Chapter 127: The Music Association Cabinet, S-Class

Members of the Music Association are graded based on their qualifications and other comprehensive factors. To gain access to the ninth floor of the Library, one must achieve S-rank status and enter the Association’s inner cabinet. To outsiders and even ordinary members, the Music Association appears to be a unified music organization with a prestigious standing in the industry. Because its membership is highly sought after by the elite—and many members themselves hail from high society—it is often perceived as being deeply intertwined with the upper echelons of society.

This, however, is not entirely accurate. Those at the level of Elder Qin understand that in Mianzhou, and even on the international stage, pure artists may be worth their weight in gold, highly respected, or even destined for immortality in history, but without political power, they can never stand at the true center of global influence. The side of the Music Association known to the public is, at best, merely a music guild, with its highest-ranking members being A-rank. The true power center of the Association lies within the inner cabinet. That cabinet, home to a handful of S-rank prodigies, is what constitutes the "real" Music Association. This is precisely the capital that allows the Association to transcend all other artistic organizations and stand on equal footing with the other behemoths of the Imperial Capital.

Why else would members of the upper class seek entry into the Music Association, if not to cultivate relationships with the true core members or to scout the prodigies destined for that inner circle? They fail to realize that while they believe reaching S-rank requires talent and high-level skill, in truth, only three specific categories of musicians are even eligible for the inner cabinet. Conductors are one of those categories. Yet, even for a conductor, the threshold for S-rank is harder to cross than a thousand armies fighting over a single narrow bridge. At least a bridge remains stationary; to use an imperfect analogy, even if one is just picking the tallest of the short, there are still some who pass. But S-rank members of the inner cabinet are different: if they do not meet the requirements or expectations, the Association would rather have none at all.

This is wonderful! It means Gu will focus on practicing conducting, constantly striving for excellence and seeking breakthroughs. Originally, the old man had been wondering how he would motivate her if she only aspired to be a regular member. Now, it seems that is entirely unnecessary! Gu has already dug a hole for herself—or rather, set a goal for herself—and he no longer needs to worry.

"Gu, if you want to reach the ninth floor of the Library, you’ve come to the right place! This is a privilege reserved only for conductors and the two other types of musicians who reach S-rank!"

Elder Qin himself is an ultra-A-rank. Though he has not yet reached the S-rank level required for the inner cabinet, he speaks of this matter with great animation and authority. He acts as if, provided Gu practices diligently, entering the inner cabinet is a guaranteed outcome.

Qin Yunqi’s lips twitched as he listened. The old man hasn’t even reached that threshold himself, yet he speaks to Gu with such confidence that she is certain to get in. He realized that when his grandfather tries to coax Gu, he is no different from the Big Bad Wolf in disguise. Several times, he wanted to interrupt the old man’s grand promises and remind Gu that the inner cabinet is not easily entered, but each time, he was silenced by a sharp glare from his grandfather. Qin Yunqi held his tongue the entire journey, which was far from comfortable. Only when they finally arrived at the Imperial Banquet and the car came to a stop did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Gu Zhiran, wearing a small black evening gown, followed Master Shen with elegant poise, socializing with those around her. She had always known the Music Association was grand, but she had not realized they were wealthy enough to rent out an entire auditorium at the Imperial Banquet. Although this was a last-minute decision by the organizers due to the arrival of a VIP, it clearly demonstrated the Association's immense financial power and noble status. Thinking that she, too, would one day enter the Association as a member, the smile on Gu Zhiran’s face deepened.

Most members of the Association are E or F-rank, and they become increasingly rare from the C-rank upward. Master Shen is one of those C-rank members. In the entire exchange hall, including him, there are only four musicians of that rank. Consequently, he had long been surrounded by many people. Gu Zhiran, standing by his side, naturally drew a great deal of attention. With Master Shen’s introduction and her own social grace, she quickly met many seniors in the Association and began chatting with other young members.

Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Gu Zhiran noticed that many members were converging toward the person who had just walked in. She was standing at a moderate distance, but because there were so many people surrounding the newcomer, she could not see his face. The people around her began to whisper.

"Is that Elder Qin who just arrived? He looks so imposing!"

"Why does he seem different from the rumors?"

Gu Zhiran smiled silently, unable to resist tilting her head to listen carefully. At that moment, someone in the know shook their head and said with certainty, "That is not Elder Qin. I once had the honor of seeing him from afar; he does not look like that."

"He must be some other big shot. In any case, he is not someone we can approach."

One only had to look at how everyone crowded toward him to know his status was higher than anyone else present. After all, even several C-rank members, who were considered top-tier at this exchange, had gone over to surround him!

Upon hearing that it was not Elder Qin, Gu Zhiran felt a slight disappointment, but her companion’s next words renewed her interest. Indeed, even if it were not Elder Qin, it was certainly someone of great importance. Gu Zhiran wanted to go over and introduce herself, hoping to catch the person's eye, but she knew her own limits. She knew such people were not ones she could approach at will. In a setting like this, she couldn't even get close to him.

Just then, Master Shen circled back to Gu Zhiran and said in a hurried tone, "Zhiran, come with me. We are going to pay our respects to that gentleman."

Hearing this, the people around Gu Zhiran looked at her with envy. Some of them had no mentors and had come alone, while others had mentors who were not qualified to approach such a person. Although Gu Zhiran was only a prospective member, she had a C-rank mentor who treated her so well—it truly made them envious. At the same time, everyone began to weigh their own interests. Gu Zhiran was undoubtedly someone worth befriending.

Hearing that Master Shen would take her along, Gu Zhiran instantly straightened her posture.