Chapter 96

Under the encouragement of the crowd, Bai Chen was half-reluctantly pulled onto the stage.

Cheng Xianyi smiled charmingly, her eyes sparkling like stars: "Young Master Bai, I wonder which song you have chosen. Would you like me to accompany you on the zither?"

Bai Chen looked at the crowd below, scratched his nose, and thought to himself that he did know a few songs and could sing them reasonably well, at least he could hit the right notes. However, compared to Cheng Xianyi's voice, which could linger for three days, there was still a significant gap.

"Um... Miss Cheng, I admire your zither skills, but I doubt you would know the song I have chosen."

Bai Chen was simply stating the truth, but his words upset not only the crowd below but also Cheng Xianyi.

Cheng Xianyi was always confident in her musical talent. She believed that as long as it wasn't an ancient masterpiece, she would not be unfamiliar with it. Even for the most obscure songs, she was confident she could play them.

But Bai Chen's words were clearly doubting her musical ability.

"You, what are you? How dare you doubt Lady Cheng's divine voice."

"Exactly, just because we let you on stage, do you really think you can compare to the Lady?"

Among the young martial artists below, many were devoted fans of Cheng Xianyi. Moreover, many of them were new faces who didn't know about Bai Chen's earlier chaos at the embroidery shop.

Bai Chen shrugged helplessly. Cheng Xianyi, now roused, said with a bit of a temper: "Young Master Bai, you worry too much. Although I wouldn't claim to know all the songs in the world, I do know quite a few. If you trust me, I would like to accompany you."

"Alright then..." Bai Chen smiled bitterly. He had only intended to make a fool of himself once.

Since Cheng Xianyi was willing to share in his embarrassment, he would let her.

Bai Chen's gaze fell on Mei Jiangxue, whose playful eyes made him feel very uncomfortable.

"I can't wait for the one I love. I know I'm willing to wait.

I can't wait for the one who loves me. A moment of tenderness can't be faked.

I'm not a heartless person, but I've hurt you the most.

I don't ask, I can't bear it. Don't take it seriously, forget the one who has forgotten me."

Bai Chen chose this song for a reason. Those who didn't understand just found the melody unique, something they had never heard before. But those who understood were deeply moved, finding it hard to let go.

Cheng Xianyi was taken aback. She was confident she could follow Bai Chen's melody, but the song he sang was completely unfamiliar to her, making it impossible to accompany.

The song wasn't particularly beautiful, but the melody was wonderful, and the lyrics were profound, making it memorable after just one listen.

Mu Wan'er was deeply moved by Bai Chen's song, her heart filled with twists and turns.

Mei Jiangxue, however, believed that Bai Chen had chosen this song specifically for her two disciples. Considering Bai Chen's quick wit and the unfamiliar melody, Mei Jiangxue's first thought was that he had composed the song on the spot.

When the song ended, the crowd below was silent, so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard. Even Cheng Xianyi couldn't help but clap.

"Your voice isn't great, Young Master Bai, but the song is catchy and the melody is excellent. Truly a fine composition," Cheng Xianyi said, pointing out Bai Chen's voice to cover her own embarrassment.

But being able to hear such an unfamiliar song was worth standing on this stage.

Cheng Xianyi's smile remained, but her eyes flickered as she looked at Bai Chen: "Who is this song for, Young Master Bai?"

"For myself," Bai Chen said, bracing himself.

"Can you compose a song for me, Young Master Bai?"

"Bring me some wine!" Bai Chen, who had once been a karaoke king, was still not satisfied after singing one song. In a karaoke room, there must be wine with the songs.

Wang Buyi threw a bottle of wine onto the stage, and Bai Chen caught it, tilting his head back to drink deeply.

"I will sing 'Smiling at the Red Dust' for you, Lady."

"I will listen attentively."

The crowd below watched with anticipation. Bai Chen's previous song had indeed been impressive.

Although the lyrics were somewhat straightforward, the melody was catchy and unforgettable.

"Red dust is so laughable.

Foolish love is the most boring.

It's fine to be indifferent to everything.

This life is not over, but the heart is untroubled.

I just want to live a carefree half-life..."

(The lyrics are familiar, so I won't elaborate.)

The song 'Smiling at the Red Dust' had a free and natural style. If sung by a woman, it would capture the essence even more. But even sung by Bai Chen, it was captivating.

The lyrics conveyed a disdain for love, a detachment from life and death, and a disregard for fame and fortune.

Everyone in the audience was entranced, finding the lyrics and melody beautiful.

People were moved because they all had something to hold onto, and having something to hold onto made them yearn for the ideal world described in the lyrics.

But such an ideal world was beyond the reach of ordinary people, as the lyrics suggested, only to be savored in dreams.

The unattainable is what makes it most worth remembering.

When the song ended, the applause was thunderous. Even the usually cold Mei Jiangxue couldn't help but applaud.

"Another one... another one..."

The crowd below was enthusiastic, wanting more.

Two songs, two completely different moods, two distinct styles.

The first was gentle and bright, like a story of three young people entangled in love, with clear love and hate but also a deep connection.

Everyone wondered how they would handle such a situation if they were in it.

The second song was about a carefree life, a free and easy journey through the world.

But everyone knew that no one could live such a carefree life.

The more unattainable it was, the more precious it became.

