A difficult beast battle had ended.
The young Yuan Yi and the young Yuan Dasheng walked in the deserted alley.
Yuan Dasheng was covered in wounds, each step pulling at his injuries, causing him to grimace in pain.
Yuan Yi clutched his pocket, which contained his only three Half Spirit Stones.
He gritted his teeth and finally said, "Dasheng, stay here. I'll go to the apothecary over there and at least get you some ointment!"
Yuan Yi left, and Yuan Dasheng staggered, leaning against the cold wall, slowly sitting on the ground.
He panted heavily. The act of sitting down also aggravated his wounds, making his heart race with pain.
The alley was empty, the light dim, as if he was the only one left in the world.
Suddenly, a gong sounded.
Yuan Dasheng instinctively looked up. The sound came from the opposite wall.
Then the drumbeat started, and someone called out loudly, "Next, please welcome Master Li Leifeng to perform a puppet show for the old family master. The show's name is 'Qin Lie Goes to Battle'!"
In the next moment, the platform slowly rose, and the puppets with their varied appearances began their performance.
Yuan Dasheng looked up, peering through the gaps in the trees at the puppets, who spoke and moved like real people, creating a lively scene.
Li Leifeng's puppeteering skills were superb, and amidst the gong, drum, and lute, Yuan Dasheng gradually forgot his pain and became engrossed in the performance.
The play progressed, reaching its most climactic segment.
The villain set a trap, falsely accusing Qin Lie of amassing soldiers and harboring treachery. The young lord issued three imperial decrees in quick succession, insisting that Qin Lie, despite his severe wounds, lead the charge.
Commander Qin Lie, with three battle flags on his back, struggled to his feet, lifted his long spear, and trudged step by heavy step towards the front lines.
He sang:
"Raised with the benevolence of the former lord, his grace like a mountain engraved in my heart. Taught me loyalty and to defend the land, gave me wisdom and bravery to stand."
"The former lord's kindness, like a father and brother, helping me grow, teaching loyalty and righteousness, bestowing wisdom and courage..."
The gong sounded steadily and forcefully, as if announcing the weight and heroism of this battle.
He sang again:
"Though the young lord be young, I support him, like a father and brother, giving my all. Though mistrusted, I bear no grudge; may our nation stand strong forevermore."
"The young lord is but a child; I supported you to ascend, like nurturing a sapling hoping you'd grow. Though suspected, I bear no ill; may you restore the nation's fortunes..."
The jinghu emitted a high, clear sound, at times mournful and heart-wrenching; at times melodious, expressing Qin Lie's certain expectations.
Commander Qin Lie fought on the battlefield like a fierce lion, slaughtering enemies endlessly, terrifying the opposing forces.
He sang again:
"Though aged, my spirit remains, spilling my blood to repay the nation's grace. The former lord's spirit smiles in the heavens; I have no regrets to the battlefield."
The drum resounded, its thick and inspiring beat like galloping warhorses, grand and magnificent. Yuan Dasheng watched, his blood boiling!
Qin Lie battled long without retreat, his wounds worsening, his strength depleted, eventually falling on the battlefield, unable to break through the enemy's heavy ranks despite his reinforcements' efforts.
Realizing his impending death, Qin Lie looked up and sang:
"The former lord's grace remembered forever, the young lord, my heart yearns to revive the state. Shedding blood on the battlefield, not in vain, my soul returns to comfort the former lord."
"Why fear the enemy! Thousands of troops are not to be daunted!"
"My death is not for fame or riches, but for a heart of pure loyalty."
"Recalling the heavy grace of the former lord, with the nation in peril, how could I retreat?"
"Young lord, may you know, loyal ministers would give their lives willingly. After my death, may you understand, a loyal heart protects our land."
The rhythm of the gong and drums shifted many times, holding both the tension of battle and the tragic grandeur of farewell.
Finally,
Qin Lie perished alongside the enemy commander.
In his final moments, he faced the capital, half kneeling, clasped his hands in salute: "My lord, your humble servant is departing!"
A resounding drumbeat shook the entire stage.
Suddenly, the suona played, its piercing, sorrowful notes filled with tragic grandeur, seemingly penetrating time and space, striking Yuan Dasheng's heart.
The suona continued for a moment, then the flute joined in. The flute's sound was crisp and pleasant, sometimes twisting and turning, sometimes high and exalted.
At last, the sound rose high, like a bluebird soaring, its faint body vanishing into the vast blue sky.
Yuan Dasheng looked up, silent for a long time.
This was his first time watching this puppet show. He could already understand human speech, and his mind and body were both deeply moved.
"Dasheng, Dasheng!" Yuan Yi ran back, holding several ointments in his hand.
He laughed: "We got lucky, the apothecary had a clearance sale, so I got these cheaply, several extra ointments!"
"Come, let me apply it for you."
Yuan Dasheng let Yuan Yi treat his wounds. He looked at Yuan Yi, then at the puppets on the high platform. The lantern light flickered like fire on his face, and from the other side of the wall, the sounds of celebration and applause constantly echoed in his ears.
"Get up, what are you sitting there for?" Yuan Yi stood up and took a step.
Yuan Dasheng reached out and pointed at the high platform opposite.
Yuan Yi turned back, unimpressed: "Oh, it's a puppet show."
Yuan Yi glanced again: "It's the 'Qin Lie Goes to Battle' story, a very famous piece."
"What a pity, he followed the wrong person."
Yuan Yi walked ahead, and Yuan Dasheng followed him.
As they were about to leave the alley, he turned back for one last glance at the mechanical stage.
The stage was slowly descending, the puppet playing Qin Lie was still half kneeling.
Yuan Dasheng looked at Yuan Yi's back and suddenly made several sounds.
Yuan Yi turned to look at Yuan Dasheng, confused, not understanding what he wanted to say. He just waved: "Come on, let's go home, fill our bellies, and get to bed early!"
...
Depending on each other, beast battles, Monkey Head Gang.
...
"Look, Dasheng, this is my child. He's my child!" Yuan Yi exclaimed with joy, "I have a child, I have a descendant in this world."