When the officers began driving people away, Yi Shuyuan hid beside the main gate inside the True Lord Temple. He had no intention of hiding deeper within; the temple's old caretaker had taught him this trick.
He had said that if the officers came in, Yi Shuyuan only needed to move aside with the caretakers and worshippers. They did not recognize the storyteller anyway. Provided no one gave him away, they would most likely assume he was a worshipper out here, and he could slip away once they went inside to search.
Clearly, however, there would be no need for this clever plan. Peace soon returned outside, and a fortune-teller who kept a stall out there even came into the True Lord Temple specifically to address Yi Shuyuan, the caretaker, and the other worshippers standing to one side.
"The officers have left. Sir, everything's fine now!"
Everyone else immediately relaxed as well, smiles appearing on their faces.
"Good, they're gone!" "It's all right now, all right! Will you carry on telling the story, sir?"
Yi Shuyuan smiled and, holding his folding fan upside down, cupped his hands in greeting to those around him.
"The Tale of Duke Chu is already finished. I've been speaking all morning, and my mouth and throat are quite dry. Once I've paid my respects to the Demon-Subduing Great Emperor, I'll be leaving. The local officers have shown me some consideration. If I really failed to appreciate it, I would only put them in a difficult position!"
"You have a point, sir."
"But sir, you haven't collected any money for the storytelling!"
"That's right, you haven't collected your money!" "With talent like that, you certainly deserve to be paid!"
Everyone around him agreed. The storytellers they ordinarily listened to could not begin to compare with the