Chapter 367: Double Happiness

Chapter 367: Double Joy Approaches

With the crowing of cocks, the bustling city of Yinling gradually awakened. The calm streets were soon covered with pedestrians and beasts of burden.

Everyone was busy with their own affairs, no one noticed a red-robed Daoist sitting atop the tiles of an inn, his excitement palpable. Nor could anyone fathom the emotions that surged within Li Huowang at this moment.

"Dad?" Li Sui, surprised by what he felt, cautiously touched Li Huowang's rapidly beating heart with his two tendrils.

Though an hour had passed, Li Huowang remained agitated, turning over and over the letter in his hands.

No one could understand what this letter meant to him—it signified that his suffering and confusion would not last forever, that his life was not filled solely with pain and despair, but that hope still existed!

As long as he could find a way to escape the illusions from Beifeng, as long as he could turn bitter suffering into sweet reward, then all the hardships of these years would be worthwhile!

He could live like an ordinary person, spending his life peacefully with the one he loved!

At that very moment, the persistent death wish that had haunted Li Huowang’s heart finally dissipated completely. He now had one goal—live! Live to escape the confusion of Xin Su!

"Firewang, why are you on the roof?" Bai Lingmiao’s voice brought Li Huowang back to reality.

He leapt down and tightly embraced her, gazing at her delicate face with excitement. "I’ve got it! I’ve got it!"

Not only had his own goal become clear, but Bai Lingmiao’s troubles had also been resolved—a double blessing indeed.

In his heart, Ji Xiang had spoken: he had found a path through the military sect, and they possessed a method to dispel ill omens!

"What happened? What’s wrong with you now?" Bai Lingmiao asked, puzzled.

Li Huowang shook his head gently, kissed her pink lips lightly, and said excitedly, "Come on! Let’s pack our things and go to Shangjing!"

In Baijiacun, a group of people dragging children and families gathered around the main hall of the Bai family, watching the spectacle.

Lü ZHUANGYUAN, who had once been oily and unscrupulous, sat with dignity upon his high-backed chair. Before him, five boys of different heights knelt, each holding a cup of tea.

The first tall boy spoke first, "Disciple Zhan Yuansheng volunteers to become a disciple under Master Lü’s tutelage to learn the art of opera. All earnings during this time shall belong entirely to the master. Should calamities or misfortunes befall us, we accept our fate. Those who run away or disobey will be beaten to death without mercy!"

After saying this, he offered the cup to Master Lü, who suppressed his delight and took a sip. The youth then bowed deeply three times before Master Lü, respectfully calling him “Master.”

Next came the second, third, fourth, and fifth disciples. After all had completed their vows, Master Lü, putting on a solemn air, declared, "A scholar may emerge in three years, but it takes ten for a talented performer! Though we are among the lower classes, every profession can produce a champion!"

"My disciples, you must train diligently and never slack off! One day, you shall become renowned performers whose names echo through history!"

Having painted such a grand vision, Master Lü coughed slightly and addressed his eldest son, "Scholar, take them out and test their physical strength."

Once they departed, Master Lü jumped from his chair, casting aside his pretense. He laughed like a monkey stripped of its fur.

Beside him, Gouwa, holding a handful of sunflower seeds, teased, "Master Lü, your troupe is getting more and more popular. Why not buy a theater in Yinling City next?"

Though jesting, the words struck a chord in Master Lü’s heart. His smile bloomed like a flower. "Heh heh, thank you for the good wishes!"

Zhou Wu, leaning on his wooden crutch, asked curiously, "Master Lü, where did you find these people? Do their parents really let their children follow you in opera?"

Generally speaking, those with even a small plot of land wouldn’t send their children to perform, fearing shame.

"Heh, whether they're willing or not, there has to be something first," Master Lü said proudly, pulling out his pipe from his back and puffing contentedly.

"These are street beggars I met while traveling. Once told they’d have food and shelter, who would refuse? Ah, how strange it is—the Great Liang Kingdom is so rich, yet there are still beggars."

"What’s strange about that? There are always unfortunate souls everywhere. But with so much land, they should be landlords already. Why keep performing?"

Thinking of the fertile fields surrounding Niu Xin Village, Master Lü felt a pang of desire, yet he nodded. "Well, having land and performing aren’t mutually exclusive."

Still, he wasn’t fully convinced. After all, these fields weren’t his. Without Master Li Huowang, if they ever turned him out, he’d have no recourse.

But if he built a theater, every brick and tile would be earned honestly, and he'd live securely.

He actually wanted to talk to Miss Bai about this matter, but after the incident in their family, he hadn’t found the chance.

Originally planning to wait until Miss Bai was in better spirits and send his daughter-in-law to gauge her mood, he hadn’t expected she’d vanish like the little Daoist.

"Gouwa, where exactly did Miss Bai go? When will she return? Can you give me a definite date?"

Master Lü questioned the sly-looking fellow. After all, Baijiacun was her ancestral estate. Without her, no one would manage the tenants or decide what crops to plant.

These two seemed like immortals, living off dewdrops, untouched by earthly concerns. At least they should share some of that life with old man first before disappearing into the clouds!

Hearing his question, Gouwa’s face lit up with joy. "Ah yes, yes! My wife is pregnant. I’m going to be a father. It’ll be a while though—probably after the New Year or by Qingming next year."

Master Lü frowned deeply, looking at Gouwa with disdain. Inwardly, he thought, *Did I ask that? You’re just showing off. If you’re a father, then I’m a grandfather.*

"What about Chun girl? Hasn’t she shown herself lately?"

Gouwa tossed a salted melon seed into his mouth, cracking it with his teeth as he replied, "How should I know? She’s not my wife. Besides, with her temper, who’d want to deal with her?"

Hearing this, Master Lü sensed the caution in his words and chuckled awkwardly before leaving.

Gouwa spat out the melon shell, turned with pride, and left Bai Family Hall. He knew well who was family and who wasn’t.

What he had discovered in the Bai family cellar, he could tell his fellow disciples, but not the Lü Opera Troupe.

Wandering aimlessly through the quiet eastern part of Baijiacun, Gouwa walked toward a tall walled courtyard at the village’s edge. He grabbed the tiger-head doorbolt and knocked loudly. "Idiot, open up! Why lock the door during broad daylight?"

(End of Chapter)