Chapter 61

Chapter 63: What Kind of Tune Is This? ~ The Third Update is Here!

Duan Mingyu raised his torch high, walking step by step with utmost caution toward the bonfire platform in the middle of the grass. As he solemnly extended the torch toward the pile of firewood, a bright flame suddenly soared into the air, and the crowd burst into cheers.

Several team members vied with each other to place their hunted game onto the tripod. Droplets of fat sizzled as they dripped into the fire, making a popping sound.

Yang Zhaoniang stared fixedly at the roasting rabbit without even blinking, her saliva threatening to breach her lips like the breaching of the Yellow River. This sight caused Yang Yanguang, who was meditating nearby, to shake his head incessantly.

"Come, come, everyone, drink up!" Xu Zuye raised his wine bowl, threw back his head, and took a large gulp. "Haha, I haven't drank this heartily in many years. Splendid! Another bowl!"

"Drink, drink, drink!"

For a time, the sound of clinking cups and bowls was endless.

"Brothers, just drinking like this is too dull. Why don't I go find a few maidens to sing some little tunes!" Wang Aiqing shouted vulgarly.

Wan Yanyan's pretty face flushed red, and she spat lightly, "Hmph, stinky men!"

Duan Mingyu also coughed. "Finding maidens is hardly necessary. Is there any brother who would like to sing a tune from his hometown to entertain everyone?"

A heavily bearded brute ran forward. "I will! I will!" With that, the brute began to roar, his high-decibel voice constantly testing the psychological bottom line of everyone present. Several team members were already shedding tears of grief. "Oh, my dear mother! Other people's singing costs money, but your singing costs lives!"

When the brute finally reached the climax of his song, he was decisively booted off the stage by the crowd.

"Why doesn't the young master sing one for us? The young master is a civilized person; he won't howl like that."

"Right, Young Master, sing one!" Countless voices chimed in in agreement. Duan Mingyu had no choice but to be pushed to the center with an innocent expression.

Duan Mingyu said, "Since everyone is in such high spirits, I will sing a song. This song is called *Peach Blossoms Blooming*. I dedicate it to my dear classmate Yanyan."

"Good! Good! Good!" The crowd jeered playfully.

A blush spread across Wan Yanyan's face as Duan Mingyu took down a short branch to use as a microphone. He cleared his throat: *Ahem! Ahem!*

"The warm spring breeze blows against my face,
Peach blossoms are blooming everywhere.
Birds on the branches are in pairs,
Lovers' hearts are bursting with joy.
Oh, oh, you are more wonderful than flowers,
Making me unable to forget you.
Oh, oh, autumn departs and spring returns,
Remember my love.
I am here waiting for you to return,
Waiting for you to come back and see the peach blossoms bloom.
I am here waiting for you to return,
Waiting for you to come back and pick those flowers.
I am here waiting for you to return,
Waiting for you to come back and wear the flowers for you.
I am here waiting for you to return,
Tasting hometown dishes, reunion brings boundless joy..."

Duan Mingyu bowed. "Thank you, thank you everyone for your support!"

Wan Yanyan was utterly bewildered. "This—what kind of tune is this?!"

The crowd smacked their lips. "We've never heard this style of singing before, but it sounds pretty good, quite novel!"

Yang Zhaoniang's eyes curved into crescents. "It sounds good! It sounds good! Sing another one!"

"That's right, Young Master. That little tune of yours was sung for Miss Wan, but we all heard it too! You can't show favoritism; sing one for the brothers as well," the crowd jeered once more.

"No way, another one?" Duan Mingyu was speechless. "Alright, I was singing to Yanyan just now, but didn't all of you listen in?"

"No way, no way, we just happened to overhear it!" Yang Zhaoniang said insidiously.

"Fine, I'll sing. Singing won't kill me. The next song is called *Farewell My Concubine*. I want to dedicate it to all my brothers, to showcase the dashing style of our generation of men!"

"Awoo! Roar!" Shrill, wolf-like howls echoed from the crowd.

Duan Mingyu cleared his throat and began to sing slowly. His song drifted across the grassland, stirring everyone's hearts and filling them with intense excitement.

