Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 119 - 88: Moon Viewing Tower, Godsend Song! (Three more updates, please subscribe)

Chapter 119: Chapter 88: Moon Viewing Tower, Godsend Song! (Three more updates, please subscribe)

After the autumnal equinox, the Moon Worship Festival made Gucheng exceptionally lively.

Lu Qian and Liu Muqing arrived by boat, planning to attend tonight’s banquet at the Moon Viewing Tower.

"You really are idle, constantly calling me to Gucheng to play; today, I finally fulfilled your wish, yet why do you still seem unhappy?" Liu Muqing looked at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian naturally wouldn’t reveal the real reason, merely perfunctorily responded, "Jiang Jiuxian also followed us here."

Liu Muqing said, "Jiang Jiuxian is considered outstanding even in the Music Hall, with good family background and taste, admired by many women; why don’t you like him?"

Lu Qian retorted, "Zong Shichang’s family background isn’t bad either; why don’t I see you liking him?"

Liu Muqing was left speechless.

Lu Qian mused to herself, "Liking someone is just liking them, not liking them is just not liking them; there aren’t so many whys, and I don’t like the way Jiang Jiuxian looks at me, he’s no different from other men."

Liu Muqing shook her head, "I won’t argue with you; since we’re here, let’s not think about these needless worries today and just relax."

The Moon Viewing Tower, being a property of the Zong family, was crowded on its first five floors, but the top three floors were directly booked by Mr. Zong.

As the host, Zong Shichang had arrived early, and Zhao Xing, with Mountain Cat in tow, naturally followed.

"Mr. Zhao, how do I look now?" Zong Shichang asked.

Zhao Xing glanced at Zong Shichang fussing in front of the mirror, "Put on some more powder, and you could compete with the girls downstairs in singing opera."

"What do you mean?"

"Too flashy."

"..."

Zong Shichang, somewhat irritated, tousled his hair and took off his clothes, pacing back and forth in front of a bunch of fancy wardrobes.

Zhao Xing couldn’t stand it anymore, "What are you fussing about? Just be yourself as usual; how could you win over Miss Liu if you try too hard?"

"Just be natural, don’t try too hard. Treat her like you do other women, let things take their course, just be normal, and you’ll have beaten 90% of your rivals."

Zong Shichang turned and asked, "Will that really work?"

Zhao Xing replied, "Think about it, has it ever worked before? Since that’s the case, why keep doing the same thing? Change your style; you might just suit Miss Liu’s taste then."

Zong Shichang hesitated for a moment, but eventually, he took Zhao Xing’s advice and changed into a simpler outfit.

He has one good quality: he is amenable to good advice.

As long as he trusts and believes someone, he is very receptive to their suggestions.

Shortly thereafter, a servant announced that guests had begun to arrive.

Zong Shichang stopped fussing and started to greet guests.

.....

Zong Shichang’s small private banquet at the Moon Worship Festival also had nearly a hundred people.

However, based on closeness and status, those of lesser status were all on the lower floor.

Zong Shichang, holding a wine glass, made a circuit downstairs, toasting each table, and when he returned upstairs, his face was flushed and veins were visible.

After closing the doors and dropping the curtains between the upper and lower floors, the small booth on the top floor became quiet, separated from the boisterous singing and dancing below, with only the moon hanging high in the sky for everyone to admire.

Zong Shichang, seeing the longing looks from the crowd, immediately raised his wine glass and laughed, "The rouge and vulgar music downstairs don’t belong in a refined gathering. Today, I’ve invited friends from the Music Hall in our province to cheer us up; listen, everyone!"

Zhao Xing sat at the third seat on the left in the middle, with a small stage below him."

The stage was concealed by silk curtains; as they were drawn, the moon in the night sky was the first thing visible.

Then, two men and one woman appeared, wearing veils and playing music on either side; the men played horizontal harps, while the woman played the Liu Qin.

As smoke swirled, the three musicians disappeared, leaving only the singing and the sound of the instruments.

"The Emperor presides over the four seas, showing auspicious clouds every day. His virtue is as plentiful as clouds, blessing all people..."

As the music started, Lu Qian, with three dancers prepared in the swirling smoke, began dancing under the moonlight.

""’Yunmen,’ one of the ’Six Songs,’ to think Mr. Zong invited these Dance Masters and musicians who actually perform the real Divine Sacrificial Dance," Zhao Xing stared at the stage.+"

Divine Sacrificial Dance is also a type of war dance, performed jointly by musicians and Dance Masters, praising the ancient sages and offering sacrifices to their spirits.

’Yunmen’ honors the founder of the Fortune Dynasty from ancient times, Emperor Xia, praising his creation of all things and gathering of the people, with virtue as expansive as the clouds."

The peak version of ’Yunmen,’ requires twelve level-one musical officers, thirty-two level-one Dance Masters, and five hundred level-two to level-four Dance Masters and musicians

The effect is capable of summoning the ’True Spirit Dharma Body’ of Emperor Xia."

However, Zhao Xing had never seen it; supposedly, this war dance could summon the Dharma Body of Emperor Xia a long time ago, but even assembling the required numbers later did not work anymore."

However, simplified and lower versions of ’Yunmen’ also have various effects, like clarifying the mind or boosting morale, enhancing the stamina of warriors."

Some higher versions can even summon the True Spirits of some sages from the Xia Dynasty to exterminate demons and monsters."

All in all, this inspiring form of dance has developed a wide array of effects over time."

For example, Zhao Xing now felt it only solidified his Life Soul slightly, not much else."

The dance ended."

Lu Qian, along with the three dancers, Liu Muqing, and the other two musicians proceeded to perform the ’Thanksgiving.’

The audience, having prepared gifts, reciprocated with presents."

The Dance Masters and musicians receiving gifts would see this war dance enhanced."

No gifts were necessary; a simple return of thanks would do."

Lu Qian walked to Zhao Xing’s desk and gracefully performed a courtesy."