Principal Tang Deserved This Tune!

The Li Family Band had arrived, with eight suonas leading the way.

As the only younger relative left, Juan'er knelt to welcome them.

Everyone at the funeral looked at the members of the Li Family Band with excitement on their faces.

Eight suonas, personally played by Li Hongzheng—eight suonas!

That was a rare sight.

Besides, given Principal Tang's deeds and character, everyone felt that she deserved an eight-suona procession to see her off!

At that moment,

Facing Juan'er's kneeling salute, Li Hongzheng solemnly stepped forward and helped her up. The moment she rose, Juan'er burst into loud sobs.

That small gesture from Band Leader Li immediately brought many people to tears.

Li Hongzheng then sighed and entered the mourning hall, walking up to Tang Ying's portrait.

He lit three sticks of incense for Tang Ying and bowed three times before the portrait.

After that,

He led his seven disciples to the tables and chairs that had long been prepared nearby.

There happened to be eight chairs, and the eight of them took their seats in turn.

At that moment, apart from those eight people, everyone else at the funeral remained standing.

Yet none of the townspeople felt that there was anything inappropriate about it.

That was the rule as well!

Without wasting any time, Li Hongzheng swept his gaze over his disciples, raised the suona in his hand, opened his mouth, and shouted:

"Sorrowful Mountain Tune, play!"

At ordinary funerals, suona players generally performed either the Sorrowful Mountain Tune or the Opening Tune.

Between the two,

The Sorrowful Mountain Tune had a more solemn and sorrowful rhythm!

Boom!!

The instant his words fell, a heavy drumbeat exploded beside everyone's ears!

Then, the suona, flute, erhu, sheng, and a total of eight instruments began playing together!

Among them, the suona was the most piercing!

A soaring blast from the suona opened the piece, then quickly drew back, its tone gradually sinking lower.

It slowly blended with the other instruments, forming a solemn and mournful ensemble!

At that moment, the flute was no longer gentle and graceful, but bold and rugged!

Together with the other instruments, it carried an unusual strength and vigor!

The drumbeats quickened once more,

And the suona's sound surged straight into the heavens again!

The other instruments also became sorrowful and powerful!

Whether in sight or sound, it delivered an immense impact!

Everyone present was drawn into the Sorrowful Mountain Tune, feeling the mournful yet solemn force within it!

Even Su Chen, who had already mastered the art of the suona, could clearly feel goosebumps rising as he stood some distance away. That domineering, mournful aura carried a unique penetrating power!

Eight suonas led the way!

Even the King of Hell and his little ghosts would tremble in fear!

Once the ensemble ended, the suonas began playing low, sorrowful notes and a mournful melody.

Its sobbing strains drew out many low cries of grief.

Everyone felt their eyes sting terribly and kept rubbing them.

The sorrowful and mournful tune finally came to an end.

Many who recalled Principal Tang's kindness in life were already streaming with tears.

Many more only felt a tightness in their chests, as if something inside them could not be released.

It was unbearably stifling!

The Li Family Band stopped playing. Li Hongzheng looked at Principal Tang's portrait and let out a deep sigh.

Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix was, in the end, still a regret!

Just then,

While everyone was still immersed in the lingering sorrow and grief of the Sorrowful Mountain Tune, a figure slowly walked out along the path the crowd had earlier made way for!

That figure was Su Chen. His expression was stern, his chin slightly raised, and an imposing aura radiated from him without any need for anger!

The aura of a master of traditional Chinese music made him seem heroic, sonorous, and powerful!

The eight-suona procession had concluded. Next, it was time for him to fulfill the mission's requirement.

At Principal Tang's funeral, he would play Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!!

A young man suddenly stepping onto the path reserved for welcoming musicians immediately caught the attention of those around him.

"Who is that? Why did he step onto the path for welcoming musicians?"

"Could he be some ignorant young man?"

"Wait, something's off. Look at what he's holding."

"A black-handled black-gold suona! Could that young man be a suona player too?"

"Suona performances come in groups of four or eight. Who has ever seen someone walk onto the field alone with a suona?"

For a moment, everyone around him cast doubtful and shocked looks his way, murmuring among themselves.

Under the crowd's astonished and suspicious gazes, Su Chen had already taken out the black-handled black-gold suona. With a grave expression, he walked along the musician's path beneath his feet toward the mourning hall!

Juan'er, standing at the entrance to the mourning hall, was stunned by the sight!

Who was this young man?

Why was he just walking over like that?

And what did the suona in his hand mean?

This scene also caught Li Hongzheng's attention inside the mourning hall, and he immediately frowned.

What was this kid trying to do?

He was actually carrying a suona and walking the same path Li Hongzheng had just taken.

Su Chen looked young, yet his temperament was extraordinary, carrying something of a master's bearing.

Every movement he made possessed its own charm.

But this was Principal Tang's funeral. The path for welcoming musicians was not something just anyone could walk!

Before anyone else could react, Li Hongzheng was the first to step out of the mourning hall. Frowning, he asked:

"Who are you?"

What Su Chen said next made his scalp go numb, as though his mind had gone completely blank!

"Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix is a tune of profound mourning!

It is a tune passed down by our ancestors, one only a deceased person of great virtue and prestige deserves!"

Su Chen's voice was magnetic. Perhaps because of his unique breathing technique, it was also resounding and highly penetrating!

The area around the funeral was silent.

Nearly everyone at the funeral could hear him!

Inside the mourning hall, several elderly men changed expression upon hearing those words!

They staggered out and stared at the young man standing outside the mourning hall. Their eyes were filled with shock and suspicion, their clouded old eyes fixed firmly on Su Chen!

Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

A tune that had been lost for ages!

Even Li Hongzheng, the leader of the Li Family Band who had resigned from the National Theatre, could not play that piece, Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

And now, at Principal Tang's funeral, such a young man had appeared and claimed that he would perform Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!?

How could everyone not be shocked!

Surprise and doubt intertwined in their hearts. The aura radiating from Su Chen possessed something unique that did not belong to someone his age. Even Band Leader Li seemed somewhat inferior before that presence!

Li Hongzheng stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at him!

He found it utterly unbelievable. How could someone so young possibly play a tune that had been lost for decades?

That was impossible!

Su Chen continued:

"More than ten years of poverty and hardship, more than ten years of teaching by word and example—over these years, everyone has seen what Principal Tang did for Huayi Town!

There is no need for me to say more about Principal Tang. All of you surely know far more than I do, and understand her far better!

I promised her that I would use Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix to see her off!

Principal Tang deserved this tune!"

As Su Chen's words fell, the entire funeral went deathly silent!

Everyone felt their scalps go numb!

A tune lost for decades!

Could it truly be played at Principal Tang's funeral?!

Su Chen met Li Hongzheng's gaze, his expression solemn.

The next moment,

Band Leader Li's eyes reddened. Under everyone's astonished and doubtful gazes, he actually stepped aside.

PS:

A double update delivered late at night. My hair was really about to fall out.

Emmm.

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