Chapter 863: Epilogue Message

Epilogue Message

Epilogue Message

In Pulu Province, Fengyang City, the storyteller Yumian Shala sipped tea, adjusted his fan and handkerchief, picked up the wooden clapper, and was about to begin his tale.

Li Banfeng spat steam as he approached, roaring: “Before you start, get me out of this phonograph!”

Zhao Xiaowan comforted him: “Husband, if you’re desperate to get out, you’ll still need oil.”

Banfeng refused: “I won’t take a drop of oil!”

Lianda added: “More oil might let you slide right out.”

Mu Yuejuan still didn’t understand: “Seventh Master, how did you get trapped inside the phonograph?”

Li Banfeng snorted: “Don’t blame me—you’re unskilled yourself, yet forced me to find an exit. I’ve bled, I’ve sweated, I’ve left behind precious things. In that dire moment, I had no choice but to turn to my wife!”

Zhao Xiaowan poked him with a finger: “How can you say that? What you left behind wasn’t blood or sweat!”

Banfeng grunted: “It was still something precious!”

Zhao Xiaowan touched the phonograph’s horn: “Once you’re out, go push a cart and sell goods.”

Li Banfeng shook the big horn: “Let the peddler handle the cart.”

The peddler glanced around, saw the Sky Maiden hadn’t arrived, and waved his hands: “I’m still going to be a Mountain God. This hawking business? You two keep it.”

He Jiaqing frowned: “I thought I was the protagonist! Yumian Shala, I was a mighty warlord, ruling all under heaven, striking fear into the four corners—don’t you like that story?”

Yumian Shala fanned himself and smiled: “Fear in the four corners is fine, but I prefer the warmth of mortal life. I love the shaomai from Haichiling, the newspapers from Heishipō, the bookshops in Moxiang Street, the general stores in Yaowanggou—I even love Kudai Kan—”

One patron, tears in his eyes, cried: “I love it too!”

Another patron shouted: “Yumian Shala, we love your stories! When you start a new one, let us know!”

Yumian Shala rose again, stepped to the front, bowed deeply, and addressed the patrons:

“The Lord of Pulu began this tale in October of last year; it has taken twenty months to complete. Along the way, you, my readers, have cherished me, protected me, cared for me, aided me, and guided me to this day.”

“I know nothing. I’m just a storyteller. I cannot fathom what virtue in past lives brought me such the finest readers in this world.”

“Allow me one more bow—thank you, dear readers, for your profound kindness!”

One patron shouted: “Just remember this! Start the new book already—we’re all waiting!”

“Very well!” Yumian Shala slammed the wooden clapper. “Eleven provinces, three thousand nations, countless tales await. Dear patrons, wait just a moment—I’ll begin!”