"Then, let the performance begin!"
After a few words, the host started the proceedings.
Xu Ming's song featured the King of Singers, Zhang Wenqing, in the verses, and a master Erhu player in the climactic chorus.
This format was Xu Ming's signature.
He had become the uniquely skilled "Ace Producer" relying on this single talent.
When Zhang Wenqing stepped onto the stage, a sea of faint blue lights surged from the audience.
This was the status of the King of Singers.
His exclusive support color.
Zhang Wenqing, on this occasion, was unusually excited.
The first reason was collaborating with the veteran artist Zhou Ningbin on the same stage.
The second reason was that he saw a glimmer of hope in eliminating Tingyu.
Although even he found it hard to believe, he did have that feeling in his heart. The confidence, of course, stemmed from the veteran artist Zhou Ningbin.
"Guard"
The song's title was simple.
Just one character.
Yet, it captured the attention of the audience.
As the prelude began,
there was the sound of wind, and the neighing of horses, accompanied by the music, one could hear the sounds of battle.
A traditional ancient-style song!
Upon hearing the melody, the audience was instantly stunned, then wore peculiar expressions.
Xu Ming was truly bold!
He had likely considered that with a veteran artist presiding, he would use the ancient style to compete with Tingyu.
This way, if he won, he would truly be amazing, defeating Tingyu in Tingyu's most proficient style. One had to admit, this Xu Ming was truly ambitious...
"One man guards the pass, who laughs drinking blood in the power struggles, whose hands hold military power.
Forged with my body, the walls that guard the city, my family awaits my protection.
May the nation be prosperous and the people at peace, lest my blood be shed in vain..." (Lyrics from the comment by fellow book friend Ta Jiang Ru Meng)
This song was a fast-paced ancient-style song.
Under the performance of the King of Singers, Zhang Wenqing, it instantly ignited the entire venue.
Fans frantically waved their support signs, moving to the rhythm.
As the emotion reached its peak, the music in the entire venue suddenly stopped.
Outside the city gate, Zhou Ningbin, holding his Erhu, abruptly played a note.
In an instant, the accompaniment resumed.
The Erhu's unique melancholic and desolate sound instantly ignited the audience's emotions.
Zhou Ningbin truly lived up to his reputation as a veteran artist, demonstrating perfect control over details and emotional tug-of-war.
It made people involuntarily immerse themselves in the tragic scenes of fierce battlefield combat with this music.
"It's over!"
"Tingyu is in danger this time!!"
"Holy crap, the Erhu truly deserves to be called the rogue instrument, this tone is so beautiful!!"
"If Tingyu doesn't find someone with a Suona level comparable to Teacher Zhou, they might really be eliminated by the veteran artist."
"Xu Ming, you're truly insidious!!"
"Now, the pressure is on Tingyu!!"
That's right, Xu Ming was beaming with a smug expression.
He had deliberately feigned weakness in front of others and then specifically sought out the veteran artist Zhou Ningbin.
After a bit of persuasion, telling Zhou Ningbin that participating in the competition would be very effective in promoting Erhu culture, and that Xu Ming himself was originally a musician of traditional instruments, he spoke passionately about inheriting culture and doing things for traditional instruments. Hoodwinked, Zhou Ningbin finally agreed to help him perform this song.
He genuinely thought he was merely promoting national instruments and even waived his performance fee for Xu Ming.
However, Zhou Ningbin later learned that this was also a competition.
He had heard about the competitor Tingyu, not from the internet, but from those cultural association old-timers.
Those people had praised Tingyu highly, and he was also very curious about this young man, so he came even though he knew he had been tricked.
...
After the song concluded,
Zhou Ningbin's perfect bowing technique elicited thunderous applause from the audience below!
Coupled with the organized chants from King of Singers Zhang Wenqing's fans, it felt very much like a concert.
For a moment, many felt that Tingyu was in danger this time.
"Haha, thank you Teacher Zhou Ningbin and the King of Singers for bringing us such a wonderful performance. Please take your seats and rest briefly."
The host came on stage. He had gained popularity because of Tingyu, so he had a special feeling for Tingyu. And at this moment, even he felt that Tingyu was in danger.
"Next, please welcome the God of Composition, Teacher Jiang Qian, to provide commentary and scoring for this competition entry!"
After speaking, he gestured towards Jiang Qian on the screen.
Jiang Qian nodded and then said with a smile, "I am not qualified to comment on Elder Zhou's Erhu. I believe everyone knows what level Elder Zhou's skill is at. I can only describe it as impeccable."
She paused, then continued, "Of course, I do have something to say about this song. The lyrics and composition are quite good, but the application of the melody still lacks a bit of refinement. If I heard correctly, weren't there a few outstanding parts just now that Elder Zhou modified on the spot?"
After speaking, she looked at Xu Ming.
Hearing this, Xu Ming's heart leaped, thinking that Jiang Qian truly lived up to her title as the God of Composition, being able to detect such minor details: "Yes, there were a few parts just now that were not in the original key."
"Jiang Yatou's ears are as sharp as ever. I did change a few places; I just felt that it should be handled better this way," Zhou Ningbin said with a smile. Among those present, only he dared to call Jiang Qian that.
"Elder Zhou did the right thing. If it weren't for your performance, this song would only get 7 points from me. Because you changed some parts, I'm giving this song 8.5 points. It's truly a bit of a compromise for you to collaborate with an Ace Producer."
Jiang Qian had always been straightforward, saying what she thought without holding back. It wasn't that Elder Zhou's skill was lacking, but that Xu Ming's composition did not match Zhou's Erhu.
It was like how she had predicted that Tingyu's "Most Dazzling National Style" would become popular nationwide. Few people dared to say such things, but Jiang Qian said it, and it turned out to be exactly as she predicted. "Most Dazzling National Style" became incredibly popular, played everywhere on streets and alleys.
This silenced those who wanted to see her eat her words.
"Heh, there's no compromise. It's all for the promotion of Erhu culture. As long as young people like to listen to it," Zhou Ningbin said with a nonchalant smile.
Hearing his words,
everyone present showed expressions of admiration.
This was a true veteran artist!
As long as young people liked to listen to it.
Only these veteran artists had such a realization, didn't they?
...
After a few words.
Zhou Ningbin and Zhang Wenqing returned to their seats.
"Next, please welcome Tingyu's singer, Zhao Zhicheng, to perform the competition entry!!"
The host stretched out the last syllable, making it last.
The audience's enthusiasm was instantly ignited.
They cheered thunderously in sync with his voice.
After about ten seconds, the host's face turned red. After exhausting his breath, he finally stopped.
"Damn it, isn't this host's personal bias a bit too obvious?" Xu Ming became annoyed seeing the host's differential treatment.
He had just been told by the God of Composition, Jiang Qian, that it was a matter of skill, which he couldn't refute. Now, the host was clearly favoring Tingyu, which was making him lose his composure.
Just then.
Everyone's attention was on the stage.
This time, Tingyu had chosen the Suona, meaning that besides the singer Zhao Zhicheng, there was also a Suona player. And who this person was, everyone present was very curious about.
As they were whispering, Su Yu walked down from his champion's throne.
When he arrived on stage and everyone saw the gleaming Suona in his hand, they were all stunned.
"No way?"
"Tingyu is playing it himself?"
"Does he even know how to play the Suona??"
"Holy crap, you should at least find a more professional one. What the hell can you play at that age..."
"It's over, it's over, Tingyu is going to mess up this time..."
"I can't bear to watch."
This was outrageous.
Originally, the audience thought that Tingyu would at least find a professional Suona player, but unexpectedly, he stepped up himself.
As everyone was discussing,
with a "snap!"
the stage plunged into darkness.
Everyone knew that this signified that this song, like the previous ones, also had its own core story.
After a brief wait,
the lights gradually illuminated.
It was a bridal chamber built with props.
Lanterns hung overhead, silk ribbons decorated the chamber, and candlelight flickered.
It was clearly an ancient wedding.
However, the scene, which should have been joyous, gave a slight sense of unease.
The performance began.
The audience gradually quieted down.
"囍" (Xi - Double Happiness)
Vocals: Zhao Zhicheng / Tingyu
Lyrics: Tingyu
Composition: Tingyu
On the big screen,
the background was red, with a three-dimensional "囍" character written on it. The font was somewhat peculiar, not perfectly square but rather elongated, with an arc at the top. The entire character looked familiar, but they couldn't recall what it resembled.
"囍? Is it a wedding?"
"As expected, I guessed it earlier. When the Suona sounds, it's either sending someone off to the afterlife or for a wedding ceremony. It seems Tingyu is planning to go for a cheerful route this time."
"A wedding theme is also good. Everyone can have some fun, and it can be used for weddings in the future."
"Haha, is Tingyu doing this for the newlyweds? That sounds pretty good."
"However, just a wedding, it's not very novel..."
Seeing this scene,
the audience in the live stream discussed in the bullet comments.
Although the wedding theme was too common, the Suona had limitations, and there weren't many other good themes. Everyone expressed understanding, and having some fun was acceptable.
...
ps: Please don't scold me yet. The next chapter has already been written, but I'm not satisfied with the feeling it conveys, so I plan to revise it. Please wait one more day, thank you for your understanding...