This clapper had been gifted to Old Master Meng by a great writer who appreciated his artistry when he was still practicing, and the old gentleman treasured it dearly. The clapper was later passed on to Old Master Meng’s shige, Qi Mengzhou. Afterward, due to some accidents, they separated, and this clapper remained with Old Master Meng.
Many believed that such a significant clapper would be passed down to the leader of the Meng family in a hundred years; at the very least, it would be passed to a favored disciple.
Who would have thought that he would gift it to Qi Shejiang on this day! In that moment, many thoughts and speculations flashed through everyone’s minds.
Now, Old Master Meng’s action raised questions; was he planning to transfer the legacy back to his shige’s lineage?! If that were the case, it would indeed be a monumental event in the crosstalk world!
“Recite that theme poem again using this,” Old Master Meng said.
Qi Shejiang took the box, holding the clapper in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. It was the clapper handed to him by his master, and he rarely took it out. Although it bore the marks of the years, it felt as if time had not passed at all.
Qi Shejiang could hardly contain his excitement as he held the wooden clapper tightly, focusing his energy to recite: “For eons, the rules of heaven and earth rest upon man’s shoulders, the backbone unyielding against the Emperor of Heaven. Life’s fragrance and filth span a thousand years, while the world’s glory and decay endure less than a century!” With a sharp clap, the sound of the clapper rang out clear and distinct. Old Mr. Meng sighed with satisfaction, his face glowing, “Yes, yes! This is exactly the same; you and Shige are simply identical!” The more he listened to Jesse’s performance, the more he felt it wasn’t just that Jesse resembled Shige; he was imitating his master at every turn, and it felt entirely natural.
