Douluo Continent: Reincarnated as the Rock King Emperor, Wandering the Mortal World

Chapter 131: A Song of Heartbreak

The musical instruments in Douluo Continent are diverse, combining elements of both Chinese and Western cultures...

Fortunately, Zhongli was no pushover either. One of his friends was a master of playing Western musical instruments.

The musical instruments in Moon Pavilion are mostly Western instruments, such as harps and violins.

They're nobles, those who know, know.

Musical instruments similar to the xiao and qin are not found in Yuexuan.

Of course, although Zhongli is a conservative in Liyue, he still appreciates that girl's heavy metal music, even though many people don't.

As for dancing and such, the Great Tree King... huh?

Zhong Li was taken aback. Should he remember the Great Compassion Tree King?

In a daze, Zhongli suddenly realized what was happening.

So, it was a memory from those short ten-odd years of my previous life...

Aside from travelers, probably no one, or even the gods, in Teyvat remembers the Great Tree King.

hey~

Wear and tear...

The world remains untouched, yet my soul feels, for a fleeting moment, empty.

Is this what it truly feels like to lose a friend?

Demons have richer emotions than humans. Because they live longer, they witness more things, and the more they "wear down," the more painful it becomes.

Zhongli had witnessed countless deaths, and that old friend had vanished in his arms, turning into dust. Dust comes, dust goes; perhaps this was her destiny.

Only one worldly lock remained.

That was the last "footprint" she left in the world.

Is Zhongli unable to unlock the mortal world?

Not!

He just didn't want that last bit of hope to vanish as well.

Outwardly calm, inwardly turbulent...

I feel a bit dizzy, and sadness rushes straight to my head.

When the music ended, the dance also stopped.

Everyone looked at Zhong Li with anticipation, wanting to know what evaluation he would give.

"???"

You wouldn't believe it until you see it; once you do, everyone is taken aback. This sir has quite a complex expression on his face!

Was it because their performance wasn't good enough?

Everyone fell into deep thought.

"Zhongli, Zhongli, Princess Xueke and the others are waiting for your evaluation!"

Paimon patted Zhongli on the shoulder and whispered something.

Although the sound was soft, it brought Zhong Li back to his senses.

Evaluation? What kind of evaluation?

He was lost in his memories, and the things around him and in front of him were automatically ignored.

Fortunately, he heard a little bit of the beginning of the song, and it was a rather sad piece.

Since it's a sad song, the dance must also be sad; you can guess that even without watching.

Unless the other party is unprofessional!

What place is this?

This is Yuexuan, after all...

These teenagers, though they wanted to express sadness, only managed to do a superficial job; the sadness they felt during their performance was completely absent.

After a moment's thought, Zhong Li had an answer in mind.

"Absolutely perfect!"

100 points!

Zhongli, without blushing or skipping a beat, continued, "If you can all infuse your own emotions into the music and dance, this dance and music will be among the best in the world."

Compared to those famous actors, the performances of these nobles were inferior.

Perhaps they simply cannot comprehend that emotion?

Giving a score of 10 is Zhong Li's opinion.

As for perfection, that's just a slight embellishment; after all, they're all teenagers, and they also have their pride.

Giving the other person a way out and offering some pointers can be seen as compensation for their previous "rudeness."

While others are playing music and dancing, he's thinking about other things; that's already quite rude.

Upon hearing this, everyone was delighted, but they also felt something was amiss, though they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Since they couldn't explain it, they noted down Zhongli's words and quickly thanked him.

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty the God of War!"

"Your Majesty, the God of War, Xue Ke has a request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it!"

At this moment, Xue Ke walked up to Zhong Li, blinked her big eyes, and said sincerely.

"Oh, what brings you here, Your Highness?"

Since it's an unreasonable request, you'd better not say it...

Du Siji thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud.

This princess seems a bit annoying.

On the surface, she said "please" as if she was afraid of troubling the sect leader, but it seemed that she didn't want the sect leader to refuse any of her requests.

As expected of a princess, her words are impeccable, even though she is still so young. What will she be like when she grows up?

"Xue Ke would like Your Majesty to play a piece of music devoid of emotion. In just a few short years, Xue Ke has listened to no less than a thousand pieces!"

Xue Ke bluntly stated that she did not care about the feelings of those "performers".

"I have never seen a piece of music that is so full of emotion before. Please allow me to witness it, Your Majesty."

Xue Ke spoke very sincerely, her eyes filled with light.

After saying this, she bowed deeply to Zhongli, instead of performing a noble's bow.

Such treatment is the highest form of etiquette besides kneeling, and you must know that Xue Ke is an imperial princess!

She wasn't a princess from a "small" country like a kingdom or duchy, but a princess from a vast empire.

Even her father, Emperor Xueye, had never received such treatment.

This... feels like forcing someone into a difficult situation!

She only offered a bow, but Zhongli needed to complete that piece of music that contained emotions.

After thinking for a moment, Zhongli raised his hand to support Xue Ke, and an invisible force helped her to stand up from her bowed position.

Xue Ke: "???"

He...he...he wouldn't even help her up with his hands?

Xue Ke was somewhat disappointed, and the slyness in her eyes disappeared.

That's true, he's so old...

"I only have a slight understanding of this subject, but since Her Highness has invited me, I will discuss it with you all."

After saying this, Zhongli thought of a being who had ruled for eternity. That person's exclusive background music should be quite fitting, right?

A ball of amber-colored energy condensed in his hand, then transformed into the shape of a bamboo flute.

If a bamboo flute cannot withstand the consequences of karma, it will shatter. So what about a stone flute...?

Try?

Everyone: "???"

At that moment, everyone was stunned!

He truly deserves to be called the number one person in Douluo Continent!

When the amber-colored "bamboo flute" played its first note, everyone was stunned but remained unmoved.

When the bamboo flute plays the second, third...seventh note, a feeling of melancholy arises spontaneously.

A sense of sorrow swept through the entire venue.

In a short while, the sound of the flute resounded throughout the heavens and earth, and an infinite sense of sorrow swept over everyone's hearts, just like a young man, so miserable yet forced to move forward...

It's like loving someone you can't have, being unable to be together...

The boys and girls had never experienced anything like this before. For a moment, they were mesmerized, tears streaming down their faces without them even realizing it.

With a "bang," the bamboo flute turned into starlight and dissipated into the air.

At this moment, everyone came to their senses, but they were still stunned. Was this what it meant to bring emotions into the music?

It feels terrifying.

Wait, why did the flute break before the music was even over?

(End of this chapter)