I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality
Chapter 283 - 158: Tales at the Courier Inn, the Rat King’s Bridal Contest (Part 2)

Chapter 283: Chapter 158: Tales at the Courier Inn, the Rat King’s Bridal Contest (Part 2)

Xu Qing knew this person’s nature; once he heard about something new, he couldn’t move on. If someone had a good story to sell, he would spend a fortune to hear it, even if it left him without a penny.

Unfortunately, Xu Qing was quite particular in this sense too—telling stories was exhausting, but listening to them was fun!

You serve me tea, and I’ll serve you tea; you offer me a seat, and I’ll let you sit first.

The two went back and forth like that, and instead, it was Guo Dongyang who ended up being praised by Xu Qing and told stories for a whole hour.

Guo Dongyang was a professional storyteller, bringing with him a whiff of the tea house when he spoke.

As soon as he launched into his distinctive storytelling mode, the quiet and elegant post house seemed to instantly become lively.

Xuan Yu sat on the mat, listening intently.

Guan Dazhuang, who rarely heard tales of the world, was also drawn in.

Some passing officials and constables saw how eloquent Guo Dongyang was and wondered when storytelling had become an item at the post house.

Upstairs in the post house, an official from Jiangnan leaned against the railing looking down.

"I’ve long heard that people from Jinmen Prefecture are interesting storytellers, and it seems indeed quite engaging."

Beside him, a family servant, who handled all travel matters, said with a smile: "Speaking of it, you, my lord, are also from the Jin Sect. You and this place do have an affinity."

"Indeed, tomorrow I will visit his aunt. He lost his parents early, and it was his uncle and aunt who took care of him. Since I’m passing through here, it would be both emotional and rational not to pay a visit..."

...

In the main hall of the post pavilion, whenever Guo Dongyang became hoarse from storytelling and prepared to stop, a new cup of tea arrived just in time.

After another half an hour, Guo Dongyang finally found a chance to step outside for relief.

Returning, he looked at Xu Qing with excitement.

Seeing his hesitant look, Xu Qing immediately knew that the other wanted him to tell a story in return.

"I’m not good at storytelling, but lately I’ve heard some rural tales. If Brother Guo wants to hear, I could share them..."

"I’ll start with the first one. This happened twenty years ago. It’s said there was a Mountain Lord Temple twenty miles outside Old Platform Mountain in the Jin Sect..." NovelFire

Beside them, Guan Dazhuang had a strange expression, while Xuan Yu perked up his ears, listening more intently than anyone.

A shaman raising a tiger, two tigers turning against each other, and a passerby confronting demons and subduing a tiger in an abandoned temple on a rainy night...

Guo Dongyang listened, entranced, as if it had truly happened.

"People have good and evil; so do tigers. That big tiger was more loyal and righteous than some people. It’s a pity the story is just that—if not, I would love to drink and chat with him..."

Beside him, a laughing constable resting on his journey said, "You’re quite bold, but if a real tiger sat before you, you’d probably be scared and wet yourself."

Most people laughed at this, prompting an abundance of laughter and a joyful atmosphere in the post house. Correct content is on NovelFire

Guan Dazhuang silently refilled tea for the group.

Finally, the man in yellow picked up a cup of tea from the table and placed it before the quiet black cat sitting nearby.

The black cat looked at the tea, then at the laughing people in the post house, with an inexplicable expression.

After finishing the story of the demon tiger, Xu Qing paused for a moment and then started a new tale happening outside Luojing City, at the West Gate near Guangning Temple, about a carpenter...

As evening approached, the storehouse officer finally realized it was late.

"Hey! You lot are so engrossed in storytelling that you’ve missed the main business! There’s official duty tonight; how come no preparations were made in advance, and instead you’re sitting here for half the day?"

The storehouse officer was somewhat annoyed with himself, blaming the lack of entertainment in these times for having become so absorbed.

Xu Qing smiled slightly and said, "It’s no bother. After all, storytelling is not necessarily less taxing than official duties."

"..."

Had it been earlier, the storehouse officer would have thought Xu Qing arrogant upon hearing these words, but after hearing such strange stories, he found himself inexplicably feeling that Xu Qing’s words came from the heart, without any exaggeration...

Some officials suggested they stay, saying that since it was late, they might as well continue chatting by candlelight. Xu Qing and Guo Dongyang politely refused, citing official duties.

One official was not so easily deterred and asked about the official duties, but the storehouse officer brushed it off vaguely.

The place wasn’t far from Jinmen Grain Storage, and if those curious constables discovered that Xu Qing was on a demon-exorcising mission, they might want to join and watch the excitement.

At that time, observing a demon exorcism might be minor, but if others saw the ’Grand Altar’ worth 5,000 taels of silver, things would get serious!

...

It was the second quarter of the Hai hour, with some time left until midnight.

Xu Qing and Guan Dazhuang disguised themselves as grain clerks, while the rightful storehouse officer followed behind them, not daring to speak loudly.

In the seven-feet-wide warehouse passage, several large rats as big as official caps were carrying water inside.

The water wasn’t stored in leather pouches or urns, nor did it slosh around in jars, bowls, or pots, but was held in the cheek pouches or stomachs of the large rats.

The cheek pouch might be a rat’s food storage, but holding water isn’t an easy task either.

In the passageway, droplets of water trickled down from the rats’ mouths, soon leaving many damp marks on the dry ground.

Xu Qing signaled with a raised hand, stopping Guo Dongyang and the storehouse officer from coming over.

He then gave Xuan Yu and Guan Dazhuang a look.

Guan Dazhuang got the message, ducking into a warehouse room and disappearing.

Xuan Yu faced the passageway just wide enough for a cart and moved forward.

In the passage, the water-carrying rats were ready to head back but suddenly saw a black cat coming in from the entrance.