Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Making the Choice for You

Certainly! Here is the translated text:

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…

“Good!”

“Well said, you’ll be rewarded!”

A young man, dressed as a nobleman, shouted loudly among the group of strangers.

The servant behind him heard the young master’s words and took out 100 wen to reward him. The coins fell into the copper basin, making a pleasant sound.

“Generous!”

Lin Zheyu exclaimed and spoke with even more enthusiasm.

This is a long story, it seems unusual to feel so excited and want to reward after hearing such a small segment.

But Lin Zheyu didn’t mind, as long as there’s a reward.

“The story is interesting, this young gentleman is quite talented to be able to write such a fascinating story.” The young noble ate a flaky pastry and laughed as he spoke to his companion.

Sitting beside him was a charming young woman, her face was rosy with fair skin, and her dark, shiny eyes exuded spiritual energy.

The young noble explained the character relationships to the young lady while listening to the story.

Lu Qihui came from Baohe City, and his family was a wealthy merchant there.

Due to the effects of war, Lu Qihui’s father feared that Baohe City would be implicated, so he asked Lu Qihui to relocate with his clan uncle and some family members to other cities.

When they passed through Songyi City, they decided to rest for a few days.

Lu Qihui aimlessly strolled around due to boredom and heard several people in a restaurant discussing a story, so he curiously joined to listen and got more addicted.

He specifically found a storyteller to narrate the story for him from the beginning.

The storyteller spoke for several days but stopped at a critical point as the story was unfinished.

Upon further inquiry, Lu Qihui learned that the story was still being serialized and was narrated regularly at the Bidan Tea House.

“That Huang Rong is indeed a remarkable woman.”

Lu Zhenfang exclaimed, “Brother, when we set off in a few days, let’s take this storyteller with us to entertain us on the road.”

“That’s a good idea!”

Lu Qihui’s eyes lit up, “If such talent could be recruited into the Lu Mansion, he could tell stories during his free time, adding much fun.”

“Yes, yes.” Lu Zhenfang blinked her eyes, she was also captivated.

Happy times always pass quickly.

Under the reluctant gazes of the audience, Lin Zheyu picked up the storytelling wooden block and tapped it, “To know what happens next, please listen to further episodes.”

“Ah?”

“Is it over already?”

“One more segment, one more segment!”

The audience started their regular clamor, and Lin Zheyu cupped his hands and prepared to step down from the platform.

Clap!

At this moment, just as a crisp sound was heard, Lu Qihui stood up, holding a silver ingot, and slammed it onto the table, “Storyteller, please continue for another segment, there’s a reward.”

With that, he threw the silver into the basin, creating a resounding clang.

Whoa, a major spender appeared.

Seeing this, Lin Zheyu chuckled and returned to the storytelling stage, “Since you all are so enthusiastic, let’s have another segment then!”

He’s been narrating for so long, and finally, a top patron appeared!

Clap!

With a tap of the storytelling wooden block, “Last time we left off at…”

Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang exchanged a glance and smiled.

Lu Qihui chuckled, “This storyteller is indeed fond of money; he should be persuaded to accompany us on our journey, albeit at the cost of some silver taels.”

…

Lin Zheyu narrated another segment.

It wasn’t until darkness began to fall that the audience reluctantly left.

Passing through the market, Lin Zheyu bought four pounds of pork and some vegetables.

As his strength improved, his appetite grew larger, and his need for meat and herbal supplements increased.

On the street, it’s the path Lin Zheyu takes to return home.

A burly figure was leaning against the wall, idly shaking his leg.

Upon seeing Lin Zheyu approaching, the other person glanced sideways, eyes filled with an examining look.

“Jia Yanrong!”

Lin Zheyu squinted slightly.

This guy purposely waited here, obviously targeting him.

What’s his purpose?

Lin Zheyu was puzzled.

He had made a cooperative agreement with Jia Yanming; the other person shouldn’t continue with any antics.

Furthermore, he frequently saw Jia Yanrong at the Bidan Tea House listening to stories and quite enjoying them.

Lin Zheyu pondered deeply and stopped three meters away from Jia Yanrong.

“Yong, are you waiting here specifically for me?” Lin Zheyu spoke.

“Indeed.”

Jia Yanrong chuckled, “Our Gang Leader finds your story interesting and wants you to tell it at Feihong Gang tomorrow morning.”

“Tell several segments; it’s not satisfying to hear just a little bit each day.”

“Sure.”

“May I ask how many silver taels your Gang Leader intends to offer? My appearance fee isn’t cheap.” Lin Zheyu inquired.

Feihong Gang is one of the three major gangs in Songyi City, with many members.

If possible, he still preferred not to offend them.

“It’s your honor to tell stories to our Gang Leader, and you still want to get paid?”

“These few streets are all under Feihong Gang’s protection; it’s already good that we don’t charge you a protection fee.”

Jia Yanrong sneered.

He reached out, cracked his knuckles, and his tone carried a hint of threat.

With a ferocious face and a burly body paired with a sinister expression, he was highly intimidating, giving off an impression of being daunting.

“I’m very sorry, but I have other commitments tomorrow morning.”

“If your Gang Leader wants to hear stories, he can come to the Bidan Tea House tomorrow afternoon.” Lin Zheyu declined.

Expecting to listen without paying, this was trying to freeload?

Lin Zheyu detested freeloaders the most.

“You didn’t think that just because you became Liang Song’s apprentice, you can disregard Feihong Gang, did you?”

Jia Yanrong said, with a hint of mockery.

His brother previously asked him about Liang Song, whether Liang Song was difficult to deal with, only then did Jia Yanrong realize Lin Zheyu apprenticed Liang Song.

More than ten years ago, when Liang Song was in his prime, Feihong Gang would have respected him.

But now Liang Song was aged, with a crippled leg; how much of his strength could remain?

“I don’t mean that, I really have an engagement tomorrow morning.”

Lin Zheyu spoke indifferently.

Seeing Lin Zheyu’s current manner, Jia Yanrong sneered coldly.

“Long ago, my brother asked me to teach you a lesson, but later you cooperated with my brother, so there was no opportunity.”

“Now the Gang Leader wants you to tell stories but didn’t expect you to be so ungrateful.”

“Since you do not show courtesy, you’ll get a taste of some hardship. As long as you have a mouth, you can still tell stories; breaking some limbs isn’t a big deal.”

Jia Yanrong walked step by step toward Lin Zheyu.

That burly physique combined with a fierce look was enormously oppressive.

“You planning to make a move here?”

“There are people coming and going here; if I shout a few times, the officials will quickly arrive.” Lin Zheyu didn’t show fear but spoke calmly.

“Officials?”

“Ha-ha, what of it if they caught me, it’s just a matter of spending some money. Even if there’s a fatal incident, it’ll be settled; not to mention just breaking a few bones of yours.”

Jia Yanrong said disdainfully.

…

He moved step by step toward Lin Zheyu.

Stretching his neck, cracking his fists.

With a cold smile on his face, part disdain, part mockery.

He had seen many people like Lin Zheyu; initially, they were very hard-headed but most of them mellowed after a beating.

“I’ll give you one more chance.”

“Will you go voluntarily to Feihong Gang to tell stories tomorrow morning, or will I beat you and have someone carry you over?” Jia Yanrong asked.

“Neither?”

“Neither?”

“Then I’ll help you make a choice!”

Jia Yanrong said indifferently.

He studied martial arts for over ten years, although not very proficient, the grinding of over ten years had barely pushed his strength to the Bone Forging Realm.

After joining Feihong Gang, he experienced many faction battles.

Relying on his strong build and ruthless, fearless fighting style, he gained not small fame.

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