CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 102 THEATER GROUP_2

The Academic Palace would grant access to more secretive books to outstanding disciples, even materials on Alien species found within the Dongjun Tower.

To read, to read more books, and through that, to understand what’s happening to me.

This was Li Ang’s current plan.

The potential investigation following Jiao Cheng’s disappearance was always like a taut string in Li Ang’s mind.

The fact that Wannian County’s garrison, representing the nobles of the Yu Country, wasn’t investigating Jiao Cheng’s cause of death didn’t mean others wouldn’t look into it.

Why had Jiao Cheng sought to explore the Sword Immortal Tomb? For himself, or for someone else? Could they excavate the underground palace and discover from Di Wu and Jiao Cheng’s other men that I had used the surgical silver wire, subsequently linking it back to me?

Beyond that, there was Cheng Juxiu’s warning about the slight chance of assassination attempts, as well as the inherent danger of Mo Si. Soon, the Sword Dao course would introduce Fine Gold materials for the disciples to perceive.

I must understand what Mo Si is, or at least master how to control it, before then. I absolutely don’t want to cause a scene by having Mo Si react uncontrollably to Fine Gold in class.

Li Ang gazed at his book, lost in thought, completely unaware that Yang Yu and Yong Hongzhong were discussing how foul-smelling the Medicine Bath was after Body Refinement practice. Thanks to his recent cultivation, Yong Hongzhong’s stutter seemed to have improved considerably. It was unclear whether this was due to the increased number of peers improving his language environment, or the effects of cultivation itself.

"What are you guys chatting about?"

At that moment, Ji Linglang and Qiu Feng also came over with their meal trays—having met through the Chang’an Women’s Society, they had recently become good friends.

The dishes they chose were comparatively more exquisite, even including Southern delicacies akin to crystal shrimp dumplings.

"Ahem, nothing much," Yang Yu coughed somewhat sheepishly. "Just discussing what to do during this month’s holiday." Although first-year students had to dabble in all five subjects—Talisman, Magic, Sword, Mind, and Body—a lack of talent was insurmountable.

Yang Yu’s progress in Body Refinement was even slower than many girls of his year.

The last time they had engaged in armored fighting practice, he was knocked out by a chain hammer blow to the helmet from a female classmate. His first reaction upon waking up was to raise his hand and surrender.

Recalling that experience made Yang Yu blush with chagrin, and he quickly shifted the topic, asking Li Ang, "Risheng, do you have plans for the end of this month?"

"End of the month?" Li Ang closed his book and thought for a moment. I don’t really have anything planned recently. I’ve already fashioned a stethoscope from bamboo, wood, and metal, but Li Leqing’s health has been improving ever since she arrived at the Academic Palace. Her cultivation progress is among the top in her year, so it feels like the stethoscope won’t be needed for a while.

"No plans," Li Ang said. "I’ll probably just continue reading at home or rest for a couple of days."

Li Ang rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He didn’t board at the Academic Palace and could return to his home in Chang’an’s Golden City Square every evening after school. Additionally, every five days, the Academic Palace would grant a one or two-day holiday to allow students and instructors to leave the campus for activities.

"So studious..." Yang Yu opened his mouth then exchanged a resigned glance with Yong Hongzhong.

They didn’t know about Li Ang’s concerns regarding Mo Si. They assumed Li Ang felt pressured because, despite being the Academic Palace Top Scholar, limitations due to his Spiritual Vein Talent meant he was gradually being overtaken in cultivation progress by students like He Fanshuang and Pei Jing. Thus, they thought he was studying so hard out of frustration. As friends, they couldn’t say much.

"Didn’t our Professor of Natural Science, Dr. Su Feng, say it?" Ji Linglang shook her head at Li Ang, then took out four orange paper tickets from a brocade bag tied to her waist and placed them on the table. "Everyone, in any line of work, needs to balance labor with rest to improve efficiency."

"What’s this?" Yang Yu curiously took a ticket and exclaimed, "The Jianyue Theater Troupe from the Zhou Kingdom?"

"That’s right." Ji Linglang smiled. "A sister from the Chang’an Women’s Society transferred them to me; ordinary people can’t buy these at all. I’m giving these four to you all; you can go watch any time before the end of the month."

Jianyue Theater Troupe... Li Ang frowned slightly. Chai Cuiqiao had repeatedly mentioned this name over the past few days.

