I'm in another world, and I start out transformed into Lancelot.

She gracefully stepped to the side, revealing Yuuko, who was slightly less awkward but still somewhat uneasy, to Ari.

His tone carried a hint of solemnity, yet couldn't hide a touch of mischief: "This is a dancer from a remote island, a legendary demon whose dance is said to be so beautiful it could topple kingdoms and set the boundless sea ablaze—Shiranui!"

"Her dance is truly unmatched in heaven and earth!" Kinnara emphasized the words "great demon" and "unmatched," his eyes gleaming with cunning.

"Xiao Yin!" This introduction, which was clearly mocking and meant to "praise to death," made Shiranui grumble in annoyance and deliberately pretend to tighten her grip on Nara's arm.

Then, she turned to face Yuko, and the "annoyance" she had felt earlier because of Kinara's deliberate teasing quickly disappeared. Her eyes curved into a smile, revealing genuine goodwill.

Chapter 178 Then play music and then dance

“Just call me Ali. The name Shiranui…” She paused, a complex emotion flashing across her face, as if she were thinking of a distant and heavy past.

"Let's keep it locked away in this serene courtyard for now." She said the last sentence lightly, as if she really wanted to bury that illustrious and heavy name forever.

She did not willingly bear this name that symbolizes power and destiny; it was just that the tsunami of fate pushed her to the forefront, and she had no choice.

Meeting Ali's clear, gentle eyes, which also carried a hint of undeniable composure, Yuko's unease completely dissipated.

She straightened her back, gave a graceful bow, and spoke in a clear and steady voice, carrying the vigor of a young girl and the composure of a traveler:

"I am Narukami Yuko. I am just a traveler who is temporarily staying here and is grateful for the hospitality of Lord Seimei."

The twilight deepened in the courtyard. Lanterns lit up one after another, casting a warm yellow glow that dispelled the growing darkness.

The slightly chilly air was subtly warmed by the sight of the three people standing opposite each other with smiles on their faces.

Kinnara's pipa rested quietly under the eaves, and the fire patterns on Ari's kimono shimmered faintly in the lamplight. The lingering blush on Yuko's face resembled newly blossoming cherry petals in the light and shadow.

One is a goddess from the land of elegant music, and the other is a great demon from an outlying island legend who dances and burns the sea with fire.

And standing in the middle is a strange traveler from an unknown future, who has just clumsily finished a dance and is tasked with preventing the end of his destiny.

This brief and casual encounter, however, has created an indescribable and subtle atmosphere in the courtyard of Heian-kyo.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Now that professional dancers are here, should I...?

As soon as Yuko had the thought, she saw Ali's eyes, which seemed to be burning with golden-red flames, turn towards her with a bright look.

"The sound of the pipa is rarely so delightful," Ali said, a charming smile curving her lips as her fingers naturally tugged at the fabric of Youzi's sleeve.

"How about another dance? You danced so well just now, I'm itching to dance too."

Yuko was startled and almost instinctively tried to pull her clothes back, but she waved her hand awkwardly, saying, "Please spare me!"

"I...I was just jumping around randomly, I felt completely uncoordinated myself, and to jump around in front of you guys was just..."

She hesitated for a long time, her face slightly flushed, "It's like trying to teach a fish to swim, a complete disaster!"

Yuko's embarrassment and straightforward metaphor successfully amused Ali, whose beautiful eyes curved into crescent moons, and whose laughter had a crisp, bell-like quality.

"Oh my, so cute. Who said you have to jump so dramatically?" Ali didn't let go; instead, she moved closer, so close that Youzi could smell the faint, strange fragrance in her hair.

She met Yuko's evasive gaze, winked playfully, and spoke in a voice with undeniable allure:

"What are you worried about? I'll teach you. I'll teach you step by step~ I guarantee our important guest won't fall and embarrass himself." She deliberately dragged out the last syllable of "step by step," with a hint of mischief.

Before Yuko could refuse again—"Zheng!"

A clear and bright plucked note, like a spring flowing into a pool, instantly dispelled the hesitation in the air.

Kinnara, who was sitting down beside her, had already taken her seat with her pipa in her arms. Her fair fingers gently pressed on the strings, and her face had a gentle smile that seemed to know everything, as if she had known this situation all along.

"Shall we begin?" Without asking any further questions or waiting for an answer, her fingertips began to glide smoothly across the strings.

This time, the music was less slow, like a beginner's car, and became cheerful and lively, like a deer leaping in the forest in spring.

It seemed there was no escaping it. Yuko sighed resignedly, and Ari took the opportunity to loosen her grip on her clothes.

