Chapter 20: Helping You Choose

……

"Good!"

"Well said! A reward!"

Among the group of strangers, a man dressed as a young nobleman spoke up loudly.

Hearing his master's words, the servant behind him produced 100 wen as a reward. The coins fell into the copper basin with a pleasant clinking sound.

"Generous!"

Lin Zheyu praised loudly, putting even more effort into his storytelling.

This was a long-form story; logically speaking, hearing just this short segment shouldn't have been enough to make one so excited that they wanted to offer a reward.

However, Lin Zheyu didn't care; as long as there was a reward, it was fine.

"The story is very interesting. This little gentleman is quite a talent, to be able to write such an exciting tale," the young nobleman said to his companion with a smile while eating a crisp pastry.

Sitting beside him was a delicate young woman. Her face was flushed with a healthy glow, and her eyes were dark, bright, and full of spirit.

As the young nobleman listened to the story, he explained the character relationships to the woman.

Lu Qihui came from Baohe City; his family were prominent local merchants.

Due to the impact of the war, Lu Qihui's father, fearing Baohe City would be caught in the conflict, had instructed Lu Qihui to lead part of the clan, along with a paternal uncle, to migrate to another city.

While passing through Songyi City, they entered the city to rest for a few days.

Out of boredom, Lu Qihui wandered around and heard several people in a restaurant discussing a story. Out of curiosity, he approached to listen, and the more he heard, the more addicted he became.

Consequently, he specifically sought out a storyteller to recount the entire tale from the beginning.

The storyteller continued for several days, but just as the story reached its most exciting part, he ran out of material.

Upon inquiring further, Lu Qihui learned that the story was unfinished and that the storyteller performed at the Bidan Teahouse at scheduled times every day.

"That Huang Rong is truly a remarkable woman," Lu Zhenfang remarked. "Brother, when we set out in a few days, let's bring this storyteller along. He can tell us stories to pass the time on the road."

"That's a good idea!"

Lu Qihui's eyes lit up. "A talent like this, if we could recruit him into the Lu household to tell us stories in his spare time, it would add a lot of enjoyment."

"Mhm, mhm." Lu Zhenfang blinked her eyes; she, too, had been captivated by the story.

Happy times always pass quickly.

Under the reluctant gazes of the audience, Lin Zheyu picked up his gavel and struck it: "To know what happens next, please listen to the next chapter."

"Ah?"

"That's it?"

"Another segment! Give us another segment!"

The audience gave their customary jeers, and Lin Zheyu cupped his hands, preparing to step down from the stage.

*Clack!*

At that moment, a crisp sound rang out. Lu Qihui stood up, slamming an ingot of silver onto the table. "Sir, tell us another segment. There will be a reward."

As he spoke, he tossed the silver into the basin, producing a loud, heavy *clank*.

*Oho, a big spender has arrived.*

Seeing this, Lin Zheyu chuckled and walked back onto the storytelling platform. "Since you are all so enthusiastic, I shall tell another segment!"

He had been storytelling for so long, and finally, his true "top patron" had appeared!

*Clack!*

He struck the gavel. "As I was saying last time..."

Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang exchanged a glance, both wearing smiles.

Lu Qihui said with a smile, "This gentleman is clearly fond of wealth. We should be able to persuade him to travel with us; it's just a matter of spending a bit more silver."

……

Lin Zheyu told another segment.

It wasn't until the sky began to darken that the audience departed, still feeling unsatisfied.

Passing through the market, Lin Zheyu bought four catties of pork and some vegetables.

As his strength increased, his appetite grew larger, and his demand for meat and medicinal supplements increased accordingly.

On the street, which was the mandatory route for Lin Zheyu to get home, a burly figure leaned against a wall, idly shaking his leg.

Seeing Lin Zheyu approaching, the man looked over sideways, his gaze filled with scrutiny.

"Jia Yanyong!"

Lin Zheyu's eyes narrowed slightly.

This guy was clearly waiting here specifically for him.

