Chapter 20: Liu Chengyuan Encountered Bandits

　　Qian Yu glanced at Liu Chengyuan and let out a giggle. “Slow down, or you’ll choke. By the way, that story you told last night was dreadfully dull—like a parent lulling their child to sleep. I was nodding off before you were halfway through. I don’t care for tales of court politics; I only enjoy stories of martial sects and heroic warriors.”　　Liu Chengyuan chuckled. “Since I was young, my father only ever told me tales of court intrigue. After he passed away, I trained in the martial arts in Guanzhong and never had the time to listen to storytellers. How about you tell me a tale for a change?”　　Qian Yu’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, lend me your ears!” She then began her performance, swaying her head theatrically, her voice shifting between male and female roles.　　“Now then,” she began with flair, “there once was a man of the Xi tribe, by the name of Mishuli, who, it is said, had somehow mastered the martial arts...”　　“Mishuli was skilled in crafting Xi wagons, so he revered Lu Ban as his patriarch and established a martial sect—the Gongshu Clan. They made a living by building Xi wagons while also teaching their disciples self-defense techniques to protect the Xi people from the oppression of foreign tribes. That year, Mishuli was just twenty-four years old, a strikingly handsome and upright young man. His weapon of choice? Surprisingly, it was none other than a Xi zither.”　　Back in the days of Chang’an, the city suffered under the tyranny of the Wanqi Troops, who, emboldened by their role in quelling Empress Wei’s rebellion, ran amok through the streets, causing great distress to the common folk. Emperor Ruizong, Li Dan, issued an edict to reassign the Wanqi Troops to distant posts. Some were dispatched to counties like Yuyang and Yongnu.　　One day, three former Wanqi soldiers found themselves drinking at a tavern in Yuyang County. They were in