I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon-Chapter 1000 - 372: Heaven Has Perished? Using the Princess as Bait!

After the performance ended, the performers bowed and the audience broke into thunderous applause.

"Bravo!"

"Beautiful!"

"Even though this young dan performer is so young, her skills are quite extraordinary. Pear Cloud Hall truly deserves its reputation as Bailu City's number one theater."

"With such an impressive supporting act, I'm even more excited for Mr. Ming's performance!"

"A reward!"

The seated guests threw copper coins and broken silver onto the stage, which the attendant gathered one by one and put into a cloth bag, "Thank you all for the generous reward!"

Whoosh—

At that moment, a gleam of gold flashed.

A gold ingot traced an arc through the air and landed on the stage, rolling to the attendant's feet.

Immediately after, a girl's clear voice echoed from the western room: "Lady Hua has presented a reward."

The room fell silent instantly.

The attendant hurriedly picked up the gold ingot and bowed towards the west wing, "Thank you, Lady, for the generous gift!"

"My lady asks, when will Mr. Ming take the stage?" the girl inquired.

"After this act, the next one is his," the attendant replied with a wry smile, rubbing his hands together.

"Good."

The west wing fell silent again.

Chen Mo glanced over and saw a half-open window, with a glimpse of an elegant silhouette, pale hands playing with a teacup, cuffs embroidered with golden cloud patterns, accentuating her nobility.

"The attendant's reaction suggests she's quite important."

He didn't recklessly use Divine Soul to inspect, instead turning to ask, "Households Commander Ye, have you heard of Lady Hua?"

Ye Zi'e nodded and said, "Her name is Hua Yinglan. She's quite famous in Bailu City, and I've heard a bit about her. It's said she originally came from a scholarly family, fell from grace, and married into the Li family, who are Cao Merchants."

"A few years later, her husband passed away, leaving all responsibilities on her shoulders."

"But this Lady Hua is not simple. She appears gentle and weak, but actually possesses a formidable ability."

"Under her management, the Li family not only didn't decline but flourished, taking control of the largest docks in the city, and everyone bows to her will."

The port docks in Bailu City are managed by the Maritime Trade Bureau, apart from salt and iron transports, other trades operate under a government-business profit-sharing model.

By paying a sufficient 'venue tax,' one can contract dock berths and storage facilities, and merchant ships passing through must pay 'passage money,' also known as the wharf tax.

"Bailu City is a necessary route for north-south trade, and just these few docks can earn her a fortune. Surely, many people are envious."

Chen Mo chuckled lightly and said, "To consume such a large piece of meat, it seems this Lady Hua not only has a strong hand but also close ties with the State Mansion."

Dong—

With a sound of the gong, the stage was tidied up and a voice announced loudly, "On this fine evening, fortunate to have the esteemed guests' presence, let us all enjoy 'Mr. Ming's' performance — General Feng's great victory over the Southern Barbarians!"

Dong qiang—dong qiang—

The drums and gongs on both sides of the stage erupted, as the curtain was pulled to the sides. A tall figure spun onto the stage to the beat.

She wore a silver headdress adorned with beads, pearls draping over her forehead, a soft dress of rose purple color, and four flags embroidered with phoenix patterns inserted behind her.

Her right hand wielded a knife, the left hand rested on a sword, and she stomped her boot on the stage board.

Bang!

The drum and gong sound abruptly stopped, her eyes like brass bells, shining, full of heroic spirit!

"Bravo!"

The audience erupted in a loud cheer.

This play depicts the Princess quelling the Southern Barbarians, but due to Chu Yanli's special status, to avoid any disrespect to the Imperial Power, they use 'General Feng' as a substitute.

Four taps sounded, as Mr. Ming lightly tapped his toes, spinning like a top, the flags rustling in the air.

Then, with a swift turnover, he slashed with the single sword in hand, the blade wind causing the candles at the front of the stage to flicker, the voice sharp like cracking silk:

"One word ignites fire in the chest, the full court fears the wolves and tigers, our dynasty has raised troops for thousands of days, how dare the Barbarians run amok!"

The drumming grew increasingly intense, tea in cups rippled, and the guests' emotions were all stirred.

Bailu City was once occupied by the Southern Barbarians, an indelible scar on everyone's heart; amidst this atmosphere, they felt as if they were there in person, faces flushed, eyes red, breathing quickened.

Chen Mo watched the scene with interest, praising, "No wonder he's the pillar of the troupe, indeed has some merit."

He could discern that Mr. Ming himself had no cultivation, only extraordinary operatic skills—singing, reciting, acting, swordplay—all mastered, his personal charisma perfectly fused with the stage, immersing the audience unknowingly.

Dong dong dong—

The drumbeat like a downpour, densely packed.

The second dan actor playing the Barbarian Tribe leader rushed out from backstage, holding a long spear.

Mr. Ming calmly raised his sword in defense, the blade clashing with the spear pole, producing a continuous sound of metal clashing.

They engaged back and forth, fighting vigorously, with the atmosphere gradually reaching a climax.

At the final moment, Ming Yuchun was supposed to strike the opponent down with a single blow, but suddenly froze, making no move.

The second dan actor frowned and whispered, "Sir, what's wrong?"

But Ming Yuchun stood like a statue, eyes vacant, throat making a hoarse sound, as if an invisible hand was choking him.

"What's happening?"

"Why isn't Mr. Ming moving? Pulled a muscle?"

The audience was puzzled, murmurs filled the air.

The troupe leader sensed something was amiss and was ready to rush onto the stage, when a horrific scene unfolded—

Ming Yuchun slowly lifted off the ground, suspended in mid-air, suddenly looking up at the ceiling, his eyes completely blackened.