Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Cloud Palace Rapid Sound
As soon as the stage play was about to start, everyone had taken their seats, eagerly waiting for it to begin.
They thought that, like an opera, the characters would directly appear to open the show.
However, what first came from backstage was a series of sounds like clouds soaring upward, "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~," followed by "dong~ dong dong~," immediately evoking the scene of Sun Wukong leaping out from the sea, mischievous yet clever. Then the melody starts: deng deng deng deng deng deng...
Di di di...
The performers gradually emerged from backstage, each holding an instrument different from the others. With their playing, combining various musical sounds, each instrument’s timbre shone uniquely, not overshadowing the others. The entire symphony progressed gradually, grand and atmospheric.
A Journey to the West opening piece "Cloud Palace Rapid Sound" poured forth.
The entire opening song had no lyrics and lasted only a few minutes, yet it vividly expressed the scene of Sun Wukong cloud-surfing up to heaven and down to earth, the four disciples overcoming difficulties and vanquishing demons along their journey, and the Heavenly Court’s grand peach banquet.
Initially, the guests were stunned, then surprised, followed by delight and awe, and finally enthralled. Everyone was immersed in the beautiful music.
No one expected that watching an opera could have such a wonderful prelude.
Yet thinking about Journey to the West and pairing it with this song, it felt perfectly fitting.
Ji Nishang too was moved by emotions, clenching her fingers tightly.
Even though she didn’t want to admit it, this music was truly exquisite. Looking around, everyone exhibited eyes filled with shock yet pleasure, roused by the music’s passion.
Finally, with a series of "dong dong dong," plus a long tail note, the song gently ended.
The characters Tang Seng and his disciples appeared on stage —
"Ahhhhhh!!!! Sun Wukong! Sun Wukong is here!!"
...
Meanwhile, outside the city, two slender figures moved quickly along a forest path.
The last time they caught a resentful leftover from the previous dynasty, it was publicly stated that he was detained somewhere outside the city.
However, the former remnant was vastly intertwined, even linked with the martial world organizations, making it difficult to eradicate quickly, so keeping him alive was a "fishing" tactic to completely root them out.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, the traffic into Capital City increased, ensuring the appearance of suspicious figures.
Heir Pei and Prince Xiao, both favored by the Emperor and capable men, naturally began precautionary measures a few days in advance. Early that morning, they indeed received word of many suspicious figures appearing outside the city.
The two decisively left the city in pursuit.
The city gates were also set with checkpoints, thoroughly inspecting those entering for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Some proposed to seal the city, a measure that could undoubtedly keep out suspicious persons, but how could one catch a tiger cub without entering its lair?
Indeed, after careful layout, Heir Pei and Prince Xiao’s men apprehended numerous suspects, though a few exhibited exceptional skills at concealing themselves, necessitating their personal pursuit.
Reaching an ancient tomb, after some investigation, the two entered.
The tomb appeared ordinary from the outside but inside was like a maze. Naturally, the two separated but were soon trapped by obstacles, unable to proceed.
Xiao Shiqing remained solemn, closed his eyes, and listened to discern the direction. In just a moment, he opened his eyes and swung his sword toward a direction. Sure enough, the mist cleared, and the road lay ahead.
On the other side, Pei Ji’an seamlessly overcame his obstacles and swiftly reached the next checkpoint.
If viewed from a third perspective, it would be apparent that both Pei and Xiao were rapidly and steadily heading in the same direction.
Suddenly, Pei Ji’an sensed a subtle noise, briefly paused, and then leapt up just as hundreds of arrows shot from behind.
A slight misstep would have turned him into a beehive.
Elsewhere, Xiao Shiqing ducked and bent in time to narrowly avoid the flying arrows, only to feel a gust from behind. He defended with his sword, and recognizing the person before him, quickly held back.
Pei Ji’an also realized it was Xiao Shiqing, retracted his sword emotionlessly, and swiftly turned toward a certain direction.
Xiao Shiqing closely followed.
The two shadows, one ahead and one behind, finally reached the enemy’s stronghold.
The terrain was flat, round in shape, and spacious. In front stood a throne, suggesting it was usually a meeting place.
Despite no one being present, Pei and Xiao understood the enemies must hide in the shadows, with countless traps also concealed.
Both experienced in battlefields naturally wouldn’t underestimate the enemy. At the critical moment, without discussing, they assumed a defensive posture, back-to-back, left and right.
Suddenly, arrows from all directions targeted them to pin them down like a beehive.
The two vaulted to evade, then decisively attacked a focal point left and right.
Indeed, several figures emerged, swiftly forming a formation to attack them.
Pei Ji’an stood expressionless and motionless, sidestepping as the opponents advanced, while Xiao Shiqing attacked from behind simultaneously.
The enemies missed, quickly reassembling their formation.
This formation, among the fiercest in the martial world, was indestructible and lethally powerful once formed; normally, one would have long been butchered.
Pei and Xiao exchanged glances, unanimously began moving left and right, and denied the enemy precise aiming opportunities.
Then, they simultaneously struck, cornering the target, a "bang" resounded, breaking half the formation. In the blink of an eye, they seized the chance, rapidly infiltrating before the enemy could reform the formation.
Soon, several adversaries were overpowered, yet the two were a step behind, as everyone bit through the poison hidden in their mouths.
At the same time, their leader mocked, "This formation has another function: if the formation perishes, we perish, and this meeting place is destroyed. Though we won’t live, neither will both Heirs go out. Our few lives for the two Heirs, worth it!"
With that said, the man expired.
Simultaneously, the ancient tomb began to collapse, cracks and breaks forming beneath Pei and Xiao’s feet. Their bodies swayed slightly, and once stabilizing, they swiftly fled toward the exit...
Meanwhile, inside the city, at the royal mansion.
From experiencing "Sun Wukong’s Great Heavenly Palace" to "Tricking and Capturing Zhu Bajie" and "Stealing the Fruit of Life."
Now, the fourth program "Three Battles with the White Bone Spirit" was being staged.
The emotions once felt while reading the book now played out, delivering a greater impact, inciting frustration, upset, and suffocation.
Many cried, notably Prince An.
Despite his wealthy son’s image, he unabashedly cried with a handkerchief in hand.
"Mr. Monkey, my Mr. Monkey..."
Even Mrs. Xiao discreetly wiped her tears, while Ji Nishang couldn’t fully empathize; merchants were inherently a bit cold. Yet she seemed to remember something and summoned a servant.
"Has the Heir not returned yet?"
"Scouts have been sent everywhere if he’s found, they’ll notify you immediately."
Ji Nishang waved her hand, "Go, if the Heir is found, tell him Aunt is here, so he should come take Aunt home."
It was Aunt’s birthday today, and cousin had promised to accompany her, yet he left unexpectedly, not saying when he’d return.
If Ji Nishang knew this act would lead to some consequences, she would never have done it, even upon death.