Chapter 6: He Is an Odd Bird

Yi Lin and Yi Xuan both had smiles on their faces. They naturally knew that Nan Feng was not begging. After all, as someone who could bring a guitar with him when he went out, he wouldn’t stoop so low as to beg. Even if it was his plan to start begging, that would be something for his servants to do, not something Nan Feng himself would come for.

“Young master Nan is very talented at playing music. Would you mind playing another song for us?” Yi Xuan asked Nan Feng as she gazed at him. She was really interested because the melody and style of Nan Feng’s music were completely different from those of other musicians, and his artistic touch was very profound.

“It’s not that I can’t, but first…” Nan Feng pointed to the guitar case in front of him, or, to be more precise, to the coins inside the guitar case.

“Ah… didn’t you say that you weren’t performing for money?” Yi Xuan was a little confused by Nan Feng’s actions.

“These are two different things. Earlier, I was expressing my emotions and entertaining myself. Now, it’s not me who wants to sing, but you who wants to listen.” Nan Feng said as he brushed his hand against the guitar strings.

Yi Lin laughed out loud and directly threw a money pouch on behalf of Yi Xuan. He thought Nan Feng was strange, but in a reasonable way, and there was nothing wrong with what he was saying.

“Come on! Come on! I, Nan Feng, am just passing through this noble place, and it’s not easy to find me again. Those who want can support me with their presence, and those who have money can support me with their money.” Nan Feng hugged his guitar and made a bow.

Clink! Clink! Silver coins and gold coins were flying into Nan Feng’s guitar case.

“Ha-ha! Everyone is quite serious; I was just joking. Whoever came here should also get a share.” Nan Feng grabbed a silver coin from his guitar box and threw it to a real beggar nearby.

After breathing out, breathing in, and calming down his emotions, a calm melody started echoing from the strings of his guitar as Nan Feng started playing and singing at the same time.

“Alright, let’s wrap this up! Tomorrow…  I will come back and play a song again. In the meantime, let’s do some good deeds too.” Nan Feng put some of the gold coins from the guitar case into a wooden box guarded by soldiers nearby the bridge, which was a charity box for building roads and bridges.

After that, Nan Feng threw the pouch of money back to Yin Lin, saying, “Treat me to a drink, and we’ll be even.”

Yi Lin smiled as he received the money pouch. He felt this was Nan Feng’s real style, just like he was back on the ferry.

Yi Lin and Yi Xuan led Nan Feng away, and the crowd dispersed. At this time, a man and woman, wearing black and blue, respectively, stood across from the river. The man was dressed in black military armor and had a serious expression on his face, while the woman was wearing a light blue dress made of silk with a white hem and a veil. “This young man is an unusual talent,” the woman in the silk gown said.

“He Yi, your eyes are sharp and astute; he’s not just talented, he also has a good demeanor.” The man said with a smile. He stood on a street corner where no one knew him; however, if his name were to be mentioned, at least most people in the Bauhinia Kingdom would recognize him. He was the marquis of Nanyang, and this time he came to visit the duke of Tieshan and to meet his friend He Yi along the way.

“I don’t know where this strange person came from, but his musical talent is quite profound, and he has a high knowledge of rhythm and a state of mind. Are we leaving tomorrow? If not, let’s come back and listen again.” The woman spoke with a smile, which, although not visible under that veill, was evident in her words.

“Originally, I was going to leave, but I can’t miss out on something this interesting. I definitely have to come and listen, but if I listen again, I’ll have to tip. Today, I listened to a whole song for free.” marquis of Nanyang said with a smile.

After having a meal with Yi Lin and Yi Xuan, Nan Feng returned to the inn and counted the coins he had received. He had earned more than a hundred silver coins and over twenty gold coins. It should be noted that staying in the inn for one night only cost around a dozen silver coins, and one gold coin was equivalent to ten silver coins.

“Young Master, all our gold coins are with me, and you only had a few in your hands. But where did all these come from?” Mu Mu, who had returned, was surprised to find Nan Feng counting a large amount of gold coins.

“Haha! I just sang a song, and it wasn’t bad. Did you find a suitable place while you were running around?” Nan Feng asked.

