Fox Demon Cultivation Manual [ BL ]

Chapter 37

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That storytelling establishment was named Bai Shi Shuo. According to the people in the city, this storytelling house was originally a famous theater. Later, a big fire burned down a big part of it. It was then left aside for several years before it was turned into a storytelling house.

“A theater?” Song Ci pondered over it as he walked. In the first scene he saw earlier in the mirror, he was dressed in a stage costume–a red and blue outfit with white soft, flowing sleeves1 like that of an opera costume.

Rong Bai turned his head. “What are you thinking about?” 

“I feel that there is some connection between this theater and Miss Feng.” Song Ci did not dare to affirm his guess. He did not understand the link between them either. But somehow, he always felt as if there was some unknown relationship between them.

However, they had to find the common thread in these matters before they could solve all the puzzles.

Song Ci’s mind was in a fog.

Rong Bai said, “Why vex yourself over it? You merely have to walk on ahead and you will naturally know everything.”

“Walk on ahead? To where?” For a moment, he did not get Rong Bai’s pointer.

“The storytelling house.” Rong Bai answered.

Both of them left the Feng Residence and got into the horse carriage Feng Changyue had ordered someone to prepare. Then, they headed for the west of the city.

Song Ci sat opposite Rong Bai and watched as Rong Bai leaned against the wall of the carriage and closed his eyes to rest as soon as he got onto it. Although he knew that Rong Bai was not really sleeping, he still felt embarrassed enough to speak up and disturb him.

After hesitating for a moment, he decided to keep his question for another day.

It was then Rong Bai opened his eyes slightly and looked at Song Ci with those ink-black eyes. “What do you want to ask?”

Song Ci grinned in embarrassment and asked, “Master Rong, do you know what the Xingluo Chessboard is?”

The expression on Rong Bai’s face remained unchanged. After a pause, he said, “The Xingluo Chessboard is an array passed down from ancient times. The enclosed land within the array will form the chessboard, while humans make up the chess pieces. It’s an array that’s both righteous and evil.” 

His explanation was so simple that Song Ci did not get it. He probed, “Is it just a game of chess? Or does everyone in the array have to play a game of chess to break the array?

Rong Bai smiled and explained. “Xingluo Chessboard is an array with a wide range. As long as the object to hold up the array and the caster are powerful enough, even the entire human world can be designated as the chessboard. All the people within the array are the chess pieces. Each chess piece is controlled by the chess player himself. If the chess piece strayed from the original path, the array would suck it dry until the person is reduced to ashes. The power will then be transferred to the chess player.”

Song Ci looked as if he understood a little. “What did you mean by it being both righteous and evil?”

“It depends on the chess player. If he only wants to play a game and call it a day after finishing the game, then all the pieces will return to normal. But if he has another motive, then, that is another story.” Rong Bai explained lazily. “This array was originally created by the Devil King while he was thinking of his lover, so, it is by nature, not a demonic art.”