I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 553 - 553 552. Nine Streams Gather_1

Chapter 553: 552. Nine Streams Gather_1 Chapter 553: 552. Nine Streams Gather_1 At night, Jiangcheng Theatre.

This place was not the same location as the future Jiangcheng Grand Theater, situated in the city center. There were no performances today, so it was empty and had been rented out by Du Ming.

After dinner, the three of them arrived here.

The vast theatre was deserted, with only a single lamp casting light directly onto the center of the stage.

“Let’s wait.”

Du Ming seemed to know that the others would be late, and he lit a cigarette.

Lu Ban glanced around and, soon enough, the first person arrived.

It was a man who looked pot-bellied, as if seduced by fine wines and food.

He wore a mandarin jacket, walked with heavy and hurried steps, his face shone with grease, and he held a folding fan in his hand.

“Brother Du, this place is really hard to find. I had my driver going in circles several times before I managed to find it.”

He seemed to also know Du Ming, immediately speaking in a familiar tone.

“Don’t kid around. If there are still roads in this world that Seventh Master doesn’t recognize, then I must really see them.”

Du Ming exchanged pleasantries, then made the introductions.

“Seventh Master, the descendant of the Mountain-moving Dragon Seeker—his ancestors were Tomb-Robbing Colonels appointed by the emperor himself.”

“Ah, come on, who’s got emperors nowadays? Call it archaeology, archaeology.”

Seventh Master corrected him.

Judging by his attire and condition, Lu Ban thought, the income from archaeology in this era must be quite substantial.

“I’ve heard that many are eyeing the battle for the Mysterious Monarch. Brother Du, as you see, I’m always so busy, but I thought I’d join in for the excitement and show some respect for tradition.”

Seventh Master took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweat.

He must be the very image of a greasy, corpulent otaku.

“Ah, Brother He, long time no see. And who is this?”

He noticed He Chong and Lu Ban.

“My name is Lu Ban, and my goal is to become the Mysterious Monarch.”

Lu Ban promptly replied.

“?”

Seventh Master was a bit confused.

“Really, what a joker.”

He wiped his sweat again.

At that moment, the second person arrived.

The individual looked around, emerging from the darkness.

It was a woman.

She seemed to be in her thirties, dressed in a cheongsam commonly worn by women in that era, still charming, exuding elegance in every move she made.

It seemed that only Seventh Master knew her among those present. The pot-bellied “archaeologist” spoke up.

“This is Miss Tang Que, a descendant of the Tang Family, the lineage of the Corpse-sewing Craftsman.”

“Corpse-sewing Craftsman…”

Lu Ban couldn’t associate this woman with such a profession.

Tang Que’s gaze swept over them, lingering a bit longer on Lu Ban’s face. After exchanging greetings, she sat down to one side, keeping a distance from the others.

“Corpse-sewing Craftsmen suppress specters and study the sturdy arts of Boxing Training; who would have thought Miss Tang possessed such exquisite skills.”

Du Ming made a teasing remark.

The next two individuals appeared one after the other.

The one who appeared first was dressed in a short shirt. Although he had white hair, he looked robust and competent, with a gun at his waist and a sharp look in his eyes.

“I am Shi Buwen of the Hundred Miles Walker lineage. My children are not up to par, so I’ve come alone to avoid embarrassment.”

He greeted them with a bow.

The one following behind was in a brand-new suit, in his forties, with a sly glint in his eyes.

“I am Dai Yuanyang from the Zhai Xing Sect. Please be kind to me, everyone.”

“Is anyone else coming?”

After waiting for some time, Lu Ban counted and realized they were probably only missing one Paper-cutting Official.

“Let’s begin.”

At this moment, a voice faintly emanated from a corner of the theater. Everyone followed the sound and saw an old man, dressed in plain clothes and wearing sunglasses, sitting there with the aid of a walking stick.

No one knew when he had sat down. It was as if he had vanished from their sight from the very beginning.

“Old Zhang, you really do appear and disappear like a ghost.”

