After a round of polite greetings, Lu Qihui got straight to the point.
"Mister Lin, you're not a local, are you?" asked Lu Qihui with a smile, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Mm, I come from Jiunan City. You must have heard that Jiunan City was overrun by the rebel army. It was then that I escaped, wandering all the way here to Songyi City," replied Lin Zheyu, making no attempt to hide the truth. Many people already knew his story; it was no secret.
"Mister Lin, since you fled from Jiunan City and are alone here in Songyi City, would you be interested in traveling with the Lu Family to Bafang City? We would like to invite you to tell stories along the way, so the journey won't be too dull," said Lu Qihui sincerely, while Lu Zhenfang, seated beside him, looked at Lin Zheyu with hopeful eyes.
Seeing that Lin Zheyu remained silent, Lu Zhenfang quickly added, "We can offer you twice the pay you earn in Songyi City. 20 taels of silver a month. What do you think?"
"My apologies. I have no plans to leave Songyi City for the time being," said Lin Zheyu, shaking his head in refusal.
"This... Mister Lin, may I ask why? Is it that the silver isn't enough? If so, we can add more. How about 30 taels?" Lu Qihui blurted out hastily, raising the offer to thirty taels.
To hire a storyteller for 30 taels was practically an astronomical price. Anyone who heard this would surely say they had lost their senses. Even a martial artist in the Organ Forging Realm did not receive such a monthly stipend.
"It's not about the silver," said Lin Zheyu as he shook his head.
Lu Qihui's offer of 30 taels was indeed tempting, since at present Lin Zheyu's total monthly earnings only added up to about the same. But the outside world was in chaos, bandits roamed everywhere, and a single careless step could spell disaster.
His former self had come from a wealthy merchant family, yet even after fleeing early, they had still run into bandits. If not for sheer luck, he would never have made it alive to Songyi City. Lin Zheyu planned to lie low in Songyi City for a while, and only after raising his strength to the Blood Qi Realm, when he would have some measure of security, would he consider leaving.
"Then why? Songyi City is not far from Baohe City, and the situation is dire. If Baohe City falls to the rebel army, Songyi City will soon follow. You'll have to leave sooner or later. Why not travel with our Lu Family for now? At least that way you'll have protection," said Lu Qihui, pressing on and unwilling to give up.
"Since you traveled from Baohe City to Songyi City, Young Master Lu, you must have run into quite a few bandits, no? The times are unsettled, bandits run rampant, and venturing out rashly is far too risky. My Lin Family was also a wealthy merchant family of Jiunan City, with many skilled experts under us, yet on our way from the city, we still fell to powerful bandits.
"To go out now would be far too dangerous. I choose to trust in the strength of Great Wei. I believe they will soon respond and send troops to suppress the rebel army," said Lin Zheyu, using this excuse to decline.
"Indeed, it is utter chaos beyond the city walls, with bandits everywhere," said Lu Qihui with a sigh, remembering how many bandits they had encountered on their journey. If not for his uncle's formidable strength and their many guards, they too might have met with disaster.
When chaos reigned, common folk could no longer survive, and those who couldn't make a living turned to banditry. Such people were not frightening; what was terrifying were the powerful cultivators who joined them in their crimes.
"What a pity," said Lu Qihui, letting out a sigh, lamenting that their journey would now be dull.
"Mister Lin, you should make plans early. Songyi City is not safe. Great Wei is struggling to defend itself and cannot spare the strength to suppress the rebels. Let me share a secret with you, but you must not spread it." Lowering his voice, Lu Qihui said, "I've heard these rebels have powerful backing. Many great forces are fanning the flames. Great Wei will not find it easy to put them down.
"So if you leave with us now, it will be far safer than fleeing later, once the rebel army attacks. My uncle is a Blood Qi Realm expert, and the Lu Family guards are formidable. We can surely keep you safe," said Lu Qihui confidently.
"What exactly is the origin of these rebels?" asked Lin Zheyu curiously.
"That I don't know," replied Lu Qihui with a shake of his head. He had only heard rumors and wasn't clear on the details. After all, if even someone like him knew who the masterminds were, they wouldn't be worthy of being called masterminds.
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I have no plans to leave Songyi City for now. You invited me to travel with you so I could tell stories, correct? I have a suggestion that can help you pass the time on the road," said Lin Zheyu with a smile.
"Let's hear it," said Lu Qihui, intrigued.
"I can write out the rest of the story for you. You can read it yourselves on the journey or hire another storyteller to recite it. But a complete story doesn't come cheap; it will cost 80 taels of silver. I wonder if Young Master Lu can accept that price," said Lin Zheyu.
If they agreed, it would mean significant extra income for him.
"That works too!" Lu Zhenfang's eyes lit up with delight. She turned to Lu Qihui and said, "Brother, later, when we go to the Overflowing Fragrance Teahouse to see that storyteller, let's buy that other story too!"
"You mean the Liaozhai series of stories?" asked Lin Zheyu.
"Yes, yes. That story is also wonderful. It has a very different style compared to the one you're telling now," said Lu Zhenfang, nodding.
"That story was also provided by me to the Overflowing Fragrance Teahouse. They simply have another storyteller perform it," said Lin Zheyu with a faint smile.
Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang both looked astonished.
"Remarkable!" Lu Qihui gave a thumbs up and said, "Mister Lin, your literary talent truly earns my admiration!"
"If you want both, I can give you a discount. Altogether, it will be 150 taels," said Lin Zheyu with a smile.
To him, this was a huge sum of silver. Many ordinary families wouldn't earn that much in an entire lifetime. Once he had the story written, he could also give a copy to Leader Xu, which would surely bring him benefits later.
"Good, it's settled then," replied Lu Qihui.
"We'll be leaving Songyi City in four days. Will that be enough time for you to finish writing the rest of the story?" asked Lu Zhenfang worriedly.
"No problem. Most of the story is already written, and I've drafted the rest in my mind. Writing it down will be quick," replied Lin Zheyu.
"Good, it's decided then," said Lu Zhenfang.
***
After making the agreement with the Lu siblings, Lin Zheyu followed Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang to meet the other brothers of the gang. The one in charge of them was someone named Qiu Gaoxuan, about forty-five years old, and reputed to be an expert at the peak of the Organ Forging Realm. He looked extremely aloof, his face expressionless.
After meeting the brothers of the Feihong Gang and becoming familiar with them, Lin Zheyu drank with them until after nine before leaving.
Martial practitioners drink like beasts. They're tough and tireless, thought Lin Zheyu.
Hiccup.
Still hiccupping from the drink, he returned to Master Liang's residence. Master Liang did not scold him. He was an experienced man and knew that to blend into a group, drinking was one of the most common and effective methods. After a bowl of sobering soup, Lin Zheyu felt much clearer.
"We'll continue training tonight. Han Mo, come exchange a few moves with Lin Zheyu. Let me see how strong you've gotten," said Liang Song.
Liang Song turned to the side. There, under the night sky, stood a young man. The man looked to be around thirty, tall and sturdy, with cropped short hair and a square face that gave off an impression of upright integrity.
"And this is?" asked Lin Zheyu, glancing at the man, realizing only now that there was another person in the courtyard.
"His name is Han Mo. I taught him some martial techniques a few years back," said Liang Song.
"So it's Senior Brother Han. I am Lin Zheyu," Lin Zheyu said politely. He cupped his hands in greeting toward Han Mo. Manager Wu had mentioned before that Master Liang had taught martial arts to others as well. This man must have been one of them.