Chapter 34: Fairy Fan's Invitation

Not long after the first cultivator had departed, the crowd at the Heaven-Drunken Pavilion, whose thoughts had drifted far away, gradually returned to their senses.

The moment they regained their composure, they all instinctively turned their gazes toward the same spot: where Wang Chu stood. Previously, when these people looked at Wang Chu, their eyes were filled with contempt and disdain. But now, that contempt and disdain had vanished entirely, replaced by awe and shock.

The piece Wang Chu had played on his erhu had stirred such profound emotions, drawing them into memories against their will—a feat none of them had expected before listening. Even when Fairy Fan had sung earlier, it had merely touched their hearts and offered some slight aid to their cultivation; it had never reached the level where one would unknowingly lose themselves in memory, the way they had while listening to Wang Chu.

"Good heavens! This lad who sells coffins can actually play the erhu, and so well at that! It’s simply peerless!"

"To hear this performance today... this trip to the Heaven-Drunken Pavilion was truly worth it."

"Wait, is he really just a coffin seller from Ling City? That can't be, can it?"

"To be precise, he’s not just a coffin seller; he’s the owner of a shop that handles funerals and weddings. I believe it was him who was hired to manage the festivities for my second aunt's uncle's daughter's friend's family."

"If I had known, I should have hired this gentleman to play the erhu for my second uncle's funeral. Ah, to think that here in Ling City, we have an erhu player of such caliber."

"What is the name of his shop? I must pay him a visit and ask for his services in the future."

"I believe his shop is called 'Red and White'."

...

Previously, when faced with the scornful or skeptical looks and remarks of the crowd, Wang Chu had remained expressionless. Now, faced with their flattery and admiration, he remained equally unruffled. He looked up at Fairy Fan, who stood before him with a hazy, dazed expression, and handed the erhu back to her, saying calmly, "Fairy Fan, I have embarrassed myself."

Fairy Fan subconsciously took the erhu. Only when the instrument was back in her hands did her eyes regain their clarity. "How did you do it, Young Master?"

"What?" Wang Chu didn't quite understand.

Fairy Fan patiently explained, "I mean, how did you learn this piece? Did you teach yourself?"

In Fairy Fan’s experience, it was nearly impossible for an ordinary person to master the music of the Sound Sect without joining the sect and systematically studying the scores. In all her years since joining the Sound Sect, she had rarely seen anyone who could rely on their own intuition to self-teach and perfectly perform a piece from their school on the erhu. Furthermore, for someone like Wang Chu to perform it so perfectly, reaching the realm of mastery and even adding his own unique artistic conception, was completely unheard of.

Unique artistic conception... that was a level she herself had not yet reached.

And yet, this mortal before her, who radiated no trace of spiritual energy, had achieved it with a single erhu... Could it be that this youth from Ling City was truly a one-in-a-billion musical genius?

As Fairy Fan wavered in shock and doubt, Wang Chu gave his answer: "Yes, I suppose you could say I taught myself."

Wang Chu had taken the songs he remembered from his past life, deconstructed them through immortal techniques, and then replicated them in this world. In a sense, he had indeed learned these pieces through self-study.

Upon hearing this, Fairy Fan took a deep breath. Although the answer was discouraging and hard to believe, she chose to accept it. After all, her master had once told her that there is always someone better, and a heaven beyond our heaven.

"I see. It seems I misjudged you, Young Master. I, Shu-Yun, apologize for my earlier offense. I hope you can forgive me."

"Your name is Fan Shu-Yun?" Wang Chu’s focus seemed to have shifted.

Fan Shu-Yun’s expression became somewhat unnatural. In her life, it seemed only her master addressed her so directly by her given name.

"Yes," Fairy Fan whispered, biting her lip.

All around them, the gazes of the crowd turned to envy. This was Fairy Fan—the high and mighty, the goddess-like Fairy Fan! For an ordinary cultivator, simply exchanging a few words with someone like her would be enough to boast about to their peers for decades. Yet Wang Chu, a mortal who sold coffins and candles in Ling City, had spoken so much with her. Not only had he received an apology, but he had also learned her full name! Such an encounter would incite jealousy even in the proudest geniuses of the top sects.

Beyond envy, the cultivators held Wang Chu in even higher regard. Had it been any of them, they would likely have faltered and averted their eyes while speaking to Fairy Fan. Yet Wang Chu remained consistent, unfazed by either humiliation or honor. Based on this poise alone, no one would dare doubt if someone claimed he was a hidden master from a top-tier power.

"Fan Shu-Yun, then..." Wang Chu stroked his chin. "Very well, I shall remember it."

Fan Shu-Yun looked into Wang Chu’s eyes and asked, "What is your name, Young Master?"

Wang Chu spoke softly: "Wang Chu. My name is Wang Chu."

Fan Shu-Yun smiled brilliantly. "I will remember it, too."

She fell silent for a moment before asking, "Young Master, have you joined any sect?"

Wang Chu looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Fan Shu-Yun did not beat around the bush and extended an invitation. "If you are not part of a sect, I would like to invite you to join the Sound Sect. I believe your talent is well-suited for the Path of Sound."

Wang Chu’s expression turned strange. He suppressed a laugh and replied, "Haha, never mind. I’m used to being idle; I’m not suited for immortal cultivation. It’s more comfortable to remain an ordinary person."

This exchange left the cultivators present in a state of utter shock.

"The piece Young Master Wang played was truly excellent, but to think it was good enough for Fairy Fan to personally invite him to join the Sound Sect!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This is an opportunity to ascend to the heavens in a single step."

"Indeed! The male cultivators who debut from the Sound Sect are immensely popular with the female cultivators; many would even exhaust their entire fortunes just to support their cultivation."

"Wang Chu actually refused? My god, this young man is far too irrational."

"What 'idle'? If he joined the Sound Sect, he’d have the chance to be near Fairy Nangong! That is Fairy Nangong we’re talking about!"

"If he doesn't want this opportunity, can he give it to me?"

...

It wasn't just the cultivators; Wang Chu’s answer left Fan Shu-Yun equally astonished. An invitation to the Sound Sect was something many would spend their entire lives fruitlessly seeking, yet this youth had dismissed it with such casual indifference. She recalled how, when her master had invited her to join the Sound Sect, she had been overjoyed for three full days...

"Young Master, won't you reconsider?" Fairy Fan asked, unwilling to give up.

Wang Chu’s answer remained firm: "No, thank you."