The Unlucky Musician

Yuan Shao is an immortal who recently ascended to heaven. He thought that after the trial and hardships he endured before his ascension his life as an immortal would be better but reality proved otherwise.

Two opposing forces decided to throw a banquet, on the same day, by heaven's gate. Neither faction was willing to back down so the Jade Emperor ordered them to share the location. And to ease his boredom, the emperor decreed that every immortal is required to attend one of the two functions. This command caused more tension between the goddess and the immortal factions.

Aside from the pursuit of the heavenly Dao, Yuan Shao was passionate about the arts and is a well-known erhu player in the mortal world.

As a newly ascended immortal, he cannot afford to offend Elmmmy or Jason and fabricating an excuse to forgo the festivities would be a violation of the Jade Emperor's decree.

To make the situation worse, Yuan Shao was invited to perform by both hosts. He did not know how to turn them down so he disastrously agreed to both requests!

Yuan Shao decided to move from one banquet to the other. In short, to attend both functions. It was a blessing that the barrier erected between the two functions was easy to break through otherwise his plan would have been foiled.

Unfortunately, Yuan Shao's actions didn't go unnoticed and to add insult to injury, when he tried to break through the barrier one more time, it collapsed!

The silence that followed was deafening. Jason and Elmmmy were clearly upset but both have been immortals for a long time and have learned the art of diplomacy. Without pause, they approached Yuan Shao to ease the tension and to inquire what happened.

As he watched them approach, Yuan Shao cursed his rotten luck. He was tired from going to and fro and mingling with dozens of immortals, whose name and ranks he cannot even remember. He wanted the ordeal to be over, fast.

Before Jason or Elmmmy could say anything Yuan Shao bravely spoke up. "Forgive me, seniors, for the offense but I feel that having a barrier between friends is quite unsightly. We are, after all, celebrating joyous occasions. Why not join hands and make the two banquets into one? Celebrating together would mean doubling the happiness, am I right? I am certain I'm not alone with this sentiment."

Yuan Shao then looked around him and prayed for the others to follow his lead. But he was severely disappointed. The other immortals did not speak up and looked on as if they were watching a good show. Yuan Shao was immediately plunged into despair.

Just when he thought he was done for, Elmmmy murmured, "Celebrating together is better than celebrating alone…"

"And with two occasions to enjoy, it would be double the excitement…" Jason added.

In the end, the barrier between the two parties was taken down and the tables were rearranged to accommodate everyone. The banquet became livelier and everyone lauded Yuan Shao for his quick-wittedness.

As the first notes from the erhu on his hands drifted with the night breeze, Yuan Shao swore he could hear the Jade Emperor laughing in the background saying, "Good show! Good show!"

The end… or is it?