"Good!"
"Well said! A reward for that!"
Among the group of strangers, a young man dressed like a rich young master spoke loudly.
Hearing his young master's words, the servant behind him took out 100 wen as a tip. The coins clinked pleasantly as they fell into the copper basin.
"Magnanimous!" Lin Zheyu praised him and began speaking with even greater vigor.
It was a long story, and normally, just hearing a small segment wouldn't stir someone enough to give a tip, but Lin Zheyu didn't mind. It was fine so long as they tipped.
"This story is fascinating. This young storyteller is truly talented, to have written something so captivating," said the young master with a smile to his companion as he bit into a flaky pastry.
Seated beside him was a refined young lady, her cheeks flushed with a healthy glow, and her black eyes bright and full of spirit. The young master listened to the story while explaining the relationships between the characters to her.
Lu Qihui, the young master, had come from Baohe City, where his family was wealthy merchants. Because of the war, Lu Qihui's father feared Baohe City might be affected, so he sent Lu Qihui with his uncle and part of the family to relocate to another city.
As they passed through Songyi City, they stopped to rest for a few days. Bored, Lu Qihui wandered about and overheard a group in a tavern discussing a story. Curious, he joined them for a while, and the more he listened, the more engrossed he became. In the end, it entertained him so much that he specifically found a storyteller to recount it to him from the beginning.
The storyteller spoke for several days, but when it reached an exciting point, the story stopped. Upon asking further, Lu Qihui learned that the story wasn't finished yet and new parts were added daily at the Jade Pill Teahouse.
"That Huang Rong is truly an extraordinary woman," Lu Zhenfang, the young lady travelling with Lu Qihui, said with a sigh. "Brother, when we set off in a few days, let's bring this storyteller along so he can entertain us with his tales on the road."
"That's a good idea!" Lu Qihui's eyes lit up, and he said, "If we could recruit such a talent into the Lu residence to tell stories for us in his spare time, it would certainly add a great deal of enjoyment."
"Mhm." Lu Zhenfang blinked her eyes, equally absorbed in the tale.
Happy moments always passed quickly. Amid the audience's reluctant gazes, Lin Zheyu picked up the wooden clapper and struck it. He said, "If you wish to know what happens next, please listen to it next time."
"What?"
"That's it?"
"One more segment! One more!"
The audience called out in their usual uproar, and Lin Zheyu cupped his hands in salute, preparing to step down from the stage.
Smack!
At that moment, a crisp sound rang out as Lu Qihui stood up, slapped a silver ingot onto the table, and said, "Sir, tell us one more segment, and there will be a reward."
With that, he tossed the silver into the basin, producing a sharp clank.
Well, now, a real big spender had appeared, thought Lin Zheyu.
Seeing this, Lin Zheyu chuckled and stepped back up to the stage. He said, "Since you're all so enthusiastic, I'll tell one more segment!"
After telling stories for so long, the true top patron had finally shown himself!
Smack!
The clapper struck, and Lin Zheyu continued. "Last time, we said that..."
Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang exchanged a glance and smiled. Lu Qihui said with a smile, "This storyteller does love money. We should be able to persuade him to travel with us. It'll just cost us a bit more silver, that's all."
***
Lin Zheyu told another segment. It wasn't until the sky began to darken that the audience reluctantly dispersed.
Passing through the market, Lin Zheyu bought 2 kilograms of pork and some vegetables. As his strength increased, so did his appetite, and his need for meat and medicinal supplements grew ever greater.
On the street, along the path Lin Zheyu always took home, a burly figure was leaning against the wall, idly shaking one leg. When he saw Lin Zheyu approaching, he glanced over with narrowed eyes, a look full of scrutiny.
Jia Yanyong! Lin Zheyu's eyes narrowed slightly.
This man was clearly waiting here on purpose. It was obvious that he came for Lin Zheyu.
What does he want? wondered Lin Zheyu.
He had already reached a cooperation agreement with Jia Yanming, so there shouldn't be any more underhanded tricks from their side. In fact, recently, he had often seen Jia Yanyong at the Jade Pill Teahouse, listening to stories with great enjoyment.
Thoughts turning rapidly, Lin Zheyu came to a stop three meters away from Jia Yanyong.
"Brother Yong, were you waiting here especially for me?" asked Lin Zheyu.
"That's right," Jia Yanyong said with a chuckle. "Our gang leader thinks your stories are interesting. He wants to invite you to the Feihong Gang tomorrow morning to tell them. We'd also like you to tell a full segment—just a bit each day isn't satisfying."
"That can be arranged. But I wonder how much your esteemed gang leader is planning to pay. My appearance fee doesn't come cheap," said Lin Zheyu.
As one of the three major gangs in Songyi City, the Feihong Gang had many members. If possible, he preferred not to offend them.
"Being able to tell stories for our leader is an honor for you, and you still want to charge money? These streets are all under our Feihong Gang's protection. You should be glad we're not charging you protection fees," said Jia Yanyong, curling his lip.
He stretched out his hands and cracked his knuckles with a threatening tone. His fierce features and burly build, paired with that vicious expression, created an oppressive aura that warned others not to provoke him.
"Then I'm sorry, but I have something to do tomorrow morning. If your leader wants to hear a story, he can come to the Jade Pill Teahouse tomorrow afternoon," replied Lin Zheyu, refusing his request.
Is he intending to freeload? thought Lin Zheyu. He despised freeloaders the most.
"You don't actually think that just because you became Liang Song's disciple, you can ignore our Feihong Gang, do you?" said Jia Yanyong with a hint of mockery on his face.
His older brother had asked him about Liang Song before; he asked whether he was someone easy to mess with. That was how Jia Yanyong found out Lin Zheyu had become Liang Song's disciple.
If it had been over a decade ago, when Liang Song was still in his prime, the Feihong Gang would have had to treat him with respect. But now Liang Song was old and with a crippled leg. How much strength could he still have left?
"I meant nothing of the sort. I really do have something to do tomorrow morning," replied Lin Zheyu in a calm, detached tone.
Seeing this attitude, Jia Yanyong let out a cold smile and said, "My older brother had long asked me to teach you a lesson, but after you started working with him, I never got the chance. But, you're actually being so ungrateful, daring to reject my boss' invitation! Since you don't know what's good for you, I'll just have to teach you a painful lesson. You only need your mouth to tell stories, so breaking a few of your limbs won't matter."
Jia Yanyong took one step after another toward Lin Zheyu. That hulking frame and vicious face exuded an overwhelming sense of menace.
"You want to make a move here, where people are coming and going? If I shout a few times, the authorities will be here quickly, you know?" asserted Lin Zheyu calmly, without fear.
"The authorities? Hah! And what if they arrest me? It's just a matter of paying some money. I could even smooth over a murder, let alone just breaking a few of your bones," said Jia Yanyong with disdain.
He stepped toward Lin Zheyu one step at a time, rolling his neck and clenching his fists until they cracked. A cold smile played on his lips, laced with both disdain and mockery. He had seen plenty like Lin Zheyu. They were tough at first, but most became obedient after a beating.
"I'll give you one more chance. Will you go to the Feihong Gang of your own accord tomorrow morning, or should I beat you up and have someone carry you there?" asked Jia Yanyong.
"And if I choose neither?" replied Lin Zheyu.
"Neither? Then I'll choose for you!" said Jia Yanyong coldly.
He had practiced martial techniques for over a decade. Though his skills were far from refined, long training had barely pushed his strength into the Bone Forging Realm. After joining the Feihong Gang, he had taken part in battles big and small. With his powerful physique and ruthless, fearless fighting style, he had earned quite a reputation.