Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

a few days later.

A performance was held in the mine. The venue was the stage where the opera troupe had performed before, a large rock protruding from the cliff face.

Numerous spirit stone lamps were lavishly arranged on the stage. The bright white light clearly illuminated the faces of each performer.

Everyone who showed up here had accepted a bribe from Manager Ishikawa. Some were professional cabaret performers, while others were simply unlucky souls.

Professional performances naturally draw cheers, while the blunders and embarrassing moments of amateurs bring endless amusement.

Liu Xingmo had specially dressed up and styled his hair today. He waited patiently below the stage for his turn.

On stage, a groundhog with a red bow tie around its neck opens its mouth wide, revealing its sharp, gleaming front teeth: "Aaaaah—!"

The audience members covered their ears.

"Excuse me, just testing the microphone. It keeps breaking down." Groundhog puffed out his cheeks and announced loudly, "Next, let's welcome the Night Flower of the Restaurant, the beautiful proprietress, Liu San Niang!"

Liu Xingmo crossed his arms and looked to the side with great interest.

Liu San Niang was dressed in a classical robe with flowing sleeves, and she was holding a brocade fan in her hand.

She gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "Those bastards, they all made me snatch the old pangolin's red envelope! So that's why! They tricked me, they tricked me! I'll make them pay..."

"Don't be upset, I see you're enjoying it. You haven't left the house these past few days, rehearsing every day, you can hear the noise even through a wall," Liu Xingmo said.

"What do you know? I'm just..." Liu San Niang stopped mid-sentence, her face turning red, and stormed onto the stage.

"What is it? To put on a good show and snag a rich husband?" Liu Xingmo laughed from below the stage.

Liu San Niang stopped talking and walked into the spotlight. A gentle smile appeared on her face as she bowed gracefully to the audience, and then she began to dance.

In an instant, cheers erupted from all directions, and even backstage, the sound of the enthusiasm was deafening.

A beautiful woman dancing, especially a famous and very alluring one, will naturally win thunderous applause.

Liu Xingmo felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

If I lose face after taking the stage, I won't be able to work there anymore.

Another rumor is circulating: the person who writes the stories is all talk and no action, and is actually tone-deaf.

Hopefully, the audience won't recognize me...

Even after Liu San Niang finished her dance and left the stage, the applause continued for a long time.

The woman walked backstage, looking at Liu Xingmo defiantly: "Your turn. Don't worry, I'll laugh out loud! Hahaha..."

"Ah—! Quiet down!" the groundhog roared, silencing the audience.

He extended his sharp claws, fiddled with the bow tie on his thick neck, and then his voice suddenly rose eight octaves: "The next one is truly extraordinary! Let us welcome the renowned storyteller, Liu Xingmo!"

Liu Xingmo braced himself and walked onto the stage, forcing a smile, then waved to the audience.

The audience's reactions were varied and unpredictable.

"Wow! So cool!"

"The storyteller, is this guy? It feels so strange to see such a legendary celebrity in front of me."

"Isn't that kid the one who keeps turtles? Everyone's got it wrong, right?"

"Why is he here? Is he going to try his hand at opera? No, I have to contact the old troupe leader."

……

Liu Xingmo walked to the old-fashioned microphone supported by an iron frame and began to sing the song he had prepared over the past few days.

……

As the song ended, the accompanying music gradually came to a close.

On the streets illuminated by bright red lanterns, the onlookers fell into a long silence. After a long while, they came to their senses and clapped softly, somewhat dazed.

The groundhog-like host walked back onto the stage, grabbed the microphone, and said to Liu Xingmo beside him, "That's fantastic! It seems like you're the undisputed winner today! Do you have anything to say?"

The lights illuminated Liu Xingmo's handsome face, and he smiled calmly, "I just came up here to have some fun, and I hope everyone had a good time!"

"Ah—!" the groundhog roared joyfully, "Truly, you are worthy of it! Like the god of art descending to earth, whether it's literature or performing arts, you effortlessly and effortlessly touch everyone's hearts!"

"You flatter me!" Liu Xingmo turned around gracefully, waved his hand, and walked backstage.

As he walked down the steps and into a place where no one could see him, his breathing immediately became rapid and heavy, and even his legs felt weak.

Liu San Niang stood against the wall, her round fan embroidered with peonies covering her luscious lips, her narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes gleaming with an inexplicable light: "What song are you singing? How can it be this tune? I've never heard of it before."

She wasn't annoyed by being overshadowed, because the gap was too large to arouse any jealousy.

"It's my own creation, don't mind it." Liu Xingmo forced himself to remain calm and left the room.

Just kidding, lyrics and music from the electronic information age would be a game-changer in this world.

Liu Xingmo made some simple preparations over the past few days. By piecing together several catchy melodies and personally writing the lyrics, he achieved the stunning performance we see today.

Fortunately, most people accepted it, and only a minority found it unacceptable.

The rest of the performance was fairly standard. Many audience members, and even the performers, were engrossed in the folk tunes composed by the storyteller.

After everything was over, Liu Xingmo couldn't resist the audience's enthusiasm and went back on stage to shout several more times.

He is the undisputed star of the night, the undisputed number one.

A pangolin, adorned with gold and silver, personally walked onto the stage and presented a small medal.

This medal is not only commemorative, it's also a shopping voucher that can be used to pick out two thousand yuan worth of goods at Silver Money Mountain.

Liu Xingmo happily accepted the medal; that was why he had come. Building the alchemy workshop in the spring would save him some money.

As the party ended, the crowd reluctantly left.

Liu Xingmo and Su Mali walked home together.

Stone slab walkways on steep cliffs, bamboo staircases between stone houses... This is a recently discovered shortcut home, without having to take a long detour along the gentle road.

Every household had a large red lantern hanging at their door, with red gauze covering the flickering flames and casting a warm glow.

As Su Mali turned a corner, she said, "Xingmo, your songs are indeed very popular."

"Thanks to my good singing skills," Liu Xingmo said, showing off his medal.

"It has nothing to do with singing ability. To be honest, your voice is very ordinary." A faint smile appeared on Su Mali's indifferent face. "But this song reminds me of my hometown. I haven't felt this way in a long time."

"If you like it, I'll sing it for you every day."

"Mm." Sumali nodded gently.

"Huh? Really? To be honest, I'm so shy."

"You promised me, you can't go back on your word."

……

Liu Xingmo and Su Mali huddled together tightly.

Just then, an impatient voice came from behind: "Hey you two, can't you walk faster? You're blocking the way!"