“I know him too?”
Lin Zheyu was a little surprised.
He had only been in Songyi City for a short time and knew only a few people; none of them, as far as he could recall, practiced martial arts.
“Yes.”
“He’s a regular at our Teahouse, and he used to come here often to listen to stories and pass the time.”
“Ever since you started telling stories at our Teahouse, he’s been here almost every day.”
“I’ve seen him laugh heartily while listening to your stories, so he clearly enjoys them very much,” Manager Wu said.
“Is he willing to teach me?”
Lin Zheyu asked nervously.
He had heard that many martial arts were passed down only to males, let alone outsiders.
“Hmm, he should be willing.”
“I’ve seen many people learn martial arts from him.”
“Since he enjoys your storytelling so much, he should be willing to teach you some skills,” Manager Wu said.
He didn’t keep them in suspense and continued, “This man’s name is Liang Song, he looks about fifty years old, he’s a cripple, and he often sits by the window,” Wu Yinghe said.
“Is he the one who’s extremely generous with his tips?!”
Lin Zheyu exclaimed in surprise.
He remembered this person because he was incredibly generous with his tips and was currently the top tipper.
However, Liang Song looked ordinary and had a limp, making it impossible to tell that he was very strong.
“Yes, that’s him.”
“Don’t let Liang Song’s limp fool you; his strength is extraordinary.”
“A few years ago, someone in the Teahouse was harassing a woman, and Liang Song, without even looking up, flicked his hand, and chopsticks pierced through the palms of three burly men like arrows.”
Manager Wu took a sip of tea and said.
“Amazing!”
Lin Zheyu praised.
To be able to pierce the palms of three burly men with chopsticks without even looking up required extremely keen perception and immense strength.
The two chatted while eating, and time flew by.
It was time for storytelling.
Over the past ten-plus days, the stories Lin Zheyu told had spread far and wide through word of mouth among the customers.
As his reputation grew, more and more young masters came to Bidan Teahouse to listen to his stories.
The young masters’ tips were much more generous than others’.
Today, Lin Zheyu earned over three hundred copper coins, much more than usual.
His wages were still one hundred copper coins for a two-hour session, but his tips reached over two hundred copper coins.
Mainly, when he reached the climax of the story, the customers excitedly showered him with tips.
Seeing the enthusiastic tips from the customers, Lin Zheyu spoke with renewed passion, extending his storytelling by more than ten minutes.
“Look, Liang Song is here today too.”
Wu Yinghe pointed to Liang Song, who was sitting alone by the window, and said.
He was a man who looked to be in his fifties, with long, loose, disheveled hair reaching his shoulders and a full, unkempt beard.
After listening to the story, the man seemed to be in a good mood.
He drank a few small glasses of wine, looked out the window, admired the scenery outside, and had a slight smile on his face.
Straightening his clothes, Lin Zheyu picked up a small pot of wine and walked over.
The wine, named General’s Tears, was very famous.
General’s Tears had a low alcohol content but was very strong and intoxicating when drunk.
Manager Wu said this was Liang Song’s favorite wine to order.
“Hello, Master Liang, I am Lin Zheyu, the storyteller of Bidan Teahouse.”
“This is some wine I brought; please have a taste.”
Lin Zheyu filled Liang Song’s cup and spoke very politely.
Liang Song looked at him with a smile, said nothing, and continued to admire the scenery outside the window.
Lin Zheyu did not interrupt Liang Song’s enjoyment, and after instructing the waiter to bring a few small dishes, he quietly accompanied him in watching the scenery.
Besides storytelling, he had no other important matters at the moment.
After a long while.
The two had been watching the scenery for over an hour, and as dusk settled, Liang Song finally spoke.
“Speak, what is it?”
Liang Song seemed to have had his fill of the scenery and looked at Lin Zheyu, saying.
He raised his wine cup and drank it in one gulp, the spicy sensation flowing down his throat into his stomach.
Ah~~
Liang Song let out a satisfied sound, displaying a bold demeanor.
“I am Lin Zheyu, a refugee from Jiunan City, separated from my parents and relatives on the journey, and now I am alone in Songyi City with no one to rely on.”
