Chapter 288: The Unveiling of Longmen Escort Agency

Wow, I didn’t know it could be done like this!

If you hadn’t seen it, all would be well.

But one look had Cui Fangshan shaking his head in instant admiration.

The news not only detailed ‘how to play at Longmen Escort Agency’ but also included many first-time visitor impressions and tips.

“I used to wonder why Mingsha City built so many Longmen Escort Agencies—now it all makes sense!”

“Not only is it super fun, but you can also make money.”

“Exactly. I snagged a transport mission at the northern end of the ancient snack street’s Longmen Escort Agency. I rode the escort cart to deliver goods to Wudi City, earning a ten-dollar fee while saving on carriage and costume rental costs.”

“Just take on a mission, and the agency outfits you with escort attire and a dagger as your weapon!”

“What about you? I heard a tourist once took on a major escort run from Mingsha City to Hongsha Gang Village, earning over a hundred dollars in one go! If you want to make big money, you need to handle the big missions—from the Xianxia Zone to the Protectorate of West Liang.”

“Huh? You can leave the city?”

“What did you think? Mingsha County is only a few dozen kilometers from Mingsha City. Otherwise, any tourist could get it delivered right to Mingsha County.”

“I hear that at every branch of the Longmen Escort Agency, long lines of tourists are waiting to grab a mission. It’s downright hilarious.”

“Mingsha City sure knows how to create buzz! Just after the New Year, what a surprise!”

“So the real question is, when will the Longmen Escort Agency drama go live? I’m dying to see what kind of stories unfold there.”

“Same here!”

“If the show launches, I’ll definitely boost its ratings—after all, I once walked those escort routes myself.”

“Incredible! Truly incredible. This beats any forced publicity for a new show. The ratings just won’t drop! No wonder Yan City TV heaps praise on Haofang Culture.”

By the end, Cui Fangshan couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up.

Only then did he fully appreciate how effortless the Mingsha City collaboration was—no extra work needed, just mark your calendar and watch the ratings explode.

Thud, thud, thud! Just as Cui Fangshan reached for his phone to message a staff member, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in!”

“Leader!”

In an instant, the door swung open and Channel Director He Ruozhou entered the office.

“Director He, did you catch this morning’s entertainment hot search?”

Seeing He Ruozhou, Cui Fangshan quickly exclaimed.

“Director, I did. But it seems we now face an even bigger problem.”

As He Ruozhou nodded, worry was etched across his face.

“A bigger problem? What’s happening? Is there something wrong at the station?”

Cui Fangshan furrowed his brow.

Normally, today’s special search would have Yun Province TV’s production team celebrating. So why the gloomy expression?

“Director, it’s not our TV station—it’s the International Magic Competition!”

He Ruozhou quickly waved his hand.

“Just around 3 AM last night, some netizens mysteriously uploaded numerous videos on a well-known foreign forum—all about Long Kingdom’s traditional magic tricks. They even included explanation videos and slowed down the performance footage dramatically. It’s already sparking heated discussions among foreign netizens.”

“Ah? Is that so?”

Cui Fangshan was taken aback. “Yeah, especially our country’s classic traditional magic tricks. Our contestants are at a loss now! I bet contestants from other regions feel just as uncertain.”

He Ruozhou wore an expression of helpless resignation.

His concern stemmed from the fact that this year, Yun Province TV also sent several traditional magic contestants, planning to make an impact at the International Magic Competition.

Who would have thought that all the trick routines they were set to perform ended up compiled into video edits?

Particularly the classics: ‘The Three Immortals Return to the Cave’, ‘Immortal Plucking Beans’, and ‘Colorful Scarf Turns to Fish’.

“Immortal Plucking Beans” and “The Three Immortals Return to the Cave” involve sleight-of-hand acts where performers place a few beans in a bowl. With skillful moves, they transfer the beans between bowls, add more, or even use a chopstick, two bowls, and three balls to have the balls shuffle fluidly between them.

Without the secret reveals…

the audience would have thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Now, with the actions slowed down, how can the act be maintained? What will the judges say? And ‘Colorful Scarf Turns to Fish’ is even worse.

This trick, which creates something from nothing, requires a pre-arranged small fish tank. But the video even revealed where the tank was hidden—making it utterly unwatchable.

“So, not one trick remains unrevealed? With so many traditional acts in Long Kingdom!”

