Free Web NovelPublish Time: 2026-07-13 21:32:00
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«Chapter 559: Extraordinary in the Ordinary
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“I’m going out.”
“Lihua wants to go too!”
“Isn’t Lihua catching rats tonight?”
“!”
Lihua stopped and said, “Changed my mind.”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “Guard the house well.”
“If Lihua catches a mouse, Lihua still gets fish tomorrow.”
“Fine. A deal’s a deal.”
“A dead horse can’t catch up.”
Looks like that cat will never learn.
After Chen Changsheng left, Lihua searched around the house again, driven by thoughts of that Suan Cai Yu (Pickled Fish with Vegetables). But Lihua moved slower than yesterday, probably still stuffed from the meal.
………
The weather changed abruptly. Just moments ago, a bright moon hung high. Stepping outside now, dark clouds swallowed the moon and stars. Looked like rain might come in the night.
Probably a brief cool spell after the sweltering heat. Happened every now and then.
“Pitter-patter…”
A light drizzle started within moments. Raindrops collected on the tiled roofs, forming beads that trickled down the gutters.
Fewer people walked the streets.
Slowly, lanterns snuffed out. With the rain, no one felt like venturing out anyway.
In all of Qingshan City, only one place remained brightly lit.
Everlight Street.
Brothels, gambling dens, opera houses, teahouses… almost all the shady business happened here. Only here.
Some never set foot here. Others lingered, forgetting to leave. At night, this street became the liveliest spot.
Chen Changsheng scanned the scene, his gaze settling on an opera house where a play was on.
Not all opera houses were equal. Stepping inside, Chen Changsheng was hit by a thick scent of musk. He understood instantly.
A different kind of opera house.
The audience below was mostly men. Onstage, the performers were primarily women, wearing light makeup, their outfits clinging seductively to their figures, capturing the rapt attention of every male beneath.
Chen Changsheng found an empty seat and sat down. He asked an attendant for a pot of tea and a plate of beans.
A performer onstage accidentally revealed a sliver of pale flesh beneath her skirt. Heads craned and faces flushed red in the audience below.
“Sensational!!”
Amid cheers, many showered silver coins onto the stage.
The woman bowed repeatedly, thanking them, then left. Observing, Chen Changsheng saw several men head towards the backstage area. Moments later, they emerged crestfallen, though one always seemed missing. Likely outbid by someone else, the woman having left with the highest offer.
Filthy business, perhaps, yet utterly common in these times. At least here, it seemed mostly consensual, a touch cleaner than some brothels.
Chen Changsheng held no disdain for her. Judging a person solely by this? He found that perspective narrow.
Not out of some special tolerance, but from certain principles he held.
After another short wait, the stage curtains drew open again.
An announcer called out the title:
Night Rendezvous with Qin Sanlang
The name gave it away.
The woman on stage remained strikingly elegant, full-figured. Since it was theatre, there needed a scene: seemingly a side room in some residence. Her counterpart was a tall, powerfully built Martial Artist wearing tight-fitting clothes, his face painted fiercely with thick rouge. He looked strong and fierce.
But this ‘Martial Artist’ opposite her spouted mostly lewd words, constantly teasing the woman – greedy glances, even reaching to pull at her clothes. The woman, playing along, lowered her head and murmured softly, “My lord, please don’t…”
Exactly what the audience below wanted to see.
Chen Changsheng had no interest in the woman beneath the costume. His focus was entirely on the Martial Artist.
The acting was convincing enough.
But the aura of potent “Qi and Blood” radiating from him couldn’t be hidden. At least, not from Chen Changsheng.
Feeling that extraordinary gaze, the Martial Artist playing Qin Sanlang became instantly alert. He scanned the audience below.
Had his pursuers caught up? Seeing the source of the gaze amidst the crowd, he froze.
He’d risked his life searching for this man all day without luck! And now here he stumbled upon him!
Truly stumbling upon good fortune!
A little while later, the play concluded.
