“Huh? Buy insurance?” Jia Wenyu was dumbfounded. How could every step be so unexpected?

He subconsciously glanced towards his Director-General sitting in the back row.

Yan Guchen: “Drive your car. Don’t look around.”

After reprimanding his subordinate, he very naturally extended a hand to shake Yuan Qingzhi’s. “Of course, that’s part of our duty. If the matter is resolved smoothly, the Si Tian Jian will also directly apply to the higher-ups for the maximum possible fee.”

He was already prepared for an exorbitant demand, but unexpectedly, it was just about buying insurance.

What the Si Tian Jian feared most right now was this lifeline, this little ancestor, throwing in the towel. Seeing a chance to pull her onto their pirate ship, they had to agree immediately.

“Thank you, thank you.”

This effectively soothed Yuan Qingzhi’s heart.

Working folk like her enjoyed dealing with client bosses who were generous, easy to talk to, and amenable to suggestions.

“So, regarding the current situation, do you have any plans?”

Having settled the payment, Yuan Qingzhi shifted into work mode. “Setting aside the huge hidden danger of Yu Mengjing for now, ‘natural opera talent’ isn’t omnipotent. It’s absolutely absurd to think I alone can stop the fusion of reality and opera. Hmm… unless you have a feasible plan.”

Although she really wanted the money, she never intentionally exaggerated her abilities.

“We understand that, of course. In fact, before finding you, the Si Tian Jian had already consulted numerous ancient texts and found some clues about how to stop the fusion. ‘The one who tied the bell must untie it.’ Only opera can seal opera.”

Yan Guchen wearily rubbed the bridge of his nose. “So we invited masters to set up a formation on the opera stage for the Grand Opera Festival. If everything proceeds smoothly according to plan, the Si Tian Jian is at least ninety percent confident we can seal Night Journey Chronicles away again.”

“Oh, so if you already had a method, you came looking for me because something went wrong.”

Hearing this, Jia Wenyu in the front seat coughed again, nearly losing control of the accelerator.

Yan Guchen said helplessly, “Sorry to embarrass ourselves in front of you, Miss Yuan. Honestly, this is the first time that Si Tian Jian has encountered such a situation.”

“…Aren’t you guys in charge of supernatural affairs?”

“Supernatural affairs, yes, but perhaps not the kind you’re imagining. Our most common task usually involves using our name to lead the charge in persuading people not to engage in feudal superstitions.”

“Yeah,” Jia Wenyu piped up again after his coughing fit. “In the past, Si Tian Jian’s title of ‘supernatural affairs supervisor’ was mostly used to scare people. Most of us in the agency just know a bit of Feng Shui and geomancy, maybe using Qi Men Dun Jia for finding auspicious locations at best. Who would’ve thought we’d run into the real deal?”

Yuan Qingzhi was incredulous. “Huh?”

So you guys are just an amateur outfit?!

As they spoke, the commercial van silently pulled to a stop.

Yan Guchen got out first, walked around, and opened the door for her, not forgetting to add, “Miss Yuan, although this situation is extremely tricky, it truly is an exception. Under normal circumstances, please believe in science.”

Yuan Qingzhi: “…”

Fine, you’re paying, so whatever you say goes.

It was evening when they left the Pear Garden, and now night had fully fallen.

In preparation for the Grand Opera Festival in three days, the entire Qingcheng Ancient Street had been revitalized.

Red lanterns hung high on both sides of the street lined with imitation ancient architecture.

Tree branches were wrapped section by section with golden light strips.

Landscape lights worked day and night in the artificial canals, providing illumination for the small awning boats offering night cruises.

Clearly, the weather tonight couldn’t be better.

The breeze carried a warm, slightly tipsy feeling.

Pedestrians who had finished dinner strolled lazily under the glittering golden lights.

When the wind blew, they were bathed in fiery trees and silver flowers (idiom for brilliant lights).

There were already so many people on the ancient street on a weekday; one could only imagine the crowd size during the weekend festival itself.

It would undoubtedly be packed solid, shoulder to shoulder.

Yan Guchen looked up at the sky, his expression grim.

“It’s been sunny these past few days, but the weather station predicts light rain on the day of the Grand Opera Festival.”

Water was the medium connecting reality and the opera, the key to Night Journey Chronicles‘ manifestation.

He had already mentioned this in the car, and Yuan Qingzhi nodded, indicating she understood.

“Does that mean we have to finish this before the Grand Opera Festival?”

