Volume One, Chapter 54: Senior? Watch Closely, Learn Well!
“How much can a young man truly understand about history? The First Emperor of Qin was no ordinary man. Just look at the song you wrote—not a single mention of him throughout. And your last line, ‘Dreaming once more of the girl I once loved’—what on earth do you take the First Emperor for?”
Sun Tao had been in this industry for years, and naturally had plenty of connections. As a writer, he also knew many friends in the field, and they all joined in to “castigate” Jiang Yu. From academic rigor to respecting your seniors, they said it all.
But Jiang Yu was unfazed. Reborn with a golden finger, he had no intention of backing down. Respecting one’s elders? He’d retort if he was displeased, never mind their seniority. Today, he’d debate them all, tongue against a hundred scholars!
Originally, he hadn’t wanted to get involved, but this old man wouldn’t let go.
“I wonder if Teacher Sun Tao has even read the script,” he wrote. “To comment so recklessly without even understanding the material. What the First Emperor was like, I know better than you!”
“If you want to discuss things in a spirit of inquiry, I’m open to it. But if you’re just here to preach and lecture, please, do us both a favor and mind your own business. We’re not acquainted, nor do I need your advice.”
“And another thing: two people go for an interview. One succeeds, the other fails. The one who fails claims the successful candidate stole his job. This kind of bandit logic—truly the talk of an old rogue!”
As soon as Jiang Yu posted this, it once again became the talk of his fans.
The comment section exploded. Originally, many supporters had worried Jiang Yu might be in trouble, but to their surprise, he remained perfectly calm.
They found his reasoning sound: if two people interview and one fails, blaming the one who got the job instead of reflecting on your own abilities is simply absurd.
It was at this moment that the official account for “The First Emperor of Qin” made a statement.
“We hereby declare that our production team did indeed invite both Teacher Sun Tao and Teacher Jiang Yu to compose for the show. Both are extremely talented, but Teacher Jiang Yu’s song was a better fit for our drama. Thus, we have chosen his composition, ‘You,’ as our theme song.”
Upon seeing this, the conversation shifted dramatically in Jiang Yu’s favor.
Sun Tao, reading Jiang Yu’s posts, ground his teeth in rage. He had hoped to take the moral high ground, but Jiang Yu was unexpectedly eloquent, and now even the production team had spoken. The comments were slipping out of his control. If he wanted to win, only one option remained.
He directly tagged Jiang Yu on social media.
“Since you claim to understand the First Emperor so well and love your interview metaphors, I hereby challenge you to a contest. In three days, let’s each write a song about the First Emperor. Dare to compete?”
As he posted these words, Sun Tao’s eyes were bloodshot. He couldn’t defeat Jiang Yu in debate, but he refused to let this go. He would challenge him to a songwriting duel, determined to drag Jiang Yu down with him.
He’d gone mad—completely mad.
The buzz around the incident peaked instantly. Major media outlets put the story on their front pages.
#SunTaoChallengesJiangYuToAComposerDuel#
The crowd of onlookers swelled.
“Brother Yu, don’t panic—accept the challenge!”
“If you had the guts to take the job, then have the guts to compete, Jiang Yu! Prove yourself! If you don’t, it means Sun Tao was right!”
“Jiang Yu, take him on!”
“Brother Yu, ignore him, we know how talented you are—why prove anything to him?”
“If you’re afraid, just apologize to Teacher Sun!”
“How are there so many brainless fans? Jiang Yu, keep your dogs in line!”
“Jiang Yu, do you dare accept the challenge?!”
…
Though some comments supported Jiang Yu, more were insults or egging him on.
In the Hua Yue office, Jiang Yu lounged on the sofa, reading the comments. Sure enough, every world had its bystanders and keyboard warriors. He had no intention of replying or arguing; Lu Xun had done that long ago, and it proved pointless.
