Supreme Master - Chapter 12: The Profound Essence in the Music

Translator – Misty

Chapter 12: The Profound Essence in the Music

As Master Wen Zhu made his entrance, the Music and Arts Festival officially began.

Being a Music and Arts Festival, some senior figures in the world of music inevitably had a few words to share. The first to speak was Master Wen Zhu, a highly respected figure renowned as a master of music in the Qingyang realm. This elderly gentleman clearly devoted his life to the study of music. Not only was he profoundly knowledgeable, but his mastery was also deep. His demeanor exuded seriousness, as well as a passionate reverence for music.

After several music elders had spoken, young musicians began to take the stage to perform. As Ouyang Ye had mentioned earlier, this festival was an invaluable opportunity for young musicians to receive guidance from these seniors, which could greatly enhance both their musical proficiency and their fame.

As one young musician after another finished their performances, Ouyang Ye began to prepare. She took out her beloved ancient guqin from her storage bag early and waited quietly in front of the stage. Before leaving, she reminded Gu Qingfeng not to pay any attention to Yun Hong and Ye Hui if they came by.

Soon, it was Ouyang Ye’s turn to perform.

As the young girl took the stage, the audience erupted in warm applause, clearly anticipating her performance. Even Master Wen Zhu smiled and nodded when he saw her stepping onto the stage.

Gu Qingfeng sat alone in a corner, drinking wine and eating spiritual fruits.

“This girl is playing my tune indeed…”

When the sound of the guqin began, Gu Qingfeng shook his head with a wry smile, faintly recalling that this piece was called ‘Laughing at the Mortal World’.

In the universe, any piece of music that can be described as profound is far from ordinary.

Each piece of music carries the spirit and will of its creator. What is played are the profound melodies, what is conveyed are the elusive legends, and what is composed is a cycle of stories that are both poignant and praiseworthy.

Each piece of music writes a legend, a cycle, but these are all expressed through music. They enter the ears, resonate with the spirit, and transport the soul to ancient times, creating an immersive experience in a wonderfully ethereal realm.

Many are obsessed with music for this reason.

Music can momentarily make one forget worldly troubles, immersing them in a world constructed by melodies, accompanying the profound music to comprehend myriad things. A piece of music that is both profound and wonderfully intricate can resonate with the spirit, purify the soul, and even offer insights into the great Dao.

This statement was not an exaggeration. Gu Qingfeng once witnessed a demoness achieve enlightenment on the spot after listening to an old monk play the Buddhist Great Compassion Mantra.

Ouyang Ye’s rendition of ‘Laughing at the Mortal World’ was indeed commendable. Although she didn’t fully capture its essence, she managed to reveal the various subtleties within the piece. For someone her age, achieving such proficiency in the realm of music was rare.

After the performance concluded, it was met with resounding applause.

Master Wen Zhu rose to praise her: “It has been several months since I last saw you, and I did not expect Miss OuYang’s musical proficiency to have deepened so significantly. ‘Laughing at the Mortal World’ contains sixty-two different finger techniques and ninety-eight mystical tunes. The spiritual secrets within it number over two hundred, and Miss OuYang has seamlessly connected these secrets. Truly remarkable, remarkable…”

Following Master Wen Zhu’s praise, Ouyang Ye, looking very much the lady, bowed in gratitude.

“Everyone knows that the King’s compositions are the epitome of mystery and marvel, celebrated as each being a legend, a cycle, a thousand marvels in one song, ten thousand marvels in another,” Master Wen Zhu continued, stroking his white beard solemnly. “Alas, precisely because the King’s compositions are so profound, we can only look up to them. Miss OuYang’s ability to play ‘Laughing at the Mortal World’ with eighty percent of its profound essence is commendable and awe-inspiring. I believe her future in music will be even more dazzling…”

As Master Wen Zhu’s words fell, another round of applause echoed through the hall.

This applause was both an agreement with Master Wen Zhu and a compliment to Ouyang Ye.

The audience, consisting of musicians skilled in musical theory, knew well how intricate the King’s compositions were. For instance, ‘Laughing at the Mortal World’ was so complex that many accomplished musicians could hardly bring out any of its profound essence. Ouyang Ye might not be the most proficient musician, but her ability to bring out eighty percent of the piece’s profound essence was enviable.

Ye Hui’s envy of Ouyang Ye was largely due to her musical talent.

At that moment, watching Ouyang Ye being praised on stage, Ye Hui’s eyes were filled with hate, a hate that reached to her bones.

She believed her musical skills surpassed Ouyang Ye’s and knew more compositions. However, she couldn’t match Ouyang Ye in fame or value.

The reason was simple: Ouyang Ye could play two of the King’s compositions with profound essence, which was a significant asset.

In the world of musicians, the King’s compositions were highly sought after. Being able to play them with profound essence could greatly increase a musician’s worth.

However, not everyone could bring out the profound essence in the King’s compositions.

Many senior musicians present couldn’t do it, let alone Ye Hui. Despite years of practice, she had never managed to bring out even a hint of profound essence in even the simplest of the King’s compositions.

She couldn’t do it, and neither could Yun Hong, despite being one of the best young musicians in the Qingyang realm.

If everyone could play the King’s compositions with profound essence, they wouldn’t be celebrated as the most profound and marvelous.

Similarly, Ye Hui hated Ouyang Ye, and so did Yun Hong. Part of it might have been due to his rejected pursuit, but more so because he was also irked that his fame and musical skills, despite being among the best of the younger generation, were equated to Ouyang Ye’s.

Taking a deep breath, Yun Hong sneakily glanced at Gu Qingfeng sitting in the corner, a sinister smirk crossing his lips.

“Hui Hui, just wait and see. This time, I will definitely make Ouyang Ye lose face!”

Ye Hui nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with a triumphant smirk as she watched Ouyang Ye descend from the stage. “Hmph! Let’s see if she can still smile so happily after a while!”

Basking in the praise of the audience and the public commendation from Master Wen Zhu, Ouyang Ye was genuinely overjoyed. Carrying her ancient guqin off the stage, she returned to the corner and excitedly asked, “Hey hey, how was my performance?”

“It was passable…”

Gu Qingfeng, casually sipping his wine and nibbling on fruits, gave a nonchalant response. However, to Ouyang Ye, his words felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. She glared at him and protested, “What do you mean ‘passable’? It was very passable, right? No! Not just passable, it was really good!”

“Girl, you should stop playing that piece. It’s not suitable for you. In fact, you should play less of Gu Tianlang’s compositions in the future. Why should a young lady like you always play his music? His pieces are either extremely joyful or sorrowful, either mocking the world or raging against the Dao. They’re too extreme… Playing them too much could affect your worldview.”

“Ugh, don’t talk nonsense if you don’t understand. That’s what a real man is like!”

Whenever Ouyang Ye mentioned King of Crimson Heavens, her face would light up with endless admiration. “Haven’t you heard the saying? ‘If he’s the phoenix, I’m the phoenix; if one is to marry, marry King of Crimson Heavens…'”

“I…”

Gu Qingfeng shook his head with a wry smile, about to speak, but Ouyang Ye immediately put on a stern face and feigned anger, “I’m warning you, the King is my hero, my idol. If you dare to speak ill of him, I won’t let it go!”

“Forget it…”

(End of Chapter)