Making the Choice for You

"Good!"

"Well said! A reward!"

Among the group of strangers, a Man dressed like a Young Master shouted loudly.

The servant behind him heard the Young Master's words and took out one hundred copper coins as a reward. The coins landed in the copper basin with a pleasant clink.

"How generous!"

Lin Zheyu praised him and told the story with even greater vigor.

It was a long story. Logically, after hearing only such a short segment, they should not have been excited enough to want to reward him.

But Lin Zheyu did not care. As long as they paid, that was enough.

"The story is quite interesting. This young storyteller is a talent indeed, to have written such a wonderful tale." The Young Master ate a flaky pastry and smiled at his companion.

Beside him sat a delicate-looking young woman. Her cheeks were fair with a rosy flush, and her eyes were dark and bright, brimming with spirit.

As he listened, the Young Master explained the relationships between the characters to the woman.

Lu Qihui had come from Baohe City, where his family was a wealthy local merchant household.

Because of the war, Lu Qihui's father feared that Baohe City would be drawn into the conflict, so he had Lu Qihui and a clan uncle lead part of the family to migrate to another city.

When they passed through Songyi City, they entered the city to rest for several days.

Bored, Lu Qihui wandered around and heard several people in a Wine House gathered together discussing a story. Curious, he went over to listen for a while, and the more he heard, the more hooked he became.

So he specifically found a storyteller to recount the tale to him from the beginning.

The storyteller went on for several days, but just as the tale reached its most thrilling point, there was no more.

Only after questioning him closely did Lu Qihui learn that the story was not yet finished and was told daily at Bi Dan Teahouse at a fixed time.

"Huang Rong truly is an extraordinary woman."

Lu Zhenfang sighed. "Brother, when we set out in a few days, let's bring this Storyteller with us. He can tell us stories along the road to ease our boredom."

"That is a fine idea!"

Lu Qihui's eyes lit up. "Such a talent—if we can recruit him into the Lu Residence and have him tell us stories in his spare time, it would add a great deal of enjoyment."

"Mhm, mhm." Lu Zhenfang blinked, utterly engrossed as well.

Happy times always passed quickly.

Under the audience's reluctant gazes, Lin Zheyu picked up the wooden clapper and struck it. "To learn what happens next, tune in next time."

"Huh?"

"That's it?"

"Another part! Another part!"

As usual, the audience clamored noisily. Lin Zheyu cupped his hands and prepared to step down.

Smack!

At that moment, a crisp sound rang out. Lu Qihui rose to his feet and slapped a silver ingot onto the table. "Sir, tell another segment. There is a reward."

As he spoke, he tossed the silver into the basin, where it rang out with a crisp clang.

Oh ho, a big spender had arrived.

Lin Zheyu chuckled at the sight and returned to the Storytelling Platform. "Since you are all so enthusiastic, then I shall tell another segment!"

After telling stories for so long, a true Top Supporter had finally appeared!

Smack!

The wooden clapper struck. "Last time, we spoke of..."

Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang exchanged a glance and smiled.

Lu Qihui said with a smile, "This storyteller is fond of money. We should be able to persuade him to travel with us. It will merely cost some more silver."

Lin Zheyu told another segment.

Only when the sky began to darken did the audience leave, still wanting more.

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

As his strength increased, his appetite grew larger and larger. His need for meat and medicinal supplements also increased.

On the street, along the route Lin Zheyu had to take home.

A burly figure leaned against the wall, idly shaking one leg.

When he saw Lin Zheyu approach, the man glanced over sideways, his eyes full of scrutiny.

"Jia Yanyong!"

Lin Zheyu narrowed his eyes.

This fellow had deliberately waited here. Clearly, he had come for him.

What was his purpose?

Lin Zheyu did not understand.

He had already reached a cooperative agreement with Jia Yanming. Jia Yanyong should not have continued playing such tricks.

Besides, he had often seen Jia Yanyong listening to stories at Bi Dan Teahouse lately, and the man had seemed to enjoy them quite a bit.

Thoughts flashed through Lin Zheyu's mind as he stopped three meters away from Jia Yanyong.

"Brother Yong, were you waiting here specifically for me?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"That's right."

Jia Yanyong gave a chuckle. "Our gang leader finds your stories rather interesting and wants to invite you to the Flying Rainbow Gang tomorrow morning to tell stories."

"Tell a few more segments then. Listening to so little in a day just isn't satisfying."

"Easy enough."

"May I ask how much silver your esteemed gang leader intends to pay? My appearance fee is not cheap." Lin Zheyu asked.

As one of Songyi City's three major gangs, the Flying Rainbow Gang had many members.

If possible, he still did not want to offend them.

"Being allowed to tell stories for our gang leader is your honor, and you still want payment?"

"These streets are all under the Flying Rainbow Gang's protection. It is already generous enough that we have not charged you protection money."

Jia Yanyong curled his lip.

He extended a hand and clenched both fists until they cracked, his tone carrying a trace of threat.

His features were fierce, and his muscular frame, paired with that vicious expression, gave off an overwhelming sense of pressure. He looked like someone not to be provoked.

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

"If your esteemed gang leader wishes to hear stories, he may come to Bi Dan Teahouse tomorrow afternoon."

Lin Zheyu refused.

They wanted to hear stories without paying? Were they planning to freeload?

Lin Zheyu hated freeloaders most of all.

"You wouldn't think that because you became Liang Song's disciple, you can ignore the Flying Rainbow Gang, would you?"

Jia Yanyong said mockingly.

His brother had previously asked him about Liang Song, asking whether Liang Song was someone easy to provoke. Only then had Jia Yanyong learned that Lin Zheyu had become Liang Song's disciple.

If this had been more than ten years ago, when Liang Song was in his prime, the Flying Rainbow Gang would have had to show him some respect.

But Liang Song was now in the twilight of his years, with one lame leg. How much of his strength could possibly remain?

"I do not mean that. I simply truly have something to do tomorrow morning."

Lin Zheyu replied blandly.

Seeing Lin Zheyu's manner, Jia Yanyong revealed a Cold Laugh.

"My brother asked me long ago to teach you a lesson, but later you began cooperating with him, so I lost the chance."

"Now our gang leader wants to invite you to tell stories, yet you are so ungrateful."

"Since you refuse to appreciate the favor, I will let you taste some suffering. As long as you still have a mouth, you can tell stories. Breaking a few arms and legs will not be much of a problem."

Jia Yanyong walked toward Lin Zheyu step by step.

That burly body, coupled with his vicious face, brought immense pressure.

"You want to Make a Move here?"

"People come and go here. If I shout a few times, officials will be here soon enough." Lin Zheyu showed no fear and merely spoke calmly.

"The authorities?"

"Haha, so what if they arrest me? It is only a matter of spending some money. Even if I caused a death, I could settle it, much less merely break a few of your bones."

Jia Yanyong said disdainfully.

He walked toward Lin Zheyu one step at a time.

Rolling his neck and clenching his fists until they cracked loudly.

A Cold Laugh rested on his face, carrying equal parts disdain and ridicule.

He had seen plenty of people like Lin Zheyu. At first they were all tough, but most became obedient after a beating.

"I'll give you one more chance."

"Will you obediently go to the Flying Rainbow Gang 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 help you make the choice!"

Jia Yanyong said indifferently.

He had practiced martial arts for more than ten years. Though he had never mastered them, after over a decade of tempering, his strength had barely broken through into the Bone Forging Realm.

After joining the Flying Rainbow Gang, he had gone through countless gang battles, great and small.

Relying on his powerful physique and his ruthless, fearless fighting style, he had built quite a reputation.