82: Master of the Way of the Qin

“His name is Long Yuan…”

“Long Yuan? His surname is Long… Could he be a descendant of the West Lake Long Family?” Li Gui asked.

The West Lake Long Family was a family of the Dao of Music that had produced several music stars, so Li Gui immediately thought of them. Moreover, since the West Lake Long Family was near Yingtian Prefecture, it was possible that Qi Huaiyi knew someone from that family.

“No, Long Yuan is someone I met when I went to Fengyang County in the southeast to investigate a case last time. He is not from a family of the Dao of Music.”

“Oh? Not from a family of the Dao of Music? Is he perhaps a disciple of a Great Master of the Dao of Music?” Li Gui asked again.

“As far as I know, he is currently studying in the Elementary Elite Class at Fengyang No. 1 High School, Cultivating the Martial Dao, and has no music teacher.”

“This… Could it be that he is self-taught? How is that possible? Such skillful zither playing, without the guidance of a Great Master and many years of hard practice, it’s impossible to reach such a super high Realm!” Li Gui stated emphatically.

“Super high Realm? Are you saying…” Qi Huaiyi was startled.

Li Gui loudly said, “Based on the level of zither playing Long Yuan displayed in the video, he can be called a Great Master! Much more formidable than the Spanish zither player I know!!! That zither player can only be considered professional in front of him…”

“What? Great Master level?! Are you… sure?” Qi Huaiyi exclaimed in disbelief.

“Of course, I’m sure! With my discernment and appraisal standards, I can guarantee that Long Yuan’s level is even more outstanding than those so-called Great Masters. However, to say he can reach the Saint Hand level would require more fellow Dao practitioners to jointly evaluate!” Li Gui sighed.

“Good heavens… This is too unbelievable! He’s only 16 years old…” Qi Huaiyi said in surprise.

“16 years old… Great Master level! No, I must see him immediately. My Southern Music Bureau wants him!!!” Li Gui said excitedly.

“Brother Qi, wait!” Qi Huaiyi called out.

“Oh?!” Li Gui was startled.

“Brother Li, this person cannot join the Royal Music Bureau!”

“Why is that? With such a young Genius in the Dao of Music, besides our Royal Music Bureau, which other music force can support him? Or is he already a member of some civilian music force? But didn’t you say he studies at Fengyang No. 1 High School?” Li Gui asked suspiciously. In his opinion, unless Long Yuan was cultivated by a civilian music force, he would definitely have to join the Royal Music Bureau. This was the highest affiliation for official music talents. Furthermore, he wanted to recruit Long Yuan because he greatly valued his talent in the Dao of Music, which is why he proactively suggested it. Otherwise, entering the Royal Music Bureau was not easy; it required many procedures, connections, background, funds, and luck. In short, the process was akin to overcoming many challenges, no different from a path to heaven for a musician…

Moreover, Li Gui actually had a misunderstanding in his heart, thinking that Qi Huaiyi came to him today possibly to recommend Long Yuan and have him recruit him into the Royal Music Bureau. He had to give him this Face, and after watching Long Yuan's performance, he gave it very readily, even genuinely wanting to see Long Yuan immediately and watch his performance in person…

“I will tell Brother Li more about Long Yuan later. However, I actually came today to ask you about the musical instrument in his hand…” Qi Huaiyi said.

“What? You only want to ask about this Spanish zither?” Li Gui suddenly realized.

“Yes! This is related to a case I’ve been investigating recently. I want to know when this kind of zither entered our Great Ming? Where does it usually go? How many Great Masters play this zither in Great Ming, and where are they now, etc…”

“This…” Li Gui was stunned for a moment, finally understanding Qi Huaiyi’s purpose for coming today. However, he absolutely refused to let go of Long Yuan, this suddenly appearing Genius of the Dao of Music.

“Oh, Brother Qi, I know your investigation is very important, but you also need to know that a Genius of the Dao of Music like Long Yuan is a promising talent that might not appear even among millions of people. Oh no, he is no longer a promising talent; at least in zither playing, he is already a Great Master! You should also understand how important such a person is to Great Ming. No matter what, you must tell me his situation, otherwise, I will go to Fengyang myself to find him. I believe someone there will recognize him!” Li Gui said relentlessly.

Qi Huaiyi couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this and said, “Brother Li is indeed a man of strong character. How about this, you tell me everything I need to know in detail, and then I will naturally introduce Long Yuan to you. What do you think?”

“No problem!”

“Then many thanks, Brother Li…”

The two got what they wanted and were both happy in the end. After Qi Huaiyi understood the basic situation of the Spanish zither, he already had a general idea in his mind, and Li Gui, after learning Long Yuan's basic information, was completely dumbfounded!

Although Qi Huaiyi did not reveal too many secrets to him, just the identity of a direct descendant of the Royal family deeply shocked Li Gui!

He immediately stopped talking about recruiting Long Yuan, but secretly, he closely followed the Fengyang Forum. He refused to miss any information about Long Yuan. Moreover, he and Qi Huaiyi had already agreed that if Qi Huaiyi were to go to Fengyang next, he would go with him to see…

Just as Qi Huaiyi had thought before coming to Li Gui, the Spanish zither, an foreign musical instrument, had not been in Great Ming for long. It was usually brought by members of foreign delegations. Not many people in Great Ming knew how to play it, and it was mainly used by foreign musicians.

These foreign musicians were often invited to perform, or invited by aristocratic families, powerful forces, or even royal palaces to perform. This indirectly confirmed Long Yuan's true origin. He could only have come from one of these places to have contact with these foreign Spanish zither Great Masters and learn this zither skill from them!

However, according to Li Gui, Long Yuan's zither skill was even much more formidable than those Spanish zither Great Masters he had seen, which left both of them extremely puzzled. Could it be that the Spanish zither teacher Long Yuan had encountered was a super Great Master?

Anyway, among the foreigners Li Gui knew, he really didn't think anyone was qualified to be Long Yuan's teacher.

Both of them finally suspected that this person was most likely in the Northern Capital, or perhaps had already left Great Ming and returned to their home country…

“To clarify this matter, why not ask my foreign friend, Justin!” Li Gui suddenly thought of someone.

“Justin? Are you referring to that music superstar from Snow Eagle Country?” Qi Huaiyi asked.

“Exactly, him! He recently plans to hold several concerts in Great Ming and will definitely contact me then. We can consult him to find out which Spanish zither Great Master is qualified to be Long Yuan's teacher!” Li Gui said.

“When is he coming to our Great Ming?”

“About a month from now!”

“A month? Alright, I will continue to investigate the case during this time. Please inform me promptly when he arrives.”

“No problem!”

Qi Huaiyi bid farewell to Li Gui and left the Southern Music Bureau, walking and pondering. Suddenly, he stopped, looked up at the roadside, and murmured, “Xuanji Tower?!”

…