Chapter 113 - 99: Taking the Stage, Theater Manager

Chapter 113: Chapter 99: Taking the Stage, Theater Manager

"Chief Qi, the ringleader Jingxuan has been slain," Chen Ye said slowly. "The rest is entirely up to you."

Qi Shihao was startled. He wasn’t a fool; he understood exactly what Chen Ye meant.

This was an immense credit, yet Chen Ye was willingly offering it to him.

This prompted him to re-examine the young man before him.

His eyes were serene and his features refined. But most importantly, he exuded an aura that made it impossible for anyone to dismiss him as a mere apprentice from an opera troupe.

Qi Shihao was no exception.

From what his old friend Mr. Lu had told him, and from what he had seen with his own eyes, Qi Shihao knew this young man was destined for greatness. One day, he would surely soar to new heights. Now that Chen Ye had voluntarily given him all the credit, Qi Shihao felt a growing sense of affinity for him, and the smile on his face grew warmer.

"Younger Brother Chen, rest assured. I will see to it that this case is ironclad and give the people of the Sea Guardian Guard a full accounting!"

Chen Ye nodded, then used fatigue as an excuse and turned to leave the Celestial Empress Palace.

Chen Ye truly didn’t want to be in the limelight. No one could guarantee that Jingxuan didn’t have accomplices or remnants of her faction still at large. ’If she does, exposing myself to the public would be incredibly dangerous.’

Risking his life for a bit of hollow fame simply wasn’t worth it. It was far better to do Qi Shihao a favor.

The next day, news that the Government Office had sealed the Celestial Empress Palace and discovered the demonic Daoists’ various appalling crimes spread like wildfire throughout the Sea Guardian Guard.

For a time, the entire city was in an uproar.

This was especially true for families whose female relatives had frequently visited the Celestial Empress Palace. They were thrown into a massive panic.

Many men belatedly realized that their wives and daughters had, at some unknown point, become listless and begun to act strangely, making them shudder in hindsight.

Fortunately, Jingxuan was dead. Without the Spiritual Control, the minds of the brainwashed women were slowly recovering.

The successful resolution of the case made Qi Shihao’s name renowned throughout the Sea Guardian Guard.

He was met with commendations from his superiors, the envy of his peers, and the praise of the citizenry. Honors of all kinds poured in. There were even rumors that his long-held position as Chief Constable might soon lead to a promotion.

That evening, in the Qi Mansion.

Qi Shihao, having a rare few drinks and in high spirits, couldn’t help but start praising Chen Ye.

"You all have no idea. That kid is simply incredible! To have such courage and skill at his age... and the crucial part is, he didn’t want a single shred of credit after it was all over. That kind of Heart Nature... I’ve rarely seen anything like it in all my years!"

Qi Nana, who was also at the banquet, listened to her father’s praise, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.

She realized that the miraculous youth her father was talking about was none other than the opera troupe apprentice her best friend, Lu Jinghong, was always thinking about!

Back at the Lu Family estate, although her father had picked her up early and she missed the thrilling final private performance, she had personally witnessed the shocking scene of Chen Ye performing opposite a ghost on stage.

Now, hearing from her father that he had single-handedly destroyed the Demon Cave of the Celestial Empress Palace, Qi Nana’s astonishment only grew. It was now mixed with a budding curiosity.

’This Chen Ye... what kind of person is he, really?’

...

Chen Ye didn’t care about these disturbances in the outside world.

At this moment, he was in the Opera Troupe’s Practice Room, deeply studying his Professional Panel.

[Name: Chen Ye]

[Profession: Soul-Stealing Diva Level 3 (Peerless in song, speech, movement, and combat. Enters the Dao through drama, communes with gods and ghosts.)]

[Talent: Tongyou]

[Skills: Micro Level 3, Dramatic Appearance Level 1]

’The Celestial Empress Palace really was an EXP jackpot.’

Not only had the grand performance sent Jingxuan on her way, but it had also caused his Professional Level to skyrocket from Level 1 straight to Level 3.

With the Level increase, Chen Ye felt his understanding of opera had reached a higher plane.

Now, his every move and expression—every frown and every smile—seemed to fuse with the role itself, completely free of any awkwardness.

’This must be what they mean by achieving both physical and spiritual likeness, the actor and the role becoming one.’

In the following days, Chen Ye’s practice progressed by leaps and bounds, which made Guan Sihai increasingly gratified.

It was time to take the stage. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

But a debut was a delicate matter. A good one could make him an overnight sensation, while a bad one could see his career sink without a trace.

Therefore, Guan Sihai was very cautious. He disregarded the small theaters and teahouse stages, instead setting his sights on the largest theater in the Sea Guardian Guard, the Guangle Building.

However, getting on stage at the Guangle Building was no simple feat.

That was the most prestigious theater in the entire Sea Guardian Guard. Those who could perform there were, without exception, famous actors who had long since made their names elsewhere.

The Qingchun Troupe was just an inconspicuous little troupe, and Chen Ye was an unknown apprentice.

Guan Sihai pulled some strings and, after much persuasion, finally managed to meet the manager of the Guangle Building, Deng Ming.

This Manager Deng wore a pair of Western spectacles and was rather chubby. After listening to Guan Sihai’s story, he gave a lukewarm smile, his eyes full of skepticism.

"Master Guan, you’re a veteran of the opera world. Isn’t it a bit of an overstatement to be hyping up your own apprentice like this?"

Guan Sihai was met with a cold shoulder, but he didn’t get angry. He simply smiled and said, "Manager Deng, hearing is one thing, but seeing is believing. Why don’t you do me the honor of coming with me for a look? You’ll understand once you see him with your own eyes."

Deng Ming was so pestered he felt he had no choice. Seeing how adamant Guan Sihai was, a flicker of curiosity was sparked in his own heart, and he reluctantly agreed.

Just as the two of them walked into the courtyard of the Qingchun Troupe, a clear and melodious singing voice drifted out.