both were sent to jail. At Zhong Hui's urging, Sima Zhao sentenced Ji Kang to death. Three thousand scholars petitioned for his pardon, but his enemies were implacable. Before his execution, Ji Kang is said to have played one last melody on the guqin, a swan song forever lost.

Ji Kang wrote Guangling San, a composition for the guqin recounting the assassination of a king of Han. It was said to be inspired by a spirit visitation, and was widely acclaimed. He was also believed to have become a xian