...
"No need to be so polite."
"Put away those scholarly manners. We martial artists aren’t so ceremonious."
"Oh right, look at me and my memory. You’re quite keen on silver taels, I almost forgot to mention it."
Xu Jingwu chuckled.
Back when he had Jia Yanrong invite Lin Zheyu to tell stories, this kid refused because Jia said there was no pay.
"Haha..."
Lin Zheyu laughed awkwardly.
At first, he had the preconceived notion that gang members weren’t good people.
Plus, the fact that Jia Yanrong said they wouldn’t pay only made Lin Zheyu’s impression worse, leading to an immediate refusal.
Who ever heard of inviting someone to tell stories without paying?
However, after getting to know them, Lin Zheyu realized Xu Jingwu wasn’t as fierce and notorious as he had imagined.
Xu Jingwu actually came across as refined and amiable, and he was quite generous.
Just now, Lin Zheyu saw him tip a tael of silver to an opera singer simply because he was in a good mood.
If Lin Zheyu had accepted the offer back then and Xu Jingwu was satisfied with the storytelling, he likely would have rewarded him generously too.
"Your skills are somewhat better than Jia Yanrong’s and the others, but since you haven’t made any contributions, you’ll receive the same as them, five taels of silver per month. How does that sound?"
Xu Jingwu said.
Ordinary underlings typically earned about thirteen hundred coins a month.
For those with stronger skills like Jia Yanrong and Xie Jiang, five taels of silver a month was possible.
"Hmm, I’m quite satisfied with five taels of silver."
Lin Zheyu replied with a smile, then joked, "But if the gang leader wants to hear stories next time, you’ll still need to pay extra."
"Hahaha!"
"Sure, sure, it must be given."
"Agreed, and I promise you’ll be generously rewarded!"
Xu Jingwu laughed heartily.
Lin Zheyu stayed to watch a play with Mr. Xu before leaving.
Mr. Xu was a busy man, scheduled to go to the garden with Miss Wang and Miss Chen in the afternoon, and had plans to visit Baihua Tower in the evening.
His days were busy and fulfilling, yet straightforward and unpretentious.
...
On Hundred Flavors Street.
At Honglai Restaurant.
Jia Yanrong, Xie Jiang, and Lin Zheyu were seated at a table.
"Come, I toast a bowl to Brother Lin, welcoming him to join the Feihong Gang." Xie Jiang raised his wine bowl.
Lin Zheyu lifted his own bowl, clinked it against Xie Jiang’s, and drank it all in one go.
He refilled his bowl and said to Jia Yanrong, "I toast a bowl to Brother Yong, from now on we’re brothers, let’s put our past grievances behind us."
"Haha, I was in the wrong in the past, I should be the one toasting you!" Jia Yanrong laughed heartily. He was undeniably loyal when it came to brotherhood.
The two clinked bowls again and downed the drink.
After a few bowls of wine, the atmosphere became lively.
"After this meal, I’ll take you to meet other brothers." Jia Yanrong suggested.
"I’ve got to tell some stories later, let’s do it tonight then."
Lin Zheyu replied.
Storytelling could earn him six or seven taels of silver a month, so he wasn’t planning to give it up for the time being.
"That’s convenient, many brothers enjoy listening to your stories too. Let’s gather at Bidan Tea House then." Xie Jiang said with a grin.
The meal was on Jia Yanrong.
Through conversations with Jia Yanrong and Xie Jiang, Lin Zheyu learned more about the Feihong Gang.
The gang had many skilled fighters. There were more than thirty Bone Forging Realm martial artists like Lin Zheyu, and about twenty at the Peak of Bone Forging.
There were eight in the Refining Internal Organ Realm, two of whom were at the Peak of Refining Internal Organs.
After reaching the Refining Internal Organ Realm, one is considered top-notch within Songyi City and could receive at least fifteen taels of silver per month.
Above the Refining Internal Organ Realm, there’s one Qi Blood Realm master, and that’s Mr. Xu.
It’s tough for ordinary people to practice martial arts; having outstanding martial potential is not enough.
Massive daily training hours and significant silver resources are required; the cost is jaw-dropping.
Therefore, those who succeed in cultivation mostly come from affluent families.
