feier, who was very familiar with Wenzhu Master. She knew clearly that Wenzhu Master would never lie or deceive anyone.
Could it be true?
Did that fellow surnamed Gu really modify the Immortal's Little Blue Flower Language to make it more profound and perfect?
How was that possible!
Lan Feier also understood musical arts—not just understood, but was quite proficient. And it wasn't just her; Shui Yunruo, Huo Wu Chen Yue, and even Huo Dong, Wang He, Ma Zhengtian, and even Wei Jiaojiao herself all knew far more about music than ordinary people. They all knew very well that the Immortal's Little Blue Flower Language was considered a flawless masterpiece, a point unanimously agreed upon by all the elder musicians of the world at the Musical Arts Summit that year.
If one said there was a single shortcoming, that might be understandable.
But to say it was riddled with flaws? That was simply impossible!
"You old fool! Since when do you have the right to speak here?"
Wei Jiaojiao shot Wenzhu Master an extremely disdainful glare and sneered, "Do you really think this Young Lady knows nothing of music? Who are you to comment and criticize here!"
Hearing Wei Jiaojiao insult Wenzhu Master as an 'old fool,' Xiao Jinr immediately shouted angrily, "You wicked woman! How dare you be so disrespectful to my grandfather!"
Ouyang Ye also couldn't hold back, yelling, "Wenzhu Master is our senior! You're going too far!"
Lan Feier stepped forward, shouting, "Wei Jiaojiao! Wenzhu Master is a venerable elder! How dare you insult him like this! Have you no manners at all!"
"Hah? Venerable and esteemed?" Wei Jiaojiao snorted coldly. "In my eyes, he's just an old fool. And a blabbering old fool at that. Don't think I don't know you're all in cahoots."
As she spoke, Wei Jiaojiao looked at Lan Feier and scoffed, "Your Fengyun and Huoyun Chixiao people found some swindler from who-knows-where to impersonate the Monarch's successor, and you, shamelessly, even hired all these stooges to defend that fraud. What? Do you think everyone here is blind?"
Wei Jiaojiao's implication was clear: she was saying that Xiao Jinr, Wenzhu Master, and the others were all stooges hired by Lan Feier to deceive everyone, to make them believe it was true, so they could use the 'Monarch's successor' to suppress the Leiyun Branch.
"Trying to use a fake Monarch's successor to meddle in our Leiyun Branch's affairs? Lan Feier, oh Lan Feier, you've really opened this Young Lady's eyes!"
Lan Feier flew into a rage. "Wei Jiaojiao! Shut your mouth!"
At that moment, Wenzhu Master stepped forward and said, "Young Lady Wei, this old man has lived for centuries. In the eyes of you youngsters, I am indeed an old fool. However, I still consider myself to have some face. I would never deceive anyone."
Wenzhu Master spoke slowly, "As for whether Young Lord Chiyan is truly the Monarch's successor, this old man does not know and dares not speculate recklessly. But regarding Young Lord Chiyan modifying Little Blue Flower Language to make it more profound and perfect—this old man witnessed it with his own eyes that day. There is not a shred of falsehood in my words. If you do not believe me, I can play the version of Little Blue Flower Language modified by Young Lord Chiyan right here, in front of all of you."
"You old fool! Still daring to play mysterious in front of this Young Lady? You really have a death wish!"
Wei Jiaojiao was about to attack Wenzhu Master to teach him a lesson, but Ma Zhengtian stopped her.
After all, Wenzhu Master was a senior elder of the Four Great Regions, and today was the Dao Lecture Assembly. All the notable figures of the Four Great Regions were present. If Wei Jiaojiao were to physically assault Wenzhu Master, not only would her own reputation be tarnished, but the Leiyun Branch's honor would also suffer. Ma Zhengtian understood this better than anyone. He stepped forward, looked at Wenzhu Master, and said indifferently, "Wenzhu Master, I advise you to think carefully before you speak. Don't ruin your reputation in your twilight years!"
"Old fool! Didn't you say you were going to play? Play it now! If you can't play it, this Young Lady will definitely strip your tendons and flay your skin today! Let's see if you still dare to play mysterious in front of me!"
Wenzhu Master did not hesitate. He took out an ancient zither and placed it before him, preparing to play.
Lan Feier, standing beside him, stepped forward to dissuade him, because she truly didn't know whether what Wenzhu Master said was true or false. To be honest, she didn't believe it. But if it were false, given Wenzhu Master's character, it was impossible for him to do such a thing.
"What? Did I hit the mark? Can't play it after all?"
Seeing Lan Feier trying to dissuade Wenzhu Master, Wei Jiaojiao became even more convinced that Wenzhu Master was a stooge hired by Lan Feier. She sneered, "Let me tell you, old fool! If you can't play it today, this Young Lady will not let you off! Don't expect anyone to save you! In the Four Great Regions, if I, Wei Jiaojiao, want your life, no one dares to stop me!"
Wenzhu Master nodded to Lan Feier, signaling for her to rest assured. At that moment, Ouyang Ye, who was also nearby, stepped forward and shouted, "Wei Jiaojiao! If Wenzhu Master *does* play it, will you pay with your life too?"
"And what are you, to dare speak to this Young Lady like that!"
A flash of anger appeared in Wei Jiaojiao's eyes. With a wave of her hand, a sharp, sword-like beam of light shot toward Ouyang Ye. Suddenly, Lan Feier flashed into position. With a sweep of her arm, a watery mirror condensed and formed, blocking Wei Jiaojiao's sharp beam. She glanced at Wei Jiaojiao and scolded, "Despicable!"
Wei Jiaojiao wanted to attack Lan Feier but was stopped again by Ma Zhengtian.
"Wenzhu Master, weren't you going to play? Why haven't you started?"
"The words of Young Lady Ouyang just now reminded this old man," Wenzhu Master said. "Since Young Lady Wei wants this old man's life, if I cannot play today, there is no need for Young Lady Wei to act. I will end my own life on the spot. However... if I *can* play it..."
"Oh?" Ma Zhengtian took a step forward, hands clasped behind his back, his expression unfriendly. "Do you want Jiaojiao's life as well?"
"No! That is not this old man's meaning. I only hope that if I can play it, Young Master Ma will agree that Young Lady Wei leaves immediately and does not set foot in the Four Great Regions for a hundred years."