With a clunk, the crystal chandelier on the painted vaulted ceiling of the grand theater—its main spine elegantly supported by arched wooden beams—lit up gradually as the switch was thrown.
“I’ve noticed, your lights here don’t need to be heated by candle flames, do they? “
Walking down the theater corridor, He Yishu looked up to admire the magnificent chandelier, which was still dazzling even by 21st-century standards, and whispered to the two Stepfen warriors ahead and behind him.
“They do, ” replied the warrior beside him, a gaunt-faced man with sharp, handsome eyes and a stubbled chin named Ron Wolf, as he trod step by step on the bristly red carpet trimmed with dark green edges.
“To ensure nothing goes wrong, the electrical and lighting systems in the civilian sphere still use the safest technology. But it’s mostly used in public places, like corridors and such. “
“Oh? ” He Yishu responded.
“Some people also use similar lights in their living quarters, ” said the other warrior, looking toward the stage where lights were now turning on.
“But the electric cores used indoors are a bit pricier because they don’t produce any odd smells when lit that would make people feel groggy. “
Wang Zhi and He Yishu, one behind the other, listened as Wolf continued explaining to them. This Soldier Army warrior, as if afraid they wouldn’t understand, went on:
“In the past, our city’s electric lights also used safety-first technology. But ten years ago, a power plant in our country lobbied the city government and cheaply replaced the lighting for two entire cities with more convenient electric lights. When no problems occurred for a year or two, all the major cities in our country started purchasing lights from that factory’s production line. “
“I see. ” He Yishu let out a light sigh.
“That was time-consuming and labor-intensive. A good number of people from those two small towns actually fled because of the replacement of the lighting fixtures. “
The Warrior behind them laughed and said:
“But in smaller towns and rural villages, there aren’t such good conditions. Because the people there believe more firmly that demons are everywhere, so the electric lighting technology from Lever Power Plant can’t enter the farmers’ homes. “
Wang Zhi unconsciously scratched the side of his face near the corner of his mouth.
After thinking about joining the villagers to explain the principles behind the demons’ birth and promoting the new electric lighting technology, he imagined just one scene of the consequences and gave up, shifting his gaze to the magnificent chandelier above his head.
“Is that also an electric light manufactured by Leif Power Plant? “
“Perhaps it is. Even if it isn’t, it’s made by one of their partner manufacturers. “
Just as they were speaking, Hodges, wearing a black coat, quickly came jogging over from a small side door, holding some documents. Several staff members also ran to the side of the stage and began making preparations such as inspections near the curtain.
“Gentlemen, the view from this row is the best, ” Hodges said, pointing to a row of plush seats in front.
“Our stage play ‘Mist Maiden and the Colored Glaze Cup’ is fully prepared and is about to begin. Would you like to listen to a piece played on the bamboo flute first? “
“No, that won’t be necessary. We’re in a hurry, ” Wang Zhi said.
He Yishu chuckled, glanced at Wang Zhi who was walking towards a seat deeper in the row, and said to Hodges:
“We just arrived and haven’t heard of this play before. If possible, please first provide us with some relevant background information. “
“Alright, gentlemen. ” Hodges beamed with delight. He turned to signal the man waiting nearby, urging the backstage crew to hurry. As the four of them sat down, he casually placed the documents in his hands on his knees and said:
“Gentlemen, here I have some historical reviews and stories about our theater and this play. For instance, over thirty years ago, a Speaker from the Northern Kingdom heard that Miss Leona here at the time performed exceptionally well, moving many to tears during the show. He even came specifically to watch this performance. And a hundred years ago… “
While speaking, he took out a clipping from the documents in his hands and showed it to He Yishu and the others.
Wang Zhi twice hesitated to speak, finally choosing to listen quietly, just like He Yishu. After Mr. Hodges finished recounting some “marvelous tales ” about the play, He Yishu pondered for a moment.
“Mr. Hodges, besides these matters of honor, what is the main storyline of our play? “
“Hmm? Gentlemen, I heard this is your first time seeing this stage play from your homeland. So, wouldn’t you rather watch it first before asking? ” Hodges asked with a smile.
