After singing five times in a row, seeing that the number of silver and copper coins tossed grew fewer each time, Chen Ping decided to pack up.
It was close to noon, time for a meal.
No matter how good a song sounds, it can't be eaten; hearing the same song repetitively lessens its impact on the soul, which is understandable.
Of course, there's another, more important reason.
Singing for money is basically begging for silver coins, a way to make a living. It shouldn't interfere with personal cultivation, which is fundamental.
The group agreed to only perform for half a day each day...
Everything has its market, and you can't let people have their fill all at once; you have to allow time for word to spread among passersby. Hunger marketing becomes inevitable.
A large, fat man, rubbing the green jade ring on his left hand, slowly approached them, smiling and asked, "Young fellows, singing on the street, how much silver do you earn? What a waste, really unfortunate. Why not come perform at my restaurant? Plenty to eat and drink every day, plus heaps of silver to earn, just see..."
Honesty speaking, the fat man's words were rather smooth and pleasing, and if he could withdraw his greedy gaze from Hua Lian'er, Chen Ping wouldn't really mind.
Singing is singing, no matter where it is.
As long as there's silver, everything is negotiable.
But evidently, what's on the other person's mind doesn't match what he says.
Ninety-nine percent chance he's planning to squeeze them dry and monopolize the business.
That's also normal, right? A few little beggars, though they've changed into new clothes and aren't as destitute anymore, but who that walks through this street doesn't know their identity?
Why would anyone respect them?
"Cheng the Westerner, bah!"
Before Chen Ping spoke, Hua Lian'er couldn't hold it in.
Although the wound on her head had healed, it still faintly hurt.
'It's him...'
Chen Ping recalled that Hua Lian'er had told him that Cheng the Westerner was ruthless and cold-hearted, the owner of Fuyuan Restaurant. He'd rather bury unfinished meals in the yard or dump them in the toilet than give a bite to a beggar.
Not giving alms is one thing.
What's excessive is that if beggars plead in front of his restaurant, he'd have them beaten with sticks.
While living at the Earth God Temple, not only was Hua Lian'er injured, but Zuo Duanshou and Little Table, Little Stool also took a few beatings.
Saying they smelled too much and were too close to the restaurant, affecting business.
Hua Lian'er was always indignant when mentioning this.
Would such a person kindly invite them to sing?
Rumor has it, there's an old man playing the fiddle and a little girl singing at Fuyuan Restaurant, living miserably in the woodshed.
"Let's go."
Chen Ping lowered his eyelids, didn't even glance at Cheng the Westerner, not bothered to respond.
The other's malice and greed were evident; saying more was pointless. He merely called the group to pack up.
"Hey, you better think it through, that old fox's nature; I know it well, he only cares about silver coins and nothing else. If you want to keep singing on Qilin Street, you'd better consider carefully."
Cheng the Westerner's face turned embarrassed, and his eyes narrowed into slits, his voice took on a chill.
A bearded elder quickly stepped out from behind him, "Our boss is under the protection of Lord Deputy Magistrate from Xingqing Prefecture, so don't make a mistake that you'll regret later."
Our boss's prized daughter being given to Lord Deputy Magistrate as the seventh concubine isn't widely known, but it's an immense good fortune.
Generally, no one dares to provoke.
If Cheng the Westerner was half luring, half threatening,
The bearded elder was plainly threatening.
"A good dog doesn't block the path."
Chen Ping lightly pushed the two aside, leaving with the group.
The approach was too obvious, he didn't even feel like making small talk.
.....
"Boss, shall we find someone..."
The bearded elder was full of anger watching Chen Ping and the group walk away, he whispered.
"Take it easy; haste makes waste, haven't you noticed there's something unusual about those singers?"
"Nothing unusual, it's... sounded especially good?" The bearded elder asked, puzzled.
The fat man gently stroked the green jade ring on his left hand, shaking his head: "You've got poor eyes, can't see it... Seven-Colored Hall's Chang Sansi might be tough, but he doesn't dare mess with me. This needs careful consideration; rare goods can be held onto, rare goods..."
Cheng the Westerner felt incredibly absurd.
So what if they can sing pleasant words and tunes; he's not a literati or pedantic scholar, not too concerned with these, the key is the people.
Such absolute beauty, begging on the street...
Isn't it squandering treasures?
People, until they're truly cornered, always think they have many choices.
He's seen too many of these people.
.....
"Will Cheng the Westerner cause any trouble?"
Zuo Duanshou, having been through hardship from the North Territory to Southern Region, witnessing human cruelty, was a bit worried at the moment.
"Trouble will come, but for now he can wait; respond according to circumstances, on the other hand..."
Chen Ping hesitated for a moment, looking to the side, his expression somewhat strange.
Nearby, there was a large courtyard, tall locust trees, with faint human voices echoing.
Someone had slipped into the courtyard just as his gaze swept over.
In that fleeting glance, Chen Ping saw clearly...
The person's face was slightly bruised, sporting a conspicuous big beard.
He's seen this person in the light and dark a total of two times.
Once was when Chang Sansi came calling, and he's by his side, even shouting at them.
The other time was when the "Trace Origin and Steal Fortune" talent activated, seeing the scene where the bearded man cleaved Shopkeeper Shen holding the crossbow in half.
Of course, the most memorable are the bearded man's fierce triangular eyes, casting a sinister glance.
'Great tree, blue brick courtyard, searching high and low, found effortlessly.'
If Cheng the Westerner as a shrewd merchant plans and acts step by step, pressuring steadily,
Then someone like Big-Beard Zhang is straightforward, leaving no leeway.
Although Chang Sansi said they'd come to collect three hundred taels of silver after a month,
Boss Yat and Big-Beard Zhang's crew aren't rule-followers; you'd see from how they quietly followed and ambushed returning Shopkeeper Shen, they are truly fierce and unrestrained.
From Chen Ping's perspective, it's clear Big-Beard Zhang and the others aren't just gangster leaders — there's something strange about their background.
From that ambush on Shopkeeper Shen, their coordination was perfect, with strong killing intent — seemed to follow some kind of discipline.
Either deserters or bandit origins.
Such people, after Boss Yat's death, would they loyally follow Chang Sansi's orders?
Not likely.