Chapter 379: Ch 379 : Yun Jin’s New Opera
Along the way, Neuvillette and Zhongli chatted normally, as if they were nothing more than ordinary people—certainly not the Geo Archon or the Hydro Dragon Sovereign...
And as time passed, there was still nothing unusual in their behavior.
From the looks of it, at least for now, this method of "meeting in disguise" seemed to pose no problem at all.
Before long, the group arrived at the Heyu Tea House...
The Heyu Tea House had long been a beloved leisure spot for the people of Liyue after a hard day’s work.
First, because its owner, Master Fan Er, had an exceptional business mind; second, because the teahouse’s storytellers were remarkably skilled...
And the third reason?
Because Liyue’s renowned opera troupe—the Heyu Opera Troupe, led by Yun Jin—was affiliated with it.
Yun Jin herself would occasionally perform on that very stage.
For delicious food, one could go upscale to Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk, or down-to-earth to Wanmin Restaurant, street vendors, or hole-in-the-wall eateries...
For storytelling, Liyue had no shortage either— Iron Tongue Tian of Third-Round Knockout, or Mei Fanglan of Yujing Terrace.
Storytellers could be found on nearly every corner of the city.
But as for hearing Yun Jin sing opera—that was a rare treat.
Thus, Yun Jin’s fans often lingered around the Heyu Tea House, sharing their insights on past performances and eagerly waiting for her next show.
The tea house had gained many regulars, and nine out of ten of them were Yun Jin’s loyal fans—something that greatly pleased Master Fan Er.
Though Yun Jin had not yet taken the stage, and the opera had not begun, the seats were already packed...
If Su Yuan and the others had arrived even a little later, they’d probably have had to stand and watch the show.
"Though Yun Jin is still quite young, she has already become the pillar and leader of the Heyu Opera Troupe—proof enough of her refined insight and exceptional skill,"
Zhongli spoke slowly:
"Among the Liyue Qixing, Star of Yuheng—Keqing—is always speaking of ’reform’..."
"If we apply that concept to Yun Jin and the Heyu Opera Troupe: no matter how good or excellent a traditional culture is, if it refuses to evolve and clings stubbornly to the old ways, it will inevitably be swept away by the tide of history..."
"As for traditional culture, one must preserve its essence and discard what’s outdated—and Yun Jin has managed to do just that."
"While retaining the finest aspects of tradition, she has also incorporated many novel elements into her performances."
"In the past, traditional opera mainly praised the stories of the Geo Archon and the Adepti of Liyue..."
"But now, this is an era of humanity in Liyue. It is time... to celebrate the stories of people themselves."
"I believe that soon, you’ll understand exactly what I mean."
Not long after, amid the cheers and applause of the audience, the stage curtains slowly parted—revealing Yun Jin’s graceful figure before the crowd.
"Master Yun, wonderful! You’ve finally arrived! What opera will you be performing tonight?"
Many in the audience cheered loudly:
"What’s tonight’s performance? My brothers and I were hoping to hear ’The Divine Damsel of Devastation’ one more time!!"
"The ’Divine Damsel of Devastation’ they’re talking about is a play Yun Jin wrote herself a few years ago for the Lantern Rite Festival..."
Zhongli, seemingly stepping into the role of a guide, began explaining to Neuvillette beside him:
"Yun Jin is not only a performer—she’s also an accomplished playwright. In recent years, many of the Heyu Opera Troupe’s new works, beyond just ’The Divine Damsel of Devastation’, have been written by her as well."
"I understand," Neuvillette nodded.
"Much like in Fontaine, where the scripts and performances of the Opera Epiclese are often carried out by the same actor..."
"Anyone capable of such a feat is undoubtedly a master in their craft."
In response to the calls from the audience, Yun Jin simply offered a gentle smile and spoke:
"Today, a friend of mine came to me... and told me a story."
"After hearing it, I was deeply moved, and immediately turned it into a play!"
"What? So Master Yun came to the Heyu Tea House tonight... to debut a brand-new opera?!"
A wave of surprised voices rippled through the audience:
"Damn it! If I’d known, I would’ve told my friend to skip overtime and come watch Yun Jin’s new opera instead!"
"Master Yun finally wrote a new play—I’m so glad I came tonight! This trip was worth it... no, this life was worth it!!"
"Everyone," Yun Jin spoke gently, "I wanted so badly to share this story with you that I wrote the script a bit hastily. If there are any flaws, I ask for your understanding..."
"Master Yun, you’re too modest! We have complete faith in your writing and performance!"
"With everyone’s support, I feel no pressure at all now..."
Yun Jin smiled softly, took a deep breath, and began:
"This play is titled—The Hero Who Slays the Dragon..."
Hearing the name of the play, Su Yuan didn’t even know how to react...
The hero slays the evil dragon? The hero battles the dragon?
Wasn’t that the kind of cliché story from his world—the kind that had been told a thousand times over?
But on second thought, Su Yuan realized that Teyvat did have its fair share of evil dragons—so naturally, there would also be heroes...
Maybe the Traveler, Aether, counted as one of those heroes.
And maybe... he himself was a hero too?
After all, they were both chosen ones, with noble and kind hearts.
That had to qualify them as heroes, right?
"As another world opens, the hero crosses over."
"Thus begins the tale of a hero who journeys to a new realm, to face the evil dragon."
"How tragic—"
Yun Jin began narrating softly, and then her tone shifted into full operatic singing:
"Storms rise o’er a foreign land, a hero steps into the mortal span."
"Ahead lie trials yet unknown, with lofty dreams his heart is sown."
Su Yuan nodded.
Yeah, pretty classic setup.
The otherworldly hero with grand ambitions and a burning drive to make a difference—it was the starting point of practically every isekai story ever.
Yun Jin continued:
"The hero walks the road ahead,
A dragon waits where none dare tread.
With clever ploys, he earns their trust,
Finds kindred souls through bonds robust."
"The dragon’s shadow haunts each hill,
Elusive, silent, lurking still.
In quiet glades where thunder hides,
A storm brews dark beneath the skies."
"It tempts the mind, corrupts the soul,
Takes human hearts and makes them whole.
Yet when it roars and strikes the land,
United, friends together stand."
When Yun Jin finished that verse, rousing music erupted from the stage—instantly elevating the mood of the entire room.
The atmosphere was masterfully handled.
Though the lines were written in poetic, classical style, Su Yuan understood the gist clearly...
It told the story of a hero seeking to defeat a terrifying dragon.
Along the way, he used clever means to form bonds with companions, gathering allies for the coming battle.
But the dragon was no ordinary beast—it was everywhere, hiding in shadow, manipulating people’s minds, corrupting their bodies with dark power.
Clearly, this was no easy foe...
Yet even so, with the unity and strength of his comrades, the hero could still rise to the challenge and face the dragon head-on.
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