The guests, upon hearing this, hastened their steps.
From a bird's-eye view, the white lanterns resembled fireflies returning home, quickly surging into the opera house before being seated in an orderly fashion.
The opera house itself was overgrown with weeds, but many bamboo chairs had been set up in advance.
The guests sat on the bamboo chairs, gazing forward at a two-meter-tall opera stage.
The stage was dilapidated, and the backdrop mural had been defaced with various strange writings.
Once everyone was assembled, the paper effigy doorman closed the doors and shouted back, "The time has come!"
The sounds of gongs, drums, and suona horns blared simultaneously.
The audience below became serious, as if about to greet a person of great importance, rather than waiting for actors to perform.
Soon, a frail actor in costume emerged from beneath the stage.
His makeup was exquisite, presenting him as a delicate young Dan, a female role. As he ascended, he performed a solo and sang, but his voice was incredibly unpleasant and grating.
His voice was like a rusty saw scraping wood, so harsh it made one's skin crawl, feel dizzy, and suffer from chest tightness and nausea.
However, no one dared to question his voice. Everyone endured the discomfort, forcing smiles and expressions of anticipation, occasionally applauding.
Finally, the song concluded.
All the spectators couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"Esteemed guests, are you satisfied with my performance?" the actor on stage asked with a smile.
"Satisfied! Satisfied!" the audience below applauded. "We've long heard that Ghost Nuo Opera is extraordinary, and today we've finally witnessed it!"
One spectator even stood up, clapping and praising, "Sect Leader Li's singing is first-class! I would gladly listen to it my entire life! May I request Sect Leader Li to sing another song?"
Such hypocrisy!
The other guests silently fumed: Is Li Genmiao's singing meant for the living? It's for the dead!
If you like it so much, then die!
Don't drag us down with you!
Anyone could see that the standing spectator was currying favor.
Li Genmiao smiled at him and introduced the audience, "This gentleman was once a member of the Profound Mountain Sect, known by the nickname 'Rat.' He was once Yan Chou's trusted confidant and is the most senior among suona players. He now pledges allegiance to me."
The audience below showed expressions of understanding, thinking that such a person, who also enjoyed flattery, must be highly valued by Li Genmiao.
They resolved to maintain a good relationship with him in the future!
Rat rubbed his hands gleefully, seemingly enjoying Li Genmiao's praise.
As everyone was observing Rat, Li Genmiao beckoned, and a long spear materialized in his hand as if by magic!
With a "shing" sound, the spear pierced Rat's chest, the suona player!
The entire venue erupted in shock!
Didn't Rat pledge allegiance to Li Genmiao? Why would Li Genmiao suddenly attack him?!
It was widely known that Li Genmiao had a peculiar personality and a penchant for bloodshed, but they never imagined he was so deranged as to kill his own subordinate!
"You... why..." Rat, with blood trickling from his mouth, looked at Li Genmiao in disbelief.
Li Genmiao's lips curved upwards as he patted Rat's shoulder and whispered:
"Did you think I didn't know you deliberately infiltrated my side to relay information to Yan Chou?"
Rat's eyes widened.
So Li Genmiao had known all along!
"Originally, I intended to use you for a while longer, to feed Yan Chou more false information. However, the situation is special this time, and I can only make an example of you to warn others."
Li Genmiao smiled, wiped the blood from Rat's mouth with his hand, and then slapped Rat with that bloody hand!
He withdrew the spear, kicked Rat to the ground, and then, stepping on his body, repeatedly thrust the spear until Rat was disfigured beyond recognition!
Blood splattered onto the stage, adding a vibrant hue to the old, dilapidated platform.
Li Genmiao, his face covered in blood, raised his head with a smile and addressed the audience:
"Those who achieve great things must be decisive! I, Li Genmiao, detest opportunists! If any of you truly wish to join the New Profound Mountain Sect and alter the current landscape of the Xuanmen, you must swear an oath here!"
"You shall serve me wholeheartedly and loyally, or your fate will be like this street rat! Do not think you can hide anything from me. I, Li Genmiao, am everywhere, with countless eyes watching you at all times..."
As Li Genmiao spoke, he swept his gaze menacingly across everyone present.
Each person he looked at involuntarily lowered their head, daring not to make eye contact with this madman.
"I am now giving you an opportunity. Anyone who wishes to back out, step through that door now, and I, Li Genmiao, will not hold it against you. I will pretend I never met you today!"
After speaking, Li Genmiao sat at the edge of the stage, his expression relaxed, waiting quietly.
After about ten seconds, a middle-aged man in a Daoist robe shakily stood up and asked in a tentative tone:
"C-can I withdraw?"
Li Genmiao chuckled, "You are an elder from the Laoshan Talisman Sect. Of course, you can withdraw. Go, I won't stop you."
The elder from the Laoshan Talisman Sect, hearing this, felt as if he had been granted a great pardon. He didn't wish to stay a moment longer and turned to run outside.
Li Genmiao rose, juggled the spear in his hand, then aimed at the elder's back and threw it with force...
Just as the elder was about to reach the opera house door, the spear accurately pierced his body, pinning him to the door.
"Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha!"
The audience below fell silent, while Li Genmiao on stage roared with laughter.
"Who !!! ELSE !!! wants to withdraw!?"
Suddenly, his face contorted into a ferocious mask, and he bent over, staring at the audience below, roaring in a hoarse voice.
At his shout, everyone flinched, and no one dared to speak.
They knew Li Genmiao would not let them go.
Once they crossed the threshold of this opera house, there was absolutely no turning back...
They had never witnessed such ruthless methods of operation as Li Genmiao's.
"No one wants to leave?" Li Genmiao smiled. "This is your own choice. I didn't force you."
Yes, yes, you didn't force us. You just killed everyone who wanted to leave...
The crowd dared not reply. Li Genmiao said with a grin, "Elder Zhou from Longhu Mountain Heavenly Master's Mansion, Daoist Master Zhao, the personal disciple of the Wudang Sect's Sect Leader, Vice Abbot Liu Gaoseng of Hanshan Temple..."
He listed the identities of the guests one by one. Upon counting, it turned out most of them were prominent figures from reputable sects!
Why had they gathered here?
Why were they willing to serve Li Genmiao?!
For some unknown reason, as these guests learned of each other's identities, their previously uneasy hearts gradually relaxed.
Perhaps it was because they saw others, like themselves, who held high positions yet had chosen to join the New Profound Mountain Sect, which offered them a measure of comfort.
Indeed, doing wrong deeds together made one feel more at ease...