A master of comedy!

The pronouncement of judgment was somewhat distant, but the emotions hidden in the tone were like deep, still waters, surging with waves.

That restrained stoicism, that intense emotion, tinged with a hint of jealousy and feigned modesty—Zhou Sheng felt he had unleashed all the secrets of his life's work in the art of intrigue.

Every gesture, eye movement, body movement, and step conveys emotion.

Because he knew that Nian Nu Jiao had a particular fondness for this kind of thing.

A virtuous man, yet deeply in love, tormented by the choice between morality and emotion, ultimately succumbing to His power and being tamed by Him.

As expected, Nian Nu Jiao's eyes were brimming with tears, almost as if they were about to overflow.

The ringed finger slid down from between Zhou Sheng's eyebrows, its soft, white pad sliding down his straight nose and lingering on his lips for a long time.

Finally, it continued downwards, landing on his firm and powerful chest, feeling the strong beating of his heart.

dong dong!

dong dong!

The heart pounded like a drum, telling of the owner's barely suppressed emotions.

"Zhou Lang, your words are so heartless, but why is my heart... beating so... restlessly?"

"I……"

Zhou Sheng lowered his gaze, as if he dared not look into those bright eyes, a hint of trouble and panic flashing in his eyes.

It was as if he didn't know what was wrong with him, why he could so easily lose his usual composure when facing the woman in front of him.

Yes, now every glance, every breath, even every heartbeat of his has an element of performance.

His acting skills are unparalleled and have reached a level of perfection.

The more you talk, the more mistakes you make. Instead, you can "speak" with your eyes and body language, which will be more effective because the other person will be more likely to believe what they observe.

He mustered all his strength to step back and get away from that finger.

"Please be mindful of your actions, Nianpan."

Zhou Sheng knew that the timing couldn't be rushed. Although he had been poisoned by the corpse and was infatuated with Nian Nu Jiao, if he were to bow down now, he would be looked down upon.

The more precious the prey, the more extraordinary its behavior.

Zhou Sheng's performance at this moment indeed made Nian Nu Jiao's eyes light up, and she looked at him with even greater respect and interest.

Despite being poisoned by corpses, he still has such composure; no wonder he can wreak havoc in the underworld so soon after graduating.

Outstanding individuals and talents cannot be judged by ordinary standards.

Such an outstanding man fueled His desire to conquer him.

"Zhou Lang, it's my fault. I've been acting as judge for a while and have been very busy, so I've neglected you. Please don't be angry with me."

He paused, then took another step closer, the fragrance of the red spider lilies emanating from him intoxicating.

"I apologize to you. Here's what you can do: you can pick one thing from anything I have on me right now. Note that it's anything I have on me."

As she spoke, she deliberately puffed out her chest, her fitted, fiery red dress outlining her graceful curves, truly a figure of slender branches and abundant fruit, elegant and charming.

Her voice even carried a hint of unspeakable provocation.

The atmosphere around them suddenly became ambiguous.

Zhou Sheng felt a chill run down his spine.

He knew that what seemed like a provocation was actually a test, to see if Zhou Sheng would take the opportunity to demand the Ghost-Slaying Whip and the Golden Elixir.

Do you think I only saw you because of what you have?

A hint of embarrassment and anger flashed in Zhou Sheng's eyes, as if he had suffered a huge misunderstanding. His grievances were almost overflowing, but he managed to suppress them.

"A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. So in your eyes I am just a petty person who only cares about profit. In that case, leave. We shall never see each other again!"

Nian Nu Jiao gazed at him intently, reaching out to stroke his cheek.

"As expected of the man I've set my sights on, he's just like him, so much like him..." These were the words the scholar who had ruined her back then had also said. At that time, the scholar was handsome, elegant, aloof, and proud, considering himself the best in the world, which deeply fascinated her.

Unfortunately, people change.

