I served as Li Bai's page.

Li Bai said, "You're always running around without me. Show me the copy of the *Tao Te Ching* you made."

"Young Master, don't be angry. I'll take you next time," I said.

I followed Li Bai to the study, where Master Ziyang was looking at the book I had copied.

"Li Bai, you personally taught your page's calligraphy, didn't you? It's vigorous and powerful, elegant and unrestrained—it truly reflects your teachings."

Hearing this, Li Bai was overjoyed and said, "A strict teacher produces outstanding students."

At this moment, the young Taoist priest who had returned from Ziyang Cave came to the study and said to Master Ziyang, "Master, I'm back. The purple aura in the cave has been getting stronger these past few days. Would you like to go and take a look?"

"I'm going to Anlu for a while. We'll talk when I get back. Xuanzhen, come in and let me introduce you. This is Li Bai, the talented scholar from Western Shu, and this is…" Before Master Ziyang could finish, Xuanzhen continued, "This is his page, Yuehua. We already know each other."

Xuanzhen cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Hermit Qinglian."

Li Bai returned the greeting and asked, "I hope Yuehua didn't cause any trouble at Ziyang Cave."

As we were talking, Yuan Danqiu and Cen Xun walked in. Xuanzhen called out, "Senior Brother, you're back! Tonight we're having the Bitter Bamboo Courtyard Flute King Competition at the Canxia Pavilion. Are you participating?"

Everyone became interested upon hearing this and began asking what was going on.

Xuanzhen said, "I've heard that Yuehua is a first-rate flute player, and many of my fellow disciples admire him greatly. Therefore, I'd like to have a match with him."

Master Ziyang turned to me and asked, "Was it you who played the flute last night?"

I nodded, but didn't dare to say anything.

Master Ziyang stroked his beard and said, "You two are evenly matched. Xuanzhen is the star of my Bitter Bamboo Courtyard."

Li Bai, not to be outdone, retorted: "The moonlight has accompanied me all the way from the mountains and rivers of Sichuan."

"We'll find out what it's like tonight by taking it out for a spin," Cen Xun said.

The news of Xuanzhen and Li Bai's pageboy's flute-playing contest quickly spread throughout Xiangguo Temple and even other caves in Xiancheng Mountain.

After dinner, the restaurant was packed. All the windows were open, and since there were no chairs, everyone sat on the floor, forming a large circle in the middle. Xuanzhen, the other disciples who were going to participate, and I performed in this circle.

As Master Ziyang led us up to the Canxia Pavilion, the noisy crowd suddenly quieted down. Cen Xun stepped to the center of the circle and said, "Tonight's flute-playing competition is primarily a performance, with the actual competition being secondary. The rules are: in the first and second rounds, everyone will vote by raising their hands. After the first round, five contestants will remain; after the second round, two contestants will remain. In the final round, the winner will be determined by the number of participants. My senior brother, Yuan Danqiu, and I will be responsible for counting."

Cen Xun returned to his seat, and Yuan Danqiu walked to the performance center and announced, "I hereby declare the flute playing competition to begin."

I originally went there just to join in the fun, but I didn't expect Master Ziyang's disciples to take it so seriously, which made me take it seriously.

"Young master, I didn't bring my flute. I was thinking that I could just borrow one to play later, but it seems that others might not lend it to me," I said to Li Bai.

"Don't panic, look what I have in my hand." Li Bai pulled a flute out of his clothes, the very one I had played on the desk in the study last night.

"Young master, you were truly prescient." I took the flute, wiped it, and held it in my hand.

At this moment, the first performer walked into the circle and began to play the flute. As soon as he finished playing, he raised his hand to vote, and Yuan Danqiu and Cen Xun were responsible for counting. Including Xuanzhen and me, there were ten people performing. Five were eliminated in the first round, and three more were eliminated in the second round, leaving Xuanzhen and me in the end.

As I played the flute, I actually started to get nervous, and kept telling myself: "It's all about participation."

At this moment, Cen Xun stepped forward again and said, "Now it's the final round. After the two performers finish their performances, please stand on either side. Those who support them, please stand behind them. The first performer is Xuanzhen."

Xuanzhen stepped forward, placed his flute to his lips, and began to play "Su Wu Herding Sheep," a lament that seemed to weep and wail. The mournful sound of the flute conveyed Su Wu's unwavering loyalty, his longing for his homeland, and his helplessness as he wandered thousands of miles away. After Xuanzhen finished playing, a silence fell over the Canxia Tower, everyone still reeling from the sorrowful sound of the flute.

I stood up, gently stroked the xiao (vertical bamboo flute), and parted my lips slightly to present everyone with a piece called "Remembering the Flute on Phoenix Terrace." The xiao's sound was deep and resonant, with continuous, delicate notes, leaping with a joyful rhythm between near and far, a stark contrast to the mournful "Su Wu Herding Sheep." Celestial music arose, and dragons and phoenixes danced, soaring into the clouds together.

As I played the last note, applause erupted. Master Ziyang stroked his beard and nodded slightly. He said, "No need to stand in the correct positions. Both of your flute playing has its strengths; let's call it a draw."

Xuanzhen protested, "How can it be a tie? Everyone hasn't voted yet!"

Cen Xun said, "If Daoist Xuanzhen is not convinced, then choose a side. Stand behind whoever you support."

Everyone responded immediately, and in no time, a long line had formed behind me. Xuanzhen, his face ashen, turned and left.

Li Bai said to Master Ziyang, "Old Taoist, you should teach your students more qigong."

Master Ziyang glared at Li Bai, then pulled Li Bai's hand and walked downstairs from the Canxia Tower.

I followed behind Li Bai, barely daring to breathe, for fear of causing some trouble.

Upon arriving at the main hall of the Bitter Bamboo Courtyard, Master Ziyang and Li Bai sat down on chairs. I stood beside Li Bai with my hands at my sides. Seeing my cautious demeanor, Master Ziyang greeted me, saying:

"Yuehua, come here. Tell me why you chose to play 'Remembering the Flute on Phoenix Terrace'."

"First of all, the rhythm of this piece has obvious ups and downs and short breathing time, making it easier for people to grasp the rhythm. Secondly, the piece changes the sad sound of the flute and leaps with positive and uplifting notes in its majestic and harmonious style, making it easier for listeners to accept." I said while looking at Li Bai.

"Stop looking at your young master, look at me," said Master Ziyang.

"Old Taoist priest, don't force him to talk. Why don't you give Xuanzhen a summary instead? Don't let Xuanzhen have any lingering trauma," Li Bai said.

Yuan Danqiu said, "I'll go find Xuanzhen and help him analyze it."

Just as Yuan Danqiu finished speaking, Xuanzhen walked in from outside the door: "Master, your disciple has been impolite. Please punish me." After saying that, he knelt down in front of Master Ziyang.

"You know you've been impolite? What have I taught you? 'Don't be arrogant in victory, and don't be discouraged in defeat'—this isn't just empty talk, especially on our path to immortality. It's never smooth sailing. A simple flute playing has made you so angry. Your heart is too worldly. Go back to Ziyang Cave and think it over." After saying this, Master Ziyang put his hands behind his back, stroked his beard, and walked towards his study.

"Thank you for your teachings, Master. I will return to Ziyang Cave to cultivate now." After saying this, Xuanzhen stood up, bowed to Li Bai, and said, "Qinglian Hermit, my cultivation is shallow, I'm sorry you had to laugh at me." After saying this, he glanced at me and walked out of the hall.

Yuan Danqiu followed behind him and said, "Junior brother, wait a moment, I have something to tell you."