"I stand in the howling wind,
Wishing I could sweep away all endless heartache.
Looking up at the azure firmament,
Clouds are stirring in all four directions.
Sword in hand,
I ask who is the hero beneath the heavens.
There are a hundred charms and thousand graces in the mortal world,
Yet I alone love your particular kind.
At the sorrowful parting crossroads, who could be different?
How many years of hasty affection are buried away?
In my heart, you are the most loyal.
Sharing sorrow and joy, living and dying together.
You use your tender and deeply etched affection,
In exchange for my soaring heroism.
In my heart, you are the most loyal.
My tears rush up to the heavens.
In the next life, I shall still reign as a hero.
Returning as the setting sun burns red..."

The team members gathered around the grassland also felt their blood boiling with wild passion, and very bravely and righteously they joined in the chorus. Thus, wave upon wave of sound surged higher and higher, truly shaking the heavens and earth, moving ghosts and gods alike, making one feel ethereal and unable to stop!

"The young master truly possesses transcendent talent!" Wan Yanyan murmured to herself.

"Yanyan, what did you say?" Duan Mingyu appeared before Wan Yanyan like a ghost and asked.

"Oh, I said the young master's little tune is quite good!"

*Hehe, "quite good" is an understatement; Tu Honggang's charm is simply undeniable! It's a pity my skills aren't quite up to par yet; otherwise, switching careers to become a professional singer would still be a pretty good choice.*

"Young master, why aren't you singing with them anymore?" Wan Yanyan asked in confusion. "Sneaking away by yourself isn't very nice!"

"Of course I came to accompany my Yanyan. Neglecting a beauty has never been the style of this top scholar!" Duan Mingyu said shamelessly.

"Um... Young master, where are you going?"

Just as Duan Mingyu was stealthily preparing to slip away, Wan Yanyan keenly noticed. "Can't the young master truly spend a moment sitting quietly with Yanyan? Is Yanyan really so unworthy of the young master's notice?" As she spoke, tears began to well up in her eyes, presenting a pitiable sight that would move even the heavens.

"Oh, I'm going to take a piss!"

Wan Yanyan: "..."

Duan Mingyu walked quickly to a secluded spot, decisively untied his belt, pulled out his little fellow, and began to enjoy himself. *Hiss, hiss, hiss...*

"Ah, so refreshing!" Duan Mingyu let out a comfortable groan.

"Are you done peeing?"

"Yeah, just a little left!" Duan Mingyu shook it twice, suddenly turned his head, and looked over. "Zhao Qianlong! Why is it you?!"

"Today I am going to settle the score with you once and for all and fight to the death. Draw your sword!" Zhao Qianlong drew his blade from its scabbard with a sharp *clang*.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

Duan Mingyu said, "Let me tie my pants first!"

Zhao Qianlong: "..."

"Done!" Duan Mingyu nimbly tied his waistband and picked up the matching sword he had thrown on the ground.

Without a word, Zhao Qianlong slashed horizontally with his heavy saber. Duan Mingyu felt a shock in his heart and hurriedly took a step back. Thrusting his longsword straight out, Zhao Qianlong's move was spent; he transitioned from a slash to an upward parry, completely ignoring Duan Mingyu's incoming sword.

Duan Mingyu retreated another step. The saber techniques of a swift-blade fighter were indeed exquisite; although he had thrust his sword, his speed fell far short of Zhao Qianlong's. With no other choice, he had to dodge back. Zhao Qianlong's saber momentum was overbearing, attacking continuously, while Duan Mingyu retreated repeatedly without any room to counterattack. After retreating a few steps, Duan Mingyu was astonished to find a large tree right behind him.

Zhao Qianlong let out a sharp cry, his heavy saber rising to meet the sword. Duan Mingyu channeled the internal energy in his dantian and surged straight up. The heavy saber missed its mark, cleaving the large tree clean in half at the waist.

Duan Mingyu tapped the tip of his foot against the severed tree, vaulted into the air, and slashed straight down at Zhao Qianlong with his longsword. Zhao Qianlong staggered back three steps (*thud, thud, thud*) before steadying his footing, looking at Duan Mingyu with a gaze that grew increasingly grave.

The third update has arrived! There are still two more updates today. This humble official is working hard to type away, and I ask for nothing other than your collections! Please!