Republic of China era: Actor? Please call me Martial Arts Master!

Chapter 86 Silence Speaks Louder Than Words: The Naval Battle Shocks All!

Chapter 87 Silence Speaks Louder Than Words: The Naval Battle Shocks Everyone!

The Qingyun Grand Theater was eerily quiet at this moment.

The venue, which could hold several thousand people, was completely silent, not even the sound of someone cracking sunflower seeds could be heard. Everyone's eyes were glued to the every move on the stage.

Little Bean's spectacular leap really got the audience excited. But the real action of "Yandang Mountain" was just beginning.

On the stage, the dim lighting created a somber atmosphere reminiscent of an ancient battlefield.

There were no lyrics, no spoken dialogue.

There was only the rapid, rain-like drumbeats and the sound of breathing that could even be heard as a heartbeat.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!—Cough!"

Shunzi, playing Meng Haigong, stands at the edge of the stage, holding two guns. Although his protective banners are not made of real gold and silver, they appear majestic under the lights, thanks to his surging spirit.

Across from him, Lu Feng, playing the role of He Tianlong, held a single-edged sword in his hand, his eyes sinister, like a wolf staring at the throat of its prey.

This scene is called "Naval Battle".

The point is that the two people must act out the resistance and buoyancy of fighting in the water on dry land.

If it were any other opera troupe, they would just wiggle their waists a couple of times and make a show of paddling around to get by.

But the kids in Qingyun Class were toughened up under the tutelage of Tong Sanjin, that "mountain of flesh"!

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The sound of war drums, like muffled thunder, echoed between the beams and pillars of the Qingyun Grand Theater.

The final act of "Yandang Mountain" is the most dangerous, tiring, and skill-testing "water battle" in the entire play.

On the stage, a blue water flag is waved, representing a great river.

Lu Feng, that wolf cub, was now soaked in sweat. His tight-fitting black undershirt clung to his body, revealing his steel-like muscles. The single-edged sword in his hand even had several tiny chips on its blade from the intense collision earlier.

But he wasn't tired.

Or rather, the medicinal power of this "tiger bone and dragon marrow" extracted from his very bones was burning wildly within him, making him stronger and stronger in battle.

"Thump!"

A stuntman playing a Jin soldier was kicked away by Lu Feng, and according to the play, he fell into the water.

But this "falling into the water" is not a simple matter.

The stuntman did a "zombie throw" in mid-air, falling straight backward. Just as his head was about to hit the floor, he collapsed at the last second, using a "dragon twist" to silently dissipate the impact.

Pretty!

But this is just a supporting role.

What truly made the entire audience hold their breath was Xiaodouzi.

This skinny monkey, picked up from the human market, has now become a complete spirit.

Although he plays a lowly soldier, he is now going to fight Lu Feng "in the water".

Little Bean plunged into the water (actually, he lay on the ground pretending to swim), his limbs paddling, his movements just like a white streak in the waves.

Lu Feng raised his knife and slashed.

Instead of dodging, Xiaodouzi moved forward, his body as slippery as an eel, and darted between Lu Feng's legs, delivering a swift and powerful "Monkey Steals the Peach"—no, it was "Scooping the Moon from Underwater."

This move was insidious, yet extremely agile.

On stage, one was like a dragon in the waves, stirring up the sea; the other was like a slippery eel at the bottom of the water, slippery and unpredictable.

There wasn't a single line of dialogue.

There wasn't even a strained humming or hawing sound.

The thousands of people in the audience stared intently at the stage, and even the melon seed vendors dared not shout out their wares, for fear of missing even a single glance.

What's this called?

This is what is meant by "silence speaks louder than words".

In a private room on the second floor.

The teacup in the hands of the coach from Fu Lian Cheng had long since gone cold.

His face, which was originally full of arrogance and pickiness, was now as stiff as a dried orange peel.

"This...this blanket technique..."

The coach muttered to himself, his voice hoarse.

"These kids have only been training for a few months?"

