Chapter 066: Composing Lyrics for an Impromptu Piece

Honor the departed! Light a wishing lantern for the dead!

As millions upon millions witnessed this moment, everyone felt an overwhelming sense of awe, and immediately set about lighting their lanterns. On the streets, along the rivers, in the plazas, in every designated area—across Fama, in every city where rain had not fallen—wishing lanterns ignited everywhere.

Under the watchful supervision of the fire department, countless wishing lanterns illuminated the night sky, making Fama breathtakingly beautiful.

Meanwhile, on thousands of laptops, mobile phones, and optical computers, the same figure dominated every screen—Le Xiaotian.

Now, in the video, he had wheeled out a piano, and atop its lid lay dozens of different instruments. He was about to perform multiple renditions of “Affection Across Time” (Kaoru Wada’s classic soundtrack from Inuyasha; feel free to search for your favorite version).

But that wasn’t all—Fama was boiling with excitement once again!

“Incredible! To honor the dead is easy to say, but who among us can possess a heart as vast as the ocean, like Teacher Xiaotian?”

“To champion virtue is to invite hypocrisy; to champion evil is to invite true wickedness. This is an age-old philosophical dilemma.”

“Indeed, our understanding of ‘The Nameless Water’ falls far short. No wonder we can’t become geniuses like Teacher Xiaotian.”

“Exactly. I used to have my reservations about Teacher Xiaotian, but now I am thoroughly convinced.”

“His heart is so open and generous—he’s truly a genius conductor! He’s a blessing to the world of music!”

“Let us too be devout for once, let go of hatred, and remember the dead—only a divine melody can cleanse our souls!”

In the video, Le Xiaotian sat before a black piano. With his right hand, he opened a music box. As its clear, delicate notes rang out, he placed both hands on the keys. His ten fingers danced, his body moved with effortless grace, his posture elegant, his expression grave and intent.

At this, people began to weep once more.

“That’s it—Teacher Xiaotian wants us to cry our hearts out tonight.”

“Exactly, I’ve heard his original version before. Even without a string section, it’s still beautiful.”

“Has Teacher Xiaotian released this piece before?”

“Of course—he’s the most diligent of all, posting more than a dozen new pieces every day.”

“Sigh, if only we could watch him conduct in person.”

“What are you thinking? Be content. At least, for the next hour, we can dance to our heart’s content.”

Before long, as Le Xiaotian quietly played in the honeymoon suite of the Blue Moon Hotel, dancers appeared all across Fama. People forgot their worries and sorrows, experiencing only a sense of spiritual clarity and innocence.

The same melody, different instruments—after finishing the piano and music box duet, Le Xiaotian launched into a remix version. At the mixing console, he nodded and tapped his feet, hands rubbing together, his whole body moving to the rhythm. The addition of drums and his expressive body language infected everyone in Fama.

For in human communication, body language is truly key.

And since no one in Fama had ever heard of Inuyasha, everyone found their own meaning in the music.

The once pure atmosphere of sorrow gradually faded. A sense of lightness and beauty crept in, as if, after despair, there had been a rebirth—souls cleansed of their troubles. All of Fama danced.

In the studio of Lotus TV, everyone was in shock—Director Tang, Li Hongmei, Zhao Guozhou, Huang Qiang, and others were deeply moved. They had been among the first to encounter Le Xiaotian, and thus their astonishment ran even deeper.

In the Black Palace, the Empress, her ministers, and the top officials of Fama were equally stunned.

Le Xiaotian was beyond human—for he had accomplished what mortals could not.

The president of Illusion Media wept tears of joy, for their platform had crashed! Without any prior promotion, in just over an hour, Le Xiaotian’s video had shattered all their records.

A mythic first place in ratings!

A mythic first place in views!

A mythic first place in comments!

A mythic record for unanimous praise!

A mythic surge in clicks and comments!

In order to watch the video early, seventy million users subscribed for premium membership. That alone exceeded the platform’s total membership over the past five years!

In less than two hours, the revenue from this single video surpassed the total earnings from two million other videos on the platform!

After the remix version ended, the harp version began. The elegant, noble pedal harp, with its forty-seven steel and gut strings, gleamed as Le Xiaotian’s ten fingers plucked its chords.

The incomparable tone, broad range, lingering resonance—though not loud, it was as soft as a rainbow, poetic and full of grace.

Its rich depth and exquisite timbre brought out a unique beauty in “Affection Across Time.”

Violin, viola, cello, shakuhachi, flute, whistle, finger whistle—he played each in turn, including various body percussion instruments.

This impromptu performance achieved effects beyond anyone’s imagination, including Le Xiaotian’s own.

After all, as the grand dance conductor of the universe, he could never let a piece of music remain on the surface.

A billion ways to perform meant a billion shades of beauty—this was true music.

Music is not only entertainment, but also the most direct, sincere, and perfect expression of emotion.

After dozens of variations, the people of Fama awaited what would come next.

At this point, Le Xiaotian solemnly recited a new oath, adapted from the Night’s Watch: “As the Dark Star descends, from this day I stand watch, until death ends my vigil. I will not compromise, nor negotiate, nor flee. I seek no crown, nor crave glory. I will cut down all evil, heedless of life or death. I am the Grand Dance Conductor of the Celestial Realm. I am the flame against the cold, the light at dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the heavens. Tonight, I bestow my life and honor upon the people of Fama.”

Stunned—utterly stunned—everyone in Fama was left speechless.

He actually proclaimed himself the Guardian Deity of the Heavens—what audacity!

It was not Fama that honored him, but he who bestowed glory upon Fama!

The Empress herself trembled. Le Xiaotian’s challenge still stood—if his upcoming performance failed, he would likely become Fama’s greatest hero.

But judging from tonight’s impromptu display, it seemed unlikely he would fail.

If he did not, he would participate in the Grand Competition on his own behalf. In such a case, what should be done?

Meanwhile, in the honeymoon suite of the Blue Moon Hotel, Le Xiaotian had already finished recording and was coaxing Chen Fang to sleep.

But now, he walked to the door, opened it, and found a sea of faces.

Letting out a long sigh, he said, “It’s late. Everyone, go home and rest.”

With that, he returned to the room.

When soothing Chen Fang proved fruitless, he turned his thoughts to selecting musicians for tomorrow.

After all, he’d been interrupted earlier, making for a long and eventful day.