Chapter Forty-Seven: The Dragon-Phoenix Zither (3)

Fang Guohuan said, “These hundred or so Heavenly Star Chess Manuals are more than sufficient. In terms of chess color, they already give one an advantage. These are chess treasures, not meant for ordinary games. Besides, in matches between masters, a hundred manuals are enough. Moreover, this type of Heavenly Star Chess Manual has a peculiar tactile quality. When playing at the board, it can enhance one’s subtle thinking and improve chess strength, much like holding jade versus stone. Thus, extraordinary moves almost never appear without this manual. When using it, one inevitably experiences a divine inspiration for brilliant moves, elevating the realm of chess.”

Leng Feiling listened and was deeply amazed.

Fang Guohuan continued, “Today, by fortunate chance, I met Brother Leng at Mount Huangshan. Upon seeing the Dragon Phoenix Treasure Qin, as a token of respect, I present a Heavenly Star Chess Manual to accompany the Dragon Phoenix Qin.” Leng Feiling was naturally delighted. After thanking Fang Guohuan, he lifted the manual and placed it on the dragon’s forehead of the Dragon Phoenix Qin, gently pressing it down. To his surprise, the manual sank two fen (a small unit) into the dragon’s forehead, fitting securely into the qin.

Seeing Leng Feiling press the chess manual effortlessly into the qin, Fang Guohuan could not help but praise, “Such strength in your hand!” When Leng Feiling withdrew his hand and looked again, both were delighted. The round, smooth, and shining Heavenly Star Chess Manual, resting on the dragon’s forehead, seemed to breathe life into the dragon’s head, vivid and spirited, its head held high as if about to take flight, greatly enhancing the aura of the entire Dragon Phoenix Qin.

Suddenly, the Dragon Phoenix Qin sounded on its own without being played. Between the strings arose a faint murmuring like a hidden dragon’s low growl, soon joined by the high cries of a dancing phoenix. The clear and beautiful sounds were exceedingly pleasing to the ear. Fang Guohuan, hearing this, was greatly astonished. Leng Feiling smiled beside him and said, “The Dragon Phoenix Qin is expressing its gratitude to Brother Fang.”

Fang Guohuan was taken aback. “Is such a thing really possible?”

Leng Feiling replied, “All treasures in the world possess a spirit.”

Thus, Fang Guohuan accepted Leng Feiling’s invitation and stayed at Mount Huangshan’s Purple Stone Peak. The two men discussed qin and chess, quickly becoming close confidants, regretting not having met earlier. In their leisure, Leng Feiling led Fang Guohuan on tours of Huangshan’s many peaks, savoring the mountain’s pristine beauty, eating wild fruits, drinking clear spring water—content and serene, like immortal companions.

One day, the two reached Bright Summit. Leng Feiling spontaneously played a piece called “Realm of Clouds and Mist” to express the feeling of meeting a kindred spirit. Fang Guohuan stood with his hands behind his back, facing the wind, gazing at the sea of clouds. As the qin’s melody soared, the clouds churned and rolled endlessly, rising and falling without limit. Occasionally, the peaks appeared like islands, vanishing and reappearing, elusive. Suddenly the music changed—light, soft, distant—like drifting mist and wandering clouds, sometimes still, sometimes moving, sometimes fleeting, sometimes lingering. The melody shifted with the wind, the sea of clouds transformed into shapes of birds and beasts, pavilions moving, scenes changing—endless manifestations of life. Fang Guohuan’s heart was stirred, lost in the vast cloud sea, forgetting joy and sorrow, as if in a dream.

Fang Guohuan stayed at Huangshan for more than half a month. Though immersed in the mountains and waters, his heart remained with Li Ruchuan’s chess affairs. One day, he bid farewell to Leng Feiling. Leng Feiling felt reluctant but knew Fang Guohuan’s ambition was to travel the world through chess and could not detain him. He took up the Dragon Phoenix Qin and personally escorted Fang Guohuan out of Huangshan. At a creek, they borrowed a small boat from a fisherman's family, rowed into the stream, then let it drift, marking their final parting. It was early autumn; the sky was high and the clouds light, everything exuding a serene and crisp atmosphere.

Leng Feiling stood at the bow, playing and singing “Autumn Wind Farewell” to send off Fang Guohuan. This piece was composed by Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che. When he toured Hedong County and performed ceremonies at Fenyin, he later took a boat on the Fen River to feast with his ministers. It was autumn, the scenery bleak, and he was overcome by a mixture of joy and sorrow, lamenting that youth could not be regained, thus composing this farewell.

Leng Feiling’s melody matched the poem’s meaning, singing with a noble sorrowfulness:

The autumn wind rises, white clouds fly,
Grass and trees wither, wild geese fly south.
Orchid’s fragrance lingers, chrysanthemums bloom sweet,
Longing for my beloved, I cannot forget.
Floating on a towered boat across the Fen River,
Waves roll, white crests rise.
Flutes and drums sound, oars beat in song,
Joy is utmost, yet sorrow runs deep.
Youthful vigor, how fleeting! How to bear old age?

The powerful and mournful tune conveyed Leng Feiling’s deep unwillingness to part, their mutual remembrance, and a profound grief. It also expressed life’s impermanence—joy in meeting, sadness in parting—urging Fang Guohuan to cherish youth and warning of the swift passage of time. Fang Guohuan listened with tears, sighing toward the water.

