A master of comedy!

Chapter 186 The Famous Actress Makes Her Debut
"Is this the murderer in the Qinggu County family massacre? How can he look so... terrifying?"

"I heard he's an opera singer. Is that a painted face?"

"Hiss, do you think that strongman might come to our Xunyang City? I've heard that he loves to eat people..."

"Don't talk nonsense. I've heard that the county magistrate's family, who were all wiped out, are being widely resented in the area, and the people are even applauding it when they hear about it."

At the entrance of Pipa Lane, the most bustling street in Xunyang City's East Street, many people crowded in front of the notice board, looking at the newly posted wanted posters from the government.

The painting depicts a burly, dark-faced man with a ferocious expression and a mouthful of fangs, staring with eyes that look as if he's about to devour someone.

There were also smaller prints next to it introducing the "murderer".

Name: unknown

Nickname: Theatrical Maniac
Crime details: On May 11th of the thirteenth year of Yuanshou, the madman shot and killed the county magistrate and his officials in the street in front of the Qinggu County government office. He then massacred the entire family of the county magistrate, Zhu Zong, consisting of twenty-three people, as well as the sorceress Cui and her apprentices. He was cruel, vicious, and extremely wicked...

Nearly two months later, the incident in Qinggu County finally took hold, and the wanted posters were also displayed in Xunyang City.

Zhou Sheng looked at the notice with a strange expression.

He killed everyone else, so what does it have to do with the witch doctor and her apprentice?

Moreover, the wanted notice stated that the sorceress and her apprentice died that very night, and their deaths were extremely gruesome; they were not only dismembered but also steamed in a steamer.

It's as if they're cooking a delicious dish.

This led to the rumor that the madman of the theater liked to eat human flesh.

Who exactly was it that killed Granny Cui after he and his master left Qinggu County? And the method used was not only to silence her, but also suspected of being an act of revenge.

"Danshan, you're famous now."

Yao Taifeng looked at the wanted poster and joked with a smile, "It's a pity that the person in this picture is drawn so ugly. Even if we don't catch you for another hundred years, we still won't be able to catch you."

Who would have thought that the fierce and madman depicted in the painting is actually such a handsome and elegant gentleman in real life?

Zhou Sheng smiled slightly. It seemed that not only was the government slow in its work, but the painter's skills were also quite mediocre.

"Let's go, the show's about to start, or we won't get good seats."

He led Yaotai Feng toward the Sihai Opera Troupe, while secretly activating his spiritual senses, not missing a single detail.

But that vague feeling of being watched disappeared.

Was it just my imagination, or was someone really secretly tracking me but I'd already shaken them off?

……

The entrance to the Sihai Opera House.

When Zhou Sheng arrived with an umbrella, there was hardly anyone at the entrance. Having bought two tickets, he stepped into the theater amidst the strange looks from the servant.

This is Yao Taifeng's insistence: even ghosts must buy tickets before going in to watch the play.

As for the two stone lions at the entrance, which were said to be able to ward off evil spirits, although they sensed the arrival of the ghosts, they didn't dare to utter a sound when Zhou Sheng walked by.

He lay still the whole time, not daring to lift his eyes even once.

With eighty years of cultivation and having broken through the four barriers, Zhou Sheng himself was unaware that, despite not yet having completed his apprenticeship, he was already seen as an unfathomable figure by many.

The sentient being trembled and dared not move after only sensing a trace of his aura.

Upon entering the theater, they found that the open stage was almost full. Zhou Sheng put away his oil-paper umbrella and led Yao Taifeng to a corner to sit down.

Many people came specifically to see the famous actress Wan Yunyan, and they discussed it privately before the performance, talking about her posture, singing style, or gossip from the Peking Opera world.

"I never imagined that the quiet little girl from back then would become such a star."

Feeling that familiar atmosphere, Yao Tai's phoenix eyes flashed with nostalgia, along with a faint sense of loss.

If she hadn't died back then, her fame would have spread far beyond Jiangzhou and even throughout Daxuan by now.

She might very well have a place among the thirteen most outstanding Peking Opera performers in Kyoto.

But all of that vanished with that fire.

