After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety
Chapter 654 - 644: Dragon Robe Fashion Show, Perfect Finale

Chapter 654: Chapter 644: Dragon Robe Fashion Show, Perfect Finale

But the backstage does not allow idle people, so after Han Rui packed up, she left with her team. She found a simple high chair from the staff in front of the show venue and seated herself in an inconspicuous spot.

The faces on the stage were still those familiar ones coming and going, but she wasn’t in the mood to observe their runway models or performances to learn from them, as she was anxiously waiting for Jiang Lingxi to appear.

The anxiety that was initially buried in her heart gradually spread to her face. Hadn’t she just made a random guess earlier — could she possibly have guessed correctly?

Among so many internationally famous supermodels present, what qualification or merit did Jiang Lingxi have to be the finale?

It made no sense at all!

As she watched the person she thought most likely to walk the finale turn back backstage, the previously strong rhythm of the music on the stage suddenly changed tune, and a clear sound from a zither tore through the silence.

The audience, who had been watching the flamboyant display for a while, almost instinctively cleared their minds, turning to look around.

"What was that sound just now?"

"It sounded like the guzheng music from Hua State. I was fortunate to hear it once before; it’s quite pleasant when plucked by hand."

Vini, sitting directly behind Shen Yunqing, noticed that the gentleman had been somewhat distracted earlier, but as the zither sounded, his state changed.

She instinctively followed his gaze.

The entire stage had not only shifted its music to a grand and profound ancient Hua State melody, but even the scene had transformed.

Pavilions and towers, breaking sunshine through clouds, the fleeting world passed in a flash.

Finally, it was framed into a towering and majestic entrance gate, beneath which lay the Nine-layered Imperial Steps.

Non-Hua State people present were somewhat at a loss about the transformation of the scene and music, but native Hua State citizens and Hua State viewers in the live stream began to buzz with excitement and anticipation.

[I recognize this scene; it’s from a recently released trailer of "Empress of Yuan Zhao".]

[Impressive; from that less than thirty-second clip, some people remembered so clearly.]

[Did the old man get authorization to borrow scenes from a TV series?]

[It’s a win-win situation; the production team of "Empress of Yuan Zhao" would agree if they aren’t foolish.]

[Are you guys focusing on the right thing? Isn’t it more important why this scene is used here?]

[Yeah, why use it here?]

[Can’t deny, seeing it this way is quite impactful. I saw several people in the audience subconsciously drop their jaws.]

...

Lu Zhengzheng squatted for a while in the live stream barrage, looked up and laughed until her eyes were mere slits, "Xixi actually used the tune I picked!"

Sure enough, her reputation as a repository of ancient and modern tunes held true, and today she could help Xixi again, satisfaction!

"Yes, yes," Tong Yue also couldn’t close her mouth with a broad smile, "I’ll give you a raise later."

Several pairs of eyes looked expectantly towards the center of the towering gate and Nine-layered Imperial Steps, where the person they were anticipating would appear.

Han Rui’s fingers were already clutching the fabric on her thigh, her eyes fixated on the stage.

Not her, not her, not her...

Another clear zither sound shattered her chant. As the towering gate opened in response, swirling clouds and mist appeared behind the Nine-layered Palace.

Yet none of it compared to the figure standing before the towering gate, atop the Nine-layered Imperial Steps.

Underneath a meticulously crafted dark crown was a face of pure jade and serene dignity, with eyes slightly lowered in composure.

The dragon robe on her body was a pure, true red, with the soaring dragon embroidered upon it seeming almost ready to burst forth the next instant.

Mountains, rivers, flora, and fauna unfolded beneath, bearing the grandeur of the world upon one.

Perhaps influenced by the aura exuded by that person, the show, which had been buzzing with murmurs, suddenly quieted, leaving even rapidly clicking camera shutters silenced.

The view from the HD camera in the live stream was even clearer than the scene for those present. Though separated by the screen, the impact of the aura wasn’t deeply felt, yet the bullet screen fell silent.

No one was willing to look away.

Jiang Lingxi, in this atmosphere where the entire venue fell silent with only the old Hua State tune still playing, began to stride forward.

She still wouldn’t walk in the swaying, elegant manner of a model, nor did she need to now.

She just followed her own rhythm to walk down the Nine-layered Imperial Steps, actually just a projected image, silently raising her gaze to scan the audience around the stage.

This seemingly nonchalant sweep instilled awe in the eyes of the onlookers.

An inexplicable sense of insignificance fell over them, making them feel suddenly as small as dust.

Many felt their breathing hastened, unconsciously tightening their grip on their clothing.

As she neared the end of the runway, the staff standing by were just coming back to their senses, preparing to assist the model with her robe’s train.

After all, the dragon robe’s train dragging on the ground was nearly three meters long.

Yet before she could act, Jiang Lingxi spun unhesitatingly, causing the robe’s train to whirl and land neatly.

No exaggeration, it was even more precise than if arranged by hand!

This skill and strength demand respect.

The staff, with slightly weak knees, quietly withdrew.

This time, Jiang Lingxi did not return backstage directly like the previous models. As she reached midway, old man Casuo, wearing a similarly neat traditional outfit, walked onto the stage.

The two met face to face.

Following this, everyone watched as the silver-haired old man, instead of speaking immediately, stepped back with his left leg, placed his right hand on his left shoulder, and performed a formal salute familiar to the nobility here.

The gesture was full of ceremony.

But also shocked those watching to gasp involuntarily.

However, thinking it over, it seemed quite reasonable.

This finale, the dragon robe’s stunning impact aside, the key was the old man’s choice of model; her appearance and presence were supremely majestic. Worldwide, none seemed more fitting for the dragon robe than her.

This judgment was indeed unparalleled.

After completing the salute, Casuo took the microphone handed over by the staff, smilingly looking at Jiang Lingxi, "I’m so pleased."

Jiang Lingxi had handed over the most perfect answer sheet and presented him with an impeccable final curtain.

Though the words seemed uncalled for, both those onsite and the online audience inexplicably understood.

"I imagine you all guessed that this show is my last before I retire."

"I also know many of you wonder why I’m retiring when I could continue. After all, I often surf the internet, and I’ve seen much of your discussion. Let me answer here why."

"Because I’ve achieved my life’s most proud work, and I have a hunch that within my lifetime, no other creation will surpass this one. I’m satisfied and pleased."

"Here, I thank all of you for your continued support and love. Thanks to the girls who showcased my work, and thank you, Lingxi, for giving me a perfect curtain call!"

With the old man’s deep bow, thunderous applause erupted.

Jiang Lingxi and old man Casuo, urged to take a memorable photo together, steadily returned to the backstage.

Behind her, the opening gateway closed.

Han Rui was supported by her assistant to stand up, her legs weak and unable to remain upright, "Let’s go, let’s go, we have to leave."

Having witnessed Jiang Lingxi’s performance on the runway, the consequence was that the figure on the Nine-layered Imperial Steps in a dragon robe would haunt her dreams for the foreseeable future!