Chapter 1176: The Actor Becomes San

Chapter 1176: The Actor Makes Three

Jingle-jingle—

Ancient bells jingled softly in rhythm with the Nuo dance. The fearsome Nuo mask was almost pressed against Xiaoyu's face, and the sudden rush of air startled her.

But she quickly calmed down, curiously watching the figure in the mystical opera robe, hoisting the dancing black shadow. She seemed unaware that a mysterious energy was silently surging within her.

"Brother Pao, this elder brother of ours is really committed... The wedding procession is over, and there's still a dance?""Yeah, I just found out their troupe originally consisted of three people...""This dance looks so magical, all bouncy and lively, it's kind of scary but not scary at the same time."The boys watching were also curiously observing the figure dancing for Xiaoyu.

Just a few minutes earlier, Chen Ling had entered with a stranger, saying there would be a misfortune-dispelling dance after the wedding procession. The stranger observed Xiaoyu carefully for a long time, a complex look flashing in his eyes, before quickly donning an opera robe, putting on a mask, and beginning to dance in the cramped space.

Ordinary people couldn't perceive the power contained within Shen Nan's Nuo dance, but Sun Bumian could. Standing outside the door with Chen Ling, holding a lion dance headpiece, he couldn't help but ask:

"He actually managed to expel the illness... Where did you find this person?"

"He's also a 'White Hand' from Bureau 749. Haven't you met him?""No... I went abroad after attending that conference four years ago, so I don't know many of the new recruits."

As they spoke, Shen Nan concluded the ritual dance. He removed his mask and took off his costume, prompting enthusiastic applause from the surrounding boys. Although they didn't fully understand the Nuo dance, they knew to show respect.

And whether it was their imagination or not, ever since Shen Nan finished the ritual dance, a healthy color seemed to return to Xiaoyu's face; it was no longer frosty pale, and she appeared much more spirited.

However, Sun Bumian's expression remained exceptionally solemn.

From his divinatory insight, although the illness afflicting Xiaoyu had been expelled, the malevolent aura had only slightly diminished. At least for now, there was still no trace of vitality.

"Gentlemen, please stay for dinner tonight!" Brother Pao stepped forward, speaking sincerely. "If it weren't for you, Xiaoyu and I wouldn't have progressed so smoothly today... I know the compensation I paid doesn't even come close to matching your efforts, but I truly don't have much to offer... Cooking a meal for you myself is just a small token of my appreciation!"

"Yes, sirs, please stay for a meal!"

Sun Bumian apologized, "I'm sorry, but we're here for a conference, and we have a collective arrangement tonight."

The boys exchanged glances, a little anxious. "Then, can you come eat after your conference finishes?"

Sun Bumian opened his mouth, then said:

"Aren't you here for the wedding procession? You've completed it, and I see Xiaoyu's condition has improved significantly... How about you leave Wushan first, go to school or your home to check things out, and then come back?"

Brother Pao and Xiaoyu exchanged glances and immediately shook their heads.

"No, Brother, Xiaoyu's body is still too weak; she can't travel too far... And her mother has been taking care of her for so long; what would she do if we just left? We plan to stay here for a few more days, partly to keep Xiaoyu company, and partly to help Auntie with the housework."

Sun Bumian's expression was complex. He didn't press further. Although he could predict good and bad fortune, he wasn't a professional in the art of prophecy. All he could do was offer advice as best he could... If Brother Pao and the others weren't willing to leave, no amount of persuasion would change their fate.

"Brother, are you really unable to come for a meal? Lunch or dinner is fine; I know a bit about various cuisines, and it won't take long at all." Brother Pao's eyes were full of pleading.

Sun Bumian was silent for a long time. "Can you cook Cantonese cuisine?"

"Yes, I can make rice rolls and double-skin milk pudding!"

"...Alright, after we finish, I'll come for a meal."

At his words, the boys immediately cheered.

After bidding them farewell, the three of them—Chen Ling, Shen Nan, and Sun Bumian—left Xiaoyu's house and headed directly towards Huixian Hotel.

A light rain fell, and none of them had umbrellas. Fortunately, most buildings in the small town had eaves, so they walked along the eaves on both sides of the road. There were hardly any pedestrians to be seen.

"Hello, how should I address you?" Shen Nan extended a hand to Sun Bumian.

"Sun Bumian."

"Sun Bumian..." Shen Nan paused, as if the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it at the moment.

He could only shake Sun Bumian's hand first and introduce himself: "Shen Nan."

Afterward, both fell silent for a moment, simultaneously turning to look at Chen Ling behind them.

"...Why are you looking at me?" Chen Ling asked, puzzled.

"No... Aren't you going to introduce us?" Sun Bumian furtively winked at Chen Ling. "Otherwise, how can I... understand... right?!"

Under Sun Bumian's frantic hinting, Chen Ling understood his meaning.

This was Sun Bumian's first time meeting Shen Nan, and he didn't know how much this person knew about their situation, especially regarding Chen Ling being from another era and Sun Bumian's plan to sneak Chen Ling into the Wushan Conference. If Shen Nan were an outsider and inadvertently let something slip, things could get very complicated.

With a thousand kilograms of gold at stake, Sun Bumian had to be extra cautious.

"It's fine, he's one of us," Chen Ling explained directly. "Shen Nan, this is the 'backer' I told you about, the one who's bringing me into the Wushan Conference... Shen Nan taught me my Nuo opera, and he also knows I'm from another era."

At these words, both Shen Nan and Sun Bumian simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, he's one of us! That makes things much easier..."

"By the way, there's something I'm very concerned about." Chen Ling's expression turned serious. "I'm afraid something major will happen at this Wushan Conference..."

Sun Bumian's eyes narrowed. "You saw it too?"

"Saw what?"

"The malevolent aura pervading this town." Sun Bumian pushed up the small round dark glasses on his nose. "As soon as I entered this town, I sensed an extremely ominous and malevolent aura, almost everywhere. This kind of sign usually only appears before a major disaster, and once it appears, death is almost certain."

Chen Ling hadn't expected Sun Bumian to have sensed it from the moment he entered the town. He shook his head and said:

"I can't sense good or bad fortune, but I just fought with that Kongwang..."

Chen Ling recounted the conversation he had with Kongwang during their confrontation, emphasizing the latter's phrase, "I can't save everyone," which had left a deep impression on him.

After hearing this, Shen Nan's expression suddenly turned peculiar.

"Kongwang... So they are envoys of the Ancient Ghost Dao Treasury?"

"You've met them too?"

Shen Nan nodded slightly. "Yes, I've not only met them, but I've also fought them... However, it wasn't the Kongwang you mentioned; it must have been another envoy from the Ancient Ghost Dao Treasury."