Chapter 181: Going to the County Town

"Brother, who are you?"

Wang Congwen looked at Yu Lin, who was blocking his way, frowned and asked, his eyes full of doubt:

"Do we know each other?"

He had intended to tell Yu Lin to leave at once, because his clothing was plain, not that of a wealthy family, yet his bearing unintentionally exuded a certain elegance.

Wang Congshang often admonished Wang Congwen not to judge by looks, recounting many tales of treacherous characters who liked to play the pig and eat the tiger.

A seemingly ordinary person who bullied him today, when he showed up at his door the next day—hey, what a fellow, the boss of bosses!

Who knows if the person before him is such a type?

Thus Wang Congwen's words of dismissal turned into a question.

Yu Lin shook his head and said, "I don't know."

"Isn't this precisely getting to know each other?"

"I am Yu Lin, fond of traveling everywhere; today I came here and saw your extraordinary bearing… but are you the young master of the Wang family, Brother Wang?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Congwen's face instantly broke into a smile; he dismounted at once, bowed his hand toward Yu Lin and said, "So it's Brother Yu."

"Indeed, I keep my name and surname unchanged; I am Wang Congwen."

"Brother Yu, do you have any business? Or… have you run out of travel expenses and come to borrow a few coins?"

Although Wang Congwen does not like studying, his skill at reading people, taught by Wang Congshang's example, has surpassed his master.

From Yu Lin's words, he could glean a very useful piece of information.

That very phrase, "fond of traveling everywhere."

Now that the Sui dynasty has fallen and the Wu De Emperor has ascended, the world remains in turmoil, and bandits and thieves are still numerous across the lands.

To enjoy traveling under such circumstances… not only does it imply a powerful backing, but the person himself is likely truly formidable!

Thus Wang Congwen immediately chose to befriend him.

After all, his father can earn money; money kept is still money, so why not use it to expand his network.

Yu Lin saw Wang Congwen's rapid change of attitude and thought to himself that this fellow was indeed a talent, while his mouth said:

"It's not about money, I just want to ask for directions."

"Which way is the nearest county town?"

Wang Congwen, hearing his purpose, immediately laughed, "So you want to go to the county town!"

"Coincidentally, I'm also heading to the county town to meet a few friends; Brother Yu, shall we go together?"

Yu Lin waved his hand, "I have friends waiting for me back, I must inform them."

"Then I won't trouble Brother Wang."

Wang Congwen's face showed regret, and he raised his hand, pointing west, "I see."

"Thirteen li west, and you'll reach the county town."

"Brother Yu, if you need any assistance, feel free to come to me; if I'm not here, you may seek my father as well."

"Don't be formal; when traveling, friends from all corners of the world help each other!"

"You help me, I help you; only then can the world become better!"

This fellow speaks in such polished phrases, and on top of that, his looks.

Nowadays, he could probably make countless girls act like fools.

He is not a suitable husband for a simple girl like Zhong Xiao Mei.

Only that it's unclear when Zhong Kui will meet Zhong Xiao Mei's true husband…

Yu Lin shook his head, didn't continue the thought, and bowed, "Thank you."

"Then I won't disturb Brother Wang any further, farewell."

Having said that, he turned and headed toward the Snow Forest beside him.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished.

This only reinforced Wang Congwen's certainty.

Yu Lin is far from ordinary!

He thought that, when the chance arises, he'll see if they can become close.

He thought, mounted his horse, cracked the whip, and galloped toward the county town.

On the hillside.

Yu Lin turned to Zhong Kui and shook his head, "Brother Zhong, I don't think it's right."

"How about you take another look?"

Zhong Kui nodded, "Hmm, as it happens, I'm also heading to the county town to buy some Brush and Ink."

"Brother Yu, would you accompany me?"

"Sure, let's go."

"Thank you."

The county town in winter appeared somewhat desolate, yet it still exuded a hint of vitality.

The snow on the streets had been cleared to the sides, revealing a damp road surface.

Shops along the street hung thick curtains, and clerks exhaled white breath as they stood at the doors to attract customers.

Occasionally a carriage rolled over the snow, emitting a squeaking sound.

Pedestrians, mostly wrapped in heavy clothing, hurried along, their faces reddened by the cold wind.

In front of a tea house on the east side of the town, however, was a different scene.

Both inside and out were filled with people; tea patrons cradled hot tea, listening intently with ears perked to the storyteller inside.

Then the middle‑aged storyteller struck the wooden stage and shouted in a low voice:

"Ladies and gentlemen, listen up! Today we won't discuss the Sui‑era warlords vying for supremacy, nor the Son of Heaven's campaign at Taiyuan—"

He deliberately paused, whetting everyone's appetite, then continued:

"The story goes: a thousand li away, there stands a Five‑Finger Divine Mountain, said to have fallen from the heavens a hundred years ago!"

The tea‑guests instantly perked up, crowding forward.

"And at the foot of the mountain lies a divine monkey!"

"We can't even lift a grinding stone, yet this divine monkey intends to use the mountain to crush—what a vast divine power!"

Everyone inhaled a cold breath and began whispering among themselves.

"What is the monkey's surname and given name? Where does it come from? No one knows," the storyteller stroked his beard:

"There are rumors, though… that the Five‑Finger Divine Mountain is the hand of the Buddha!"

He suddenly raised his voice: "Do you all know that rebel Wang Mang!"

"Just as the New Dynasty was about to be founded, the heavens suddenly changed, startling the troops into chaos; they thought rebellion would bring heavenly punishment, and morale collapsed…"

The storyteller slammed the table: "When the heavens changed, that was exactly when the Five‑Finger Divine Mountain fell from the sky!"

"They say it crushes the monkey, but actually—it's because the Han Empire's fate had not yet arrived; the Buddha, by crushing the monkey, also crushes Wang Mang's treason!"

The tea‑guests listened, entranced, and someone couldn't help but ask: "What crime did the monkey commit?"

"Good question! That monkey…"

The storyteller Ra raised his pitch, and, under everyone's expectant gaze, cleared his throat lightly: "Ahem."

"To foretell what comes next, stay tuned for the next episode!"

The crowd erupted in a roar:

"Teasing us like that?!"

"Damn it, can't stand it! Let's flip his stall!"

"Alright, flip his stall!"

Just as the tea‑guests were heckling, a clear voice came from the elegant room upstairs:

"Hey, come up and let us brothers continue."

A figure in brocade stepped out by the window, none other than Wang Congwen.

He tossed handfuls of broken silver in his hand:

"Reward!"

Seeing this, the storyteller sprang to his feet, about to speak, but a bang rang out.

A silver ingot was flung straight onto his table!

"Come to our place, our young master invites you!"

"Hm? Who's picking a fight?"

The man beside Wang Congwen frowned, his gaze shifting to the side, where a middle‑aged man with a striking face stood, and he slammed the table and rose:

"Who are you?! What gives you the nerve to snatch people from Zheng Qing?!"

With those words,

the middle‑aged man's face broke into a sneer, and he said lightly:

"My young master hails from Qinghe and bears the surname Cui."

"What? You're trying to compare lineages with my young master?"