First on stage was the Realm-Keeping Commission's secretary.
As the representative of the official competition, he of course had to give a speech.
Looking at his pale face, dark circles under his eyes, and his posture as if he could die from overwork on stage at any moment, Chu Ze couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement: "We're both secretaries, but the difference is really huge."
Qingque deeply agreed: "Yeah, compared to him, our nine-to-five is a blessing."
After exchanging a look, the two raised their cups of Celestial's Delight and happily clinked them together: "To freedom~"
While leisurely sipping their tea, the official programs of the gala finally began.
Someone rode a unicycle while fishing, vividly demonstrating what it means to be a "sky army" (a pun on getting skunked in fishing).
Someone was DJing while chanting scriptures, fully displaying the demeanor of a religious master.
There was even someone who did a live version of a "try not to laugh" challenge, playing short videos while desperately holding back laughter in front of everyone.
In the end, he couldn't hold it in at the last moment, let out a chuckle, and was forced to perform a trick with a lighter.
Chu Ze and Qingque watched with great interest, until Fu Xuan suddenly sent a message, briefly pulling him back to reality.
[Fu Xuan]: Be careful, this seat just did a divination.
[Fu Xuan]: There are many variables in this gala. You are on the scene, remember to be extra careful.
[Chu Ze]: Dianxin (be careful)? Where are the dianxin (pastries)? Bring me a piece.
[Fu Xuan]: ?
[Chu Ze]: Hehe.
[Fu Xuan]: You've lost your bonus for this month.
[Chu Ze]: Not hehe.
After joking with Ah Fu, Chu Ze was about to type again, but the enthusiastic discussion around him brought his attention back to reality.
Looking at the stage, he saw a performer emerge with a spin, his cloth shoes stepping on the drumbeat, shattering the mottled light and shadow.
At first glance, he looked like a fair-faced scholar, but he was taking small, feminine steps, sitting down on the carved bed of a bridal chamber with a dazed expression.
"Let me apply the red frost for my lord~ Lips like blood, skin like frost~"
A falsetto voice was squeezed out of his throat. The scholar's fingertips, dipped in non-existent rouge, drew faint bloodstains on his cheeks.
"Let me light the candle for my lord~ Bones as the wick, flesh as the fragrance~"
The candlelight in the room flickered slightly. The nuptial wine, which should have symbolized the great joy of a new marriage, now seemed incredibly eerie.
"Let me undo my robe for my lord~ The hibiscus tent is warm, satisfying my hunger~"
The tone suddenly rose, this was the climax of the flower-drum opera called "The Nuptial Rite."
The bridegroom, bewitched by a Suiyang, acted as if there were two people, dancing gracefully with the invisible bride.
Even the soldiers stationed on the periphery were attracted by the suddenly raised voice, their gazes subconsciously turning to the stage.
And in that moment of their laxity...
BOOM!!!!
A sudden explosion sounded.
The opera was interrupted.
The lights went out.
The entire venue was plunged into a brief darkness.
...
...
Dust began to fill the air.
The atmosphere gradually became strange.
The audience's consciousness returned to reality, looking around at the situation in a daze.
"What's going on?"
"Something seems to have exploded!"
"Is this this year's attack?"
"Why did it explode from the inside... have the enemies already infiltrated!"
While people were discussing, another explosion came from the audience seats.
BOOM!!!!
This time, the backup power came online, and the scene was once again illuminated.
But along with the explosion, a shout suddenly echoed through the venue:
"Feed the horses and sharpen the weapons, rest on your spears and wait for battle!"
"The time has come, today we rise!"
In the northwest corner of the audience seats, a large group of spectators suddenly tore off their outer clothes, revealing the cyan-green lining inside.
Clearly, they had planned this for a long time and had infiltrated without anyone noticing!
And as if in response, a mighty shout erupted from the southwest corner of the audience area:
"Thousand-Handed Merciful, the Plague Author saves the world!"
"Biding our time, waiting only for today!"
They also tore off their outer clothes, also revealing green lining.
The audience's faces changed, and the originally orderly evacuation teams immediately became chaotic.
"To the east sector, evacuate from the east sector quickly!"
A Cloud Knight shouted loudly.
However, before the audience could move, a shout also came from near the evacuation route in the east sector:
"Now is the time to rise!"
