I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 272 The Ghostly Scroll, The Swan Song of the Pear Garden

In the dead of night, the ruins of the old theater in the West Market, which had been abandoned for many years, should have been deserted. However, when Xu Qing approached, he found that there were candlelight and shadowy figures inside, as well as the sounds of opera singing and the cheers of guests, as if the theater was still as popular as it had been in the past.

The moonlight was cold and clear. Xu Qing looked up and could vaguely see the plaque written on the dilapidated gate of the theater – 'Lixiang Garden'.

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze, stepped on the broken bricks and tiles, and walked into the gatehouse, deliberately wandering around the noisiest parts of the theater.

As you walk through the corridor and step through the courtyard gate, the sounds of gongs, drums, and erhu playing inside grow louder and louder.

The scenery around Xu Qing also changed constantly as he went deeper into the theater.

Broken bricks and tiles were put back in their original positions, peeling plaster was repaired and healed, and the moss at the base of the wall and the weeds in the courtyard all shrank back into the ground. The entire theater seemed to be going through a revolving lantern, and in the blink of an eye, it returned to its most prosperous time.

Xu Qing walked along the central corridor. Inside the U-shaped opera house, bright red lanterns were lit, and figures moved back and forth in front of the windows of each pavilion. Their steps were light, and their singing skills were superb. Even through the window screen, one could feel the joys and sorrows of the opera actors.

When they reached a pavilion by the water, Xu Qing finally saw the real figures.

At that moment, inside the opera pavilion, a young actor was playing the role of the Prince of Chu.

"What a paradise on earth! At my feet, one or two white clouds swirl around; in front of me, three or four red leaves flutter; in my ears, five or six wild geese cry. I visit Zhuangzi's place, climb over seven or eight peaks and through the misty mountains; the winding path leads nowhere for woodcutters. It is indeed a pure and serene holy land, extremely carefree!"

Not far from the pavilion, a nun stood in front of the railing, listening intently.

Xu Qing asked the nun, "May I ask your Dharma name, Master? And in which temple do you practice?"

The nun didn't even glance at Xu Qing. She put her index finger to her lips, gesturing for silence, but then answered herself, "This humble monk is Miaojing, staying at Jing'en Temple for spiritual practice. Please do not disturb me, benefactor."

Xu Qing obediently turned around, but before leaving, he suddenly said, "It seems the nun is feeling romantic and is considering leaving the monastic life!"

"You, what are you talking nonsense about?"

Bhikkhunis are not ordinary nuns. They are fully ordained monks who observe the strictest precepts of the temple and participate in major Buddhist ceremonies such as sermons and meditation. They are quite different from ordinary nuns.

Hearing Xu Qing's words, the nun was both ashamed and angry. This lecherous man was truly rude! How could he say such filthy things to a nun like her?

Xu Qing turned around, pointed at the Prince of Chu singing "The Butterfly Dream" in the waterside pavilion, and laughed loudly: "If the nun's heart were pure, why would she come to listen to this love story?"

Upon hearing this, the nun was terrified, as if struck by lightning.

Yes, why would a nun like her become so enamored with this drama, lingering in it for decades, to the point that her own spiritual practice was neglected?
Once she understood the whole story, Abbess Miaojing suddenly realized the truth!

She bowed to Xu Qing in a Buddhist gesture, expressing her deepest gratitude, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist. If there is an afterlife, this humble monk will surely repay your kindness."

After speaking, the nun recited the Rebirth Mantra on her own, walked to the water pavilion, and converted Xu Yunmi, the actor who played the role of the Prince of Chu, along with her!
Xu Qing shook his head helplessly, feeling somewhat regretful.

The bodies of these people had already been collected by the government, and now their bones were rotten and their whereabouts unknown. What remained in the theater were nothing but wandering souls. Although he could recite the incantation to help them leave, his incantation was of little use.

Xu Qing continued along the path, and not far away, she saw a graceful and dignified figure appear in the rockery garden. In front of the person was an ancient zither, and clear sounds flowed as the ten fingers danced.

