As soon as he said that, all the women turned to look at him, wondering what scheme he was cooking up this time.
Ling Qingxue saw his confident demeanor. Could he really know the follow-up story?
Xiao Yurou lifted her head and looked toward Luo Yin without making a sound.
Luo Yin continued.
“Think about it. If you bet and I guess right, even if you lose, I’ll be able to tell you the plot of Tales of the Great Wilderness ahead of time from now on. No more waiting three days for just a little bit each time—what’s there to lose? Besides, the stakes I propose won’t put you in too tough a spot.”
Xiao Yurou’s eyes brightened a touch.
It did seem to make a bit of sense.
Lin Fan only told stories every three days, and each session teased them with so little, leaving everyone hanging.
If Luo Yin really knew the subsequent plot—even if there were some differences—as long as it stayed exciting, she’d be more than happy to listen!
And without the three-day waits.
She didn’t even stop to think about how long Luo Yin might stay. Since he had come with Luo Qianqiu, he would have to stick around for nearly a month before leaving.
That was more than enough time for her to hear the full Tales of the Great Wilderness from him.
“Bet… what kind of bet?!”
Xiao Yurou asked.
Luo Yin smiled and replied.
“If I guess the next part of the plot correctly, you grant me one request. Don’t worry—it’s nothing crude or vulgar like demanding your body. I know where to draw the line. If I’m wrong, I’ll grant you one request.”
Xiao Yurou fell silent for a moment before saying.
“Why would I need you to grant me a request? I… I don’t have anything I want from you.”
At that moment, Luo Qianqiu cut in.
“Yurou, do you trust me?”
Xiao Yurou turned to her. “Sister Qianqiu is Yurou’s one and only friend, so of course Yurou trusts you.”
“Good. Then if you trust me, agree to the bet. Having him owe you a favor is nothing but upside for you—no downsides at all!”
Luo Qianqiu said earnestly.
What a joke?!
How could Luo Qianqiu not know just how valuable it was to have Luo Yin promise her one thing?!
“Alright! Let’s bet!”
Xiao Yurou hesitated for a second but ultimately nodded, placing her trust in Luo Qianqiu.
Luo Yin smiled, took a sip of tea, and said.
“Very well, then. I’ll start by revealing a bit of the next part of the plot.”
His words instantly perked up the women. Ling Qingxue couldn’t hold back.
“Two heavenly prodigies in one family—did the Shi Mansion rise to prominence? Did they pour resources into nurturing Shi Yi and Shi Hao?”
Ling’er chimed in as well.
“Probably. After all, the brothers get along so well, and Shi Hao’s just so adorable. He must get even more love and attention.”
Luo Yin gave a faint smile at their guesses.
That was the typical mindset in this world. Sure, cultivators schemed against one another plenty in their daily pursuits, but the storybooks they devoured were always straightforward tales—never any twists.
To them, two boys with such a close bond were bound to receive special training and care.
“You’re all wrong. Here’s what actually happens next…”
Luo Yin didn’t tease them. He launched straight into recounting the next segment of the story.
“How could that be?! Shi Yi’s mother is so vicious?! Laying such a cruel hand on a child not even two years old?! Didn’t she dote on Shi Hao?!”
When Luo Yin explained how Shi Yi’s mother took Shi Hao into the underground palace, dug out his Supreme Bone, and transplanted it into Shi Yi’s body, every woman in the room stared in stunned disbelief.
Ling Qingxue blurted out her objection.
Even Xiao Yurou couldn’t help herself.
“Shi Hao’s so cute—why hurt him like that?”
“I never imagined Shi Yi could harbor such ruthless schemes at his age. Terrifying!” Luo Qianqiu tsked.
“Did Shi Hao die? So young, enduring agony like that—he probably couldn’t survive it. When his parents came back, did they avenge him? Shi Yi’s mother must have been executed, right?”
Ling’er fired off one question after another.
Luo Yin smiled and shook his head.
“He didn’t die. And when Shi Hao’s father returned, he raised hell at the Shi Mansion. But someone suppressed him, and in the end, all he could do was take his young son and leave the Shi Mansion behind.”
A pang of sympathy struck the women. Poor little Shi Hao—so young, and forced to endure something like that, only to end up cast out.
“That’s all the spoilers for now. We’ll see in three days if I got it right. Don’t forget our bet. Feel free to discuss it among yourselves—I’ll step out and be right back.”
Luo Yin didn’t go on. Instead, he gave them that reminder.
He rose to his feet, left the private room, altered his appearance in a quiet corner, and exited the teahouse.
Back in the private room at that moment.
“Do you think Young Master Lu nailed it?”
Luo Qianqiu spoke up first.
Ling Qingxue’s fine brows furrowed slightly as she pursed her lips.
“I’m not sure. But on second thought, it’s a world of cultivation. The plot’s brutal, sure, but it rings true enough.”
If Luo Yin turned out to be right, then she’d have to…
Play that game with him again.
Xiao Yurou had relaxed a little by now. She murmured.
“Even if Young Master Lu sounds convincing, he’s no Mr. Lin. It might be realistic, but it could still differ from what Mr. Lin has in mind.”
“Mm… We’ll know for sure in three days. And if he’s right, we get to hear more stories from him. Hehe.”
Ling’er wasn’t overthinking it.
Meanwhile.
Luo Yin slipped into a remote alley and found the little beggar he had spotted earlier.
He handed over a few Spirit Stones to the boy and briefed him on the next part of Tales of the Great Wilderness, asking him to start spreading it around in two days.
Tales of the Great Wilderness had taken the Daluo Ancient Dynasty by storm. The little beggar might not have heard Lin Fan narrate it firsthand, but he had picked up plenty through the grapevine.
Tempted by the Spirit Stones, he agreed on the spot.
Luo Yin smiled and walked away.
The first move against Lin Fan began right here!
