...
After exchanging some polite pleasantries, Lu Qihui got straight to the point.
"Mr. Lin is not a local, is he?"
Lu Qihui asked with a smile, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Yes, I come from Jiunan City."
"I suppose Mr. Lu has heard about Jiunan City’s fall to the rebel forces. I fled from Jiunan City during that time and wandered all the way to Songyi City."
Lin Zheyu did not hide the truth.
Many people already knew his story; it wasn’t a secret.
"Since Mr. Lin came to Songyi City as a refugee from Jiunan City and is alone here, I wonder if you’d be interested in joining the Lu family on a journey to Bafang City?"
"We would like to invite you to tell stories during the journey, so the trip wouldn’t be too dull."
Lu Qihui said sincerely, while Lu Zhenfang, sitting beside him, looked at Lin Zheyu expectantly.
Seeing Lin Zheyu not responding, Lu Zhenfang added, "We can offer you twice your current income in Songyi City."
"Twenty silver taels a month, what do you think?"
"Sorry."
"I don’t plan to leave Songyi City for the moment," Lin Zheyu shook his head in refusal.
"This..."
"Could Mr. Lin explain why?"
"Is it because the silver taels aren’t enough? If not, we can offer more. How about thirty silver taels?"
Lu Qihui said urgently, offering thirty taels.
Hiring a storyteller for thirty taels was almost a ridiculous price, so much so that people might think he was out of his mind.
Even a Martial Artist in the Refining Internal Organ Realm didn’t receive such a high monthly offering.
"It’s not about the silver taels."
Lin Zheyu shook his head.
Even though thirty taels was quite tempting, his total earnings currently only amounted to around thirty taels per month.
But the outside world is in chaos now, with bandits running rampant. One small mistake could lead to disaster.
He had come from a wealthy business family who had also fled in advance, yet still encountered bandits.
If it weren’t for his luck, he wouldn’t have had the chance to escape to Songyi City.
Lin Zheyu intended to lie low in Songyi City for a while. Once he improved his skills to the Qi Blood Realm and had a certain level of security, he would then consider leaving Songyi City.
"Then why?"
"Songyi City isn’t far from Baohe City, and the current situation is extremely dire. If Baohe City falls to the rebel forces, it won’t be long before it’s Songyi City’s turn."
"Since you have to leave sooner or later, why not join our Lu family on the road? It’s at least a way to look out for each other." Lu Qihui tried to persuade him, unwilling to give up.
"Mr. Lu, you must have encountered quite a few bandits on your way from Baohe City to Songyi City?"
"The situation is chaotic now, bandits are rampant, and traveling rashly poses great risks."
"The Lin family was a wealthy business family in Jiunan City with many experts under them. Yet, we still encountered formidable bandits while fleeing Jiunan City."
"Traveling now is too dangerous."
"I choose to trust in the strength of the Great Wei, believing that they will soon react and send troops to suppress the rebel forces." Lin Zheyu used this as an excuse to refuse.
"Indeed, the outside is chaotic now, with bandits running rampant."
Lu Qihui sighed deeply; they had encountered numerous bandits along the way.
If it weren’t for his uncle’s formidable skills and their many skilled guards, they might have faced disaster.
In troubled times, people can’t make a living, so those who can’t survive turn to banditry. But these people aren’t frightening; it’s those powerful individuals who mix with bandits and do evil that are truly terrifying.
"What a pity."
Lu Qihui sighed, thinking the journey would be quite dull.
"Mr. Lin, you should plan early. Songyi City isn’t safe. Great Wei is currently too busy to suppress the rebel forces."
"Let me tell you a secret, but don’t spread it."
Lu Qihui lowered his voice and said, "I heard that the rebel forces are very significant this time, with many major forces fanning the flames behind the scenes. The Great Wei may have a hard time resolving it."
"So, if you travel with us, it would be much safer than running when the rebels attack."
"My uncle is an expert in the Qi Blood Realm. The Lu family’s guards are formidable and will certainly protect us." Lu Qihui said confidently.
"Do you know the specifics of the rebel forces?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously.
"I don’t know."
Lu Qihui shook his head; he had only heard about it and was not clear on the specifics.
After all, they’re the ones behind the scenes. If even he knew, what kind of hidden forces would they be?
"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I currently have no plans to leave Songyi City."
"You’re inviting me to join you mainly to hear my storytelling, right?"
"I have a suggestion that can entertain you during your journey." Lin Zheyu said with a smile.
"Let’s hear it." Lu Qihui became interested.
"I can write out the rest of the story for you. You can read it yourselves on the road or hire another storyteller."
"However, the complete story is quite expensive, costing eighty silver taels. I wonder if Mr. Lu can accept it." Lin Zheyu said.
If they accepted, it would mean an additional income for him.
"That works too!"
Lu Zhenfang responded happily and turned to Lu Qihui: "Brother, let’s also go to Yixiang Tea House later and buy that other story!"
"Are you referring to the Liaozhai series?"
"Yes, that story is also wonderful, with a different style from this one." Lu Zhenfang nodded.
"That story was also provided by me to Yixiang Tea House, and they asked another storyteller to tell it." Lin Zheyu said with a slight smile.
Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang both looked astonished.
"Impressive!"
Lu Qihui gave a thumbs up: "Mr. Lin, I admire your literary talent!"
"If you want both, I can offer you a discount, a total of one hundred fifty silver taels." Lin Zheyu said with a smile.
For him, that would be a substantial amount of silver.
Many ordinary families might not earn that much silver in a lifetime.
Once the story is written, he can also give a copy to Mr. Xu, which would bring him benefits.
"Great, it’s settled then."
"We’ll be leaving Songyi City in four days. Is four days enough for you to write the remaining part of the story?" Lu Zhenfang asked worriedly.
"No problem."
"I’ve already written most of it, and I have a draft for the rest, so it’ll be quick to write." Lin Zheyu said.
"Alright, it’s settled then."
...
After agreeing with the Lu siblings, Lin Zheyu, together with Jia Yanrong and Xie Jiang, got to know the members of the gang.
The person in charge of Lin Zheyu and his group was Qiu Gaoxuan, about forty-five years old, rumored to be a Peak of the Refining Internal Organs expert, extremely cold and expressionless.
After meeting the brothers of the Feihong Gang, mapping each other’s faces, Lin Zheyu drank until after nine before leaving.
Martial artists drank like animals, capable of consuming large amounts.
"Hiccup—"
With another hiccup, he arrived at Mr. Liang’s residence.
Mr. Liang did not reprimand him.
Having experienced life, he knew that drinking was one of the most common and effective ways to integrate into a group.
After a bowl of hangover soup, Lin Zheyu sobered up significantly.
"Continue practicing tonight."
"Han Mo, spar a few rounds with Lin Zheyu, let me see how your skills are improving."
Liang Song looked aside.
In the darkness, stood a young man.
The man appeared to be around thirty years old, with a burly physique, short cropped hair, and a square face, giving off an aura of integrity and righteousness.
"And who is this?"
Lin Zheyu looked at the man, only then realizing there was another person in the courtyard.
"His name is Han Mo. A few years ago, I taught him some martial arts." Liang Song said.
"So it’s Mr. Han, I am Lin Zheyu."
Lin Zheyu gave Han Mo a cupped fist salute.
Mr. Wo had mentioned that Mr. Liang had taught martial arts to others, and this person was likely one of them.