The Storyteller

Three days later.

As the news of Young Hero Chen "wiping out the Liu Family and killing the Bamboo Swordsman" spread completely, Little Liuzi Town became exceptionally lively.

On every street corner, most people were talking about Young Hero Chen.

Traveling merchants and wandering martial artists, upon hearing of this young prodigy, also spoke of him with great relish, carrying his legend far beyond the town as they traveled the world.

Several storytellers in town even began inquiring about the details, adding their own embellishments to start writing a Biography of Chen Guan.

A seventeen-year-old who had reached the Great Completion of the Acquired Realm was a legendary figure in a small town like theirs.

Especially since his life at seventeen had only just begun, yet it was already so spectacular.

So, what would happen next?

As storytellers, their trade was to recount rare and exciting tales.

Naturally, this had to be recorded.

But more than that, this was also the ancient equivalent of "chasing clout."

They saw that Young Hero Chen was popular now, so they began to talk about Young Hero Chen.

Much like the storybook The Knight-Errant's Pact of the Black Bear Spirit.

When it was popular back then, everyone talked about the Black Bear Spirit.

Although the Black Bear Spirit no longer had any "heat" today.

There were still storytellers recounting it, and some elders telling it to their descendants.

Though it was far less glorious than it had been ten years ago.

However, it was precisely this passage of time that allowed the tale of the Black Bear Spirit to slowly transform from the bustling excitement of a storybook into a familiar piece of folklore.

It had become one of the strange anecdotes belonging to Little Liuzi Town.

Evening.

Young Hero Chen stepped out of his home and headed toward the north of town.

Then, Young Hero Chen discovered that he was being treated like a rare animal; everywhere he walked, he was watched.

Casting his gaze about, Young Hero Chen saw that some people were afraid, while others were excited.

There were also those who looked as if they wanted to speak but dared not.

Furthermore, on the path he walked, anyone approaching from the front who spotted him would quickly dodge to the side.

Even those who didn't dodge were nervously tugged by their sleeves by friends who whispered a reminder:

"Don't you know who he is? He is the Fifth Young Master of the Zhao Family... that ruthless man who wiped out an entire household..."

"It's actually him?"

"Such a heroic figure with an extraordinary appearance... I thought it could only be Young Hero Chen..."

"I heard this Fifth Young Master eats wolves and leopards raw... and kills people at the slightest disagreement..."

The few who hadn't dodged turned pale with fright upon learning Young Hero Chen's identity and followed their friends in stepping aside.

They were afraid that if they accidentally offended Young Hero Chen, they would be struck down by him.

Is it really necessary? Am I that fierce? What is this about killing people at the slightest disagreement?

Seeing their reactions and feeling the gazes of the crowd on the street, Young Hero Chen glanced briefly at the few who had been whispering.

"Those who practice martial arts have sharp ears and eyes; I could hear the whispers of these brothers. I am indeed Chen Guan. I am not a monster in the woods that chooses people to devour, so you need not be like this."

After saying this, Young Hero Chen laughed to himself.

He was amused by their furtive glances and their whispered conversations.

"This wild hero... he actually laughed?"

"Who said that? This Master Chen is hard to get along with?"

Seeing Young Hero Chen laugh and hearing his easygoing tone, the surrounding crowd was stunned for a moment before a small group stepped forward to speak, making the street even livelier.

"Young Hero Chen..."

"Greetings, Fifth Young Master!"

"Have you eaten, Young Master?"

"I have a very good relationship with your father; I am your Uncle Zhang. Of course, if Young Hero Chen minds, you may call me by my name as well..."

Accompanied by various greetings.

Although Chen Guan did not recognize any of them, he still nodded and returned the gestures out of courtesy.

After all, they were all greeting him with good intentions.

He was not some big shot, so there was no need to put on airs.

Likewise, if someone cupped their hands in a salute, Chen Guan would stop and return the salute.

Just like that, a journey that should have taken one hour.

Chen Guan walked and stopped for three hours before finally arriving at a street in the north of the town.

