Chapter 57: He Really Knows How to Play the Qin

“Senior Sister, the three senior brothers train diligently, and martial cultivators naturally have robust blood and qi; occasional relaxation is understandable.” Xia Daoming spoke.

“Huh!” The three of Yuchi Xiao felt their hearts ease somewhat.

Finally, this kid says something human.

“You can’t hold the three senior brothers to your own high standard of total devotion to martial cultivation—that’s too harsh!” Xia Daoming continued.

“Eh!” The three of Yuchi Xiao clutched their chests again.

“That’s true—it’s just that Senior Sister has set the bar too high. In this world, someone like you, Senior Brother, who devotes himself entirely to martial cultivation and is so upright and sincere, is probably impossible to find!” Liu Xiaoqiang nodded in deep agreement.

That night, if Xia Daoming hadn’t bent over when getting out of bed, she’d truly have suspected he had a fondness for men!

But precisely because of that, Liu Xiaoqiang grew even more respectful toward this junior brother!

The three of Yuchi Xiao clutched their chests with both hands.

Senior Sister, you’re ruthless!

Killing someone is enough with a single blow to the head—you’re killing them and crushing their soul!

We just occasionally come to your Yaohua Pavilion to listen to music and chat with the girls about the true meaning of life—how is that not the conduct of a gentleman?

“Hehe, Senior Sister, don’t praise me—I’ll get embarrassed! Alright, alright, Miss Wanqing, start playing. The senior brothers must be eager already.” Xia Daoming said.

The three of Yuchi Xiao stared at Xia Daoming with blank expressions.

You’re the one eager—your whole family is eager!

“Of course, Master Xia, whatever tune you wish to hear, I shall play it for you.” Miss Wanqing bowed, cradling her qin, her voice like a golden oriole emerging from a valley—sweet and melodious.

The three of Yuchi Xiao stared blankly at the ceiling.

“How could I possibly? The three senior brothers and Senior Sister are here—how could I be the first to choose a tune?” Xia Daoming hastily demurred.

“Just pick one!” Yuchi Xiao gritted his teeth.

“Since Senior Brother Yuchi says so, I’ll pick first—let’s have ‘Plum Blossoms in Three Variations.’” Xia Daoming said.

Upon hearing this, the three of Yuchi Xiao sneered dismissively.

Still being restrained?

Just hearing it, it’s clearly not a proper tune.

“‘Plum Blossoms in Three Variations’?” Miss Wanqing’s cheeks flushed slightly; her almond eyes stole a glance at Xia Daoming, then she bowed. “I’m unlearned—I don’t know how to play this tune. Master Xia, could you choose another?”

“Yes, Daoming, what kind of random tune is that? It sounds utterly improper!”

“Exactly, exactly, pick another one quickly.”

The three of Yuchi Xiao seized the rare chance and immediately chimed in with looks of disdain.

Damn! I forgot this is another world—I just blurted out ‘Plum Blossoms in Three Variations,’ one of the Ten Great Ancient Qin Melodies from my past life!

Luckily, my mother was an arts professional; she made sure I learned plenty of cultural skills as a child. I studied the qin for years—if not, the image I’ve painstakingly built would’ve collapsed.

Xia Daoming secretly sweated, but his face remained stern and righteous: “Senior Brothers, you truly need restraint! Plum blossoms are pure white, defying snow and frost, emitting a faint fragrance.”

‘Plum Blossoms in Three Variations’ is a melody that uses imagery to express noble character. The unusual melodic phrases repeat three times at different positions on the qin—that’s why it’s called ‘Three Variations.’ How did it become an improper tune in your mouths?”

“I heard this piece once by chance in a northern teahouse, where an old man played it. I asked the name, and assumed Miss Wanqing knew it too.”

“So that’s how it is—I’m just unlearned!” Miss Wanqing said solemnly.

“Junior Brother truly has broad experience. It’s a pity such a meaningful melody is unknown to us.” Liu Xiaoqiang said, her gaze toward Xia Daoming now filled with even greater respect and admiration.

