Chapter 389: Secret Technique of the Drama Path

A cool breeze swept across the land. Chen Ling sat alone beneath the stage, his eyes fixed on the platform, his hair and the hem of his theatrical robe blowing in the wind.

Beside him, Li Qingshan remained in a state of meditation, seemingly still immersed in the drama, as motionless as a statue.

Chen Ling was the only audience member who remained awake.

*Creak—*

At the same time, those few figures walked across the old stage, their footsteps making a faint sound that tugged at Chen Ling's heartstrings...

He suddenly felt a bit nervous.

Strictly speaking, this was Chen Ling's first meeting with the Ancient Collection of the Drama Path.

Although he had met the "End Role" and the "Plum Blossom K" before, those were accidental encounters. Regarding that mysterious master, he remained in a state of complete ignorance; the only thing he remembered was his voice.

"However, if the one who comes in the end is [Mock]... I will kill you with my own hands."

This sentence left the deepest impression on Chen Ling, and it was also the first time he learned the name [Mock]... In the deepest memories of his mind, it was this mysterious master who had put the Chen Ling mask on him, who had swapped his identity with "Chen Ling," and even the [Mock] disaster seemed to be related to him...

Even now, Chen Ling couldn't truly determine who he was, and because of this, he couldn't judge that master's attitude toward him.

Would he see through his identity as a transmigrator? Or did he know all along? How would he treat him? Would he accept him as a disciple like before, or would he coldly deny his existence after seeing that he wasn't the original "Chen Ling (Chen Yan)"? Or perhaps... would he kill him outright?

Chen Ling didn't know. Sweat beaded on his hands beneath the red theatrical robe, his eyes fixed on the stage.

*Creak—*

The four figures finally stopped in the center of the stage.

Because there was no light, their figures were at the boundary between dimness and darkness. Chen Ling could barely make out their silhouettes, but he could feel... they were looking at him, too.

On stage and off, they stared at each other, and the air suddenly fell silent.

Someone on the stage wanted to say something, but the next moment, another person spoke leisurely:

"Who is that beneath the stage?"

When this voice rang out, Chen Ling's heart tightened slightly. This wasn't the voice of the End Role, nor was it the voices of the two senior brothers who had just played Gao Chong and Wushu... Therefore, the person speaking was likely that mysterious master.

Chen Ling was silent for a long time, then spoke slowly and firmly:

"Chen Ling."

"Since you know who you are, why come looking for me?" the voice asked in return.

Chen Ling was startled.

"I... I want to know what exactly happened to me."

"What if you know, and what if you don't?" the voice said faintly. "Since you have determined that you are Chen Ling, does the past still matter?"

Chen Ling thought seriously for a moment.

"Although I have determined my identity, in the end, it is all just flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water... or rather, self-deception. I want to get the answer; only then can I dispel the confusion in my heart."

"Dispel the confusion?" The person scanned Chen Ling a few times.

"The confusion within you is indeed a trouble... If it cannot be dispelled, once you ascend to the Seventh Rank and become lost in the backlash of the Divine Path, self-destruction is almost inevitable."

Hearing this, the expressions of the three people beside him changed, and they looked at the speaker with solemnity, as if recalling some unpleasant memories.

Backlash of the Divine Path... lost?

This was the first time Chen Ling had heard these two terms, and he didn't understand their meaning... but it sounded like it had a lot to do with the confusion in his heart, and the consequences would be very serious.

Chen Ling took a deep breath and said respectfully, "I ask the senior to dispel the confusion in my heart."

Chen Ling had painstakingly sought the Ancient Collection of the Drama Path to learn the truth and dispel his confusion. Now that the person he was looking for was right in front of him, he naturally couldn't miss the opportunity... Of course, Chen Ling didn't adopt the identity of a disciple, but addressed him as "Senior," because from his perspective, the person who had joined the Ancient Collection of the Drama Path wasn't him. If he were to call himself a disciple now, it would be overstepping.

The figure stood on the stage, and the voice sounded again:

"I do have a way to dispel your confusion, but..."

"But what?"

"But, you must listen to me on how to dispel it."

Chen Ling's brows furrowed involuntarily. He looked at the person with some confusion, not understanding the meaning of this sentence... Wasn't it enough to just tell him the truth of that time, to tell him who he was, to dispel the confusion?

Seeming to see through Chen Ling's thoughts, the person continued:

"The confusion in your heart is already too deep to be completely eradicated. However, my Ancient Collection of the Drama Path has a secret technique that can anchor your mind and help you resist the backlash of the Divine Path... Will you learn it or not?"

A secret technique of the Ancient Collection of the Drama Path?

Chen Ling was stunned. His original intention in coming to find this master was just to learn the secrets about himself, but the other party didn't mention that, instead turning to talk about a secret technique... The development of events seemed to exceed his expectations.

Chen Ling stood beneath the stage, his thoughts surging. Finally, he made up his mind and nodded slightly:

"I will learn."

No matter what, Chen Ling had to find a way to learn the so-called secret technique of the Drama Path; otherwise, if it were true as he said, and he were to destroy himself in the future due to the backlash of the Divine Path, everything would be in vain. And as for his own secrets, he could only hope to touch upon them after getting closer to the Ancient Collection of the Drama Path...

Of course, most importantly, these people from the Ancient Collection of the Drama Path held no hostility toward him.

As Chen Ling's answer rang out, the corners of the figure's mouth on the stage curled up slightly;

"This secret technique is considered a unique skill of the Ancient Collection, not easily passed on... You can learn it if you want, but we must make a pact. First, once you learn this technique, you cannot pass it on to outsiders at will; second, once you start learning, you cannot go back on it. My Ancient Collection of the Drama Path has always been a place where you can enter but not leave. If you suffer later and want to quit, it won't be possible..."

"No problem. What about the third?"

The person's voice became increasingly serious:

"Third, once you learn this technique, you are considered a disciple of my Ancient Collection of the Drama Path. You must be filial to your teachers. If one day you dare to betray your master and destroy the path, no matter where I am, I will not let you go."

Chen Ling was stunned... Was this officially bringing him into the sect?

And judging by his tone, this point was completely different in seriousness from the first two, as if it weren't some kind of agreement, but a vow. Especially the four words "betray master and destroy path," which felt like a heavy hammer striking Chen Ling's heart.

What... was he worried about?

This thought suddenly flashed through Chen Ling's mind, and it startled him. He didn't know how he had interpreted "worry" from that sentence, but he always felt that this mysterious master's attitude toward him was subtle, as if he couldn't wait to pull him into the Ancient Collection of the Drama Path.

Chen Ling shook his head, casting aside those messy thoughts. He felt he was being a bit too sensitive.

"No problem. Is there anything else I need to do?" Chen Ling asked. "Like an apprenticeship ceremony or something?"

"...No need."

The person paused for a moment. "Someone has already done it for you."