Chapter Ninety-One: Sig's Creation

After the project team had settled into their seats, the host began introducing the game once more.

A promotional video played for the game, which had now been running for nine years. At its peak, it was not only the top online game in the Three Kingdoms genre, but also ranked among the best across all online games. Later, as the online game genre collectively declined, its glory faded, leaving mostly nostalgic players behind.

Perhaps unwilling to let go, the game company had come to the show, hoping for another chance.

In the director’s monitoring room, Yu Hua held a walkie-talkie, watching the two rows of screens before him. On one split screen, he saw someone from the game project team moved to tears by the promotional video.

He chuckled softly; this was precisely the effect he wanted. With a series of elements setting the tone, not only was everyone’s mood elevated at the recording site, but their hearts had grown tender as well.

Therefore, Yu Hua eliminated any unnecessary delays—even interviews with the sponsors were omitted.

Interviewing required calmness, but that would ruin the atmosphere.

It was because of this atmosphere that so many were willing to spend money. Did you think they were simply paying tens of thousands for musicians’ fees? There was also the production team to consider.

After Yu Hua created this show, not only did executives at Penguin Video take notice—even that Mr. Ma, far away in Pengcheng, called to inquire.

What did he ask?

He asked why some projects couldn’t make it onto the show—even with extra money, even after connections had been pushed all the way to him.

Yu Hua smiled apologetically, saying the projects were "waiting their turn."

The other party didn’t press further; instead, he affirmed Yu Hua’s work, told him he was doing well, and urged him not to grant special favors.

“All right, the project introduction is over. ‘Battle of Red Cliffs’ is a newly released quest in the game. I don’t know much about games, but for our musicians, it’s even more complex. Not only do they have to consider the Red Cliffs and Three Kingdoms elements, but also the game itself as well as the players’ perspectives. This project is difficult—a number of our musicians have complained to me, saying its difficulty rivals the top five projects currently ranked...” The host lowered his voice at this point.

“Do you understand, sponsors? They want to add more money!”

The audience burst into laughter!

Seeing that someone in the middle was about to speak into the microphone, the host hurriedly intervened.

“Haha, just joking, just joking! You mustn’t complain to the production team that I’m pressuring you on stage. Haha, all right, back to business. The stage recording for the promotional song of the Three Kingdoms game’s ‘Battle of Red Cliffs’ quest officially begins!”

“This project was first taken on by the Wildfire Alliance led by Shen Jianxin, then challenged by the Star Alliance led by Liu Xingyun, forming a showdown stage between Wildfire and Star Alliance. Please welcome Wildfire Alliance’s Sieg to the stage! The stage is his!”

Sieg had been waiting backstage, head lowered, preparing himself emotionally.

He didn’t want to be the first up, but there was no help for it—he didn’t have enough points to buy a better slot.

Hearing the host hand over the stage, Sieg appeared at the rear of the stage.

The stage somewhat resembled the one from Tang Zhichu’s previous life’s “I Am a Singer.”

When the spotlight converged on a point at the rear, Sieg stepped into its beam.

The venue quieted. Some people shielded their eyes, but most felt the same thing.

Whoa—he’s dazzling!

That bald head was just too conspicuous!

“Sieg—one of the few rappers I actually like!”

“Good thing it’s Sieg. For this project, Wildfire Alliance aside from Shen Jianxin would have a hard time.”

“Shh, don’t talk!”

...

When Sieg stood center stage, applause broke out from the audience.

He first looked upwards, then bowed to the audience, then to the project team directly ahead, before nodding to the band.

The drumbeat began, followed by an electrifying electric guitar.

Just the intro, and the atmosphere ignited instantly!

On the big screen, subtitles appeared.

“Hero Defined”

Lyrics: Sieg, Shen Jianxin

Music: Sieg

Chaos and war, flames rise and clouds surge

Smoke billows, murderous intent swells, too thick to see

Rushing in and out, not just to bring you pain

Sword in hand, armored for battle, you decide who’s heroic

...

The song started in a rock style, with Sieg compressing his voice, amping up the power.

The audience quickly got into the mood, swaying with the rhythm.

Backstage, everyone gathered around a large screen.

Many exclaimed in surprise!

“Whoa, Brother Xi explodes—he can rock too!”

“Nice, it’s really fiery!”

...

On stage, after singing a brief segment, Sieg spun and pointed backstage.

Yun Miao, dressed in white, appeared under another spotlight!

Amid gasps from the audience, the electric guitar faded, leaving only bass and drums.

Yun Miao began:

Rivers and mountains stretch for thousands of miles

Forgotten sky, ambition rises

Silent, no words exchanged

The relentless river flows eastward

...

“Whoa, Sister Miao’s opera-style vocals—amazing!”

“Goosebumps everywhere!”

“Incredible!”

Backstage, some musicians were already on their feet.

Rock plus opera-style vocals—perfectly executed.

Many glanced at Wildfire Alliance; this song was genuinely strong.

Shen Jianxin stared at the screen intently, nodding in confirmation—better than rehearsal. Sieg and Yun Miao’s live performance was outstanding!

Tang Zhichu also raised his thumb—truly impressive.

He had spent the past few days helping Sieg refine the song, hearing it countless times, but hearing it performed live on stage felt entirely different.

Sieg, bald and with sharp features, exuded masculinity; paired with Yun Miao’s feminine charm, the effect was powerful.

Sieg’s arrangement wasn’t complex. After Yun Miao’s opera-style vocals, there was an upward modulation and repetition, then Yun Miao took over again.

With the modulation, her opera vocals grew even richer.

Whether desert, hill, Yangtze or Yellow River

Right and wrong blurred

A lock for love

History or legend

...

When the song ended, Sieg gasped for breath, then embraced Yun Miao.

The crowd erupted in applause; some even whistled.

Sieg had worked hard on this song, eventually foregoing rap altogether—rock conveyed enough emotion, so he left the finishing touch to Yun Miao.

Considering the game, this was a quest promo song—the game had been around for nine years, no longer the blood-pumping excitement of the beginning; it needed to move the current project team.

No rap—Sieg had pushed himself.

Backstage, veteran musicians shook their heads in admiration: “Impressive, not easy.”

“Definitely impressive—so competitive, even the rappers are forced into rock!”

“Absurd, but I can’t help laughing!”

“Go ahead and laugh—your turn is coming soon.”

Shen Jianxin clenched his fists, relaxing with relief. Excellent—far better than rehearsal.

The team had done everything possible; even if the result wasn’t favorable, Shen Jianxin felt he could accept it. He’d given his all.

He turned to Tang Zhichu, suddenly saying, “I owe you this episode—we’ve all been helping Sieg.”

Tang Zhichu shook his head. “What are you saying, Teacher Shen? If Brother Xi wins, we all win.”

As the backstage conversations continued, the audience gave their scores—one point per person, for a total of two hundred.

But the scores weren’t revealed yet; the showdown stage still had another team to perform.