Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

Today was the third and final day of the private performance.

The sky had been forbiddingly overcast since early morning, and by afternoon, the rain began to fall.

Though it was early spring, the downpour was sudden and heavy, carrying a bone-chilling cold.

Guan Sihai watched the downpour outside and grew uneasy, so he sought out the head steward of the Lu Mansion to discuss the matter.

"Steward, you see this weather is simply awful. Why don’t you discuss with Master Lu about pushing tonight’s performance back a day?"

The head steward wore a practiced, false smile, but his tone allowed no room for argument. "Master Guan, my master has given his orders. Tonight’s performance must go on. It cannot be delayed."

Guan Sihai had been rebuffed. Though displeased, he could only nod and agree deferentially.

After all, when you take someone’s money, you follow their orders. They had to do whatever their patron commanded.

Returning backstage, he immediately ordered everyone to get ready.

Chen Ye stood under the covered walkway, watching the flowers and plants in the courtyard as they were battered and tossed about by the violent storm. The feeling of unease in his heart grew ever stronger.

However, he couldn’t stop the Opera Troupe just because of a bad feeling, so all he could do was prepare as best he could.

...

Night fell, and the wind and rain still showed no sign of stopping.

Inside the Lu Family Opera House, however, it was brightly lit. The gongs and drums sounded, and the lively show began.

Amidst the wind and rain, his seniors put their all into performing tales of love and heartbreak between talented scholars and beautiful ladies.

Everything started smoothly, with the usual rounds of applause from the audience.

Chen Ye stood in the wings, his taut nerves relaxing slightly. ’Maybe I was just being paranoid,’ he thought.

But just then, in an inconspicuous corner at the very back of the audience, the incense burner placed before the statue of the stage’s guardian deity cracked without any warning.

No one noticed, however, as everyone’s eyes were riveted to the stage.

The current act on stage told the story of a faithless man who, after becoming the top imperial scholar, abandoned his wife and child to marry a Princess, and finally, even plotted to murder his first wife.

Everyone watched with rapt attention. Even Lu Jinghong, who had never much cared for opera, was now completely captivated.

When the play reached the part where the faithless man drew his sword to strike a fatal blow against his first wife, the young male actor playing the man suddenly stiffened and froze on the spot.

The stage fell silent in an instant. The percussionists exchanged confused glances, unsure of what had happened, and could only tap out a tentative rhythm by feel.

With all eyes on him, the young actor suddenly fell backward, landing stiffly on the floor. Foam gushed from his mouth as his limbs began to twitch uncontrollably.

Chaos erupted both on and off the stage.

But something even more terrifying was yet to come!

The person playing the abandoned first wife was none other than Bai Xiaoyu.

The panic on her face vanished in an instant, replaced by a savage look of pure malice. Completely ignoring the chaos on stage and the screams from the audience, she began to sing to herself.

Her aria was shrill and piercing. The lyrics were not from the opera; it was more like a soul-stealing wail, each note steeped in a bone-chilling cold that made one’s skin crawl.

"A g-ghost... she’s possessed!"

It’s unclear who screamed it, but the entire opera house erupted into pandemonium.

Guests screamed and scattered, trying to flee the opera house. But no matter how they ran, passing through the main doors only led them back into the same brightly lit hall. They were running in circles, always ending up right back where they started!

Ghost wall!

Fear was etched on everyone’s face.

Mr. Lu’s face was deathly pale. Though surrounded by his household guards, he too was trapped in this small space, unable to escape.

"Everyone, don’t panic!"

At the critical moment, the veteran experience of Guan Sihai showed. He let out a sharp cry, which managed to quell some of the chaos.

He then rushed onto the stage, first pulling out a copper coin and stuffing it into the mouth of the convulsing male Actor. Then, forming his fingers into a sword-like point, he struck several major acupoints on the man’s chest, using a Pear Garden Secret Technique to stabilize his qi and blood and prevent the evil energy from invading his heart.

After doing all this, he turned to the possessed Bai Xiaoyu.

"Which spirit has honored us with its presence? I am Guan Sihai, Master of the Qingchun Troupe. My disciple is young and ignorant. If she has offended you in any way, I pray you show mercy and spare her. Whatever your grievance, tell it to me, and I swear I will seek justice on your behalf!"

Guan Sihai was speaking in the jargon of the Peach Garden Lineage, hoping his placating words would persuade the malevolent spirit to depart.

But "Bai Xiaoyu" seemed not to have heard. She continued to sing that eerie tune, her venomous gaze sweeping over everyone in the audience before locking onto the ashen-faced Mr. Lu.

When his soft approach failed, Guan Sihai’s expression darkened. He pulled a ruler engraved with Runes from his robes and said grimly, "Friend, if you insist on this path, then don’t blame me for what comes next!"

However, despite using every trick he knew, the spirit refused to leave. Instead, it erupted with even greater ferocity!

"IIIIYAAA—"

The eerie aria suddenly shot up in pitch, so sharp it felt as if it could pierce eardrums.

At the same time, Bai Xiaoyu’s body began to tremble violently. From her seven facial orifices, dark red blood slowly began to trickle out!

This was a sign that her life’s Essence Qi was being viciously drained by the spirit. She was clearly on the verge of collapse!

Guan Sihai was frantic, but utterly helpless.

In the nick of time, Chen Ye took a step forward and strode directly onto the stage.

He had actually been observing from the side the entire time. His Professional Talent and Micro Skills allowed him to perceive with clarity that the spirit’s song was not just filled with savagery. It held something more: a suffocating, overwhelming wave of resentment.

It was the kind of despair that could only form after a profound betrayal.