Supreme Master - Chapter 9: Battle of Knowledge

Translator – Misty

Chapter 9: Battle of Knowledge

Today, the First-Rate Mountain Villa is hosting a grand music and arts festival. Renowned musicians from both the older and younger generations of the Qingyang region have gathered in large numbers. Ouyang Ye, despite not having composed her own music yet, is somewhat famous among musicians. At her young age, she can play a piece or two from the legendary King of Crimson Heavens with the true essence, which is rare among the younger generation of musicians.

Thanks to Ye Hui’s spreading of rumors, everyone is somewhat familiar with Ouyang Ye’s affairs. Some, like Ye Hui, believe that the legendary “Dragon Among Men” Young Master of Crimson Flame, whom she mentioned, is fictional. After all, if such a talent, adept in the ten arts of immortality, truly existed, they would have surely heard of him. However, others believe that in a world so vast, anything is possible, and not every genius seeks the limelight; some may indeed prefer to remain low-key.

At this moment, hearing that the famous Young Master Yun Hong is seeking guidance from the Young Master of Crimson Flame, everyone rushed over, eager to see if this Young Master of Crimson Flame was as exceptional as Ouyang Ye claimed.

“Junior Sister Ouyang, it’s not too late to regret. If you’re exposed in public later, your reputation will be ruined… Oh dear, many people regard you as a goddess. If they find out their goddess has been lying and deceiving them, what do you think they will feel?”

Ye Hui has always disliked Ouyang Ye, envious of her background and talents. What she envied the most was how the sect’s brothers treated Ouyang Ye like a precious gem. She had long wanted to disgrace Ouyang Ye and was certain that the Dragon Among Men, Young Master of Crimson Flame, did not exist. The person in front of them was clearly an impostor.

“Junior Sister, if you’re unwilling, I won’t ask the Young Master of Crimson Flame for guidance.”

Yun Hong sat across from her, his smile still warm and gentle.

He was a standout among the young generation in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect and had a significant reputation in the Qingyang region’s music circle. His handsome looks and elegant demeanor made him the idol of many young girls.

However, only Ouyang Ye knew how hypocritical he was. Extremely so. Just because she rejected his advances a year ago, he spread rumors about her, claiming she was arrogant and aloof. Ouyang Ye also knew that the fictional Young Master of Crimson Flame she created was only mentioned to Yun Hong, and its widespread knowledge now was entirely his doing.

This despicable Yun Hong acted one way in public and another in private, conspiring with Ye Hui!

Despite feeling guilty, Ouyang Ye couldn’t show weakness. She coldly declared, “Let’s see what you’ve got then. The Young Master of Crimson Flame is not afraid of you!” Saying this, she poured a cup of fine wine and handed it to Gu Qingfeng, whispering a secret message: “Don’t worry, though I’m not well-versed in music, I’ve read extensively on it since childhood. Don’t be afraid.”

Gu Qingfeng took the wine from Ouyang Ye, giving her a knowing look and drank it in one gulp. Then, facing Yun Hong with a smirk, he said, “Come on, young man, let me see your musical prowess.”

Yun Hong smiled faintly, but his tone turned slightly cold: “You seem quite arrogant…”

“Is this what you call arrogance…” Gu Qingfeng laughed heartily. “You haven’t seen my real arrogance yet.”

Acting skills!
Ouyang Ye sent another approving look and whispered secretly.

Very good.

As a Dragon Among Men, you should be arrogant.

Keep it up.

I’ve got your back!

“Since the Young Master of Crimson Flame boasts of his profound musical knowledge, I would like to learn from him today.” Yun Hong pondered for a moment and asked, “How would you play the tune of ‘Flying Heaven and Wild Sand Melody’?”

Upon Yun Hong’s request, Gu Qingfeng repeated the exact instructions whispered to him by Ouyang Ye.

This scene surprised both Yun Hong and Ye Hui, as they didn’t expect Gu Qingfeng to answer so accurately. Yun Hong then asked about several more difficult tunes, each more challenging than the last, but Gu Qingfeng answered them all easily, with Ouyang Ye secretly guiding him throughout.

“Little girl, your knowledge of music is impressive,” Gu Qingfeng communicated secretly, to which Ouyang Ye proudly replied: “Of course, I’ve read extensively since childhood. I may not be able to play these tunes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know them.”

Yun Hong chuckled, “Oh? It seems the Young Master of Crimson Flame has indeed read many musical scores.”

“Of course, there’s no tune in the world unknown to me.”

“Good, very good, arrogant enough!” Yun Hong clapped his hands mockingly and continued, “However, if you can answer the next tune I mention, I will toast in your honor.”

He then mentioned a tune called ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron.’

As soon as he spoke, the young musicians around were stunned. They were all fairly famous musicians, knowledgeable in music, but none had heard of ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron,’ including Ouyang Ye. She recalled all the music books she had read over the years and couldn’t remember any tune by that name.

“Brother Yun Hong, there’s no such tune as ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron,’ is there?”

