Chapter 526: The Rise of Theatrical Arts

He saw "resonance"?

Chen Ling couldn't understand, but he guessed it was likely a method the Imperial Divinity Way used to subdue its followers. Furthermore, learning that the Imperial Divinity Way exerted an influence on other Divinity Ways was another significant discovery.

This was probably all the information he could extract from Nie Yu.

"Is it worth risking your life so loyally for Ying Fu?" Chen Ling asked in a low voice.

"You wouldn't understand the grand vision and ambition in His Majesty's heart," Nie Yu sneered. "He is more than just an emperor; he is a hero destined to lead humanity to glory. Even if you kill me today, many more will willingly follow him. One day, His Majesty will overturn the world and forge a new era for mankind."

"Overturning the world, and hunting the Nine Monarchs? Are you sure he can lead humanity to glory?"

"Transformations of an era always come with sacrifice and bloodshed... Everyone, regardless of strength or status, is merely a pawn at His Majesty's fingertips."

Chen Ling shook his head. He pressed the muzzle of his gun against Nie Yu's brow, forcefully pinning his head against the wall.

"I don't approve of the path he intends to take."

"It doesn't matter... Time will prove everything," Nie Yu said calmly, his single remaining eye fixed on Chen Ling.

Chen Ling stopped arguing with Nie Yu. His body was at its limit, and he feared that any further delay could bring unforeseen complications. He poured his last reserves of spiritual energy into the gun, and his large red opera robe billowed as if in a wind.

Chen Ling's almond-red eyes began to glow in the darkness:

"For the rebirth of human civilization..."

"I condemn you to death."

*Bang!*

As Chen Ling pulled the trigger, the Court of Judgment activated once more. A torrent of deconstructive energy surged from the muzzle, instantly annihilating Nie Yu's head and neck into nothingness.

A shattered corpse lay in a pool of blood, and the only sound left in the factory was the relentless patter of rain.

Beyond the flickering screen, lines of information rapidly popped up!

"'The Hunter' is dead?!"

"He actually killed 'The Hunter'... Who is this person in red?"

"Did you just see that?! He summoned lightning with his bare hands! My God, am I going mad, or is the world mad?!"

"'The Hunter' was a legendary figure in the Golden Triangle; I never imagined he'd die in a decrepit factory..."

"Does anyone know who this person in red is?"

"Never heard of him... But judging by his clothes and face paint, he looks like an ancient Eastern opera performer..."

"What's an 'opera performer'?"

"It's like an actor, but from a much older tradition."

"Can anyone tell me how to contact this performer? I want to hire him for a hit; I'll pay any price."

While the entire dark web buzzed with shock over the Hunter's death, a man in a white suit sat deep in thought at a Las Vegas casino. He stared at Chen Ling on the screen, unconsciously tapping his knuckles on the table as he quickly replayed all the abilities Chen Ling had displayed so far.

"Walking on air, self-inflicted wounds, face-changing, summoning lightning, and incredibly powerful gunshots... I've never heard of any Divinity Way with these characteristics. Could those mages have reappeared? But they shouldn't be on the mainland."

The man frowned in thought. Just then, the figure in red standing in the dim factory suddenly tilted his head slightly and looked directly at the surveillance camera...

The next moment, all screens went dark, leaving only a flood of pop-up messages.

"He knew we were watching him?!" The man froze, as if a realization had struck him. "No... that's not right. Was this live stream planned by him?"

"He was already certain he could kill 'The Hunter', and deliberately broadcast the entire process of the assassination?!"

The suited man's expression subtly shifted. Before this, everyone had assumed it was a hunting live stream initiated by 'The Hunter'. But now, it seemed this red-robed performer had known all along that someone was watching the entire process through surveillance. He was the true 'Hunter' behind the scenes!

But why would he do such a thing? Was it to let everyone on the dark web witness him kill 'The Hunter' and thereby establish his reputation? Or did he have a vendetta against 'The Hunter' and sought revenge in this manner?

A multitude of questions flooded the suited man's mind, but he knew he wouldn't find answers in a live stream that had already ended. The figure draped in the large red opera robe had become an unsolved enigma.

Meanwhile, in San Francisco.

"Interesting..."

The young man in a Tang suit locked his phone. After a long silence by the roadside, a smile unconsciously curved his lips. "It seems the Theatrical Divinity Way has produced an extraordinary individual... I must find an opportunity to meet him sometime."

"Mr. Sun, aren't we leaving?" the boy beside him asked, scratching his head.

"Let's go, let's go. The show's over."

He dusted off his clothes, stood up from the roadside, picked up a large red lion dance head from beside him with one hand, and skillfully rotated a string of beads with the other, walking unhurriedly towards the other side of Chinatown.

The boy walked beside him. "Which performance were you just watching?"

"A good show, a grand performance."

"Oh? Was it very good?"

"Haha, whether it was good or not is one thing, but..."

A breeze rustled the hem of his Tang suit. The young man paused briefly by the roadside and, as if sensing something, looked back towards the mainland, murmuring:

"The Theatrical Divinity Way... will flourish."

*Clatter—clatter—clatter...*

Across the silver-clad snowfield, a green train sped along the tracks.

Scattered snowflakes danced outside the window, and vast birch forests receded amidst the roar of the steam. Inside one of the train cars, a figure slowly opened his eyes.

Draped in a snow-white fur coat, his phoenix-like eyes flickered with a complex emotion. He sat like a statue, silently gazing at the falling snow outside the window.

"Your Majesty, is something wrong?"

From the opposite seat, an old man, sensing the change, asked with concern.

Ying Fu remained silent for a long time before slowly replying:

"My general has fallen in battle."

"Is that the First Vassal Your Majesty often speaks of... Nie Yu, the Heavenly Wolf?"

"...Yes."

Silence fell over the carriage.

The old man sighed deeply. "Your Majesty has been speaking of General Nie to this old one these past few days. I had intended to meet him personally after we traveled south, but alas... truly, life is unpredictable."

"General Nie possessed a fierce spirit yet appreciated the finer things in life. If Chancellor Han had met him, I am certain he would have admired him greatly."

"Regardless... please accept my deepest condolences, Your Majesty."

Ying Fu withdrew his gaze from the window. In his clear, majestic eyes, a rare glimmer of faint sorrow flickered.

He said calmly:

"Have them stop the train... I wish to see General Nie off one last time."