Chapter 98

After the storytelling session, Lei Pàngzi's work became even busier. Those who were thoroughly entertained generously tipped, with the lowest contribution being 500 points, and 1,000 or 2,000 points not being uncommon. Today, a huge tip of 5,000 contribution points suddenly appeared, drawing many people to stay and watch the spectacle. They found the tipping mechanism intriguing, especially when they saw the constantly floating leaderboard of top tippers next to Yue Heng, which left them marveling.

Lei Pàngzi was overjoyed. A few days ago, he followed Yue Heng's suggestion and launched this tipping mechanism, not expecting much from it. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find that there were so many wealthy people. After a three-day trial run, the daily total of tips kept increasing, and today it even surpassed the 20,000-point mark, with over eighteen people tipping, all of them well-known figures, which made him grin from ear to ear!

"Who came up with this idea?"

"I don't know! They set up a leaderboard, and the Fifth Rank Martial Artist Miao Qingyi tipped 5,000 contribution points, immediately taking the top spot. Now, she will surely become famous throughout the entire Chu Kingdom!"

"That's true! I heard that Miao Qingyi has been preparing to advance to the Sixth Rank Strong General. If she succeeds, she will become the second female warrior in the Chu Kingdom. This Phantom Stone Scroll is being sold all over the country, and the leaderboard is so prominent. What a great way to promote and build momentum!"

Some onlookers saw the potential. They were right. After the three-day trial run of the leaderboard, someone realized the value. A few thousand contribution points were nothing compared to a slightly better mid-rank weapon or a few hundred-year-old medicinal herb, which were trivial to the wealthy and nobles.

Moreover, the leaderboard could accumulate. If someone was overtaken today, they could tip again tomorrow to reclaim the top spot. This was another way for the rich to compete and show off their wealth.

Finally, the organizers promised that those who tipped to the level of a patron would have the opportunity to meet the storyteller in person and even get a minor role in the long epic "The Yang Family Generals." Some might even get a more prominent supporting role. Everyone in the Chu Kingdom knew that this epic was destined to set a precedent in war stories and would be remembered for generations. How could the wealthy be stingy with such a small amount of money?

On stage, one person after another tipped, competing in wealth. Yue Heng frequently bowed and thanked everyone, then gracefully exited, leaving Lei Pàngzi to handle the show alone.

He went backstage to change, waiting until everyone had left before heading to Hu Zǎngjiā's room. There, he saw a middle-aged man with a dignified appearance and sharp eyes, and an elderly woman with white hair but vibrant energy, sitting in the middle. They looked like mother and son.

"Madam, Lord Cheng, this is Master Yue," Hu Zǎngjiā introduced Yue Heng briefly and then respectfully left, closing the door and dismissing the others.

The middle-aged man, Lord Cheng, looked Yue Heng up and down and smiled. "I didn't expect the famous masked bard who has shaken the entire Chu Kingdom to be so young. Truly impressive!"

Yue Heng humbly replied, "I was just lucky. I told a simple story to make everyone laugh."

The old lady, displeased, said, "If a simple story can resonate with the Divine Palace and stir the martial spirit, does it mean that Master Yue harbors great talent and looks down on ordinary articles?"

Yue Heng was caught off guard by her unconventional approach. He wasn't being modest; did he have to boast and thump his chest to say he was good?

Lord Cheng, however, was understanding. He explained to the old lady, who had spoken so abruptly, "It's been over ten rounds, and so many people from the Yang family have died. The old lady is very anxious and asks me every day when the Yang family will turn the tide."

Yue Heng suddenly understood. The old lady was so engrossed in "The Yang Family Generals" that she felt for the Yang family and, in her frustration, even blamed the storyteller. There were already rumors that some people were so angry they planned to ambush and beat him at the Taishang Winehouse.

He shrugged and said, "Lord Cheng, Madam, the story is a fabrication. Those who hear it can grasp its true meaning without getting hung up on the plot. 'The Yang Family Generals' might become even more heart-wrenching, with all the men of the Yang family dying in battle, and Lady She leading the charge at a hundred years old. That's how the century of loyalty came to be!"

"You dare! You've killed me! No one from the Yang family is allowed to die again, and the widows of the Yang family must have a good ending, with their descendants blessed for a hundred years!" The old lady was furious and shakily stood up.

Upon hearing the summary of the later story, the old lady almost fainted. Lord Cheng supported her and comforted her, but her expression towards Yue Heng became even more indignant.

Lord Cheng laughed heartily and patted Yue Heng's shoulder. "Master Yue, don't listen to the old lady's demands. Write 'The Yang Family Generals' as you see fit. You might not know, but since 'The Yang Family Generals' spread from the Zhenyuan General's Mansion ten days ago, it has reached every street and alley in the Chu capital within three days. Every day, someone from Qicheng sends the stone scrolls to the Chu capital via the postal service. More and more officials and human geniuses are rushing to Qicheng to hear you speak in person!"

Yue Heng was aware of this. Lei Pàngzi and Hu Zǎngjiā had set the contribution points for listening to the story at ten points per session and strictly controlled the invitations, but they couldn't stop the flood of people.

First, the story was widely praised, but Yue Heng deliberately slowed down the progress of the Phantom Stone Scroll. Some people were no longer satisfied and chose to send the scrolls via official carriages for those closer to Qicheng, while those farther away used the postal service with "transmission" talismans. There was no concept of copyright in those days, and countless bards and storytellers sprang up everywhere, changing the contribution points to silver coins and truly spreading "The Yang Family Generals" across the country.

Fame was a good thing, and Yue Heng wasn't worried. As the original creator, his first telling had the best effect. Those who pursued perfection and excellence still preferred to come to Qicheng to hear him in person. Not only were the officials and scholars of the Chu Kingdom and high-ranking martial artists enthusiastic, but people from neighboring countries also came, mostly those who had been stuck at a certain level for years, hoping to find a breakthrough here. So, as long as one person truly benefited, everyone else would firmly believe.

Thinking about this, Yue Heng said, "The greatest comfort for a storyteller is when the story is well-received and loved by everyone. If it can inspire others, that's even better."

Lord Cheng didn't beat around the bush. "Today, I have come to Master Yue with a request. I run the Chu Literature Society and hope to collaborate with you to exclusively publish 'The Yang Family Generals,' selling it to the ten countries, seven mountains, and six islands. What do you think, Master Yue?"

"The Chu Literature Society!" Yue Heng's expression turned serious. The vast majority of the books and documents available in the market and in the libraries of the county academies were published by the Chu Literature Society!