Vows of eternal love are but fleeting clouds, and vows of life and death are swept away by the tide.

Fortunately, he will not change. He will always belong to me, always be loyal to me, and be my favorite collection and plaything.

"Zhou Lang is right to teach me a lesson. I apologize to you..."

Under the tenderness and affection, Nian Nu Jiao, who has always acted erratically and domineeringly, and has just been promoted to judge with her growing prestige, actually apologized to Zhou Sheng in public, even pitifully tugging at his sleeve, like a servant girl who was afraid of being abandoned and punished by her master.

Zhou Sheng naturally knew the importance of knowing when to stop, and his voice immediately softened.

"Actually... I was also at fault. Maybe I should have taken the initiative to find you."

Nian Nu Jiao smiled sweetly and said, "Even if Zhou Lang went to the underworld to find me, he would probably find nothing."

Seeing the surprise in Zhou Sheng's eyes, He spoke up to explain.

"Because I visited the Bodhisattva recently and obtained the Bodhisattva's permission, I was able to send you this item."

As he spoke, he pulled out a play invitation from his chest, which he kept close to his body. The play invitation had an lingering, subtle fragrance.

"A theatrical invitation?"

Zhou Sheng looked at the invitation, outwardly skeptical but inwardly greatly excited.

It's finally here!
Gongsun Ce once said that Nian Nu Jiao was a newly appointed official, and since she herself enjoyed listening to operas, she would definitely send her an invitation to the opera.

That will be the most crucial opportunity.

Zhou Sheng had waited a long time without receiving any invitations to the opera, so he chose Master Gui. Unexpectedly, Nian Nu Jiao personally delivered the invitations to him as soon as he returned from the Medicine Buddha Temple.

"As I am newly appointed to my post, I naturally want to celebrate, so the first person I thought of was Zhou Lang."

"But if I want to invite you to perform a ghost play, I need to get the Bodhisattva's permission first, so I went to the City of the Wrongfully Dead."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Sheng opened the play invitation and took a look.

"Judge Nian Nu Jiao of the Underworld Investigation Department has specially invited Zhou Sheng, a master of underworld opera, to perform underworld opera in the City of the Wrongfully Dead..."

In addition to the name Nian Nu Jiao, there is another very special name in the signature – Zhu Yan.

The handwriting is ethereal and otherworldly, conveying a sense of divine compassion and a hint of hidden demonic intent.

It seems to combine the elements of Buddha, demon, and immortal, containing a strange power.

He stared at the name for a while and started to feel dizzy.

“Bodhisattvas possess boundless supernatural powers. Even if it is just something written casually, you should not look at it for too long. Otherwise, if you offend the Bodhisattva, even I cannot protect you.”

When she said this, Nian Nu Jiao's face showed no frivolity, but rather an unusual seriousness.

Moreover, when mentioning the word "Bodhisattva," there was an undisguised reverence and awe in His voice, a reverence He did not even show when facing Yama, the King of Hell.

"Who exactly is this Bodhisattva? Why do I need His permission to perform a seditious play for you?"

Zhou Sheng looked at the invitation and his heart sank.

Because the address in the invitation to perform a ghost play was the City of the Wrongfully Dead.

Judge Wei once said that the City of the Wrongfully Dead originally belonged to the Underworld, but was later ceded by Yama to that Crimson-Faced Bodhisattva. Subsequently, the Crimson-Faced Bodhisattva used her extraordinary abilities to take the City of the Wrongfully Dead away.

Since then, few people have known where the City of the Wrongfully Dead is or how to get there.

"Bodhisattva...is a Bodhisattva, with great compassion, boundless supernatural powers, and who saves all sentient beings."

Nian Nu Jiao smiled and said, "Zhou Lang, don't ask too many questions. You just need to know that this is an opportunity I have sought for you."

"If your underhanded tricks can win the favor of the Bodhisattva, that would be an incredible stroke of luck!" (End of Chapter)