When Leng Feiling sang the line, “Longing for my beloved, I cannot forget,” Fang Guohuan suddenly felt a tremor in the music, as if this phrase awakened a true, heartfelt longing for a certain female qin player in Leng Feiling’s heart. It contained a profound sorrow, helplessness, and deep regret, blending the emotions of bidding farewell to a friend and yearning for a beloved, intertwining song and sentiment, truthfully expressed. Fang Guohuan, understanding the depth of the melody and words, was greatly surprised.

Noticing this unusual tenderness in Leng Feiling’s farewell song, Fang Guohuan was inwardly astonished. Leng Feiling then fell silent, the music ceased, and he was left speechless, his expression tinged with sorrow. Fang Guohuan clasped his hands and said, “Brother Leng, your tune is lofty and profound, truly touching my heart. Yet…” He hesitated briefly, then asked, “Might there be a hidden affection for a beloved lady in your song?”

Leng Feiling’s face changed dramatically, revealing deep regret, as memories of the past surged, tormenting him.

After a moment of silence, Leng Feiling sighed deeply and said, “Brother Fang, you truly are my soulmate, able to perceive the spirit of my music and words!” His eyes suddenly shone with boundless joy as he immersed himself in the tale. “Indeed, I just recalled a lady qin player, exceptionally gifted in both talent and beauty, who has long been hidden in my heart. The melody stirred thoughts of her, and as I played, I silently cherished her, unable to forget.”

Fang Guohuan was astonished. “What is her name? Where does she live? Why have you not sought her out, to avoid such torment of longing?”

Leng Feiling shook his head sadly. “Alas, I only met her once and do not know where to find her again.”

Fang Guohuan exclaimed, “So you are suffering from unrequited love!”

Leng Feiling sighed. “In this world, those who truly understand the spirit of my music, besides Brother Fang, include only that lady qin player I met once. Well, since Brother Fang understands my heart’s song and knows me so well, I shall tell you everything.”

Leng Feiling continued, “Two years ago, I traveled the world carrying the Dragon Phoenix Qin. One evening, in a guesthouse where I was staying, the qin suddenly emitted a mournful tone, signaling a family crisis. I hurried home overnight. Arriving at a ferry crossing on the Yellow River, I was delayed by the rising waters and could not cross at night. I waited by a rock wall on the shore until dawn. Anxious and distressed, I played the qin to comfort myself.

Suddenly, a qin melody floated from a moored boat, responding to my tune. The player, entering the music with intention, asked why my tune was so restless. I was greatly surprised—never had I imagined someone else could understand my musical intent. Listening closely, the sound was delicate and refined, carrying a feminine charm. I realized it was a lady qin player. We adjusted our strings and exchanged melodies, communicating through our qin.”

Fang Guohuan was amazed. “Isn’t this like Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Paopao’s musical meeting?”

Leng Feiling replied, “Those two only connected through sound and shared amusement. But this lady’s qin skill reached an unsurpassed realm, perfectly attuned to my own, understanding each other without a word.”

Fang Guohuan, astounded, said, “Such subtle and profound musical communication, like a dialogue through sound and breath—I could never comprehend it myself. It seems Brother Leng and that extraordinary lady have both achieved a divine mastery, their hearts and music perfectly in sync, speaking through their melodies.”

Leng Feiling continued, “We played our qin, exchanging messages of admiration. I learned she was the daughter of traveling merchants, moored there for the night. She was amazed to find a kindred spirit in my music, so she responded. We spoke through song, expressing mutual respect. I was deeply impressed by her mastery and wished to see her. Then her music suddenly stopped, no longer responding. I felt great regret and sent a humble melody in apology.

After a while, a window on the boat opened, and a lantern was hung high. A lady in red stood by the window. I saw her and was struck as if seeing a celestial being.”

Leng Feiling was intoxicated by the memory.

Fang Guohuan, amazed, asked, “What was this lady’s appearance that could move a recluse like you so deeply?”

Leng Feiling spoke slowly and tenderly, “From the moment I first saw her, my spirit was shaken. I never imagined such a breathtaking beauty existed. Words cannot describe her visage; even the combined beauty of fish sinking, wild geese alighting, the moon hiding, and flowers blushing could not equal one-tenth of her charm.” He was utterly enchanted, as if transported back to that Yellow River shore.

Fang Guohuan, observing Leng Feiling’s excitement, was surprised. “Brother Leng, your feelings are sincere. Could such a lady truly exist to stir the heart of one so accomplished as you?”

Leng Feiling sighed with emotion, “Perhaps you may smile, Brother Fang, but at that time, this extraordinarily talented and beautiful lady made my heart race with love and admiration, as if a fairy had descended from the heavens. I was stunned. She noticed my momentary loss of composure, smiled sweetly, closed the window, and disappeared. I controlled my excitement and played melodies expressing my affection. She responded with her qin, telling me she was traveling far with her family and could not meet now but would return in three months. If I wished, I could wait here. If I kept my promise, we could fulfill our mutual longing on reunion. I gladly replied with music.

Before I knew it, dawn came and the boat weighed anchor and departed. After it vanished beyond the horizon, I crossed the river on another boat. That night felt like a dream—I could not be sure if it was real.”

Leng Feiling continued, “Later, I returned home to find a plague had ravaged the area, leaving ten houses empty, countless dead. Though the worst had passed, my family—my mother, brothers, nephews—had all succumbed. Only my elderly father remained alive. In sorrow, I cared for him, but the pain of loss haunted me. Within months, he too passed away, and I laid him to rest in Huangshan.”

[End of first publication.]

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