Chapter 88: Moon-Gazing Tower, the God-Sending Song!

After the Autumn Equinox came the Moon Worship Festival, and Gucheng looked especially lively.

Lu Qian and Liu Muqing arrived by boat, planning to attend tonight's banquet at Moon-Gazing Tower.

"You really have too much free time, dragging me to Gucheng every other day. Today I finally did as you wished, so why are you still a little unhappy?" Liu Muqing said, looking at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian naturally refused to say the real reason, and casually brushed it off: "Well, Jiang Jiuxian chased after me too."

Liu Muqing said: "Jiang Jiuxian is considered outstanding even in the Music Hall. His family background and taste are both not bad, and plenty of women admire him. Why is it that you alone don't like him?"

Lu Qian retorted: "Zong Shichang's family background isn't bad either, so why don't I see you, Qing'er, liking him?"

Liu Muqing was left speechless.

Lu Qian muttered to herself: "Like is like, dislike is dislike, there aren't that many whys. Besides, I don't like the way Jiang Jiuxian looks at me. He's no different from other men."

Liu Muqing shook her head: "I won't argue with you. Since we're already here, don't think about all that nonsense today. Just relax and enjoy yourself."

Moon-Gazing Tower was a property of the Zong family. The first five floors today were packed, while the three floors above were booked out entirely by the eldest young master of the Zong family.

As host, Zong Shichang had arrived long ago, and Zhao Xing, with the wildcat tucked in his clothes, naturally came along with him.

"Brother Zhao, what do you think I look like right now?" Zong Shichang asked.

Zhao Xing glanced at Zong Shichang fussing in front of the mirror: "Put on a bit more powder and you could go down and compete with the Misses below in singing opera."

"What do you mean?"

"Shamelessly flashy."

"..."

Zong Shichang irritably rubbed his hair, took off his clothes, and paced back and forth in front of a pile of gorgeous wardrobes.

Zhao Xing couldn't stand watching any longer: "What's your rush? Just be as you usually are today. If you try too hard, how can you win Miss Liu?"

"Be natural, don't be over-eager. Treat her the same way you treat other women. Go with the flow, act normal, and you'll already beat ninety percent of your rivals."

Zong Shichang turned his head and asked: "Will it really work?"

Zhao Xing said: "Then think about whether it's ever worked before. Since it hasn't, why keep doing things the same way? Change your look a little, and you might just match Miss Liu's taste."

Zong Shichang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately took Zhao Xing's advice and changed into a plainer set of clothes.

This fellow had one good point: he was open to good counsel.

As long as it was someone he acknowledged and trusted, he was very capable of taking their advice.

After a while, a servant came to report that guests had begun arriving.

Zong Shichang stopped fussing and went to greet the guests.

Zong Shichang's small private banquet for the Moon Worship Festival also had close to a hundred people.

However, there were differences in closeness and status; those of lesser standing and family background were on the floor below.

Zong Shichang raised his wine cup and made a round downstairs, toasting each table once. By the time he returned upstairs, his face was already flushed and his veins were showing.

After closing the partition door between the upper and lower floors and lowering the curtain, the small private room on the top floor became quiet, cut off from the lively singing and dancing below, with only a bright moon hanging high in the sky for one to admire.

Seeing the hint of reluctance in everyone's eyes, Zong Shichang immediately raised his wine cup and laughed: "The rouge and vulgar powder outside, those decadent tunes, they don't belong in a refined setting. Today I've invited friends from the Music Hall in the prefecture to liven things up. Please listen, everyone!"

Zhao Xing sat in the third seat from the left below the mat, and below him was a small stage.

The stage was concealed by a silk curtain. When it was drawn aside, the first thing seen was the bright moon in the night sky.

Then came two men and one woman, wearing veiled hats, playing and plucking instruments on either side, except that the two men used transverse zithers, while the woman used a willow lute.

Smoke swirled around, the three musicians vanished from sight, leaving only singing and the sound of the qin.

"The Emperor descends upon the four seas, ah, each day auspicious clouds are seen. Victorious virtue like clouds, ah, blessing descends upon all the people..."

As the music rose, Lu Qian, who had long been prepared, made her entrance with three dancers amid swirling smoke, dancing beneath the moon.

"'Cloud Gate,' one of the Six Songs. I didn't expect that the dancers and musicians Zong Shichang invited would actually perform a proper god-worshipping dance." Zhao Xing stared at the stage.

