### Chapter 32: The Crying Kitty Head
“Oh… Is it possible you could be more detailed? This seems to involve the Group Leader.”
“Yes, ever since I heard from you that the Rising Sun Theater Group existed long ago, I became curious. And yesterday, being rather bored, I decided to go back and take another peek…”
“So you saw firsthand how the Group Leader transformed into Star Eclipses?”
“Um-hmm… That Group Leader was super scary, single-handedly corrupting half of a foreign country and bringing down all the other Star factions.”
And then, Night Lan recounted everything she had witnessed, not holding back any details.
Book Yao also learned the specifics from what Night Lan told her.
“Looks like this is a truly tragic ending.”
From Night Lan’s mouth, Book Yao had a decent grasp on how this unfolded.
If she had just been an observer, that would’ve been better, but Night Star Lan actually got involved with the players.
Even though she didn’t change the outcome, she was hurt deeply by the tragic conclusion.
For Night Star Lan, who had briefly joined forces with the troupe members, they were like friendly seniors and friends.
She thought so in her heart.
But tragedy can’t be changed. Under the restrictions of Extraordinary Star, Night Star Lan could only watch helplessly as her friends died in front of her eyes, feeling immeasurable pain and despair.
Having gone through many similar situations before, Book Yao could empathize, which was why she felt so heartbroken.
Book Yao squatted down and gently stroked Night Lan’s head, softly asking, “Are you feeling better now?”
“No, no, scenes keep replaying in my mind, and it’s really painful.”
Night Lan clenched her fist, gripping the sheets tightly, her heart troubled beyond measure.
If things weren’t so complicated, Night Lan would want to change it all now.
This was ancient history, and such a massive change could have significant repercussions, possibly even disrupting the current peace.
The cost would be too high.
This was inevitably an immutable tragedy, and that’s why Night Lan felt so pained.
Seeing Night Lan like this, Book Yao decided to divert her attention.
“Speaking of which, when the Group Leader turned into Star Eclipses, did they go berserk?”
“Yeah, he seemed really angry, polluting most of the people in the country. The Stars couldn’t do anything—couldn’t stop him at all.”
Night Lan still remembered the scene vividly.
Though she had been crying at the time, after the initial tears, the Wish Machine replayed the scene showing one person’s “Grand Performance.”
That Grand Performance was horrifying.
Black feathers rained from the sky, almost like omens of misfortune.
Anyone touched by the black feathers could not escape being corrupted by Star Eclipses’ power.
During that corruption, those people cheered towards the dark sky frantically, their fervor comparable to fanatic followers of the Holy Church. The sight was creepy, filling every street with grotesque visions like screams coming from an underworld.
When the Holy Church summoned its mightiest force—over a thousand Holy Knights, some nearly reaching Sunlight strength—to confront the Group Leader, they were utterly defeated.
Then, the closest individuals to the Group Leader, including Jian Ji’an, immediately perished, never getting the chance to be corrupted.
Afterward, for over a month, the Group Leader continued his performance, spreading the Star Eclipses’ corruption across half the country.
Just as everyone thought this terrible Demon King would conquer the nation, he vanished without a trace.
No one knew where he went.
Only Night Lan knew or guessed that the Group Leader left the country, transforming into Star Eclipses to rebuild the Rising Sun Theater Group.
The Gentleman and the Fraudster joined later on.
Perhaps grand performances around the world were the Group Leader’s ultimate goal.
Maybe these deeds would continue indefinitely, without end.
Luckily, Night Star Lan’s arrival made their performances successful.
After all, the organized Stars nowadays are far from the weak old Holy Church.
And the way the Group Leader acts now feels much weaker compared to the past.
Night Lan found it impossible to connect the present Group Leader with his former self.
In the past, the Group Leader was known as the Demon King, yet now, he looks nothing like one.
How poignant.
Book Yao was also lost in her memories.
“Polluting half the nation…? I don’t recall that, probably because we were too far away back then. But such a major event should certainly have records somewhere.”
“Mm…”
Hearing this, Night Lan took out her phone to look up online historical events but found no related entries.
Even the information about the Holy Church was scarce, making it hard to tell if it ever existed.
Upon seeing Night Lan’s actions, Book Yao smiled, saying, “It’s actually normal that you can’t find anything; considering the sad and secretive nature of the history, it makes sense that truth might be hidden.”
“Well, I see…”
Night Lan put down her phone, her emotions still jumbled.
At this moment, Lotus Flower and Kong Yu Bai came over.
Kong Yu Bai looked somewhat worried, as if she knew from Lotus Flower what happened last night.
“Night Lan, what happened?”
Night Lan lay back down, curling up next to Night Star, feeling rather depressed.
“Mmm… I just need a moment.”
Book Yao gently shook her head at Kong Yu Bai and Lotus Flower. “Let me handle it. Recalling it might make her cry again.”
Kong Yu Bai looked at Night Lan and Night Star lying on the blanket, nodded.
The three of them retired behind the curtain, leaving Night Lan gazing quietly at the theater ceiling.
Really, nothing could be done to change it.
Feeling really disheartened.
“Ugh… I can’t stay down like this forever. I am the Audience Performer—can’t afford to get overwhelmed and miss the troupe’s performances. Being an adult and staying mature is crucial; gotta pull myself together pronto!”
But thinking of the first-generation troupe members dying right in front of her, Night Star Lan immediately started crying like a kitty.
“Waaah~”
Better to give it some time.
…
Outside.
Kong Yu Bai and Lotus Flower already knew the whole story from Book Yao.
“So that’s how it is. The Group Leader’s story sounds so tragic, huh?”
Night Lan wasn’t the only one feeling sad; even Kong Yu Bai and Lotus Flower felt somber just hearing it.
This was just hearsay.
But Night Lan had seen it with her own eyes—imagine the anguish she must feel.
“Let’s set this aside for now. How can we lift her spirits?”
“Just give her some time—she isn’t fragile. The girl who pulled us from the depths won’t easily fall apart. Let her calm down, maybe she’ll be better tomorrow.”
Book Yao said softly, full of confidence in Night Lan.
Both Kong Yu Bai and Lotus Flower nodded, remembering all Night Lan had done for them.
“Alright, let her take a break. Too much comforting might have the opposite effect.”
“Exactly,”
