Supreme Master - Chapter 15: Extraordinary Skill

Translator – Misty

Chapter 15: Extraordinary Skill

Perhaps because Gu Qingfeng had spent much of his past in combat and strife, he rarely had leisurely moments like today, sipping wine and listening to music while watching the excitement. From his youth to adulthood, he was always busy with his cultivation, offending many and living a life of constant vigilance. Even after ascending to the heavenly realm, it was mostly a path carved through battle.

Now, having been stripped of everything by the Heavenly Dao and returned to his original state, he found drinking wine leisurely quite amusing, especially when faced with doubtful gazes, which he found amusing and couldn’t help but tease.

“I’ve already told you, I am a dragon among men, a paragon of musical rhythm. Did you think I, the Young Master of Crimson Flame, was just playing with you? How about now? Do you believe me now? Hahaha…”

Perhaps feeling that his statement was a bit too boastful, Gu Qingfeng couldn’t help but burst into laughter after saying it, pouring himself more wine and secretly sending a message: “Girl, how about that? I didn’t let you down, did I? Now no one dares to question that I am the Young Master of Crimson Flame, right?”

Ouyang Ye, standing beside him, was stunned, as if her soul had left her body, her pretty face filled with shock and disbelief, and countless incredulities.

She was dumbfounded, her thoughts in disarray.

When Master Wen Zhu identified Gu Qingfeng as the musical prodigy, she was completely taken aback. Perhaps the shock was too much, so much so that she couldn’t organize her thoughts properly even now.

“Young Master of Crimson Flame, I have an impudent request,” Master Wen Zhu said with a bow, his expression sincere, “Could the Young Master possibly play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ for us…”

“Play again…”

Gu Qingfeng rubbed his chin, hesitating.

“You may not know, Young Master, but in our northwestern border, few can play the king’s pieces with mood, and even fewer can play the mood of ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’. Many musicians here have long admired this piece’s mood. If the Young Master is willing to play, I would be immensely grateful.”

As Master Wen Zhu finished speaking, other musicians also stood up, hoping the Young Master of Crimson Flame would play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’. They were musicians who had long admired the famous piece left by King of Crimson Heavens. Rarely could anyone play the king’s pieces with mood. Now, hearing that this musical prodigy had such skill, everyone wanted to witness it, even if they couldn’t comprehend much. It was a rare opportunity to experience the mood of ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’, something money couldn’t usually buy.

“Big brother… could you play it again, please?” The little girl with blue hair, standing beside Gu Qingfeng, shook his arm, looking up with big, pleading eyes, “Big brother, Jin’er also wants to hear you play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’, please, play it again.”

Gu Qingfeng had no resistance against such a young girl, especially seeing her pitiful, big eyes. He gently tapped her nose, smiling, “It’s just a piece of music. Big brother will let you hear enough today.”

“You promise, big brother?” The little girl was excited.

“Just for your call of ‘big brother’, I can’t refuse,” Gu Qingfeng drank the wine directly from the bottle, a playful smile on his lips, “For the little girl’s sake, I will show off one more time today.”

Hearing the Young Master of Crimson Flame’s agreement to play, the musicians in the room were very excited, even Master Wen Zhu couldn’t hide his excitement.

Gu Qingfeng took the ancient guqin from the little girl’s hands, placed it on the table, and began to play.

He played ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ again.

In that moment, dressed in white, standing straight, his ten fingers danced wildly on the guqin strings. His extraordinary finger technique, the ever-changing notes, dazzled the onlookers, left them in awe, and stunned them.

Nobody could fathom how the Young Master of Crimson Flame, so young, possessed such high musical attainment. His divine technique, the ever-changing notes, and the melodies full of profoundness were beyond even those who had studied music for hundreds of years.

Not a single person.

No one had the time to ponder, as they were soon engulfed in the profound melodies, as if their souls had left their bodies, as if they were taken back to ancient times, witnessing everything of King of Crimson Heavens in his secluded life by the azure sea. Yes, everything. They could even feel the waves of the azure sea, the blue sky and white clouds, and the various reluctances of King of Crimson Heavens during his seclusion…

It was an indescribable, almost tangible feeling, as if they were there, experiencing it firsthand.

