Xue Tan studied singing from the celebrated1 singer Qin Qing, before long, he thought he had mastered almost all the skills and techniques taught by the teacher, and said goodbye to the teacher and headed for home.

Qin Qing gave a farewell dinner by the road outside the city for the student. During the dinner, Qin Qing sang a sorrowful farewell song to the rhythm of the music. The song was so magnificent and solemn, stirring and penetrating2 that the clouds in the sky were hold up by it. Hearing the dulcet3 voice that he had never heard before,.

Xue Tan apologized to his teacher immediately, and pleaded his master to let him stay there to continue his study. From then on, Xue Tan never mentioned the intention to go back home all his life.

薛谭向著名的歌唱家秦青学习唱歌。不久，薛谭认为自己差不多完全掌握了老师传授的技能，便告辞回家。

秦青在城外的大路旁为学生践行，酒宴中，秦青和着乐曲的节拍，唱起悲切的送行歌来。歌声慷慨悲壮，穿云裂石，连天空中的云彩也被这声音所阻挡不能前进。

听到这闻所未闻的美妙歌喉，薛谭连忙向秦青道歉，请求老师留下自己继续学习。至此之后，薛谭一辈子都不再提回家的事了。