Pay Attention

Amidst the labyrinthine archives of the Awakening Center, stood a meticulously constructed vault, designed to safeguard critical information should something ever happen to the database. There, Mother sat, reading reports concerning other low-numbered experiments like subject 002, otherwise known as "the actor." As she delved into the details, out of the corner of her eyes she noticed a report — an account of Subject 142's exploits in the realm of Psychedelic Music.

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Listening to a beautiful symphony of music fill the air, Feng Jiu Ge swayed his head gently from side to side. The trees responded in rhythmic waves, and the birds joined in harmony with their melodious whistles. However, a lingering sense of unease permeated the air. The reverberating sounds carried a touch of melancholy. At first, he thought it was part of the performance, but as time went on, it grew increasingly undeniable that something was amiss.

"Shi Yan," queried Feng Jiu Ge, his brows furrowing with annoyance, realizing that this time music would not solve the problem.

Interrupted from his thoughts, Shi Yan replied, "Yes?"

"What weighs upon your heart?" probed Feng Jiu Ge.

Inhaling deeply before exhaling a sigh, Shi Yan revealed, "While composing songs and making music with you is something I'm truly grateful for. My dream has always been to share my music with the world, to create something that will survive the test of time."

"I see," Feng Jiu Ge nodded in understanding. "Due to the wisdom you often display, I often forget how young you are. As such, it's only natural that you want to go out into the world and experience what it has to offer." Pausing momentarily, he strokes his beard thoughtfully. "Well I won't stop you, however, it would feel odd if I simply dropped you off in the middle of nowhere. Do you have any requests?"

Gazing at the sky, his eyes narrowed, Shi Yan voiced his thoughts, "Usually, the first step to getting one's voice out there is by forging connections."

Feng Jiu Ge shakes his head. "This is perhaps my fault for telling you about Heavenly Court. It lures humans from all corners of this world while serving as a warning to demonic cultivators and demi-humans alike. Some may perceive it as a place where dreams come true, but the reality is quite the opposite. Once you enter, you will relive the life and dreams of a man who lived and died over three million years ago, all in the pursuit of his dream."

Shi Yan nodded, calming Feng Jiu Ge's heart. However, that momentary tranquility was shattered by Shi Yan's next words, "Some seek freedom, believing that the burdens of responsibility are no different from the chains that bind a slave. Yet, there are others who see responsibility as a gift. A father holding their newborn in the palms of their hands, a mother teaching her child the importance of forming relationships with their peers, and an older sibling shouldering the duty of protecting their siblings."

Feng Jiu Ge chuckled softly. "What is this talk of responsibility and duty? Are you the same man I found in the heart of a forest?"

"Hey, I put a lot of thought into that speech," Shi Yan complained, lowering his head.

Rolling his eyes with a deep sigh, Feng Jiu Ge reminisced back to the first time he saw his little Jin Huang. Then he chuckled lightly and softly spoke, "Perhaps this is one of those proverbs you often cite—'Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.' While I don't agree with everything you have said, I still respect your determination. I will arrange a meeting with the current caretaker of Heavenly Court to grant you an audience. However! Don't assume that means you'll get in. In all honesty, they aren't too keen on otherworldly demons."

"Thank you, my good friend." Shi Yan speaks with a grateful smile, before pausing as he forms an idea in his head. He shares, "How about I play a new type of music for you today?"

"You?" Feng Jiu Ge teased. "It better be new or you can forget about that recommendation."

Taken aback by Feng Jiu Ge's shamelessness, Shi Yan cracks his knuckles, "Have you ever heard of psychedelic music?"

"

工'冊 几回卞 丹 乍丹几 回乍 尸凵尸尸ヨ卞ヨヨ尺己, 日凵卞 工'レヨ 丹 几丹呂呂工几呂 乍ヨ丹尺 己回冊ヨ回几ヨ ヨし己ヨ 工己 尸凵しし工几呂 丹卞 卞廾ヨ 己卞尺工几呂己 己回冊ヨ卞廾工几呂 卞ヨ尺尺工日しヨ 工己 呂回工几呂 句回山几 卞廾尺回凵呂廾 卞廾ヨ ヨ几卞工尺ヨ 卞回山几 山尺ヨ丹片工几呂 丹几丹尺亡廾と, 丹几句 丹しし 工卞 日尺工几呂己 工 亡丹几'卞 己工卞 工句しと, 几回, 工 亡丹几'卞 冊回レヨ 丹卞 丹しし 工 亡凵尺己ヨ 卞廾ヨ 几丹冊ヨ, 卞廾ヨ 回几ヨ 日ヨ廾工几句 工卞 丹しし

"

Feng Jiu Ge's eyes widened as the music not only resonated in his heart but also penetrated his flesh, even going so far as to touch his mind. He felt his skin tingle, his chest muscles tighten, and his vision sharpen. "Incredible," he murmured, his voice filled with awe. "To induce such effects without the use or aid of a Gu, instead solely relying on sound." However, just as suddenly, his vision blurred, looking down, he noticed drops of blood staining the grass beneath his feet.

The music then came to an abrupt halt, as Shi Yan remarked, "You're bleeding from your eyes, I recommend you use your healing Gu worms."