Ah Hui's name was little known among those living at the foot of the mountain, and even he found it quite odd, as if it did not belong to this world. On this day, as dawn broke, the smoke and clouds had not yet dispersed, and the birds on the mountain were still in a half-dreamy state. Ah Hui was already quietly standing at the peak of the mystical mountain called "Yunyin." This mountain was unique, featuring ancient buildings with flying eaves and jade tiles intermixed with Western-style halls adorned with colorful stained glass. But what was even stranger was that it was always embraced by verdant pines and pure white clouds, like something out of a dream.
Ah Hui's attire was also quite peculiar. He wore a soft green long shirt embroidered with silver thread patterns from the western regions around the cuffs and collar, and on top, he had a short jacket embellished with a delicate golden lion's head. His black leather boots shimmered slightly, and tassels resembling clouds and mist hung down around his ankles. From a distance, his appearance was indistinguishable from either ancient or modern styles, yet when viewed closely, it seemed entirely natural.
He gently cradled an ancient guqin, its ebony body radiating a warm, jade-like luster. The side of the instrument was inlaid with several light blue gemstones, as delicate as dew. Ah Hui always wore a calm and gentle smile, as if there were no worries in the world that could reach him.
Ah Hui mostly spent his days on the mystical mountain, playing the guqin and absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. The ancient pavilions among the pines and rocks, the corridors winding through the clouds, interspersed with dazzling colored windows, were ever-present. Whenever the morning glow appeared and the mist swirled, he loved to sit at the cliff's edge, allowing the music to drift away with the wind. "Perhaps one day, someone will be guided here by the music," he thought to himself.
That day, he played the guqin as usual, his fingertips lightly touching the strings, the lingering notes resonating as birds flew in one by one, perching quietly on the pine branches, listening intently. A gentle breeze brushed past him, carrying the fragrance of pine needles and the dampness of the morning mist. The music suddenly turned soft and murmur, spreading a faint melancholy.
Suddenly, a soft footstep could be heard coming from behind the wisteria beneath the ancient pavilion. Someone was approaching. Ah Hui looked up and saw a girl emerge from the mist. She had fair skin, a pink begonia flower in her hair, and her garments were layers of sheer fabric, with intricately designed shoes that had a western flair. The girl wore a look of confusion but also full of curiosity.
She bowed slightly to Ah Hui and softly said, "I heard the music and lost my way beneath the clouds for quite some time. Did you save me?"
Ah Hui slowly halted his movements, looking at her with a smile and saying, "Yunyin Mountain embraces every visitor. You simply followed the notes to come here. It is rare to have outsiders at this place. Do you have a name, my lady?"
The girl slightly furrowed her brows, seeming to hesitate before saying, "I am Lu Jin. My father often says that one should not wander carelessly in these mountains, so I have always envied the children at the foot of the mountain who can run freely. Today, I took a risk to come, but I did not expect to get lost in here. I was guided by the music and followed it here, which is how I met you."
Ah Hui gently stood up, placed the guqin across the stone table, took off his cloak, and draped it over the girl's shoulders. "The morning wind in the mountains is still cool, and the thin clothing you wear is not enough for warmth. Please accept my outer robe as a protection," he said, his voice gentle and caring, behaving like an old friend.
Lu Jin was slightly taken aback, her face flushing a faint red as she quickly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Ah Hui. Your guqin skills are wonderful. I wonder where you learned them?"
Ah Hui smiled and pointed towards a small blue house halfway up the mountain, "There is no name in this mountain, only an old man who is willing to teach me the art of the guqin. He often says that playing the guqin is like living; a calm heart produces beautiful music, while a troubled heart creates chaotic sounds. I have never descended the mountain, and no one knows my name. You are the first to inquire about my origins."
The two of them slowly walked down the mountain path. Along the way, the serene pine forest path was shadowy, with clear springs trickling over white stones beneath their feet. Lu Jin tilted her head to look at Ah Hui, feeling that he blended harmoniously with the mountains and woods. He ignored the ribbons on the hem of his shirt and frequently reached out to clear away the pine branches that obscured her view. Whenever a pine needle landed in her hair, Ah Hui gently removed it with natural grace.
"Ah Hui, do you live like this every day? Playing the guqin, gazing at the clouds, roaming among the pines—do you ever feel lonely?" Lu Jin's voice was soft, tinged with a bit of pity.
Ah Hui thought for a moment and slowly said, "I am accompanied by birds and beasts, quietly listening to the sounds of the wind and water, so I do not feel alone. However, at times I do think that if someone could share the wonders of the mountains and fields with me, it would be much more interesting."
Lu Jin laughed lightly, her eyes sparkling with vibrant light. She walked over to a clear spring, hesitated not at all before taking off her carved shoes, and dipped her feet into the water, exclaiming, "It's so refreshing!" Seeing this, Ah Hui also took off his boots, sat cross-legged beside her, and said, "This spring is called 'Wang You' ('Forget Worries'). It is said that drinking from it can help one forget their troubles, but only one with a truly calm heart can savor its sweetness."
