At night, Jiangcheng Theater.

This place is not the same location as the future Jiangcheng Grand Theater. It is in the city. There is no performance today, so it is vacant and was rented by Du Ming.

After dinner, the three of them came here.

The huge theater was empty, with only one light shining in the center of the stage.

"Wait a minute."

Du Ming seemed to know that others would be late and lit a cigarette.

Lu Ban looked around and soon the first person arrived.

He was a man who looked pot-bellied and was bewitched by wine and food.

He was wearing a Ma褂, his steps were heavy and hurried, his face was shiny, and he was holding a folding fan in his hand.

"Brother Du, your location is too hard to find. I asked the driver to go around in circles several times before I found it."

He and Du Ming seemed to know each other, and they spoke in a familiar tone.

"Don't be ridiculous. If there is a road in this world that Master Qi can't recognize, then I have to see it for myself."

Du Ming greeted and then introduced himself.

"Seventh Master, the descendant of the art of moving mountains and searching for dragons, your ancestor was a tomb raider appointed by the emperor."

"No, there is no emperor nowadays. It's called archaeology, archaeology."

Seventh Master corrected.

Judging from his clothing and living conditions, archaeology in this era must have brought in a lot of income, Lu Ban thought.

"I heard that many people are watching the Xuanjun fight this time. Brother Du, you see I'm usually busy, so I just came here to join in the fun and respect the tradition."

Qi Ye took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his face.

This is probably what a greasy fat otaku looks like.

"Hey, Brother He, long time no see, who is this?"

He noticed He Chong and Lu Ban.

"My name is Lu Ban, and my goal is to become a Xuanjun."

Lu Ban answered immediately.

"?"

Qi Ye was a little confused.

"You really know how to joke."

He wiped the sweat off his face again.

At this time, the second person arrived.

The man looked around and walked out of the darkness.

This is a woman.

She looked to be in her thirties, wearing a cheongsam, a common dress for women of that era. She still had some charm, and exuded elegance in her every move.

Among the few people, it seemed that only Master Qi knew her, the pot-bellied "archaeologist" spoke out.

"This is the descendant of the Tang family, Miss Tang Que. Her family is a family of corpse sewists."

"Corpsewer..."

Lu Ban really couldn't connect this woman with this profession.

Tang Que's gaze swept across and only lingered on Lu Ban's face for a moment. After greeting them, she sat to one side, separated from the others.

"The corpse seamers suppress ghosts and spirits, and they all learn hard skills of horizontal training. I didn't expect this Miss Tang to have such superb skills."

Du Ming made a joke.

The two people behind appeared one after the other.

The first one who appeared was wearing a short shirt. Although he had white hair, he looked strong and capable. He had a gun on his waist and his eyes were sharp.

"I am Shi Buwen, who has traveled a hundred miles. My children are not very capable, so I won't come here to embarrass myself."

He bowed.

The man who appeared later was wearing a brand new suit, about forty years old, with a cunning gleam in his eyes.

"I am Dai Yuanyang from the Zhaixing Sect. Please bear with me."

"Anyone else?"

Several people waited for a while, and Lu Ban counted and found that there was probably one paper cutter missing.

"Let's get started."

At this time, a voice came faintly from a corner of the theater. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw an old man wearing sunglasses and dressed in simple style sitting there with a cane.

No one knew when he sat there, as if he had disappeared from everyone's sight from the beginning.

"Mr. Zhang, you are really elusive."

Du Ming said this and then introduced it to the others.

"Mr. Zhang from the Paper Cutter lineage is an old veteran who has participated in four Xuanjun battles."

"Hehe, just an ordinary blind old man."

He answered in a low voice.

"I participated four times, but I failed to win in the end four times, right?"

Lu Ban blurted out subconsciously.

“…”

The atmosphere was a little awkward for a while.

"Ahem, everyone, we are gathered here this time for the next Xuanjun position. According to tradition, we will hold a series of competitions to determine the final winner..."

Before Du Ming finished speaking, he saw someone raise his hand.

That was Dai Yuanyang, who was dressed in fancy clothes.

"What do you think, Mr. Dai?"

Du Ming suppressed his thoughts and asked.

"It's like this. I have been studying abroad for some time and have come into contact with many advanced countries. This time I came back mainly because of the advice of my mentor. He is very interested in the abilities and skills of people like us. His country is currently in need of such talents, so I would like to invite you to participate in research and visit abroad."

Dai Yuanyang said directly.

"At the same time, it would be a waste for the legacy left by Xuan Jun to be sealed in Jiangcheng Mountain. I think we can take it out and make good use of it for the benefit of everyone."

After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

"Oh, this is against the rules, Brother Dai, we are all not allowed to be on the stage. Things that happen in secret should be buried in the ground and cannot be dug out casually. You should take back what you said just now."

The Seventh Master spoke first and he persuaded.

"Everyone, the current situation is turbulent and wars are endless. We are all capable people. Good birds choose trees to roost in. There is no need to restrict yourself for these traditions. Xuan Jun looks majestic, but in fact he is just a local tyrant. Why not come with me and go overseas, where you can have money and wine and everything you want."

Dai Yuanyang did not accept Qi Ye's proposal, but continued.

"There are many people abroad with similar abilities as us. After scientific research and development, they have become more powerful. Instead of wasting time here, why not go out and start a business together? What do you think?"

Hearing this, Qi Ye’s face could no longer hold back.

"The last time I came to pick the stars, I remember his name was Dai Yuanzheng?"

Suddenly, the blind paper cutter spoke.

"Yes, that's my brother."

Dai Yuanyang thought that the other party was moved, so he answered immediately.

"Do you know how he died?"

Blind Zhang asked again.

"I was overseas at the time and only heard the bad news. I don't know the details. I would like to hear more."

Dai Yuanyang hesitated for a moment.

"He tried to steal the train of foreigners who were transporting the paintings and treasures left by our ancestors back to their own country. He was shot to death after being discovered. His body was hung up in the sun for three days and three nights but no one claimed it. It was only a blind man like me who took it back under the cover of night and buried it properly."

Blind Zhang said in a flat tone.

"This... Mr. Zhang, times have changed. I have seen the powerful ships and cannons of those foreigners. No matter how strange or powerful your abilities are, it is difficult to withstand bullets and artillery fire. I am really thinking about everyone."

Dai Yuanyang defended.

"Don't be so persistent, Mr. Dai."

He Chong suddenly spoke at this time.

"I have good eyesight and cannot stand seeing too much dirty stuff. If that's all you want to say this time, please go back."

"As one of the Nine Ranks, you have no right to stop me from participating in this Xuanjun competition. Alternatively, you can try to defeat me?"

Dai Yuanyang also restrained his previous kindness and became serious.

"OK."

He Chong adjusted his glasses.

The next moment, he suddenly stood up, and the distance between him and Dai Yuanyang suddenly decreased to zero. He clenched his right hand and slowly pushed out his palm.