Pa!
In the Jade Pill Teahouse, the sharp sound of the storyteller's gavel rang out.
Lin Zheyu said slowly, "To know what happens next, please listen to the following chapter."
"Alright~!"
"Tell us a bit more, Mister Lin!"
"Yeah, that's right, we haven't had enough."
Cheers and pleas to stay came from the audience below.
Even when faced with the audience's requests, Lin Zheyu smiled, cupped his hands, and stepped down from the stage. After finishing the storytelling and changing the setting, his emotions had eased somewhat. He had done nothing wrong. The fault lay with this world!
"Manager Wu, how about a drink?" asked Lin Zheyu.
In Songyi City, he only knew two people well. One was Wu Yinghe, and the other was Master Liang Song. Lin Zheyu had wanted to share his thoughts on killing with Master Liang, but unfortunately, he wasn't around.
He had gone to his house in the morning and knocked for a long time, but there was no answer. In the afternoon, during the storytelling, Liang Song had also not appeared. By then, Lin Zheyu knew that Liang Song had gone off somewhere again. Every so often, Master Liang would vanish for a few days. This time, who knew how long he would be gone for?
Fortunately, Liang Song had already taught him the Bone Forging Realm cultivation method, as well as the internal breathing method for the Barbaric Ox Fist. It was enough for Lin Zheyu to practice for quite a while.
"Sure, but you're treating this time! I've noticed you've been getting quite a few rewards lately. You're probably richer than me by now," Manager Wu said with a smile.
"Come on, then! After we drink, let's head to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion for some fun," said Lin Zheyu, grinning. He needed to let loose to vent all the tangled emotions in his heart.
***
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed by. Lin Zheyu had quietly visited the Baishan District and found out that the disappearance of Gao Yu and the others had eventually drawn the attention of their families. Although they had often disappeared for periods before, this time they had been gone for unusually long.
After a search, their bodies were found in a remote wasteland. Three days had passed, so the corpses were mangled, gnawed by wild beasts beyond recognition. After reporting to the authorities, the constables merely followed procedure, took a glance, told them to wait for news, and never followed up. Their families could only hold a simple funeral and bury them hastily.
The weight in Lin Zheyu's heart finally lifted completely. His sense of how cheap life was deepened further.
With that, he made his way back to the inner city.
Master Liang still hasn't returned... what on earth is he doing? thought Lin Zheyu.
Passing by Liang Song's home, Lin Zheyu knocked for a while, but no one answered. Liang Song had been absent since yesterday, and there was still no sign of him.
***
Another four days passed inside the Jade Pill Teahouse. Lin Zheyu and Manager Wu sat chatting in the teahouse's back courtyard.
"I heard the rebel army has taken another city. There are many more refugees outside the walls," said Manager Wu with a trace of worry on his face.
Songyi City was one of Great Wei's more remote cities. If the rebel army advanced in their direction, they would arrive here soon enough.
"Don't worry. Haven't you noticed the wealthy in Songyi City haven't fled yet?" said Lin Zheyu, reassuring Manager Wu. Back when Jiunan City fell, the rich who caught wind of the news were the first to run.
"How do you know they haven't left? As far as I know, those families have already sent their younger members to lead part of their families to Bafang City," said Manager Wu.
It was precisely because he knew this that his worry deepened. His roots were in Songyi City, after all. If he left, finding another good job would not be easy.
"Don't overthink it. If the sky falls, there will be taller people to hold it up. Besides, Great Wei's military is strong. The rebels are only enjoying temporary success. Keeping up their current momentum won't be easy," said Lin Zheyu.
In this era, news was scarce. He had no idea what was truly happening on the front lines and could only comfort himself.
"Alright, it's time for storytelling. I'm heading to the stage," said Lin Zheyu. He stepped onto the storyteller's stage and swept his gaze across the audience.
Huh? Look who's back!
By the window, Lin Zheyu spotted a familiar figure gazing outside in a daze. After vanishing for six or seven days, his master had returned.
***
After finishing the storytelling, Lin Zheyu sat down across from Liang Song. Naturally, he refilled his master's cup, then filled his own.
"Master, this cup is for you. Consider it a toast to welcome you back," said Lin Zheyu, raising his cup.
"How thoughtful." Liang Song smiled, clinked cups with Lin Zheyu, and teased, "Using my own wine to welcome me back, you've got nerve."
"All the same, all the same. I spent all my money on martial training. I'm broke, you see. Just take it as a token of intent." Lin Zheyu grinned as he spoke, then picked up his chopsticks and took a bite before continuing, "Master, you were away for a while. Over the next few days, I'll come by and tell you what you missed."
"No need. Just give me the manuscripts from those days," said Liang Song.
The two chatted idly about this and that. Liang Song didn't mention where he had been these past days, and Lin Zheyu didn't ask. Their understanding was tacit. If his master wanted to talk, he would naturally do so. If he didn't want to, Lin Zheyu wouldn't press. Everyone had secrets they didn't want to share, and Lin Zheyu was no exception.
"For the next few days, come to my place every morning. I'll focus on training you for a while," said Liang Song.
Ever since teaching Lin Zheyu martial arts, his actual time spent instructing him was less than two days; everything else was self-taught. Even so, Lin Zheyu's progress in martial cultivation had far exceeded his expectations. The speed was simply unbelievable. Such perception and talent were one in a million.
Liang Song decided it was time to seriously teach Lin Zheyu, as he might just be able to become a formidable martial artist in the future.
"Thank you, Master!" replied Lin Zheyu as his eyes lit up.
He happened to have plenty of questions to ask Master Liang. Some were about the Bone Forging Realm, some about the Organ Forging Realm, and some about actual combat.
Originally, Lin Zheyu had planned to use Origin Force to improve his strength tonight, as he had saved quite a bit of silver after days of waiting for Master Liang. Now, he dropped that idea and decided to wait a bit more.
In such a short time, reaching Competence in the Barbaric Ox Fist and advancing to the Bone Forging Realm was already frightening enough. If he improved any further and Master Liang discovered his true strength, who knew what he would think? Perhaps he might believe Lin Zheyu carried some great treasure. Human nature could not withstand temptation.
***
Dawn.
As the sky was just beginning to lighten, Lin Zheyu arrived at Liang Song's courtyard.
"Good morning, Master Liang." Lin Zheyu greeted him respectfully and handed over the prepared manuscripts.
These were the storytelling scripts from the days Liang Song had been away. Liang Song motioned for Lin Zheyu to close the door, then turned and went back to the stone table and chairs in the corner of the courtyard.
"Run through the Barbaric Ox Fist for me. Let's see if you've been slacking lately," said Liang Song.
"Yes, Master," replied Lin Zheyu.
He took off his long outer coat, which revealed a sturdy and well-built body. The weather had turned cooler recently, and it was especially chilly so early in the morning.
Lin Zheyu assumed his stance. His chest rose and fell in a specific rhythm, his breathing long and steady. After a long period of hard training, he had finally grown accustomed to the unique breathing method of the Barbaric Ox Fist.
From initial discomfort, to integrating it into his daily life, and finally to perfectly synchronizing it with the Barbaric Ox Fist had only taken him just over ten days. Even Lin Zheyu himself found it surprising. He was starting to think that he really was a genius!