Evening of April 29, 2018

Golden Jade City, Bai Shui Road, under the night sky, a sea of people, thousands upon thousands gathered towards the center’s Golden Jade Grand Theater, the crowd surged down the road, causing the seamless bricks to squeak and ripple intensely.

The wealth and prosperity of Bai Shui Road in Golden Jade City are famous throughout Xiangzhou. Rumor has it that the flawless, subtly shimmering water wave-like road surface is paved with the finest large Spirit Stones. Walking down this street feels like traversing a prime open ore vein.

Of course, reality isn’t as exaggerated as the rumors suggest. The surface of Bai Shui Road is paved with White Water Spirit Jade produced by the Celestial Water Mine on the outskirts of Golden Jade City, whose price is far from that of pure Spirit Stone. Despite its refined cost approaching Mortal Gold, the saying "land costly" rings true.

However, the White Water Spirit Jade, though precious and elegant, is not particularly robust. It can barely withstand average trampling, but once the crowd surges, it becomes unsustainable. Hence during holidays, Bai Shui Road is preemptively covered with a Micro-Space Array to shroud the road’s jade surface with an Invisible Force Field to prevent damage. But this April 29th was neither a holiday nor a special celebration; it was just a performance by a girl group from the southern countryside that didn’t receive sufficient attention from the managers. When the unexpected crowd appeared in front of Bai Shui Road, it was too late, and the crowd’s baptism left Bai Shui Road’s renovation costs enough to turn the city managers pale.

——

This was a musical feast beyond many expectations.

Due to the short promotion period and hasty preparations, most people, even knowing about the performance, did not expect a highly bustling scene. Other than the somewhat well-known Three Lives Stone, the Spirit Cat Plan was merely a rural idol from the south for the people of Golden Jade City. While Three Lives Stone was quite popular, its attention dwindled slightly post the Shen City incident. This time around, he only penned the script, not performing himself... Many such factors combined, many people optimistically left home post-dinner, hoping to buy cheap discounted tickets.

And then they saw the hopeless sea of people and the large "SOLD OUT" sign at the theater entrance.

The Golden Jade Grand Theater, modified multiple times, theoretically accommodates a hundred thousand spectators; its internal space can overlap multiple times, but even so, it couldn’t contain the audience’s enthusiasm. Those stranded outside the venue had to watch the live projection on an outdoor platform temporarily set up by the theater, which naturally paled in effect.

Ultimately, only a few lucky ones who set off early could enter the theater to listen to the musical live...

Alongside certain influential big shots.

——

Inside the grand theater.

"Hong Wen, have you handled everything on the City Lord’s Mansion side?"

"Rest assured, the Stand-In Puppets are all set. Not even Zhao Lingbo will realize that the two of us shirked our duties the day before the public trial to attend this musical."

"Sigh, if it weren’t for the public trial only having procedural matters left, and the overall situation being a foregone conclusion, I wouldn’t be here at such a pivotal moment," Zhao Hongwu said. "Regardless of Zhao Xinyu’s identity, his United Strength is undeniably effective. Millions of Wish Power are truly terrifying. Compared to that, my supposed Great Cultivator of Mountain-Overturning Realm is like a glowworm against the sun, moon, and stars. Once the Wish Power is activated tomorrow, Zhao Chenlu will be permanently suppressed, unable to stir trouble again."

"Indeed, let’s consider this an early celebration. There are truly few events as lively as this in Golden Jade City. By the way, Hongwu, there aren’t any issues with the identities we used to purchase tickets, are there?" Zhao Hong Wen said.

"Rest easy, these identities have been prepared long ago, two medium-income earners with some external wealth, absolutely inconspicuous. At that time, I meticulously designed and perfected these identities for escape from Golden Jade City during Zhao Chenlu’s oppressions. It now seems seamless."

"Good, if found out that the two of us slipped off to watch a musical, trouble is inevitable." Zhao Hongwen sighed, "Being the City Lord isn’t easy."

Zhao Hong Wu snorted: "That’s why that scoundrel Zhao Hongxue is keen to avoid it, insisting on being a Loose Cultivator... This is strange, I recall the VIP area in the theater should be quite spacious."

Looking around the VIP area, Zhao Hongwu felt that it was not as spacious as he remembered, though marked as VIP, the space was only slightly larger than those commoner boxes around. The VIP allocated drinks and snacks were not of the usual standard. Most exaggerated was the VIP sign at the entrance, clearly showing signs of being altered later! 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Let me find someone to ask..." Zhao Hongwen also sensed something was off, calling for a VIP attendant. Moments later, a young, fresh-faced staff member entered respectfully.

Entering the room, he bowed apologetically, saying: "Dear esteemed guests, we apologize for the inconvenience. I must admit, this box isn’t a standard VIP box; it’s been temporarily modified from a high-end box. The space and internal décor differ from the standard VIP area..."

"Temporary modification!?" Zhao Hongwu was incredulous, "I’ve never heard of such an operation in Golden Jade Grand Theater!?"

The attendant explained: "The audience turnout today exceeded expectations, and with some VIPs temporarily adding tickets, there was indeed not enough room available inside. Hence, we had to temporarily modify some original VIP seats using high-end boxes... For this, we sincerely apologize, and our theater will surely compensate you properly."

At this, Zhao Hong Wu became furious: "Who cares about your compensation!? Some VIPs temporarily add tickets, so you move others’ VIP seats? Which VIP is so exalted that even basic protocols are dispensed with!"

"This... We are sorry, but we cannot disclose VIP identities."

"But you can treat the tickets we bought as waste paper?" Zhao Hongwu, though frequently suppressed by Zhao Chenlu over the years, is still of the Zhao Family’s main lineage and has never experienced such treatment. He was almost tempted to reveal his true form and make this young bunny kneel before him.

Zhao Hongwen, relatively calm, opened his mouth: "If you don’t explain, don’t blame us for fuelling the flames during this tense moment... We understand there are many big shots you can’t afford to offend in this Golden Jade City, but at least let us confirm they are indeed someone you can’t offend."

At this, the attendant had no choice but to say: "Yes, Zhao Family members."

Zhao Hongwen almost wanted to laugh: As long as they’re Zhao Family, confirming their identity will ensure their prompt return to the City Lord’s Mansion for a meeting notice he convenes later. The VIP space could indeed be vacated then.

"Which Zhao family member?"

The attendant hesitated for a moment before honestly replying: "Lord Zhao Hongxue."

"... Fuck!"

——

After the attendant left, Zhao Hongwu cursed unhappily: "That scoundrel Zhao Hongxue, actually joining in on such an event, does he think he’s some cultured person?"

"This musical is just young girls flaunting themselves. He’s not young anymore; doesn’t he have any shame watching this kind of show?"

"Indeed, doesn’t he have a daughter known as the best in the world? Yet he’s interested in other girls, truly inhumane!"

"Also, he throws his weight around using his Zhao surname and cuts in line; such shameless abuse of power, no wonder he fathered that demoness Zhao Chenlu!"

After harshly criticizing Zhao Hongxue, Zhao Hong Wen said: "I think quite a few Zhao Family members are here for the musical today, should we just issue an emergency notice mandating all Zhao Family members return on duty, this way we’d at least free up some space."

Zhao Hongwu appeared tempted but shook his head: "Stirring too many causes suspicion... Though this space is a bit cramped, less ideal, and the drink slightly diluted, let’s experience the commoner’s taste today... Damn, this drink is even watered down?!"

Amidst conversation, as the lights dimmed inside, an extravagant musical was about to begin.

Inside and outside the theater, tens of thousands held their breath, focused.