The god-worshipping dance was also a kind of war dance, performed jointly by musicians and dancers, singing the praises of the ancient sages and offering sacrifices to the spirits of the sages.

The "Cloud Gate" sacrificed to Xia Huang, the founder of the ancient Qi-Dynasty of Destiny, praising him for creating all things, uniting all people, and possessing flourishing virtue like clouds.

The peak version of "Cloud Gate" required twelve first-rank music officials, thirty-two first-rank dancers, and over five hundred second- to fourth-rank dancers and musicians!

The effect was that it could summon Xia Huang's 'True Spirit Dharma Body.'

But Zhao Xing had never seen it. It was said that this war dance could once summon Xia Huang's dharma body long ago, but later, even when the numbers were gathered, it no longer worked.

However, the simplified and lower-level versions of "Cloud Gate" also had various effects, such as clearing the mind and refreshing the brain, or boosting morale, able to increase warriors' endurance.

A slightly higher-level one could summon the true spirits of some sages of the Xia Dynasty to slay demons and vanquish evil.

In short, this art of encouragement had developed to this day, and its effects were already myriad.

For instance, right now Zhao Xing only felt his life soul becoming a bit more solid after listening; it wasn't of much use.

The dance and music ended.

Lu Qian, with the three dancers, and Liu Muqing along with two other musicians performed the 'courtesy of thanks.'

The spectators present all took out prepared gifts to give in return.

When dancers and musicians received gifts, it would enhance this war dance.

Having no gift and simply returning the courtesy was also fine.

Lu Qian walked to Zhao Xing's desk and bowed gracefully.

Unexpectedly, the other party merely cupped his hands in return.

"Hmph, stingy." Lu Qian muttered to herself as she walked away.

The others also looked over one after another.

It was really that everyone else took out jade ornaments and pendants as return gifts, while only Zhao Xing offered 'spiritual thanks,' making him stand out.

Zhao the Minister of Agriculture indicated that her dancing skills were just so-so, so spiritual thanks was already decent; did she still want a tip?

When it was Zong Shichang's turn to give return gifts.

He gave jade pendants and other ornaments to Jiang Jiuxian, Lu Qian, and the others.

What was given to Liu Muqing, however, was a single sheet of paper.

A sheet of paper?

The crowd's gaze shifted from Zhao Xing to Zong Shichang.

"Young Master Zong, Miss Liu and Miss Lu have come all this way today specifically to sing and dance at your banquet. You can't play favorites."

"Exactly, why does Miss Liu only get a sheet of paper?"

"What's written on the paper?"

Zong Shichang cupped his hands and said, "This is a poem. I happened to obtain it by chance and felt it could be handed to the musicians to set to music. It might help Miss Liu improve. As for dancers, I haven't found anyone suitable."

"Eh? That's a biased thing to say. There are three musicians—why didn't you give it to Brother Jiang and Brother Fan?"

"Right, hahaha, why is Miss Liu so special?"

A burst of laughter rose around them. Clearly they all knew of Zong Shichang's admiration for Liu Muqing and were deliberately egging him on at this moment.

Zong Shichang smiled and said, "This poem isn't suitable for men."

"Oh?" Having taken his seat, Jiang Jiuxian also teased, "What kind of miraculous poem is it, that it distinguishes between men and women? Brother Zong, why don't you read it aloud?"

Zong Shichang smiled without speaking, and instead looked at Liu Muqing.

At this moment, Liu Muqing had already frozen, looking as though the desired effect had been achieved.

The poem bought from Zhao Xing was worth it!

Lu Qian found it very strange. Liu Muqing wasn't someone who hadn't seen the world—why was she half-speechless?

Unable to contain herself, she simply walked over and took the paper from Liu Muqing's hand: "I'll read it."

"There is a beauty fair, seen once, never forgotten. One day apart, I think of her like madness."

"The phoenix soars on high, roaming the four seas to seek his mate. Alas, the fair lady is not beyond the eastern wall."

"Let the qin speak in place of words, to pour out the heart's longings. When shall I gain your consent, to ease my restless wandering?"

"I wish to match virtue with you, hand in hand we would go. If we cannot fly together, it brings me to ruin."

The moment she began reading, laughter kept breaking out.

Everyone present had some ability to appreciate quality, and this was clearly a love poem.

But as they listened, something felt off.

Why had they never heard it before?

And it seemed to be of a high caliber?

As for the other two musicians and three dancers, they too were all taken aback.

Because when Lu Qian read it aloud, they clearly felt a certain stirring.

