The bustling crowd flowed around them, with many curious about what a man of such refined demeanor and a storyteller were discussing.
What stood out most was the storyteller's unusual expressions—moments of bewilderment and excitement—as he occasionally pulled out paper and pen to quickly jot something down.
Intrigued by the scene, several onlookers approached to greet them, hoping to overhear the conversation.
But to their surprise, the usually amiable and welcoming storyteller sternly told them not to disturb his discussion with the gentleman.
Realizing their presence was unwelcome, the onlookers didn't press further, laughing it off and walking away.
"Wonderful! Excellent!" The storyteller stood up with the rice paper he had been writing on, carefully blowing on the still-wet ink before gently setting it back down. "Sir, after hearing what you've shared, I must admit, I'm beginning to believe that this story really was told to you by the male protagonist!"
"The plot is seamless, full of tension and resolution. If it isn't real, who could possibly come up with such a convoluted tale?"
Gu Ning'an smiled and replied, "So, do you now believe in the existence of demons?"
The storyteller's face reddened slightly as he laughed, "Ah, whether demons exist or not doesn't matter. With a story this good, I wouldn't mind believing in them."
Gu Ning'an chuckled. "Let's set that aside for now. Do you have any lingering questions about the story's structure?"
"Actually, I do!" The storyteller slapped his thigh, leaned closer to Gu Ning'an, and lowered his voice. "In the story, the mastermind behind the events in the Nine Heavens—what kind of being is he? Is he the heavens themselves?"
"That…" Gu Ning'an hesitated before responding, "I don't know who he is, but he certainly isn't some so-called heavenly deity."
The storyteller stroked his beard thoughtfully and cupped his hands. "Understood. I've grasped the essence of the story. Rest assured, Mr. Gu, I will refine and polish it before sharing it with the world as soon as possible."
"Then I leave it in your capable hands," Gu Ning'an said with a smile, rising to his feet and cupping his hands. "Now that we're done, I'll be taking my leave."
The storyteller hurried to his feet, making a gesture of farewell. "Take care, sir."
"Ah! Everyone, please wait a moment!"
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed through the inn's main hall.
Turning towards the sound, they saw a young man dressed in an ivory wide-sleeved robe, wearing a scholar's hat.
The man was striking, with thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a healthy wheat-colored complexion—a classic handsome figure.
"Ah, it's the lovelorn young master from the Li family, here again to ask for companions to share a boat," the storyteller remarked.
Before he finished speaking, the handsome young man had already walked up to Gu Ning'an and handed him a somewhat coarse piece of hemp paper. "Sir, take a look. If you're interested, please don't hesitate to contact me."
Before Gu Ning'an could respond, the young man smiled, cupped his hands in farewell, and moved on to the other guests in the hall.
The man carried a thick stack of hemp paper, distributing it to the guests like a modern-day flyer distributor.
Some guests accepted it, while others politely declined with a smile, though even those who declined appeared to know him.
After watching for a moment, Gu Ning'an withdrew his gaze and looked at the paper in his hand.
The message read:
[I am Li Xunshan, a native of Gucheng County, residing in the southeast Li Estate of Gucheng County, and serving as a tutor at the residence of Master Hong.]
[Within the next five days, if anyone plans to travel to Jiangling Prefecture, please feel free to contact me!]
[Traveling by carriage to Jiangling Prefecture takes three days and costs five taels of silver!]
[Traveling on foot takes seven days, assuming three hours of rest daily. It's a long journey and mentally exhausting, though the cheapest option, as you only need to buy some dry rations.]
[Traveling by boat to Jiangling Prefecture takes just two days… Chartering an entire boat costs two taels of silver…]
[I, Li, know an elder from whom I can rent a small wooden boat for just four qian of silver. I'll row the boat myself and am now seeking companions to split the cost. The boat is small, accommodating up to four people. Currently, I still need two more. If interested, please contact me!]
Reading the flyer, Gu Ning'an immediately thought this young man surnamed Li was quite clever.
First, the youth provided a very detailed self-introduction.
This served as a foundation for finding boat-sharing companions.
After all, people are naturally wary of strangers. Who could tell if this was genuinely about saving money or had more sinister intentions like "murder for profit"?
By declaring himself a local of Gucheng County, a tutor at the estate of Master Hong, and even providing his home address, anyone interested in sharing a boat could easily verify his background.
Moreover, the handsome young man listed all the available options for traveling to Jiangling Prefecture, including their respective costs and durations.
Those with money would naturally not bother with boat-sharing. But those with limited funds would likely find his plan enticing.
Who could resist a travel option that saved both time and money?
"Sir, you just referred to this young man surnamed Li as a 'lovelorn fellow.' What did you mean by that?" Gu Ning'an turned to the storyteller with a smile.
The storyteller unfolded his fan and waved it leisurely as he replied, "Mr. Gu, you may not know this, but this Li Xunshan has a confidante in Jiangling Prefecture."
"He has been in love with her for several years. During this time, the young master of the Li family has traveled to Jiangling Prefecture almost every month to see her."
"But the journey is long, and the expenses significant. So, he found an old boat and began seeking companions to share the cost every month for his trips to Jiangling Prefecture."
In this era, long-distance relationships required far more time and effort than they would in later generations.
Gu Ning'an nodded. "In that case, he truly is a lovesick man."
"Mr. Gu, I'll go back to refine this story now. If you're staying in Gucheng County for a while, you must come and hear the polished version of my tale." The storyteller, now eager to leave, carefully tucked the rice paper covered in fine script into the front of his robe.
Gu Ning'an cupped his hands with a smile. "If I remain, I'll definitely come to listen."
"Excellent!" The storyteller laughed heartily before briskly departing from the House of Prosperity Inn.
…
The night was as dark as ink, and the riverside outside Gucheng County was ablaze with bright torches.
"Move quickly, everyone! There are many cargo boats tonight. Don't delay and block the boats behind!" A tall man wearing a short hemp shirt shouted loudly.
"Got it!" "Understood!"
Ragged replies echoed across the river, reverberating in the night air.
The work of river laborers was grueling, paid by the amount of cargo moved. Most young men couldn't endure such toil, so the men hauling and unloading goods along the riverbank were predominantly middle-aged, around forty.
"Ah! Sir, weren't you the one at the House of Prosperity Inn earlier today?" Li Xunshan, carrying two towering sacks of cargo on his shoulders, stopped in his tracks and spoke in surprise.