The autumn air was crisp and refreshing, and the weather was beautiful.
Jiangyun Prefecture, located in the southern part of Great Wei, had a warm climate, making it warmer than other prefectures.
Even though winter was approaching, many pedestrians on the street were still wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts.
Afternoon.
In Songyi City, people came and went.
Baiwei Street was one of the most prosperous districts in Songyi City.
It gathered delicacies from various prefectures of Great Wei, claiming that all hundred flavors of the world could be tasted here.
Hence, it was called Baiwei Street.
“Good!”
“Wonderful!”
Loud cheers erupted in Bidan Teahouse.
On the storytelling stage, the young storyteller recounted his tale.
“The night was deep, and all was silent.
Ning Caichen was just about to fall asleep when he felt someone enter his room.
He quickly sat up and saw that it was the beautiful girl from the house in the north courtyard whom he vaguely remembered was named Xiaoqian.
Ning Caichen asked in surprise, ‘Miss, why have you come to my room?’
Xiaoqian smiled charmingly…”
“…”
Clap!
With a strike of the Wake-up wood , the storyteller concluded today’s content: “If you wish to know what happens next, please listen to the next installment!”
“Ah!”
“That’s it?”
“No way, it just got to the exciting part!”
“Young sir, one more segment, please, it’s still early!”
In the teahouse, guests voiced their dissatisfaction, indicating they hadn’t heard enough.
Behind the storytelling stage was a young scholar of sixteen or seventeen.
The young man had good facial features, though his skin was a bit dark and he seemed somewhat thin.
He wore a green robe, dressed as a scholar, exuding the spirit of a scholar.
“No, no, if I continue, my throat won’t hold up.”
Lin Zheyu waved his hand and said.
His voice was a bit hoarse; after speaking for over an hour, his throat couldn’t take it anymore.
“What am I going to do, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
“The young sir is too annoying, stopping right here.”
…
Amidst the reluctant calls of the guests, the young man cupped his hands and stepped off the stage.
“Young sir is so talented, to be able to write such a captivating story; even at my age, listening to it makes me yearn.”
The teahouse manager said with a smile.
The manager, Wu Yinghe, was a portly middle-aged man, always appearing like a smiling Buddha.
“You flatter me, just trying to make a living.”
Lin Zheyu waved his hand, taking the silver handed to him by the manager.
“These one hundred thirty-eight copper coins are from the guests’ tips, and these one hundred copper coins are today’s wages.”
“Seeing how hard you’ve worked, I’ve increased your wages a bit,” Manager Wu Yinghe said with a smile.
A dozen days ago, Lin Zheyu offered to tell stories, stating he wouldn’t ask for money if he didn’t do well.
At first, Wu Yinghe was a bit reluctant.
After all, Lin Zheyu was too young and lacked experience; he didn’t seem like someone who could tell a good story.
However, he was a kind-hearted person, and seeing Lin Zheyu’s miserable appearance and refined demeanor, realizing he was a scholar, he let him try.
Anyway, no payment if it wasn’t good.
Unexpectedly, while the young man’s storytelling technique was mediocre, his stories were surprisingly wonderful.
Since Lin Zheyu started telling stories there, more and more tea drinkers came attracted by his excellent tales.
The teahouse business became more and more prosperous.
“Thank you, Manager,” Lin Zheyu said gratefully.
Leaving the teahouse, he walked on Baiwei Street.
On both sides of the street were dazzling arrays of delicious food, their aromas wafting to his nose, making Lin Zheyu’s mouth water.
It had been over a month since he arrived in this world, and he had already adapted to life here.
Recalling the miserable days when he first arrived in this world, Lin Zheyu still felt lingering fear.
The city where his predecessor lived had been captured by rebel forces; their family, wealthy merchants from Jiunan City, had moved their entire household after receiving early news.
However, they still couldn’t escape misfortune.
On the way to the Central Plains, they encountered bandits, and his predecessor’s parents and relatives were separated.
