I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 216: 217: No More Pretense, I'm a Rhythm Grandmaster Out in the Open

“Indeed, the Immortal’s qin skills have improved since before, after this piece, I feel my own state of mind has become much clearer.”

“Yes, this piece has enhanced my understanding, and many puzzling ailments have been effortlessly resolved. Upon returning, just a bit more contemplation will surely strengthen my power again!”

“It’s a pity, though, that there always exist yokels who know nothing of music, ruining the pleasure of our qin appreciation. It really spoils the scene.”

“Exactly, I always thought the saying ‘playing the lute to a cow’ was merely a tale, but today I’ve actually witnessed it in the flesh. What an eye-opener!”

The cultivators were, naturally, full of nothing but praise for Xi Yao’s qin music, however, they were quite annoyed with Li Xiaobai for his mood-killing, unsophisticated behavior, showing very obvious hostility.

Li Xiaobai scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Indeed, he had fallen asleep just now.

It seemed that this group of cultivators, in their attempt to curry favor with Xi Yao, had turned their spears towards him.

“Young Master Li, what do you think of Xi Yao’s qin music just now?”

Xi Yao asked with a smile.

“The Immortal jests. This Li Xiaobai is but a country bumpkin who does not understand music. I’m afraid it was a case of ‘playing the lute to a cow’ just now for the Immortal.”

“Indeed, there are always those who love to ride on others’ coattails, mingling among us, yet never considering whether they are worthy or not.”

A cultivator spoke out, full of sarcasm and mockery towards Li Xiaobai.

Li Xiaobai spoke earnestly, “The Immortal’s qin music is melodious and lingering, sometimes lively, sometimes indulgent, seemingly telling a poignant and moving story. Although I do not understand music, I was truly lost in it.”

As soon as this was said, there was a deafening silence. They had a whole new understanding of Li Xiaobai. Damn it, he was just too shameless!

Xi Yao had black lines all over her forehead—didn’t you, sir, just fall asleep, your snoring thunderous? Where did you hear the melodious, tragic qin music?

And you claim you were so lost in it that you snored that loudly?

“Giggle, not bad. You mere mortals have not penetrated the essence of the Immortal’s qin music. You are only fixated on the superficial benefits and fail to see its soul’s depth. Only a genius like myself can perceive its core message.”

Ji Wuqing also came forward, shamelessly asserting this with a straight face.

“Indeed, the Path of Qin Music is one of the great paths. Enhancing understanding and improving cultivation level are just superficial phenomena. If one dwells in the surface, it’s inevitably shallow. Only by looking through the phenomena to see the essence is the ultimate goal we pursue!”

Li Xiaobai, with a calm expression, took a sip of tea and said.

Since others were mocking him, naturally, he had to strike back twice as hard.

Xi Yao was directly choked by his words; Li Xiaobai spoke so logically that if she hadn’t known he was asleep before, she almost would have believed him.

Zhen Qiankun and Artifact God were also speechless—this Li Xiaobai had quite the gift of gab, his words flowed in sets, even more eloquent than those cultivators who spent their days buttering up their superiors.

“Hehe, hearing Young Master Li speak, could it be that you have also dabbled in the ways of musical rhythm?”

A cultivator nearby said, full of mockery; he was from the Xingtian Sect and also one of Zhong Lingxiu’s suitors. He had been present at yesterday’s platform and could be said to loathe Li Xiaobai to the bone.

Although Xing Mohan was the Lesser Sect Master, his own strength was only considered upper-middle class within the sect and still fell short compared to the true geniuses.

Yet, because of his identity as the Lesser Sect Master, he held a high status within the sect.

“Who might you be?” asked Li Xiaobai.

“I am from the Xingtian Sect, Liu Ming!” the cultivator replied.

“Ah, so you’re a cultivator from the Xingtian Sect. Your discernment is indeed not ordinary, having recognized at a glance that I am well-versed in the way of music.”

Li Xiaobai nodded, his gaze toward the cultivator filled with apparent admiration.

Liu Ming was taken aback, he really hadn’t considered this possibility. Originally, he just wanted to humiliate the other party, but he had underestimated Li Xiaobai’s shamelessness. The guy actually admitted it outright.

“You were sleeping just now, don’t you have any sense of rhythm? You claim to be proficient in music, why don’t you ascend to the heavens?”

“Oh, I didn’t expect Young Master Li to be a master of music. It seems we are in for a treat today, being able to appreciate the works of two music masters is indeed a great joy in life, hahaha!”

“Yes, Young Master Li, please start your performance!”

The cultivators around burst into laughter, their mockery of Li Xiaobai obvious. Many of them had received Zhong Lingxiu’s instructions the day before, to target Li Xiaobai today and make him doubt his existence.

This was an excellent opportunity to curry favor with the Elixir Sect, and naturally, they wouldn’t let it pass.

What was happening now was merely an appetizer. The real regret for the other party would come later on the stage, when they demonstrated their learning to each other.

“Alas, as the ancients said, ‘Gold will shine no matter where it goes.’ I originally wanted to interact with you all as an ordinary person, but what I got in return was doubt and alienation. I’m not pretending anymore, I am a great grandmaster of music; I’ve laid my cards on the table!”

Li Xiaobai looked helpless, itching to take aim at everyone. Even Zhen Qiankun was full of suspicion. This guy was a bit quirky.

“Then please, Young Master Li, perform well and enlighten us!”

Liu Ming said, word by word.

“If you need it, Young Master, Xi Yao can lend you her guqin.”

Xi Yao spoke indifferently, feeling that Li Xiaobai was somewhat frivolous. Claiming to be a master of music was not something to be taken lightly, and even she wouldn’t dare to call herself a grandmaster. This man seemed to be overconfident.

“No need, I have my own instrument.”

Li Xiaobai waved his hand, quickly browsing through the marketplace.

A master of music was of course not a trivial claim. The music and qin music in this world were those of the ancient guqin, flowing melodically, very classical but also quite monotonous—the same type of music across the board.

In his own marketplace, he had a few pianos. Although he couldn’t play complex pieces, playing a simple ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ was very easy.

“[Steel Piano: Playing can slightly increase Spiritual Power. Playing for one minute consumes one superior-quality Spirit Stone. (Price: 300 superior-quality Spirit Stones).]”

“[Note: Playing too much may cause finger pain.]”

That’s the one!

With a flick of his wrist, a huge piano appeared on the ground in an instant, set in the clearing, becoming the focus of everyone’s attention.

They had never seen a piano before, a completely new musical instrument, different from anything they had seen before.

“This is Young Master Li’s instrument? Why has Xi Yao never seen it before?”

Xi Yao stared at the piano that resembled a small table, her beautiful eyes full of confusion and incomprehension.

“Immortal, do not be anxious, I am about to play a piece.”

Li Xiaobai said to the surrounding crowd with a cheerful smile, “Watch closely, and see how I do it.”

“I am all eyes.”

Liu Ming’s gaze was hostile, staring intently at Li Xiaobai, waiting for the moment he would make a fool of himself.

Li Xiaobai smiled, took a seat in front of the piano, opened the lid, and began to press a finger onto the keys.

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are…”