"How could one possibly execute such 'tiger-pouncing,' 'hair-hanging,' and 'back-grabbing' techniques with such precision and stability without at least ten years of rigorous training from childhood?"

The young martial arts student beside him was even more dumbfounded, and asked in a low voice, "Master, then—then are we still going to find fault?"

"What a load of crap!"

The coach slammed his teacup down, a hint of dejection flashing in his eyes, but more so a profound and undeniable awe.

"This Lu Cheng—is a prodigy."

"The disciples he taught combined the ruthlessness of martial arts with the skill of opera."

""

"This kind of performance style is something that our Fu Lian Cheng (a famous Taiwanese opera troupe) can't learn, nor dare to learn."

"They were risking their lives to act!"

Just then.

The final frame was captured on stage.

Lu Feng, Xiao Douzi, and Shunzi stood in a triangular formation.

Shunzi, positioned in the center, swept across with his spear, as steady as Mount Tai.

Lu Feng stood on the left, his single sword flashing in a backhand strike, exuding a murderous aura.

Little Bean is on the right, squatting on the ground, covering his eyebrows with one hand, looking out at the sea, and is very lively.

"Thump—Clang!!"

The final gong fell.

The three remained motionless, like three clay statues of Vajra in a temple.

Sweat streamed down their faces and dripped onto the floor.

one second.

two seconds.

three seconds.

"Whoosh—!!!"

applause.

Like a mountain collapsing, like a tsunami, like a flood bursting its banks, it instantly submerged the entire Qingyun Grand Theater.

"good!!"

"This is what you call kung fu movie!"

"Give me a reward! Give me a reward!"

Countless copper coins, silver dollars, and even pocket watches and rings were thrown onto the stage like raindrops.

The commotion was even more exciting than firecrackers during the Lunar New Year.

Lu Feng stood on the stage, his chest heaving violently.

He looked at the enthusiastic faces below the stage and listened to the deafening cheers.

At that moment, he suddenly realized that all the suffering he had endured, the beatings he had suffered, and even the agonizingly bitter medicine he had drunk—

Worth it.

It was totally worth it!

He subconsciously turned his head to look at the side curtain.

There, Lu Cheng was standing with his hands behind his back, wearing a moon-white long robe.

The light couldn't reach the shadows, so Lu Cheng's face wasn't visible.

But Lu Feng could sense that his master was smiling.

It was a feeling of joy—the satisfaction of "my son has grown up."

The curtain slowly closed.

It isolated the noise from the audience.

Backstage, the kids who were just on stage like tigers descending from the mountain were now limp on the ground, panting heavily, as if all their muscles had been drained.

"I'm exhausted—I'm so tired—"

Little Bean lay sprawled on the box, his tongue sticking out.

"That sudden somersault just now almost left me breathless; it scared me to death."

Shunzi was also covered in sweat, but he still struggled to get up and handed water to his junior brothers.

"Get up, everyone! Don't lie down. You can't lie down right after training; it'll hurt your lungs!"

Lu Feng did not lie down.

He leaned against a pillar, clutching the chipped single-edged sword tightly in his hand, his eyes gleaming with an eerie light.

"Master."

Seeing Lu Cheng approaching, Lu Feng quickly stood up straight.

"good."

Lu Cheng walked among the children, offering no excessive praise, but simply nodding slightly.

"Today's play has been a success."

"You didn't disgrace Qingyun Class, nor did you disgrace me."

"but----"

Lu Cheng pointed to the knife in Lu Feng's hand.

"Fengzi, that final move, the one that splits Mount Hua, you used up all your strength."

"If your opponent were a master at deflecting force, they could use your brute strength to their advantage and send you sprawling to the ground."

"Remember, when you draw your knife, leave seven-tenths of the way out, leaving three-tenths of the way to survive."

Lu Feng was stunned for a moment, then recalled the feeling he had just experienced, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

"Yes, Master, I understand!"

"Alright, everyone go remove your makeup."

Lu Cheng waved.

"Tonight, at Quanjude, my master is treating."

"yeah!!"

The children cheered, their fatigue vanishing instantly.

Just then.