“We’d like to, but we’re also in a hurry, as we have important matters to attend to later, ” Wang Zhi interjected.
“Our apologies. ” He Yishu said with a smile. “If you could provide us with a document containing the story synopsis, perhaps we could learn the essence of this tale while watching your performance. “
Wang Zhi shot He Yishu a strange look.
“Brother Huo, aren’t we short on time? Are you really planning to watch the whole thing? This story—pretty much everyone knows what it’s about. How about we just take a couple of people back with us and have them narrate it while we work? Don’t you have a lot of things to do today? “
Earlier at the hotel, he had clearly seen how many people were stunned and shocked by touching the key.
Yet after he himself touched it, aside from gaining an extra memory of escaping from beneath the sea aboard the demon train, and the memory of suddenly appearing in the room that afternoon, he had absolutely no recollection of what happened during the entire daytime in between. Even so, it was enough to shake him deeply.
So, for today, faced with the changes and crises of this world, Wang Zhi carried a deep sense of anxiety within him.
“That is indeed a feasible method. “
Wang Zhi heard the voice of the man beside him, who possessed the temperament of an aristocrat, speaking without much urgency in his tone.
“When we leave shortly, we can take two or three of the principal actors with us. “
Wang Zhi’s eyes lit up; that was indeed a viable approach. He then saw He Yishu continue, saying:
“But as for the stage play, I think we must watch it in its entirety. “
“Why? There’s still so much important stuff to do. “
“Precisely because this play is known to most people, yet… hmm, what I mean is, there might be different discoveries to be made in the form of the performance. “
Wang Zhi inwardly pondered this job with some confusion. If only he could know what would happen today, perhaps he could participate in something more important at Talco. Alas, who could blame him for not having that memory?
Having made up his mind, Wang Zhi resignedly leaned his back against the theater seat, glancing sideways at He Yishu. “Hey, are you feeling alright? “
“Mm, I’m fine now. “
“Yeah-huh! ” Wang Zhi nodded emphatically, having a distinct feeling that Yang Zicang, amidst this critical moment of peril, had somehow found time from his frantic schedule to find the two of them… a perfect cushy gig.
He looked at Hodges.
“Sir, could you get the actors up here faster? “
“Coming, coming… ” Hodges rose from his seat, glancing at the still motionless curtain of dark purple velvet, wiping a fine sheen of sweat from his brow. “I’ll go arrange it. It’ll be ready in a moment. “
No sooner had he spoken than a figure jogged onto the stage, planting himself in the center and announcing in a clear voice, “Honored guests, good morning. “
After giving a bow and a smile, he took two steps sideways, turned his body, and raised his arm:
“Long, long ago, there was a legend… “
As the young man’s crisp voice rang out, the sounds of brass instruments like trombones and French horns rose from both sides of the stage, accompanied by deep, swift beats of rumbling drums.
The heavy, pleated curtain of dark purple velvet slowly began to part amidst the airy harmonics of the strings.
At this moment, just as Wang Zhi was feeling anxious and impatient, the music suddenly surged in his ears, making his eyes snap open. He steadied himself firmly in his seat.
He remained motionless, gazing towards the stage. Behind the curtain, a throne slowly came into view. On it sat a male actor with a head full of curly locks, wearing a king’s crown, accompanied by a noblewoman in a silvery-white gown, as though she had just stepped out of an elegant oil painting.
“My prince… the heir to the throne, ” a voice of profound melancholy said, as gentle as embellished jade.
……
On the street, people gathered around a crackling bonfire, deep in conversation. Slightly overcome by the penetrating chill, a few wrapped their arms around themselves and walked briskly through the swirling gray smoke, their heads lowered.
Anxi and the two Demon-Blood Warriors stood beside a bonfire.
“So, it’s a story you’ve been listening to since you were kids, right? ” he said, jotting down notes in his notebook.
“Haha, yes, we did see it as kids, but that was ages ago now. Actually, thinking about it, it’s been five or six years since I’ve stepped inside a theater. “
Another person, warming themselves by the bonfire, chimed in: _”
‘As a child, there was a different wave of stories that were really popular. But this tale… how should I put it? Cizhou’s “Glaze Vessel, ” for instance? To this day, I still have no idea what that thing is supposed to look like.’
