Chapter 15: Figures of the Jianghu (Part 2)

  "What's wrong, boss? Is it inconvenient?" Zhang Shu asked cautiously, his eyes fixed on Qin Yifan's reaction, full of hope.

  "I'd tell you but you won't believe me, haha!" Qin Yifan chuckled dryly, but didn't continue.

  "Oh, but it doesn't matter, we're just listening to the story." Zhang Shu smiled on his face, but in his heart he was furious and wanted to dig out Qin Yifan's words from his belly.

  Qin Yifan pretended to look at everyone's reaction, wanting to speak but hesitating: "This is just everyone's speculation, it can't be taken as accurate. If none of these things happened, you can't blame me."

  Not just Zhang Shu, but others also had the idea of killing Qin Yifan. Without teasing people's appetite, speaking mysteriously without getting to the point. But before knowing the specific news, one has to endure it. It seems that this shopkeeper is also good at spreading rumors and knows how to make people curious, especially for those with ulterior motives.

  But everyone couldn't do anything, they could only shake their heads in unison. Zhang Shu represented everyone: "Boss, don't say that, just tell us what you know and we won't blame you." Qin Yifan's gaze swept around, and it was all shaking heads: "Boss, we're listening to a story to pass the time, so hurry up and speak."

  Everyone's stomach was almost hung up, and Qin Yifan finally spoke up: "Recently, it seems that something is not quite right here. It's said that there are ghosts in the mountains outside, and often some wild animals are found dead with their bodies all messed up. It's really scary."

  "Huh?" Although Qin Yifan had given everyone a preventive shot, letting them be mentally prepared if they found the things that Lin Qiulü and others had killed while practicing their skills, but looking at their expressions, it seemed like they had discovered something important. This was somewhat abnormal. They must have come here with other intentions.

  "Where is it?" Zhang Shu looked more experienced and didn't participate in the whispers of others, only asking Qin Yifan.

  "Just around a few miles away, everyone should be careful. It's fine to walk on the official road, but don't go into those dense forests. During the day it's okay, even the local mountain people can enter without any issues, but at night... I wouldn't dare guarantee anything." Seemingly still shaken, he glanced around: "Anyway, if you all want to go out, be sure to take the official road."

  Everyone nodded in agreement, as if they all remembered. However, Qin Yifan immediately exploded with another abnormality: "And...".

  As soon as Qin Yifan said that, everyone immediately perked up their ears again. Unexpectedly, Qin Yifan started teasing them once more: "Looking at how robust you all are, I suppose you're all martial artists?"

  This sentence was half speculative and half affirmative, and upon hearing it, the woman who was chatting with the young master also became subtly attentive. Zhang Shu's face again broke out into his signature smile: "Hey, when you're out on the road, you've got to learn a few tricks for self-defense; it's not about whether or not you practice martial arts. However, if there's something the shopkeeper wants to say, please go ahead."

  "Oh, it's fine if it's not. It's fine if it's not. Then there's nothing to worry about, everyone can rest." Qin Yifan suddenly seemed to lose interest and didn't even bother to continue speaking. But his expression made everyone grit their teeth again in frustration.

  Uncle Zhang didn't expect that not admitting it would have such consequences, but he couldn't help but feel a little amused by the shopkeeper's behavior. Next to him, the hot-tempered Zhang Bao was so anxious that he slammed his hand on the table in front of him and was about to stand up, but just as he made the move, Uncle Zhang gave him a stern look and sat him back down, stroking the table with a smile: "Hmm, this table is made of good wood, very sturdy, haha."

  "Shopkeeper, our young master is not a martial artist, but his guards have learned some skills and can be considered half-martial artists. Turning to Qin Yifan, Zhang Shu was still very polite: "What taboos do martial artists have? You should give us more guidance, as it's not easy for anyone when they're out."

  Since they asked, Qin Yifan seemed to be somewhat reluctant to answer: "There have been several martial artists who stayed in our shop, and they said that there is something strange about this place. Ordinary people are fine, but martial artists either get seriously injured or fall seriously ill, no one knows the reason. Anyway, everyone who comes and goes including those military officers all say so, if you have any martial artists among you, you should also be careful."

  "How can such a strange thing happen?" Zhang Shu was also half-believing and half-doubting, not knowing whether Qin Yifan's words were true or false. But he didn't put down the matter of face: "Thank you, boss, for your guidance. Once we safely pass these few days, there will definitely be a generous reward."

  "Don't take it to heart, just some rumors. Don't believe them." Qin Yifan politely said a few words: "Are you all staying at the inn or just passing by? There's a military camp ahead on the official road, everyone should be careful not to rush around and get caught up in trouble with those people."

  Zhang Shu laughed a few times and made a round of the scene: "Haha, boss, don't worry, we'll just stay for a while and then leave. We won't cause any trouble. We'll be troubling you for the next few days."

  "What's the trouble? Living in a hotel is just a guest, and there's still room for promotion?" Qin Yifan also laughed.

  "Heh heh, shopkeeper, with so many of us, I reckon we'll have to book out the whole house. Bring out the good wine and dishes, fresh game, and substantial fare." With that, a 10-tael ingot of official silver was slapped down.

  That young master is still a particular person, although the conditions here are not very good, but they all bring good things with them. The woman seemed unwilling to eat with those big men, and went to the largest room in the inn with the young master, while others chose a room for themselves. Fortunately, Li Shiyue built this inn large enough at that time, so many people each had a room, and it was not even full.

  When Qin Yifan was preparing game dishes for everyone on the spot, those people only then discovered that the boss was also a chef. Thinking back to when Qin Yifan had previously sold his guantangzi, some people immediately wanted to come and cause trouble. However, Zhang Shu seemed to have anticipated this and hummed a few times, causing the people outside to become well-behaved.

  "Uncle Zhang, why are you being so polite to the innkeeper, first rude and then flattering?" The woman with peach blossom eyes next to the young master asked Uncle Zhang, who was serving in the room. The young master beside her didn't speak but kept looking at Uncle Zhang, waiting for his answer, seemingly also very curious.

  Whispering calls, clicks, recommendations, all come, go home!!!!!!