Chapter 548 - 267: Dare You Make It Count?

Chapter 548: Chapter 267: Dare You Make It Count?

’I’ve always been in the habit of hiding my Martial Arts Power. It’s just a way to stay alive in these chaotic times!’

The two of them ambled along, taking nearly an hour before they finally reached the Ruyi District.

Along the way, they occasionally saw many commoners carrying bundles of all sizes and hurrying along, which made Mu Xiaowan curious.

Only after Chen Cheng explained did she understand. These people were all afraid the price of grain would rise even further, so they were hoarding food to prepare for the drought.

Mu Xiaowan, kind and simple-hearted by nature, was instantly moved and said,

"Brother Cheng, if we had ever found ourselves in a situation like this, I’m afraid the silver coins we had at home wouldn’t have been enough to buy food. Life is just too hard in this world!"

"Yes, it is a difficult world," Chen Cheng said with a light nod.

Before long, the two arrived at Upper Street, only to find it bustling with people. It was quite a lively scene.

Many new taverns, teahouses, and gambling dens lined the street. Figures from the Jianghu, carrying all sorts of weapons, could be seen going in and out.

"Huh? When did Upper Street get so lively?" Mu Xiaowan asked in surprise.

"It must have happened in the last month or two," Chen Cheng said leisurely, glancing at the not-so-distant Ronghe Restaurant.

Ronghe Restaurant was one of the few long-established restaurants on this street, and business seemed to be good.

Although it was still quite a while before mealtime, the main hall on the first floor was already filled with diners.

The patrons were sipping tea while listening to an old man in a scholar’s robe tell a story.

The old man seemed to have reached an exciting part of his tale, drawing frequent roars of laughter from the crowd.

Mu Xiaowan noticed the activity in the restaurant and said, intrigued, "The story that storyteller is performing sounds really exciting!"

"Then let’s go in and have a listen." Chen Cheng led her into Ronghe Restaurant, where they found an empty table and sat down.

The old storyteller on the stage, who was right in the middle of an energetic performance, flashed a set of large, yellow teeth. It was none other than Guo Degao!

"And so, that Daoist Master unleashed his Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm Giant Sword! That massive blade gathered the Power of Heaven and Earth, growing to over ten zhang long and more than three zhang wide! Wherever its edge pointed, wind and thunder roared, and the very color of the sky and earth changed!

That Ascetic Monk, who had been rampaging with his Three-zhang Dharma Aspect, was so terrified the moment he saw the Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm Giant Sword that his legs began to tremble and his soul nearly flew from his body...

Then, another peerless expert rushed to the scene! This man was a true, renowned hero, one who once single-handedly defeated four masters of the Killing Realm, shaking the world with his fame...

The Daoist Master was then challenged, yet he remained utterly composed, accepting with a slight smile. As the saying goes:

Be he strong, he is but a breeze on the mountain; be he fierce, he is but the moon on the river.

Let him be as vicious and vile as he likes—the Daoist Master needs only his Heaven-Slaying, Earth-Destroying Qiankun Giant Sword to handle it all with ease!

Alas... it’s a pity this ’hero’ was so completely intimidated by the Daoist Master’s might that after issuing his challenge, he tucked his tail and ran, not daring to show his face again!

Everyone, if you want to know what happens next, you’ll have to wait for the next telling!"

Guo Degao slapped his bamboo clapper.

The main hall immediately erupted in another roar of laughter!

"You old coot, aren’t you just talking about Lord Chen from the Demon Suppression Department challenging the disciples of the Four Major Sects? How come when you tell it, it’s ’Daoist Master’ this and ’Daoist Master’ that?"

A burly, rough-faced man spoke up, his voice full of indignation. As a Martial Artist from Linji City, he naturally wanted to see Chen Cheng win.

Guo Degao chuckled. "My good sir, you can’t just make wild claims. This old man doesn’t know any big shot from the Demon Suppression Department, but I do happen to know of Daoist Master Zhang’s establishment.

Daoist Master Zhang’s abilities are unmatched in all of Linji City. Even that other so-called big shot wouldn’t dare cross him.

If any of you have children with exceptional martial aptitude and wish for them to study under Daoist Master Zhang, just come to Ronghe Restaurant. Shopkeeper Jiang can make the introduction for you.

Of course, if you’re not convinced, you can also place a bet on that other big shot to win. Shopkeeper Jiang said the payout is ten to one!"

The announcement sent another wave of clamor through the main hall!

"The other gambling dens are only offering a five-to-one payout, but you’re offering ten to one. Can you really honor that?" a diner asked.