You promised steampunk martial arts, but you've got an internal combustion engine in your chest

On the stage, the drumbeats suddenly became more frequent and intense, and the opera was reaching its climax.

The dozen or so white-clad experts from Baihuatang were all agile, wielding their fine steel longswords with impenetrable skill, beating the bandits to a pulp.

The martial arts performers on the stage tirelessly somersaulted, creating a scene of flashing swords and billowing white mist.

The pale-faced scoundrel and his wicked advisor, seeing the bandits they had hired retreating in disarray, both showed signs of madness. The scoundrel screamed and pulled on the rope, attempting to activate the miniature steam boiler and completely destroy the entire dock to cover up the crime.

At the critical moment, another loud "clang" rang out.

Then, "Zheng Sheng," who played the role of the prefect of Shanghai, made his grand entrance.

On the stage, the prefect was a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a dignified bearing. He was not only intelligent and brave, but he also drew his sword on the spot and led a group of constables to descend like divine soldiers, pinning the wicked merchant and his clerk to the ground and arresting them.

Thus, the injustice was redressed, the villains were brought to justice, and everyone was overjoyed.

This tired old routine was bland and tasteless to Baili Jing, who was used to special effects blockbusters, but it was a feast for the people of Shanghai.

The clean and efficient fighting, the incredible series of somersaults, and the satisfying ending where the villains finally got their comeuppance made them all stand up, their faces flushed and necks bulging with excitement.

"good!!"

"That was a satisfying beating! The White Flower Hall's actions were righteous! Your Excellency, the Prefect, is truly wise!!"

"This Baili Jing is truly a man of honor, a hero!"

The overwhelming cheers and applause almost lifted the roof off the Jiangshan Fengyu Building.

Baili Jing stood in the corner of the stone steps outside the gate, his eyelids twitching wildly beneath his mask. He scratched his head, leaned closer to his younger brother, and whispered:

"I've really seen something today. They put on this whole free show, praising Baihuatang and the prefect like living saints, just to whitewash their image?"

Baili Jie sneered:

"Don't worry, bro, the show isn't over yet. We'll probably find out soon."

Sure enough, the curtain fell on the final act, but there was still a short segment left.

The old man in white robes, playing a high-ranking figure from Baihuatang, stepped forward, stroked his long, snow-white beard, looked down at "Baili Jing" on the stage, and began to sing a aria:

"I am Zhou Erquan, the second-in-command of the Canal Gang and the head of the White Flower Hall. My fellow martial arts practitioners respectfully address me as Master Zhou!"

"Brave warrior Baili, I see that you are exceptionally talented, have extraordinary physique, and possess unwavering loyalty. Now that scoundrel almost took your life, thankfully, everything has finally come to an end."

"Would you be willing to join my White Flower Hall and take on a position of service, contributing your strength to the peace and tranquility of the people of Shencheng?!"

The musicians' string music faded at just the right moment, and the entire arena fell silent as everyone awaited the hero's choice.

Immediately afterwards, the martial arts actor playing Baili Jing trembled, immediately knelt down, clasped his hands in a fist, and uttered words as clear as nails, his voice resounding throughout the surrounding area:

"Second Master, you are truly righteous! If you do not despise me, Baili Jing is willing to serve under your command, from now on I will serve you faithfully, even unto death!!"

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience once again.

But Baili Jing himself was inwardly turbulent turmoil:

This...this is...this is openly recruiting me into their gang in front of the entire city?!

Baili Jie, standing to the side, discerned even more hidden meanings.

The boy whispered quickly in Baili Jing's ear:

"Brother, through the opera, they shifted all the blame for the crimes of Master Ding of the Blackwater Hall onto Master Yang, completely whitewashing the reputation of the Canal Gang; they also portrayed Prefect Huang as an upright and just official, which quelled the turmoil of last night. Most importantly, they made you a great hero, and in the play, they made you join the White Flower Hall. In one play, they completely defined what happened last night."

Baili Jing stared at the actors bowing and taking their bows on stage, and he began to understand what was going on.

He sneered and grinned:

"This isn't just about clearing my name; it's also about reassuring me."

"They know in their hearts that if they directly sent someone to recruit me, I definitely wouldn't believe it; but now, everyone in the city knows that Baili Jing is a great hero who is highly valued by the Canal Gang. If Baihuatang really wants to recruit me, they will have to treat me with respect and will never dare to do anything to me again, otherwise they will be slapping themselves in the face."

Upon hearing this analysis, Baili Jie turned his head in surprise:

"Bro, you got blown up last night, but your brain actually sharpened a bit? You're not too stupid after all."

Baili Jing, annoyed, flicked his younger brother's forehead and decisively uttered a single word:

"Walk."

Baili Jie was taken aback, somewhat confused: "Go? Where to?"

"Nonsense, of course we should get out of the city as soon as possible!"

Baili Jing adjusted his mask and made a move to push his way out of the crowd.

Baili Jie, however, tugged at his sleeve, standing still and asking in confusion:

"Brother, Baihuatang has offered such a high price, it's practically offering you all the wealth and glory of the future. The whole city can attest to this. If you really go to Baihuatang, we brothers will be able to live a worry-free life in Shencheng. Are you really not going to take a look?"

