Lin Yuan was still unable to face the camera with ease, however, he already knew what the issue was, which was just a psychological shadow. Therefore, he decided to actively overcome it. When it was time to unveil himself on âThe Masked Singerâ, he would face the outside world as Xian Yu.
He couldnât as Shadow.
He couldnât as Chu Kuang.
But he could as Xian Yu, who was semi-exposed anywayâbecause to the company and those close to him, Lin Yuan was Xian Yu, and Xian Yu was Lin Yuan. He was not hiding behind a pseudonym.
âAre you okay, junior?â
âIâm fine now.â
Lin Yuan smiled from the passenger seat.
Seeing Lin Yuanâs smile, Sun Yaohuo couldnât help but laugh too. Somehow, he found his juniorâs smile to be even better than before. He drove him to the company.
At the songwriting department on the ninth floorâ¦
Lin Yuan summoned Gu Dong: âDidnât âThe Masked Singerâ invite me? Reply to them that I accept, but I donât need them to make the mask for me. Iâll find someone to custom-make it.â
âMask?â
Gu Dong was puzzled and laughed: âMr. Lin there must be a misunderstanding, the singers in the show have to wear masks, but the judges donât. The company thought you were apprehensive about revealing your face. I didnât expect you toâ¦.hey, Mr. Linâs voice seems differentâ¦â
âYou donât need to worry about the voice, what I mean isâ¦â
Lin Yuan enunciated each word, âI want to participate in âThe Masked Singerâ as a singer, not as a judge.â
Gu Dong was shocked.
She thought she had misunderstood: âSinger?â
Lin Yuan nodded: âYou might not know, but Iâm actually a singer by profession, I only started composing for others due to certain reasons.â
âReally?â
Gu Dong was drastically surprised.
Zhao Jue had always kept Lin Yuanâs identity as a singer-turned-songwriter private.
Probably only the higher-ups in the company knew, but because of Xian Yuâs position in the company, no one revealed it.
âOf course, no problem!â
Gu Dong laughed: âI will inform the companyâ¦â
Lin Yuan interrupted: âDonât tell the company yet. You can just represent me and communicate with the showâs crew. The company will know when I unveil myself.â
Lin Yuan still didnât like being in the spotlight very much, which was not something that would change overnight.
Of course, he had to overcome this fear.
But he needed some time to transition and adjust.
âOkay!â
Gu Dong nodded, assuming Lin Yuan was just having fun: âI heard that not only you, but many other celebrities who arenât singers are also interested in the show. What kind of mask do you want?â
âHave you heard of the Prince of Lanling?â
Gu Dong was stunned again: âIâm not well-readâ¦â
âThatâs not your fault.â
Lin Yuan said: âPerhaps nobodyâs heard the story of the Prince of Lanling and a mask.â
The real name of the Prince of Lanling was Gao Changgong. He was one of the four great handsome men in ancient times. It was normal that Lil Goodoong, a native of Blue Star, was not familiar it, let alone the story about the Prince of Lanling and his mask.
Even in the official history of Earth, there were no records of the Prince of Lanling wearing a mask. It was said that he wore a very tight helmet.
However, the story of the Prince of Lanling and his mask was mentioned in Tanaka Yoshikiâs book âThe Prince of Lanlingâ.
With curiosity all over her face, Gu Dong asked, âCan you tell me about it?â
Lin Yuan did not mind: âYou can consider it a story I made up. The Prince of Lanling was a general in ancient times who was very good at fighting. But he had an exceptionally handsome face.â
âA handsome and brave general?â
Gu Dongâs heart instantly fluttered.
Lin Yuan continued, âFor a battlefield commander soaked in blood, being too handsome is not a good thing. He might even get ridiculed by the enemy, saying that this general has the allure of a pretty man. So the Prince of Lanling made a very fierce and terrifying mask for himself, like a bloodthirsty Asura from hell.â
âWowâ¦â
Gu Dong bet: âThat sounds so cool!â
Lin Yuan didnât understand what was cool about itâit was more of despair.
âI need a mask like that.â
Lin Yuan wasnât comparing himself to the Prince of Lanling nor emphasizing the beauty of his face.
The main reason he chose a mask in the form of an Asura was due to his love for a song.
The song was called âThe Prince of Lanlingâs Battle Songâ.
It was a sort of synergy.
The Prince of Lanling would be his identity once he put the mask on.
This was the build-up, a foreshadowing for the release of âThe Prince of Lanlingâs Battle Songâ.
âThat outfitâ¦â
âWould be something like this.â
Lin Yuan took a piece of paper, quickly found a pencil, and began drawing. Drawing was as simple as eating and drinking for someone at master level.
Swish swish swish.
Lin Yuan finished drawing.
He had drawn scenes of hell before, but although the mask of the Prince of Lanling was as terrifying as an Asura, Lin Yuan had his own aesthetic preferences. He would not replicate the Asuraâs appearance completely, otherwise, it would most likely fail to pass any review.
Because the ratings for the show âThe Masked Singerâ would definitely be high, Lin Yuan did not want to scare children.
âLet me seeâ¦â
Gu Dong took a look at the drawing and instantly widened her eyes: âAwesome!â
âReally?â
Lin Yuan looked at the mask he drew and added a few more strokes: âHow about now?â
âStill awesome!â
âIs there a sense of terror?â
âYes!â
âReally?â
âYes, very wicked!â
Lin Yuan: ???
This term is not meant for this book.
âNo, itâs more like⦠even though itâs made to look so terrifying, thereâs an extraordinary aesthetic value to it, like artâ¦â
âAlright then, it should have a gold and silver gradient colour.â
Lin Yuanâs mask was to cover his face. A part of the mouth area was left unobstructed, as it was needed for singing. Approximately three-quarters of his face would be covered.
âSure!â
Gu Dongâs eyes lit up: âThe painting Mr. Lin made is indeed beautiful. If this mask is made, it will certainly be a hit. Perhaps many people online will want to custom-make this mask!â
Lin Yuan said: âJust pay the copyright fees.â
Gu Dong laughed: âThatâs not exaggerating at all. These days there have been rumours of singers customising the outfit of dark knights and even godsâ outfits. Itâs very funny and interesting. Since you are wearing this mask, you can use the Prince of Lanling as an aliasâ¦â
âYes.â
The nickname didnât matter, but considering âThe Prince of Lanlingâs Battle Songâ, to improve immersion, he would certainly use the name Prince of Lanling.
âAnd alsoâ¦â
Gu Dong grinned: âSince you have a mask, you should have an outfit too, do you want armour?â
âThatâs too heavy.â
Lin Yuan picked up his pen and started drawing again.
Gu Dong gave a thumbs-up: âThis cloak is so fashionable!â
âIsnât it?â
Lin Yuan said, âYou can take care of the customisation, Iâll reimburse you later.â
âOf course.â
Gu Dong said: âWith this look, they wonât be able to pull off the effect without several thousand yuan.â
Lin Yuan: ââ¦â
Protect our Prince of Lanling!
âââââââ
PS: Thanks again to Master AlexG for the patronage. Hereâs the extra chapter promised. Further chapters for other patrons will follow soon.