Jiang Feng signed his name, and Liang Dachao didn't waste any time, signing his name as well.
This kind of life-and-death agreement was a common trick among the wealthy, meant to leave a written record to prevent the losing party from reneging.
The agreement took effect immediately.
"Which one of us goes first? I'll give you a chance, you go ahead," Liang Dachao said.
"No need, you go first. After all, you're the host," Jiang Feng replied.
"Hmph, fine. It doesn't matter who goes first, you're destined to lose," Liang Dachao sneered.
"Don't jump to conclusions until the end. There might be a surprise," Jiang Feng said with a faint smile.
"Still being stubborn, huh? Fine, I'll make sure you lose convincingly. Watch closely," Liang Dachao was irritated by Jiang Feng's indifferent attitude, feeling like nothing could get to him.
Liang Dachao walked over to the guzheng and sat down, raising his hands slightly and placing them on the strings.
The guzheng Qiu Yue'er brought this time had twenty-one strings, the most difficult type to play.
If he could play a piece smoothly, it would be considered a significant achievement.
Zheng!
After calming himself, Liang Dachao began to play.
The piece "Lin Chong's Night Escape" was filled with deep emotion.
This piece told the story of Lin Chong, the Leopard Head, fleeing to Liangshan on a snowy night after being persecuted. It was grand and passionate, yet also filled with helplessness and anger.
It was a favorite among men, both to listen to and to play.
Every man has a hero's dream in his heart.
Wishing to transform the sound of the guzheng into a heroic spirit, resonating through the heavens and earth.
When the piece ended, the lingering notes left everyone entranced.
To read the uncut version, go to [p𝘢wread.com].
Clap, clap, clap~~
Someone started clapping, leading to a round of enthusiastic applause.
To be honest, Liang Dachao's performance was quite good, already at an entry-level, but still far from Qiu Yue'er's skill.
"That was invigorating, it got my blood pumping."
"Impressive, Liang Dachao, as a young talent, has such refined taste, truly rare."
"Just with this skill, he won't go hungry in the future."
"Who would've thought a man could play the guzheng so well, today I've learned something new."
"Liang Dachao's performance is just a prelude, Jiang Feng is sure to lose."
"Prelude? More like a gem to attract stones."
"Exactly, that's the point."
"Hahaha..."
"Jiang Feng is sure to lose, there's no suspense."
"A country boy, how could he possibly play the guzheng?"
"Yes, country folks can never catch up to us city dwellers."
"Indeed, that's very true."
Given Liang Dachao's impressive performance, everyone unanimously believed that Jiang Feng was bound to lose, without any suspense.
Even Qiu Yue'er nodded in agreement, highly praising Liang Dachao's skill.
"Young Master Liang's technique is excellent, already showing a certain level of mastery. Playing such a piece, he's considered a mid-level amateur," Qiu Yue'er said, giving Liang Dachao a very high evaluation.
It's known that guzheng techniques are extremely difficult to master. Being rated as mid-level means he truly has some skill, enough to win awards domestically.
In fact, Qiu Yue'er was also doing Liang Dachao a favor, since she was hired by him this time, saying a few more good words wouldn't hurt.
But she wasn't lying either.
Liang Dachao was very pleased with the admiring looks from everyone. He loved this kind of atmosphere where he was worshipped.
"Now it's your turn," Liang Dachao looked at Jiang Feng as if he were a lamb to be slaughtered, his eyes full of disdain and mockery.
"Alright, I've been looking forward to this," Jiang Feng smiled, walking up to the stage with his head held high, showing no fear or hesitation.
His charming demeanor was unmistakable at this moment.
Everyone was taken aback, Jiang Feng's demeanor didn't seem like that of a country boy, more like a young master from a prominent family.
Without years of cultivation, one couldn't possibly have such an extraordinary demeanor.
"Hmph, I advise you to stop pretending. If you can't do it, just say so. Anyway, it's already embarrassing, a bit more won't matter," Liang Dachao snorted.
In his view, Jiang Feng had been pretending all along. Now that the crucial moment had arrived, he wanted to see how Jiang Feng would keep up the act. If he couldn't play a piece, his pretense would be exposed.
However, if Jiang Feng admitted defeat now, without a fight, Liang Dachao would shine even more, thoroughly humiliating Jiang Feng, making him a laughingstock for everyone...
Liang Dachao eagerly awaited that moment.
"How do you know I can't? Is it appropriate for a young talent to make such assumptions? Didn't your parents teach you to respect others?" Jiang Feng's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp.
Liang Dachao was forced to take a step back by Jiang Feng's gaze, feeling a surge of fear.
Jiang Feng's successive questions left Liang Dachao speechless.
Everyone was also stunned. Jiang Feng's slightly aggressive rebuke was spot on. As a person of status, one shouldn't make baseless assumptions about others.
"You're simply glib and unreasonable. Fine, play then. If you can play a complete piece, I'll kneel and kowtow to you ten times, call you grandpa three times, and hand over the 'Star of Love' with both hands," Liang Dachao was thoroughly enraged. Jiang Feng dared to lecture him in front of so many people, it was intolerable and unforgivable.