Just like before, people filtered towards the backstage area.
After a short time, the man who played Qin Sanlang reappeared below stage, changed into regular clothes. He looked around, spotted Chen Changsheng, and approached his table.
“Oh ho! Qin Sanlang! Play wasn’t enough on stage? Still sneaking snacks down here?”
“Hahaha!”
Someone shouted this, provoking loud laughter all around.
The ‘Martial Artist’ merely cupped his hands in greeting. He ignored the crowd and headed straight for the seat beside Chen Changsheng.
Reaching the table, he asked, “May I sit here?”
Chen Changsheng looked at him. “Sit.”
The ‘Martial Artist’ sat down and immediately ordered wine.
He said nothing, just sat watching the stage.
Curiosity gnawed at the ‘Martial Artist’ about why such a person was here.
He asked, “You, brother, seem rather scholarly. You into this sort of thing too?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “First time here. Broadening my horizons.”
The ‘Martial Artist’ nodded in acknowledgement.
Chen Changsheng then inquired, “Acting in a place like this… can’t pay nearly as much as the girls on stage, right?”
“Not necessarily,” the ‘Martial Artist’ countered. “These businesses aren’t just for women. Those handsome lads playing scholars or romantic heroes? They often earn more than the girls.”
Chen Changsheng turned his head, looking at him with deep meaning.
The ‘Martial Artist’ chuckled. “Brother, don’t look at me like that. Guys like me, playing ‘Martial Artists’? We barely earn enough for the singing.”
“How much monthly?”
“If business is good? Maybe one tael.”
Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but click his tongue softly. Night business sure was lucrative.
“Brother interested in trying?” the ‘Martial Artist’ asked.
“Just satisfying my curiosity.”
“I see.”
While they talked, the next performance began.
The play was halfway through.
The ‘Martial Artist’ glanced sideways at the Green-Robed Gentleman beside him. His brow was slightly furrowed, as if displeased by something.
The ‘Martial Artist’ asked, “The girl on stage not alluring enough?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “Has nothing to do with the stage. Just something happened today. Left an unpleasant taste.”
“Oh?” The ‘Martial Artist’ inquired with interest.
Chen Changsheng said, “Saw a hiring notice on the street this afternoon. Someone offering one hundred thirty copper coins to repair the iron chain on Heaven’s Gate Mountain. That path hasn’t been used in ages. It stood all this time, never breaking. But now it’s snapped.”
The Martial Artist’s heart skipped a beat. He asked cautiously, “Does this concern you, brother?”
Chen Changsheng said, “I traveled that path years ago. Met a few friends through it. Seeing it broken now… can’t help feeling it’s a pity. That sum, one hundred thirty coppers? I’ve actually met the fellow putting it up. His life’s journey nearing its end, and this is the little thing left weighing on his mind? The people who cut that chain really shouldn’t have done it.”
The Martial Artist’s arm trembled, spilling a little wine from his cup.
Chen Changsheng observed this. “Qin Sanlang’s hand was so steady untying robes on stage. Down here, he can’t even hold his wine cup?”
The Martial Artist forced a helpless smile. “You jest, brother. Just lost in thought for a moment.”
Chen Changsheng gave a small smile and stood. “Leaving these beans. Help yourself if you don’t mind them. It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave.”
The Martial Artist hastily stood up. “Brother, when will you come again?”
“Seen what’s to see. Probably won’t be back.”
“Then…”
“Brother! Where do you live?”
“Does Qin Sanlang not need to perform again soon?”
Chen Changsheng offered this remark and then walked straight out of the opera house.
‘Martial Artist’ opened his mouth to call after him, scrambling to follow him out.
But barely a step beyond the threshold, that figure in the green robe vanished.
“Ah!”
The Martial Artist sighed heavily. Just like last time! Missed him by a hair! Finding him again became an immense challenge.
Truly regrettable.
He paused, replaying their conversation.
Seemed he’d need to make a trip to Heaven’s Gate Mountain himself.
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