But in an instant, he placed his cool yet strong hand directly on the inside of her left wrist, while his other hand gently rested on her lower back.

“Relax,” Ali’s voice rang in my ears, her breath warm. “Don’t look at your feet, look into my eyes, follow my strength… Yes, just like that.”

Ahri's teachings are completely different from Kinnara's guidance under the night sky.

Kinnara is like being pulled by invisible threads, while Ari carries a more powerful and unquestionable sense of rhythm.

Her hands were incredibly steady, like the most exquisite rudder, guiding Yuko, this "newly set sail" boat, through the narrow corridor space, making her turn and shift.

The force was neither too light nor too heavy, yet it forced Yuko to concentrate all her attention to perceive the subtle changes in the palm—was it a gentle push? A guiding motion? Or a subtle hint of rotation?

Yuko was so nervous at first that her limbs stiffened, and she almost moved her hands and feet in unison, like a puppet nailed to the ground.

The pipa music leaped lightly, and Ali exerted a slight force on her waist.

"Lift your foot, land slowly..." Ali's voice came softly, with a hint of reassurance and an unmistakable command, "Don't be afraid of stepping on me, I'm watching you."

Yuko felt her face burning, and could only stare intently at Ari's smiling eyes and nose, trying to ignore the bewildering combination of steps she was taking.

Occasionally, one's gaze would wander and collide with the burning halo in Ah Li's eyes, so deep it seemed to draw one in.

She had to admit that this feeling of being strongly guided actually prevented her from having to think about the difficult question of "what to do next".

All you need to do is passively and wholeheartedly follow the messages conveyed by this body with its amazing coordination and rhythm.

"Turn around, lean back, relax!" Ali's voice, with a slight pant, sounded surprisingly pleasant.

When Yuko was pulled back by a gentle yet resolute force, her body leaning into a supple arc, her heart skipped a beat.

In that instant, her silken hair brushed against her cheek, and in Ali's eyes, which were so close yet held a thousand charms, her disheveled and panicked appearance was clearly reflected.

At that moment, the pipa melody climbed to a clear, high note, like water droplets splashing.

The next second, the force changed, and Yuko was steadily helped back to her original position.

Instead of leaving, Ali pulled her even closer, almost touching her, and began a more complex and intimate guide involving arm wrapping and spinning steps.

Yuko was completely immersed in the other person's aura and instructions, and her initial repulsion and embarrassment were replaced by this "survival training"-like focus.

Kinnara's playing seemed to echo A-Li's rhythm, the music sometimes tender like lovers' whispers, accompanying the two of them cheek to cheek and arm to arm.

At times, they become passionate and unrestrained, like leaping flames, urging them to make more powerful spins and changes in pace.

Chapter 179: They're all girls, what can they do anyway?

The music played on the pipa was no longer just a simple accompaniment, but more like a persuasive force that understood people's hearts, providing a perfect backdrop for Ali's unrestrained dance steps.

Kinnara's smiling eyes were full of appreciation, as if to say: Look, you danced very well.

Sweat soaked Yuko's bangs, but her body was no longer as stiff and clumsy as it had been at the beginning.

After being led by Ali to jump around a dozen times, she began to be able to "predict" her intentions a little, and her muscles were no longer completely passively tense.

When Ali performed an extremely complex cross step combined with a backward lean, turning her back to her side again, Yuko miraculously followed the change in steps and subconsciously received the directional force from Ali's arm, completing the turn.

This small improvement made Ali let out a soft hum of approval, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

"Tsk, it's starting to look good." Ali chuckled, her tone carrying a hint of pride and satisfaction. "Continue!"

Her pace suddenly quickened, carrying a wild and unrestrained momentum, like a wildfire spreading across the plains.

Yuko gasped as her body was spun around at high speed. The wooden pillars of the corridor, the artificial mountain in the distance, and the smiling Kinnara blurred into colorful patches in her vision.

The wind whistled in my ears, but the steady, guiding force in my wrists and back was like a lighthouse in the darkness.

"Thump!—Clang!!"

The music ended! Kinnara's closing gesture was extremely graceful, and the lingering sound of the pipa spread in circles in the courtyard like ripples from a stone thrown in, eventually returning to tranquility.

Ali steadily helped Youzi, who was slightly dizzy and whose heart was pounding like a drum, to a stop. Both of them were still breathing heavily.

Yuko felt like she had just finished a marathon; her legs were weak and limp.

But looking at Ali's bright eyes and slightly flushed, excited cheeks, a strange sense of accomplishment inexplicably rose in my heart. At least this time she didn't really fall flat on her face.