Everyone knew this was the mood contained within the music.

When the performance ended, the room fell into complete silence.

Everyone stared, utterly stunned and shocked.

They looked as if they had lost their souls, still reeling from the experience as if awakening from an unreal dream.

For many, it was their first time hearing the mood of ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea.’ The piece left them in awe; its depth and intricacies were profound, giving the feeling of a journey through lifetimes, a sensation only the music of the King of Crimson Heavens could evoke.

Apart from admiring the King of Crimson Heavens, what astonished everyone even more was the Young Master of Crimson Flame, sitting casually in the corner, legs crossed, sipping wine, his demeanor that of a carefree noble.

This person… had simply played the piece empty-handed, without using any spiritual techniques, and yet brought out the mood of ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’… It was unbelievable and eye-opening. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, no one would have believed it was real.

This was ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea,’ a piece even a music authority like Master Wen Zhu couldn’t play with such mood!

And now, this seemingly indifferent individual had achieved it!

It was incredible!

“May I ask where the Young Master of Crimson Flame resides?” suddenly, a middle-aged, portly man inquired.

“What’s up?” Gu Qingfeng glanced at the man, replying with a playful smile, “What are you thinking?”

“You misunderstand, Young Master. I am the owner of Fenghua Villa. If you would perform at my villa, I am willing to offer fifty thousand… no, eighty thousand spirit stones!”

“I am the steward of Liuye Villa. If the Young Master comes to our villa, I am willing to offer a hundred thousand!”

“I’ll offer one hundred and twenty thousand…”

“One hundred and fifty thousand!”

“I am willing to offer two hundred thousand…”

Hearing these offers, the young musicians in the room were filled with envy and resentment, especially Yun Hong and Ye Hui. Their faces couldn’t be more displeased. They had hoped to expose the imposter and embarrass Ouyang Ye, but they never expected the Young Master of Crimson Flame to be genuine.

If they had doubted his authenticity before, now there was no doubt left. They knew what it meant for someone to play ‘Serenade of the Azure Sea’ with such mood. As Master Wen Zhu said, he truly was a dragon among men in the world of music.

Listening to these offers, Yun Hong and Ye Hui were filled with mixed feelings, especially Ye Hui, who glared at Ouyang Ye with fiery eyes. Her pride was strong, and she had hoped to surpass Ouyang Ye with Yun Hong by her side. But now, Ouyang Ye had found a genuine musical prodigy as her partner.

The scene was chaotic with continuous bids from various villa owners, reaching nearly four hundred thousand. Not just villas, but factions and sects offered high positions like ‘Honored Guest’ to lure Gu Qingfeng. The world of music was indeed a lucrative field, and everyone wanted to attract such a prodigious talent.

Gu Qingfeng laughed heartily at this, waving his hand dismissively, “My friends, do I look like someone in need of money? Enough, go about your business. It’s getting late, and I have things to do. Farewell.”

“Big brother, are you leaving?” the little girl asked, not wanting him to go.

Gu Qingfeng gently tapped her nose, “Big brother has things to do.”

“Will I see you again, big brother?”

“Of course.”

“Where can Jin’er find you?”

“Umm… well…”

Gu Qingfeng pondered. He had just awakened and had no specific plans yet. Thinking of visiting the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect and then deciding his next move, he saw the girl’s disappointed face and said, “Tell me where you live, and I’ll visit when I have time.”

“Really? Jin’er and grandpa live in Yunyi Villa.”

“Of course.”

“Then Jin’er will wait for you, big brother.”

Gu Qingfeng had always been soft-hearted towards little girls, a trait that remained unchanged over hundreds of years of cultivation. He comforted the girl and bade farewell to Master Wen Zhu, preparing to leave.

But…

It seemed Ouyang Ye was still standing there, dumbfounded, looking at him with a complex and curious gaze.

“Let’s go, girl, what are you waiting for?”

“Go?”

Ouyang Ye’s mind was still in disarray, struggling to grasp the concept of leaving.

“The show’s over, the excitement’s done, we’ve eaten and drunk, why stay?”

“Oh…”

Like a puppet, Ouyang Ye nodded and followed Gu Qingfeng as they left.

(End of Chapter)