Zhou Sheng could sense that she was feeling down. He was about to say something to comfort her when he suddenly heard the elderly people beside him sigh.

"Although Wan Yunyan is currently the top female impersonator in Jiangzhou, she is still far inferior to the former Boss Feng..."

"Alright, Lao Li, stop lamenting. The dead can't be brought back to life. Although Wan Yunyan is far inferior to Boss Feng, she has at least received guidance from Boss Feng. Her voice and figure are three parts like Boss Feng's, which is already quite good."

Old Li simply sighed, "Yes, even a slight resemblance to her is enough to make someone a star." "I'm eighty-nine this year, and I'm afraid I won't live much longer. It's a pity I can't hear Boss Feng perform one more time before I die. I truly miss her!"

At this moment, Yao Taifeng also recognized a familiar face from the other party's weathered appearance.

Not only Old Li, but also the others who accompanied him were all her former fans.

Time flies, but some people remain immersed in the play, never stepping out of it.

She couldn't help but feel a little moved.

Just then, the gong sounded, and the play began.

……

"Seeing the King sleeping soundly in his tent, fully clothed, I'll step outside to dispel my sorrows—"

As soon as Wan Yunyan's Yu Ji appeared and began to speak, she immediately won rounds of applause.

Many people looked dazed.

Because Wan Yunyan's portrayal of Yu Ji is so similar to that legendary female opera singer who was famous throughout Jiangzhou back then.

As an expert, Zhou Sheng immediately recognized many of the characteristics of Yaotai Feng.

For example, the other party changed the traditional "plain and simple face" makeup style for female roles, and instead used eyeliner and applied makeup pieces, and changed the three red dots on the lips to a full lip color, making the makeup more natural and appropriate.

In terms of costume design, elements such as the Ruyi crown and fish scale armor were incorporated.

These are all changes and innovations made by Yao Tai Feng to the role of Yu Ji back then.

This characteristic is most evident in singing style and physical movements.

For example, the sword dance of Yu Ji in Yaotai Feng combines powerful martial arts sword techniques with graceful opera movements, making the sword dance both elegant and flowing, yet also possessing the fierce spirit of a heroine.

Wan Yunyan had clearly studied martial arts and swordsmanship, following Yao Taifeng's path, but she lacked some of the imposing presence.

Even so, it still drew applause from the audience.

When she finally took her own life, she slit her throat with a sword, staggered, her knees buckled, covered her face with her sleeve, and finally lay on her side as if asleep.

This is inspired by the reclining fish posture in "The Drunken Beauty," making death appear as a beautiful "falling flower."

In an instant, cheers erupted like a tidal wave, and many people were even moved to tears.

This is also a modification of Yaotai Feng.

"Although I am no longer here, it is wonderful to see that someone is carrying on my plays and that people still like them."

Yao Tai's phoenix eyes were slightly red, and she clapped her hands in approval.

Although only Zhou Sheng heard it.

On the stage, the actors are going on stage to thank the audience, also called "thank you for the performance". The troupe leader leads the main actors to bow to the audience to express their gratitude for their support.

At this point, many audience members were still very reluctant to part with her, calling out Wan Yunyan's name and wanting her to perform another scene.

Zhou Sheng suddenly had a thought and looked at Yao Tai Feng beside him.

"Want to sing?"

Yao Taifeng paused for a moment, then shook her head and smiled, "I'd like to, but I'll pass—"

"Just think about it."

Zhou Sheng smiled faintly, then his tongue suddenly opened, and although his voice was very soft, it faintly echoed around him, with a strange fluctuation.

"Possession".

With a whoosh, Yao Tai Feng's soul was forced into Wan Yun Yan's body. The so-called three protective fires remained unmoved and showed no reaction whatsoever.

"Alright, then let's sing another a cappella version of 'Mu Guiying'!"

On the stage, Wan Yunyan suddenly spoke, her opera singing becoming exceptionally smooth and clear, and her demeanor and posture instantly transformed into that of a completely different person.

The audience below the stage fell silent instantly.

Even the troupe leader and other actors who were with him were suddenly shocked, their eyes filled with surprise.

……

(End of this chapter)