I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Fei Xiao's smile faded, her misty blue eyes becoming slightly ethereal: "Whether it's offering help in times of need or adding to someone's success... hehe."

"Anyway, as long as it helps Sensei, that's good enough."

"So...Sensei, you've brought another student from another academy with you this time..."

"Is it like last time, that you have an important matter to ask of me?"

As expected of the sect leader... his command of presence is impeccable.

Amamiya could see right through the sect leader's 'little scheme'.

Saying "take care of other students like last time" is actually a way of saying you're multitasking.

—Besides relieving Mary's stress (after all, this had happened before), there was even an intention to 'hint' at Mary (Sensei had actually brought other close students here).

As for why we should do this?

The sect leader can see it clearly.

Unlike most students who have the possessive mindset that 'I'm enough for Sensei,' Kisaki's perspective is to 'fish in troubled waters.'

First, the water must be murky enough to catch fish among those 'competitors'.

She understood very well that... due to its special geographical location, the Classic of Mountains and Seas was a typical example of "being far away and having a biased mind".

Repairing the train in the area between the Classic of Mountains and Seas and the Federal Student Association... even with the infrastructure standards of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, it would take quite some time.

Before the 'connected stone paths of heaven and earth' allowed for easy travel between the two regions, as the sect leader, he couldn't go out often, and had to be extremely careful when traveling far away. So he could only resort to such 'little tricks' to try to divide the region.

Although Hisaki was asking Amamiya this question, she was actually asking Mary, so naturally Mary had to answer it.

"Um...it's about...dance."

Because she was still somewhat intimidated by Hisaki's aura, Mary stammered a little due to nervousness.

This sect leader of the Classic of Mountains and Seas is not tall, but he has a great presence.

Although I didn't deliberately release the pressure, when I faced it, I still felt like I was facing Sakura-sama... no, it could even be said that I was facing Nagisa-sama directly.

"……dance?"

Feisaki raised an eyebrow slightly, then tilted her head slightly, looking quite interested.

It seems I heard some very new vocabulary...

The "songs and dances" in the Classic of Mountains and Seas are less about being advanced and more about having an ancient artistic feel.

With her extensive knowledge and mastery of almost every art form, Fei Xiao naturally thought of countless famous dances from the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

The 'dances' in the Classic of Mountains and Seas are numerous and varied... Among them, the most famous might be the "Dance of the Rainbow Feathers".

"Yes, it's a dance about 'idols'..."

Mary's supplementary keywords shattered the image of fluttering brocade that had appeared in Hisaki's mind, and reconstructed it into a dazzling stage filled with spotlights, glow sticks, support signs and other 'light effects'.

She hesitated.

"If I understand correctly... you want to know about the dances of those 'idols' who sing and dance on stage... and related knowledge?"

If we don't deliberately emphasize the scope of the word 'idol', what Hisaki can understand is an idol who is 'a target that is worshipped or even deified'.

Secondly, there are the singing and dancing artists who shine on stage.

Seeing that Mary hesitated for a moment and couldn't say anything immediately, Amamiya quickly added, "Hizaki's understanding is fine. What we need to know is about 'idols'."

"Sect Master, are there such 'idols' in the Classic of Mountains and Seas?"

Fei Xiao chuckled lightly: "Indeed... just as Sensei said. The Classic of Mountains and Seas does indeed have some 'student idols'."

“Even I… can be considered a member of the ‘student idols’.”

Amamiya: "..."

Is it that Hisaki is extremely knowledgeable, or that she has self-awareness?

Indeed, the sect leader is right.

Xuanlongmen... is less like a student council from the Classic of Mountains and Seas and more like a 'large idol fan group'.

“However, Mary, since you have come with a request, your purpose is certainly not to learn about a special ‘idol’ like me.”

"dance……"

She hesitated for a moment, then dropped the withered ginkgo leaf in her hand.

"Sensei, have you ever heard of 'drama'?"

……drama?

Amamiya immediately thought of the actors on stage, wearing masks, wielding their theatrical voices, sometimes passionate and sometimes tearful, their performing arts superb.

"If the sect leader is referring to the kind of opera that involves wearing a mask and 'singing' in a unique tone, then I have indeed heard of it."

【~???~】(Feisaki)

"Then there's no need for me to explain any further, is there?"

Feixiao smiled brightly, turned around and walked in one direction.

"There is indeed a special group in the Classic of Mountains and Seas that deserves attention..."

"Drama...a story centered on music, with countless variations. Actors, their faces masked, laugh, rage, and judge the world..."

Walking through the garden, now somewhat desolate with the arrival of autumn, Hisaki murmured to herself, "'Watching a play without speaking,' 'Life is like a play'... The audience walked by, immersed in the laughter and jeers."

"Those passersby who are rushing by... do they ever put themselves in the actors' shoes and consider whether the actors are truly sincere or just putting on an act?"

Mary, who was following behind, was already getting a little dizzy from listening.

So philosophical...

Amamiya knew that Himeki's words were specifically for him... but it wasn't appropriate to give a reply right away.

After much deliberation, Amamiya casually replied, "The audience only needs to enjoy the actors' performance. As for whether there's emptiness 'behind the mask,' perhaps... it's already revealed in the actors' performance?"

"indeed……"

Mary, who found Fei-Saki's 'classical Chinese' obscure and difficult to understand, nodded thoughtfully.

As spectators, we cannot truly feel the emotions of the performers, but... whether a performer loves the role can be estimated entirely through their attitude.

【~???~】(Mary)

“It’s interesting what Sensei says.”

"The key is not whether the audience likes it or not, but how the performers treat it."