“Without support while venturing out alone, it’s easy to be bullied. I heard that your martial arts are excellent, and I wish to learn a martial art from you.”
“Please, Master Liang, teach me!”
Lin Zheyu refilled Liang Song’s wine, cupped his fists, and pleaded earnestly.
“Learning martial arts is very tough, much tougher than studying. Your literary talent is excellent, why don’t you continue studying and pursue an official career?” Liang Song said indifferently.
“Great chaos is approaching; if I can’t even protect myself, how can I calmly pursue an official career?” Lin Zheyu shook his head.
Liang Song scrutinized Lin Zheyu from head to toe and shook his head slightly.
“It’s not impossible to teach you, but you’re too old; it’s a bit late to start practicing martial arts now.”
“The path of martial arts involves training the muscles, bones, and skin externally, and cultivating a breath internally.”
“The training of muscles, bones, and skin needs to start from a young age, and it requires very high demands on one’s physical foundation and aptitude. One must soak in medicinal baths from a young age, temper the muscles and bones, and lay a good foundation.”
“Once one gets older, the body grows, and bones set, tempering muscles and bones becomes hundreds of times harder, and one might inadvertently leave behind hidden injuries.”
Liang Song said, “If you start practicing martial arts now, you’ll put in twice the effort for half the result, and there’s a high probability you won’t achieve much. Are you sure you want to learn?”
“It’s fine, I’m not afraid of difficulties, and I can endure hardship very well, as long as I can practice martial arts!” Lin Zheyu quickly said.
“Since I’m free anyway, I’ll teach you.”
“I really like the character Yan Chixia you described; tell more stories about such characters in the future,” Liang Song said with a smile.
“Okay, thank you, Master Liang!”
“I’ll write a story especially for you in the future!”
Lin Zheyu was overjoyed.
He waved his hand, summoned the waiter, and ordered a few more small dishes.
“Once you’ve said what you need to say, hurry up and leave, don’t be an eyesore across from me. Find me at 33 Jin Dong Street tomorrow morning.”
Liang Song shooed Lin Zheyu away as if he were swatting flies.
“Okay, I won’t disturb Master Liang’s enjoyment; please take your time!”
Lin Zheyu stood up.
He turned around and excitedly clenched his fists, a wide smile spreading across his face.
Things went more smoothly than expected; Master Liang agreed immediately and didn’t even mention money.
But then again, it made sense.
He was a generous patron who often tipped Lin Zheyu, giving over 20 copper coins at a time, so he probably wasn’t short on money.
...
On his way back, Lin Zheyu bought some meat and vegetables to nourish his body.
When he lived in Baishan District, he didn’t dare to buy too much meat and vegetables for fear of being targeted.
This time, Lin Zheyu bought half a catty of pork belly, planning to braise it when he got back; he hadn’t eaten braised meat in a long time.
Sliiiip—
Morning.
At dawn, Lin Zheyu woke up early.
After moving to his new home, the rooster next door had a bad throat from crowing, its voice hoarse and unpleasant, not as clear as other roosters, making it quite uncomfortable to listen to.
After washing up, he had a hearty meal of braised meat, cooked the night before, with rice porridge.
He was going to start practicing martial arts today, so he needed to ensure his body was well-nourished.
Having experienced hunger and rough living, this body was extremely weak, almost skin and bones.
Over the past ten-plus days, he had earned a good amount of money from storytelling and could afford to spend on food, so his body had recovered somewhat.
But he was still a bit weak, having to stop and rest after running just a few miles.
Changing into a tight-fitting outfit suitable for martial arts practice and tying up his long hair, Lin Zheyu looked incredibly capable, losing some of his usual scholarly air.
Stepping out the door, there were already quite a few pedestrians on the road.
Because there weren’t many entertainment activities, people in this world went to bed early and woke up early.
Lin Zheyu was a bit unaccustomed to it when he first arrived, but after a few days, he started going to bed early every night because he was too bored.
His insomnia at night and desire to sleep during the day, which he had in his previous life, also disappeared.
He had developed a good habit of going to bed early and waking up early.