They had an urge to set this poem to music. This kind of sudden inspiration only appeared when encountering a poem that would greatly boost one's cultivation, or a new poem.

"You..." Lu Qian couldn't help looking at Zong Shichang. "Is this a new poem? Where did you get it?"

She didn't believe Zong Shichang had written it. With his level of skill?

"I happened to obtain it by chance. I wonder if it's worthy enough to give to Miss Liu?" Zong Shichang said with a smile, appearing very low-key, a far cry from his usual showy, smug manner.

The moment he acted a little normal, Lu Qian actually felt he was somewhat "abnormal."

Is this still the Zong Shichang I know?

Liu Muqing was also greatly moved—not only because of the stirring to her cultivation, but also because this was a love poem, and its depiction of love was profound and moving.

Even given the open atmosphere of the current age, Liu Muqing found it a bit hard to bear. After coming back to her senses, her face flushed red all at once.

"Many thanks to Young Master Zong for the gift of poetry." Liu Muqing's voice trembled slightly, losing her usual calm and composed manner.

"Wait, what's the name of this poem?" Lu Qian asked.

"A Phoenix Seeks a Mate," Zong Shichang said.

"A Phoenix Seeks a Mate..." Liu Muqing murmured, her fingers plucking at the qin strings, subconsciously wanting to set this poem to music.

The qin music drifted melodiously, and soon she began to sing along with it.

The first time through she was still stumbling, but by the second time, it had already taken on a certain charm.

When she played it a third time, several people closed their eyes, sinking into an illusionary realm, experiencing the bitter agony of longing for what one cannot have.

There was even one young master who broke down on the spot, shouting a woman's name, weeping uncontrollably.

Zong Shichang managed to hold back, because Zhao Xing had urged him repeatedly, over and over, to resist and not embarrass himself.

"That's enough, Miss Liu!" Zhao Xing spoke up to interrupt at this moment.

Liu Muqing immediately realized she had lost her composure and hurriedly stopped.

"Brother Zong, given the current situation, I think everyone should go up to the tower to enjoy the moon," Zhao Xing said. "I can see Miss Liu is deeply moved by this poem. You could take Miss Liu to find a private room to discuss it."

"Miss Liu, please."

"Mm." Liu Muqing's mind was entirely on setting the poem to music at this moment, and she happened to want to find a quiet place, so she let Zong Shichang lead the way.

Seeing that the usually aloof and proud Miss Liu had actually agreed to be alone with him, Zong Shichang couldn't help turning around to cast a grateful look—truly worthy of you, good brother! No—godfather!

Lu Qian, meanwhile, looked suspiciously at Zong Shichang, then at Zhao Xing, her eyes darting.

Seeing Zhao Xing leave his seat to go outside and enjoy the moon, she followed him.

"That poem—you gave it to Zong Shichang, didn't you?" Lu Qian stood beside Zhao Xing and suddenly asked.

"Why would you think that?"

"Intuition. His feelings for Miss Liu do match the meaning of the poem, but to say he wrote it—absolutely impossible," Lu Qian said. "Good thing he's at least clever enough not to have claimed he wrote it himself. Otherwise, when Qing'er asks about it later, wouldn't it backfire?"

Zhao Xing didn't turn his head, nor did he reply, simply gazing quietly at the moon.

Lu Qian took another step closer to him: "Was the dance just now good-looking?"

Zhao Xing nodded: "It was alright."

"Just alright?" Lu Qian puffed out her cheeks.

"That's actually a pretty high evaluation coming from me."

"So you know quite a bit about dance masters."

"A little."

"Please enlighten me."

Zhao Xing said calmly: "What you're dancing is 'Cloud Gate' from the Six Songs. Cloud Gate is profoundly mysterious — it's not just a battle dance, it also has the effect of summoning deities. The fierce, powerful parts you dance very well, but the yin-soft parts are still a bit lacking."

"'Dance sleeves toward the Heavenly Court, soaring up to the Nine Heavens.' Your sleeve-flicking technique should come from Cloud Gate · Heavenly Court and Cloud Gate · Nine Heavens, but as I just said, your yin-soft parts still aren't enough."

"You should be better suited to dancing the Great Shao — this is a flaw brought on by the Great Shao, and it's very hard to correct, isn't it?"

Lu Qian raised an eyebrow: "You really do know? Yes, I am indeed better at the Great Shao. What you said is exactly the same as what my teacher said, but I don't know how to correct it."

Zhao Xing tilted his head and said: "If you don't mind, you could dance it once more for me to see."