The Yu Country far surpassed neighboring nations in economics, military strength, and technology. In the cultural field, it was also inclusive, embracing diverse influences and appreciating various cultural works, such as Kucha music. To the south, the Zhou Kingdom’s opera and theater culture was highly developed, and this Jianyue Theater Troupe was one of its finest ensembles. They were frequently invited to tour various countries, performing in capitals and major cities. From princes and ministers to common people, everyone was captivated by their exceptional performances; their shows were legendary, drawing such crowds that the city’s streets would seem deserted.

This time, as the troupe headed north to the Yu Country, all presale tickets were sold out before they even reached Chang’an. Even the students and instructors at the Academic Palace were discussing where to get tickets in their spare time.

"Wow, this..." Yang Yu’s eyes lit up as he grabbed a ticket, his fingers gently grazing the finely detailed anti-counterfeiting pattern. "Have you guys seen their performance?"

Ji Linglang nodded. "We saw it yesterday evening."

"How was it?"

"Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely spectacular."

Upon mentioning this, Qiu Feng couldn’t help but add, "Both the instrumental music—strings and woodwinds—and the performers’ vocal styles were excellent, completely different from Yu Country drama. And they’re willing to spend a lot, using talismans and even demon beasts to create stage effects like summoning fog or igniting flames. In terms of intricacy and professionalism, they are far beyond what those theater troupes in Chang’an can compare with."

"Is it really that impressive?" Yong Hongzhong asked, surprised as he raised his eyebrows.

"Otherwise, why would the cheapest ticket cost a hundred strings of coins, yet still be priceless and impossible to find on the market?" Ji Linglang said casually. "I heard that if it weren’t for fear of the Imperial Censors protesting again, the Emperor and Empress would have wished to invite them to perform in the Taiji Palace."

"Well, in that case, I’ll gladly accept!" Yang Yu hurriedly secured his ticket. His elder brother and sister-in-law had already seen the Jianyue Theater Troupe and sung its praises upon returning home. Yang Yu considered himself stylish and trendy among his peers and naturally couldn’t fall behind when it came to novelties.

"I’ll take one too," Yong Hongzhong said, also taking a ticket.

Li Ang initially wanted to refuse, but then a thought struck him. He asked Ji Linglang, "Does this troupe use demon beasts to create stage effects?"

Ji Linglang nodded. "Yes, those are beasts with only a trace of demon bloodline. Aside from very weak superpowers, they are no different from ordinary wild beasts. It doesn’t violate Yu Law or the garrison’s regulations."

"Then I’ll take two," Li Ang said, taking the last two tickets. "I guess Cuiqiao will be very happy—she’s been chattering about it these past few days. By the way, I heard that if you offer a high enough price, you can even request the troupe to perform a specific play?"

"Indeed," Ji Linglang replied. "The day before yesterday, at the request of Old Master Jin from Xuanyang Square, they performed ’The Yingying Story.’" She clicked her tongue. "That old master is quite young at heart, enjoying such romantic tales."

"’The Yingying Story’ tells the tragic tale of the impoverished scholar Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying, a lady from a declining noble family, whom he cruelly abandons. It’s a story widely circulated among the common folk of the Yu Country. Since the original story is a tragic one of separation, it isn’t accepted by some citizens, and there are multiple endings in different regions. For example, one where Zhang Sheng eventually marries Cui Yingying, and the two live happily ever after; another where Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying are not blessed by their parents and end up taking their own lives together. There’s even a bizarre, subversive version—on his way to the capital for the examination, Zhang Sheng has a conflict with the son of a lord and gets killed. Cui Yingying seeks justice in vain, tries to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff, but survives, and even finds a cultivation manual in a cave.

In a fury, Cui Yingying cultivates her martial arts, reaching the equivalent of the Cloud Patrol Realm within three years. She then sneaks into the Luoyang Prince Manor at night, assassinates her enemy to exact her revenge, and carries his bloody head to Zhang Sheng’s grave, overcome with emotion.

By the way, this version of the story was Chai Cuiqiao’s favorite, and she often used Li Ang’s lines to comment on this play: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don’t underestimate a poor young woman."

Thinking of the joyful expression Chai Cuiqiao would have upon seeing the ticket, Li Ang’s lips curled upwards slightly. The Jianyue Theater Troupe, huh... he murmured to himself.