Supreme Master - Chapter 13: Big Brother

Translator – Misty

Chapter 13: Big Brother

Gu Qingfeng simply couldn’t understand. In this era, where the world has been rejuvenated for a hundred years and spiritual energy is abundant, young people still don’t devote themselves to cultivation. Instead, they daydream all day, uttering nonsense like “If he is a king, then I am a queen.” Who came up with such sayings?

In this world, especially in the realm of music, the name “King of Crimson Heavens” holds extraordinary significance. As a result, many musicians hold high respect for the King of Crimson Heavens. Master Wen Zhu is no exception, perhaps even fanatically so. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent his life comprehending the famous pieces left by the king.

Perhaps it was because Ouyang Ye played a piece called “Laughing at the Mortal World” that deeply moved the old master. He spoke at length on stage about the King of Crimson Heavens’s music. When he mentioned a piece called “Serenade of the Azure Sea,” he sighed deeply, puzzling the audience, who then inquired about the reason.

“You don’t know, earlier in the garden, I happened to encounter a musical genius. He not only fully expressed the essence of the King’s ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ but also played its profound essence, reaching the legendary realm. It was like a dream returning to ancient times, an eye-opening experience for me…”

A musical genius?

Playing “Serenade of the Azure Sea” with such profound essence and reaching such a realm?
Everyone knows that the King’s music is unique. It’s rare enough to play even a bit of its essence and mysteries. Master Wen Zhu, after a lifetime of studying the King’s famous pieces, was only able to bring out the profound essences in ten of those compositions and achieved the true artistic conception in just one piece “The Wind Rises Over the Great Qing Mountain.”

Now, Master Wen Zhu claimed that a musical genius had played “Serenade of the Azure Sea” with profound essences reaching the intended realm?

Those familiar with the King’s music know that the mysterious realm in “Serenade of the Azure Sea” is much more elusive than “The Wind Rises Over the Great Qing Mountain.”

“Master Wen Zhu, is there really such a genius?”

“Indeed, there is,” Master Wen Zhu repeatedly shook his head. “Alas, it’s a pity. I was too shocked at the time, immersed in the realm of ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ and couldn’t extricate myself. By the time I came to my senses, the musical genius had already disappeared. Otherwise… if he could play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ for you, you would realize there are mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people. You would truly understand the realm contained in the King’s piece…”

Saying this, Master Wen Zhu sighed again and waved his hand: “Let it be, let it be. We are not fortunate enough. Please continue with the performances.”

Sitting in a corner of the venue, Ouyang Ye, with her mouth slightly open, seemed somewhat incredulous. Indeed, her musical skills were not high, but she greatly admired the King and loved listening to his music. She had listened to “Serenade of the Azure Sea” many times, but never heard its essence played by anyone.

“Is there really such a musical genius? Even Master Wen Zhu couldn’t play the essence of the King’s ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea.’ It seems even Sister Su Xian can’t do it…”

If these words came from someone else, Ouyang Ye would never believe them. But coming from Master Wen Zhu, she had to.

“When did such a musical genius appear? And Master Wen Zhu said he met him in the garden. How come I don’t know about it?”

Ouyang Ye shook her head, somewhat puzzled: “Maybe he’s a hermit? Ah! I wish I could hear him play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea.’ That piece was created by the King during his seclusion in the Azure Sea. I’ve always wanted to experience its essence… It’s a pity no one has been able to play it, not even Sister Su Xian. Why did that genius disappear just like that? At least let me listen to the essence of ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ before leaving…”

Gu Qingfeng, listening beside her, shook his head, threw a fruit into his mouth, and laughed: “It’s just ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea.’ I’ll play it for you sometime, so you can experience the bitter life of Gu Tianlang during his seclusion in the Azure Sea.”

“You? Play it?”

Ouyang Ye looked Gu Qingfeng up and down, then disdainfully said: “Come on, don’t think that just because you’ve read a lot of music books and scores and know many tunes, you’re great. Anyone can memorize them, but do you think just remembering these tunes means you can play them? Brother, it takes practice. The use of various techniques, strings, and spiritual keys all require years of practice. I’ve been practicing ‘Laughing at the Mortal World’ for almost ten years…”

Leaning against the wall with his legs crossed, Gu Qingfeng smiled and teased: “Girl, just because you can’t do it doesn’t mean I can’t… When I was young, many people called me a musical genius.”

“A musical genius? Pfft!” Ouyang Ye looked at him and joked: “Why don’t you say that you are the musical genius Master Wen Zhu was talking about?”

Gu Qingfeng just smiled silently: “Believe it or not, I have met that old man in the garden.”

“You?!”

Gu Qingfeng shrugged his shoulders, saying nothing more, and continued drinking his wine.