Baili Jing stopped and turned around.

He pressed his brother's shoulder and said in a deep voice:

"Xiao Jie, no matter how lively or beautiful their performance is, if you look closely, the main character on the stage... is not me at all, but that high and mighty Second Master."

Baili Jing smiled:

"They built such a big stage simply to use me as a banner, so they can use my name to do things legitimately. If I really went to the Canal Gang for wealth and status, I would only become a pawn in their game."

"Fortunately, we've obtained the most crucial intelligence. They probably won't arrest me again or try to rip out my heart. Let's take this opportunity and leave the city!"

Baili Jie remained silent for a few seconds.

The puppy in my arms was still clapping its little hands excitedly and shouting "Great hero!" along with the others.

Zhao Chunlan, standing to the side, stared at them trembling, her eyes brimming with fear and anticipation.

At this moment, the applause on the stage gradually subsided, and a waiter strode onto the stage, loudly announcing:

"Ladies and gentlemen! Today's performance of 'Hero Baili Makes a Scene at the Grand Wharf' will be performed three more times every day for the next three days! All for free, and unlimited melon seeds!"

Another thunderous cheer erupted down the long street.

Baili Jie took one last look at the stage, took a deep breath, and turned to ask Baili Jing:

"Brother... are you really sure? This is our only chance in this lifetime to become someone important."

"Master?"

Baili Jing shook his head, his expression clearer than ever before:

"Xiao Jie, you are very smart, but sometimes you have to learn to jump out of this well in Shanghai and look out."

"They spent so much money and went through so much trouble, was it all just for me, a laborer carrying heavy loads? Was it just to whitewash the canal gang? There must be something much bigger going on behind the scenes."

"If ordinary people like us really get involved in this mess, we'll probably be used as pawns and won't even know how we died... Listen to me, give the puppy back to your sister-in-law and let's go."

Having said that, Baili Jing didn't say anything more. He fastened his mask, squeezed into the crowd, and pushed his way out towards the city gate.

Baili Jie stood there for a few moments, then suddenly laughed silently.

He turned around, carefully handed the puppy in his arms to Zhao Chunlan, and said softly:

"Sister-in-law, I was a bit rude in the house earlier to protect myself, and I apologize for any offense I may have caused. I'm here to apologize to you."

"We brothers are leaving the city now. Please tell Grandpa Qian that we are deeply grateful for his kindness and kindness. Please also... please don't tell anyone about our whereabouts. It will be better for everyone and won't bring any disaster to your Qian family."

Zhao Chunlan felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She snatched the puppy away like a madwoman, hugged it tightly to her chest, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

She was so frightened that she didn't dare to say a word. She just shrank her neck and desperately bowed and nodded to Baili Jie.

Without further delay, Baili Jie turned around, nimbly slipped into the crowd, and quickly chased after Baili Jing.

The puppy, feeling a little sore from being held so tightly in its mother's arms, only then realized its two older brothers were missing. Looking somewhat aggrieved, it chewed on its candied hawthorn, waved its little windmill, and shouted:

"Big brother! Where are you going? When will you take me to play on the windmill again?!"

The woman covered her son's mouth tightly, hugged the child, and disappeared into the noisy depths of the marketplace without looking back.

……

Meanwhile, at Jiangshan Fengyu Tower.

Backstage, a group of actors who had just finished their performance were sprawled out on benches, drinking cold tea.

A few of the more diligent ones had already started touching up their makeup; there was a second big show coming up later, and they would have to keep putting in their best effort.

Deep backstage, in a luxurious interior room.

The "old man" who had just been so imposing on stage, playing a big shot in the White Flower Hall, was now sitting in a rosewood armchair, taking off the snow-white beard hanging on his cheek.

What was revealed was a face covered in makeup, obscuring its true features.

squeak...

The door was gently lifted open by a hand.

Hua Xiangrong, dressed in a fiery red dress, walked in gracefully, her waist swaying like a water snake.

She held a peacock feather fan in her hand, walked directly behind the old man, bent down slightly, and breathed softly:

"Second Master, the Baili brothers, wearing colorful opera masks, watched the entire opera outside the gate. However... after watching the opera, they simply left. Judging from the direction they were heading... it seems they were heading towards the West Gate, preparing to leave Shencheng."

Who would have thought that the old actor playing the role of the Second Master of Baihuatang on stage was actually Zhou Erquan himself!

Zhou Erquan paused slightly after hearing this.

Looking at himself in the bronze mirror, he smiled with a sense of satisfaction:

"Instead of coveting wealth and power, he made such a decisive move after seeing the situation clearly... This young man's character and vision are even more resilient and clear-headed than I expected. After the test of time, he is a promising talent."

At this point, Zhou Erquan gently picked up the teacup beside him and took a small sip:

"But the stage is already set up, and the whole city is singing along. If he, the main character, really leaves so easily, wouldn't we become a laughing stock?"

Hua Xiangrong put away her feather fan, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and she asked in a low voice:

"Then, Second Master, what do you intend to do?"

Zhou Erquan put down his teacup and smiled gently:

"You saved his life last night, so go and do him a favor and ask him to come back."