Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Dark Style

“The third elimination round will take place in three days. In the next round, twenty composers will be leaving our stage, meaning only thirty composers will advance.”

“Now, let’s draw the theme for the next round. Please watch the big screen—”

“The answer is out! The theme for the third round is: dark-style songs!!!”

As soon as the theme was announced, Park Junxi’s heart sank. ’If only I’d saved my last song for the next round, I would have absolutely killed it!’

But as it turned out…

Yue Ji was also stunned for a moment. She had just lost because her theme was a bit of a gimmick, and now they were telling her the next round required this exact type of song…

Her fans were also furious.

They all felt their idol had only lost because of the song’s genre; otherwise, how could she have been outdone by two Federation people?

The Star Network was in an uproar.

Master Karl’s fans, in particular, were all crying foul.

Their Master Karl had been the champion for three consecutive seasons. How could he be beaten repeatedly by a newcomer?

It had to be a problem with the live audience’s votes, or a problem with the judges!

No one dared to criticize the Mainframe Judge, though; they’d be called brainless if they did.

[Did they come to our Empire just to create a new god? Is this Jiang Qin some minor princess with impure blood who was exiled to the Federation?]

Wen Jiaqi replied, looking completely baffled: [She’s exiled and she’s still a minor princess? Your Empire’s minor princesses have it rough.]

[LMAO, an exiled minor princess… Imperial people have such a unique way with words.]

[Yes, I’m the Princess’s butler. Please transfer a million Star Coins to me to help the Princess return home.]

[Hah. If it were just Master Karl losing, you could say his skills have declined. But so many composers with a higher Level than her can’t beat her. Isn’t that a joke?]

[Wow, so the Empire has traitors now. Even they can be bought by Federation people.]

[After all, this female is quite attractive.]

[I heard this female’s spot wasn’t obtained legitimately. That explains it. Who would be so reckless as to send a Bronze Level composer in? Turns out she has powerful backing.]

[So brainless… If your ears don’t work, you should donate them. Anyone with a bit of discernment can hear Jiang Qin’s skill, right?]

[Forget it, everyone stop fighting. I’ll @ the production team for you. If there are objections, they should investigate.]

…

When the show’s director received the news, he was utterly speechless.

’Who am I?’

’I’m an Imperial citizen!’

’If I were going to be biased, it would be toward people from my own Empire, right?’

’Has everyone forgotten the whole point of a show like this?’

’Besides, I’m a director chosen by the Imperial Family. I’m completely and utterly loyal to the Empire, okay?’

Even the panel of judges was stacked with the most representatives from the Empire, the fewest from the Federation, and the rest from the Myriad Races.

When the Imperial judges scored the famous composers and singers from the Empire, they definitely showed some subconscious favoritism.

For Jiang Qin to still receive such high scores under these circumstances was enough to prove she had genuinely moved the judges on her own merit.

Besides, the Empire never intended to rig a show like this in the first place.

’It was supposed to be a steamroll. Why would we need to rig it?’

The proud Imperial Family’s only requirements for the judges were to be fair, impartial, and professional!

They disdained the very idea of rigging it.

Who could have imagined that they would suffer such a Waterloo in a field they excelled at…

Thinking of this, the director cautiously dialed a number that inspired awe and fear.

Once connected, he asked humbly, “Your Highness, our Empire’s composers have been suppressed by a composer from the Federation for two rounds in a row. Do you think we should…”

“Should what?” a frigid voice rang out.

The director’s face flushed with unease, but he still explicitly brought up the idea of cheating.

“Well, remind the judges, erm, to control that female’s score a little…”

“Hah.”

“Are you suggesting we use the Empire’s reputation to buy honor for a bunch of incompetents?”

“What? Do you owe them your life or something?”

The director was left red-faced and speechless, unable to retort, but he still tried to explain himself. “I’m just afraid it will cause public dissatisfaction…”

’After all, they’re used to winning the championship every time. How could those arrogant people stand having it suddenly snatched away by someone from the Federation?’

“If they’re dissatisfied, they can get on stage themselves.”

“A bunch of trash, and they expect the Empire to pull strings for them?”

“If you’re incompetent, then get out!”

“The Empire’s honor will not be stained by these people. If there are any problems, you can spend the rest of your life mining for me.”

SNAP. The call was disconnected, leaving the director alone with a bitter expression and a splitting headache.

However, with those words, he now knew what to do.

It was also time to give those arrogant fools a rude awakening.

***

Jiang Qin was unaware of the storm brewing outside.

The sequestered production cut them off from all the drama and controversy.

She was standing at her doorway, staring at Yue Ji.

’My greatest rival has become my partner…’

Yue Ji raised an eyebrow. “Looks like I can finally get first place in the next round.”

“I hope the results won’t disappoint you, Miss Yue Ji.”

“Well then, I’ll go to my room and rest. Miss Jiang Qin hurt me quite badly tonight, you know~”

Jiang Qin smiled, a little embarrassed.

Nearby, Cang Hong, who had packed his things but was reluctant to leave, watched resentfully as Jiang Qin’s attention was stolen by someone else.

’How nice. A power couple, a match made in heaven…’

’And now, I’m going to be her enemy in the next round!’

’Waaah~’

Cang Hong’s stare was so intense that Jiang Qin had no choice but to turn back to him. Amused, she asked, “Are you really that scared of Mr. Karl?”

“Yeah…”

’After all, every Federation singer who’s worked with Karl ends up getting flamed.’

’Because every time he wins, he says his song would have gotten an even better review if he hadn’t been partnered with a Federation singer.’

’I can just imagine how badly I’ll be flamed after Mr. Karl and I lose to Miss Jiang Qin in the next round.’

He could already guess what people would say about him.

Jiang Qin hadn’t expected things to turn out so dramatically either.

She was paired with Yue Ji, while Cang Hong had the bad luck of being matched with Mr. Karl.

It would be fine if they won the next round.

But if they lost, she was afraid some irrational fans would accuse him of going easy on her and blame him for the loss, right?

This wasn’t just a malicious guess.

This was something Jiang Qin had seen and experienced before.

But there was nothing to be done; what was done was done.

All she could offer was a weak word of comfort: “Just do your best.”

Seeing Jiang Qin worry about him, Cang Hong felt like he deserved to die. ’Making a female worry about me!’

He quickly forced a smile and explained, “I’m not actually that scared of Mr. Karl, it’s just… it’s just…”

“Just what?”

Cang Hong blushed and asked, “It’s just… after the show is over, can I get your contact info, Miss Jiang Qin…?”

’What Mr. Karl? I wasn’t even thinking about him. My mind was completely filled with Miss Jiang Qin.’

’I was just going along with what she said…’

“Sure.”

“Really?” Cang Hong’s eyes lit up.

It also gave Jiang Qin another clear look at his eyes, and she froze for a moment.

“Of course…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep