Ghosts and Gods' Gift

"Old sir? What old sir?"

Xiao Shan and the others exchanged glances, and looking at the empty audience seats, an involuntary chill ran down their spines, their scalps tingling.

If it were before, they might have thought Zhou Sheng was playing tricks, but after what they had experienced on stage, not one of them would question Zhou Sheng now.

If Zhou Sheng said someone was there, then someone must be there!

No, perhaps not human...

At this very moment, they finally understood why Zhou Sheng had insisted they cooperate and finish performing this Stage Breaking play.

The opera had begun, and all directions were listening.

One side was for humans, three sides for ghosts, and four sides for gods.

They had thought this was just a legend, but they never expected there would actually be an unseen 'audience' in the seats.

If they hadn't persisted in finishing the performance on stage just now, would they have angered that "audience"?

At this thought, they all shivered, their reverence for this small stage growing even greater.

And at this very moment, in Zhou Sheng's eyes, there sat a very special old man.

The reason he was special was the clothes he wore.

It was a Dark Green Robe Embroidered with Golden Python, with a three-inch wide cinnabar red border along the hem. It seemed to be an official's robe, but it looked like a style from a previous dynasty.

The Great Xuan Dynasty had been established for over three hundred years, yet this old man was wearing an official's robe from a previous dynasty. The deeper meaning behind this was chilling to contemplate.

In fact, when Zhou Sheng first joined the opera troupe, he hadn't seen the old man. He had vaguely sensed something when he performed as Lord Bao, and only when he was singing as Marquis Huan, where man and opera merged, did he finally confirm it.

The opera had ended, but the old man had not left. He had even actively revealed himself so that Zhou Sheng could see him clearly after he had removed his makeup.

This meant that the other party had something to say to him.

"Your dantian's qi is strong, your Dragon-Tiger Voice is well-matched, your singing, recitation, acting, and fighting are all good. Especially your portrayal of Lord Bao, although the skill is still a bit shallow, it remarkably captures some of the spirit of Bao Longtu."

The old man first praised him generously, then his eyes showed a hint of reminiscence as he sighed.

"Yu Zhensheng... has a good disciple. It seems his skills finally have a successor."

Zhou Sheng gazed at the face that seemed ordinary, yet made his heart tense and feel an invisible pressure.

A faint, ethereal glow seemed to emanate from the old man, not dazzling, but looking at it for too long caused a slight stinging sensation in his eyes.

Also, he wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but around the old man, he seemed to smell something like incense, like the sandalwood burned in temples.

"Do you know my master?"

"Naturally."

The old man sighed, "Cloud Gate Snow Voice reaches the Heavenly River, Nine-Turn Pearl Plate shatters much jade. Dragon-Tiger throat swallows a Three-Foot Blade, Yin Yang board sets the Fifth Watch Gong."

"Master Yu back then, how glorious he was. With a Cinnabar Brush to paint his face and begin his performance, the Bronze Hammer Painted Face shook the Yin and Yang. In Ghost Opera, no one could surpass him."

"Especially his Lord Bao plays, they were unparalleled in the world. Even if the real Lord Bao himself came, he might not be able to tell the difference. Unfortunately..."

He shook his head and sighed, "Such wonderful plays are rarely seen anymore."

Zhou Sheng was stunned, a little surprised in his heart. He knew his old man used to be famous for performing Ghost Opera, but he didn't expect him to be so formidable?

In fact, he already had some guesses about the old man's identity, but precisely because of that, the other party's praise for his master surprised him even more.

"You are good. Perhaps in the future, you can become the next Yu Zhensheng..."

Suddenly, the old man seemed to think of something and shook his head.

"Ten Thousand Miles of Phoenix Flowers on the road to Danshan, the Young Phoenix's voice is purer than the Old Phoenix's sound. Danshan, he gave you this name, it seems he believes you are even more outstanding than he was in his youth."

"You flatter me. For so many years, Master has never praised me."

The old man stopped discussing this topic and took out a small box made of Golden Silk Nanmu from his embrace. Mysterious runes were inscribed on it.

Golden Silk Nanmu was known as 'Emperor Wood'. Even for an emperor, it was difficult to obtain a coffin made of Golden Silk Nanmu.

Legend had it that it took at least fifty years for the wood to mature, and to achieve the state where the wood fibers were like golden threads, it would take at least several hundred years.

Just this small box made of Golden Silk Nanmu was already worth far more than fifty taels of silver.

Not to mention the contents of the box.

"According to the rules of your Ghost Opera profession, since I have watched the play, I cannot just applaud empty-handed. This item... I will give it to you."

Zhou Sheng, who had been secretly tense, finally relaxed slightly.

He felt a sense of goodwill from this person.

It seemed the other party was indeed his master's friend. But why hadn't his master mentioned him specifically before they came?

"Old sir, I have not yet completed my apprenticeship. According to the rules, I cannot accept--"

The old man placed the item on the table, no longer replying. He picked up his cane and walked away.

Watching his retreating back, Zhou Sheng hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't help but ask a question.

"Old sir, Shen Jinhua died unjustly. The murderer seemed to be after her head from the beginning. This happened in your territory, why didn't you--"

Before the words even fell, the old man suddenly turned around, giving him a deep look. The surrounding candlelight flared up, snake-like flames dancing, extremely eerie.

The oppressive feeling Shen Jinhua had brought forth with all her might seemed far inferior to this casual glance.

At this moment, Zhou Sheng deeply felt the immense gap between them.

What terrifying Dao cultivation!

Let alone being mentally exhausted, even if he were at his peak, he would still be no match for the old man.

"Danshan, don't forget the two most important rules of Ghost Opera: don't break character, but even more so don't..."

"I can't break character."

He spoke each word, as if a warning, yet also as if hiding deeper meaning.

Zhou Sheng remained silent. If even the old man couldn't manage this matter, it meant the strength of the person behind the scenes had far exceeded his imagination.

"Thank you."

He bowed and after looking up, found the old man had already vanished. The distance was pitch black, not a single figure could be seen.

However, the box that appeared on the table proved that everything that had just happened was not an illusion.

"Danshan, who were you just... talking to?"

"And this box... hiss, Golden Silk Nanmu? And it's pure gold..."

Master Wu stepped forward to strike up a conversation, his gaze fixed on the Golden Silk Nanmu box, his heart filled with curiosity. What exactly was inside this box?

It must be a rare treasure!

He had clearly seen Zhou Sheng's actions just now. He had been talking to the air the entire time, yet this box suddenly appeared on the table.

It was obvious it was a gift from that unseen 'person'.

Gifts from Ghosts and Gods are always extraordinary items.

Unfortunately, Zhou Sheng immediately put the box away and said lightly, "Master Wu, sometimes too much curiosity isn't a good thing."

With that, he glanced at everyone.

"Stage Breaking is complete. Danshan has fulfilled his mission and will take his leave now. Everyone, farewell."

"Danshan, it's late at night, why the rush? Why not stay and rest for a bit?"

"Yeah, you saved our lives, we haven't even thanked you yet!"

However, Zhou Sheng paid no attention to their entreaties, not even offering a single extra explanation.

He picked up his opera trunk and turned towards the darkness.

There were still no footsteps. In the blink of an eye, he was swallowed by the deep night, his back tall and solitary.

A little over an hour ago, he had walked out of the darkness, and now he disappeared into it again. Besides knowing his name, everyone else knew almost nothing about him.

"Ghost Opera..."

Martial Actor Xiao Shan muttered to himself, a hint of longing in his eyes.

"Master Wu, what... what exactly is Ghost Opera? I've been performing for over ten years, how have I never heard of it?"

Master Wu glanced at him, seemingly guessing his thoughts, and let out a cold laugh.

"Ghost Opera isn't as simple as you think. Catching ghosts and subduing demons? Punishing evil and promoting good? Heh."

He paused, a trace of fear flashing in his eyes. "Every Ghost Opera Performer lives their entire life in the shadow of Ghosts and Gods. It's a fate more terrifying than a curse!"

"Do you know why Master Yu is so famous in the Ghost Opera lineage?"

"Because as a Ghost Opera Performer..."

"He actually managed to live past forty."