Chapter 54: The Only Daughter of the Hidden Clan

Seeing the expectant faces all around her, Gu Hua sighed softly. Very well, it seemed today was as good a day as any to let Nirvana bask in the sunlight.

“I agree,” she said.

With that, a pale blue ancient zither appeared in her hands as if conjured from thin air. At the end of the instrument, two small characters were carved: Nirvana.

Gu Hua gently placed her hands over the strings. Everyone quieted, hearts settling, ready to be swept away.

The music was pure, melodious, at times swift and urgent, at times slow and tender, winding like a mountain brook—its lingering notes weaving deep into the soul.

Suddenly, heavenly melodies seemed to echo overhead; above the clouds, a radiant phoenix soared, its cry greeting the morning sun.

Then, the music shifted—sand and dust swirling, armies clashing, swords and armor gleaming gold, blood dyeing the sky crimson.

When the final note faded, only awe remained.

Manager Gu Zhou was left in a daze, unable to recover for a long while.

Gu Hua’s performance was not only stirring; more importantly, it transported listeners directly into the landscapes and stories her music conjured.

“Gu Hua, your skill with the zither seems to have improved greatly in such a short time!” Gu Lin praised her without holding back. He had heard her play by chance not long ago, and she had not yet reached this level, where people could be so completely immersed.

“It’s true, you’re amazing. When I closed my eyes just now, I seemed to see the river pouring down from the heavens, and a phoenix circling me, crying out!” Tao Tao chimed in.

Gu Hua pressed her lips into a smile. As expected, Nirvana was the instrument best able to withstand her spiritual power, amplifying its effects. She was quite satisfied with this test.

“Gu Hua, that zither of yours is no ordinary thing,” Gu Zhi said, reaching out. But before he could touch Nirvana, an inexplicable force of spiritual energy bounced him back.

“Nirvana!” Gu Hua called out sharply, but Gu Zhi stopped her. Looking at his hand, which trembled and tingled, he murmured, “This zither will likely develop a spirit of its own in the future.”

Manager Gu Zhou also saw what had happened. “It seems the zither repelled you, recognizing only the young master…”

“Gu Hua, where did you get that zither? Can you get me a weapon just like it?” Gu Lin pleaded.

Gu Hua had intended to say it was a gift from her cheapskate father, but with Gu Lin now asking for a fine weapon, she wasn't sure if Gu Jun had any good ones left in his collection.

“Each young master of every generation has their own weapon, no matter how it’s acquired. But this zither, it suits Gu Hua better than anything else,” Gu Zhi remarked, and it was true—Zhong Li’s zither was indeed exceptional.

Just then, a maid entered from outside the courtyard. “Manager, another shipment has arrived. Would you mind checking it personally?”

Gu Zhou nodded, then turned to Gu Hua. “Young master, would you like to come along?”

Gu Hua shook her head. “No need. We all trust in your abilities, Uncle Gu Zhou. It’s better for me to use this time to look around and get to know the place.”

“As you wish. I’ll take my leave.” Gu Zhou departed.

Not long after, Tao Tao pulled Gu Hua into a room with an air of mystery, leaving Gu Zhi and the others outside.

“What is it that we can’t hear?” Gu Lin grumbled.

“Girl talk. Do you want to listen?” Tao Tao shot back without mercy. For some reason, she just wanted to tease this brat.

Gu Hua let herself be dragged inside, taking a seat at the edge of the bed. Tao Tao checked the door, made sure no one was listening, then locked it before sitting on the carpet at Gu Hua’s feet.

“Gu Hua, why can’t I see through you?” Tao Tao propped her chin in her hands, looking up at her.

“What do you see?” Gu Hua asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Let’s see… Noble people are purple, good people gold, bad people black, the dead are gray. But you, Gu Hua, you’re both purple and gold, with a halo of white light,” Tao Tao counted off on her fingers, listing the various colors she saw in people, but Gu Hua was unique.

“Colors?” Gu Hua queried.

Tao Tao tilted her head. “I grew up in a place without cultivators. No one could fly or use spiritual power, but they survived with their wits. I was always a bit of a freak—an orphan, able to glimpse people’s destinies from a young age. I have a feeling, Gu Hua, that you’re not an ordinary person at all!”

She spoke with conviction. “Do you know what ‘transmigration’ is?”

Seeing Gu Hua’s confusion, she explained, “It means traveling from one world to another, completely unfamiliar world.”

Gu Hua understood then. Tao Tao must be referring to how she had been swept through the chaotic currents of time and space to the Red Moon Dynasty.

“I don’t know how it happened—I just suddenly ended up here. The past few days have been so hard. All along the way, I kept hoping to meet someone whose forehead glowed purple or gold. When I came to the First Tower today, I saw you at once, with three colors of light on your brow. I’d never seen white before, but some voice deep inside told me I had to follow you. That’s why I argued with Ning Xue’er and clung to you so naturally. I’m sorry, Gu Hua.”

“Can you explain the light on my forehead?” Gu Hua tapped Tao Tao gently on the temple. This girl, soft and timid like a rabbit, reminded her of the one her master had caught for her on her hundredth birthday. That rabbit had died too soon, and she’d cried a whole day over it.

Tao Tao looked up. Instead of being upset, Gu Hua was smiling gently. In that moment, Tao Tao felt a strange warmth and her eyes misted.

Gu Hua thought Tao Tao looked even more like a little rabbit now. “Tao Tao, did you know you’re just like the rabbit I once had?”

Tao Tao shook her head and pointed to the center of Gu Hua’s forehead. “Right there, a bright white light.”

Gu Hua placed her right hand where Tao Tao pointed, but felt nothing unusual. “No one else knows about your ability, right?”

Tao Tao shook her head.

“That’s good. I’ll help you look into it when I get the chance.”

“Thank you, Gu Hua…” Tao Tao’s soft, childlike voice made Gu Hua think she’d picked up a little crybaby.

“Gu Hua, Tao Tao! Come out and eat!” came a loud yell from outside the room.

“It’s all right now, let’s go have lunch. Gu Lin is calling.” Gu Hua stood.

“Mm…”