Chapter 902: Perform Tricks

Chapter 902 Performing Feats

"Father, a bit more to the left? Is it level now?" Li Sui extended several tentacles, tilting her head to follow the instructions from behind as she hung the spring couplets on the wall.

The scent of meat in the air and the crackle of firecrackers in the distance brought a joyful smile to Li Sui's face; she loved the bustle, and the New Year was the liveliest time of all, a season she cherished dearly.

"Sui Sui, can you read all the characters on these couplets?"

Feeling her mother’s hand gently stroking her hair, Li Sui nodded proudly, "I can! I know them all!"

"Really? How impressive. Then tell Mother, what do these characters say?"

"The first line is, 'Prosperity dwells in this blessed home,' and the second line is, 'Fortune shines upon the threshold, bringing brilliance!'"

"Wonderful. And what about the horizontal scroll, Sui Sui?"

"The horizontal scroll says, 'May all your wishes come true!'"

"Such a clever girl." Feeling her mother’s arms wrap around her from behind, Li Sui’s eyes crinkled into happy crescents.

"But, Sui Sui, is the horizontal scroll hanging a bit crooked?"

"Is it?" Li Sui stepped back two paces, scrutinizing the scroll beneath the plaque.

Yet, after observing with the utmost focus, she still could not discern where the red scroll might be askew.

"Mother, it’s not crooked. Father, do you see it as crooked?"

However, this time, her question met with no response from behind.

"Father? Mother?" Li Sui turned around, bewildered, only to find the space behind her empty, devoid of anyone; the scent of meat and the sound of firecrackers had vanished into thin air without a trace.

Suddenly, she spotted a white figure and a red figure gradually receding at a distant crossroads, and Li Sui grew frantic, struggling as she ran toward them. "Father! Mother! Where are you going!"

The more Li Sui chased, the further the figures seemed to drift away.

Seeing this, Li Sui no longer cared about maintaining her human form; over a dozen tentacles erupted from her body, her torso split open, and she surged forward with frantic, undulating movements.

"Father!! Mother!! Don't leave me behind, I beg you! I won't make you angry ever again! I promise I won't!"

But no matter how fast she ran, the red and white figures remained a step ahead, eventually vanishing at the end of the distant road.

Li Sui finally collapsed, her body stumbling to the ground as she sat there and wailed in despair.

As she wept, Li Sui gradually drifted back to consciousness, and looking around the cavern through her sobs, she realized it had only been a dream.

It had been many days since she fell from the sky, yet she still hadn't found Youdu.

Overcome by sorrow, Li Sui felt a fresh wave of grief and began to cry aloud once more.

But no amount of weeping could change her plight; the road had to be walked. Half an hour later, Li Sui emerged from the cave and continued along the path toward Youdu.

She didn't know if she had taken a wrong turn, for the road was riddled with forks.

More importantly, so much time had passed; she wondered how her father was faring, if he still lacked dragon qi, and if she could reach him in time.

After walking for several hours, the small path merged into a main road, and Li Sui pressed onward. When hungry, she caught living creatures in the woods to eat; when thirsty, she drank their blood.

After two days of travel, a town appeared before her.

Li Sui looked around the bustling town, taking in the lively scene.

In the past, she would have run about to join the fun, but now her mind was occupied with other concerns.

"I don't know how much further it is; I need a map."

"Should I buy a carriage like my father did? Walking is so tiring, but I have no money."

"It's a good thing I didn't throw away those furs; I should be able to trade them for some coin." Li Sui reached into her skirt, where several tentacles were tightly coiled around animal pelts.

Wearing human skin allowed her to wear a skirt, which was useful for carrying things.

In the past, Li Huowang had always made the decisions for her, but now Li Sui had to decide for herself, mimicking the ways of her father.

As she walked, Li Sui noticed a crowd gathered at an intersection. She stood on tiptoe to peek and saw several shirtless men wielding spears and clubs in the center.

A rhythmic clanging of gongs began, and a boy of about eleven or twelve circled the crowd, beating a brass gong while turning somersaults, his mouth never stopping.

"Little gong spinning round and round! Visiting friends from all over the world, traveling north and south, roaming east and west! Having traversed the four corners, I arrive at this noble land of Luoshan. Kind patrons, as they say, talk is cheap—as street performers, today we shall show you the real deal! Breaking a boulder on the chest!"

Soon, a long bench was placed in the center, and a burly man lay down upon it. Two others hoisted a massive stone onto his stomach, and an old man approached with an iron hammer, eager to begin.

"Hiyah!" As the old man exerted his strength, the hammer slammed down onto the stone.

The terrifying sight made the young women in the crowd close their eyes.

With a crash, the stone split, yet the man beneath remained unscathed, drawing gasps of wonder.

Seeing the crowd’s excitement ignited, the performers struck while the iron was hot, showcasing fire-breathing, sword-swallowing, and tightrope walking, with cheers erupting wave after wave.

Li Sui had intended to leave, but with a child’s heart, she stood there and forgot everything else.

The series of feats left the audience enthralled, and the performers drenched in sweat.

Sensing the atmosphere was right, the bearded old man gave a wink to the boy.

The boy lay on the ground with a look of reluctance and turned his palm upward.

When the old man stepped on his hand, the boy kicked his legs, and amidst his shrill screams, his arm was wrenched clean out of its socket.

The boy, ignoring the pain, grabbed a bowl and dragged his dislocated arm, begging for tips from the onlookers.

Seeing the collection, the crowd began to disperse, and soon few remained, though some kind souls fished out a few copper coins and tossed them into the bowl.

When the bowl reached Li Sui, she thought for a moment, reached under her skirt, and placed a wild rabbit pelt into the bowl.

Li Sui didn't leave; she intended to ask these performers for directions. Seeing them perform reminded her of the Lu Family Troupe, and she felt an inexplicable sense of kinship.

She remembered her father saying he had once asked the Lu Family Troupe for directions; such people were well-traveled and knowledgeable.

However, unlike the Lu Family Troupe, there were no women among these performers; they were all men.