Chapter 21: A Dance That Pierces Through the Ages

"My... my lady, is that really the new Emperor of the Great Zhou?"

It was explosive—absolutely mind-blowing! Whether it was the elaborate setup for the Moon-Worship Festival, the bizarre attire worn by the palace members, or the way the Emperor of the Great Zhou made his entrance... each detail struck the crowd's hearts like a heavy hammer.

Yue Yao offered no response; her gaze was already captivated by the man bathed in the spotlight. Li Chen stood on the high platform, and through the glow of the lights, he could clearly see the expressions of astonishment on everyone’s faces.

Excellent. That was exactly the effect he wanted.

How could he make the common people follow his lead and believe he was a degenerate ruler? Li Chen’s plan was simple: attraction. From the very beginning, he would seize their full attention, drawing them in so he could guide them, step by step, along the rhythm of his own design.

For a traveler from another world, doing a few flashy, attention-grabbing things was hardly a challenge. Yet, even Li Chen hadn't expected the reaction of the populace to be so intense. After a few seconds of stunned silence, a deafening roar of cheers erupted. After all, these were ancient people; even the simplest modern touches were enough to deliver a massive visual shock.

...

After waving to the crowd, Li Chen returned to his specially reserved seat. There was no speech, no communal toasts—things that had been staples of every previous Moon-Worship Festival. Unconsciously, the scene grew quiet. After such a high-profile opening, most people expected things to settle into mediocrity—perhaps a lantern display, some empty words from ministers, or the usual singing and drinking.

How could that be? The opening was merely to hook the crowd; what followed was the true climax.

Wan'er stood by Li Chen’s side. He had instructed her in great detail, from how to enter the stage to how to drive the atmosphere and push the performance to its absolute limit. Wan'er nodded repeatedly. Though she had practiced this novel style of dance, she still felt a bit uneasy now that the day had arrived.

"Just be ready. Take the maids and let yourselves go. Enjoy the sight of the people’s shock."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As the drums began to roll, Wan'er led the maids onto the stage. Facing tens of thousands of people, she could not help but feel nervous. But then she remembered the Emperor’s trust—how he had chosen her alone to ride in that metal box with him, descending from the high platform in such a spectacular fashion.

What did that signify?

Wan'er couldn't help but let a small smile touch her lips. She unfastened her outer coat, instantly revealing her snow-white shoulders and collarbones. Standing on stage, she took a deep breath, preparing to begin the performance.

The audience only needed a closer look to see the slight curve of her midriff and the deep, pale valley between the straps of her jet-black camisole.

...

"My god, what... what are they doing?"

"It looks like they’re dancing?" one of the commoners remarked, though he sounded unconvinced.

"Impossible. There’s no such dance. Besides, they’re dressed so scantily! It’s truly shameful!"

Despite his protests, his eyes remained locked on the exposed beauties on stage.

"How... how vulgar! Is this really the Moon-Worship Festival planned by His Majesty?"

Even in the most powerful empire, the people’s values remained deeply conservative. To them, dancing meant traditional, graceful circling, accompanied by the zither or other classical instruments. As for the revealing attire of the maids, it was something the conservative populace could not accept in their bones.

Yet, even if they couldn't accept it, their hearts began to race. Perhaps it was the contrast, or perhaps it was the sheer impact of the atmosphere. Even as many continued to verbally condemn the scantily clad women, the spark in their eyes betrayed them; they were forced to admit that these women were alluring and beautiful—a kind of beauty they had never experienced before.

The scene fell into an eerie, heavy silence. Everyone was completely immersed in the stage. Sometimes, silence is more tension-filled than noise.

Li Chen’s lips curled slightly. Bringing a modern aesthetic here was nothing short of a dimensional strike. The people didn't know yet that the dance about to begin would bring them an even greater shock.

Rumble!

As the drumbeat dropped and the upbeat music surged, the maids shed their outer layers, revealing their enticing figures. The combination of an era-defying style and infectious, rhythmic music struck the hearts of the crowd like a thunderbolt. The plaza was filled with the distant echoes of a new world.

At this moment, no one in the audience spoke. Amidst the novel music, one could hear nothing but the sound of people swallowing their own saliva.

"Heaven! What kind of dance is this? It’s too shameful! I can’t even bear to look."

"Disgraceful! What would people from other countries think if they saw this? Alas, the reputation of our Great Zhou is ruined."

Many voiced their indignation, yet not a single gaze drifted away.

"Look at that, preening and posturing, completely shameless! Who taught her to dance like that?"

"Good lord, what is this tune? My head is filled with the image of these girls swaying... It’s over, I must be cursed."

A thousand people, a thousand faces. Even if they were unwilling to admit it, the shock to their hearts was real, impossible to control by sheer willpower.

If the previous segment was Wan'er showcasing a new style, then what followed was the "Apats" rhythm—a small dose of modern shock delivered by Li Chen. This brainwashing melody, paired with the snappy drumbeat, created an atmosphere that made one want to move uncontrollably. With fast-paced tension, Wan'er’s performance was nothing short of perfect.

In a sense, she was improvising. The "Apats, apats, da-da-da..."—this novel dance style maximized both infectious energy and visual impact. With her swaying, Wan'er conquered every spectator in the dead of night, shattering the inhibitions of the conservative crowd.

They raised their hands behind their necks, using their waists to match the rhythm, their hips swaying to and fro. Their willow-thin waists, framed by the tight skirts and black straps, seemed to siphon the gaze of everyone present.

The move wasn't difficult. But for the ancient public, it was an act of pure seduction—a deeply shameful display.

"So this is the Moon-Worship Festival our Great Zhou Emperor has created... these dancers look like nothing more than common harlots from a foreign land."

"It’s over... our Great Zhou is going to fall into total decadence."

The people murmured, a tingling sensation running from the tops of their heads down to their spines.

Li Chen sat upright, smiling as he appreciated the dance. If the dance was merely the prelude, then what came next would be the true climax of the celebration!

My subjects, prepare yourselves to face an even more intense display of my degenerate rule!