“No, quite the opposite. The day of the festival is the most crucial.”

The Si Tian Jian members led her through the surging crowd.

Qingcheng boasted numerous famous historical sites.

Nearby, many young people had come specifically for the Grand Opera Festival, crowding around various scenic spots, taking photos.

Seeing the Si Tian Jian members in their strikingly uniform ancient attire, they assumed they were festival staff or a professional cosplay group and raised their phones to record.

Seeing this, Jia Wenyu quickly flashed his ID and stepped forward to intervene.

“Where were we… Oh, right. We set up a formation on the central opera stage to separate the opera from reality. For this, we invited four of today’s leading opera masters to serve as the linchpins of the formation.”

Despite being targeted by phone cameras, Yan Guchen kept his eyes forward, avoiding the flashes as he explained in a low voice, “But at that time, the Si Tian Jian hadn’t fully confirmed the medium connecting opera and reality, nor did we realize the situation had become so severe.”

“Because of our negligence, three of the masters disappeared unexpectedly on the stage during rehearsals a few days ago.”

Hearing this, Yuan Qingzhi already had a good idea. “I understand what you mean, but I need to see the scene myself.”

“No problem.”

As they spoke, they had quickly arrived at the very center of Qingcheng Ancient Street.

This was an extremely spacious square, surrounded by low buildings.

In the center stood a dark brown ancient wooden opera stage with a hollowed-out mortise and tenon structure on all four sides.

Bracket sets supported the flying eaves at the four corners, and a gilded plaque reading “Life is Like a Play” hung in the middle.

Due to the strange disappearances here a few days ago, the area around the central opera stage in the ancient street’s center had been cordoned off with yellow police tape.

To avoid escalating the situation and causing public panic, police officers disguised as security guards patrolled every entrance, using the excuse that the stage was under repair to prohibit tourists from entering freely.

“Director-General Yan.” Seeing the Si Tian Jian group, the female police captain who had been repeatedly reviewing surveillance footage hurried over. “We’ve conducted another sweep of the Qingcheng Ancient Street area, but still haven’t found them.”

Several famous opera performers rehearsing on stage, then suddenly vanishing in plain sight halfway through—Police Captain Xue Zhuyu, a veteran of decades, had never heard of such a bizarre and strange case.

“It’s alright, Captain Xue. This is already beyond the realm of normal explanation. Besides, we’ve found personnel with the right expertise.”

Hearing this, Xue Zhuyu looked at Yuan Qingzhi, her eyes tinged with curiosity. “This is the one Teacher Cheng mentioned, the one with natural opera talent?”

“Indeed. Miss Yuan is Grandmaster Liu’s daughter…”

While the Si Tian Jian member was explaining, Yuan Qingzhi had already, self-taught, walked over to the central opera stage.

She circled clockwise twice around this uniquely styled stage—a rare four-sided design allowing viewing from all directions, contrary to traditional stage forms.

Then, ignoring the startled cries of the security guards behind her, she lifted the hanging dark red curtain and climbed up without a word.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, she’s a professional, there won’t be any problem,” Jia Wenyu quickly rushed over to vouch for her.

Yuan Qingzhi, true to her word when paid, was always reliable. She stomped on the stage surface, then crouched down to touch the scattered dust on the floor.

Looking at the damp traces on her fingertips, she pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Was it raining on the day of the rehearsal?”

“Yes, there was a sudden downpour that day.”

“Mm, then that’s it.” Yuan Qingzhi took the tablet handed to her by Si Tian Jian.

Seeing the footage of the performers, who were rehearsing separately, suddenly disappearing from the stage, an “I knew it” expression appeared on her face.

She stated her conclusion directly: “They entered the play.”

“Huh?”

“What, is it strange? Haven’t you already investigated and found out that water is the medium connecting opera and reality? And this medium is actually two-way.” Yuan Qingzhi countered, “Actually, I’ve been wondering, since you already detected the trend of Night Journey Chronicles merging with reality, why did you keep focusing on the opera appearing in reality, completely ignoring the possibility that reality could also enter the opera?”

“So when you say ‘entering the play,’ you mean it literally?”

Jia Wenyu spoke hesitantly, “Figures from the opera can come to reality, and people from reality can also enter the opera?”

“Yes, this situation is actually rare, but not unheard of.” Yuan Qingzhi nodded, affirming his statement. “It’s normal that you haven’t heard the term ‘entering the play’ (入戏 – rù xì), because it’s seldom mentioned after entering the modern era. Nowadays, probably only some old opera masters know about it… like Old Cheng, who advised you to come find me for help.”