"Wow, you said it yourself, I didn't force you. Don't cry when you lose," Jiang Feng half-joked.
"Haha," Jiang Feng's words made Cheng Shaoqing laugh.
At such a moment, he still had the mind to joke, truly a carefree guy.
"Enough talk, start already. I never go back on my word," Liang Dachao promised.
"Alright, I'll start now," Jiang Feng didn't dawdle, immediately sitting down and closing his eyes to prepare.
In that instant, Jiang Feng's demeanor changed again, seemingly merging with the guzheng in front of him, becoming one.
Swish!
Jiang Feng opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing through them. He raised his hands and strummed the strings, all twenty-one strings vibrating almost simultaneously.
Ding ding dong dong~~~
A marvelous melody began to play, more profound than Qiu Yue'er's "Fishing Boat at Dusk," more majestic than Liang Dachao's "Lin Chong's Night Escape."
No one had heard this piece before, but it was incredibly beautiful, surpassing any guzheng piece they had ever heard.
It felt like stepping into a fairyland, with celestial herbs and spiritual beasts, mountains and rivers, a scene of pure bliss, free from pain, disease, and separation... only endless joy.
This was a piece Jiang Feng's master, Wu Muqing, often played, called "Fairy Travels." It was the melody Jiang Feng was most familiar with, deeply etched in his heart, never to be forgotten.
If accompanied by his master's "Heavenly Sound" guzheng, this piece would be even more exquisite, with strands of spiritual energy gathering, enhancing cultivation.
It could even assist in breaking through cultivation levels.
Jiang Feng remembered a time when he was breaking through and entered the Heart Demon Illusion Realm. His master used this method to help him escape, leading to a successful breakthrough.
Now, as Jiang Feng played it again, it felt like time had flown by, his master's melody still lingering in his ears.
"Master, I hope we can meet again someday," Jiang Feng murmured in his heart.
When the piece "Fairy Travels" ended, the lingering notes persisted, echoing for a long time.
For a while, everyone remained silent, the room so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Until Cheng Shaoqing softly praised and clapped, breaking the silence.
Everyone else also started clapping.
Such a melody had transcended the mundane, absolutely heavenly, incredibly beautiful.
Unconsciously, Jiang Feng had slapped everyone's face with his performance.
It was as if they could hear the sound of slaps.
Those who had looked down on Jiang Feng, despised him, were now tight-lipped, unable to say a word.
Because they had nothing to say.
"Mr. Jiang Feng, your performance was amazing. Even the current guzheng masters can't compare to you. Please, accept me as your disciple," Qiu Yue'er's attitude was extremely respectful, even her address had fundamentally changed.
"Hehe, I'm not a teacher, and I don't have time to teach you," Jiang Feng declined.
What a joke, he had no time to teach someone this stuff. He'd rather spend his time cultivating.
"Please reconsider, I sincerely wish to learn from you," Qiu Yue'er bowed earnestly.
Seeing Qiu Yue'er's sincerity, Jiang Feng couldn't bear to refuse again, saying, "I'll think about it, but don't get your hopes up. I might not have time."
Qiu Yue'er was overjoyed, saying, "It's okay, I have time, I can wait."
Jiang Feng smiled, wait? Can you wait a hundred years?
But Jiang Feng didn't want to crush Qiu Yue'er's hopes.
Everyone has their pursuits, and as long as they persist, it's right. No one has the right to question or hinder them.
"Jiang Feng, I didn't expect you to really know how to play the guzheng, and so well. After hearing your music, everything else sounds like garbage, completely tarnishing the ears. Can I listen to your music again in the future?" Chu Qingqing asked.
"As I said, I'm really busy, probably won't have time," Jiang Feng replied.
"I understand," Chu Qingqing said, "I'll wait too."
In an instant, Jiang Feng had won the favor of two beauties, his charm unmatched.
Cheng Shaoqing had been staring at Jiang Feng in a daze. Her impression of him was completely overturned, a sense of admiration for Jiang Feng arose.
This admiration was genuine, without a hint of pretense.
Not just her, everyone present now admired Jiang Feng immensely. All the disdain and mockery swallowed, their expressions complex and conflicted.
The one with the worst expression was Liang Dachao, looking as if he had eaten something foul, his face extremely unpleasant.
He couldn't accept this outcome.
How could Jiang Feng play such a piece? In every aspect, he far surpassed Liang Dachao, even making Qiu Yue'er, a master, want to become his disciple.
It was an acknowledgment of Jiang Feng's prowess.
Moreover, Qiu Yue'er said Jiang Feng's skill far exceeded the current top guzheng masters, indicating his terrifying level.
No matter how much Liang Dachao didn't believe it, it was futile.
Because the truth was right in front of him.
Undeniable.
Besides, he had spoken too boldly earlier, now reaping what he sowed.
What to do? He couldn't just run away like a coward.