Chapter 18: The Untrustworthy Guest
Magic isn’t just a common street show in this era.
A master magician can still captivate the audience with their extraordinary skills.
Nowadays, a magician who can expertly control magic tricks is the most sought-after performer on stage. At least many high society types want to bring them home for their personal enjoyment.
Having a grandmaster magician as part of your staff also adds quite a bit of prestige in the upper echelons; it’s a social status symbol, you see.
And the way the director of the group handles magic grabs everyone’s attention, eyes glued and hearts enthralled.
This magic show is not a one-off but runs smoothly under some enchanting melody, one unbelievable trick after another leaving the audience in awe and curiosity.
Night Star Lan can’t take her eyes off the stage.
She loves how the director commands the stage, that confidence, that intensity — things she herself lacks.
It doesn’t feel like he’s just performing tricks. His aura and presence make people question whether he’s performing magic or using sorcery.
Wow, how amazing!
Stars of admiration appear in Night Star and Night Lan’s eyes.
This is the moment she’s been waiting for, the pinnacle of the director’s solo performance.
In the future, because of the star eclipse, the director will lose much of his stage effect, resulting in subpar performances. The audience will yawn and m*an.
But now, the director appears as the god of the stage, fully energized!
In one word, “Director, you’re my hero!”
Afterward, his magical performance finally ends.
Scattered applause follows, not nearly as loud as expected.
Maybe everyone present are nobility who don’t clap too loud; just a few polite taps.
But Night Lan and Night Star are clapping enthusiastically, excitement burning in their eyes.
The director exits after his act, leaving the rest to other group members to perform.
First up is a stage drama. Before raising the curtain, the actors quickly arrange the props to make the storyline more vivid.
Lifting the curtain reveals the cast performing in full glory.
Night Star Lan remembers each actor very well.
Night Sakura Mirror has already introduced these group members to Night Lan, so she knows who is who.
The most eye-catching, called “Thousand Faces,” is this dashing, handsome youth in dazzling attire, makeup just right, instantly stealing the spotlight!
“Wow, how can he be this pretty and cool at the same time?”
Night Star Lan suddenly thinks he’d be perfect as a cross-dresser!
Next, the stage drama begins, unfolding with the other members’ supporting performances.
Big-eyed, Night Lan fixates on the scene, feeling her way into the story.
She becomes engrossed by the other members’ acting and can’t distinguish reality from performance anymore.
The theater remains silent except for the background music played by musicians.
Unknowingly, the drama concludes. Night Lan realizes the story is over only then.
Sparse applause resumes, two black-haired and white-haired loli girls clapping loudly.
Soon after, the opera begins.
Sure enough, the “Enthusiastic Singer” lives up to his name. His singing is passionate and invigorating, adding fire to the whole tale.
Other performers hold their own well, matching the “Enthusiastic Singer” in spirit, elevating the opera’s quality to new heights.
If someone could provide them a grander stage, they’d likely become the star of future shows.
Finally, the opera draws to an end, the soul-stirring music still ringing in Night Lan’s ears as the next performance starts.
Other group members gradually return to the stage, showcasing their unique skills.
Dances, acrobatics, music—the group is a complete package.
Night Lan is now fully hyped after seeing all these performances. Ancient shows weren’t all tedious.
Those who put their heart into their performances are truly remarkable, confident and unrelenting—she admires them deeply.
As the Rising Sun Troupe finishes their show, their performance leaves a profound mark.
They bid farewell perfectly, or at least it seems so.
Audience members file out one by one, while Night Lan and Night Star linger in the shadows, observing.
Night Lan isn’t heading back yet. She wants to see if she recognizes any of the group members.
Their performance moved her greatly.
Night Lan, the future spectator of the Rising Sun Troupe, vows to remember past members.
In other words, it’s part of her duty to familiarize herself with these great predecessors.
Even if these figures never materialize, she’ll become one of the spectators.
Just now, she was indeed part of the audience.
“Pretty good…”
Once the theater empties, the troupe members start filtering out from behind the scenes.
They’ve changed back into their original clothes, putting away their costumes.
Night Lan continues watching silently from afar, making sure no one sees her.
How does she feel like a stalker?
Sigh, these are probably just delusions.
At that moment, the director steps out from backstage. Night Lan almost turns her head up but catches herself.
Onstage, a member spots the director and asks, “Director, is everything alright?”
“Just tired. It might have been a hallucination.”
He redirects his focus, no longer looking at the empty seats.
Performance’s done for today.
Time to find the next venue.
Honestly, he wants to perform on a bigger stage, bringing joy to more people.
Performing’s fun—it relieves stress.
There are many people outside who’d enjoy shows. Sadly, their status bars them from entering theaters.
What a waste.
The director shakes his head, leading his troupe out of the theater.
Then, a man in armor enters from the front.
Night Lan peeks out, recognizing him at once.
That’s the “Holy Knight,” a male “Star Holder” named Jian Ji’an.
Why is he here?
To watch the show?
But it’s finished.
Could he be looking for her? !
“Oh…”
Quickly, she ducks back down, ready to make a run for it.
