Controlling the Five Thunders and the Two Worlds

Chapter 494 Taking Seven Beautiful Women to the Opera
After leaving the Daluo Palace, we descended Cuiluo Mountain.

The group first took a trip to the nearest county, Xiuyue County.

Since the establishment of the Daluo Palace, there has been virtually no space for demons and monsters to live in Xiuyue County.

Then this area gradually expanded to include Chongguang County, Wuhe County, and Changping Prefecture.

Now, even in the neighboring Pingjiang Prefecture and Baishi Prefecture, there are very few reports of innocent people being killed by demons.

The group traveled by horse-drawn carriage along the official road from Xiuyue County to Chongguang County, then north along the Yongding River, and finally arrived at Wanling River. They enjoyed the scenery and had a wonderful time.

After going around in circles, we arrived at Changping Prefecture.

Previously, Changping Prefecture was overseen by Daoist Yihong. Later, after all the demons and monsters in the surrounding area were cleared out, Daoist Yihong relinquished his position as abbot and gave it to an inner disciple.

When everyone arrived at Changping Prefecture, Gu Zhao took some time to visit Da Luo.

Several inner disciples collected incense offerings, diligently cultivated their skills, treated the sick and injured people of the prefecture, and helped the weak and vulnerable within the prefecture.

Occasionally, there are some lone demons and monsters that harm people and refine their souls, but with the cultivation of the few inner disciples of the temple for over two hundred years, they are more than capable of dealing with them.

Gu Zhao confirmed that they had no malevolent energy, and satisfied, he transferred a portion of his true qi to them as a reward.

……

This trip lasted almost a month, nearly circling around Cuiluo Mountain before returning to Xiuyue County.

"Time flies!" Chen Zhi exclaimed.

They walked through bustling prefectural cities, saw surging rivers, fished by the Yongding River, picked mushrooms in Chongguang Mountain, ate at grand restaurants in Changping Prefecture, and drank fruit juice, a specialty of Wuhe County.

Two horse-drawn carriages.

Gu Zhao was in one car with Zhuo Qingyan, Xiu Niang, and Bai Ke, and in another car with Ye Ruyan, Miao Yunji, Bi Yingying, and Chen Zhi.

The two outer disciples drove the carriage, receiving much guidance from Gu Zhao, Ye Ruyan, and others along the way. Although they were unable to cultivate the true Qi of the Daoist sect due to their limited talent, their martial arts skills improved significantly.

"It's alright, it's only been a month." Miao Yunji didn't seem to feel anything. "Sometimes we go out for half a year or more, and we also go into seclusion for half a year or more."

Chen Zhi glanced at her quietly, but didn't say anything.

There's not much to say about a twenty-year-old girl and a two-hundred-year-old woman.

Although this old woman's figure looked better than hers, and her skin was more delicate.

The carriage traveled slowly along the stone-paved road in Xiuyue County. Then they saw many people passing the carriage and heading north towards the county town.

"What happened?" the embroiderer asked curiously.

Bai Ke's ears twitched slightly. "It seems that a theatrical troupe from Yongzhou crossed the Yongding River to tour Jiangzhou. They are quite a famous theatrical troupe."

Zhuo Qingyan's eyes flickered, and she channeled her magic, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips. "It really is the Futai Opera Troupe."

Gu Zhao looked at Zhuo Qingyan, "You know?"

“They are a fairly famous opera troupe in Yongzhou, located in Shide Prefecture across the Yongding River. They would come to Jiangzhou to perform every few years. I had heard their operas before I died.” Zhuo Qingyan smiled gently.

"Really? Really?" Bai Ke looked at Zhuo Qingyan. "Does it sound good?"

Zhuo Qingyan pointed outside, "They have a great reputation. Every time they come, they have created a new opera. You can tell by looking outside."

“That sounds really good.” Bai Ke said knowingly.

The conversation between Gu Zhao and the other car could be heard.

In fact, they traveled this way the whole way. Although they were in two carriages, they chatted the whole time, as if they were sitting face to face.

Ye Ruyan smiled upon hearing this, "Then shall we go and listen too?" Chen Zhi asked curiously, "With so many people going, will we be able to get seats?"

Bi Yingying had more experience than her. "When famous opera troupes come to perform, they always have private rooms on the second or even third floor. Regular seats may be sold out, but these private rooms are always available."

Ye Ruyan nodded in agreement.

She was also a regular customer who often went to various places to listen to operas. The reason she joined the Daluo Palace was because an actor had a conflict with his rival.

“Then let’s go listen to it,” Gu Zhao said, “and see how it differs from the Dingxiang Theater in Changping Prefecture.”

Along the way, they ate, drank, and had fun in several counties and prefectures, and naturally listened to operas as well, since this was one of the few and more elegant forms of entertainment in ancient times.

Upon hearing Gu Zhao's words, the two outer disciples gently pulled on the reins, and the two carriages turned around and headed towards the theater in the east of Xiuyue County.

Xiuyue County has two theaters, one in the east and one in the west.

Besides the regular opera troupes, traveling opera troupes from various places would perform at these two theaters when they came to Xiuyue County, and of course, they would also have to share the profits with the theaters.

In this way, whoever can bring in a better opera troupe from other places will increase their income and retain customers, thus ensuring their daily income.

The Futai Opera Troupe has a good relationship with the Yingchun Opera House in the east of the county. Every time they come, they perform at the Yingchun Opera House, and this time is no exception.

As the two carriages arrived at the main entrance of the theater, two observant staff members stepped forward to greet them.

The two outer disciples were burly and had sharp eyes, clearly ruthless characters. The two shop assistants recognized their Taoist robes at a glance.

"It's a Taoist priest from the Great Luo Palace!"

One of the shop assistants stepped forward to greet them, while another hurriedly turned around to call the manager.

Xiuyue County is adjacent to Daluo Palace. It can be said to be the closest county to Daluo Palace except for Cuishan Town. Almost all the prominent people in the county have gone to Daluo Palace to burn incense and ask for talismans.

Even the manager of this Yingchun Theater once went to the Daluo Palace to ask for a Xuan-grade Tiangang Talisman for protection.

A moment later, the theater manager came out. Although he did not recognize Gu Zhao and the others, he still respectfully invited them into the theater and found the largest private room for them.

"Please come in, everyone!"

"Thank you." Gu Zhao casually placed a silver ingot into his palm.

"Too much! Too much!" The shopkeeper wanted to return the silver ingots.

Gu Zhao waved his hand, "Then bring over some snacks and tea."

"Very well, very well!" The shopkeeper put away the silver ingots and carefully left the elegant room.

Just as he turned to leave, he heard the two outer disciples of the Great Luo Palace bow and come out, saying, "Sect Leader, we'll be waiting at the door. Please feel free to give us any instructions."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper nearly stumbled.

Leader?

The heads of the various branch temples of the Great Luo Palace are called either temple masters or abbots, as for the sect leaders...

There seems to be only one!

The shopkeeper swallowed hard. He had previously seen Gu Zhao, a young man, with seven beautiful women and two outer disciples as drivers. He had assumed that Gu Zhao was the spoiled offspring of some senior elder of the Great Luo Palace.

He was even thinking that if he served them well, he might be able to build a relationship and get some benefits for himself.

Unexpectedly, the other party turned out to be the sect leader of the Daluo Palace, traveling incognito.

The shopkeeper decisively put aside his own little schemes and jogged to the theater's kitchen to personally oversee the preparation of the snacks and drinks to be served.

(End of this chapter)