Anxi chuckled and said, ‘As I recall, someone mentioned that it’s portrayed as a glass serving platter in the stage play.’
Sometimes, that’s correct. It depends on the troupe’s financial circumstances, regarding whether they can afford decent props. You might encounter green or cyan lacquered wooden plates in some of the rural troupes and traveling folk performances. Well, they’re all guided by the style of your “Foqfohk “—the lingering direction of the emerging or various “fog people” fad. These styles exactly fit what your Fogfolk people aesthetically incline towards.’_”
Having visited some people already, Anxi knew that the man in the sweat-soaked shirt, whose lips were a bit chapped, was referring to some folk-designed exotic-style popular trends when he talked about Mistfolk folk style. Including styles from East Asia, Central Europe, and America on Earth.
- ｛Distributor February·Di’an marked a new node for the glorious prelude I am currently conceiving.｝
Anxi quickly scribbled, glancing at the public’s reactions to this story among the folk. It could only be said that it was quite ordinary, and he didn’t hear anything particularly special or mysterious in nature.
An airplane streaked across the sky overhead. He looked up, took a glance at the gloomy heavens, then continued staring at the contents of his notebook and said:
“Have any of you heard about some strange legends or incidents related to this play? “
“That? ” The several people around him all showed expressions of thought.
“No. “
“Haven’t heard of it. “
They all shook their heads.
Anxi remained outwardly impassive, but sighed inwardly as he hurriedly scribbled the words “No unusual experiences from the audience ” in his notebook.
“Let’s go to the next place. ” he said to the two people beside him.
The two nodded.
After walking two steps, Anxi thought of something, paused in contemplation, stopped, turned, and said to the people gathered laughing and talking around the bonfire behind him:
“Excuse me, what is your impression of the Glass Cup? “
“Impression? Ha, it must be something really powerful. “
“Maybe it’s also very valuable. “
Beside him, a man who was reaching out his palm toward the fire in the cool morning breeze said, “You’re such a common sort. The visitor is asking about serious business. “
“Oh, alright, sorry, ” The broad-shouldered man being admonished let out a chuckle and changed his words, saying:
“Anyway, the first time I saw that exotic treasure as a kid, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep when I got home that night. That treasure—reassembled from fragments by a girl, which slowly awakened the prince amidst the shock of the eunuchs—I dreamed of possessing it for a long time. “
Anxi listened with downcast eyes.
Several people nearby also murmured and nodded in agreement, all expressing their deep admiration for the formidable power of that exotic treasure in the story. In Mist Girl’s ordeal and counterattack, they also felt the exhilaration of thwarting a conspiracy.
Quickly, Anxi adjusted all her alertness from her accessories to the minimum. After carefully considering for a couple of seconds, she tentatively wrote down these findings in her notebook paper.
Then, he and those around him felt a gust of wind blow past, stirring up the drifting smoke and raising dust from the ground.
Nearby passersby and the people by the fire squinted, with some tightening their clothing. They looked up to find a layer of murky clouds spreading across the sky.
“It’s not going to rain, is it? ” someone said.
Anxi looked up in astonishment, pondered the overwhelming sense of despair and emptiness that had surfaced in his mind since touching the Key, and a strange expression crossed his face.
He tucked the notebook into the inner pocket of his clothes and quickly left with the two soldiers.
“Will it rain, Mr. Anxi? ” a captain of the Army asked.
“It shouldn’t. ” Anxi said, looking up at the clouds a few times as he walked hurriedly. Judging by the current situation, it was just a gloomy day with wind picking up. But he himself couldn’t guarantee it.
……
Valendian Federation.
This is a coastal country. Located at the westernmost end of Mutao Continent, it boasts a long, winding coastline and the largest sailing ship dock in the world.
At this moment, these ancient vessels, in all sizes, were spread out across the dark blue bay.
Inside a room with white walls and a blue ceiling, a man yawning pushed open the brown wooden window under the glowing light from above.
Winding golden sand stretched like silk along the beach outside.
Yin Bo scratched his armpit and muttered vaguely: “Ah, that was a good night’s sleep. “
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