Wealthy individuals are seldom found in gangs.
So, Jia Yanrong, Xie Jiang, and Lin Zheyu are quite capable within the Feihong Gang.
...
Arriving at Bidan Tea House.
Lin Zheyu stepped onto the storytelling stage, scanning the crowd; seeing many familiar faces.
That new top supporter was there too.
A generously spending young master passing through Songyi City.
Unfortunately, after tipping a tael of silver last time to hear an extra segment, he hadn’t tipped as much since.
Every time, it was just a hundred or so coins.
But that wasn’t too bad either.
"Last time, we talked about how Huang Rong used gourmet dishes to tempt Mr. Hong, finally getting him to agree to instruct Guo Jing..."
On stage, Lin Zheyu spoke eloquently, captivating the audience below.
As the plot unfolded, the story grew more thrilling.
"That was excellent!"
"Brother, stay awhile longer before leaving."
Lu Zhenfang, engrossed in the storytelling, was reluctant to leave.
Compared to Baohe City, Songyi City wasn’t as bustling.
But the stories told in Songyi City were remarkably intriguing!
Lu Zhenfang had become enamored with the enchantingly clever stories of the scholar at Yixiang Tea House and the martial heroics at Bidan Tea House in Songyi City.
In Baohe City, she wouldn’t encounter such compelling and refreshing stories; all she’d hear were old, worn-out tales.
"Uncle’s matters are nearly settled; we’ll be leaving in at most four days, dragging on would incur uncle’s wrath." Lu Qihui said helplessly.
He too did not wish to depart promptly; he longed for a few additional days in Songyi City.
Once they set off, the journey would be lengthy, taking yet another month or so to travel.
Enduring the elements out there was unbearably unpleasant.
"I’ll invite Mr. Lin later, having him join us on our journey; this way, the trip won’t be too tedious."
"Do you think he’ll agree?"
Lu Zhenfang worried, as few people were willing to leave their hometown in those times.
They were leaving Baohe City out of necessity, with the rebel army not far away from Baohe City.
After capturing two more cities, they’d march directly into Baohe City.
To ensure safety, most of the Lu family had been sent out to scout ahead, and they were the second group.
"He will."
"I heard Mr. Lin’s hometown isn’t Songyi City; he fled here from Jiunan City."
"He has no family here. As long as he’s paid well, why wouldn’t he tell stories elsewhere?"
Lu Qihui declared confidently.
He wasn’t concerned about Lin Zheyu being unwilling to travel with them.
How much could he earn storytelling in Songyi City for a month?
The daily wage plus tips might amount to five hundred coins, ten taels of silver at most per month.
He couldn’t believe offering twenty taels of silver wouldn’t tempt him to leave Songyi City.
...
After finishing his story.
Lin Zheyu had just gotten off the stage when Mr. Wo approached.
"Mr. Lin, a guest wishes to see you."
"No."
Lin Zheyu refused immediately.
Recently, too many people wanted to meet him, and he was getting a bit annoyed.
"The guest is quite sincere and left a tael of silver."
Mr. Wo pulled out a piece of silver and handed it over. "I thought in light of the silver, you might be inclined to meet, so I agreed on your behalf."
"This guy knows what’s up?"
"Alright, I’ll meet him then."
Lin Zheyu took the silver and grinned.
He appreciated such aware individuals, people who understood the social game.
In terms of social interactions, Jia Yanrong was severely lacking.
Had Jia Yanrong been more courteous and sincere, explaining that though initially unpaid, Mr. Xu’s tips would be even more generous if the storytelling was good, then so many issues wouldn’t have arisen afterward.
...
Guided by Mr. Wo, he met the guest, who turned out to be the generous young master who had tipped a tael of silver before.
"I am Lin Zheyu, nice to meet you all."
Lin Zheyu gave an amiable smile and clasped his hands towards the group.
Those who pay are patrons.
If someone was willing to spend, Lin Zheyu was easygoing and agreeable.
"I am Lu Qihui, and this is my sister, Lu Zhenfang."
"Mr. Lin, you truly have a great talent, able to craft such exciting and passionate writing like The Legend of the Condor Heroes!" Lu Qihui praised.
"Oh, you’re too kind, young master."
...