What was his purpose?

Lin Zheyu was puzzled.

He had reached an agreement with Jia Yanming; the other party shouldn't be playing tricks anymore.

Furthermore, he had frequently seen Jia Yanyong coming to the Bidan Teahouse to listen to stories lately, and he seemed to be enjoying himself quite a bit.

Lin Zheyu's mind raced as he came to a halt three meters away from Jia Yanyong.

"Is Brother Yong waiting here specifically for me?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"That's right."

Jia Yanyong gave a sly grin. "Our Sect Leader thinks the stories you tell are quite interesting. He wants to invite you to the Feihong Gang tomorrow morning to tell stories."

"You'll need to tell more segments then. Listening to just a little bit a day isn't satisfying enough."

"That's easy enough."

"I wonder how much silver your Sect Leader intends to pay? My appearance fee isn't cheap," Lin Zheyu asked.

As one of the three major gangs in Songyi City, the Feihong Gang had many members.

If possible, he still didn't want to offend them.

"It is your honor to tell stories for our Sect Leader, and you want to charge money?"

"These streets are all under the protection of our Feihong Gang. It's a good thing we aren't charging you protection money."

Jia Yanyong curled his lip.

He extended his hands and clenched his fists, making them crackle, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

His face was fierce, and his burly physique combined with his menacing expression gave him a powerful sense of oppression, making him look like someone not to be trifled with.

"Then I am very sorry, but I have matters to attend to tomorrow morning."

"If your Sect Leader wishes to hear stories, he can come to the Bidan Teahouse tomorrow afternoon."

Lin Zheyu refused.

Wanting to listen to stories without paying—was he planning to freeload?

Lin Zheyu hated freeloaders more than anything.

"You don't actually think that just because you've become a disciple of Liang Song, you can ignore our Feihong Gang, do you?"

Jia Yanyong said, a hint of mockery on his face.

His brother had previously asked him about Liang Song, inquiring if he was easy to provoke. Only then did Jia Yanyong realize that Lin Zheyu had become Liang Song's disciple.

If it were ten or twenty years ago, when Liang Song was in his prime, the Feihong Gang would have treated him with respect.

But Liang Song was now old and frail, with a limp; how much strength could he possibly have left?

"I didn't mean that. It's just that I truly have things to do tomorrow morning," Lin Zheyu said indifferently.

Seeing Lin Zheyu's attitude, Jia Yanyong let out a cold sneer.

"My brother asked me to teach you a lesson a long time ago, but then you started cooperating with him, and the opportunity was lost."

"Now that the Sect Leader wants to invite you to tell stories, I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful."

"Since you won't be sensible, then I'll let you taste some bitterness. As long as you have a mouth to tell stories, losing a few limbs won't be a big deal."

Jia Yanyong walked toward Lin Zheyu step by step.

That burly body, paired with a ferocious face, exerted a massive sense of pressure.

"Do you intend to start a fight here?"

"People are passing by constantly. If I shout a few times, the authorities will be here very soon," Lin Zheyu said calmly, showing no fear.

"The authorities?"

"Haha, so what if they catch me? It's just a matter of spending some money. I can settle even a murder, let alone just breaking a few of your bones," Jia Yanyong said disdainfully.

……

He walked toward Lin Zheyu step by step.

He rolled his neck and cracked his knuckles.

His face wore a cold sneer, filled with both contempt and mockery.

He had seen many people 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 to tell stories, or shall I teach you a lesson and have someone carry you there?" Jia Yanyong said.

"What if I choose neither?"

"Neither?"

"Then I'll make the choice for you!"

Jia Yanyong said coldly.

He had studied martial arts for over ten years. Although he was not a master, through a decade of tempering, his strength had just barely broken through to the Bone Forging Realm.

After joining the Feihong Gang, he had experienced many gang battles, large and small.

Relying on his robust physique and a ruthless, fearless fighting style, he had earned a considerable reputation.

(End of Chapter)