A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

The more Liu Mingxuan listened, the more uncomfortable he felt.

He is a typical academic, having gone through the academic path from undergraduate to doctoral studies, stayed on to teach at the university, and was promoted to professor.

The teacher's words essentially negated most of his life's work over the past few decades.

He coughed lightly and began, "What the teacher means is that the roots are in the people, but the branches and leaves need pruning and cultivation. In this day and age, it is indeed difficult to make a name for yourself in the industry without a degree or background. It's not enough to just have talent."

He paused, glanced at Su Fan, and then changed the subject: "By the way, forgive my bluntness, but you probably haven't studied at an academy before. However, if you're willing, I can help you get an opportunity to study at the Kyoto Conservatory of Music. Getting a diploma there will be helpful for your future development."

Su Fan understood that there is no such thing as a free lunch; if the other party extended an olive branch, there must be an ulterior motive behind it.

However, he didn't want to be led by the nose.

So he said, "Professor Liu, I think music shouldn't be divided into academia and the amateur world. It doesn't matter where someone's roots are. What matters is what kind of works they can produce. If their works stand out, they are more convincing than any academic degree."

That was a very blunt remark, and the atmosphere immediately became a bit awkward.

In Liu Mingxuan's mind, Su Fan should be extremely grateful for this opportunity.

But judging from Su Fan's indifferent attitude, he showed no gratitude whatsoever, and even seemed to look down on him.

Liu Mingxuan opened his mouth, unsure how to respond.

At this point, either refuting or agreeing with Su Fan would seem inappropriate.

Qu Feiming sensed the awkward atmosphere and changed the subject: "I heard you have some connection with Longhu Mountain?"

Su Fan nodded: "Yes, I have become a disciple of the Taoist priest on Longhu Mountain."

Qu Feiming said, "Speaking of which, I have some connection with Longhu Mountain."

Qu Feiming began to tell his story with Longhu Mountain.

"Back then I was young, in my early twenties, following an old artist who traveled the streets and alleys. The old artist's surname was Jiang, and he was like a half-master to me. He took me all over most of China. Once we passed by Longhu Mountain, Master Jiang said he was going to visit an old friend. I asked him what old friend, but he didn't say. He just told me to follow him. When we got to the foot of the mountain, he told me: 'When you see someone, don't say anything. Just kowtow.' I asked him how many times to kowtow, and he said it depended on the person's mood."

Su Fan listened quietly without interrupting.

"Upon reaching the mountain and entering the Taoist temple, an old Taoist priest was sitting there. Master Jiang went up to greet him, and the old priest said, 'You've arrived.' Master Jiang responded, 'You've arrived,' and then turned back to give me a wink. I quickly stepped forward and knelt down with a thud. The old priest glanced at me and asked, 'Is this the child you were talking about?' Master Jiang nodded and said, 'It is him. He has some talent, but he's arrogant and needs time to be tempered.' The old priest glanced at me again, shook his head, and said, 'We have no affinity.'"

Qu Feiming smiled slightly as he said this, a smile tinged with self-deprecation.

"I was kneeling there, thinking to myself, 'No affinity? Then all this kneeling for nothing?' But then the old Taoist priest said, 'However, my disciple does have some affinity with him. If he's willing, he can become my disciple.' As soon as he finished speaking, a person came out from the inner room. I looked up and was stunned. The person looked even younger than me."

Upon hearing this, Su Fan's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he remained silent.

"The Taoist priest walked up to me and said, 'My name is Xu Xingzhi. My master said that we have a master-disciple relationship, so it must be. But I am still cultivating and there is nothing I can teach you. From now on, you will be a lay disciple.' I knelt there, my mind buzzing and my heart pounding. Asking me to take a child who hasn't even grown a beard as my master? Isn't this making a fool of me? Master Jiang saw what I was thinking, his face darkened, and he shouted, 'Hurry up and kowtow! This is a blessing that others would beg for.'"

Qu Feiming paused, picked up his teacup, and took another sip.

"I know Master Jiang's temper. If he really gets angry, I can't handle it, so I kowtowed. Master Jiang helped me up, patted my shoulder, and said, 'Alright, from now on you're practically a member of Longhu Mountain.' I thought to myself, 'That's it, just go through the motions. We'll all go our separate ways from now on. Who will remember whom?'"

"And then?" Su Fan asked.

"Later I slowly realized that I was wrong." Qu Feiming put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I gradually gained some fame in the industry, and with fame came trouble. Once, I offended someone, and for a while I was filled with anxiety. I dared not accept performances, dared not leave my house, and could not even sleep soundly. Then one day, those people suddenly stopped making a sound. I asked someone to inquire, and the person who replied said that it was people from Longhu Mountain who had intervened."

As he said this, his gaze fell on Su Fan's face, lingering for two seconds.

"I don't know how the people from Longhu Mountain intervened, nor do I know what they said or did. I only know that after that incident, no one bothered me again. After that incident, I was able to calm down and focus on my creative work. 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' was compiled during that time."

In closing, Qu Feiming sighed, "I rarely go up the mountain because my master said that my cultivation is in the mortal world, not on the mountain. It's been many years since I last went up the mountain."

Qu Feiming finished speaking, still lost in his memories, and remained silent for a long time.

After listening, Su Fan thought to himself, "What a small world."

Su Fan felt this way because Xu Xingzhi, whom Qu Feiming mentioned, was his second senior brother.

So Su Fan said, "Master Qu, I have a question for you. Is the Taoist temple you mentioned called Qingxu Temple?"

Qu Feiming was taken aback: "How did you know?"

He then gave the answer himself: "Oh, right, you're a disciple of Longhu Mountain, so it's not surprising that you know about that place."

Su Fan added, "My master's surname is Zhang."

Qu Feiming didn't pay much attention and casually replied, "The Zhang family's celestial masters are all truly skilled. What's your master's name?"

Su Fan said, "Zhang Lingyuan."

Qu Feiming muttered the name twice, feeling that it sounded familiar, but couldn't quite place it.

He frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly his hand trembled, almost knocking over the teacup. He stood up abruptly, his voice trembling, "What did you say? Your master is Zhang Lingyuan?"

Su Fan nodded and said slowly, "My master also has a disciple who is a physician, also named Xu Xingzhi. He is my second senior brother."

Liu Mingxuan, standing to the side, began to explain the relationship: "Your master's master is named Xu Xingzhi... Your master's disciple is also named Xu Xingzhi... So you are...?"

He counted on his fingers, his eyes widening: "Then aren't you my master's junior uncle?"