Chapter 058: Divine Refinement, Third Point [Song Selection]

In front of the grand northern staircase adorned with eighty-eight pearl strings, surrounded by coconut and palm trees and other tropical flora, the nearly white sands stretched out beneath the blazing sun. Even though it was already October, the thousands of agents gathered here felt their bodies burning with heat.

What drives an agent? The reasons are many: a strong physique, indomitable will, service to the nation, mastering new skills, ambitions for promotion and wealth, the honor of taking down criminals, and more. In essence, it all revolves around the pursuit of fame and fortune. Therefore, when Le Xiaotian, the heroic figure from Fama, made his promise, their spirits ignited.

Le Xiaotian glanced around, his tone and expression softening. "Now, let us proceed to select the piece."

Beside him, Bi Muyang scoffed, "I may not know much about conducting, but surely the first step is to choose the repertoire? Why would you have us pick for you?"

Turning to face him, Le Xiaotian replied calmly, "Speaking ill of your superior, give him thirty slaps."

"You dare! I'll kill you!" To be slapped in front of everyone—he was a major general, his uncle a commander, surrounded by soldiers with ranks far below his own, and his secret crush stood nearby. All this pushed Bi Muyang beyond rage, shattering his composure.

Yet Le Xiaotian looked instead to the two female adjutants beside him. "What is it? Do you not dare? Are you defying orders, or must I do it myself?"

The two adjutants hesitated. The sudden change in command was almost theatrical. As subordinates of Qin Bufan, they truly hesitated to strike Bi Muyang’s face before so many.

Finally, as Bi Muyang drew his gun, Qin Bufan stepped forward and delivered a resounding slap.

Smack!

Bi Muyang was stunned, bewildered—his own uncle was striking him!

Smack, smack, smack!

The blows continued, disorienting Bi Muyang until he could no longer tell east from west, blood already seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Watching the scene, Le Xiaotian’s eyes narrowed. Qin Bufan’s motives seemed off; was Bi Muyang his favored subordinate, or was there some private relationship?

He paid it little mind—at most, it was another episode of winning over Denbo. With that, Le Xiaotian watched quietly as the slapping continued.

When the ordeal ended, Le Xiaotian knew his simple display of authority had achieved its purpose.

He signaled to Chen Fang in the car to bring out the speakers, then waved to the thousands of agents, "Sit down. I did not choose the piece first because this battle performance is unlike any other. The effect I seek is to ignite your best fighting spirit. The scores for the pieces I’ve chosen are ready. Just listen to the music. Understood?"

A major general had been slapped before them; Le Xiaotian now held power, and no one dared challenge him.

So, thousands of agents seated themselves on the sand, responding solemnly, "Understood, sir."

Taking the speaker from Chen Fang and setting it aside, Le Xiaotian began to play the prepared music.

A chorus of ethereal voices soared through the air.

He pressed pause. "Who knows the name of this piece?" he asked, scanning the crowd and pointing to a soldier with his hand raised. "You, speak."

The soldier stood and replied, "Sir, this is 'For the Win,' your own composition published on Tianlai Online."

Le Xiaotian nodded, motioning for him to sit. "Good. Now, let us appreciate this piece wholeheartedly. Afterwards, we’ll decide."

He pressed play again.

The soprano climbed higher and higher, the rhythm wild and relentless, the melody charging forward, tinged with a note of tragic grandeur. The agents were entranced.

When it ended, Le Xiaotian asked, "Who wishes to perform this piece? Raise your hand."

He observed them, nodded, "Good, hands down. Let’s listen to the next one."

He pressed play again. A new piece began.

"Blare, blare, toot, toot!" The trumpets sounded a glorious call to battle, their penetrating notes piercing the sky.

Pause.

Le Xiaotian pointed at another soldier, "Do you know what this music is?"

The soldier replied excitedly, "'March of the Volunteers.' According to your introduction, sir, the lyrics version of this piece is a battle song on the level of a national anthem."

Another soldier asked, "Sir, why don’t we just perform our national anthem, 'Invincible'?"

Le Xiaotian smiled. "To outsiders, judging music is simply a matter of composition. But they don’t understand that performance is the true soul. Without performance, even legendary pieces are worthless paper. We’re not playing your national anthem because Denbo and Zhang Hao would also be inspired. The selection depends on you, as you are the protagonists of this battle performance. Do you follow?"

As the soldiers only half understood, Le Xiaotian continued playing "March of the Volunteers."

The grand drums and snare drums exploded, joined by trumpets, trombones, and tubas piercing through. This was the orchestration of military music—drums and brass at its core.

In parades, triumphal returns, and welcoming ceremonies, the drum and brass bands were always the centerpiece.

When the piece ended, Le Xiaotian again had the soldiers raise their hands.

One after another, the legendary pieces played, and Le Xiaotian judged the agents' mental states from every angle.

There is no best, only what is suitable. The purpose of this battle performance was to stir their fighting spirit, so their voice mattered most.

"Sir, this is the epic music 'Shadowfall.'"

"Do you know the history of this piece? Do you understand the introduction I posted on Tianlai Online? If not, you won’t be deeply moved. So when you raise your hand, consider this factor. Understood?"

"Sir, this is the anime soundtrack 'Awakening.'"

"Are your blood boiling? Is your mind still clear? If you still have reason left, keep that in mind when raising your hand. Understood?"

"Sir, this is the epic music 'Victory.'"

"Very good, excellent—raise your hands to vote, not your feet."

With each legendary piece played, the agents were awestruck.

Ever since learning that the crippled man who dared rebuke Commander Qin was Le Xiaotian, they seized the chance to look him up online.

A rare singer and host, who with the legendary song "Peerless Beauty" had saved Dr. Chen beside him.

Creator of mythical listening rates, whose serialized "Journey to the West" left millions of fans begging for updates when interrupted.

A national broadcast sensation, with over 95% listening rate—a catalyst for the Star Tower incident.

In just a month or two, nearly a hundred legendary songs in every style, each met with rave reviews, with every one of his nine Phoenix concerts sold out.

Yet, for his fierce criticism and the performance of "May We Live Long," he had triggered the Star Tower incident.

So, many still cursed him online.

But now, regardless of public opinion, the agents here were completely captivated by his talent and presence.

After the final selection, as dozens of female adjutants and agents distributed the sheet music for "Victory," Le Xiaotian called out loudly, "The battle anthem is decided. Whatever your instrument, take your matching score. In three hours, we commence the selection of musicians."