Mutated Tao

With Li Huowang’s explanation and help from the rest of them, Jin Shanzhao’s anger finally subsided.

After all, it was up to Jin Shanzhao whether to believe the so-called reasons fabricated by Li Huowang.

“Elder, since we’re traveling in the same direction, then how about we go together? It will be convenient for mutual support if we encounter any trouble on the way,” suggested Li Huowang.

As he recalled the corpses of those bandits, Jin Shanzhao hesitated for a moment but nodded in the end. “Alright, I’m getting older and may get picked off by bandits quite easily. Traveling together might just be safer. However, Daoist, you should respect old people just as you do your own parents. Just a few more strikes like those, and I’ll have to be placed in a coffin.”

“Of course not. I was too careless previously,” said Li Huowang.

Li Huowang finally heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the old man agree. It was not that he wanted to stick with this stranger, but rather to ensure that the man wouldn’t report him to the others while they were on the move.

As long as they stuck together, then he could be monitored.

The entire town was very busy, and their painted faces attracted quite a bit of attention as they walked through. Quite a few people stood still and pointed curiously toward Li Huowang’s group.

Can they tell that that we are from the kingdom of Si Qi?

Lu Zhuangyuan’s family wasn’t from the kingdom of Si Qi in the first place, and they didn’t perform any plays from there, so nobody would suspect that they were from there.

However, the crowd’s interest did serve as a reminder for Li Huowang.

After all, while they may not be suspected to be from the kingdom of Si Qi, they may raise suspicions as a theater troupe that didn’t perform any plays.

After some contemplation, Li Huowang came up with a solution. “Troupe Leader Lu, since we are a theater troupe, why don’t we set up a stage for a play? There’s already an audience waiting.”

Performing a play was something that was expected of them.

Hearing Li Huowang’s suggestion, Lu Zhuangyuan nodded enthusiastically, and then came to the Lu Family Troupe and instructed, “Hurry up! Didn’t you hear the Daoist? Quickly find an area to set up the stage.”

“But… Dad, I’m so tired. We just came out of the bandits’ hideout. Didn’t we sing and dance for long enough over there? Let’s rest for a while more…” said Lu Xiucai.

Lu Zhuangyuan glanced at Li Huowang who was standing nearby, then picked up his tobacco pipe and smacked it on his son’s head. “You sing when I tell you to! What’s with all this nonsense?! You should follow your father’s words!”

Since there were no trees or bamboo poles around, they could not erect a proper stage and had to make do by draping a large red cloth over a broken wall. The carriages that were led behind the broken wall served as the backstage.

Though it was quite crude, the townsfolk were not picky. They soon gathered around when they saw that there was a play.

Li Huowang was not one to sit by idly. “Go and help out. Remember our identities; right now, we are a theater troupe. We can find an inn to rest after the performance.”

Li Huowang’s words caused everyone besides Jin Shanzhao to start moving.

Since all of them weren’t really skilled as performers, they could only assist them offstage, but even this lightened the burden on Lu Zhuangyuan’s group massively.

Dressed in black, Lu Juren raised his knife and stepped on the stage, causing the buzzing crowd to gradually become quiet. There was no applause, but a curious sense of expectation filled their eyes.

While the Nuo Opera was famous in Hou Shu, the people were not dismissive of other types of plays either.

Dong dong jiang!

As the Lu Family Troupe began to play their music, Lu Juren followed their rhythm and started singing. “Today~ for~ justice~ down~ mountain~ pass~ blade~ to~ assist the battle!”

Meanwhile, Li Huowang observed the audience, using his keen senses to search for any potential risks. Fortunately, after searching for a while, the only noteworthy thing was a thief stealing some money at the periphery of the audience.

He also saw Jin Shanzhao engrossed in the performance.

“Senior Li, previously… I didn’t refuse to give you that bamboo slip… I just…”

At that moment, a hesitant voice rang out behind him.

When he saw Chun Xiaoman, Li Huowang raised his hand to stop her. “I know that you were sold by your family and often feel uneasy. But the Profound Records is a very sinister item and not suitable for you. If you use it improperly, it can end up costing you your life.”

“Then, Senior Li, how come you can use it?” asked Xiaoman.

“I…” Li Huowang touched the smooth surface of the Profound Records, and smiled bitterly, “...I am just used to it.”

“Sorry for being harsh with you. That’s just my temperament. Please bear with me,” As he said this, Li Huowang reached out to pass the bronze bell to Chun Xiaoman. “Take this. Although it requires your lifespan, at least it’s safer than the Profound Records.”

Chun Xiaoman accepted the bell with a look of surprise. They had spent so much time together, and she understood this bronze bell’s power quite well. She was amazed that he would entrust it to her. With this, the unease in her heart finally vanished without a trace.

She wanted to say something, but all she could say was, “Thank you, Senior Li.”

Li Huowang sighed. He did not want to give any of these items to others. It was not out of selfishness, but because each of them was extremely dangerous. In this crazy world, one had to sacrifice something if they wanted to obtain something else.　

Just as Li Huowang was instructing Xiaoman on how to use the bell, an unexpected scene began to happen.

It was not the arrival of enemies, but Lu Juren’s emotions suddenly seemed amiss on the stage. He seemed to be overly engrossed in his performance. Even with Li Huowang’s limited knowledge of the plays, he felt that there was something off with the lines.

“Rouge and powder like enchanting drugs!”

“The lotus-like face is the source of this bewitching charm!”

“The little golden lotus, this malicious spirit!”

“The willow-like waist, akin to a snare for horses!”

“Those charming eyes force me to wear a cuckold’s hat!”

“A pair of jade-like wrists serve as a pillow for a thousand men!”

“Scarlet lips, savored by countless guests!”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s Zhang, Wang, Li, or Zhao!”[1]

“On the mandarin duck pillow, he calls out affectionately!”

As he finished singing the last verse, Luo Juanhua, Lu Juren’s wife, raised the gong and pounded it indignantly, before dashing toward the backstage with tears streaming down her face.

Clang!

For a moment, the entire stage and the audience fell silent.

Then, the audience erupted in cheers and applause.

“Amazing!”

“Encore, encore!”

“This is so much more energetic than the Nuo Opera! What kind of show is this?”

“Let that lady who just struck the gong come back on the stage. I’ll reward her generously!”

Various coins and silver pieces, and even some food, gradually littered the ground.

This was the most rewarding response the Lu Family Troupe had received in all their years performing.

1. common surnames ☜

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!