Today.

It was the day of the appointment at Yanhe Pavilion.

Chen Guan had not forgotten this restaurant owner who seemed to have significant influence.

As long as he could establish a connection, perhaps the man could help him out when buying secret manuals in the future.

Of course, Chen Guan also knew that he and Bamboo Swordsman were on brotherly terms.

But he had also heard that the man himself was unaware of Bamboo Swordsman's evil nature and had been kept in the dark.

As for such claims.

Having lived several lifetimes, Chen Guan felt it was best to just listen and not take them seriously, for to believe them would be to lose.

Furthermore, his cheap father had told him.

The proprietor of Yanhe Pavilion was a pure businessman, with profit as his top priority.

"In the few days since I returned.

I have already heard that the proprietor has put out word that he has severed ties with Bamboo Swordsman."

Chen Guan pondered as he looked toward Yanhe Pavilion, not far ahead.

"Especially since the banquet once intended as an invitation has been changed to a banquet of gratitude today.

These matters are known throughout the town; it does not seem like a trap.

Moreover, even if it were a trap, since he was on good terms with Bamboo Swordsman, I must meet him to see if he needs to be rooted out."

Chen Guan's thinking was simple: either be on good terms, or root them out.

Otherwise, they would just be passersby on the street, meeting by chance and owing each other nothing.

Lost in thought.

Chen Guan nodded and returned greetings to people on the street from time to time, continuing to walk forward.

But when he arrived at the tea house from ten years ago.

"If we speak of that young chivalrous hero, it must be Young Hero Chen Chen Guan!"

Inside the tea house came a familiar voice, along with the distinct sound of an Iron Fan tapping.

Hearing this storytelling, Chen Guan's thoughts were pulled back to ten years ago, and he remembered the day he ran away from home.

He had not expected that the same gentleman would still be telling stories in the tea house.

That night, the storyteller had told the tale of the "Black Bear Spirit's Chivalrous Vow."

Clatter—

Chen Guan touched his Hundred Beast Garment sleeve, finding a bit of broken silver inside.

Since he had encountered this today, and the story was about himself, he had to listen.

In a few strides, he arrived at the doorway.

Chen Guan looked into the tea house.

"That Liu Family colluded with..."

The storyteller was tapping his Iron Fan while telling the story when his gaze flickered and he saw Chen Guan at the door.

At this sight, the storyteller felt a sense of wonder in his heart.

Because Chen Guan was dressed in a Hundred Beast Garment, with strange round ears, a tall stature, and thick body hair.

He was the Young Hero Chen he spoke of, yet he also resembled the strange young man he had met ten years ago.

"He... is he... that young boy with the peculiar appearance?"

The storyteller was astonished.

"According to the day Fifth Young Master of the Zhao Family ran away, it was the same day he listened to the story, and he has been away from home for ten years.

The years... they match up.

I never expected... that they were actually the same person?"

It seems I guessed a few things correctly... A person with such an extraordinary appearance would certainly not fade into the crowd.

The storyteller had a good memory, or perhaps it was simply that Chen Guan's appearance was too singular.

Having seen him once, and occasionally recalling the encounter, it was hard to forget.

And so.

When the storyteller saw this old acquaintance arrive once more, he suddenly broke into a smile and cut his storytelling short.

"Eh?"

"What happened, Iron Fan?"

"Why stop?"

"Hurry up and tell us about Young Hero Chen! I came all the way from the west of town today specifically to hear this part about Young Hero Chen!"

The other patrons, who had been nodding along while sipping their tea, all turned to look at Iron Fan now that the story had been interrupted.

"A story is common, but an old friend is not."

Iron Fan let out a hearty laugh. Amidst the gazes of the audience, he deftly flicked his wrist, snapped his fan shut, and tapped the handle against his palm. With the fan face-down, he cupped his hands in a salute toward the doorway and said:

"Young Hero Chen, thank you for the tip ten years ago. It has been a long time—I trust you have been well?"