Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

"I want to play Erlang Shen!" Xia Liuqing repeated a few more times. Throwing a tantrum in front of outsiders is a common trick children use to coerce their elders.

The fox wasn't buying it and said calmly, "Erlang Shen isn't the violent, unruly rogue he seems. He's actually upright, honest, and principled."

"Since you're playing him, honing your basic skills is your duty. Shouldn't you learn from Erlang Shen, maintaining a righteous heart and acting with propriety?"

"I heard you injured a fellow disciple. You're so young and impulsive, you're not at all like Erlang Shen."

Children have their tricks, and adults have their methods.

Throughout history, the methods for dealing with naughty children have been largely similar; what parents cannot control, certain childhood idols can.

For example, some people idolize Sun Wukong, some want to become light, and some want to wear a transformation device on their waist and shout "Transform!"...

When a child makes a mistake, saying "Sun Wukong, Ultraman Tiga, and Armor Hero would never do that" is more effective than scolding or beating.

Xia Liuqing buried her head in thought, unusually deep in thought.

His master taught him the "mask of divinity," but he was still far from being able to complete the look. Wasn't that because he didn't have a true god in his heart?

Once the facial makeup is applied, the actor and the role become one. Naturally, one must think what Erlang Shen thinks and do what Erlang Shen does. By merging one's own personality with artistic characteristics, one becomes a deity.

"I understand! From now on, I will be Erlang Shen, the Erlang Manifestation True Lord who is proficient in seventy-three transformations, upright and incorruptible, and loyal and righteous."

Xia Liuqing puffed out her chest, looking quite arrogant.

The old troupe leader, upon seeing this, was both angry and amused.

So you're the kind of guy who only responds to gentle persuasion, huh? If I'd known that, all those feather dusters and mop handles in the crew would have been wasted!

"Senior An, this kid has good aptitude and lots of ideas. Sometimes I really can't help but lose my temper."

"Thank goodness you hit the nail on the head."

As expected of a fox that's been around for a hundred years, its eyes are indeed sharp and discerning.

Chen Ruoan replied, "That's all I have to say. When it comes to acting and performing, you are the senior."

"Is the old troupe leader an actor?"

"Yes."

In this world, entertainers are also called "shamans," a type of shaman. Shamans can communicate with "gods" through song and dance, using their own lives to portray the gods.

If you act until you believe that you can transform yourself into a god, you can borrow the power of the gods.

Shamans can also steal people's faith power through unknown methods, thereby generating a kind of power originating from faith. The divine consciousness that arises on this basis is "divinity".

Chen Ruoan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and asked, "I wonder if the old troupe leader has any renowned performers who have portrayed the Goddess of Mount Tai in his circle?"

The fox's thoughts were simple: grab a shaman and ask him what the so-called belief in immortals and gods was like, and whether it was more advanced than the incense the fox ate.

It would be even better if Wu You, who plays the role of Lady Taishan, were present.

Foxes lick their fur, and they also lick the queen.

The old troupe leader, a renowned opera master who combined theoretical knowledge with practical skills, immediately began to explain: "There is a Hebei Bangzi opera called 'Bixia Niangniang,' which tells the story of Bixia Yuanjun's background, cultivation, and deeds of saving people from suffering."

"In Shandong Lüju opera, there is a play called 'Yuanjun Blessing,' which tells the story of protecting the people and bestowing blessings and children. Henan has 'The Old Mother of Mount Tai,' and Fujian has the string puppet show 'Mount Tai'..."

"There are no great masters of performance."

The last sentence almost choked Chen Ruoan to death.

If you don't have it, just say so. Why go through all that explanation?

What's the difference between this and going to an antique appraisal shop where the expert talks at length about their knowledge, only to conclude with "new, brand new" at the end?

Chen Ruoan stopped dwelling on the matter of the goddess of Mount Tai and asked about the old stories of Shiniu Village. The old troupe leader had traveled all over the country and there were indeed people in the troupe who were familiar with the local area.

The man said that in 1924, an army passed through Suzhou. The soldiers conscripted laborers, seized civilian houses, and set fire to them during their retreat. Many villages became battlefields, including Shiniu Village.

The villagers were either forced to do odd jobs like pulling firecrackers or fled to other places.

Upon hearing the statement, Chen Ruoan tapped his abdomen.

Jiang Gui's voice came from inside: "I know. If that child takes after me, he'll be clever enough and will be fine."

"Should we look again?"

"As our master said, if we are destined to meet again, we will surely meet again. Let's think about the rest of our brothers."

"Alright then."

Chen Ruoan thanked her and, before leaving, patted Xia Liuqing's head, saying, "Don't pay attention to other people's gossip. You have excellent talent and will become a star sooner or later."

According to the original storyline, Xia Liuqing was indeed very popular, but she gave up her promising career for Jin Feng.

Jin Feng was obsessed with Wu Gensheng her whole life, and Xia Liuqing never won the heart of the man she loved, even in her old age.

To this, Chen Ruoan only wants to say—

Should!

A simp will end up with nothing.

But it's different for a fox licker.

Xia Liuqing nodded, clenched her fists, and gave the fox a guarantee: "Senior Chong An, your few words today will earn you a few free performances once I become a famous actor!"

"Okay, it's a deal."

The fox didn't mind wasting its breath, but considering Xia Liuqing's violent temper and the ninety-one innocent lives that had been lost, a thought began to form in its mind—

If we can stop him here and teach him to curb his violent temper, it would be a good way to build up some positive karma.

Thinking this, Chen Ruoan's mind lit up. There was another treasure scroll hanging on the branch. Its light was not too dazzling, slightly brighter than white light, but slightly dimmer than blue light.

They were just strangers who met by chance, and the color of the flowers was not beyond the fox's expectations. What was strange, however, was the thread of fate.

The thread connecting the precious scroll on the branch to the fox is undoubtedly a red auspicious connection, but the thread is crooked and twisted like an earthworm, and it is impossible to pull it into a straight shape.

"I've never seen anything like this before. Can you make a wish with this thing?"

Chen Ruoan scrutinized Xia Liuqing after he removed his costume. He was a boy with dark eyes and a somewhat fierce look. He had honed his basic skills in the opera troupe for two years, and his body seemed more flexible than that of an average child.

Will this kid cause me any trouble?

But the red line won't be a problem.

"Remember our promise: if you want to be Erlang Shen, then be the most authentic and realistic Erlang Shen."

"I understand. Nothing can stop me from becoming a star. Sooner or later, my name will be known throughout the country."

Chen Ruoan gave a deadpan look when he thought of the tagalong who followed Jin Feng around.

That would be best.

"I'm just waiting for you to sing for me."

The affection was shallow and the fate was shallow, and the thread of fate was twisted. Chen Ruoan was in no hurry to pick it, so she let it hang on the branch and wait until it was shiny before making any plans.

As the fox turned to leave, a segment from the opera "Spring Breeze Pavilion" drifted out, marking the premiere of the first hit Kunqu Opera in Jiangnan—"The Peony Pavilion".

"Dreaming of warbling orioles, the fleeting years are scattered everywhere."

"Standing alone in the secluded courtyard, the incense has burned out, and the embroidery thread is tossed aside; this spring, my feelings are just as strong as last year's."

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