Chapter 87: The Concert

Jia Zhengjin made a joke at the expense of the wandering singer, but the latter didn’t notice—after all, he didn’t understand Mandarin. After the jest, Jia sent the kobold back to hunting and called a few villagers over, instructing them to clear a patch of ground.

He went to the workbench and crafted several wooden tables and chairs, then arranged them on the cleared land. Having witnessed Jia Zhengjin's “spatial magic,” Kiki no longer flaunted his own spatial ring—after all, his “magic” paled in comparison. It was astonishing: a small place encountered by chance, yet home to someone so adept in “spatial magic.” Surely, his abilities rivaled those of the Grand Magister Paridi—whose hair was already white and beard sweeping the floor—while Lord Kean was still so young…

Jia Zhengjin personally grilled a dish of shredded pork with fish-flavor, a honey-roast meat, and a honey-roast fish. He then had the villagers bring edible wild fruits and plants from the warehouse, filling the table, and said to Kiki, “Sorry for the modest hospitality!”

“Lord Kean, you’re far too polite!” Kiki, forgetting all decorum, seized the food and devoured it. Having spent days in desolate stretches, he was famished. “Delicious! Absolutely delicious!”

Hearing that a guest had arrived in town, the villagers dropped their work and gathered to watch. Tina, who had been out gathering wild fruits and edible plants at the city gate with Perin and other village girls, caught wind of the excitement and hurried back to join the crowd.

Before long, the area around the clearing was packed tight. Jia Zhengjin mused that it wasn’t just his own countrymen who loved a lively scene.

“Kean!” Tina came to Jia Zhengjin’s side, wrapping her arms around his left arm and gazing curiously at Kiki. “Who is this?”

Perin watched Tina’s gesture, her hand twitching but ultimately not reaching out, standing expressionless at Jia Zhengjin’s right, eyeing the red-haired stranger.

“A wandering singer named Kiki Lisimer,” Jia Zhengjin turned and whispered in her ear, “He got lost in the forest and was caught by my kobold.”

“That’s lucky! If another kobold had caught him, he’d have been eaten for sure!” Tina said.

“Exactly!” Jia Zhengjin nodded. “He’s got good luck.”

“Is his singing any good?” Tina asked.

Jia Zhengjin thought for a moment. “He can’t sing ‘Two Tigers,’ but he’s not bad.”

“What song is ‘Two Tigers’?” Tina was intrigued.

“Haha, just a children’s tune!” Jia Zhengjin pulled her into his arms. “What do you think about holding a music concert? The villagers and town guards have just arrived here, and everyone seems tense. Let’s host a concert and let everyone relax!”

“That’s a wonderful idea!” Tina’s eyes lit up. “When I was little, I only heard a bard’s song once, by chance!”

“A bard? But isn’t he a wandering singer?” Jia Zhengjin pointed at Kiki.

“That’s what the profession is called—a bard!” Tina giggled, covering her mouth.

“Oh, such a peculiar profession? Shouldn’t poets recite poetry, not sing songs?” Jia Zhengjin was puzzled.

Tina only laughed quietly behind her hand.

Jia Zhengjin let it go, turning to Bardi and saying, “Gather a few people and find a spot to set up an open-air stage! Also, since he’ll likely stay in the city tonight, build him a simple temporary house with stone bricks. Have the kobold craftsmen make some beds, stools, and other furniture.”

“Yes, Lord Kean!” Bardi nodded immediately.

“And bring all the town guards over. After he’s finished eating, we’ll hold a concert to celebrate the villagers and guards officially joining the city!”

“Understood!” Bardi’s face lit up with joy.

Satisfied and full, Kiki finally patted his stomach.

Village folk promptly came to clear away the tables, chairs, and wooden bowls, sweeping up the food scraps.

“Had your fill?” Jia Zhengjin smiled at Kiki.

“Thank you, Lord Kean. It’s been ages since I ate so well!” Kiki nodded happily. “Mostly, the journey was through deserted lands.”

“Surviving to get here is impressive!” Jia Zhengjin laughed. “Now that you’re full, do you have the energy to sing a few songs for our villagers?”

Kiki immediately stood up. “Of course!”

“Good! The stage is being built over there and will be ready soon. Rest for a bit; soon, all the villagers will come to hear you sing.” Jia Zhengjin smiled. “Be sure to give your best!”

“Don’t worry! We bards always repay friendship with our finest voices!” Kiki raised his guitar. “Tonight, let us stroll through music together!”

“I hope it’s not just a stroll, but a celebration!”

“To the best of my ability!”

Hearing that Lord Kean was hosting a music concert, performed by the passing bard, all the villagers and town guards were thrilled.

In a life lacking entertainment, hearing the beautiful songs of a bard was a rare joy—let alone an entire concert?

During the stage construction, villagers volunteered to help, and soon the stage was finished. They brought chairs from home, arranging them neatly before the stage, and even before the concert began, the crowd was already bustling. Adults and children alike waited in happy anticipation.

“Roast fish, roast meat, fruit pies, hot water, fruit juice—anyone want some?” Some enterprising villagers started selling refreshments, leaving Jia Zhengjin amused but letting them be. So long as everyone was happy!

With the stage finally complete, Jia Zhengjin took the frontmost seat, with Tina and Perin close by his sides. Beside Tina sat her parents, then Amber’s family. Next to Perin was the werewolf Wolf, followed by Bardi, then the kobold chief—though he understood nothing of what was to come.

Of course, a special kobold miner also arrived, crouching at Jia Zhengjin’s feet—none other than the first tamed pet, Little Grey.

Under the expectant gaze of all, the bard Kiki Lisimer finally ascended the stage, holding his precious instrument. Smiling, he strummed the strings. “Thank you to the kind Lord Kean! You are the first true friend I’ve met in the Empire of Valor! And thanks to everyone here—you are all my friends! To start, I’ll sing the warm-up song Lord Kean taught me earlier, ‘Two Old Monkeys.’ Please enjoy!”

“Bravo!” Jia Zhengjin applauded immediately.

With Lord Kean clapping, the rest followed in a thunderous ovation.