She also couldn’t help casting a look of disdain toward the three senior brothers.

The three of Yuchi Xiao blushed deeply.

“Damn, this actually works?!”

They didn’t believe Xia Daoming’s nonsense for a second—this tune was definitely something he heard in some improper brothel in the north, and he’d just forced a noble interpretation onto it.

“Senior Sister, what’s hard about that? I know a bit of qin-playing too, though my skill is crude. Still, I can play the basic melody.”

“With Miss Wanqing’s skill, once she learns it, she’ll naturally play it beautifully and convey its full meaning.” Xia Daoming smiled faintly.

“What? Junior Brother can play the qin?” Liu Xiaoqiang’s beautiful peach-shaped eyes lit up instantly.

“Wow, Master Xia, you’re incredible—you’re cultured and martial, all in one!” The girls exaggeratedly clapped one hand over their mouths and the other over their chests, as if this were the only way to express their admiration for Master Xia.

The three of Yuchi Xiao were dumbfounded.

“Damn, is this even livable?!”

“We shouldn’t have come to Yaohua Pavilion tonight!”

“No—anytime Junior Brother Xia comes to Yaohua Pavilion, we’ll avoid it completely!”

“Miss Wanqing, lend me your qin!” Xia Daoming rose and stepped forward.

“Master Xia, please.” Miss Wanqing stood and arranged the chair and qin for him.

Xia Daoming sat down calmly and idly plucked a few strings, trying to recall the old feeling.

“Huh!”

The moment he plucked, Xia Daoming was startled to find his fingertips could clearly and sharply sense the subtle vibrations of the strings.

That was impossible in his past life.

Xia Daoming quickly realized it must be tied to his martial advancement—his senses had sharpened, so now he could clearly perceive the qin strings’ changes.

“Who knew martial advancement could enhance qin skill? Now I don’t have to worry about embarrassing myself!” He plucked a few more strings, producing harsh, discordant noise—but inside, his confidence grew.

He’d originally feared his skills had grown rusty after years without playing, risking damage to his image—now he had zero concern.

You brat—I thought you could really play, but you’re just randomly plucking!

Hearing the harsh, chaotic notes, the three of Yuchi Xiao breathed a silent sigh of relief—otherwise, this string of blows would’ve shattered their spirits!

Liu Xiaoqiang and the other women flickered a hint of disappointment in their eyes.

But only that.

It didn’t diminish Xia Daoming’s towering image in their hearts.

After all, Xia Daoming had already performed well enough—the way he held the qin clearly showed he’d studied it!

Did they really expect him to play as skillfully as they did?

Just as the three of Yuchi Xiao relaxed deeply and Liu Xiaoqiang and the women felt mild disappointment, a clear, serene melody suddenly arose.

The private room fell utterly silent.

In white robes, Xia Daoming played with ease and grace, his fingers flowing like clouds and water over the strings.

His posture was utterly captivating!

In the past, when he played this piece, his left and right hands never coordinated well—especially the fast string crossings, kneeling finger techniques, and rhythm control in the seventh and eighth sections.

Also, the first half of the piece repeats the floating-note melody three times at different positions to depict the plum blossom’s purity and nobility; the second half uses a slightly faster tempo and timbral changes to express the plum blossom’s resilience, swaying defiantly in the cold wind.

The “Three Variations” are actually three variations.

Xia Daoming couldn’t master these subtle technical shifts, so he couldn’t convey the emotional contrast between the two halves.

But this time was different.

With his sharpened senses and mind immersed in the melody, clear, serene notes flowed effortlessly from his fingertips like a stream.

The qin’s sound echoed through the private room, making listeners feel as if they stood in a plum grove, seeing blossoms standing firm against snow and wind, as if the cold fragrance had seeped into their lungs.

That feeling was hard to describe.

The piece ended.

The lingering echoes clung to the ears, leaving listeners unable to return to reality for a long time.

PS: This is the second update. The third update will come at noon.