Instead, Su Ling, sitting nearby, looked at him anxiously. “That mad dog—why do you provoke him? If a dog bites you, must you bite back? In this business, it’s not wise to make enemies. Listen to me—just ignore him.”
Jiang Yu shook his head helplessly. “If a dog bites me, I won’t bite back—but I’ll show it what a dimensional strike feels like with a brick.”
Su Ling looked at this spirited young man, her heart skipping a beat. “What are you planning?”
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone and called Su Muyu. “Xiaoyu, look at this—Jiang Yu’s at it again. Can’t you rein him in?”
On the line, Su Muyu replied coolly, “Aunt, put me on speaker.”
“A call for you,” Su Ling told Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu took the phone, and a clear, cold voice came through: “I saw the posts. You want to accept the challenge?”
“Yes,” Jiang Yu replied softly. “He wants a songwriting duel, so I’ll give him one. Otherwise, this matter will never end.”
“Alright. I support you.”
Su Ling, standing nearby, grew exasperated. “You two are really cut from the same cloth.”
On the phone, Su Muyu added playfully, “Aunt, I’ll leave him to you then.”
“I must have owed you both in a past life,” Su Ling grumbled, glaring at Jiang Yu. “What are you planning next?”
Jiang Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Record a song, of course.”
Meanwhile, Sun Tao, seeing Jiang Yu’s silence, was already half-crazed.
“Coward! Dare you face me? If I lose, I’ll apologize to you before the entire internet!”
All the netizens waited for Jiang Yu’s response.
Ten minutes passed.
Half an hour passed.
An hour passed.
Two hours passed.
Suddenly, a new post appeared online, drawing everyone’s attention.
Spicy Turkey Chips:
“Brother, I’m with you—take him on! ‘You’ is an amazing song. Write something even better!”
“Old rogue, is it so hard to admit someone else is talented?”
This post stunned all the readers of “Immortal Execution”!
“Turkey Chips is getting involved again!”
“This troll author must be good friends with Jiang Yu—he jumps in every time something happens!”
“Haha, what a bold author!”
Sun Tao, surfing the web, was furious. He was serializing on CatCat as well, holding the number one spot—until recently, when “Immortal Execution” by this Spicy Turkey Chips overtook him. He hadn’t expected the author to know Jiang Yu.
He hadn’t gone after him yet, but now the author was picking a fight. Fine, he’d deal with them both!
“What does a novelist know about music? Writing nonsense full of demons and ghosts, all about romance, and calling it xianxia? You don’t even know what ‘chivalry’ means!”
Fans of the books grew excited.
“Author, he’s attacking your work now!”
“Go get him!”
Spicy Turkey Chips, true to form, shot back.
“Yeah, right. Only you know what ‘chivalry’ means? Just a few clans fighting for territory—that’s the ‘chivalry’ in your ‘Bloodstained Sunset’? Let me tell you: true chivalry is serving the country and its people!”
This declaration electrified the readers. “Chivalry is serving the country and its people”—those words echoed in their minds.
But Spicy Turkey Chips wasn’t done.
“Didn’t you want a contest with Jiang Yu? Do you have the guts to compete with me too?”
By now, Sun Tao’s anger had nearly drowned out his reason.
“Why wouldn’t I? What’s your challenge?”
Spicy Turkey Chips: “Let’s each write a new novel. Let the audience decide who’s better!”
The crowd erupted again. Sun Tao and Spicy Turkey Chips—both top CatCat authors—were going to duel? What a treat for the fans!
“Take him on! Go for it!”
The netizens egged them on.
Sun Tao’s eyes were bloodshot, his teeth clenched. “Fine! I accept!”
Just then, Jiang Yu’s social media updated, with a link to a new song.
“@SpicyTurkeyChips Brother, I’m first, your turn next!”
“@SunTao Three days is too long—I have a show to attend. Took a little time to write and record this song.”
“Let me show you something today!”
“‘Borrowing Another Five Hundred Years from Heaven’—listen and learn!”