While she was speaking, Yan Guchen finished his discussion with Xue Zhuyu and walked over.

Coincidentally hearing her words, a flash of understanding crossed his eyes, and he naturally picked up the thread, “Entering the play is the highest state all opera performers pursue throughout their lives, equivalent to the Buddhist concept of ‘sudden enlightenment’. Once triggered, the performer becomes completely immersed in the play, elevating the entire performance’s completion and artistry to an incredible, even artistic masterpiece level.”

“Unfortunately, even for famous, established performers, old seniors who have sung opera their whole lives, the number of times they can ‘enter the play’ is countable on one hand, possibly even zero. It’s something that cannot be sought, only encountered.”

Their Director-General truly was a seasoned opera enthusiast, so knowledgeable.

Standing aside, Jia Wenyu was filled with solemn respect.

“Mm, that’s right.” Yuan Qingzhi gave an appreciative look. “As for why three masters would ‘enter the play’ simultaneously this time… it must be influenced by the fusion of Night Journey Chronicles and reality. Plus, it was pouring rain that day—isn’t water the best medium? Otherwise, the probability of it happening normally is comparable to a comet hitting the Earth.”

The Si Tian Jian members all had expressions of sudden realization.

“Actually, the reason the Si Tian Jian invited you here wasn’t necessarily to have you solve it all alone.”

“I know. Sealing the opera is asking too much of me. But I can help you awaken those three masters who ‘entered the play.’ That way, when the Grand Opera Festival begins, they can serve as the linchpins of the formation to seal the opera.”

“Miss Yuan is astute.” Yan Guchen pressed his lips together. “We also know this request is demanding, as the dangers of ‘entering the play’ are self-evident… But with things having reached this point, you are indeed the only one who can turn the tide and change everything. Otherwise, if the fusion continues, the consequences will be unthinkable.”

Since the decline of opera, contemporary masters have become increasingly rare, countable on one hand.

If these three masters who ‘entered the play’ couldn’t be awakened, the formation naturally couldn’t be activated, let alone seal Night Journey Chronicles away.

Ultimately, the only hope still rested on the sole person in the world with natural opera talent.

“Mm, I understand. Don’t worry, I have strong professional ethics. Since I took the money, I’ll do my best.”

Yuan Qingzhi stretched languidly where she stood. “Since we’ve talked everything through, we can pretty much begin. Which opera did the first unlucky soul enter? Bring me the script. Oh, right, are you sure you want to retrieve those masters and stop the fusion at all costs?”

“Yes, we are sure.”

“Even if it means losing a few precious cultural relics?”

“Naturally.”

“Then quickly notify the relevant departments to retrieve the original fragmented manuscript of Night Journey Chronicles stored in the Qingcheng Museum. It will be useful later.”

“Wait, Miss Yuan,” Jia Wenyu was a bit lost, not understanding how things suddenly accelerated. “We haven’t had time to notify the opera troupe members yet. It might take time for them to get here…”

“No need. I alone am enough.”

“Huh? You’re going to perform a one-woman show?”

“…”

Yuan Qingzhi gave Jia Wenyu an indescribable look. “Go ask your Director-General to explain it to you. I don’t have time right now.”

“Get the makeup artist, the costume manager, the prop master, and the entire orchestra—percussion, strings, wind—over here, quickly!”

She glanced down at her wristwatch, her previous lazy, salted-fish demeanor gone, replaced by swift and decisive command-giving. “It’s seven o’clock now. If we push it, let’s aim to start around ten. Don’t drag it out past Zi Shi (11 PM).”

Watching the hem of Yuan Qingzhi’s clothes flutter as she walked away, Jia Wenyu was completely bewildered and turned to look at his Director-General.

“Something’s not right. Boss, didn’t Miss Yuan say earlier that she’s never sung opera? Can she handle this situation now?”

“Listen to her.” Yan Guchen waved his hand dismissively and, without another word, began preparing the scene with Xue Zhuyu.

“In short, just do whatever Miss Yuan says, unconditionally.”

Before leaving, he reminded Jia Wenyu one last time, his words tinged with regret for the loss and decline of modern opera.

“After all, you fundamentally don’t understand the terrifying power of natural opera talent.”

Only an old opera fan like Yan Guchen truly knew what those words meant.

Those born with natural opera talent can inherently enter the play.

They are beings born for opera.