A Song of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix! (Seeking Rewards! Thanks to the First Guardian: The Fool's Reward!)

Under everyone's gaze, Li Hongzheng took a solemn step to the side!

He believed that the deceased were paramount, and no one would dare to joke before the spirit tablet.

He was even more inclined to believe that this young man, who possessed a more unique aura than himself, could play the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

Li Hongzheng said in a low voice:

"No matter who you are, since you are going to play the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, I respect you!"

Seeing this, Su Chen nodded slightly, then walked straight towards the mourning hall!

With one step forward, It signified Li Hongzheng's approval!

With two steps forward, All the members of the Li Family Band in front of the mourning hall stood up!

Everyone stared blankly at everything happening before them, not yet having reacted.

With three steps forward, Finally, the elders in the mourning hall were the first to react, knowing what this represented!

Elder Bai quickly, with his trembling body, walked into the mourning hall and, with a flushed face, shouted towards the outside of the mourning hall:

"Filial sons and daughters, chief mourners!

Perform the master's welcoming ceremony!!"

His hoarse voice, mixed with irrepressible excitement!

His deep, weathered voice, paired with his hoarse tone, carried a solemn sense of ritual!

Everyone's expression changed!

Li Hongzheng also clenched his fists, staring at Su Chen as he walked step by step towards the mourning hall!

The last time he witnessed such a scene and heard the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix played was decades ago!

This long-lost piece, the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, had always been his regret!

The Eight-stage funeral procession leading the way, playing the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, was the highest form of welcoming a master!

Four stages were for bowing in greeting, Eight stages were for family members to kneel in reverence, For the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, all guests would perform the three kowtows!

When they heard the call for the master's welcoming ceremony, everyone present finally realized something!

This young man was going to play that long-lost piece, the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

Many elders stood up excitedly, their eyes fixed on Su Chen, afraid of missing any detail!

This piece had been lost for too long; only the older generation, like Elder Bai, whose hair had turned white, had witnessed the scene of the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix.

The younger generation's faces became even more excited and expectant. They quickly widened their eyes, also afraid of missing the piece that the older generation had talked about their entire lives!

Today, they were finally going to see it!

On the mourning hall stage, a few villagers had moved a Grand Tutor's Chair from somewhere.

This Grand Tutor's Chair was large, with an ancient backrest and armrests forming an enclosure!

It was quite an antique; it had been in the school back then and had never been moved.

Now, it was placed beside the coffin, waiting for Su Chen to take his seat!

Su Chen walked forward slowly, took a few sticks of incense, and bowed deeply towards Tang Ying's portrait!

Then, he offered the incense!

Under everyone's gaze, he steadily sat down in the Grand Tutor's Chair!

This was the only piece of antique furniture named after an official position, symbolizing extraordinary significance and exuding an overbearing aura.

But after Su Chen sat on it, it didn't feel out of place at all; instead, it gave the impression that the Grand Tutor's Chair was where it was meant to be!

His aura radiated naturally, and combined with the Grand Tutor's Chair, it presented the image of a master!

At this moment, Standing in the mourning hall, Elder Bai's face became even more flushed with excitement. He gathered all his strength and, almost roaring, shouted towards the outside of the mourning hall:

"Kowtow!!~"

Thump!

Juan'er, who had been standing at the entrance of the mourning hall in a daze, heard this powerful kowtow and her legs immediately went weak, causing her to kneel down!

Tears inexplicably began to well up in my eyes.

Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

Guests arriving are all kneeling in reverence!

Everyone finally reacted!

Outside the mourning hall, on a hillside not far away, Nearly a thousand of Principal Tang's former students, realizing what was happening, began to kneel one after another towards the mourning hall!

Patches of white figures started to kneel rapidly, row after row. The sea of white figures that had been visible just a moment ago was now kneeling down in waves!

Youngsters and children who didn't understand what was going on were quickly pulled down to kneel by the adults around them, who were also in mourning attire.

Nearly a thousand people in white mourning clothes and hats, kneeling in succession, covered half the mountainside!

The magnificent scene on the entire mountainside moved the elders in the mourning hall to tears!

Tears streamed down their wrinkled faces!

It's been decades!

The scene of filial sons and virtuous descendants filling the mountain with their kneeling had reappeared!

The scene from back then seemed to perfectly align with the scene today.

Rough, old hands wiped away tears, and their vision cleared.

Everything was the same.

Except, the suona player was different!

But, Regardless, it was the same tune, the same craftsmanship.

The same, Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

This scene deeply impacted Su Chen.

The suona in his hands seemed to have become a little heavier at this moment.

Outside the mourning hall, Li Hongzheng, standing to the side, stared intently at Su Chen.