"How was it?" Ali raised an eyebrow, her voice still slightly breathless from the dance, yet unable to conceal her flamboyant radiance. "I told you I wouldn't leave you utterly defeated, did I?"

Yuko was panting and speechless for a moment. She could only look at her helplessly, which was taken as an admission of the outcome.

But I have to admit that my steps are much smoother than they were at the beginning.

"Excellent." Kinnara's clear voice rang out. She gracefully rose, holding her pipa, and walked to the two of them, her gaze filled with pure admiration. "Your dance just now truly captivated me!"

Ali readily accepted the compliment, released her hand from Yuko's, and stretched her supple waist gracefully: "It's rare to see such an interesting student."

She looked at Kinnara and said, "Your pipa is the finishing touch that brings out the magic."

Yuko looked at this and then at that, her face still flushed, but she was starting to get used to being "caught in the middle."

A wave of soreness washed over her calves, and she couldn't help but rub her still trembling legs, complaining softly, "Teacher Ali, your teaching method is too uncompromising."

Upon hearing this, Ali bent down and got close to Youzi's face, so close that Youzi could almost count her thick eyelashes. Her voice was teasing and seductive: "You learn quickly by not holding back. Hmm? How about we do it again to reinforce it?"

Yuko was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly, waving her hands hastily: "Spare me! I really can't jump anymore!" Her reaction once again made Ali cover her mouth and chuckle.

She stopped teasing Yuko. “It’s getting late,” she said, pointing with her fingertip toward the brightly lit main house where Seimei was. “They must have important matters to discuss, and it would be inappropriate to disturb them at this time.”

"Xiaoyin's room should be spacious enough, I'll stay here tonight~"

Kinnara had no objection to this, but simply nodded gently, her posture holding the pipa remaining elegant and serene.

Yuko gave a polite bow and said, "Well then, you two should rest early. I'll take my leave now." Before she finished speaking, she suddenly felt her clothes being tightened.

Ali's fingers deftly hooked the edge of her clothing at her lower back.

"What's the rush?" Ali smiled even more brightly, her eyes sparkling mischievously in the flickering lamplight. "It's still early, the night is long, it's no fun being all alone."

She tilted her head and deliberately added in a light, fatally seductive tone, "Anyway—we're all girls, we can't do anything."

Ali deliberately dragged out the last syllable, her eyes sweeping meaningfully over Youzi and Kinnara, "How about we have a candlelit chat? Listening to romance and poetry is much better than staring blankly at the cold, lifeless walls."

She enunciated the words "can't do anything" with exceptional clarity, carrying a hint of almost malicious mockery, yet the way she said it so matter-of-factly left no room for rebuttal.

Yuko's heart skipped a beat, and the slight warmth from Ari's fingertips seeped through the thin fabric.

She subconsciously glanced at Kinnara, who was holding a pipa, a faint blush seemingly rising on her face. She avoided her gaze and softly hummed in agreement.

"Gossip?" Yuko raised an eyebrow, catching the key information in Ari's words.

To be honest, she did become somewhat interested in the gossip about Itsukushima and Rijin-kaku that Ari had mentioned.

This is not just out of curiosity, but also an excellent opportunity to learn more about this world and gain a glimpse into the existence of these non-human beings.

Ali accurately hit her "desire for knowledge" (or, to some extent, her gossip-loving soul).

Ali's smile deepened, as if she had caught a fish taking the bait. "Of course, I guarantee you'll be satisfied." She pressed her advantage, grabbing Youzi's wrist and leading her towards Kinara's room without further ado.

Kinnara followed closely behind, a slight, silent smile curving his lips.

—Inside the room—

Kinnara's guest room was kept elegantly and cleanly, and like herself, it was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance.

Under Kinara's instructions, the three quickly laid out three soft quilts on the spacious tatami mat in the center of the room.

Candlelight replaced the moonlight in the courtyard, casting three swaying, hazy, and intertwined silhouettes on the paper door.

Ali casually found a cushion to lean against, as languid as a satisfied cat, while Kinnara sat with her knees drawn up, equally unburdened by any airs of a goddess.

Yuko sat cross-legged opposite them, staring intently at Ali—her expression clearly conveying, "I'm ready, go ahead and tell me."

“Well then,” Ali cleared her throat, smiling broadly, and began to speak, “let’s start by talking about our Lady Kinnara, the Heavenly Maiden of Wonderful Sound.”

She ignored Kinara's reproachful look. "On Itsukushima, Kinara is revered as a goddess. However, the priests and shrine maidens on Itsukushima have quite a few interesting rumors about her behind her back."