Chapter 173: Utter Chaos at the Kun Palace

Su Chen's performance carried a hint of sorrow and a trace of envy.

Even though the song had already ended, that heart-palpitating feeling still lingered in everyone's hearts, refusing to fade away for a long time.

At this very moment, everyone suddenly understood the origin of that famous saying.

This idiom actually has a long and profound history, originating from the Warring States period of ancient China.

Legend has it that during the Warring States period, there was a woman named Han E who traveled to the State of Qi. Along the way, her stomach growled with hunger, and she had not had a full meal for several days.

She arrived at the place outside the southwestern gate of Linzi City, the capital of Qi, where people sang to beg for food.

Her melodious and captivating singing deeply touched the heartstrings of every listener, leaving a profound impression.

Three days later, people could still hear the lingering echoes of Han E's singing reverberating among the rafters, refusing to disperse for a long time. People described it as: "The lingering echoes wrap around the beams, not fading for three days."

Later, Han E stayed at an inn. Due to her poverty, she was insulted by the innkeeper. Heartbroken and filled with despair, Han E let out a "prolonged and sorrowful cry" and departed.

Her voice was so desolate that anyone who heard it felt as if they were experiencing it firsthand.

"For a time, the young and old alike grieved for autumn, shedding tears facing one another, unable to eat for three days." The landlady had no choice but to invite her back to sing a cheerful song.

Han E "once again sang a prolonged and joyful melody," and upon hearing it, the crowd "jumped for joy and danced in jubilation." The atmosphere instantly became lively and cheerful, and everyone forgot the recent sorrow and grief.

It was a soul-stirring song.

Consequently, later generations coined the expressions "echoes wrapping around the beams for three days" and "lingering sounds wrapping around the beams."

Hearing Su Chen's tune today, everyone experienced an epiphany.

It turned out that the phrase "lingering echoes wrap around the beams, not fading for three days" did not mean that some sound literally kept ringing on the roof beams for three days and three nights.

Rather, it meant that the song could plunge people into an inescapable state, as if the melody were echoing right beside their ears, lingering long after.

"Oh my god, the ancients were right! As soon as I close my eyes, Su Chen's voice echoes in my ears. It's just too beautiful!"

"I never expected a song combined with traditional Chinese opera to sound this good! And the best part is the chorus—it completely blew my mind for an entire year!"

"Exactly! If anyone dares to call this commercial trash, I'll slap them dead!"

"I knew it! Su Chen was right, Chinese style music is truly number one in the world!"

......

Listening to those gasps of astonishment, Cai Xukun felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a lump of feces!

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Su Chen could write a tune of "authentic traditional style"!

Of course, this was only relative. In Cai Xukun's view, no matter how pleasant these traditional vocalizations sounded, they were still obsolete!

In his mind, only the lyrics and melodies from Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea were the true benchmarks of the industry, and only rap was the holy scripture of music!

Therefore, even upon hearing Su Chen's tune, Cai Xukun didn't take it to heart!

An outdated musical genre—no matter how brilliantly you sing it, you cannot change the fact that it is backward.

No way? That's impossible!

At this moment, Cai Xukun spoke up from the side, "Contestant Su Chen's song...... um......"

On the stage, seeing Cai Xukun falter awkwardly, Su Chen took over and said, "What I sang is titled 'Pulling the Silk Strings'."

Reminded by Su Chen, Cai Xukun cleared his throat and continued, "That's right, 'Pulling the Silk Strings'. Although this 'Pulling the Silk Strings' performs somewhat better than other traditional-style songs on the market, it doesn't prove anything."

"This kind of music doesn't have much of a market in the international music scene, and songs like this cannot cross national borders and go global."

"Even though I will give you a score and an evaluation, it cannot change the trend of the market."

"Right now, the most popular and sought-after genre is rap. Traditional style simply cannot compare."

"Therefore, I understand Contestant Su Chen's arrogance, but the grand trend of the world is not something we can alter."

As he spoke these words, Cai Xukun wore a constant smile. He considered his remarks polite enough and considerate enough toward this kid.

That being the case, let's call it even, each relying on their own abilities. Wouldn't a fair competition make everyone happy?

Just as Cai Xukun was about to signal Young Master Liu to let the matter rest, to his astonishment, Su Chen spoke up once again!

The moment Su Chen opened his mouth, he utterly shattered Cai Xukun's mentality!

Su Chen stated, "I don't care about that bit of money of yours."

"It's hard to imagine why someone born in China would stand from a foreign standpoint to attack their own people."

"Therefore, until I figure out Teacher Cai Xukun's actual competence, I won't be giving you this score."

"After all, accepting spy bribes is illegal. As a proper and upright Chinese citizen, I wouldn't dare do such a thing!"

Su Chen's tone carried a hint of mockery, yet his expression was deadpan. This remark turned Cai Xukun's face pitch black!

Su Chen's words weren't merely dropping a pebble into a small pond; they were dropping a meteorite into the Pacific Ocean!

The moment the pebble fell, it stirred up monstrous waves, and the viewers in the live-streaming room went wild!

"Holy crap?! Su Chen actually dared to say that?! He genuinely isn't afraid of offending Cai Xukun, his company, and the capital behind him!"

"Heh heh, you being cowardly doesn't mean Su Chen is. Su Chen is right, I couldn't stand that guy surnamed Cai for a long time!"

"Indeed, two-faced hypocrite. I even heard he frequently commands his fans to cyberbully others."

"Su Chen truly lives up to his reputation as the internet's ultimate mouthpiece. Absolutely legendary!"

......

Of course, alongside the praises, there were also the piercing wails of the IKUN fans.

Naturally, since their beloved idol was being cursed out to filth, how could they not shriek in agony?

"Ahhhh! Kun! Why is he scolding Kun?! What did Kun do wrong?!"

"Kun works so hard—out of twenty-four hours a day, he spends twenty-five hours practicing! He's such a pure person, why is Su Chen attacking him?"

"Clad in golden armor to become king, accompanying Kun on his distant voyage! IKUNs, assemble and bomb Su Chen's Weibo account!"

......

For a time, the entire internet descended into chaos.

However, Su Chen was completely unaware of all this, and even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared.

In truth, Su Chen hadn't intended to be so blunt; after all, he wasn't someone who deliberately sought high profiles.

Yet, as it happened, the words Cai Xukun uttered had touched Su Chen's absolute bottom line!

A Chinese artist, relying on the support of domestic fans, actually turns around to speak on behalf of outsiders?

Su Chen felt it was an absolute disgrace to even be considered part of the same entertainment circle as such a person!