The curtain backstage was lifted.

Several middle-aged men dressed in long gowns and exuding an air of distinction walked in.

The leader was none other than the instructor from Fu Liancheng, surnamed Ye, known as "Third Master Ye".

This Master Ye was a big shot in the Peking Opera world of Beiping, and he was usually arrogant and haughty.

But at this moment, his face was full of smiles, and he was even clasping his hands together.

"Boss Lu, congratulations!"

"Today's performance of 'Yandang Mountain' was truly an eye-opener for us old fogies!"

Upon seeing that it was someone from Fu Liancheng, Zhou Daikui quickly went to greet them. Although he was pleased with himself, he still had to be polite on the surface.

"Oh dear, Third Master Ye, you're flattering us to death! These are just kids making a ruckus; how could they possibly meet your approval?"

"Oh, Master Zhou, you're too modest."

Master Ye waved his hand, but his gaze bypassed Zhou Daikui and landed directly on Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng was sitting in a chair drinking tea. When he saw people arrive, he didn't get up, but just smiled and nodded.

In the past, this would have been considered extremely disrespectful and arrogant.

But now, in Master Ye's eyes, this is called "the demeanor of a grandmaster".

"Boss Lu."

Master Ye walked up to Lu Cheng, his tone sincere, even somewhat ingratiating.

"We at Fu Lian Cheng, while we value rules, are not ungrateful."

"Your apprentices are truly talented."

"Especially that kid who plays He Tianlong—"

Master Ye pointed to Lu Feng, who was removing his makeup.

"The murderous aura emanating from him, the light in his eyes—absolutely incredible."

"Mr. Lu, if there's a chance in the future, let's get to know each other better?"

That means they've given in.

That means they've accepted it.

Lu Cheng put down his teacup, looked at Master Ye, and smiled faintly.

"You're too kind, Third Master Ye."

"The Peking Opera community is one family, and we will need to rely on the guidance of our seniors in the future."

"However, I have a problem."

Lu Cheng changed the subject, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"When I teach my apprentices, I don't like those fancy rules."

"If you can fight and act, then you're a good actor."

"If anyone tries to use the old rules to pressure me—"

Lu Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Well, I guess I have a bad temper."

Master Ye's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly smiled apologetically, "How could that be? How could that be! Boss Lu's rules are the new rules for martial arts performances in Beiping!"

After seeing off the group of colleagues who came to "pay their respects," the backstage area finally became quiet.

Lu Cheng sat back down in the armchair and picked up his teacup.

Just then, the long-awaited golden lettering finally appeared before his eyes.

[Current Performance: "Yandang Mountain" (A group martial arts drama)]

Starring: Lu Feng, Shunzi, Xiaodouzi, etc. (All members of the Qingyun Class)

[Producer/Cruiser: Lu Cheng]

[Commentary: "A thunderclap in silence, a true masterpiece revealed in form. This silent play portrayed the brutality of a thousand troops, and even more so, the fearless spirit of a newborn calf. Master and disciple united as one, their strength could break gold. You not only taught a good apprentice, but also, imperceptibly, injected a wolf-like bloodline into this stagnant Peking Opera world!"]

Overall rating: Lower Grade (Established a new school of thought, its influence is already established)

[Reward: Turtle Breathing Technique!]

[Turtle Breathing Exercise: Locks in essence and consolidates vital energy, the heartbeat ceases, and breathing becomes nonexistent. Upon mastery, one becomes like withered wood or dead ashes; even if someone is close at hand, they will hardly notice. It can be used to heal injuries and avert disaster, or even—to wait for an opportunity to strike!]

Lu Cheng was slightly taken aback, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Turtle Breathing Technique?

This is good stuff.

His kung fu is now powerful and domineering, and his blood and energy are as vigorous as a dragon, like a blazing furnace.

Although the [Zhong Kui Diagram] was used to suppress his mind, the strong life magnetic field of that person could be sensed from a great distance by a true master.

This "Turtle Breathing Technique" perfectly fills this gap.

convergence!

Ultimate convergence!