The woman's head was lowered, so her face could not be seen, but the lyrics and music she sang could be heard clearly.

"The fragrant grass stretches to the horizon, I gaze into the distance, at the setting sun, at the setting sun. I climb the high steps to the perilous tower, and see only the desolate rain and mist. I hear the crows cry, as if in a daze. I remember my distant lover, and I cannot sleep again after waking from my dream. The taste of parting, the taste of parting, who can understand?"

"The night crow cries, its voice clear and mournful. Hesitation lingers in the execution, but a sign appears: tomorrow an edict will be issued, bringing the purple clay, the purple clay. The winds and clouds change color, bestowing that grace to cleanse the people, cleanse the people."

While listening to the music, Xu Qing casually took out a conch shell, which was called a sound-collecting conch.

He obtained this item from a drowned sailor at the mouth of the Tianjin sea. It can recognize the timbre of a sound. When he wants to hear it, he only needs to blow a breath into the conch shell and he can hear the sound he recognizes before.

When the musician stopped playing and the music ended, Xu Qing exclaimed, "This music should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear it in the mortal world? It's wonderful, wonderful!"

Hearing Xu Qing praise her using the refrain of lyrics and music, the zither player felt both shy and delighted. She raised her head, revealing her empty, blood-stained eyes, and asked, "Is it really that good?"

"The music is beautiful, the lyrics are beautiful, and the person is even more beautiful. It couldn't be better!"

Upon hearing this, the woman picked up her guqin, stood up shyly, and tried to avoid Xu Qing, this stranger. But after taking a few steps, she suddenly turned back to Xu Qing and said—

"Thank you for your kindness, young master. My wish has been fulfilled. Please leave this place as soon as possible and do not be misled by this place."

After speaking, the musician turned to leave.

Xu Qing seized the opportunity to ask, "May I ask your name, young lady? And what were the lyrics and music you just played?"

"This humble woman, Li Mutang, just now played the tune of the Night Crow."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire garden fell completely silent. Xu Qing looked around again, but apart from the rockery and flowers, there was no sign of Li Shi Qin Nu in the quiet garden!
Leaving the garden, Xu Qing continued deeper into the theater. Upon entering the second courtyard, he found a few spectators standing in front of the stage, watching the play "Zhong Kui Catches Ghosts".

"Having bid farewell to the old Yama, and paid homage to all the gods and monsters, I descended to the mortal realm to sweep away the demonic haze. All I saw was a chaotic, murky Qiankun bag, indistinguishable between Yin and Yang."

On stage, Zhong Kui played three roles by himself, singing with unparalleled passion.

The audience members cheered loudly, completely engrossed in the performance.

Xu Qing stepped forward, and a spectator dressed in Western Regions made way for him, saying in broken Mandarin, "Brother, you've come at the right time. The play has just reached its most exciting part."

"I know this play, Zhong Kui catching ghosts. How dare you listen to this play?"

The emaciated Western Region merchant with a swollen belly laughed loudly, "Zhong Kui catches ghosts, we are not ghosts!"

Xu Qing was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "A fool never admits he is a fool."

"What do you mean?"

The Hu merchant said with dissatisfaction, "Don't try to scare me. We people from the Western Regions don't believe in the ghosts and gods of your Dayong."

"When I came here, my companion also said that there were ghosts here, so I dared to come to this theater to explore. Now I haven't seen a single ghost, but the opera of your Dayong is quite good."

Xu Qing asked with a smile, "Then which is better to listen to, the opera from your Western Regions or the opera from your region?"

After a moment's hesitation, the Hu merchant said, his neck stiff, "It's certainly much worse than our Western Regions, but it's not bad either!"

"."

Xu Qing's gaze was deep and thoughtful. What art could the Western Regions countries have now? Let alone compare with the ancient dynasties with their long and rich traditions.

"You're quite stubborn, no wonder you wanted to gamble and ended up here."

Upon hearing this, the foreign merchant puffed out his chest proudly and said, "We men of the Western Regions are far braver than you! Unlike you, who managed to shut down such a wonderful place with your cowardly officials!"

"You don't believe in ghosts and spirits here?"