"Brothers and sisters, kill the hounds of the Arrow-Demon, and restore peace to the Xianzhou!"
This group was even more formidable.
Because they were all wearing Cloud Knight uniforms, they were clearly moles who had infiltrated the army long ago!
This also explains why there were Plague Author followers mixed in the venue!
"Kill—"
Like a string of firecrackers ignited by a flame, followers of the Denizens of Abundance appeared everywhere in the venue.
Many of them even transformed on the spot, becoming Disciples of Sanctus Medicus with a strong Abundance aura.
Using their green clothes as a mark, they each drew out their hidden weapons and rushed towards the nearby Cloud Knight soldiers.
Under the sudden attack, and having to protect the surrounding civilians, the Cloud Knight soldiers on the scene were actually suppressed for a short time!
"Very good, very good!"
"Keep making a scene like this, create huge chaos!"
Several figures in solid-colored long robes appeared in the crowd.
They were the Deacons commanding the followers, and the one at the head was a respected regional Helmsman.
Looking at the chaotic scene, the Helmsman couldn't help but hum:
"If this chaos continues, we can buy more time for the [grand plan] and receive more rewards from the Plague Author..."
The Deacons also said with pleasure:
"Lord Helmsman is a brilliant strategist, we are far inferior!"
"This wave, the advantage is mine!"
"Hehehe... gagaga..."
The Helmsman waved his hand:
"Alright, you few spread out and guide the brothers and sisters to cause even greater chaos."
"Before the Cloud Knights' reinforcements arrive, we must turn this place upside down!"
"Yes!"
The Deacons scattered and quickly joined their respective battlefields.
And with the addition of these Pathstriders, the sounds of killing and shouting in various places became even more intense.
...
...
"Wow, what a powerful presence."
Mixed in the crowd, Qingque couldn't help but look at the muscular man beside her:
"Brother Chu Ze, are you still not going to make a move? The scene is already so chaotic!"
But Chu Ze just smiled mysteriously:
"See, you're getting anxious again."
"Although your professional skills are outstanding, in terms of worldly experience, you still need more training."
Hmm? Why say that?
Qingque scratched her head and re-examined the battlefield with some confusion.
The incident happened suddenly, and the Cloud Knights stationed at the scene were caught off guard, already at a disadvantage.
If they didn't receive support soon, the soldiers might suffer casualties, and then it would be too...
Huh, wait.
Didn't the Ten-Lords Commission send the Netherworld Marshals?
And it seems little brother Yanqing hasn't made a move either?
Qingque was, after all, extremely intelligent. With just a small hint, she immediately understood:
"Could it be?"
"That's right."
The corner of Chu Ze's mouth curled up as he looked at the chaotic venue:
"The big one is coming."
And just as his voice fell, a powerful sword qi that seemed to shoot straight into the clouds suddenly erupted from a certain part of the venue.
"It seems these are all the spies."
"That's good too. We'll just wipe you all out here."
Yanqing finally stopped hiding, his aura erupting.
The precious sword beside him showed its sharp edge. The handsome young man gathered his qi and shouted in a deep voice:
"Where are the Cloud Knights!?"
"Here!!"
The next moment, the scattered and fleeing audience members suddenly stopped in their tracks.
The panicked expressions on their faces disappeared, replaced by the unique resolute expression of soldiers.
Cloth robes were torn off, weapons were in hand.
These chatting and bragging audience members were actually all disguised elite Cloud Knight soldiers!
Yanqing waved his finger, his presence commanding:
"Form up to meet the enemy, protect the Xianzhou!"
"Yes!!"
Battle blades were raised.
A forest of shields was formed.
The well-coordinated Cloud Knight soldiers formed a powerful battle formation in the blink of an eye.
And following Yanqing's command, the long-hidden Ten-Lords Commission forces, led by Xueyi, also broke into the battlefield:
"Hunt the Plague Author, execute the rebels!"
"Kill!!"
The guards from the netherworld were best at reaping the lives of the living.
They cooperated with the Cloud Knights and raised their butcher knives against the panicked Plague Author followers.
And so, the situation at the gala venue underwent a dramatic reversal!
The fool who thought he was the hunter had finally become the prey of others!
-------
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