“I looked at some, but they were too expensive, and I have to leave some gold coins for the young master.” Mu Mu spoke.

“You hold onto them; if this is not enough, I’ll think of a solution.” Nan Feng gave all the gold coins to Mu Mu.

“Those are enough. Don’t make things difficult for yourself, young master.” Mu Mu counted the gold coins and spoke hurriedly.

Hearing that the gold coins were enough, Nan Feng felt relieved. Right afterwards, he began exercising his body. Currently, Mu Mu was the only one who was good to him in this world, and he hoped for the latter to have a good life.

After a day of training, and having something to eat, Nan Feng carried his guitar case and walked down the bustling street to the place where he sang yesterday.

This time, the bridgehead was different from the rest of the bridge; it was quiet. The formerly bustling shops around it were also all quiet. There was an empty area at the bridgehead, while the rest of the area was crowded with people, and there were even some people standing at the other end of the small bridge.

Seeing a small stool at the spot where he sat yesterday, Nan Feng smiled, “Thank you kind person, kindness begets kindness!”

Once seated, Nan Feng opened his guitar case, held on to his guitar, and tuned the sound. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get this straight. If you want to support my performance, applause would be appreciated. If you want to support me financially, gold coins would be accepted, but silver coins wouldn’t be necessary.”

“Young man, you are too greedy; you don’t even want silver coins anymore?” The marquis of Nanyang, who was standing next to He Yi, spoke out. He originally liked Nan Feng, but after hearing his words, he became very dissatisfied.

“It’s not that I am too greedy, but people who use silver coins are not well-off. So it’s better to keep the money for themselves. I will not feel good earning that money; however, those who can use gold coins are wealthy, so it’s easier for them to be charitable.” Nan Feng explained to the Marquis of Nanyang while looking at him.

“Ha-ha, great! That’s a good temperament! Just for that, I’ll give you a big reward!” Without hesitation, the Marquis of Nangyan threw his money pouch into Nan Feng’s guitar case.

“Heroic spirit, let’s play a song about heroic spirit today,” said Nan Feng with a smile.

“Come on, let’s see your heroism.” The Marquis of Nangyan stepped a few steps back.

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Reaching out to test the sound, Nan Feng started, “Vigorous when facing the beatings of ten thousands heavy waves, Ardent just like the rays of the red sun; Having courage like forge iron and bones as hard as refined steel; Having lofty aspirations and excellent foresight; I worked extremely hard, aspiring to be a hero; but In order to become a hero, One should strive to become stronger everyday…”

Nan Feng took out a song called “A Man Should Strengthen Himself” and started performing it, trying to impress the crowd. Of course, this wasn’t just for show, he sang it really well and with a heroic spirit.

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Pa! Pa! Pa!

After Nan Feng finished singing, the street was filled with applause and the clinking of gold coins flying into his guitar case.

“Heroic spirit, I really admire you.” The Marquis of Nanyang gave Nan Feng a thumbs up.

“One should strive to become stronger every day… but you yourself don’t look like you’re striving to become stronger. A man should brandish his sword and fight on the battlefield, but aren’t you merely wandering around the streets?” He Yi, who was wearing a veil, spoke in a criticizing tone.

“Uh… it’s not what you think. I’ve come from far away to enroll in the Tieshan County Martial Arts Academy, but they’re not accepting students yet, so I have to wait. I don’t think I need to explain myself to you, do I? How could you understand my aspirations?” Nan Feng stood up, poured half of the coins from his guitar case into a donation box, and then tied Marquis Nangyan’s money pouch around his waist.

He Yi remained silent. She was the head instructor of the Tieshan Martial Arts Academy, and even though Nan Feng wanted to go there, she didn’t want to say anything. There was no need to speak about these things right now.

“Hey! You didn’t want that little guy’s money pouch yesterday, but how come you accepted mine today?” The marquis of Nangyang spoke up.

“I have a history with that guy, and I felt sorry for badmouthing him. However, I’m not familiar with you….. Goodbye! everyone, see you tomorrow; I waved my hand and I watched you go…” While singing another song’s lyrics, Nan Feng walked away.

“I’m not leaving, I want to see how this odd bird enters your Tieshan Martial Arts Academy.” The marquis of Nanyang laughed as he spoke.