Isabella's eyes widened slightly, and her heart began to beat faster.
This piece of music was unlike any court music she had ever heard.
The performers on stage were dressed simply and not extravagantly, and their instruments were not adorned with gold or silver, nor were they gleaming.
However, what it brought was an overwhelming, almost savage, and immense power.
Lucat's breathing became slightly rapid, and his fingertips trembled slightly.
For some reason, the music reminded him of the war drums before a battle, but it was more complex and more... breathtaking.
On the stage, the old man's withered fingers moved swiftly across the strings.
Sometimes it's like iron hooves trampling mountains and rivers.
Sometimes it's like a thousand arrows leaving a bow and piercing the sky.
In his hands, the pipa seemed no longer to be a musical instrument.
Instead, it transforms into a bugle call to command, the hoofbeats of horses urging on the charge, and the shouts of soldiers charging forward.
The rapid pace made everyone present feel as if they could see a vast army galloping before their eyes.
Like banners obscuring the sun, like swords forming a forest.
Like a raging wind destroying a city, like a raging fire spreading across a prairie.
As the music reached its climax, all the instruments merged into a torrent.
The majestic music rose in waves, like crashing waves, striking everyone's eardrums and mind.
This even made everyone present subconsciously hold their breath and feel inexplicably uneasy.
After all, this music wasn't meant to please the guests, but to proclaim to the world—this is the backbone of the Yan Kingdom, this is the thunder of the empire.
The music stopped.
The lingering sound echoed between the beams and pillars of the hall, making the entire banquet hall so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The old man, leading a group of musicians, rose and faced the crowd. He wore a faint smile and spoke in a booming voice:
"The title of this piece is 'General's Command'."
There was a moment of silence, followed by thunderous applause.
Lucate's forehead was already beaded with sweat; he was very nervous.
But they clapped with particular enthusiasm, constantly shouting "Bravo!"
Isabella's palms were damp with sweat. Although she didn't quite understand the piece, she suddenly felt that this banquet itself was the first bugle call of tomorrow's military parade.
As the applause subsided, the musicians slowly left the stage.
At this moment, an announcement came from the doorway, and all the guests turned solemn, some even jumping up and down in unison.
At the entrance, Qin Ze, the ruler of Yan Kingdom, walked in slowly and waved casually.
"Please sit down."
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone took their seats, and the banquet hall fell silent. Everyone stood upright, not daring to breathe loudly.
Even in their own country, they had never been this nervous in front of their monarch.
After all, the person before him was His Majesty the Emperor, who controlled this powerful nation.
Even Queen Isabella of the Kingdom of Sauri personally brought congratulatory gifts.
At that moment, Isabella, who was sitting in the audience, parted her red lips slightly and gave a restrained, faint smile as she looked at Qin Ze.
Qin Ze, standing on the stage, glanced around and his attention was immediately drawn to Isabella.
After all, her outfit was so bright and eye-catching that it was hard not to notice her.
But after only a fleeting glance, Qin Ze looked away and laughed loudly:
"Gentlemen, what do you think of the national music of my Yan Kingdom?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the praises, unsurprisingly, began in rapid succession.
Qin Ze smiled and nodded slightly. After the sound subsided, he said slowly and deliberately:
"Tonight's banquet will begin with the first piece played for you all."
"The military parade will officially begin tomorrow morning. We cordially invite you to enjoy our second piece of traditional Chinese music."
After he finished speaking, Qin Ze pursed his lips and revealed a faint smile.
Down in the audience, Lucat's heart pounded, his premonition growing stronger.
The more I listen to this "General's Order," the more it sounds like a pre-battle mobilization.
Damn it! Are they really planning to start a war?!
Who are they hitting?! It can't be us, can it?!
Hey! Don't do this! What happened to our friendship?!
Lucat was sweating profusely, his heart screaming.
Unlike Lucate, who was in a panic and had his mind racing, Isabella wasn't thinking that much and was just staring intently at Qin Ze.
He was determined to bring this magnificent musical score back to China.
Thinking of this, she smiled, unable to contain herself, and gracefully rose to walk towards Qin Ze, who was walking off the stage...
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