After resting for half an hour, Tang Xiaoyu and Xiao Xue set off for the teahouse.
When they arrived at the teahouse, Die was already there. After greeting each other, they started preparing for today.
Tang Xiaoyu taught Die a few old songs suitable for girls to sing.
He sorted out in his mind the book he was going to talk about today. Because of the limited time yesterday, he only gave a brief overview of Honghuang, so today he planned to elaborate on several sages in it.
Tang Xiaoyu had also carefully considered and chose two old songs to sing.
In the main hall of Qingyun Sword Sect, Old Zhou was almost jumping with anger.
"What's the matter again today! There's no end to it, no time left for cultivation at all?"
The Great Elder said, "It's about the exchange conference, isn't it!"
"What is there to discuss about this matter?"
The Great Elder explained: "The disciples below reported that many people from the major sects have arrived in White Tiger City in advance."
Old Zhou dismissively said, "So what if they come early?"
The Great Elder whispered: "People from the Sky Demon Sect have come too, and their purpose is probably not simple."
Old Zhou's expression became serious: "For the sect's treasure, the Qingyun Sword?"
The Great Elder shook his head: "Probably not, most likely for the geniuses of the major sects."
At this moment, the Sect Leader also walked in. After taking his seat, he said, "I gathered everyone today because of the Sky Demon Sect entering White Tiger City. Let's hear everyone's thoughts!"
Old Zhou was the first to speak: "What can we do, we can only deal with changes with constancy, just send someone to keep an eye on their every move!"
After thinking for a while, the Sect Leader said, "Then I'll leave this task to you."
Old Zhou readily agreed: "No problem, I'll go right now."
After speaking, Old Zhou rushed off without even waiting for the Sect Leader to stop him.
"Forget it, let's continue discussing how to deal with emergencies."
After Old Zhou left the main hall, he ran down the mountain. But just as he reached the sect gate, he was stopped by Wang Ziyan again.
Old Zhou didn't even wait for her to speak and urged: "Let's go, or we'll be late again."
Wang Ziyan nodded: "Second Elder is right."
The two flew towards White Tiger City on their flying swords. Old Zhou didn't take the task assigned by the Sect Leader to heart at all.
When they arrived at the teahouse, there were not many people yet. Old Zhou called Tang Xiaoyu over.
"Little Tang, I need your help with something."
Tang Xiaoyu was puzzled: "How can I help you?"
"You know our sect is hosting an exchange conference for the major sects. I suggested performing some programs to liven up the atmosphere. Although I'm pretty good at singing, I lack stage experience."
"So I want to invite you guys to come sing a few songs for our sect, help win some face for us. Then I can also appear on stage with you."
Tang Xiaoyu felt it was fine after thinking about it. After all, the impact they can achieve at the teahouse and brothel is quite limited. If they can take on jobs from sects and even the imperial court, the influence would be tremendous without saying.
He immediately said, "Old Zhou, you've found the right person this time. We specialize in designing venue, performing programs and hosting live events for openings, closings and celebrations."
"But we'll have to properly discuss the price."
When Old Zhou heard this, he became interested: "You guys can handle all that? If so, name your price."
Tang Xiaoyu nodded earnestly: "Please don't doubt my professional abilities. Wait a moment, let me discuss the cost with my uncle."
Then, Tang Xiaoyu pulled Lu Changchun outside to ask: "Uncle, can you calculate the cost?"
Lu Changchun really wanted to kick him: "You just casually promised something. I'm just a Nascent Soul cultivator, not an immortal, how would I know what you need, how many people you need, and how much appearance fee you gave yourselves?"
Old Zhou was listening from afar. He was not surprised that Lu Changchun was only at the Nascent Soul stage. How could a cultivator at his level not see through Old Zhou's cultivation level?
Tang Xiaoyu smiled awkwardly: "Uncle, don't get angry. The venue must be provided by the sect, we just need lighting, projection and other equipment, plus the performing staff."
"You, me, Old Zhou, Xiao Lian, the four of us will do. Hosting is quite hard though."
"I can be the host, but I also need a female host. Xiao Lian definitely can't do it yet, she still needs more situational adaptability training."
Old Zhou was unhappy: "What, am I no good?"
