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.

薛譚向著名的歌唱家秦青學習唱歌。不久，薛譚認為自己差不多完全掌握了老師傳授的技能，便告辭回家。

秦青在城外的大路旁為學生踐行，酒宴中，秦青和著樂曲的節拍，唱起悲切的送行歌來。歌聲慷慨悲壯，穿云裂石，連天空中的云彩也被這聲音所阻擋不能前進。

聽到這聞所未聞的美妙歌喉，薛譚連忙向秦青道歉，請求老師留下自己繼續學習。至此之后，薛譚一輩子都不再提回家的事了。