Cui Fangshan’s face grew increasingly grim.

“None!”

He Ruozhou managed a wry smile and shook his head.

Though Long Kingdom’s traditional magic has a long and mystifying history, it lacks systematic instruction—primarily passed down through master-disciple mentorships. In recent years, fewer have pursued these ancient tricks.

Meanwhile, abroad there are even specialized magic schools!

With abundant talent, their creativity only grows.

Moreover, Long Kingdom’s traditional magicians lack innovation and focus on different aspects.

Foreign magicians dare to dream, constantly breaking new ground, while Long Kingdom’s inheritors simply add on—’if you can produce one, I’ll produce two, three, until we reach the peak.’

Plus, Long Kingdom’s traditional acts are often dictated by gala themes—perform what the event requires.

It’s enough to cause panic!

The International Magic Competition isn’t just a gala—it pits magicians from various countries against each other. A disastrous loss could tarnish Long Kingdom’s reputation.

“It shouldn’t be this bad. As far as I know, our nation’s magic is split into the Southern and Northern schools. Their styles and focuses differ—you can’t have all the secrets revealed.”

Cui Fangshan still couldn’t quite believe it.

“Director, let me fetch the video for you! It clearly explains everything, even distinguishing between Southern and Northern magic.”

He Ruozhou couldn’t help but sigh.

No wonder—the video was probably already circulating domestically.

A few minutes later, He Ruozhou handed his phone to Cui Fangshan.

“Here.”

At first glance, everything seemed normal. But once Cui Fangshan looked closer, he was momentarily stunned.

The video detailed everything far more explicitly than he’d imagined—even the actors’ lines, supporting dialogue, intonations, and cues to capture the audience’s attention were all laid out. Even more disgusting, the ending explained the specific differences and developmental history of Long Kingdom’s Southern and Northern magic.

“Who on earth did this?”

After a long pause…

Cui Fangshan slumped back in his chair, worry etched on his face.

“I suspect it was those scheming foreigners!”

“What do they gain from this? Can’t we just expose their tricks in return?”

Cui Fangshan couldn’t help adding.

“Director, that won’t work. Foreign magicians are incredibly creative. Since they designed their tricks specifically for the competition, we wouldn’t even know where to begin if we tried to expose them.”

“So does that mean we’re bound to embarrass ourselves at the competition?”

“Most likely! I heard that contestants in other regions perform traditional acts that are more or less the same—different packaging with the same core. In the end, it’s all about who executes the technique best, while the trick itself remains unchanged.”

He Ruozhou let out a deep sigh.

“By the way, didn’t Mingsha City secure a spot in the main event too? Mingsha City is nearly unbeatable in traditional acts. Perhaps they can—”

Pausing, Cui Fangshan suddenly remembered something and quickly added,

“Director, it’s useless. Even if Mingsha City’s magician is outstanding, they can’t escape the limitations of the Southern or Northern style. Every trick has already been exposed! Besides, Mingsha City only got a spot by chance. It’s hard to say whether they even have ready contestants!”

Moreover, the venue there is still under construction, leaving no time to monitor the contestants.

He Ruozhou offered a bitter smile.

If it were another project, we could fully trust Mingsha City—but this time, things are truly baffling!

“So, what do we do now?”

“Everyone’s in a daze. There’s really no point in holding an internal selection for Long Kingdom anymore.”

“This…”

For a moment…

the office fell into a deathly silence.

Bang! Meanwhile, in an office on Yan City’s Second Ring…

a man in his fifties wore a face filled with fury.

“This is deliberate! Someone is purposely doing this to target Long Kingdom’s traditional magic!”

“Leader, what now? If the International Magic Competition is held abroad, the impact might be less. But since Mingsha City snagged the spot and, ever since the video was released, contestants in every region have lost their fighting spirit—many have even declared they won’t participate anymore.”

Opposite the desk, a middle-aged man spoke softly with his head bowed.

The man, named Xie Feiyang, is the President of the Long Kingdom Magic Association and effectively in charge of Long Kingdom’s participation in the International Magic Competition.

“What are we supposed to do? What else can we do! Aside from the host nation’s quota, even if you run exhausted, you must produce five contestants capable of competing in the main event!”

The man in his fifties slammed his hand on the desk.

“Leader, it’s not about finding people—it’s that our magic has been completely exposed.”

Xie Feiyang’s voice was nearly inaudible.