Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Rise and Fall of the Nation_1

"Trifles? Haha, with your status, it seems only fitting to bribe the fairy with such trinkets. I gather you're insane!"

Liu Xi's voice was derisive, his face mocking.

No matter what Chu Yuan produced, nothing could surpass his Hidd Dragon Zither. He had the upper hand this time, surely the fairy would think of him first whever she would play the zither in the future.

"Indeed, it's a trifle. Hardly worth mtioning."

Chu Yuan pulled out a bead the size of a goose egg from his bosom.

This bead shone with starlight. Although it was pitch black, it was adorned with bright spots that resembled stars. It sparkled brilliantly, releasing an obscure yet divine hue.

"What is that?" Mu Rou asked curiously.

"A trifle, it's called the Star Universe Bead."

Replied Chu Yuan.

"Indeed, a shoddy trifle. You dare dishonor her with such a bead, my mansion has countless objects of the sort. How many do you want? I can give you all. Just don't embarrass yourself on the fairy's birthday."

Liu Xi looked down on this so-called Star Universe Bead.

"There's a small mechanism in the Star Universe Bead," said Chu Yuan.

"Oh? What kind of mechanism?"

Instead of allowing a maid to take the Star Universe Bead, Mu Rou approached it herself. She was immediately veloped in a fragrant breeze, not the sct of rouge, but a natural fragrance. Th, she held the bead.

The bead was somewhat heavy, and it became slightly warm in her hand.

"Miss, please touch one of the stars," said Chu Yuan.

"Okay."

Mu Rou touched one of the stars, and suddly, a color resembling the void swept over. The void's blackness diffused into a brilliant light.

In that instant, they appeared to have be transported to the universe. The original star points drastically larged, turning into real stars. There were galaxies afar, and as Mu Rou moved, the phomon continued to expand.

"Stars! Universe!"

Mu Rou exclaimed in shock.

It felt as if they had actually stepped into the universe. She was like a giant traversing galaxies, clearly touching one star after another, moving through one galaxy after another. Moreover, she could rearrange the stars at will.

With a wave of her hand, the stars formed the words 'Melodious Music'.

With another wave, they changed into the characters 'Mu Rou'.

Mu Rou's melody instantly transformed.

Iron horses and gold spears, battle flags fluttered as if an invincible supreme being was leading a great army, sweeping away every obstacle in its path, leaving legds about the emperor in every corner of the world."

Here, the melody stopped.

"Miss's melody is indeed profound and mysterious, skillfully conveying the rise and fall of a nation," Chu Yuan said.

"I was merely expressing my emotions. It's nothing compared to the depth of your character." As Mu Rou gazed deeply at Chu Yuan, she continued, "Our great Dawu was built on martial might. Our people are valiant, each one a top-ranking warrior. Those of you who can come to MiaoYin House must be among the best. I have prepared a small game to keep the mood light. How about we give it a try?"

"What kind of game?" Liu Xi, now recovered from the lingering effects of the melody, jumped in, "Please tell us, Miss."

"Wrestling might lead to injuries. How about we play a game of archery instead?"

Mu Rou oped her palm to reveal nine copper coins, each with a small hole in the cter. "I have nine copper coins here. Within a hundred steps, let's shoot an arrow and see who can pierce these coins consecutively. Who could join this challge?"

Chu Yuan gave it a quick glance.

The holes in her nine coins were very small, just wide ough for an arrow to pass through -- any deviation was beyond possibility, let alone making it through nine consecutive coins.

A maid came over and strung up the coins on a beam, ev a slight breeze would cause them to move. Moreover, the force of an arrow would inevitably affect their position, making this a true test of an archer's skill.

"Ha ha, this game is interesting, I'll go first!"

Liu Xi bellowed. He wanted to flaunt his martial prowess in front of Mu Rou, so he departed with a bow and arrows specially prepared by the MiaoYin House.

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

In order to make a good impression in front of Mu Rou, Liu Xi was completely focused and put his all into it, and with a strum of the bowstring, the arrow seemed to pierce sev coins consecutively. However, it slightly deviated on the eighth, missing its mark.

"Great archery skills!"

Everyone's eyes wided at the sight. This Liu Xi, ev though he was a prodigal son, his archery was truly exquisite. They had to admit that they couldn't have done it any better themselves.

"I hope I didn't let the fair lady down." Liu Xi wiped the sweat from his forehead.

While he didn't manage to complete the 'Nine Stars in a Row', but it was pretty good theless.

With his head held high, he announced, "Who else wants to try?"

Some young masters, unsatisfied, decided to try their luck. But the best among them only managed to pierce through four holes -- far below Liu Xi's achievemt.

Evtually, to avoid embarrassmt, many chose not to attempt it.

"Sir, don't you want to give it a try?" Mu Rou asked Chu Yuan.

"There's no point in me going up there." Chu Yuan pointed to Chu Xiaoniang, "Why don't we let her have a go, her archery skills are also quite good."