Unlike others who were moved by the meaning of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

He was more excited and gratified.

Excited that a suona player could play Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix;

Gratified that there was still someone in Huayi Town who could match Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!

And

Anticipation for the piece itself!

The suona has eight holes: seven in front and one in the back;

Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix has eight movements, corresponding to its variations.

Dozens of bird calls, forming a narrative grand piece with eight short movements!

Suddenly, a hoarse and mournful voice echoed from the mourning hall again:

"

Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, A send-off for the departed!

"

As the words fell, the entire funeral fell into a deathly silence!

Everyone kneeling on the ground held their breath in anticipation!

Li Hongzheng unconsciously straightened his back and stood with his hands behind him.

His gaze on Su Chen seemed to recall the blind master from years ago.

"When the suona plays, the birds become king."

He whispered softly to himself.

As soon as he finished speaking, A mournful and low sound blew from the suona bowl of Su Chen, who was seated in the Grand Tutor's Chair in the mourning hall!

Unlike the usual high-pitched and loud sounds of the suona, this time the tone was exceptionally low and steady!

The subtle sound, like a wisp of thread, was the most captivating to the heart!

Everyone calmed down, listening to this thread-like sound.

The entire world seemed to fall silent.

Outside the mourning hall.

The people kneeling on the ground were like accumulated snow, covering the entire mountaintop!

The subtle sound was like a melody on the heartstrings of everyone present, evoking memories of Principal Tang in each person's mind. The mournful sound flowed endlessly from their hearts.

The mountain wind blew, rustling the spirit banners in the school, making a hua hua sound.

Juan'er, kneeling at the entrance of the mourning hall, was now weeping uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

A mournful melody flowed within her heart!

It seemed to be the loneliness of eighteen years of persistence, a sigh for unfulfilled wishes, or perhaps guilt towards loved ones from before his passing.

Principal Tang, whom everyone regarded as a highly respected figure, was his aunt whom he hadn't seen much due to the vast distance, making them strangers.

Listening to this tune now, She felt an incredibly close connection, as if they had been together for many years.

Her tears couldn't help but fall, her knees pressed tightly to the ground. It felt like a lump in her throat, suppressing her sobs!

Beside her, the two children kneeling next to her, seeing their mother weeping profusely, were overcome with sorrow and began to cry as well~

In the distance, All the people kneeling on the ground slowly straightened their backs, looking towards the mourning hall.

At the end of their gaze was either the black-handled, dark-gold-mouthed suona, or the young man with a solemn expression.

Or perhaps, Principal Tang, resting eternally in the coffin.

After decades, Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix sounded again in Huayi Town!

Li Hongzheng's eyes turned red.

There was a saying circulating in town earlier:

To have Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix played at one's funeral was a matter of bringing glory to one's ancestors.

A single piece of music, priceless!

This piece of music, Truly couldn't be bought.

The music, though seemingly soft, was actually incredibly varied.

The techniques used were complex and ever-changing.

Most importantly, This melody stirred everyone's emotions, making them weep for Principal Tang.

This was the marvel and the exquisite artistry!

A moment later, The suona's sound suddenly changed!

The sound became sorrowful and high-pitched, its momentum soaring instantly!

It had great penetration, as if it could shake one's very soul!

Within the mournful yet soaring melody, a new strength emerged.

As the melody gradually subsided, sounds resembling bird calls began to ring out, lifelike bird sounds of various sizes and types!

Sometimes a desolate, mournful cry, sometimes a slightly cheerful one.

In just a few melodic phrases, the changing bird calls reached dozens!

This shocked countless elders!

Li Hongzheng subconsciously raised his head, even suspecting that birds had flown near!

His blind master had once said:

Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, when played to its extreme in legend, would attract the birds of the season!

He looked up.

In the sky, there were no birds.

Instantly, He let out a self-deprecating sigh.

It was already surprising that this young man could play Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix.

How could one expect perfection?

His blind master also said, That was just a legend, Not to be taken seriously!

The melody in his ears, the sorrowful thoughts.

At this moment, it seemed to become even more solemn.

Suddenly, His gaze inadvertently fell upon a branch not far away, His expression immediately froze.

Then, His entire demeanor changed drastically, his pupils trembling!!

PS:

Wahaha, the patrons are so generous!

My goodness.

This is also the first Protector in my writing career!

Idiot!

Respectfully accepting the patron's reward! Crying tears of joy!

Welcoming the new Helmsman: My reward! So nice!

Thank you Zhenxiang~Ya, Ren Zhong Qu San, Hao Ming Chen, Tan Lang, and Zhe, five patrons for your rewards and monthly passes!

Patrons are generous, may your wealth flow abundantly!!!

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