Chapter 1176: Three Actors

Jingle—

The ancient bell made a series of light sounds, accompanying the steps of the Nuo dance. The ferocious Nuo mask almost touched Xiaoyu’s face, and the sudden rush of air startled her...

But she quickly calmed down, looking curiously at this black shadow wearing a magical opera robe and carrying a dance. She didn't seem to notice that a mysterious aura was surging silently within her body.

"Brother Pao, this big brother of yours is too sincere... The wedding is over, and there’s still a dance?"

"Yeah, I just found out their troupe was actually three people..."

"This dance looks so magical, all that hopping and jumping—it feels kind of scary, yet not scary at all."

“……”

The boys watching from the sidelines were also curiously observing the figure dancing for Xiaoyu...

Just a few minutes ago, Chen Ling had brought in a strange man, claiming that there was a disaster-averting dance to be performed after the wedding procession. The stranger had stared at Xiaoyu for a long time, a flash of complexity crossing his eyes, before quickly donning a theatrical robe and mask to perform the dance within the cramped space.

Ordinary people couldn't perceive the power contained within Shen Nan's Nuo dance, but Sun Bumian could. Holding the lion head mask and standing outside the door with Chen Ling, he couldn't help but ask:

"It actually managed to drive away the sickness and evil... Where did you find this guy?"

"He's also a White Hand from Bureau 749. Haven't you seen him before?"

"No... I went abroad after attending that conference four years ago. I don't recognize many of the newcomers."

As the two spoke, Shen Nan finished the god-appeasing dance. He removed his mask and took off his costume, and a round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the boys watching. Although they didn't quite understand the Nuo dance, they knew how to show respect.

And perhaps it wasn't just their imagination, but ever since Shen Nan finished the dance, color seemed to be returning to Xiaoyu's face. It was no longer the deathly, icy pale, and she seemed much more spirited.

But Sun Bumian's expression remained incredibly grave...

From the perspective of the [Divination of Fortune and Misfortune], although the sickness and evil on Xiaoyu had been driven away, the baleful aura had only weakened slightly. At least for now, there was still not a hint of vitality to be seen.

"Big brothers, please stay and have a meal with us tonight!" Brother Pao walked straight up and said sincerely, "If it weren't for you guys today, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly for Xiaoyu and me... I know the payment I offered doesn't match your efforts, but I really don't have anything else of value... Let me cook a meal for you myself, as a small token of my gratitude!"

"Yeah, big brothers, stay for a meal!"

“……”

Sun Bumian apologized, "Sorry, we're here for a meeting, and we have a set schedule for tonight."

The boys exchanged glances, looking anxious, "Then, can you come eat tomorrow after your meeting is over?"

Sun Bumian opened his mouth, but still said:

"Weren't you here to bring the bride home? You've done that now, and I see Xiaoyu's condition has improved quite a bit... Why don't you leave Wushan first, go check on things at school or your home, and then come back?"

Brother Pao and Xiaoyu looked at each other and shook their heads immediately.

"We can't, big brother. Xiaoyu's body is still too weak; she can't travel too far... Besides, her mother has taken care of her for so long. If we just leave like this, what will she do?"

"We plan to stay here for a few more days, to keep Xiaoyu company and help her mother take care of the house."

Sun Bumian's expression was complex. He didn't try to persuade them further. Although he could divine fortune and misfortune, he wasn't a professional Diviner of the Divine Path after all. He could only advise them as much as possible... If Brother Pao and the others were unwilling to leave, no amount of persuasion would change their fate.

"Big brother, really, can't you come for a meal? Lunch or dinner, it doesn't matter. I know how to cook various cuisines; it won't take long." Brother Pao's eyes were full of pleading.

"Yeah, and tomorrow is the Wushan Town Lantern Festival. It'll be very lively outside." Xiaoyu nodded repeatedly as well.

Sun Bumian was silent for a long time, "Can you cook Cantonese food?"

"Yes, I can make rice noodle rolls and double-skin milk!"

"...Fine. After we're done, I'll come for a meal."

As soon as he said this, the boys cheered.

After saying goodbye to them, Chen Ling and the other two left Xiaoyu's house and headed straight toward the Huixian Hotel.

It was drizzling, and none of the three had an umbrella. Fortunately, most of the buildings in the small town had eaves, so they walked along the eaves on both sides of the road. There were hardly any pedestrians on the street.

"Hello, what should I call you?" Shen Nan reached out to Sun Bumian.

"Sun Bumian."

"Sun Bumian..." Shen Nan paused, feeling the name was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite place it for the moment.

He could only shake Sun Bumian's hand first and introduce himself,

"Shen Nan."

After speaking, both fell into silence, simultaneously turning to look at Chen Ling behind them.

"...Why are you looking at me?" Chen Ling was puzzled.

"No... aren't you going to introduce us?" Sun Bumian winked at Chen Ling, "Otherwise, how am I... supposed to understand... right?!"

Under Sun Bumian's frantic hinting, Chen Ling understood what he meant...

This was the first time Sun Bumian had met Shen Nan, and he didn't know how much this guy knew about their situation, especially regarding Chen Ling coming from another era and his plan to sneak into the Wushan Conference. If Shen Nan happened to be an outsider and accidentally let something slip, it would be troublesome.

With 1,000 kilograms of gold at stake, Sun Bumian had to be on high alert.

"It's fine, he's one of us," Chen Ling explained directly. "Shen Nan, this is the 'big shot' I told you about, the one who's going to help me get into the Wushan Conference... Shen Nan taught me my Nuo opera, and he also knows I come from another era."

Upon hearing this, Shen Nan and Sun Bumian both breathed a sigh of relief.

"So he's one of us! That makes things easier..."

"By the way, there's one thing I'm very concerned about," Chen Ling said with a serious expression. "I'm afraid something big is going to happen at this Wushan Conference..."

Sun Bumian narrowed his eyes, "You saw it too?"

"Saw what?"

"The baleful aura covering this town." Sun Bumian pushed up his small round sunglasses. "When I first entered this town, I sensed an extremely ominous baleful aura, almost covering every corner of this place. This kind of omen usually only appears when a great disaster is about to occur, and once it appears, there is no hope of survival."

Chen Ling hadn't expected Sun Bumian to have sensed it from the moment he entered the town. He shook his head and said:

"I can't sense fortune or misfortune, but I just fought that Kongwang..."

Chen Ling repeated the conversation he had with Kongwang, especially the phrase "I can't save everyone," which had left a deep impression on him.

After hearing this, Shen Nan's expression turned strange...

"Kongwang... So they are messengers of the Ghost Path Ancient Treasury?"

"You've seen them too?"

Shen Nan nodded slightly, "Yes, not only have I seen them, I've fought them... But it wasn't the Kongwang you mentioned; it must have been another messenger of the Ghost Path Ancient Treasury."