The Fire Worship Cult and General Flying Thunder

Gu Sheng's eyes held a strange expression. He had initially wondered what kind of great place Gu Erniu was referring to, thinking that the honest and simple Brother Erniu had a hidden side. To his surprise, it turned out to be a place for storytellers.

Seeing Gu Sheng's astonishment, Gu Erniu chuckled playfully.

"What did you think it was? You're young and not learning good things. Your sister-in-law and I have a great relationship."

He chuckled, then skillfully took out two copper coins and handed them to a nearby attendant. After receiving two bowls of tea, he found a wooden stump to sit on.

"Every time I come to the city, I have to come here and listen. I can learn a lot."

The tea tasted bitter, but no one seemed to mind.

Everyone's attention was focused on listening intently.

The storyteller was an old man in a long robe. The robe was washed until it was faded, but his voice was sonorous and powerful.

"Speaking of the previous dynasty, demons and monsters wreaked havoc, the court was in disarray, and the people suffered. Our Great Ancestor slew the demon dragon and rose in rebellion, gathering thirty-six Heavenly Generals under his command…"

Before he could finish.

Discontent immediately arose from below.

"Old Mr. Zhang, I've heard this part at least eight or ten times. If you try to fool us like this again today, we'll go to Old Man Li's place!"

Old Mr. Zhang looked embarrassed and quickly clasped his fists in apology.

"Everyone, everyone, please don't rush. This is just an appetizer. We'll get to today's main topic right away!"

He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, realizing that the storytelling business was getting harder and harder.

He only had so much material. If he told it all at once, people wouldn't come anymore, proving to be even more heartless than a patron of a brothel.

If he didn't tell any substantial content, the competition from peers was fierce.

He had to strike the right balance.

Seeing that there were many people today, Old Mr. Zhang pondered for a moment, then struck his heavy wood and shouted:

"Everyone, listen today to General Qin's feat of quelling the rebellion in Yunzhou and taking the enemy's head amidst a vast army!"

"Great! We want to hear that!"

The audience's eyes lit up, and Gu Sheng also became interested.

"It is said that a few months ago, Yunzhou suffered a severe drought, with barren land stretching for a thousand miles, no harvest, and the people suffering…"

"His Majesty was benevolent, allocating funds for disaster relief and even dispatching ministers to Yunzhou to express imperial grace. Originally, this disaster should have passed peacefully."

"Who would have thought!"

"That a demon cultist took the opportunity to cause trouble, secretly inciting unrest. The Yunzhou Governor, momentarily unaware, allowed these demon cultists to exploit the situation, gathering the ignorant masses and forming a force. They began to attack government officials on a large scale, leading to a catastrophic disaster!"

"Do you all know who these demon cultists are?"

Old Mr. Zhang paused for suspense.

Gu Erniu next to him impatiently asked in a loud voice:

"Who are they? Who are they!"

"This good fellow, please don't rush. These demon cultists are no ordinary people. They are a mysterious organization called the Fire Worship Cult. Not only are the demon cultists within it all skilled in martial arts, but their actions are also inexplicably bizarre."

"This Fire Worship Cult worships an evil, fiery god. Do you know that to join the Fire Worship Cult, one must endure forty-nine days of scorching sun? They are so cruel to themselves, you can imagine how brutal these demon cultists are!"

"Hiss!!"

The audience collectively gasped.

"Forty-nine days of scorching sun? If they don't die from this, aren't they no different from demons?"

"This is too terrifying!"

"With such demon cultists causing trouble behind the scenes in Yunzhou, it's no wonder such a great disaster occurred. These demon cultists truly deserve to die!"

Gu Sheng's eyes also trembled.

Although he knew that the storyteller likely exaggerated, the so-called Fire Worship Cult was definitely not a good group.

In times of chaos, when people have nowhere to place their hopes, it becomes the best breeding ground for evil cults.

He secretly raised his guard.

Old Mr. Zhang's voice became impassioned:

"Everyone, don't worry!"

"Although these Fire Worship Cult demon cultists are wicked and ferocious, our dynasty has suppressed thirteen states for hundreds of years. How can demon cultists imagine such a thing? His Majesty was enraged, and General Flying Thunder, Qin Leiyu, led a large army to rush there overnight!"

