"It's not that exaggerated."
"Exaggerated?"
Li Dapang shook his head. "What I'm saying isn't exaggerated at all. Most women are vain; they all admire those noble young masters with great backgrounds and high status. Think about it—in this world, who could have a status and background greater than being a disciple of Monarch Chixiao!"
Looking at Qing Xi amidst the crowd, Li Dapang continued, "Of course, not all women are vain. For example, Young Lady Qingxi is like that. But even she can't resist the fact that Young Master Chiyan possesses great fortune, immense strength, and I've heard his mastery of the Musical Arts is truly peerless in the world. That stuff is the ultimate winning weapon for charming beauties. Nowadays, if you just know a bit about music and casually show off a little, you can attract many young girls. If your musical attainments are profound, you can even earn Young Lady Qingxi's high regard."
Gu Qingfeng didn't disagree with this. Back in the day, the initial reason he took up the Musical Arts was also to charm girls.
There was no helping it; women just loved that sort of thing.
Even in the Ancient Era it was like this, let alone in this Present-Ancient Era teeming with talent.
"Everyone knows Young Lady Qingxi especially loves the Monarch's Tune. I've heard that Young Master Chiyan's mastery of the Musical Arts is so peerless that even the famous Su Hua Immortal was moved to admiration by it. Not only could he play the artistic conception of 'Drunken Chant of the Azure Sea' on an empty zither, but he also once pointed out several shortcomings in Su Hua Immortal's own composition 'Little Cyan Flower Language'."
Li Dapang glanced around and said in a low voice, "With skills like that, even if Young Master Chiyan weren't the successor of Monarch Chixiao, if he wanted to charm Young Lady Qingxi, it would still be much easier for him than for others."
"Is that so?"
Gu Qingfeng laughed. "If I get the chance someday, I might just give it a try."
"Try what? You're just Gu Qingfeng, not Young Master Chiyan. What's there to try? People like us, with no background, no status, no cultivation, and no fortune, can only dream about it."
Gu Qingfeng drank his wine, smiling without a word.
At that moment, a commotion suddenly erupted from the crowd. Someone cheered,
"Great! Young Lady Qingxi has finally agreed to play a tune for all of us!"
"Everyone, don't get too excited. Young Lady Qingxi is taking time out of her busy schedule to play for us. We should listen attentively."
Upon hearing that Young Lady Qingxi was going to play a tune for everyone, the people in the area were all excited and surged forward.
Li Dapang also stirred restlessly, wanting to rush over and get closer, but the front was already packed with people, impossible to squeeze through.
"It's just listening to a tune, not watching a monkey show. Why get so close?"
"That may be true, but being closer means being nearer to Young Lady Qingxi."
Unable to push through, Li Dapang felt deeply regretful.
Amidst the crowd, Young Lady Qingxi's expression seemed somewhat helpless.
Indeed.
She had just happened to return, merely dropping someone off here, never expecting to be surrounded by everyone.
Under normal circumstances, she naturally wouldn't mind, but right now, the entire Wuse Mountain was busy with preparations, and she still had matters to attend to.
However, helplessness aside.
Since she had promised everyone, Qing Xi wouldn't disappoint them. She asked, "I wonder what tune everyone would like to hear?"
"Young Lady Qingxi, how about playing one of the Monarch's Tune for us?"
The Musical Arts.
One of the Ten Great Immortal Arts.
A famous musical composition could not only stir one's heart and soul, invigorate the spirit, but also resonate with the soul, allowing one to dream back through the ages and roam the heavens and earth. That feeling was indescribable and incredibly beautiful.
This was why many people loved the Musical Arts.
Especially the classic masterpieces left behind by Monarch Chixiao, the legendary overlord of the Ancient Era. They were not only grand and majestic but also soul-stirring. Men who heard them felt their blood boil; women who heard them became enchanted and intoxicated.
Unfortunately, everyone knew that while the Monarch's Tune was profoundly mysterious and wondrous, precisely because of this, most people who played it could only manage to produce the complete melody at best. Forget about the artistic conception; even the profound mysteries within it—few could truly play them out.
Thus, in today's world, hearing a proper rendition of the Monarch's Tune had become a luxury.
If anyone could play out the profound mysteries of the Monarch's Tune, even just one or two layers of it, their fame would skyrocket, and their status would soar accordingly.
As was well known,
Young Lady Qingxi especially loved the Monarch's Tune and was one of the few masters of the Musical Arts in the Great Northwest frontier region capable of playing out the profound mysteries within the Monarch's famous compositions.
A few years ago, during a Wuse Flower Festival, Young Lady Qingxi played a piece by the Monarch titled 'Journey of Youth' and became famous throughout the entire Great Northwest.
This 'Journey of Youth' was a favorite piece for many, especially the young people of the Great Northwest frontier region, who were absolutely crazy about it.
Because this piece carried the emotional journey of Monarch Chixiao's youth.
Where did Monarch Chixiao grow up in his youth?
Answer: The Great Northwest.
Legend had it that this 'Journey of Youth' was composed by Monarch Chixiao once when he was drunk, reminiscing about his youth—from wandering as a child in the Chiyan Ridge, to the Yunxia Sect, then being expelled, being hunted as a demon, hiding his identity at the Yaoyue Palace, to destroying his own Heavenly Fiend Nascent Soul for Feng Zhuyue...
And so on.
It could be said it was both arduous and insane.
Many regarded Monarch Chixiao as their idol, and many from ordinary families often used Monarch Chixiao's story to motivate themselves.
As the saying went: If you haven't heard the Monarch's 'Journey of Youth', you can't call yourself a youth of the Northwest.
Back then, Monarch Chixiao had no parents, his aptitude was very ordinary, he worked as a laborer, was expelled from his sect, had his cultivation destroyed several times, teetered on the brink of death multiple times, yet in the end, he still ascended to become the Monarch.
What in the world could be crazier than that?
Everyone wanted to hear that soul-stirring 'Journey of Youth' by the Monarch. After all, up to now, in the entire Great Northwest, only Young Lady Qingxi could play out its profound mysteries.
Yes.
Only her.
There was no second person.
Now, with such a good opportunity, naturally no one wanted to miss it.
However, Young Lady Qingxi seemed somewhat hesitant. She said, "Could everyone choose a different piece? The Monarch's 'Journey of Youth' is too profoundly mysterious and complex. It places very high demands on one's mind, spirit, and even consciousness. If I play 'Journey of Youth' for everyone today, it will take me at least several days, or even up to a month, to recover. And with the Wuse Flowers about to bloom, there are still many matters on Wuse Mountain that need attending. I hope everyone can understand."
Hearing Young Lady Qingxi say this, everyone clearly felt somewhat disappointed.
Because many people had come to participate in the Wuse Flower Festival precisely hoping to hear Young Lady Qingxi play the Monarch's 'Journey of Youth'.
"However, everyone need not be like this. After we finish these busy days, during the Wuse Flower Festival itself, if you all wish to hear it, I will definitely play the Monarch's 'Journey of Youth' for you."
As her words fell, the crowd's disappointed mood became excited again. Being able to hear Young Lady Qingxi play 'Journey of Youth' at the Wuse Flower Festival would also be excellent.
"Today, let me first play for everyone a piece composed by Su Hua Immortal: 'Little Cyan Flower Language'."