On stage, one person playing three roles as Zhong Kui sang as if possessed by madness.
Below the stage, three or five spectators applauded again and again, watching as if they were entranced.
Xu Qing stepped forward, and a spectator dressed in Western Regions attire made way, speaking in broken official language: "Brother, you've come at the perfect time, the opera is just reaching the exciting part."
"I know this opera, Zhong Kui catching ghosts. How do you have the courage to listen to this opera?"
The emaciated, pregnant-bellied merchant from the Western Regions laughed heartily: "He, Zhong Kui, catches ghosts, we are not ghosts!"
Xu Qing was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "A fool never admits to being a fool."
"What do you mean?"
The merchant was displeased: "Don't try to scare me, we people from the Western Regions don't believe in your Dayong ghosts and gods."