"General Qin is truly a god descended to earth. The demon cultists, with their manipulated masses, numbered more than a million. However, General Qin was surrounded by lightning, like a god of war on earth. With a single strike, he pierced through ten thousand enemies, taking the enemy's head amidst the army!"

"Flying lightning, peerless spear god, that is General Qin."

"As soon as General Qin arrived, those demon cultists immediately dropped their armor and fled, their bowels and urine flowing out in fear. The so-called rebel army instantly turned into dust…"

Old Mr. Zhang spoke endlessly, occasionally interjecting battlefield details, causing the crowd to exclaim repeatedly.

Then, the topic shifted to General Qin's personal life, such as a certain noble lady sending him embroidered mandarin ducks, or a certain princess requesting a marriage proposal. Gu Erniu listened with shining eyes, shouting that it was exhilarating.

As for Gu Sheng.

His thoughts weren't on that anymore.

How could an ordinary storyteller know so much inside information? Most likely, they heard it from refugees and embellished it themselves.

But the Fire Worship Cult and this General Flying Thunder should be real.

"I wonder what level of Martial Way this General Flying Thunder has reached."

Wrapped in lightning, taking an enemy's head from the midst of ten thousand soldiers. Even if it was exaggerated, it might not be entirely untrue. It was hard to imagine what realm one needed to possess such extraordinary power.

After Mr. Zhang had satisfied everyone's appetite for stories, he began to recount tales and rumors he had told before.

Whether it was myths and legends or the famous deeds of Martial Way powerhouses near Canghe County.

For example, Yan Heng, the 'Autumn Water Sword', Zhao Honglie, the 'Black Sand Palm', and Gu Sheng even heard Gu Jingang's name, Gu Jingang, the 'Iron Fist King Kong'!

This made him listen with great interest, and he silently took note of these names.

Time flew by.

Mr. Zhang struck his wooden clapper, announcing the end of the day's session. He slowly departed amidst the lingering gazes of the crowd, who still wanted more.

Gu Erniu smacked his lips, still immersed in the vivid descriptions painted by the storyteller.

After a long moment, he sighed.

"Living such a spectacular life, what a journey it would be."

Gu Sheng nodded in agreement.

These people enjoyed listening to stories, which was also a way to experience life through others' perspectives.

Gu Erniu and the others' futures were almost visible, so they chose this method to comfort themselves. But Gu Sheng's future was just beginning.

He looked at the vastly different Canghe County and thought to himself.

"Gu Family Village is just my starting point, and so is Canghe County. One day, I will be free and unrestrained, living as I please!"

The next day.

Gu Erniu took Gu Sheng early in the morning to deal with the hides and medicinal herbs they had brought. Last night, Gu Renxu had quietly told Gu Sheng that their stay wouldn't exceed two days, so they had to hurry.

Soon, the two stopped in front of a building with the words "Mingyu Hall" inscribed on it.

Mingyu Hall was an establishment of a major clan in the city. They had everything from weapons to medicinal powders, and they also dealt in buying and pawning goods. They were fair and reputable.

The buy-back prices were slightly lower, but the safety was worth it.

After considering it last night, Gu Sheng told Gu Erniu about hunting the Silver Fox.

Gu Erniu was astonished, and then he realized that Gu Sheng had actually hunted the Silver Fox. No wonder no one could find it. He couldn't help but sigh at Gu Sheng's low-key nature. If anyone else had hunted the Silver Fox, they would have been showing it off by now.

However, he was only envious in his heart, not jealous. Instead, he was happy for Gu Sheng, especially since Gu Sheng had saved his life.

Considering Gu Sheng wanted to sell the Silver Fox pelt, they ultimately chose Mingyu Hall.

As they walked into the building, a young attendant quickly greeted them.

"Are you two here to sell fur and medicinal herbs?"

"That's right."

Gu Erniu gave a meaningful look, and Gu Sheng said calmly.

"I have a good pelt to sell. Please have your steward come out."

A business worth tens of taels was certainly not small.

The attendant was sharp-eyed. Seeing their calm and composed demeanor, he quickly invited them to sit in a private room, apologized, and went to the back to fetch the steward.