Transmigration: of Mysteries and Songs

Chapter 82: Despair

Many things in the world are arbitrary and random, their results even more unpredictable. Feng Luodi had never imagined that she would end up in such close proximity to Remembrance after being separated from the group, but her path was blocked by a multitude of traps. The Guqin was suspended in mid-air by a multitude of strings that glinted silver in the low light, the strings blocking the Guqin from every angle. A light wind breezed into the room from the ventilations, music spilling out into the maze as  the wind washed over the Guqin.

"Natural carvings as fine as the hair on the back of an ox, the broad face of the Guqin, and the deep and resounding sound of the strings...this is definitely Remembrance."

Feng Luodi stumbled towards the Guqin without a care in the world, enchanted by the closeness of it. In the sparse prayer room, the only object was the floating Guqin in the air. She took a few steps forward and reached out to touch Remembrance, but all she touched was one of the silver strings around the Guqin.

A sharp whistle sounded through the air, and Feng Luodi ducked just in time to narrowly dodge the poisoned darts that sliced through the air. All that is beautiful, is deceptive. But that, is my Remembrance. She took a few more steps forward unconsciously. This time, she felt the cold of the silver strings on more than three parts of her body.

Holes swished open on the walls in the room silently, spitting out a flurry of poisoned darts that dove straight for Feng Luodi. She froze on the spot, unable to move out of fear. Suddenly, a figure dashed into the room, and dragged her out of the path of the darts.

"Why did you go closer even after knowing that the entire area is rigged with traps?" Situ's rage was barely contained. Cheng Shifei and the other Covert Guards and soldiers quickly filled up the room, and they all heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing Feng Luodi in the room. Sensing the weird atmosphere in the room, they quickly turned their gazes elsewhere.

"Look at that, Situ! It's Remembrance, the Guqin that I have been looking for!" Feng Luodi tugged on Situ's sleeve excitedly, pointing at the Guqin in the air, completely missing the anger written plainly on Situ's face.

Situ took a deep breath, and placed his hands on Feng Luodi's shoulders, turning her back to face him. "I know that it's Remembrance, but do you know how dangerous it is to even go near it?"

Feng Luodi looked him in the eye. "I know very well the danger of the traps. But like I'd said before, I'm willing to put my life on the line to get the 12 Guqin." I hate it when others try to tell me what to do.

"Do they really mean that much to you?" Situ drew another deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Why won't you just tell me the reason already!"

"I'm sorry about this, Situ." Feng Luodi tried to calm herself down as well. "But I will not tell you my reason. I will not tell anyone about the reason behind my quest."

Situ released her shoulders, and looked around the room expressionlessly. He strode over to a pillar by the side of the room, and smashed it to smithereens with a simple kick, expressing his frustration. Regret flashed through Feng Luodi's eyes, but she quickly covered it up.

I didn't do anything wrong. She tried to comfort herself. The soldiers and Covert Guards in the room looked at each other helplessly, trying to minimise their presence in the room.

Cheng Shifei stepped up to Feng Luodi and Situ, a grave expression on his face. "Situ, Miss Feng. There is something serious you two need to know about right now."

Covert Guards Two and Quattor exchanged looks. Can anything be more serious than the General getting angry?

Cheng Shifei's face was serious. "I've checked the room and the maze as we came along, and the only way to stop the maze is to destroy the Guqin. It is the key to the entire mechanism of the maze, and the maze will only stop if we remove the Guqin. However, taking into account the fact that the maze will immediately start sinking into the quicksand the moment the Guqin is removed, and the traps that guard the Guqin, it is impossible for anyone to make it out alive if we remove the Guqin physically. The only option is to plant enough explosives to blow up the entire room once we've retreated out of the maze."