Compared to the first song, this one was even better.

"Bai Chen, the crowd's wishes cannot be ignored. Our sect also wants to hear what else is in your head."

"What kind of style would you like to hear, Senior?"

"Oh? Do you have more than one song?"

"Whatever you command."

"Your previous two songs, one was about love and hate, the other about a carefree life. Now I want a bold and spirited one."

"Bring me more wine!" Bai Chen shouted, and another bottle of wine was thrown to him.

But after just a few sips, Bai Chen called out, "Bring me something stronger, the strongest!"

At that moment, a gourd was thrown to Bai Chen. Gao Fei, sitting in the corner, nodded slightly: "If Brother Bai isn't afraid of the spiciness, try the wine I brewed myself, called 'Qian Nian.'"

Bai Chen, who enjoyed wine but had a low tolerance, felt his throat burn as if it were on fire when he tasted the 'Qian Nian.' His blood boiled in that instant.

But after the spiciness, a rich flavor lingered.

Bai Chen's steps were already unsteady, his body swaying.

The crowd doubted whether he could still sing in this state.

"Proud and laughing at the waves.

Hot blood hotter than the sun.

Courage like iron, bones like steel.

Chest broad, eyes far-reaching.

Swearing to be strong and be a good man.

Be a good man, always strive to be strong.

Hot-blooded man, hotter than the sun..."

When the song 'A Man Should Be Strong' ended, all the young martial artists were as if their blood had been ignited.

To them, no other song could compare to this one.

The lyrics were grand and the voice was powerful.

Combined with Bai Chen's drunken state, the wine burning his heart, it was the most inspiring.

When the song ended, the audience was still in awe.

Most famous songs were composed by talented scholars, so the styles were often lyrical and literary.

It was rare to have such a grand and spirited style. It wasn't that the scholars didn't want to write such songs, but they couldn't.

Without a grand and spirited heart, how could one write such a high-spirited song?

Of course, everyone has their own preferences. Some still favored 'Smiling at the Red Dust,' while others preferred 'A Man Should Be Strong.'

One was carefree, the other spirited, each with its own strengths, hard to compare.

Cheng Xianyi walked to Bai Chen's side and said in a clear voice: "On the seventh day of the seventh month, the Seven Stars Embroidery Shop will hold a sword dance. Please come."

"Um..."

Bai Chen's head was a bit muddled, the alcohol affecting him. He didn't say anything: "Sorry... this wine..."

Bai Chen suddenly ran out of the embroidery shop, found a corner, and vomited.

After Bai Chen left, the banquet became much quieter.

Originally, many martial artists had planned to show off their skills among the many beauties at the Seven Stars Embroidery Shop.

But after Bai Chen's three songs, they feared that all the girls' hearts had been captured. Now, going on stage would only invite comparison with Bai Chen, and no one wanted to do that.

At that moment, a familiar bell sound rang. Bai Chen's steps were unsteady, as if he were walking on clouds.

He instinctively followed the bell sound. In a daze, he saw a group of people walking ahead.

"Princess, we are being followed," Ah Hua whispered to Ah Gu Qilan, glancing back.

Ah Gu Qilan nodded slightly. Although the person behind them seemed to be a drunkard, his aura was thick, clearly that of a先天 (先天 means 'innate' or 'natural-born') expert.

It was already night, and the streets were deserted. A natural-born expert following them clearly had ill intentions.

"Let's not alarm him yet. Lead him to the inn, and then we can deal with him."

The group quickly changed direction, heading towards the inn.

Bai Chen's consciousness was blurred. He just felt the bell sound was familiar, and the figure seemed familiar. He instinctively followed the footsteps, his mind hazy.

"Strange sign... 'Miao Zhai'..."

Bai Chen watched the group enter, and seeing the door open, he followed without thinking.

But as soon as he entered, he felt a powerful force from behind, and he fell to the ground.

Several Miao men immediately pounced on him, pinning him to the ground.

Bai Chen, in a daze, saw a face that looked extremely similar to Ah Gu Duo.

"Ah Gu Duo... Ah... Ah Gu Duo, I miss you..."

Bai Chen tried to grab the face, but it was right in front of him, yet he couldn't reach it.

"Ah Gu Duo?" Ah Gu Qilan looked at Ah Hua: "Could he know someone from our tribe and mistook me for someone else?"

Ah Gu in the Miao language means snake god and is also a surname.

Moreover, among the people Ah Gu Qilan knew, those with the Ah Gu surname were not ordinary people.

So she was suspicious, but after thinking about it, she found it unlikely.

"Ah Hua, do you know if anyone in our tribe is named Ah Gu Duo?"

Ah Hua thought for a long time, then shook her head: "No, Ah Gu is a royal surname. There are only so many members in the royal family. Ah Gu Duo is a woman's name. If someone was named Ah Gu Duo, Ah Hua would definitely know."

The Miao people were traditionally matriarchal, whether in the southern or northern Miao. Women inherited the throne, and men assisted in external affairs.

The Ah Gu royal family had only a few dozen members, and there were only a few women.

So it was almost impossible for an outsider to impersonate a member of the Ah Gu royal family.

"Princess, could it be that one of the royal family members used a fake name when traveling outside?"

"It's possible," Ah Gu Qilan nodded: "Wake him up, I want to ask him."

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