After many days of wandering, mixed with refugees, he arrived in Songyi City.
Soon after arriving in Songyi City, his predecessor couldn’t hold on any longer, and Lin Zheyu took over his body.
When he first arrived, Lin Zheyu’s stomach was full of dirt, tree bark, and weeds, making him so uncomfortable that he couldn’t relieve himself for several days.
It wasn’t until he drank dirty water one day, causing diarrhea, that he felt a bit better.
However, he almost died because of it.
“I also have to thank Miss Ren Qingying from the Ren Family; without the gruel she gave, I’m afraid I would have kicked the bucket right after being reborn.”
Lin Zheyu sighed.
The Ren Family was a renowned aristocratic family in Songyi City; Ren Qingying was beautiful and kind-hearted, a living Bodhisattva in the hearts of many refugees.
If it weren’t for their repeated efforts to cook and distribute gruel outside the city, Lin Zheyu certainly wouldn’t have survived.
“It smells so good!”
Walking on the street, Lin Zheyu sniffed, and his stomach rumbled.
He pulled out the money from his pocket, resisting the urge to buy something.
He had just accumulated a little money, so he couldn’t spend it casually.
In this world, besides storytelling, Lin Zheyu couldn’t find a good way to earn money.
Originally, he had grand ambitions, thinking he would rely on his past life’s mindset and knowledge to make a name for himself in this world.
But soon, the harsh reality awakened him from his beautiful dream.
After several attempts, Lin Zheyu realized he couldn’t do anything.
Fortunately, in his previous life, he loved listening to Old Guo tell stories, and through immersion, he learned some superficial insights.
Ultimately, he secured a job as a storyteller by relying on stories from his past life.
His storytelling technique was mediocre, but his facial expressions and emotional delivery were excellent, and his stories were outstanding.
Overall, he did quite well, managing to make a living.
“Now I’ve accumulated a bit more than one tael of silver; I wonder if it’s enough to learn a martial art.”
“This world is too chaotic; without clan relatives by my side, it’s very easy to be bullied when you’re alone.”
Lin Zheyu tightened his grip on the silver in his pocket.
He had been robbed several times.
Because he was alone without clan support, he had suffered a lot since coming to this world.
Even if he reported it to the authorities, the yamen had too many things to deal with and wouldn’t bother with Lin Zheyu’s minor issues.
Fortunately, despite the chaotic times, he wasn’t without a trump card.
Lin Zheyu looked at the data in his consciousness; this thing had been there since he arrived in this world.
“heaven rewards diligence”
Name: Lin Zheyu
Origin Power: 1
Skills: None
This appeared in his mind after he came to this world.
As long as Lin Zheyu worked hard enough, every time he exercised and pushed his physical limits, he could gain 1 unit of Origin Power.
Using Origin Power, he could improve skills.
He had tried it once a few days ago; after pushing his physical limits that time, his entire body was sore for a week before recovering.
“Ordinary exercise movements cannot be counted as skills; I wonder if the martial arts of this world count.”
Lin Zheyu thought to himself.
The martial prowess in this world was very strong.
Before Jiunan City was occupied by rebel forces, his predecessor’s family kept many martial artists, whose powerful strength allowed them to take on ten opponents with ease.
Unfortunately, his predecessor was a weak scholar, only focused on achieving official titles, and had not learned any martial arts.
He passed through Baiwei Street.
He walked a few more miles, passed a square, turned through streets and alleys, and arrived at the much more dilapidated Baishan District.
This area was far from the core of Songyi City, belonging to the outer city, where mostly poor people resided.
Lin Zheyu, being new and without enough silver, could only rent a small room here temporarily.
Fortunately, his storytelling was gradually improving, and he had accumulated a good amount of silver, so it was time to move into the city.
“It smells awful.”
Lin Zheyu pinched his nose, finding the smell of Baishan District somewhat unbearable.
The smells of sweat, urine, feces, and fermenting garbage mixed together, creating a disgusting and foul odor.