Hu Shang stared at Zhong Kui on the stage, not turning his head, and said, "I don't believe it!"

"Then turn around and see if I'm a human or a ghost!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qing's fingernails instantly extended more than a foot, his corpse fangs gleamed coldly, his robes and long hair flew wildly, and thick, dark clouds and mist rose behind him.

"Ghost! There is a ghost!"

Hu Shang looked at Xu Qing in terror, then turned and scrambled away, but he hadn't gone far when his figure began to fade and finally disappeared completely. Xu Qing's every word and action had shattered the magic Hu Shang relied on to exist through false obsession.

On stage, actor Liu Abao is still playing Zhong Kui.

"Families put up peach charms to ward off evil in vain, and people tie mugwort in places to ward off disaster in vain. When have we ever seen a day when the people are at peace and the country is prosperous? Everywhere in the world, there is no place that is not shrouded in fog and clouds."

"Large warehouses piled high with blood and flesh, deep mansions smeared with fat and grease. Displayed among them are fierce and menacing figures, displaying their power like tigers and jackals!"

"Only when all the geese have flown away and the water has run dry will I be satisfied; only when the earth is destroyed and the heavens punish me will I be content; I will build my own tomb!"

Xu Qing jumped onto the stage, still looking like a terrifying zombie with sharp teeth and claws sticking out.

"Zhong Kui! I heard you wanted to capture me, and now I'm here!"

"."

Liu Abao's lines suddenly stopped, and the audience below, who had been hanging, drowning, or stuffing themselves to death, stared intently at Zhong Kui on the stage, their fists clenched, all cheering for Liu Abao!

"You are Zhong Kui, if you're afraid, then none of us have any hope left!"

"Fight! Defeat the evil spirit! If you win, I'll make you call me Grandpa Zhong Kui. If you lose, you're a grandson, and you'll never be able to hold your head up high again!"

Provoked by this, Liu Abao became emboldened and once again possessed by Zhong Kui, turning into a ferocious and menacing figure!
With his left hand he drew the Seven Star Green Peak Sword, and with his right hand he gripped the peach wood demon-slaying whip. As he opened his mouth, it seemed as if thunder was rumbling in spring:

"With a compassionate heart, one vanquishes evil spirits; with exceptional skills, one protects the people's safety."
Fear not being haunted by evil spirits, for Zhong Kui is here to protect you!

"That fiend! Prepare to die—"

Xu Qing's eyelids twitched slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, he sliced ​​the incoming Green Peak Sword into six pieces!

"."

Zhong Kui, refusing to believe in evil spirits, once again gripped the peach wood demon-slaying whip with both hands and swung it repeatedly at Xu Qing.

At the same time, Zhong Kui was chanting incantations, constantly trying to bolster his courage and strength:

"With a sharp sword in hand, I slay demons and monsters; with righteous spirit in my heart, I pacify the universe!"
"Eliminate you all, you wolves, demons, and treacherous Japanese, one by one, only then will the world be bright and the land peaceful and prosperous!"

As the long note faded, the peach wood demon-slaying whip shattered into wood chips.

"Grandpa Ghost, spare my life! Little Hand is just an opera singer. It was that Master Li who took a fancy to this garden and insisted that I play Zhong Kui to exorcise evil spirits. If you're angry, Grandpa Ghost, go find him. Please spare Little Hand's life!"

"Hey!" Xu Qing shouted angrily, mimicking Zhong Kui's tone, "Take a good look at who I am!"

"Grandpa Ghost? Grandma Ghost? King Ghost?"

"I am your Uncle Zhong Kui! I've come here to catch you, you little devil!"

Lord Zhong Kui

Liu Abao cried out in alarm and fell to the ground. Then, his face turned ashen, he removed his own head and hung it on the table. He then collapsed to the side of the stage table, and his figure faded into nothingness.

The spectators below the stage also revealed their true colors, their souls leaving their bodies.

