Staring at the musical score in front of him, Lin Wuming was momentarily stunned.
Because this piece—his senior sister had taught it to him when she was instructing him in the art of the zither.
“What are the odds…?”
Still, he didn’t think much of it.
It was just a song, after all—not a martial art or forbidden technique.
Most likely, it was just a coincidence.
A convenient one, though—it saved him some trouble.
Without even glancing at the score, Lin Wuming took the instrument provided by the organizers, set the sheet aside, and prepared to play.
He’d completely forgotten that just arriving last had already made him the center of attention.
Now, not even looking at the sheet, acting like he was going to improvise on the spot—he radiated confidence, arrogance even, to the extreme.
“Who the heck is that guy?”
“Yeah… what’s with all the swagger?”
The surrounding contestants began whispering among themselves.
“Hmph, even if he’s some kind of expert, being this full of himself will only backfire.”
This sheet music was far from ordinary.
It got more difficult as it went, and anyone with real skill would know that not studying it in advance was asking for trouble.
Mo Xiaoyue thought the same.
She scoffed and refused to consider that guy a threat.
She had entered this competition on behalf of her sect for a single purpose—and her true opponent was certainly not some overconfident fool like him.
***
“Let the competition… officially begin!”
There wasn’t much time for preparation.
Before long, the tournament began.
All the contestants raised their instruments in unison and began to play.
For a moment, the venue was filled with the sound of zithers, harps, flutes—though they played the same melody, the cacophony of mismatched skill made the sound chaotic and disjointed.
Most contestants had their eyes glued to the score, playing note by note while glancing back at their instruments—clearly trying to find the right keys.
Many quickly fell behind the tempo, and the performance became an utter mess.
Those whose music descended into chaos were swiftly eliminated.
Those who played with frequent errors were also asked to leave.
Within mere seconds, nearly half the contestants were gone, proving just how difficult the piece really was.
As time went on, the number of players thinned out even further.
Eventually, fewer than a fifth remained—just over twenty contestants.
These were the ones with solid foundational skill who had no trouble with the basics.
Mo Xiaoyue, while continuing to play, allowed herself to daydream a little.
Watching the others drop out one by one, her disdain grew stronger.
‘So this is the prestigious Wanyin Tournament? Hah… so much for that.’
Until…
Her eyes fell upon one figure, and her expression suddenly changed.
Her hand trembled, almost causing her to hit the wrong note.
She forced herself to calm down and looked more closely.
That guy—calm, serene, lost in his music—seemed completely at ease, even joyful, as if enjoying a private performance for his own pleasure.
‘Didn’t that guy skip reading the sheet music?’
‘And he’s still here?’
Mo Xiaoyue felt a ripple of unease.
Meanwhile, Lin Wuming was starting to get bored.
He’d played this piece so many times under his senior sister’s guidance that every note, every nuance, was deeply ingrained in him.
‘No challenge at all. This is getting dull.’
Once again, the entire audience’s attention returned to the mysterious latecomer—some with surprise, some with curiosity… and others, with shock.
The most shocked of all was none other than Lin Tiancheng, head of the Lin family.
He recognized Lin Wuming instantly.
Just yesterday, he had ordered the family to search for this very person.
Of course he’d seen the portrait.
Though it had been a year, and his demeanor had matured, there was no mistaking it—the young man onstage was none other than their clan’s missing scion, Lin Wuming!
‘Why has he returned?’
Just then, a servant hurried up behind him and whispered something urgently.
Lin Tiancheng’s brows furrowed.
“This happened two days ago. Why are you only reporting it now?”
He didn’t know that the two servants who’d spotted Lin Wuming hadn’t thought much of it.
Too busy fawning over the eldest young master, they’d missed the search order entirely.
Only after learning of it this morning did they rush to report it—hence why he was just now getting the news.
“We’ll deal with those two later. You’re dismissed.”
Waving the servant away, Lin Tiancheng turned his gaze back to the stage, expression shifting between shadow and light.
He secretly glanced at the daughter of the Liu family—Miss Liu—and felt a bit of relief.
Though she looked mildly interested in the performance, she hadn’t shown any significant reaction.
She probably hadn’t realized that the man on stage was Lin Wuming.
‘This brat… gone for a year, and now he comes back?’
‘And with musical skills like that?’
Lin Tiancheng’s mood soured immediately.
Everything had been perfectly arranged.
Once Miss Liu came to visit, they were going to say the fiancé had been found and substitute in a more obedient family member to fulfill the marriage contract.
Now this kid had to show up—at the worst possible time?
‘Should I bring him back into the fold?’
That thought surfaced in his mind but was quickly dismissed.
After all, Lin Wuming had grown up without parents.
The family had never truly taken care of him.
He didn’t owe them anything.
That’s why he’d left a year ago—and even after returning, hadn’t come home.
Bringing him back now could easily backfire.
If he married into the Liu family, instead of helping the Lin clan, he might very well turn against them.
‘Can’t let him ruin this!’
Lin Tiancheng’s expression darkened.
If things got out of hand, he might have to…
His eyes narrowed, and a flicker of killing intent flashed through them.
***
Meanwhile, in the viewing stands:
“Miss, look—it’s that young man…”
Ling’er whispered in her lady’s ear.
“He’s incredible! So many have been eliminated, but he looks completely relaxed.”
“With his musical skill, that’s no surprise,”
Liu Yingfeng replied softly, a glint of appreciation flashing in her eyes as she looked at Lin Wuming.
She had experienced his zither playing firsthand.
As a disciple of the number one sect in the empire, the Taixu Hall, even she had been amazed by the artistry of his performance.
His skill was truly exceptional.
A man like that—any daughter would find him admirable.
But… admiration is one thing.
‘I wonder… what kind of man will my fiancé be?’
Liu Yingfeng felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
Since the engagement was arranged by her father, she was duty-bound to honor it.
But if she could choose…
She wouldn’t ask for cultivation or status, or wealth.
Just someone who, like that young man on stage, was refined, talented, and elegant.