Lu Jin scooped up a handful of spring water to taste it, smiling as she said, "It’s incredibly refreshing, rarely found at the foot of the mountain. If I bring some down for my family to try, they will surely be amazed."
Ah Hui quietly studied Lu Jin; her happiness seemed infectious. After a while, he finally asked, "Why did you come here alone? You don't seem like someone who seeks frivolous adventures; you must have some trouble that prompted you to take this risk."
Lu Jin lowered her head in silence, gently stirring the water’s surface with her fingers before speaking slowly, "My father is gravely ill, and the elders at home have invited wise men, yet they are all at a loss. The elders at home once said that Yunyin Mountain has immortal springs and guqin that can cure heart ailments and relieve suffering. Unfortunately, my father is seriously ill, and those at home fear for my safety, not allowing me to come. I could only sneak away before dawn, but I got lost in the mountain mist. Fortunately, I met you..."
Ah Hui's expression was calm yet serious as he said, "If that's the case, the music that brought you into the mountain is surely not by chance. I have learned arts in the mountains since I was young from the elder. Though I have not obtained any immortal methods, I understand some techniques that can soothe the heart. If your father's ailment is not solely due to physical causes, I might be able to attempt to help."
Lu Jin's eyes sparkled with hope, "Really? Ah Hui, if you are willing to try, even if it fails, I would have no regrets in my heart."
Ah Hui nodded and then picked up the guqin, leading Lu Jin back to the small house midway up the mountain. The small house had blue tiles and white walls, shadows of bamboo dancing on it, and sandalwood incense wafting in the air. Once inside, Ah Hui took the guqin, adjusted the strings, allowing the cool morning light to flood in through the paper windows, the interplay of light creating patterns on the sandalwood table.
“Please sit by the window, calm your mind, and listen carefully to the music,” Ah Hui said with a serious yet gentle demeanor.
Lu Jin complied, sitting upright with her tense hands resting on her knees, and gently closed her eyes. Ah Hui swept his sleeves and leaned over the table, his hands softly caressing the body of the guqin. He first struck a low note, weak yet reminiscent of the cool spring water in a deep valley. The music gradually ascended, morphing into a long, flowing melody in the air. Ah Hui attentively observed the tension in Lu Jin’s brow and body, and as the music shifted, it became gentle and prolonged like the breeze caressing the mountain valley.
"Lu Jin, if there are worries on your mind, let them go along with my music," Ah Hui’s voice was low and steady, weaving through the air like a soft veil.
As the music flowed silently, Lu Jin forgot her fears of the unknown, her heart settling like a still pool. Memories of her father’s past expressions and laughter emerged in her mind, as did her helplessness by his bedside at night. Those sorrows were gently soothed by the melody, retreating like the tide.
The music transformed into a lively tune, as if the morning light had broken through the clouds, awakening the entire mountain. Ah Hui gradually concluded the music, letting the final notes linger in the room before pausing his movements.
Lu Jin opened her eyes, her gaze clear as water. "Ah Hui, I feel like the heaviness in my chest has eased a lot, as if my heart has been cleansed."
Ah Hui smiled in response, "Your heart is transparent, so it will surely affect your father. Sincere comfort beside the sickbed surpasses a thousand miraculous remedies. Before you go home, take some 'Wang You Spring' with you, and keep today's music and intentions in your heart, playing it every day. This may help your father recover."
Lu Jin stood and bowed in gratitude. Ah Hui fetched a porcelain bottle filled with spring water and a notebook, carefully writing down the essential points of the guqin piece. "This score records the fingerings and heart techniques, each word and sentence taught to me by my master. You can try it according to this, and if you encounter anywhere unclear, feel free to come back up the mountain to find me."
The two walked together to the mountain foot. As Lu Jin turned to leave, she looked back at the ancient house surrounded by green pines and swirling mist, saying to Ah Hui, "I will definitely come again to Yunyin Mountain to enjoy the clouds with you, to hear the jade pine and listen to the music."
Ah Hui gently nodded, still smiling, "I hope that amidst the clouds and mist, we won't forget the bond of friendship."
Lu Jin descended the mountain path while Ah Hui gazed from the mountain peak, surrounded by clouds and mist. He again sat beneath the green pines, his hands on the guqin, lightly playing a new piece. The music echoed through the mountains and clouds, as if it inscribed a footnote to this unexpected encounter. The wind swept through the treetops, birds danced among the clouds, and Ah Hui's face still wore that peaceful and gentle smile, as the flowing clouds rolled around him, alongside the green pines, coexisting with heaven and earth for eternity.
From that day onward, whenever someone passed by the peak of Yunyin Mountain, they would always hear the sound of the guqin floating with the clouds. A legend quietly spread at the foot of the mountain, saying there was a youth dressed in a blend of ancient and modern clothing, cradling an immortal guqin, standing among the green pines at the mountain's peak, quietly playing, leaving joy and beauty for every sincere visitor to the mountain; the mountain wind and drifting clouds also became his confidants.