A master of comedy!

"It seems you already know."

Looking at his apprentice's earnest expression, Yu Zhensheng couldn't help but sigh, his eyes filled with satisfaction and appreciation.

"You guessed right. It seems that Tan Sheng told you about my duel with Yu Tianheng."

Zhou Sheng remained silent, seemingly acknowledging the situation, but in reality, Tan Sheng had never said that he had calculated these things using the Luo Shu (Lo Shu Square).

Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, Yu Zhensheng simply opened up and told the truth.

He shook his head and smiled, saying with emotion, "Roughly speaking, Yin Opera can be divided into the Northern School and the Southern School. The Northern School is good at martial arts scenes, while the Southern School is good at literary scenes. We are from the Northern School, while Yu Tianheng's lineage belongs to the Southern School."

“Back then, we had a saying: Zhao in the North and Chen in the South. Zhao refers to me, and Chen refers to Yu Tianheng, whose real name was Chen Tian.”

"We've challenged each other many times, and he's lost every single time. Although he's been training like a madman, the gap between us is widening. More importantly, his beloved junior sister, while accompanying him through each of my challenges, has somehow fallen for me..."

Speaking of this, Yu Zhensheng was also somewhat troubled.

“I wasn’t interested in his junior sister at all, but I heard that she never married and died on the stage.”

“Since then, Yu Tianheng has regarded me as his inner demon, and has been stuck at the sixth level for many years, unable to overcome the tribulation. But no matter what, he has only challenged me to a fair and square duel and has never resorted to underhanded means.”

At this point, a relieved smile appeared in Yu Zhensheng's eyes.

"Sixteen years ago, I came to a realization: since I've already become a cripple, why not use this disabled body to fulfill Yu Tianheng's wishes? Regardless of whether it's the Northern or Southern faction, we're all performing underhanded tricks, so we can be considered fellow disciples."

"However, you encountered me when you passed through Bingzhou..."

Zhou Sheng's voice was somewhat bitter. It turned out that his master's will to die had already been formed sixteen years ago.

"Yes……"

Recalling the scene from back then, Yu Zhensheng's weathered face suddenly broke into a sincere smile, his wrinkles blooming like flowers.

“You were so young then, yet you followed me for three days and three nights, your stubbornness like that of a little wolf cub in a mud pit.”

"So I thought, maybe it was your grandmaster who brought you to me. He was reminding me not to let the things of our ancestors be lost."

Zhou Sheng couldn't help but interrupt his master, saying, "So, you think that now that I've completed my apprenticeship, I should be ready to die?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhensheng smiled gently, his eyes suddenly brightening as if a flash of lightning had appeared in the chaos, making his thin body stand out unusually, like a pine tree bent by heavy snow on the edge of a cliff, suddenly straightening its trunk.

"Danshan, do you think I, your master, would rather die quietly on my sickbed, or die spectacularly on the stage?"

Zhou Sheng was taken aback.

“You’ve grown up, so there are some things I won’t hide from you anymore. Back then, although I escaped from the underworld and barely survived, I was also seriously injured.”

"In order to buy more time, I practiced your sixth uncle's zombie technique, and even pushed it to the extreme, using part of my body to become a real zombie in order to fight against the increasingly serious injuries."

Zhou Sheng was startled, recalling a scene he had witnessed: his master drinking chicken blood in the room, his eyes bloodshot, exuding a chilling aura.

"You actually noticed a long time ago that in order not to harm people, I often suck the blood of live chickens and become neither human nor ghost."

"My life is nearing its end. Since that is the case, why not use this crippled body to create another Tribulation Transcending Grandmaster for my Yinxi lineage?"

"Only in this way can one die a quick and painless death; this is the style of Yu Zhensheng!"

Looking at his master, whose temples were gray but whose smile was hearty and whose spirit soared, Zhou Sheng finally understood that his master was not trying to escape by dying.

On the contrary, the master had been holding back for too long, and the heroic spirit in his heart resounded like a drum. Death was his final swan song.

He used his own death to create a human immortal who had transcended the tribulation realm, and also to pave the way for his disciple.

"Do you understand?"

"understood."

Yu Zhensheng smiled with satisfaction. He knew that his apprentice could understand him because the boy was almost exactly the same as him in terms of temperament.

"That's good. Take care."

All his words of advice boiled down to two simple words: "Take care." He patted his apprentice on the shoulder and prepared to leave.

However, a hand blocked his way like an iron gate. "I understand, but not completely."

Zhou Sheng lowered his eyes, his voice calm and deep.

"Master, perhaps there is a better way. Don't you really want to hear about it?"

Yu Zhensheng frowned and asked, "What road?"

"Kill the Night Wanderer, retrieve the Golden Core and Achilles tendon, help you return to your peak, and then you and I, master and disciple, will join forces..."

Zhou Sheng suddenly raised his eyes, his eyes shining like stars, seemingly outshining even the bright moon in the sky. His words were like thunder, captivating and mesmerizing.

"Sing 'Exploring the Underworld' one more time!"

Yu Zhensheng was suddenly startled, and a clear look of disbelief appeared on his face.

"If a real man dies without seeking revenge, how can he be called a hero?"

"When demons rise to power, usurp the bright moon and occupy the heavens, do those who stand by and watch dare to call themselves heroes?"

"Bearing the lost teachings of the sages and entrusted with the mission by Judge Bao, yet you wish to conceal them with your death, do you dare call yourself a hero?"

Zhou Sheng's three questions, delivered in rapid succession, were like sharp arrows piercing the depths of Yu Zhensheng's heart, causing him countless sleepless nights of tossing and turning.

"You brat, how dare you lecture your teacher—"

Zhou Sheng stepped forward, looked directly into his master's eyes, and revealed his final trump card.

“During the Ghost Festival, I saw my sixth uncle. He was still alive. After being tormented by the underworld for so many years, he was clearly out of his mind. But when he heard my master’s name, he immediately woke up and protected me with his life.”

"Just like back then, he stayed behind to cover your retreat and risked his life to protect you."

Yu Zhensheng shuddered, his eyes turned bloodshot, and he clenched his teeth tightly. In his eyes, which were filled with vicissitudes, a flame buried deep in his heart flickered.

"Before my sixth uncle died, he asked me to pass on a message to you. He said..."

“He doesn’t blame you, and he doesn’t regret singing that play, because it was so enjoyable to sing with you.”

Zhou Sheng embellished his sixth uncle's words, hoping to thoroughly move his master and change his mind.

"But you couldn't finish performing that play, Master, are you really willing to accept that?"

"Would those uncles and senior brothers who followed you through thick and thin truly be at peace with you in heaven?"

After saying this, Zhou Sheng bowed and then turned and walked towards his room without looking back.

He appeared resolute, but was actually quite apprehensive inside.

If his master still decides to leave, he can't stop him. After all, his master has hands and feet and will always have a chance to leave if he wants to.

I can only hope that these heartfelt words will ignite my master's fighting spirit and make him change his mind.

……

The next day, early morning.

Zhou Sheng pushed open the door and entered his master's room, only to find it empty.

He stared blankly at the empty room, remaining silent for a long time.

Until a familiar voice rang out from behind.

"Hey kid, what are you standing there for?"

Zhou Sheng turned around abruptly and saw that familiar figure again.

The master, carrying breakfast, chuckled and scolded, "The sun's practically high in the sky! Hurry up and eat, then get back to your training!!!"

...(End of this chapter)