Volume One, Chapter 18: A Rumor Play in Zhongyuan City

After the incident at Liangshan Stronghold, Ning Ling firmly opposed Xie Zheng’s plan to disguise himself as ugly.

Helpless, Xie Zheng agreed to it for just one day.

He had thought that their presence, with such distinctive temperament, would surely attract attention on the streets. To his surprise, no one paid them any mind.

“What’s going on? We look quite striking, so why isn’t anyone noticing us?” Ning Ling interrupted, “Could it be that, sir, you just look plain and ordinary?”

Xie Zheng shot her a glare. “If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all.”

As it turned out, Ning Ling was right.

She covered her mouth to laugh quietly, enjoying seeing the young master so thoroughly proven wrong—he was both adorable and amusing.

Beyond the capital city, in several towns, when they abandoned their ugly disguises, no one paid attention to them at all. Of course, some did look, but most often it was Ning Ling herself.

The reason was simple—because Ning Ling was just too beautiful!

Master Chen shook his head with resignation, finding it rather more interesting to travel the martial world with these young people. “Sir, after finishing this town, you will reach Zhongbei Town. You might consider staying there a while to see something that could be helpful for your upcoming journey to Yuanzhou.”

“What is it?” Xie Zheng asked.

Master Chen replied, “Zhongbei Town is famous for its ‘Rumor Theater.’”

“Rumor Theater?”

Xie Zheng and Ning Ling exchanged puzzled looks. Could it be a type of ethnic drama?

Upon arriving in Zhongbei Town’s Zhongyuan City, Master Chen led them to a theater stage surrounded by many high-ranking officials and nobles, all gathered to watch a performance. Only then did they understand what “Rumor Theater” truly meant.

“It is a play performed through rumors, presented on stage for the world to see,” Master Chen explained. “The Rumor Theater of Zhongyuan is a unique local style. They do not spread rumors carelessly like baseless gossip.”

“Instead, they convey rumors in an intriguing, obscure, yet transparent theatrical manner. Those with insight can discern the intentions behind the rumors through the performance.”

“However, due to the complexity of the drama, ordinary people usually cannot grasp the deeper meaning and simply treat it as a regular play.”

As Master Chen explained, Xie Zheng became curious to see how this Rumor Theater would portray such rumors.

On the stage was a simple family of three: a foster father, a remarried mother, and a son. Their attire was plain and ordinary, looking just like any typical family.

The foster father lamented: “With the little grain left at home, we can barely support one child. If we have another, I fear the child won’t survive beyond a month.”

The remarried mother responded: “But after all, he is not your biological child. You’ve been fortunate to take in my son and me. How could I burden you by asking you to care for a child not your own?”

The son, at a tender age, stood innocently to the side, his hands dirty, a runny nose on his face, eyes looking at his parents without any youthful spirit.

The foster father struggled: “I want to, but life is hard. Even raising one child is a struggle; the second might not survive.”

The remarried mother insisted firmly: “We’ll be frugal, work harder. We’ll get through this.”

The simple story began here.

Though the couple was loving, the mother felt guilty toward the man and wished to bear him a child of their own.

It was clear to any observer that this man cared deeply for this woman and her son, which made her feel indebted.

When she proposed having another child, the man cautioned about the hardship of supporting even one child, showing his concern for the whole family.

Xie Zheng remained puzzled.

Master Chen, as if aware of the outcome, simply said, “Keep watching.”

After the couple’s argument, a few days later, their son fell gravely ill. They sought out a doctor, spending a great deal of money, which only worsened their already difficult life.

The foster father complained in anguish: “I told you, caring for one child is hard enough. Look at what we’ve spent this time!”

The remarried mother remained silent.

The foster father took her hand: “Don’t worry anymore. I won’t say anything else. No matter whose child it is, I’ll take good care of him. Trust me.”

The mother was moved but her eyes showed inner turmoil.

One month later, the foster father suddenly flew into a rage upon seeing the woman’s growing belly and nearly struck her.

“I told you before, I wouldn’t mind. So why did you secretly get pregnant again?”

The mother clung to his arm, pleading, “Husband, just this one. This is our child now, ours alone. There won’t be any more.”

Though still angry, the man refrained from violence; after speaking, he left dejectedly.

At this point, Xie Zheng understood.

“This woman desperately wants a child of their own, but she’s not clever. Raising one child is already difficult. Two means survival is nearly impossible.”

In the third act, the child was born but died shortly after.

Then the man’s temperament changed drastically; the woman went mad. The little boy, who had grown a bit, was the most pitiful.

The foster father beat the woman: “I told you no, so no! Why won’t you listen, you wretched woman? Now look… the child’s gone, and the money’s gone too. Are you happy now?”

The mother, clutching the child’s image as if holding him, cried out, “No… he’s still here, my precious son… Husband… look, he’s still smiling at you. Husband… come hold your son!”

The foster father shoved her away. “You’re worthless. From now on, this family is no one’s concern. I’m done taking care of it.”

The mother collapsed to the ground but still held her arms as if embracing her child. “Son, don’t cry… I’m here… your father is here too.”

At that moment, the sensible son approached and wiped his mother’s tears.

But the mother suddenly turned violent, pushing the boy away: “You’re not my son! This one is my son! Who are you really?”

Then came a small voice, “Mother, it hurts…”

The boy had bumped his head on the table, blood streaming down, crying out in pain.

Yet the mad woman continued to clutch the invisible child, refusing to look at her biological son, who was bleeding and dying.

As time went on, the man left for good. The woman wandered the streets daily, muttering about her child. The villagers knew the biological son had been pushed down and killed by this cruel woman.

The wicked woman became the subject of gossip among the village women.

One day, the woman regained her senses and searched desperately for her son, only to find his grave right in their courtyard. At that moment, she wept bitterly and endlessly.

Then one day, a foul stench arose from the house. Neighbors reported it to the authorities, who investigated and retrieved a decomposed corpse from the well.

The officials sought the family members.

The man who had fled died in a gambling den, completely naked.

The authorities, having no evidence of deliberate murder, closed the case without further action.

After witnessing this scene, the entire theater fell into a somber silence.

The atmosphere was heavy, oppressive.

A profound sense of desolation weighed on Xie Zheng’s heart.

Master Chen said nothing at that moment. After taking them to the inn, he simply remarked, “Tonight, you will surely have nightmares. But by tomorrow, you will understand the meaning of this play.”

“So, I will come find you again tomorrow.”