Chapter 380: 赴约

“The Ancient Opera Trove, where players are nameless…”

Reading the last line, Chen Ling’s mind was instantly filled with the image of the beautiful youth and the scene of the other three companions at the inn. His thoughts erupted like a thunderclap.

“It’s them… so it was them? No wonder they chose to enter Willow Town even though it was clearly sealed off by the Circle, and there were exactly four of them… Did they see through my disguise from the start?”

Chen Ling recalled the conversation between the beautiful youth and the woman in green, the very exchange that pinpointed his mastery of the Weaving Fate skill. At the time, he thought it was just a coincidence, but now, upon closer reflection, every word the youth spoke seemed to carry a deeper meaning. Were they deliberately guiding him?

Countless thoughts raced through Chen Ling’s mind. He looked at the invitation in his hand, a sudden sense of unreality washing over him.

“The King of Clubs said my master would find me… and he was right,” Chen Ling murmured to himself.

Chen Ling had initiated a series of troubles in his active search for his master’s sect, a process that proved incredibly convoluted. Yet, as he suddenly looked back, he realized the very people he sought had been by his side all along, the profound subtlety of which was inexpressible. The invitation arrived in his hands just after he had killed Lin Xi’s three companions and attracted the attention of the Fleeting Life Scroll. The timing was far too coincidental.

So, what did this invitation mean? Chen Ling scrutinized it again, unable to determine the sect members’ intentions. However, based on his impression of the Mo, they were unlikely to be hostile towards him. But what about the others? The Jester’s inexplicable killing intent had already put Chen Ling on guard, and he couldn’t help but hesitate.

“...Forget it, there’s no better option anyway,” Chen Ling sighed.

He was currently being hunted by the Fleeting Life Scroll. His choices were either to languish in the Circle and await death or to attend the meeting and discover their intentions. Comparing the risks, Chen Ling chose the latter. He carefully placed the invitation into his sleeve, then, after orienting himself, walked directly eastward.

***

Leaden gray clouds hung over Willow Town, slowly shifting with the howling cold wind. In the dim, lightless alley, Li Qingshan’s clothes flapped wildly as he pushed against the wind to his front door and stepped inside.

“Phew…” Li Qingshan exhaled deeply. “Looks like it’s going to rain heavily.”

Sheltered by the walls, the wind in the courtyard finally lessened, but many dead leaves still danced wildly above the eaves, creating a rustling sound.

“Qingshan… close the doors and windows!” his grandmother’s voice called from inside.

“Coming, Grandma!”

Li Qingshan hurried to gather all the laundry, securely shut the doors and windows, and fed the chickens and dog before ducking inside as the first raindrops began to fall. He sat on a wooden stool, wiping sweat from his brow, seemingly exhausted.

“Qingshan… there’s another letter for you.”

“Huh? Another one?”

As if remembering something, his grandmother took an item from a drawer and, with trembling hands, gave it to Li Qingshan. “Just now… a child delivered it… told you to be sure to go… it’s for some kind of… performance?” The old woman waved her hand. “I’m old, dear, my ears aren’t so good… you read it yourself.” With that, the grandmother, leaning on her cane, walked into her bedroom.

Li Qingshan sat inside, puzzled, examining the item in his hand. It looked like an invitation. Opening it, he found a letter printed with Peking Opera masks: sheng, dan, jing, mo, and chou.

“Dear Mr. Li Qingshan, the Ancient Opera Trove cordially invites you…”

Li Qingshan’s gaze swept downwards. When he finished reading the content, deep confusion appeared in his eyes.

“The Ancient Opera Trove…?”

Li Qingshan had heard of the fourteen Divine Path Ancient Troves before, especially the Ancient Opera Trove. Within the Red Dust Realm, it was virtually a revered legend. It was said that those who embarked on the Divine Opera Path would gain ever-changing yet peerlessly beautiful countenances. For those single-mindedly pursuing fame and debut, it was an irresistible temptation. Even established superstars dreamed of entering it to find a way to preserve their youth. Some even paid exorbitant sums to Divine Path owners from outside the realm, risking their lives to cross the Gray Realm beyond the boundaries to reach the Trove and alter their destiny.

Yet, here in Li Qingshan’s hand, the invitation bore the words “Ancient Opera Trove.”

“Is this a prank? Or…” Li Qingshan hesitated.

From Li Qingshan’s perspective, such an invitation was as absurd as a scam message. The Ancient Opera Trove was impossibly distant, and those rumored to have embarked on the Divine Opera Path were exceedingly few. How could such an invitation appear, specifically inviting him, Li Qingshan, to watch a performance?

Boom!

Faint thunder rumbled from the black sky, and the rain outside grew heavier. Seeing the severe storm, Li Qingshan sighed. He casually tossed the invitation onto the table and turned to walk further into the house. In such weather, any normal person would choose to rest at home or sleep soundly. Who would brave such a storm to go to a desolate area in search of a performance that likely didn’t exist?

Just as Li Qingshan was about to step into the room, his foot paused in mid-air. He stood there like a statue, the image of Chen Ling in red tearing off his mask suddenly flashing through his mind. The only sound in the room was the drumming of rain on the tiles. Li Qingshan’s hands clenched unconsciously.

“Never mind… what’s the harm in taking a look?”

Li Qingshan abruptly turned, put the invitation from the table into his pocket, picked up the oil-paper umbrella from the corner, opened it, and disappeared into the street, braving the wind and rain. He was going to an appointment, an invitation that might not even exist. And this invitation would change his life.

***

“Ahead, that’s Willow Town.”

Beyond the inky black clouds, two figures approached from the direction of Red Dust Main City, stopping before a desolate forest.

“Do we really both need to handle a Tier 3 kid?”

“Don’t underestimate him. He counter-killed three Architects under Circle lockdown and even almost deceived the Main City.”

“Those are just clever little tricks, useless in the face of absolute power. With two Tier 5s like us combined, he couldn’t fly out of Willow Town even if he grew wings,” one of them scoffed.

“Don’t be complacent.”

Just then, a third figure emerged from deep within the forest. It was an old man with white hair, leaning on a cane carved with wood grain. He seemed to have difficulty walking, but the moment they saw his face, the other two looked startled and spoke in surprise:

“Elder He? You came personally? Is that really necessary?”

“Necessary?” The old man’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked ominously towards Willow Town. “Facing Red Heart 6 of the Twilight Society, who once assassinated the Aurora Sovereign and personally caused the destruction of the Aurora Realm… it’s always wise to be overly prepared.”