The notice to the people reads:

The actor Liu Abao, a member of the Liu family from Hejian, was invited to play Zhong Kui, the demon slayer, at a theater. His head was hung from the stage beam, and his body lay prostrate on the incense table, the candle still burning.
Xu Qing withdrew his gaze, clicked his tongue in disapproval, and then strode towards the highest stage deep within the theater!

The lamplight flickered, and the pale moon hung above the opera stage.

Xu Qing strode into the theater with the air of a nouveau riche, showing no regard for his family or relatives.

Just as the servant at the entrance was about to stop him from collecting tickets, Xu Qing scattered a handful of paper money behind him, causing the servants, guards, and nearby guests to scramble for it.

Nouveau riche who can make money are truly arrogant!

Xu Qing arrived at the front and best spot in the stands. Upon seeing this, the "Painted-face Tyrant" sitting next to the troupe leader immediately raised his eyebrows and glared, wanting to get up and drive him away.

But as soon as Xu Qing threw down a stack of paper money, the painted-face tyrant immediately put on a fawning smile and said, "Oh my, it's an important person here! Look at my impetuousness, the rules of the opera world are rigid, but people are flexible! If a guest is willing to spend money to give us a meal, then he is our provider and should be given the seat of honor!"

Xu Qing sat down with an air of authority, tea and snacks were laid out, and he didn't even lift an eyelid.

The painted-face actor playing the King of Chu wasn't angry. He stood by and said with a smile, "Please sit tight. I'll sing another great song for our distinguished guest later!"

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow, glanced at the hunched-over, painted-face man serving beside him, and casually asked, "What role are you playing?"

"Jing role, play the painted-face Overlord!"

The painted-face actor had just finished performing a scene from a traditional opera, his face still covered in makeup and his forehead smeared with gold powder, making it impossible to discern his original appearance.
Logically speaking, given his appearance, anyone who loves opera should be able to tell that he is a tyrant, but Xu Qing seemed not to recognize him at all.

"Overlord?"

"It's the Overlord."

"I don't see it!"

"So what do you think it resembles?"

"It looks like a turtle to me!"

"."

The troupe leader, who had been listening to the opera beside Xu Qing, finally couldn't sit still any longer. He glanced at Xu Qing and said, "Guest, please watch your words. The tyrant of my Pear Fragrance Garden is famous throughout Tianjin and cannot be slandered."

"Being famous doesn't mean he's a good person!"

Xu Qing looked at the troupe leader in front of him, who looked extremely familiar, and said with a half-smile, "I think the troupe leader has forgotten the rules of the Peking Opera! If you want to become a star, you have to start from the ordinary. How you walk, sit, and speak all have to be in line with the roles you want to play!"

"Look at your prized student, he bows and scrapes at the slightest benefit, treating me like his own father. Is the Overlord always like this?"

"."

The troupe leader's expression shifted, and finally he glared fiercely at the standing, painted-face disciple, cursing, "You good-for-nothing little bastard, you can't even handle people properly, what are your eyes for? You have no sense of propriety at all!"

Xu Qing ignored the troupe leader's cursing and looked at the stage. On stage, one act ended and another began; the painted-face roles were contorted with rage, their golden voices booming; the female roles were twisting and turning with flamboyant movements; the male roles were reciting their lines with upright posture; the clowns were clowns performing; and the old men were acting mature and composed.
The audience was packed with wealthy guests dressed in silk and satin.

As for the food and drinks on the table, they looked very tempting. The fruits and vegetables were juicy and fresh, the meat and vegetables were glistening with oil, and the cold dishes were bright green, just like they had been freshly picked from the garden.

The rich aroma emanating from the wine pot was so enticing that it made one's mouth water!
But what does Xu Qing do? He's a funeral expert, a big shot in the funeral industry. He can't tell the difference between the smells of any offerings or sacrifices.
He glanced at it and realized that the greasy meat was actually a rotten rat that had wandered into the garden, covered in green fur.

Upon closer inspection of the vibrant green vegetable leaves, all that could be found were withered grass stems, rotten leaves, and earthworms crawling inside.

As for the wine that the painted-face overlord offered with his head bowed and scraped, it was nothing but slurry mixed from the bottom of a ditch!

(End of this chapter)