Chapter 8: The Harpist (1)
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Being a harpist is one of those fancy exclusive jobs reserved for high-ranking lady monsters, and let me tell you, the bar is set sky-high!
First off, if you’re a female monster who wants to learn the harp, you better be nobility. No peasant harpists allowed!
Secondly, before even thinking about picking up a harp, there are several grueling professional tests to pass. Think of it like getting into the Monster Academy of Music!
But here’s the kicker: every aspiring female harpist must score at least a 9 out of 10 in looks and physique. Yep, you read that right—if you’re not a knockout, put down the harp!
While harpists might seem like support staff, they’re true gems every fighting squad desperately needs. According to the Han Solo of harp instructors, a harpist can only reach her full potential if she’s got both harp skills and looks to match. Without the stunning appearance, the harp’s tunes might just sound like a cat in a blender—a total disaster!
The rarer, the better.
The only reason Trissa can tag along with Morris’s group without spilling the beans on her secret mission is that everyone genuinely needs a harpist in the mix. It’s like she’s a lucky charm—just seeing her puts everyone at ease.
As long as Trissa’s magical energy isn’t drained, even warriors with fatal injuries will be healed in no time. So, even without her dad’s power, folks will keep their opinions to themselves during any squabbles between Trissa and Morris. After all, Trissa is everyone’s backup life! Who’d want to offend her?
So, when Lin Nan strutted onto the scene, it wasn’t just Trissa who stopped in her tracks; pretty much everyone in the tavern halted their activities, eyes glued to Lin Nan in her long dress adorned with fiery red patterns.
What was she planning to do?
If anyone thought a harpist merely spouted healing spells, they were sorely mistaken. A talented harpist can also dish out up-close magical attacks!
But just to be safe, a couple of muscle-bound monster security guys swiftly moved in, warning, “Hey, back off from the harp lady!”
“Get too close, and we won’t be polite!”
Xi, nervously watching this unfold, couldn’t decipher his master’s intentions. Wasn’t that harpist the daughter of the external affairs minister from the Imperial Capital? Was his master planning to exploit that connection?
He had a few cards between his fingers, ready to blow up and create chaos if things went sideways.
Lin Nan pointed at Trissa’s harp, which was as tall as herself, and asked, “Can I give it a try?”
Trissa finally clued in on Lin Nan’s intentions and couldn’t help but chuckle, “You want to play the harp?”
“Absolutely! Ever since I walked in, your music captivated me. I think I might be in love with it.”
And genuinely, it was no lie.
Since arriving in this world, Lin Nan had been battling for survival. Recently, she’d been through hell in Sky Sword City, and her nerves were frayed beyond belief.
Thus, stepping into the tavern and seeing a harp that reminded her of her world was like home sweet home! Despite the noise, she tried to soak in the calming vibes.
Monster races were usually too busy dodging attacks from the two opposing races to think about entertainment, while humans chased after her as though she were a villain boss in a game. She never had a moment to enjoy sweet melodies.
So, seeing a harp triggered memories of goddesses from myths, gracefully plucking strings while celestial tunes filled the air—a divine experience only heavenly beings could pull off.
Finally seeing a chance to actually touch a harp, Lin Nan just had to try it!
It’s like wandering into a mall or café where a piano lies in wait. If someone wants to serenade the crowd, it’s generally met with applause and smartphones rolling.
So, with no clue about the etiquette around a harpist, Lin Nan thought, “Surely, I can give Trissa’s harp a little poke!”
But little did Lin Nan know, the harp used by a harpist isn’t something you simply yank out like a regular harp. With the masive weight of a real harp, how could any lady carry it around so easily? Just the sheer heft would send most women running for the hills!
As soon as Lin Nan’s words left her mouth, the tavern erupted into laughter, the atmosphere suddenly turned festive.
Lin Nan frowned, the chill creeping into her expression. Wait a minute…
Trissa looked at Lin Nan with that aristocratic haughtiness, “You foolish demon woman! Do you not realize this harp is but an ethereal creation forged by the spirit of each harpist? It carries our magical prowess—a hundred times stronger than a physical harp!”
As she spoke, her fingers lightly tapped the edge of what looked like an actual harp.
Then, the harp—seemingly indistinguishable from a real one—vanished like a pebble dropped in a serene pond; ripple gone, harp gone, as if it never existed.
Trissa casually remarked, “See that? If you want to become a harpist, you might as well off yourself now and pray to be reborn as a monster in your next life.”
“Ha! A little demoness thinks she can be a noble harpist? That’s hilarious!”
“Isn’t that like a toad dreaming of eating swan meat?”
“Lowly humans and demon races don’t deserve the prestigious title of harpist. The continent shall be unified under the demon race!”
With drinks in hand, the monsters in the tavern began their raucous taunts, all directed at Lin Nan.
Morris, acting as though he hadn’t just been put in his place by Trissa, puffed out his chest and shouted at Lin Nan, “Hey, I thought you had some self-awareness! I was hoping to build bridges between our races! But look at you, acting all cocky! Tsk tsk. It seems I won’t need my whip to teach you a lesson! Just know who runs Black Stone City!”
Even the city lord wouldn’t dare cross me, let alone a run-of-the-mill demoness like you!”
Xi wanted to retaliate, but Lin Nan shot him a glance, causing him to tuck his cards away and slump in his chair like a tipsy patron, watching the unfolding drama with careful eyes.
Under Morris’s orders, two burly henchmen moved closer, ready to drag Lin Nan away.
But Lin Nan shot back, “Who says only monsters can have harpists?”
With a graceful flick of her dainty hand, a harp shimmering with golden light, made from rare jade, appeared on the not-so-wide stage.
At that moment, everyone stood frozen in shock.
