A master of comedy!

In Xunyang, it was just beginning to get light.

The streets were already bustling with people, the aroma of steamed buns was beginning to waft from the steamers, fishmongers were returning from the docks carrying the freshest catches, and the clanging and banging sounds from the armory were crisp and rhythmic.

Accompanied by the crowing of roosters and the barking of dogs, the tightly closed wooden doors in the alley opened one after another.

Last night was the Ghost Festival, and many families hung lanterns, symbolizing guiding their loved ones home.

Suddenly, the lanterns began to flicker, one by one, from south to north.

It felt as if a chilling aura was blowing along the way.

The aura finally stopped in front of a house. The eyes of the door gods pasted on the door suddenly moved, and then they took the initiative to appear, transforming into two burly and majestic generals.

It is exactly what Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong look like in the painting. Of course, it only looks impressive. In reality, the two have limited magical power and can only block some wandering ghosts.

Unless it has been consecrated or painted by a master, it can only suppress more powerful evil spirits.

At this moment, the two generals looked ahead, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Generals Yin!"

The deities they worshipped were none other than the Black and White Impermanence.

Zhou Sheng was somewhat surprised. When did his master put up the door gods?
Black and White Impermanence nodded, then looked at Zhou Sheng and said, "Boss Long, we brothers will see you off here. If you need us in the future, you can burn this talisman."

The White Impermanence handed Zhou Sheng a special red talisman. The pattern on it looked like a ghost's scribbles and was not from the mortal world at all.

Zhou Sheng put away the talisman and bowed with his hands clasped: "If you two Yin Generals need my help in the future, you may come to me."

Come and don't go indecent.

Although there were some unpleasant moments at the beginning, after their journey to the underworld, the three of them became much closer, and the Black and White Impermanence even owed him a great favor.

The Black and White Impermanence smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "In that case, we brothers will not bother you any longer. Boss Long, the sun is about to rise, please return home quickly!"

After saying this, they silently recited an incantation, then took out a large gong, one holding a mallet and the other holding a gong, and struck it heavily.

clang!!

Zhou Sheng's soul trembled violently, as if he had been struck on the head, and he immediately felt a strong attraction coming from the room.

Then his body passed directly through the brick wall, doors and windows, and slipped into the figure lying on the bed.

At this point, the body and soul are united.

An unprecedented sense of peace welled up in Zhou Sheng's heart. He tried to open his eyes, but found his eyelids unusually heavy, and a deep fatigue arose from head to toe.

I remembered what my master had said: before the mind is opened, the soul needs a certain amount of time to adapt each time it leaves the body and returns.

Therefore, those children whose souls are called back often fall seriously ill or sleep for a long time, even if their souls are brought back.

With this in mind, Zhou Sheng felt at ease and fell asleep.

He was puzzled, though. Why couldn't he hear his master and the others' voices even though he was home?

……

He slept very soundly, and when Zhou Sheng woke up again it was already afternoon, with the evening glow visible outside the window.

Pushing open the door, the courtyard remained empty, without a single person in sight.

"Master!"

"The red line!"

"Jinse!"

“Red Tassel…”

He called out to them one by one, but no one answered.

Zhou Sheng immediately became alert and a sense of worry arose in his heart. His first thought was of his secret conversation with Wei Pan.

The statement, "Someone wants to sell the Underworld for a good price," was truly astonishing, and the horror behind it sent chills down his spine. Could it be that the conversation had been leaked, and some people hiding behind the scenes couldn't resist making their move?
Roar!
The roar of Yazi Dragon transformed into a ring-pommel Tang-style horizontal sword, which Zhou Sheng held tightly in his palm. The gleaming blade shimmered with a pale golden light under the setting sun.

Zhou Sheng's gaze was solemn, because his hearing had been awakened and he had just heard footsteps outside the door.

There seem to be quite a few people.

He slowed his pace, held his breath, and walked slowly toward the door, a fierce glint in his eyes. He also intended to use the Luo Shu to perform divination first.

But just then, the door opened on its own.

Zhou Sheng was startled, slowly lowered the horizontal sword in his hand, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Familiar figures stood outside the door, all of them actors from Juxianlou. They had set up a simple stage that provided shade, and everyone was standing on it. Leading the group were Yaotai Feng and Xiao Wu, a married couple.

Zhou Sheng's gaze immediately fell on that beautiful figure.

She was dressed in a red dress, with a spirited look, snow-white skin, embroidered shoes, and a bright silver spear in her hand. From afar, she was like the only splash of color in the midst of a snowstorm.

"What are you doing? I thought—"

"Master, we've been waiting for you!"

Zhou Sheng was taken aback by Yao Taifeng's spontaneous use of the term.

Xiao Wu and his wife quickly followed up with a smile, "Master, what are you waiting for? Come on over here!"

"Yes, troupe leader, we've been waiting for you to cut the ribbon..."

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Zhou Sheng stumbled onto the stage, took the scissors handed to him by Yao Taifeng, and gently cut a piece of red cloth.

The next moment, the red silk fell down, revealing a newly made sandalwood plaque with three large characters carved on it. The strokes were bold and vigorous, like a broadsword from the Spring and Autumn Period, exuding heroism.

The Zhou Family Band!
Zhou Sheng was taken aback. Before he could speak, he heard the sound of a zither and the sound of gongs and drums. At the Five Dragon Mouth, a musician was beating a drum, and the one dressed in a white robe as pure and aloof as an immortal was the head of all the musicians. Her jade fingers gently plucked and strummed, playing a melodious and ethereal tune.

Immediately afterwards, a "lion" walked onto the stage, wiggling its rear end, looking incredibly lifelike.

Lion dance.

The man holding the head lowered his stance, and the lion's eyelids were suddenly lifted, revealing a pair of bright, clear eyes that darted around three times.

The person carrying the tail is relatively short, but his footwork is very agile, like a nimble ape crossing a stream or a crane stepping on a lotus. After a few movements, he even playfully lifts his foot to scratch his buttocks.

As Zhou Sheng watched the lion dance, his smile turned to tears.

He had already guessed who the lion dancers were.

"Boss, boss, did I dance well?"

After the dance, the lion's tail was lifted first, revealing Hongxian's rosy face. Her eyes were full of excitement as she waved her little hands vigorously.

"Boss, I've been practicing for most of the night!"

"Thank goodness you came back alive, otherwise all my training would have been for nothing..."

Zhou Sheng stepped forward and vigorously rubbed her face, making her hair, which was tied with red thread, messy.

"Damn it, you've only just become the troupe leader and you're already bullying your little follower?"

She paused, then blinked and whispered, "Boss, I'm one of the vice class leaders now, a big shot with some influence. Can you still bully me in private?"

Zhou Sheng laughed heartily upon hearing this, but then, thinking of his sixth uncle's sacrifice, he couldn't help but sigh softly.

Finally, looking at the figure that was still reluctant to remove the lion's head, he knelt down and kowtowed.

"Disciple Zhou Sheng greets Master!"

"Your disciple has successfully completed his apprenticeship. He has not let you down after so many years of teaching, nor has he disgraced you."

...(End of this chapter)