“Let’s not talk about your musical skills, even if they are high. But you failed in your foundation building, didn’t you? Without spiritual energy, you can’t use spiritual keys, let alone play the profound essence”

Ouyang Ye wanted to scorn this ignorant and King-slandering guy. But then she remembered his failed foundation building and decided to let it be. Meanwhile, the venue erupted in enthusiastic applause again. Looking over, it seemed that Yun Hong and Ye Hui had both taken the stage. Clearly, both of them were also highly anticipated.

“Seeing those two annoying pests just irks me!”

Ouyang Ye curled her lips in disgust and covered her ears with her hands.

Yun Hong and Ye Hui performed a duet, and their skills were quite impressive. At least Gu Qingfeng could tell that among the young musicians who had taken the stage, these two were among the best, especially Yun Hong. His techniques, musical strings, and spiritual keys were all well-executed. It seemed he had put in considerable effort.

After the performance, they received thunderous applause and high praise from Master Wen Zhu, who commented that their duet was particularly eye-catching.

Perhaps having felt a loss of face earlier in front of Gu Qingfeng, the praise from Master Wen Zhu satisfied the vanity of both Yun Hong and Ye Hui, who couldn’t help but display a proud demeanor. Yun Hong then spoke up.

“Master Wen Zhu, I have a small request.”

“Please, Young Master Yun Hong, don’t be shy.”

Yun Hong, with a modest smile, said, “There’s a young man titled Young Master of Crimson Flame among the audience, claiming to be a dragon among men, proficient in the ten arts of the Immortal Path, especially in music. He claims to be a leading figure in it. I would like to invite him to perform a piece, to enlighten us all.”

Ye Hui also chimed in, “Yes, Master Wen Zhu. This Young Master of Crimson Flame is incredibly arrogant, claiming to know all the melodies in the world and that there’s no piece he can’t play.”

A dragon among men?

Proficient in the ten arts of the Immortal Path?
Especially in music? A leading figure?

“Is there really such a genius?”

Master Wen Zhu seemed somewhat skeptical.

“Master, this Young Master of Crimson Flame is indeed remarkable. As for whether he’s a dragon among men, I don’t know. But he certainly knows all the melodies,” said Qin Baili, standing up. “As for his musical abilities, that remains unknown…”

Hearing this, Master Wen Zhu became more curious and asked, “Oh? Where is this Young Master of Crimson Flame now?”

“Master Wen Zhu, he’s Ouyang Ye’s companion. They’re sitting together.”

Ye Hui specifically pointed out that Young Master of Crimson Flame was Ouyang Ye’s companion, and even pointed in their direction, laughing, “Sister Ouyang Ye, didn’t you say Young Master of Crimson Flame is a master of music? A leading figure? Why not invite him to play a piece?”

Ouyang Ye never expected Yun Hong and Ye Hui to play such a trick publicly, especially in front of Master Wen Zhu, exaggerating Young Master of Crimson Flame’s abilities. This was clearly a set-up, embarrassingly shameless. They were forcing Gu Qingfeng to make a fool of himself on stage!
Damn it!
These two were determined to humiliate her!

Ouyang Ye was seething with anger and stood up, saying, “I’ve mentioned before that Young Master of Crimson Flame had a mishap during his cultivation and temporarily can’t use his spiritual power. He can’t play the profundity of any piece.”

“Hehe…”

Yun Hong, still with a modest smile on the high platform, said, “Ouyang Sister, it doesn’t matter if he can’t use spiritual power. Since your Young Master of Crimson Flame claims to be a master of music, we’d like to witness his brilliant techniques and the wonders of his music… Can’t we? Maybe he can reveal the profundity of a piece just by playing it… Hmm? Hehehe!”

“You…”

Ouyang Ye was speechless and gritted her teeth in anger.

Seeing her like this, Ye Hui covered her mouth and laughed triumphantly, “What’s wrong, Sister Ouyang Ye? Why not invite your Young Master of Crimson Flame to the stage? Hmm… Didn’t you say he’s a dragon among men? A leading figure in music? Or is all of that untrue?”

Just as Ouyang Ye was at a loss, a clear and surprised voice suddenly rang out in the hall.

“Big brother? Are you my big brother?”

The voice seemed to come from a seven- or eight-year-old girl, known to many as Master Wen Zhu’s granddaughter. She ran to Ouyang Ye’s side, looking at the man beside her, and exclaimed excitedly, “Big brother, what are you doing here? Grandpa and I have been looking for you for so long!”

Big brother?
Everyone was somewhat confused.

At that moment, Master Wen Zhu hurried down from the stage. When he saw Gu Qingfeng, who seemed a bit despondent in the corner, he stopped abruptly, his face filled with surprise: “Young Master Gu… you’re here…”

(End of Chapter)