"Mooncaller, are you ready yet?" Brandon Nangong asked, a little impatient.
She nodded lightly, meeting everyone's gaze. "I invite Young Master Song and all the gentlemen to enjoy."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mooncaller plucked the strings, and clear, resonant notes flowed out, instantly filling everyone with heroic spirit.
The next moment, Mooncaller lifted her voice in song: "Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come from the sky, rushing to the sea, never to return? Have you not seen the bright mirror in the high hall grieve for white hair, morning like black silk, evening like snow?"
Mooncaller's singing was beautiful, but also carried a bold, heroic air. Combined with the majestic guqin music, it instantly drew everyone into a special realm, as if they saw a white-robed swordsman, sword in one hand and wine jug in the other, dancing alone beneath the moon.
As Mooncaller played, Ian Song grew alert, but soon realized his worries were unnecessary—she was simply performing, not using any secret method to siphon Origin Soul Power from the crowd.
Since that was the case, he relaxed and savored the beauty of her singing.
After the song ended, it was a while before everyone snapped out of their trance.
"Gentlemen, what do you think?" Mooncaller asked with a light laugh, a faint hint of pride on her lips.
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful. Not only is the poem great, the music is even better, and Mooncaller's singing is simply indescribably beautiful," Brandon Nangong clapped and praised.
At this, Mooncaller frowned slightly and said, "Thank you for the praise, Young Master Nangong, but I know my limits. The music and singing are fine, but compared to Young Master Song's poem, they're far inferior."
Brandon's expression changed slightly, a hint of displeasure in his heart, and he shot a subtle glance at Ian Song.
After a bit more conversation, Mooncaller excused herself and took her leave.
Brandon and the others all showed reluctance and longing as she left.
Not long after Mooncaller left, Brandon suggested they leave too, and no one objected.
But just as they stepped out of Starpicker Loft, a green-skirted maid caught up, calling out, "Which one of you is Young Master Song?"
"I am," Ian Song turned to look at the maid.
"Greetings, Young Master Song!"
The green-skirted maid bowed to Ian Song, then handed him a letter. "Young Master Song, this is from my mistress. She said, if you have time, please come visit Starpicker Loft again."
"Who is your mistress?" Ian Song took the letter, a little puzzled.
"My mistress is called Mooncaller."
The green-skirted maid gave Ian Song a sweet smile, then turned and left.
Brandon Nangong, Jasper Easton, and the other wastrels heard Mooncaller's name and their eyes went wide, each face showing envy and jealousy.
"Congratulations, Brother Song, you actually won Mooncaller's favor."
Brandon Nangong smiled as he said this, but his eyes were noticeably gloomy.
Ian Song just smiled and said nothing, because he could sense Brandon Nangong was already harboring resentment toward him.
He had originally wanted to befriend Brandon sincerely, but seeing how narrow-minded he was, Ian decided not to bother anymore.
"Gentlemen, I'm a bit tired today, so I'll take my leave!" Ian Song cupped his fists to the group, then strode away.
Watching him walk away, Brandon Nangong's face suddenly turned cold and he sneered, "Doesn't know what's good for him. What a joke!"
Jasper Easton and the others looked uncomfortable. Actually, they had a pretty good impression of Ian Song, but since Brandon Nangong disliked him, they didn't dare say anything.
The next moment, Brandon Nangong withdrew his gaze and said to Jasper Easton, "Jasper, go arrange for news to spread that Mooncaller invited Ian Song for a private meeting!"
"Isn't that a bit much?" Jasper Easton hesitated, his expression uncertain.
"Just do as I say!" Brandon Nangong's tone grew sharp.
"Alright then."
Jasper Easton eventually agreed, but inwardly shook his head. No wonder Brandon Nangong keeps losing to Vergil Beigong—he's just too petty. So what if someone else steals the spotlight? To go scheming like this... I should keep my distance from him from now on, or I might get dragged into his mess too.
"Husband, you're back?"
Back in the inn room, Lila Li greeted him with a smile.
"Mm." Ian Song nodded.
After some affectionate banter, Ian Song took out the letter Mooncaller had written him and casually opened it. Inside was a folded sheet of paper—completely blank.
"Why is there nothing on it?" Lila Li asked curiously.
Ian Song was momentarily stunned, but after a brief thought, he understood the reason and sneered, "Just got played by someone, that's all."
Clearly, Mooncaller had already noticed at the table that Brandon Nangong was unhappy about Ian stealing the spotlight. Sending this letter would only fuel Brandon's jealousy, and as for what was actually written inside, it no longer mattered.
"Husband, what exactly happened?" Lila Li asked curiously. In her mind, Ian was someone with unmatched cunning—how could he ever be outmaneuvered?
Ian didn’t hide anything and recounted the whole Starpicker Loft episode with Brandon Nangong and the others.
After hearing everything, Lila Li’s delicate brows knit tightly. "Husband, only those from evil paths would forcibly plunder someone else's soul. You should avoid contact with someone like Mooncaller in the future!"
"What, are you jealous?" Ian teased.
"Of course not." Lila shot Ian a glare. "I’m just worried you’ll fall for that demoness’s tricks!"
"Relax. Your husband isn’t that dumb—he wouldn’t knowingly approach someone so dangerous." Ian smiled, then gently lifted Lila’s chin and kissed her deeply on her cherry lips.
After a bout of passionate chaos, the two fell asleep in each other's arms.
Meanwhile, Ian Song’s name was spreading rapidly throughout the Imperial Capital.
He had beaten Vergil Beigong into a pig-headed mess and killed six of his guards—including two mid-Fusion experts.
That incident alone was shocking enough.
But that night, an even more explosive rumor broke out: Ian Song had actually won the favor of Mooncaller from Starpicker Loft.
In the Imperial Capital, countless people had tried to win Mooncaller's attention, but none had succeeded. Some even offered ten thousand top-grade spirit crystals for a private meeting, only to be refused.
And now, a newcomer to the capital had earned Mooncaller's personal favor. How could anyone accept that?
So, countless people were furious, wishing they could tear Ian Song apart.
The next morning, Ian stepped out of his room refreshed. He decided that today he would buy a residence in the Imperial Capital—since he and his group would be staying for a while, living at an inn was inconvenient. It was time to get a place of his own.