My Amazing WeChat is Connected to the Three Realms - Chapter 80

When Lin Hai saw the Demon Harpist suddenly cough up blood, his heart skipped a beat.

What the hell? How did this guy get injured?

Just then, a message flashed in his mind.

[Moon Palace Melody] level increased. Current level: 2.
Added Counterattack Effect: Can reflect all sonic attacks.

Holy shit! Lin Hai was stunned at first, then overjoyed.

Damn, life is full of surprises! Who knew [Moon Palace Melody] would level up out of nowhere?

Wait, when I first learned it, there was no level mentioned. Was it because I got it from that jade rabbit’s handwritten copy—some bootleg version?

But this counter effect is awesome! Whoever attacks me is basically attacking themselves!

Huh? So, the Demon Harpist’s injury was caused by [Moon Palace Melody] reflecting his attack?

Oh crap! Now Lin Hai panicked.

Dammit, don’t tell me making him spit blood counts as failing the trial. That’d be so damn stupid.

“Friend, there’s something I don’t understand,” the Demon Harpist asked with unexpected humility. “During our exchange just now, why was I injured by my own music?”

Hmph, better play it safe. Lin Hai certainly wasn’t going to admit he was the cause. The guy looked shady as hell—who knew if he’d hold a grudge?

“A flaw in your technique, naturally,” Lin Hai said loftily.

“A flaw?” The Demon Harpist frowned, then bowed respectfully. “Please enlighten me.”

Whoa, he’s actually backing down? Lin Hai’s eyes nearly popped out.

Ahem. He coughed pretentiously.

“What do you think is the most important aspect of playing the qin?” I know jackshit about music, but I’ll bluff my way through.

“The most important thing?” The Demon Harpist pondered.

“Musical sense?” he ventured.

“Musical sense?” Lin Hai smirked mysteriously. Shit, how do I keep this going?

The Demon Harpist, misreading his expression, tried again.

“Fingering technique?”

“Fingering technique?” Lin Hai maintained his enigmatic smile.

Damn, I’m totally winging this.

Seeing Lin Hai’s unchanging expression, the Demon Harpist grew impatient.

“Then what is it? Please, instruct me!”

Ugh, can’t you wait? I’m trying to think here!

What kind of lousy patience is this? How am I supposed to answer?

Wait a minute—

Lin Hai’s eyes suddenly lit up.

That’s it! Patience!

Ahem. He cleared his throat with exaggerated gravitas.

“Since you sincerely seek guidance, I shall impart this wisdom to you.”

“Please speak, master!” the Demon Harpist said eagerly.

“Mindset.“

“Mindset? What do you mean?”

“Mindset determines your approach to all things. The universe operates on cause and effect, interdependence. How you treat the world is how the world treats you. If you harbor malice, you reap your own consequences!” Lin Hai spun his nonsense with flair.

“How you treat the world is how the world treats you?” The Demon Harpist froze.

Earlier, when playing, he had been in a foul mood. Seeing Lin Hai arrive for the trial, his first instinct had been to kill him with his music.

“If you harbor malice, you reap your own consequences?”

A cold sweat broke out on the Demon Harpist’s back.

No wonder… No wonder I was injured by my own music. I am part of the world. To wish harm upon another is to invite harm upon myself.

In that moment, everything became clear. He even felt as if he had glimpsed a profound universal truth.

“Demon Harpist thanks the master for his enlightenment!”

To Lin Hai’s shock, the man suddenly dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.

What the hell?!

Lin Hai nearly jumped.

I was just spouting nonsense! Why are you kneeling?!

“Uh, about this trial…” Lin Hai couldn’t care less about the bowing—he just wanted to pass.

“Master jests. Of course you’ve passed.” The Demon Harpist looked almost fearful.

Phew. Lin Hai finally exhaled in relief.

Damn, I actually bluffed my way through.

“Congratulations, master, on passing the first trial,” Fairy Xian’er said, stepping forward with a smile. “Please follow me to the second trial.”

“Master, if you have time, please return to guide this humble one in the art of the qin!” the Demon Harpist called after them as they walked away.

Lin Hai stumbled mid-step, nearly face-planting.

Guide my ass! I don’t even know how many strings your damn qin has!

After walking nearly a kilometer, they arrived at a serene courtyard nestled between mountains and water.

At its center stood a stone table with a xiangqi (Chinese chess) board. A white-bearded elder sat before it, frowning at a chess piece in deep contemplation.

Lin Hai stared, dumbfounded.

This old man is seriously playing against himself? How bored is he?

Fairy Xian’er approached and bowed.

“Grandmaster Chess Sage, a new challenger has arrived for the trial.”

The elder didn’t react, still lost in thought over his next move.

“Master, please be patient,” Fairy Xian’er whispered. “Grandmaster Chess Sage sometimes ponders a single move for four or five days—or longer. We must wait.”

Pfft!

Lin Hai nearly choked.

Four or five days? Over a self-played game? This guy’s insane!

But he couldn’t afford to offend the examiner.

Fine, I’ll wait. Ugh.

After half an hour, the Chess Sage hadn’t moved a muscle, still staring at the board.

Dammit! You can sit here for days, but I don’t have that kind of time!

Fairy Xian’er had already warned him—if he didn’t finish within four hours, he’d fail automatically.

Four hours, and this guy’s already wasted thirty minutes of it!

No way. I can’t just sit here.

“Grandmaster Chess Sage, I’m on a tight schedule. Could we proceed with the trial first, then you can resume your thinking?”

No response. The elder might as well have been deaf.

“It’s no use,” Fairy Xian’er said. “When Grandmaster Chess Sage is deep in thought, not even the sky collapsing would distract him.”

Well, shit. What now?

If this old coot keeps this up for hours, I’m dead.

“Screw it, maybe I should just knock the pieces off the board. That’ll get his attention!” Lin Hai muttered.

“Absolutely not!” Fairy Xian’er grabbed his arm. “Grandmaster despises interruptions during a game. He’d kill you on the spot—no trial needed.”

Ugh. Lin Hai groaned.

Then what? Just wait to die?

Agitated, he paced back and forth—until an idea struck him.

Damn. Only one way out now.

I’ll have to gamble on this.