On stage, one person playing three roles as Zhong Kui sang as if possessed by madness.
Below the stage, three or five spectators applauded again and again, watching as if they were entranced.
Xu Qing stepped forward, and a spectator dressed in Western Regions attire made way, speaking in broken official language: "Brother, you’ve come at the perfect time, the opera is just reaching the exciting part."
"I know this opera, Zhong Kui catching ghosts. How do you have the courage to listen to this opera?"
The emaciated, pregnant-bellied merchant from the Western Regions laughed heartily: "He, Zhong Kui, catches ghosts, we are not ghosts!"
Xu Qing was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "A fool never admits to being a fool."
The merchant was displeased: "Don’t try to scare me, we people from the Western Regions don’t believe in your Dayong ghosts and gods."
"When I came here, my companion also said there were ghosts. I bet with them to test our courage by exploring this theater. I haven’t seen a single ghost, but your Dayong opera sounds quite good."
Xu Qing smiled and asked: "Compared to the opera from your Western Regions, which sounds better?"
The merchant hesitated for a moment, then stiffly said: "Compared to our Western Regions, it’s naturally much worse, but it’s also not bad!" Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
Xu Qing’s gaze was deep, thinking how the current Western Regions lack any art worth mentioning, let alone comparing to the long-standing traditions of ancient dynasties.
"You’re really stubborn, no wonder you bet on this and came here."
The merchant puffed up proudly at these words and said: "We men of the Western Regions are of course much braver than you, not like you people who actually let a place this fun be sealed off by the cowardly government..."
"You don’t believe there are ghosts or gods here?"
The merchant stared at Zhong Kui on stage and said without turning: "I don’t believe!"
"Then turn your head and see if I am a human or a ghost!"
As soon as the words fell, Xu Qing’s nail instantly grew over a foot, his corpse teeth glittering coldly in his mouth, his robes and long hair flying, with thick ghostly mist swirling behind him.
"Ghost! There’s a ghost!"
The merchant looked at Xu Qing in terror, then turned and fled, rolling and crawling away, but he hadn’t gone far when his figure began to fade, eventually disappearing completely.
In Xu Qing’s every word and act, he had already broken the merchant’s spell of false obsession.
On stage, the performer Liu A’biao was still playing Zhong Kui.
"Each household pastes the peach talisman in vain for exorcism, each place makes straw figures in vain to ward off calamities. How often does one see a day of national peace, with every place shrouded in mist and clouds?"
"A great warehouse, piled high with flesh and blood, deep residences smeared with grease. Fiendish statues are displayed, showing might like a tiger or a wolf!"
"It takes driving the geese to exhaustion for satisfaction, only with the land’s end and heaven’s punishment does one feel content, building one’s own funeral stage!"
Xu Qing jumped onto the opera stage, still looking terrifying with sharp fangs and claws extended like a zombie.
"Zhong Kui! I hear you want to catch me. Now I am here!"
Liu A’biao’s lines got stuck in his mouth immediately, and the victims of hanging, drowning, and bursting guts below the stage stared straight at Zhong Kui, their fists clenched, all cheering for Liu A’biao!
"You’re Zhong Kui, if you’re scared, there’s no hope for everyone else!"
"Fight! Beat the evil ghost! If you win, I’ll call you Grandpa Zhong Kui, but if you lose, then you’re a grandson, bowing your head in shame for a lifetime!"
Liu A’biao, provoked by this, gathered his courage and was once again possessed by the spirit of Zhong Kui, becoming fierce and menacing!
With the Seven Star Cyan Peak Sword in his left hand and a peachwood ghost-whip in his right, he opened his mouth as if spring thunder burst forth and said:
"With compassion in my heart, I rid the world of evil ghosts, with extraordinary skills, I protect the people,
Dread not when evil ghosts entangle, Zhong Kui is here to ensure safety!"
"Hey, you demon! Give up your life——"
Xu Qing’s eyelids twitched lightly, his hand lifted with a flick, cutting the Cyan Peak Sword into six pieces!
Zhong Kui was unperturbed, both hands again gripping the peachwood ghost-whip, swinging repeatedly at Xu Qing.
Meanwhile, Zhong Kui recited words nonstop, boosting his courage and power:
"Holding a sharp sword to slay evil spirits, with righteousness in my chest stabilizing heaven and earth!
Eliminate all the earthly threats, ghosts, and robbers, making the world bright and peaceful——"
With a long sound falling, the peachwood ghost-whip shattered into wood chips.
"Ghost lord, have mercy! This small one is just a performer. It’s Landlord Li who took a fancy to this place and forced me to play Zhong Kui to expel evil. If ghost lord is angered, please find him, I beg you to spare my life!"
"Ha!" Xu Qing yelled angrily, imitating Zhong Kui’s tone: "Take a good look at who I am!"
"Ghost lord? Ghost lady? Ghost king..."
"I am your grandfather Zhong Kui! Here specially to catch you, the little ghost!"
"Master Zhong Kui..."
Liu A’biao exclaimed and sat down in shock, then turned ashen-faced, removing his head and placing it on the desk, he then fell beside the theater’s table, fading from sight.
Several spectators below also revealed their true forms, their souls vanishing.
In the 73rd year of Qianyuan, a public notice outside the theater stated: Performer Liu A’biao of the Liu family from Hejian, invited by someone, played Zhong Kui to exorcise evil in the theater, with his head hanging from the stage beam, body collapsing on the incense table, with the candles unextinguished...
Xu Qing withdrew his gaze, clicking his tongue in amusement, then strode boldly towards the highest tier within the theater!
The lamplight flickered, and the pale moon hung atop the theater.
Xu Qing marched towards the theater with the demeanor of a nouveau riche, recognizing no relatives in his path.
The ticket boy at the entrance was about to stop him but saw Xu Qing throwing paper money behind him.
Causing the boy, Nursing Home guards, and nearby guests to scramble for it.
A nouveau riche who could create money indeed acted arrogantly!
Xu Qing reached the front viewing area, took the best seat, and the ’Painted-face Overlord’ beside the troupe leader immediately raised his eyebrows and eyes, intending to drive him away.
But when Xu Qing threw down a wad of paper money, the Painted-face Overlord immediately flattered him with a smile: "Ah, so it’s an esteemed person before us! Look at my rashness, the rules of the Pear Garden are rigid, but people are flexible! Guests willing to throw silver to give us food are our providers, rightfully deserving of the best seats!"