Du Ming remarked, then proceeded to introduce him to the others.

“Old Zhang from the Paper-cutting Official lineage, an elderly predecessor who has participated in the competition for the position of Mysterious Monarch four times.”

“Hehe, just an ordinary blind old man.”

He answered in a low voice.

“Participating four times, doesn’t that mean you’ve never won in the end?”

Lu Ban blurted out unconsciously.

“…”

The atmosphere briefly turned awkward.

“Ahem, everyone, we are gathered here for the upcoming position of the Mysterious Monarch, and according to tradition, we’ll be engaging in a series of contests to determine the final victor…”

Before Du Ming could finish, he saw someone raising their hand.

It was the well-dressed Dai Yuanyang.

“Does Mr. Dai have some insight to share?”

Du Ming suppressed his thoughts and asked.

“Here’s the thing, I’ve spent some time abroad recently, encountering many advanced countries, and I’ve returned mainly at the behest of my mentor. He is very interested in the abilities and skills of us, the Nine Streams, and his country is currently in need of such talents. Therefore, I wish to invite everyone to join in the research and visit abroad.”

Dai Yuanyang stated bluntly.

“Also, the inheritance left by the Mysterious Monarch has been sealed in Jiangcheng Mountain for too long, which seems wasteful. I think we should bring it out for proper use, to seek welfare for everyone.”

After he finished, everyone fell silent.

“Oh, this breaks the rules. Young brother Dai, we are the ones who can’t show our faces in public; things that are meant to stay below ground should stay there. You really should take back what you’ve just said.”

Seventh Master was the first to speak, trying to persuade him.

“Gentlemen, the current situation is turbulent, and wars are unending. We are all capable people, and as the saying goes, ‘A good bird chooses the tree it perches on.’ There’s no need to restrict ourselves with these traditions. The Mysterious Monarch might look mighty, but in reality, they’re nothing but a local despot. Why not join me and go overseas, where money and fine wines abound?”

Dai Yuanyang did not accept Seventh Master’s suggestion but continued to speak.

“Abroad, there are many people with abilities similar to ours. Through scientific research and development, they have attained even greater powers. Instead of wasting time here, why not join together and strive for a new enterprise, what do you say?”

At these words, Seventh Master’s face did not sit well.

“The last person from the Star-picking faction who came here, if I recall correctly, was called Dai Yuanzheng?”

Suddenly, the blind Paper-cutting Official spoke up.

“Yes, that was my brother.”

Thinking the other party was interested, Dai Yuanyang immediately answered.

“Do you know how he died?”

Blindman Zhang asked again.

“I was overseas at that time and only heard the tragic news. I don’t know the details. Please enlighten me.”

Dai Yuanyang hesitated for a moment.

“He tried to steal from a train that was carrying paintings and treasures plundered from our ancestors by foreigners and transport them back to their own country. He was discovered, shot to death in the chaos, and his body was hung up for three days and three nights with no one to claim it. It was this blind man who took advantage of the night to retrieve his body and provide a proper burial.”

Blindman Zhang spoke in a calm tone.

“This… Old Zhang, times have changed. I have seen the foreigners’ strong ships and powerful guns. No matter how bizarre or powerful our abilities are, we cannot withstand bullets and artillery fire. I really am considering the best interest of all.”

Dai Yuanyang argued.

“No need to be persistent, Mr. Dai.”

At this point, He Chong suddenly spoke up.

“I’m a person with good eyesight, and I can’t stand too much filth. If this is all you want to say, then please leave.”

“As one of the Nine Streams, I have every right to participate in this competition for the position of Mysterious Monarch. Or perhaps, would you like to try to defeat me?”

Dai Yuanyang also shifted from his previous affability, becoming stern.

“Alright.”

He Chong adjusted his glasses.

In the next moment, he suddenly stood up, and the distance between him and Dai Yuanyang abruptly reduced to zero. He extended his right hand in a hollow fist, slowly pushing his palm forward.

*

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