Chapter 1225: Military Opera Actor

After killing the opera actor, Ye Qing landed on top of a collapsed peak and let out a murky breath that kicked up hundreds of meters of dust clouds. It looked like dragons and serpents from a distance.

Then, he sat down on the floor and glanced sideways. “Come out.”

“Exciting! Most exciting!”

A moment later, loud clapping came from the direction he was looking at. Then, a man and a child appeared through the dust and walked toward him. “We meet again, Brother Ye, and far sooner than expected! We truly are fated, aren’t we?”

The newcomer was, of course, Tao Wang. The scholar looked as lazy and unruly as ever, while his student, Tao Ni, looked tired and covered in dust. The resentful look on his face said it all.

“It’s less about fate and more about you following me the entire way,” Ye Qing replied emotionlessly.

Tao Wang did not look embarrassed even though Ye Qing had exposed him to his face. He beamed and said, “Well, what can I do? Since you rejected my request to accompany you, I can only follow behind you. I hope you won’t judge me too harshly for performing my duty, Brother Ye!”

“If I

do

judge you for it, would that convince you to stop following me?” Ye Qing stared at Tao Wang.

“Haha. Sure!” Tao Wang answered, “But I think you won’t be so heartless.”

“You thought wrong.”

Ye Qing was closing his eyes lightly. Although he was answering Tao Wang, his breathing wasn’t disorderly at all. As he breathed, the mountains and rivers seemed to respond to it and vibrated in tandem.

“I’m not just heartless, I’m quite ruthless as well.”

From Tao Wang and Tao Ni’s perspective, Ye Qing felt as lofty as the mountains and as dense and heavy as the earth even though he was right in front of them and sitting on the ground.

Not only that, the moment he said the words “heartless” and “ruthless”, Tao Wang immediately felt a titanic wave of killing intent surging toward him. It felt like it could crush the mountains and rivers, shatter the earth, and turn all things back to primal chaos.

On the contrary, Tao Ni did not seem to notice anything. He looked perfectly well.

“You are heartless and ruthless, Brother Ye.”

Tao Wang did not back off in fear, however. He even paced back and forth where he stood for a bit. They were no ordinary steps either. Somehow, as if he had become one with this corner of the world, he was able to dispel the terrifying killing intent and pressure completely.

“However, that is only when you’re up against enemies. You don’t act that way around a friend, Brother Ye.”

“We aren’t friends though!!” Ye Qing replied as he tapped a finger against his knee. There was no sound, but it was as if he was knocking against the heavens’ gate.

The world shook soundlessly, and Tao Wang’s raised foot froze in the air. He could not plant it on the ground because his instincts were telling him that grave danger would befall him if he did.

If he couldn’t set foot on the ground, then he wouldn’t. Tao Wang crossed his legs and sat down, though not one part of his leg made contact with the earth. It was as if he was sitting on a cloud.

Tao Wang continued as if nothing was wrong, “Once is a stranger, twice is an acquaintance, thrice is a friend, right?”

“Indeed. That is why we are only acquaintances right now, not friends.”

Ye Qing said slowly before opening his eyes suddenly. It looked as bright and dazzling as the morning sun or the sinking moon. “I can accept you following me, but do not cross the line. It does neither you or me any good. Understand?”

Tao Wang’s eyes stung for a moment, and a pair of tears streamed down his cheeks.

Tao Wang knew that Ye Qing was warning him. He knew why he was warning him either.

For one, he had been following the young man a little too closely. He hadn’t even bothered to hide his presence either.

Two, he had allowed his curiosity to get the better of him and extended his spiritual power into the battlefield just now. It was because he wanted to know how Ye Qing had weakened the opera actor. But whatever his intentions might be, his action could definitely be interpreted as interference.

So, Ye Qing was right. He had gone overboard this time.

“It was my fault. I won’t do it again,” Tao Wang promised. “I also promise I won’t disturb you again, Brother Ye.”

“I really hope you’re a man of your words, Brother Tao.”

A few breaths of silence later, Ye Qing added slowly, “Of course, I don’t mind you visiting me if you intend to seek me out for a drink.”

Although he knew Tao Wang meant no harm, that didn’t mean he could allow Tao Wang could do whatever the hell he wanted and affect his plans.

Warnings should be dished out if need be. After all, tolerance and forgiveness did not always exchange for understanding and kindness. Someone might interpret it as permission to take a mile.

When it was time to be tough, it was time to be tough.

“Hahaha... I will be honored to.” Tao Wang saluted him.

“Why are you crying, young master?”

It was at this moment the student, Tao Ni, finally noticed the tears in Tao Wang’s eyes and voiced his puzzlement. He had no idea how dangerous the dialogue had been, and how quickly it could have gone south for him and his master.

“I’m just too happy, is all.” Tao Wang said smilingly, “Your young master here will soon gain a good friend.”

“What’s so happy about making a friend?” Tao Ni mumbled under his breath.

“You’re still young. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

Tao Ni gave him a pat on the head and said, “In this world, there is nothing more gladdening than making a friend, especially a good friend.”

“I told you that we aren’t friends yet,” Ye Qing reminded him.

“Not now, sure, but we will be in the future,” Tao Wang declared certainly. “And as your future friend, I can offer you identity of that opera actor for free.”

“You know him?” Ye Qing asked curiously.

“Of course I do. White Jade Capital is ass in almost everything, but they’re pretty good at collecting

jianghu

secrets and information related to elites,” Tao Wang declared proudly. “Anyway, that man is the Strange Actor.”

“Strange Actor?” Ye Qing frowned. As far as he could recall, there was no such person in the information collected by Westwind Inn. He had never heard of such a person in the

jianghu

and

wulin

of Wei either.

“Oh right, the moniker might be too obscure in this

jianghu

. How about the Military Opera Actor?” Tao Wang gave another name.

“Military Opera Actor? You mean the thirty-sixth warrior on the Earth Champions Ranking, the player who lives his life like an act, Military Opera Actor?” Ye Qing exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s right. And Military Opera Actor is Strange Actor ,” Tao Wang confirmed.

“I see. No wonder.” Ye Qing nodded.

Rumor had it that Military Opera Actor was a Strangerkin who was abandoned by his parents when he was a child. Luckily for him, he was picked up by a small troupe and raised to adulthood.

Military Opera Actor was taught all sorts of songs and performances since he was young, and he had mastered them all. Extraordinarily talented, he could pick up an opera or a song at first try, and grasp any technique immediately. He was especially good at playing a male military actor. Even at a young age, he had already accrued a small bit of fame.

Later, Military Opera Actor stumbled upon an opportunity and learned a magical martial art while performing a character. If he drew his face into a certain character, he would be able to borrow that character’s powers temporarily. He could do it for any historical general or

wulin

elite.

Although the power was only temporary, and it could never exceed his own cultivation level, it was enough for him to make a big name for himself. He eventually came to be praised as, “The player who lives his life like an act.”

Ye Qing had never heard that Military Opera Actor possessed the power to wear the face of an ancient mythological figure and transform into a god, however.

“Why do you call him the Strange Actor, Brother Tao?” Ye Qing asked curiously.