Chapter 128: Resonating with the Heart

When these three words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.

Ghost One, unable to believe it, asked, "Sir, could you please repeat that? I don't quite understand."

Just moments ago, when Fang Mu uttered those three words, the rules had actually judged Fang Mu as the winner. This meant only one thing: what Fang Mu said held merit. But the crucial issue was that Ghost One couldn't comprehend it. It wasn't just Ghost One; Iron Calculation Immortal and the others were equally bewildered.

Fang Mu smiled and said, word by word, "I don't understand. Is that so hard to grasp?"

Indeed, his answer had been the three words: "I don't understand."

Ghost One turned to the scroll in its hands and snapped it open. After a long while, it rolled the painting back up, shook its head, and said, "I am dull-witted. This painting is my own creation. While ordinary people might not discern the artistic intent within, why can you not see it either, sir?"

Fang Mu replied indifferently, "That is not what you truly want to ask. You want to know why the rules acknowledged that statement, correct?"

Ghost One did not deny it; it nodded, assuming a posture of humble instruction. The others present pricked up their ears as well, mostly failing to grasp the logic behind Fang Mu's answer. They were all deeply curious about the mystery hidden within those three words.

Fang Mu pointed to the painting and asked, "Tell me, what was your purpose in creating this piece?"

Ghost One was silent for a moment before answering, "It was created as my heart dictated, with the intention of having it appreciated by my peers."

"Is that all?" Fang Mu asked. "Are there no other meanings?"

Ghost One pondered for a moment and continued, "There is. It is also a matter of reputation; I desire for this painting to gain recognition from more people."

The others exchanged glances; they truly could not comprehend the affairs of men of letters. Fang Mu waved his hand and said slowly, "That is your flaw."

Ghost One was taken aback. Upon realizing what was said, it bowed and asked, "Please enlighten me, sir. I still do not understand."

Fang Mu pointed to the painting in Ghost One's hand and said calmly, "A painting, in the end, must be appreciated by people—which is the very purpose you hold. Let us talk about those who appreciate it."

Ghost One remained silent, listening intently. As Fang Mu began, Ghost One seemed to catch a glimmer of understanding, yet it remained just out of reach, missing the final piece of the puzzle.

Fang Mu continued, "I will give you four words: 'Appreciated by both the refined and the popular.'"

"'Appreciated by both the refined and the popular'?"

"Exactly," Fang Mu said calmly. "A painting is the crystallized effort of your heart's blood. But there is one thing of supreme importance: it should not only be understood by those with refined sensibilities, but it must also be accessible to ordinary people."

Ghost One nodded, seeming to grasp a portion of the truth.

Fang Mu shook his head. "No matter how beautiful a painting is, if it is too esoteric and ignores the perspectives of ordinary people, it will only be left to gather dust. Only by being appreciated by both the refined and the popular can art truly be passed down. If even ordinary people cannot understand it, what are you even painting?"

Silence fell upon the room. Iron Calculation Immortal and the others looked at each other, and one could see in their eyes that they still did not understand.

In truth, Fang Mu's answer was rooted in his past life. In that world, traditional culture was in decline, and a major factor was the failure to bridge the gap between the refined and the popular. As traditional culture faced the onslaught of the new world, many young people preferred a fast-paced, light, and simple lifestyle, which hindered the transmission of tradition. Fortunately, his past life was an era of internet information; amid an explosion of data, many programs achieved that balance, allowing traditional culture to be inherited.

Ghost One remained silent for a moment, then bowed to Fang Mu. "Thank you for your instruction, sir. Although I do not fully understand, the rules have acknowledged it, and you have passed."

The scroll in its hand turned to ash, and Ghost One’s form became significantly more translucent. Fang Mu shook his head; Ghost One was the most peculiar ghost he had ever encountered. What made it special was that, compared to other specters, it was more like a human—a person shackled by an obsession with the literary path. Regardless, Ghost One had to die, for Fang Mu still coveted the Corpse-Touching Technique.

The others remained half-enlightened, especially Iron Calculation Immortal, who was completely bewildered.

...

Once the scroll had vanished entirely, Ghost One pointed to the sky. A zither drifted down slowly, eventually landing in its hands. Seeing this, everyone realized the next stage had begun. Ghost One reached out and laid its fingers on the strings, plucking one gently.

*Zheng—*

The string emitted a crisp sound that rippled outward...

"The zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—two stages have been passed, leaving only the zither and chess," Ghost One said slowly. "Since you have passed the first two stages, you are naturally men of elegance. This stage was designed specifically for such people."

Fang Mu stroked his chin and asked, "What is this? Are you going to play the zither for us?"

It was a casual question, but to his surprise, Ghost One nodded in admission.

"If you had not passed the first two stages, playing for you would have been like playing the zither to a cow," Ghost One explained. "Next, I will play a piece of music. This piece was composed during my peak. You need only listen carefully."

Fang Mu laughed. "It's that simple?"

"Of course not," Ghost One’s voice turned grave. "Once you hear my music, it will stir the deepest fears in your hearts. If you can overcome those fears while listening, I lose. If you cannot, you will die."

With that, Ghost One plucked a string again, producing a melodious, enchanting sound.

The smile vanished from Fang Mu's face. He frowned and asked, "That sounds quite mysterious. How exactly is the outcome determined?"

Ghost One shook its head. "I do not know, for everyone's deepest fear is different, and thus there is no standard. However... the rules know."

The zither music began to flow, and without giving anyone time to react, Ghost One started to play. Melodious notes drifted from the ancient zither, instantly filling the small space.

Fang Mu raised an eyebrow. Upon hearing the first notes, he felt a flicker of sorrow in his heart. He looked up, a green light flashing in his eyes: "Is it an illusion?"

There were no threads visible; his Green Pupil technique had no effect. This proved it was not an illusion. Ghost One's music seemed truly capable of stirring the human heart. Fang Mu turned to look at the others and found that Iron Calculation Immortal and the rest had already closed their eyes.

A wave of profound exhaustion washed over him. Fang Mu felt his eyelids growing heavy, as if someone were pressing them shut. The drowsiness became increasingly intense, and unable to resist any longer, Fang Mu slowly closed his eyes...

The moment his eyes shut, the sorrow in his heart was magnified as if by a lens, instantly filling his soul.

"This is... the feeling of my past life..."