Chapter 323

In the land of the State of Yan, although there was a Gao Jianli who was quite famous, his reputation was mostly among the common people. This person's whereabouts were mysterious, and he never played music for high-ranking nobles, so his reputation was still quite a bit behind Kuang Xiu's.

Kuang Xiu was different. He was originally a court musician. While in Handan, his reputation spread far and wide. Later, for some unknown reason, he left the court and disappeared for several years. When he reappeared, his musical style had changed, clearly having entered a more profound realm in music. Since then, his reputation had spread even further...

Earlier, the Qin Guo, with Wang Jian as general, attacked the State of Zhao. Although they were eventually blocked by Li Mu relying on the natural barrier of the Taihang Mountains, they still slaughtered tens of thousands of Zhao troops and plundered many cities and lands from the State of Zhao.

Kuang Xiu was an unexpected gain from that war.

Upon discovering Kuang Xiu, Wang Jian immediately ordered his men to carefully pack him up and send him to Xianyang.

Although Seeing Ying Zheng was busy with state affairs, he was quite interested in the Dao of music. Upon learning that Kuang Xiu had entered Qin, he immediately received him and hired him as a court musician.

What? Kuang Xiu did not agree?

Once Kuang Xiu arrived in the Qin Guo, the matter was no longer up to him.

Facing the brutal King of Qin, although Kuang Xiu had some backbone, he eventually chose to submit. Death can be lighter than a feather or heavier than Mount Taishan; choosing to die for such a matter was truly not worth it.

Occasionally, after the King of Qin finished his state affairs, he would have him play a few tunes. Although Kuang Xiu played for the King of Qin, no one noticed that a faint look of sorrow and grief always lingered on his brow.

"Master Kuang Xiu, someone wishes to see you!"

On this day, Kuang Xiu was sitting before his zither, preparing to play to relieve the frustration in his heart, when suddenly, an attendant came to report.

As a court musician valued by Seeing Ying Zheng, Kuang Xiu was allowed to live in the palace. Except for Seeing Ying Zheng, ordinary people could not see him at all. Upon learning that someone wanted to see him—and it was not Seeing Ying Zheng—he could not help but be somewhat surprised.

When he saw the other person and learned his name, Kuang Xiu was shocked again.

This was because the person was called "Su Xuan." Before coming to the Qin Guo, Kuang Xiu had never heard this name, but after arriving in the Qin Guo and coming to this Xianyang Palace, he was no stranger to it. He knew this person was a confidant of the King of Qin and was deeply trusted by him.

He had not expected that Su Xuan would actually take an interest in him and want to see him.

"I wonder why Master Su is looking for me?"

Kuang Xiu looked at Su Xuan and asked in a deep voice.

"Master Kuang Xiu is a world-renowned musician. Ordinary people wish to hear the music you play but have no opportunity. Now that you are in this palace, I must certainly take this opportunity to request a tune from you!"

Kuang Xiu immediately understood Su Xuan's intention.

To listen to music!

Not strange!

After all, entertainment in this era was extremely scarce, limited to just a few types: listening to music, watching dancing, and engaging in deep-level communication with young ladies. Among these, music was the most stylish and elegant form of entertainment.

As a world-renowned musician, Kuang Xiu had many admirers and was a star of this era; he did not find Su Xuan's reason strange.

Immediately after, he heard Su Xuan change the subject: "Of course, before listening to the music, there is someone else who wishes to see Master Kuang Xiu!"

Kuang Xiu was stunned.

Su Xuan's voice rang out: "Come in!"

Kuang Xiu shifted his gaze and saw Nong Yu holding a zither, walking in slowly. She said to Kuang Xiu, "Nong Yu greets Master Kuang Xiu!"

"I have a tune, and I ask Master Kuang Xiu to offer some guidance!"

Kuang Xiu was lost in thought, but he did not refuse and signaled for Nong Yu to play.

Nong Yu placed the zither down and began to play.

She played "Empty Mountain Bird Song." Although she also had a "Heartstring Tune," that tune was a resonance of the heart and, in essence, a melody that did not exist in the world; only those with hearts in perfect harmony could hear it.

The sound of the zither echoed in the empty hall. In the quiet, empty valley, bird calls suddenly echoed. At first, there was only the sound of one bird, but in an instant, it was as if thousands of birds were chirping. Many birds were singing incessantly, but the sound was not chaotic; on the contrary, they cooperated perfectly, performing a rare and wonderful melody.

As the tune ended, Kuang Xiu slowly opened his eyes.

"Good tune, good music!"

"Master Kuang Xiu is too kind!" Nong Yu lowered her head, her voice soft. "I ask Master Kuang Xiu to offer some guidance!"

Kuang Xiu pondered for a while and then truly began to offer guidance to Nong Yu.

Although Nong Yu's accomplishments in music were not bad, she was still young, while Kuang Xiu was a well-deserved musical genius who was also knowledgeable and experienced. Even though Nong Yu's tune was already nearly perfect, to Kuang Xiu, it still had some flaws.

After listening to Kuang Xiu's guidance, Nong Yu had an expression of having benefited greatly.

Because she did not understand arts, she had gained nothing from Su Xuan's lecture. Now, in front of Kuang Xiu, she had finally reached the same level as the people of the Yin-Yang School and gained something.

"I heard that Master Kuang Xiu has a tune called 'High Mountains and Flowing Water.' I wonder if I might have the honor of hearing it?"

After Kuang Xiu finished guiding Nong Yu, Su Xuan also spoke to him.

Upon hearing Su Xuan's words, Kuang Xiu was slightly stunned. "High Mountains and Flowing Water" was an ancient tune, and very few people in the world knew he had mastered it. He had not expected Su Xuan to know, but he still responded: "'High Mountains and Flowing Water' is a duet. The first eight sections are the high mountains, and the last eight sections are the flowing water. I cannot play it alone!"

After saying this, he looked at Nong Yu and said, "Your accomplishments in music are not bad. If you improve for a while longer, perhaps you could play this tune with me. Besides you, no one in this palace is qualified to play it with me!"

Kuang Xiu said this very arrogantly, but as a star of this era, he was indeed qualified to say such arrogant words.

"The only person who could be recognized by Master Kuang Xiu and play 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' with you is probably Gao Jianli, right?" Su Xuan seemed to know what Kuang Xiu was thinking and spoke another name.

Upon hearing this name, Kuang Xiu's pupils contracted slightly.

Gao Jianli—he had never met this person, but this person was a soulmate he had long admired!