Transaction

After some polite pleasantries, Lu Qihui got to the point.

"Mr. Lin is not a local, are you?"

Lu Qihui asked with a smile, his tone devoid of any doubt.

"Indeed, I come from Jiunan City."

"I assume Young Master Lu has heard that Jiunan City was captured by rebel forces. I escaped from there at that time and have been wandering ever since, eventually arriving in Songyi City."

Lin Zheyu did not hide anything.

Many people already knew his story; it was hardly a secret.

"Since Mr. Lin fled from Jiunan City and is all alone in Songyi City, I wonder if you would be interested in joining the Lu family on our journey to Bafang City?"

"We would like to invite you to tell stories along the way so that the journey won't be too dull."

Lu Qihui said sincerely, and Lu Zhenfang, sitting to the side, looked at Lin Zheyu with anticipation.

Seeing that Lin Zheyu did not speak, Lu Zhenfang added, "We can offer you double the silver you currently earn in Songyi City."

"Twenty taels of silver a month, what do you think?"

"My apologies."

"I have no plans to leave Songyi City for the time being." Lin Zheyu shook his head and refused.

"This..."

"Could Mr. Lin tell us why?"

"Is it that the silver is not enough? We can add more if it isn't. How does thirty taels of silver sound?"

Lu Qihui said urgently, offering the price of thirty taels.

Thirty taels to hire a storyteller was an astronomical price; if people found out, they would likely say he had lost his mind.

Even an Organ Refining martial artist wouldn't receive that much in monthly tribute.

"It is not a matter of silver."

Lin Zheyu shook his head.

Lu Qihui's offer of thirty taels was quite tempting, as his current total monthly income from all sources was only around thirty taels.

However, the world outside was in chaos, with bandits running rampant; one careless move could lead to disaster.

His predecessor had come from a wealthy merchant family and had also tried to flee early, only to encounter bandits.

If not for sheer luck, he would never have had the chance to escape to Songyi City.

Lin Zheyu intended to lie low in Songyi City for a while. Only after he had raised his strength to the Blood Energy realm and gained some security would he consider leaving.

"Then why?"

"Songyi City is not far from Baohe City, and the current situation is extremely dire. If Baohe City is captured by the rebels, it will soon be Songyi City's turn."

"Since you have to leave sooner or later, why not travel with our Lu family? It would be better to have someone to look out for you." Lu Qihui persuaded him, unwilling to give up.

"Young Master Lu, you must have encountered quite a few bandits on your way from Baohe City to Songyi City, right?"

"The situation is volatile now, and bandits are everywhere. It is extremely risky to venture out rashly."

"My Lin family was also a wealthy merchant family in Jiunan City with many experts under our command, yet we still encountered powerful bandits while fleeing."

"It is far too dangerous to go out now."

"I choose to believe in the strength of the Great Wei. I trust that they will soon react and send troops to suppress the rebels." Lin Zheyu found an excuse to refuse.

"Indeed, it is very chaotic outside the city, and bandits are rampant."

Lu Qihui sighed repeatedly; they had encountered many bandits on their own journey.

If not for his uncle's formidable strength and their numerous guards and servants, they likely would have met with misfortune.

Once times of chaos begin, the people cannot make a living, and those who cannot survive are forced to become bandits. However, these people were not the most terrifying; the truly dangerous ones were the powerful experts who hid among the bandits to commit evil.

"What a pity."

Lu Qihui sighed; he feared the journey ahead would be very boring.

"Mr. Lin, you should also make plans early. Songyi City is not safe. The Great Wei is currently overwhelmed and cannot spare the manpower to suppress the rebels."

"I will tell you a secret, but please do not spread it."

Lu Qihui lowered his voice and said, "I heard that these rebels have a very powerful background, with many great factions pushing them from behind. It will not be easy for the Great Wei to resolve this."

"Therefore, if you travel with me, it will be much safer than waiting until the rebels attack and then trying to run."

"My uncle is a Blood Energy realm expert, and our Lu family guards are formidable. We will certainly be able to protect our safety." Lu Qihui said confidently.

"What is the specific background of these rebels?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously.

"I am not clear on that."

Lu Qihui shook his head; he had only heard rumors and did not know the specifics.

After all, they were the ones pulling the strings from behind the scenes; if even he could know about it, they wouldn't be much of a mastermind.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, as I currently have no plans to leave Songyi City."

"You invited me to set off with you just to hear me tell stories, right?"

"I have a suggestion that might help you pass the time on the road," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

"Let's hear it." Lu Qihui became interested.

"I can write down the rest of the story for you. You can read it yourselves on the road, or hire another storyteller."

"However, the complete story is quite expensive; it will cost eighty taels of silver. I wonder if Young Master Lu can accept that?" Lin Zheyu said.

If the other party accepted, he could earn an extra sum of silver.

"That works too!"

Lu Zhenfang was overjoyed upon hearing this. She looked at Lu Qihui: "Brother, let's go to Yixiang Tea House later to find that storyteller and buy that story as well!"

"Are you talking about the Liaozhai series?"

"Yes, that story is also very brilliant, and it has a completely different style from the one you are telling now." Lu Zhenfang nodded.

"That story was also provided by me to Yixiang Tea House, and they hired other storytellers to perform it," Lin Zheyu said with a faint smile.

Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang both wore expressions of astonishment.

"Impressive!"

Lu Qihui gave a thumbs up: "Master Lin, I admire your literary talent!"

"If you both want both stories, I can give you a discount—one hundred and fifty taels of silver in total," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

For him, this was a huge sum of money.

Many ordinary families probably wouldn't earn that much in their entire lives.

Once the stories were written down, he could also give a copy to Gang Leader Xu, which would surely bring him benefits later.

"Fine, it's a deal."

"We are leaving Songyi City in four days. Is four days enough for you to write out the rest of the story?" Lu Zhenfang asked worriedly.

"No problem."

"I've already written most of the story, and I have a draft for the rest in my head, so it will be quick to write," Lin Zheyu said.

"Good, it's settled then."

After making the agreement with the Lu siblings, Lin Zheyu followed Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang to meet the other brothers in the gang.

The person in charge of Lin Zheyu and the others was named Qiu Gaoxuan. He was about forty-five years old and was rumored to be an expert at the peak of Organ Refining. He looked extremely cold and expressionless.

After meeting the brothers of the Flying Rainbow Gang and getting familiar with them, Lin Zheyu didn't leave until after nine o'clock.

Those who practiced martial arts drank like animals; they were incredibly capable of holding their liquor.

"Hiccup—"

He arrived at Master Liang's residence while hiccuping again.

Master Liang did not reprimand him.

He was an experienced man and knew that to integrate into a group, drinking was the most common and effective method.

After a bowl of hangover soup went down his throat, Lin Zheyu felt much more sober.

"Continue training tonight."

"Han Mo, come and spar a few moves with Lin Zheyu. Let me see how your strength is now."

Liang Song looked to the side.

Under the night sky, a young man was standing there.

The man looked to be around thirty years old, with a sturdy build, short hair, and a square face, giving off an impression of integrity and uprightness.

"Who is this?"

Lin Zheyu looked at the man; only then did he notice there was another person in the courtyard.

"His name is Han Mo. I taught him some martial arts a few years ago," Liang Song said.

"So it is Senior Brother Han. I am Lin Zheyu."

Lin Zheyu cupped his hands toward Han Mo.

Steward Wu had mentioned that Master Liang had taught martial arts to others, and this man must be one of them.