Chapter 18: I Am the Tyrant, In My World of Music

Wow!

As Fang Xing walked behind the board labeled “Martial Arts Dream,” the venue erupted once again. The tension in the air was so thick, even the blind could sense it.

Hashim turned his head and whispered, “You’ve got guts to pick me. But this time, you’re bound to lose.”

This fool played the innocent in front of the cameras, but the moment they were off, his true colors showed—it was almost laughable.

Fang Xing couldn’t be bothered to respond. He’d just settle things by kicking him out on stage.

This choice of songs was exactly the effect the production team wanted.

All five camera angles zoomed in, capturing every moment.

Only then did the directors signal Shen Xiyin to continue with the next captain.

The remaining team leaders’ choices weren’t much to look at—they all, without exception, avoided Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen.

In the end, the last two unlucky ones, with no options left, were forced to become the rivals of the two most popular contestants.

Once the captains had all made their selections, it was time to pick team members.

Shen Xiyin peered hard at her cue cards, muttering, “Oh no, I don’t think I understand these rules, either.”

Her cluelessness was both amusing and endearing.

Laughter rippled through the audience.

A director chimed in, “It’s fine, Xiyin, just explain how you understand it. If you get something wrong, we can dub it in post.”

“So casual?” Shen Xiyin quipped, then continued, “Now it’s time for the captains to choose their team members. Team members can refuse to join, and other captains can try to steal them—so it’s all pretty free-form.

“First, each captain needs to explain what kind of teammates they’re looking for.

“For example, do you want dancers? Rappers? Or vocals?

“And what’s your team’s goal? What do you expect from your members? Will you be strict?

“Let’s start with the first captain. Junchen, you go ahead.”

Wu Junchen took the microphone and went straight to the point: “My team has only one goal: to win, and to debut as the center.

“If you make it onto my team, I’ll do everything I can to help you. But be warned: my standards are very strict. Our training will be the toughest of all the teams.

“I won’t tolerate anyone slacking off. During rehearsals, I expect nothing less than perfection.”

The ten captains each took their turn to state their expectations for team members.

Their speeches were all pretty similar: promises to help their teammates, and a hope to be chosen.

After the first five captains had spoken, the microphone was passed to Fang Xing.

He spoke directly into the mic: “If you join my team, there’s only one rule: when it comes to anything related to vocals, you listen to me. Pick me only if you agree to that. Otherwise, choose someone else.”

Wow!

The crowd erupted at this domineering statement.

A trainee raised a hand and challenged, “If we have to listen to you, what if you divide up the lyrics unfairly, or don’t give me any lines at all?”

Shen Xiyin, sensing the bluntness of the question might lead to awkwardness, quickly stepped in, “Fang Xing, the trainees seem a little concerned. Could you elaborate a bit?”

Fang Xing replied impassively, “There’s nothing to elaborate. On my team, you do as I say when it comes to vocals. If I don’t assign you any lines, there’s only one reason—you’re not suited to sing them.”

A stir swept through the room.

Even the directors stared, dumbstruck by his answer.

It was shockingly forceful, almost arrogant in its bluntness.

Yet Chief Director Tong Fei’s eyes were sparkling.

She had a principle when it came to running talent shows: if you’re going to do it, be number one—unmatched by anyone else.

Controversy and buzz were her secret weapons.

Now, in Fang Xing, she saw endless potential for attention and debate.

The trainee who had questioned him was indignant. “We have to listen to you on everything—are you a tyrant?”

Fang Xing replied firmly, “Yes, I am. In my musical world.”

Once again, the venue buzzed with excitement.

Everyone’s gaze toward Fang Xing turned odd, but when they recalled “Nocturne” and “Wild Bird,” no one dared voice any doubts.

If every song Fang Xing produced from here on matched the quality of those two, who could challenge him musically?

Tong Fei’s mischievous side was itching—she longed to include this segment in the episode, though she worried it might not pass the censors.

She couldn’t predict how ordinary viewers or fans would react if this aired.

The label “musical tyrant” had already been thrown out.

If it were anyone else, airing this would mean being torn apart by hordes of haters.

But Fang Xing was the first contestant to make both of his solo performances trend online.

Tong Fei had the mic handed to her and personally asked, “Fang Xing, with such a tough stance, aren’t you worried you won’t recruit any teammates? Remember, by the rules, it’s possible for a team to be left with only the captain and no one else.”

Fang Xing shrugged, utterly unconcerned. “So what? It’s not like I haven’t performed solo before.”

The room broke out in noise again.

“He performed both PK songs solo last time, and they both went viral…”

People stared in astonishment, suddenly realizing that Fang Xing had already turned the team selection rules on their head.

Besides, except for a few popular contestants, even whole teams probably couldn’t beat “Nocturne” together.

Some of the directors even discussed whether they should change the rules to require at least six members per team, to avoid someone ending up alone.

But Tong Fei quickly shot down the idea.

She wanted drama. If such a thing happened, the show’s buzz would skyrocket.

A director formerly in charge of F-Class piped up, “A few days ago, I saw Fang Xing getting along well with Shao Yu and Guo Keda, so it’s unlikely he’ll end up alone.”

Just then.

A trainee from Class B stood up and asked, “Fang Xing, can you guarantee every performance will match the quality of ‘Nocturne’? Otherwise, I’d never join your team.”

Fang Xing smiled and replied, “No need to worry about my team, then.”

The Class B trainee’s face darkened.

Seeing there was enough controversy and drama, Tong Fei moved things along: “Fang Xing, who do you want as your teammate?”

Fang Xing looked at the trainees he got along with and beckoned, “Guo Keda, lend me your guitar and I’ll take you to the finals.”

The venue erupted yet again.

“That’s seriously arrogant—just saying he’ll take someone to the finals. So cocky.”

“Honestly, if he said he’d make it to the finals himself, I’d believe him. But guaranteeing someone else’s spot? That’s over the top.”

A few days earlier.

Guo Keda and Shao Yu had asked Fang Xing to play the backing track for “Nocturne.”

Using Shao Yu’s Martian laptop, Fang Xing quickly put together an accompaniment and sang it through.

Because of this, Guo Keda and Shao Yu understood Fang Xing’s musical talent better than anyone.

Hearing Fang Xing pick him as a teammate, Guo Keda’s smile nearly split his face. He jumped to his feet and hurried over.

At that moment.

Shen Xiyin quickly interjected, “Hold on, does any other captain want to snatch him? Per the rules, you can try.”

Before anyone else could speak, Guo Keda waved them off, “Don’t bother. No matter who tries, I’m choosing Brother Fang.”

With that, he hurried over to stand by Fang Xing’s side.

“Huh…”

People in the audience began whispering, “He even admits to being a tyrant—I thought he’d have terrible relations and no one would pick him.”

“Skill is what matters. If his future songs all match ‘Nocturne,’ a lot of people would want to work with him.”

“No way every song will be as good as ‘Nocturne.’ The last two were probably his best saved up; once he’s sung them, he’s done. There’s no way he has that many high-quality songs.”