Bang, bang, bang...
The rhythmic sound echoed in the courtyard.
More than an hour had passed.
Lin Zheyu was panting heavily, his face starting to look a bit pale, he had almost reached his limit.
He gritted his teeth and continued to persevere.
Every time he broke through his physical limits, it was a test and baptism of both his spirit and body.
Another ten minutes passed.
Finally…
Lin Zheyu collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath, a satisfied and joyful smile appeared on his face.
Awesome!
This feeling is addicting.
[Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence]
Name: Lin Zheyu
Source Power: 3
Skills: Wild Bull Fist (Beginner 46%)
After resting for a while, Lin Zheyu got up and endured the excruciating pain to stretch his muscles and bones.
Effective stretching after exercise can make the fascia stronger and more powerful, releasing greater energy.
...
Late at night.
The moon was very round tonight, and the clear moonlight shone, illuminating the dark street.
Three sneaky figures used the moonlight to move quietly to the outside of Lin Zheyu's courtyard.
"Yi, this is the place." The skinny monkey said.
"He actually rented such a good courtyard, looks like he's been earning quite a bit recently." Gao Yu chuckled, ready to make a score tonight.
"Monkey, your agility is good, climb over the wall and open the door from inside." Gao Yu instructed.
"Alright, you guys wait for me."
The skinny monkey said confidently.
Despite his thin appearance, resembling a skinny monkey, his agility was extraordinary, climbing walls and trees like a monkey.
Gao Yu and another companion half-squatted, placing their hands together.
The skinny monkey stepped up, with Gao Yu and his companion's assistance, he leaped lightly onto the wall.
"Hah!"
"Building the wall so high, you really think it can stop me?"
The skinny monkey laughed, grabbing the edge of the wall with his hands.
"Hmm?"
"Hiss—"
Piercing pain came from his palm.
The skinny monkey endured the pain, not uttering a sound, forced himself to hold back the pain, falling down and rolling in agony.
"Monkey, what's wrong with you!"
Gao Yu and the other companion whispered, afraid to make loud noises.
If discovered, they'd definitely be thrown into prison and forced into labor.
"Damn, this guy put long sharp needles on the wall!"
The skinny monkey cursed.
His gloved hands oozed a lot of blood.
Being a skilled thief, the skinny monkey was very experienced, wearing gloves to prevent sharp objects on the wall.
Yet he didn't expect Lin Zheyu's wall not only had spikes but also blades and long needles.
To make matters worse, the long needles had barbs!
"What do we do now?"
Gao Yu frowned at the blood-soaked gloves and asked.
"It's okay, I have a way."
"I learned a unique lock-picking technique from an old friend in prison, let me recover a bit, we'll go in through the main door!"
The skinny monkey grinned.
His hands throbbed with pain, making him gasp for breath involuntarily.
"Are you okay, maybe we should come back another day?"
Gao Yu watched the skinny monkey whose face was pale, worriedly.
"No need, I'm fine."
The skinny monkey gritted his teeth, feeling a bit disoriented, thinking the fall had shaken his brain.
They were unaware of how much preparation Lin Zheyu had made in the courtyard to guard against Jia Yanrong potentially attacking him.
Those needles carried not just barbs, but poison obtained through special channels by Lin Zheyu.
He regularly maintained them to ensure the potency of the poison would not weaken.
"Monkey, Monkey..."
"What's wrong with you?"
Gao Yu noticed the monkey's voice getting weaker, his eyelids fluttering as they were about to close, and asked anxiously.
"It's... nothing... I'll... later..."
The skinny monkey mumbled.
"Woof, woof... woof, woof, woof..."
Before he finished, came the sound of the puppy barking from the courtyard.
"Not good, this guy has a dog."
"Let's retreat, a noise too big will get us caught and punished."
Gao Yu decided rapidly.
The inner city was different from the White Mountain District, the control was stricter, even at night there were patrols.
He carried the disoriented skinny monkey on his back, called out to the other companion, and vanished into the lanes.
In the courtyard.
Inside the kitchen.
Lin Zheyu woke up with a start.
Hidden in the firewood pile there was a concealed space, Lin Zheyu lay on the floor covered with bedding.
"Someone's here?"
Lin Zheyu immediately became alert.
In preparation against Jia Yanrong potentially attacking him, he had made many arrangements.
He placed a dummy in the bedroom, and every night he slept in the kitchen's hidden sleeping space to prevent being ambushed.
Having watched many television shows from his past life, many folks liked to attack at night, he felt this was a safer option.
Getting up cautiously, Lin Zheyu clutched the wood-chopping knife and placed his ear to the door.
Outside was silent, only the barking of the puppy he had just bought.
Patiently waiting for more than half an hour, there was still no noise outside.
He relaxed slightly, opened a gap in the door to check, and fully relaxed after confirming nothing was amiss.
"A false alarm."
"The traps in the courtyard weren't triggered, perhaps something outside startled Xiaohuang."
Lin Zheyu thought to himself.
He patted Xiaohuang's head to calm him down.
Xiaohuang was a small mutt, three months old, with two inverted eight-shaped brows, looking gloomy, amusing, and interesting.
"I should go see Jia Yanming tomorrow and discuss cooperation, it's not good to always be on edge."
Lin Zheyu pondered.
There are no eternal enemies, no eternal friends, only eternal interests.
...
Morning.
Lin Zheyu stretched comfortably, his muscles tightening making him wince.
After freshening up, he ate five bowls of rice with the braised meat.
His appetite was growing, digestion and absorption improving.
Early morning, Yixiang Tea House had a few people, though better than Bidan Tea House.
Yixiang Tea House was higher-end, attracting wealthy individuals who liked to come for tea early.
He entered the tea house and chose a window seat.
Influenced by Master Liang Song, Lin Zheyu gradually liked sitting by the window, watching passersby and appreciating the scenery outside.
"Waiter, a pot of Immortal Mist Phoenix Tea, pastries, flatbread, pickled vegetables... one plate each."
Lin Zheyu said to the waiter, after ordering he added: "Inform Jia Yanming that someone named Lin Zheyu is looking for him."
"Alright!"
The waiter said.
He turned and quickly went to place the order.
"Lin Zheyu, Lin Zheyu, I think I've heard that name before?"
The waiter muttered, suddenly his eyes lit up: "Isn't Lin Zheyu the storyteller from Bidan Tea House?"
"Why would he be looking for Mr. Jia, could it be he wants to tell stories at Yixiang Tea House?"
"If so, that would be great, the tea house business would surely thrive."
The waiter felt excited inside, rushing to inform the manager.
Better business at the tea house attracted more wealthy patrons, which increased the chances of receiving tips for the waiters.
Lin Zheyu took the opportunity between dishes to curiously observe Yixiang Tea House.
Unlike the high-end Yixiang Tea House, Bidan Tea House was not considered upscale, drawing common folk for tea and stories.
However, as Lin Zheyu's reputation spread, stories became increasingly popular through word of mouth.
Recently, more noblemen had come to Bidan Tea House for stories, stealing many customers from Yixiang Tea House.
"Mr. Lin, hello."
Jia Yanming approached quickly, wearing a faint smile.
...