Before Yun Hong could reply, Ye Hui also sneered, “Your ignorance doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. If you don’t believe it, why not ask the senior musicians here?”

Among the spectators were not only young musicians but also many senior ones, including renowned musicians like Qin Baili. He was a musical master of the Qingyang region and a proud disciple of Master Wen Zhu.

“Master Qin, as a music master of our Qingyang region, you must know about ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron,’ right?”

When Ye Hui asked, Qin Baili, the middle-aged man, humbly replied, “The true master is my teacher, Wen Zhu. I can’t claim the title of master. As for ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron,’ it indeed exists, but it’s a very obscure and mystical tune, rarely known or played by most musicians. Since Yun Hong mentioned it, does that mean he knows how to play it?”

Yun Hong confidently responded, “If I mention it, naturally I know.”

“Remarkable! Truly worthy of being a standout among the young musicians of our Qingyang region,” praised Qin Baili and the other seniors. “Such a tune from ancient times is rare. For a young man like Yun Hong to know it is truly impressive!”

“Master Qin flatters me… I’m just a music lover who happens to read a few more scores.”

Looking at Yun Hong’s hypocritical face, Ouyang Ye felt like vomiting. Others didn’t know, but she was well aware that Yun Hong, to show off his musical knowledge, often collected obscure tunes.

Unconvinced, Ouyang Ye retorted, “What’s so great about knowing these tunes? Can you play them?”

“Ah, Miss Ouyang, that’s not the way to put it. Knowing is one thing, being able to play is another. For us, understanding myriad tunes enhances our musical understanding,” explained Master Qin, leaving Ouyang Ye with no comeback. She hadn’t heard of ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron’ and therefore couldn’t comment. She secretly messaged in frustration: Damn it! Why did you boast so much, claiming to know every tune in the world? You’re just getting me into trouble!

“Miss, relax. You treated me to a bath, new clothes, and drinks… I won’t let you lose face. It’s just music, after all. When I was into music, these kids’ grandfathers’ grandfathers might have still been playing with mud!”

Ouyang Ye was frantic: Oh my god! At this point, can you stop pretending to be a senior expert? I’m dying of anxiety here!
Why the rush? Isn’t it just about pretending to be the Young Master of Crimson Flame? Let alone him, even if you asked me to pretend to be Gu Tianlang, these kids wouldn’t dare not believe it. Watch and see, I’ll make sure you gain face this time.

Yun Hong continued with his calm and elegant demeanor, a natural arrogance emanating from him, smiling confidently at Gu Qingfeng: “Isn’t the Young Master of Crimson Flame known as the Dragon Among Men? Isn’t he acclaimed as a music prodigy? Doesn’t he claim to know every tune in the world? Has he never heard of ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron’?”

“Who said I haven’t heard of it?”

Gu Qingfeng leaned forward, picking up a fruit and tossing it into his mouth. With a playful smile, he said, “Speaking of the ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron’ tune, if I’m not mistaken, it originated from the ancient era’s Lin Yin Ancestor’s piece ‘Jade Toad Subdues the Heavens’, right?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Yun Hong looked stunned, and even Qin Baili and the others around him showed surprise in their eyes.

Gu Qingfeng then took a sip of his wine and elaborated, “To play the ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron’ tune, one must use six different finger techniques, alternate between nine types of musical strings, and apply twenty-two musical spirit incantations… The six finger techniques are…”

He spoke casually, as if discussing something mundane, not only revealing the origin of ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron’ but also detailing its finger techniques, musical strings, spirit incantations, and even the rhythm of playing it.

Those who didn’t understand were baffled, but the knowledgeable ones were astounded.

Ouyang Ye was among the uninitiated, as she had never seen the ‘Southern Dipper Golden Cauldron’ tune in any book. However, the extensive details Gu Qingfeng provided gave her a sense of awe. Seeing Yun Hong’s incredulous expression and noticing the same on Qin Baili and the others, her heart began to race.

Could this man actually be speaking the truth?
Before she could confirm, Yun Hong asked several more tunes. Like before, Ouyang Ye had never heard of any of them, but to her surprise, Gu Qingfeng answered them immediately and accurately, detailing the finger techniques, strings, and incantations for each tune.

Yes!

Perfectly accurate.

She might not understand, but she could read the expressions of Qin Baili and the other senior musicians. Gu Qingfeng’s answers were not only accurate but so detailed that they astonished the experienced musicians.

Yun Hong continued to mention several more tunes, and without any exception, Gu Qingfeng answered them all correctly.

“You!”

Yun Hong’s face turned sour. He had never expected that the tunes he posed, which he had painstakingly collected as obscure pieces to flaunt his musical knowledge, would be answered by Gu Qingfeng. These tunes were challenging enough to stump many seasoned musicians and had always worked in surprising even the most skilled among them. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that Gu Qingfeng would know all of them.

This not only made Yun Hong question but also wonder: Could this man truly be the Young Master of Crimson Flame that Ouyang Ye spoke of?

(End of Chapter)