"Alright!" Lu Qian didn't hesitate at all and immediately began to dance.

Although she lacked Liu Muqing's qin accompaniment, a dancer doesn't necessarily need music to dance, and the melody had long been stored in her heart.

So dancing it again only lost a little in power, but the completeness wasn't much different from before.

Zhao Xing used the Five Elements Observation to examine Lu Qian's movements.

He had her dance it twice before calling a stop.

"That's enough."

"What did you see?" Lu Qian asked expectantly.

Zhao Xing began: "Every time you reach the key moment of the Nine Heavens section, the vital energy in your qi sea surges too violently. As I said earlier, this is a habit formed from dancing the Great Shao. To correct it is actually simple — as long as you can suppress the upward surge of vital energy at the qi sea acupoint, you can transition smoothly to the next step."

Lu Qian unconsciously lowered her head and touched her belly, looking a bit sheepish: "It's exactly like that. My teacher told me many times, but I still can't correct it."

"There's no way around it, you can only adjust slowly."

Lu Qian raised her head: "Now I'm even more certain that 'Phoenix Seeking Mate' was given by you to Zong Shichang. Do you know why I wanted to come meet you?"

"I know." Zhao Xing nodded. Since the other party had brought it up, he couldn't dodge and muddle through. To resolve the matter — in any case, he'd now found a way to make money. If it really didn't work, he could be generous and return the Que Ling Dharma Robe.

"I don't mean anything else." Lu Qian said, "I'm not here to ask you to return the Que Ling Dharma Robe either. Matters on the mountain end on the mountain. The Worry-Forgetting Stele was meant to let people forget their troubles on the mountain. I — I'm just curious what kind of person you are. I hope this invitation hasn't made you feel troubled."

Unexpectedly, Lu Qian actually said this — it sounded very sincere, and very candid.

Seeing Zhao Xing say nothing, Lu Qian found a topic to ease the awkwardness: "Do you have any other poems? Giving that one to Zong Shichang was a waste — he doesn't appreciate it at all… you could sell it to us people in the Music Hall."

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing was taken aback. He actually did have something suitable for Lu Qian. Sell to whoever — wasn't it all selling? He was short on money right now to buy Preaching Paintings.

"Yes, how high a price can you offer?"

This time it was Lu Qian's turn to be a little surprised.

She had only been asking casually.

She hadn't expected Zhao Xing to actually have one.

"That depends on what level it is. If it's like the one just now, one that can evoke resonance, exchanging it for a fourth-tier treasure would be no problem."

"It's derived from the Six Songs as a foundation, with both lyrics and melody." Zhao Xing said: "It's definitely stronger than that one, and can be cultivated up to fifth-grade. What do you think it's worth?"

"If it's like that, it could exchange for at least a fifth-tier treasure, or even more."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment, then nodded: "I can let you experience the battle lyrics and battle melody first."

"Alright, follow me." Lu Qian was also a little expectant.

Zhao Xing planned to sell "Ritual Soul" to Lu Qian. Unlike the cheap piece given to Zong Shichang, "Ritual Soul" was one of the Nine Songs later generations had extended and created on the foundation of the Six Songs.

It was a proper, mature spell — the 'God-Sending Song' among the Nine Songs.

As the saying goes, summoning a god is easy, sending one away is hard.

The power of "Ritual Soul" lies in its ability to disperse yin souls, and also to send away deities summoned by other professions. One could say it's very practical.

Zhao Xing only remembered the battle lyrics and battle melody of "Ritual Soul" — these could be memorized from his past life as a player. As for the battle dance, which involved the circulation of vital energy, that wouldn't work; memorizing the movements was useless.

When he gave Zong Shichang that cheap piece, he had already tried out the other 'results,' and they had passed the panel's 'authentication.'

It was still several tiers short of the complete version, after all lacking the crucial battle dance portion. But this was enough — using it to sell and earn some money was still fine.

As for what kind of battle dance Lu Qian could find someone to choreograph, that was none of his business.

Seeing the matter resolved so smoothly, Zhao Xing was somewhat taken aback himself.

Had the 'streak of bad luck' finally passed?

"Wait a moment!" Just then, a voice interrupted the conversation between Zhao Xing and Lu Qian.

Regarding battle lyrics and battle melody — there won't be much written, just a transitional money-making bit. And it conforms to the ritual-music sacrificial culture of the 'Zhou' period, as well as the profession settings in the text, such as deity-summoning and soul-dispelling. Regular poetry won't be used to pad the word count.