infodatos Chapter 18 Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
Chapter 18 Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
Deyun Tea Garden is in an uproar today.
Even before the gong was raised, the garden was already packed with people.
Even benches have been added to the aisles, and even standing tickets have long been inflated by scalpers to three times their original price.
The armchairs in the front row were no longer just occupied by chivalrous figures like Master Jin; there were also several elderly men wearing floral mandarin jackets and holding jade walnuts in their hands.
These people were remnants of the previous dynasty, the most discerning "theatre veterans" in Beijing.
They don't care how strong your fists are, they only care about how authentic your act is, whether it has that "flavor".
"Third Master Tan, you've arrived too?"
An elderly man wearing a melon-shaped hat bowed to the side.
"I heard that the Qingyun Troupe has produced a talent who excels in both literature and martial arts. Is he really that amazing?"
Master Tan took a sip of his fragrant tea, his eyelids drooping slightly.
"Hmph, these young people nowadays, just because they're strong, they dare to play Zhao Zilong? That's a role for a top martial arts actor, the one who takes the imperial examination."
"If you're even slightly off, it'll be like trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog instead."
"I'm here today to 'test the waters.' If he messes up, no matter who's supporting him, I, Tan, will be the first to protest!"
This is the old rule in old Beijing.
You can be arrogant, but you have to have real skills.
The true test is on stage; if you don't perform well, even the Emperor himself will scold you.
In the corner, a few shady-looking idlers were huddled together, their eyes darting around.
Those were "greenhorns" hired by the Qinghe Troupe.
The leader, a scarred-faced man, muttered a curse.
"Be alert, everyone. If that guy surnamed Lu shows any weakness, or even just gives a wrong look, boo him immediately."
"Throw the teacup on the table, and someone's going to take the blame if something goes wrong!"
"Alright."
……
"Clang—clang—clang—choke!"
A sudden gust of wind rises, and the curtain is drawn back.
Lu Cheng, dressed in white armor with four protective flags on his back and carrying a bright silver spear, strode onto the stage.
[Current Performance: The Battle of Changban]
[Character: Zhao Yun]
[Role Requirements: A lone hero rescuing his lord, displaying unwavering loyalty and courage! He must portray a solitary bravery amidst a vast army, embodying the spirit of "Though a thousand men stand against me, I will go!"]
Lu Cheng appeared, his eyes flashing like lightning as he scanned the entire room.
In that instant, the audience, who had been whispering amongst themselves, fell silent.
What a handsome look!
What a powerful aura!
Lu Cheng didn't rush to start singing; he first performed a "starting act".
Lifting the armor, adjusting the crown, and shining the boots.
Every movement was clean, crisp, and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Especially his eyes, which exuded an imposing aura even without anger, truly seemed to possess the spirit of Zhao Zilong from Changshan at Changban Slope.
Tan Sanye's eyelids, which had been drooping, suddenly opened.
"Wow...that physique, that energy, he's got the makings of a star."
The play begins.
With a flick of his spear, Lu Cheng unleashed a shower of pear blossoms.
Although the "Lin Family Spear Technique" is a foot-based spear technique, after Lu Cheng's practice over the past few days, he has incorporated the "whole force" of internal martial arts, making it both steady and agile when used.
"good!!"
Those in the know in the audience couldn't help but cheer.
Just then.
The play reached the critical moment when Zhao Yun was holding A Dou in his arms and was surrounded by Cao Cao's soldiers.
Lu Cheng was about to start singing.
Suddenly, a piercing scream came from the corner.
"babble--!!"
"What a piece of trash! You can't even straighten your legs. Go home and take care of your kids!"
The exclamation "Goodness!" sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet tea garden.
Followed by.
call!
A covered bowl filled with leftover tea flew straight toward Lu Cheng on the stage, accompanied by the sound of wind.
If it hits, not only will the performance be ruined, but the person will also be disfigured.
The audience erupted in uproar.
In the private room upstairs, Master Jin's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and he was about to slam his fist on the table and order someone to take action.
On stage, Lu Cheng didn't even blink.
His chanting continued, still that same desolate line: "My lord—"
Just as the teacup flew towards his face.
The large gun in Lu Cheng's hand moved.
It's not a thorn, it's not a pick.
It is an extremely ingenious "sticking" technique.
The tip of the spear trembled slightly, lightly touching the bottom of the rapidly spinning teacup, and then smoothly drew a circle.
This skill requires at least twenty or thirty years of practice to master.
A miraculous scene unfolded.
The teacup was neither broken nor thrown away.
Instead, it firmly "sticked" to the tip of the gun!
Lu Cheng flicked his wrist, and the spear flipped like a dragon, steadily delivering the teacup to his left hand.
Not a drop of water was spilled!
Lu Cheng held a teacup in his left hand and a gun in his right. Using the action from the play, he propped the gun against the ground and tilted his head back to drink the remaining tea in one gulp.
Then, he gently tossed the empty bowl onto the ground.
Snapped!
Crushed.
"Good tea! Now let's slay these generals of Cao Cao's camp!"
This line, though not from a play, is the most fitting line for this very moment.
Quiet.
A deathly silence.
Followed by.
"boom--!!!"
The roof of the entire Deyun Tea Garden was about to be blown off.
"Impressive skills, you really showed off."
"That's a real man! That's Zhao Zilong!"
"Give me a reward! Give me a reward!"
The thugs who started the disturbance were completely dumbfounded.
Is this... something a human being could do?
They tried to run away, but found that angry fans had already surrounded them.
"Damn it, how dare he ruin Boss Lu's show? Let's beat him up!"
Lu Cheng didn't even need to lift a finger. These old and young men, in their quest to uphold their art, simply pinned the thugs to the ground, kicked and shoved them, and finally threw them out of the tea garden like dead dogs.
……
On stage, Lu Cheng was completely focused.
After this incident, his aura became even stronger.
That kind of courage, the kind that says "I will go even if there are thousands of people against me," is no longer an act, but something that truly comes from the bottom of one's bones.
He moved nimbly on the stage, his spear flashing like a silver dragon emerging from the sea.
kill!kill!kill!
At this moment, he is Zhao Yun.
Cao Cao's 830,000-strong army was nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs.
With a gun in hand, no one in the world can stop me!
Lu Cheng sang the entire two-hour-long opera in one go, without even drinking a drop of water in between.
Finally, when Zhao Yun broke through the encirclement and saw Liu Bei, he collapsed from exhaustion.
Lu Cheng's white coat was soaked with sweat, but the light in his eyes was brighter than the stars.
The curtain falls.
The thunderous applause lasted for a long time.
Master Tan stood up, his beard trembling with excitement, and bowed deeply to the stage.
"This child... has a worthy successor, a worthy successor indeed!"
……
Backstage.
As soon as Lu Cheng sat down, the familiar, ancient handwriting appeared before his eyes.
[Current Performance: The Battle of Changban]
[Character: Zhao Yun]
[Comment: "Composed in the face of danger, displaying the demeanor of a great general. He brought the performance to life, turning peril into safety. That 'spear-picking-tea-bowl' move requires years of dedicated practice. From tonight onward, you will have a place in the Peking Opera world of Beiping."]
Overall Rating: Lower Class A (Skilled to the skies, renowned throughout the capital)
[Rewards: Gun Technique - Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix; Character - Loyalty and Courage]
boom!
A massive flow of information instantly flooded into Lu Cheng's mind.
That was an ancient battlefield.
An elderly man with white hair, holding a long spear, stands atop a cliff.
That's Gun God Tong Yuan!
"Watch closely, this spear technique is called... Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!"