“If the audience doesn’t like it, the performer can still appreciate it in solitude. But if the performer himself doesn’t like it, then no matter how loud the audience’s voice is, it will be of no use.”

Along the way, as Hisaki initiated the conversation about 'actors', Amamiya and Mary, whose eyes gradually welled up with small circles and who began to doubt whether going to the Classic of Mountains and Seas to find 'idol culture' was a good choice, arrived at the entrance of a garden.

From afar, Amamiya could see the plaque at the entrance, with its dragon and snake patterns and dark ink, that read "Peking Opera Department".

Even upon approaching, one could already smell a faint fragrance of peach blossoms.

Feixiao paused briefly at the door, then turned back and briefly introduced Mary, "This is the Peking Opera Department. Perhaps you can find the answer you are looking for here." Before pushing open the old-fashioned lacquered wooden door, she was about to do so.

"This is unnecessary for you, Sect Master... I'll do it."

Amamiya took the initiative, placing her hand on the door and slowly pushing it open.

With a creak, a spacious courtyard with a breathtaking view appeared before Amamiya.

Stone steps and railings, bright and colorful stone bridge over the water, an old tree with gnarled roots still standing in the small lake, and lotus flowers and withered autumn peach blossoms complementing each other in the pond.

In the square, several students dressed in masks and adorned with the Classic of Mountains and Seas were dancing with folding fans or other props that looked like they were used in operas, walking and singing with steps that Mary found quite novel.

"A smile brings spring to the heavens forever, while tears of sorrow entangle the soul."

"Life is like a dream, like a spring slumber; time flies by like water in the blink of an eye."

"Azaleas sing in the evening rain over green hills, and wisps of smoke curl around lily branches."

"Fate drifts aimlessly, where can it go? I ask Heaven, how can it take me to the distant lands?"

Standing there, Amamiya couldn't help but exclaim, "This singing style... it truly gives one the feeling of 'listening to celestial music and instantly brightening one's ears'!"

【~???~】(Feisaki)

【~??~】(Kaguya)

"Although one should 'remain silent while watching a play,' let's make an exception this time..."

Fei Xiao smiled faintly: "The art of opera is profound... Its essence is like a mountain stream... It is enough for those who understand it."

Mary did not immediately comment, but instead tried to immerse herself in this uniquely performed 'opera'.

The 'entertainer' described by Sensei and the sect leader of Hisaki seems to be a complex and pitiful figure...

But when you actually see it, you get a completely different feeling.

Their performances, while not conforming to the typical 'student idol' aesthetic and thus not widely accepted, still...

strangeness.

It has a... magnificent aura!

As Mary became increasingly engrossed in the performance, her impression of 'opera' changed repeatedly.

—If Sakura-sama were there, she would probably approve of this unique performance style.

Seeing Mary's cat ears drooping and her seemingly engrossed expression, Hisaki chuckled and stepped back without saying anything, quietly retreating to the other side of Amamiya.

“Sensei, allow me to introduce myself briefly…”

"She is Kaguya Urushihara, the head of the Peking Opera club."

Regarding the matter of 'dance'...

"If you have any questions, you may call her to answer them."

Chapter Thirty-One: Answer Me, Fei-Saki, What Does the Classic of Mountains and Seas Need Most?

The interior, decorated primarily in black and gold and inspired by the Classic of Mountains and Seas, is filled with the aroma of incense. A black-haired girl sits quietly, her eyes lowered and her breath held.

When the time was right, she picked up the warm and smooth purple clay teapot.

"Warming the cups and rinsing the teacups, oolong tea enters the palace. To understand the local culture and customs, and to serve such a 'special' guest, it is perhaps a kind of enjoyment."

Her hair was as black as ink, her strands as fine as silk. The girl in the dark cheongsam calmly and elegantly displayed a way of hospitality that was similar to, yet different from, the 'tea culture' that Mary was somewhat familiar with, but unique to the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

"The liquid is poured high into the pot, returning to its source... If no mistakes are made, this skill, though not enough to satisfy all the guests..."

Stopping what she was doing and putting the teapot back in its place, Hisaki chuckled and said the second half of her sentence: "...but it also lets the guests understand what it means to 'express feelings through objects'."

Holding the cup with both hands in a gesture of respect, Hisaki gracefully and kindly said, "...Please have some tea."

After her 'performance,' Hisaki uttered a few words, then suddenly looked at Amamiya with a bright and mischievous gaze: 'How was it? Sensei... Did my move win your heart?'

Amamiya: "..."

Why does the sect leader's attack power become exceptionally high whenever there are other students around?

Amamiya did not answer directly. Instead, she picked up her teacup, looked at Himeki, and said something vague.

"Whether moving or still, it gives one the feeling of a 'sky blue ink painting,' truly worthy of being the sect leader."

【~???~】(Feisaki)

"Not being frank, Sensei."

Setting down her teacup, Fei Xiao shook her head with a hint of regret.

"However, I will take this as a special compliment."

Mary picked up her teacup and savored the fragrant aroma emanating from the small cup.

'The tea-making process is very meticulous, completely different from the experience at Holy Trinity...'

Mary brought her cat ears to her nose and sniffed them gently, and they stood up immediately.

I've never tasted it before, but it smells amazing...

Mary had just taken a sip of her tea when she suddenly heard the door open.

A black-haired girl, still holding a folding fan and not yet removed from her costume, pushed open the door and greeted Amamiya with an enthusiastic and overly friendly tone: "Thank you for watching our performance, Sensei! Your arrival is a great honor for our Peking Opera Club! Please allow me, as the head of the Peking Opera Club, to welcome you!"