Tang Xiaoyu shook his head: "It's not that you're no good, it's just strange and awkward to have two male hosts. And you'll also need to control the projections and stuff, your role is very important."
"Forget it, we'll talk about this later. Just give a rough estimate of our labor cost! Let's calculate our appearance fee as our income for five days!"
After thinking about it, Old Zhou said: "The appearance fee is 15 thousand taels. The spiritual power needed for our stuff converted to silver would be 5 thousand taels. Other miscellaneous stuff, another 5 thousand taels. That's 25 thousand taels total."
Tang Xiaoyu felt it was about right. Then he went to tell Old Zhou their quoted price.
"Old Zhou, our calculation came out to be around 25 thousand taels. Since you're our first big client, I won't charge you for the rest, as long as you help advertise for us later."
Tang Xiaoyu knew this was not how the cost was calculated, but he didn't want to lose his most basic principles over money and earn money through hardship with a clear conscience.
Without any hesitation, Old Zhou agreed: "No problem, also have Ziyan cooperate with you guys."
At this point, Tang Xiaoyu felt a little embarrassed: "Old Zhou, do you think you can pay a deposit first? Not much, just 2 thousand taels."
Old Zhou took out a medium-grade spirit stone and handed it to Tang Xiaoyu: "Don't be shy, this is for you, worth 10 thousand taels."
Tang Xiaoyu scratched his head: "Old Zhou, can you give silver notes instead? Just 2 thousand taels is fine. I'm just a mortal."
Note: A low-grade spirit stone is worth 100 taels of silver. A medium-grade spirit stone is worth 100 low-grade spirit stones. An upper-grade spirit stone is worth 100 medium-grade spirit stones.
After hearing this, Old Zhou took back the spirit stone and handed Tang Xiaoyu two 1 thousand tael silver notes.
"Sorry, I was negligent. Little Tang, you must give me more stage appearance opportunities this time!"
Tang Xiaoyu said no problem.
At this time, Wang Ziyan also came over and said, "Brother Tang, give me a chance to appear on stage too!"
When Tang Xiaoyu saw this, he had found the female host: "Sure! How about being the host?"
"The host?" Wang Ziyan was a little puzzled, but she roughly grasped what it was after thinking about it.
She immediately agreed: "Okay, okay!"
After settling these matters, Tang Xiaoyu went to take care of his own business.
After working busily for half a day, Tang Xiaoyu was about to return to Orchid Lodge.
But just as Tang Xiaoyu was leaving, Old Zhou stopped him.
"Little Tang! I'll be staying in White Tiger City during this period, so I've decided to stay with you to work on singing."
Wang Ziyan also waved her hands and feet excitedly: "I also want to stay here with Brother Tang to learn hosting!"
Tang Xiaoyu helplessly said: "I still have work at night, no time to accompany you guys!"
Old Zhou didn't care: "No problem, you do your thing and I do ours."
"Fine! But you'll have to arrange your own accommodation!"
"Don't worry about that, we have a place to stay."
Having no choice, Tang Xiaoyu could only accept their suggestion, then took them out for a meal.
During the meal, he learned that Old Zhou was the Second Elder of Qingyun Sword Sect.
"Xiaoyu, is Xiao Xue your sister?"
Tang Xiaoyu nodded: "Yes! Is my sister causing trouble in the sect? Please be more patient with her, Old Zhou."
Then, Old Zhou told Tang Xiaoyu about Xiao Xue's situation.
After listening, Tang Xiaoyu was very gratified. He said, "Old Zhou, don't let others know I'm her brother."
"Also help me tell her not to acknowledge me if we meet."
Old Zhou asked puzzledly: "Why?"
Tang Xiaoyu explained: "I would become her weakness. Ill-intentioned people may exploit this. It would also be very dangerous for me."
Old Zhou expressed his understanding: "I see, don't worry!"
Afterwards, Tang Xiaoyu left 100 taels from the money he earned these days along with what his cousin gave him, and gave the rest to Old Zhou.
"Please bring this money to Xiao Xue and tell her not to make things hard for herself."
Old Zhou took the silver notes: "Many people think mundane money is of no use to cultivators, but it's actually still very important, of course excluding those top experts."
"That would be great, thanks for your help," Tang Xiaoyu said politely.
Wang Ziyan listened in confusion and asked, "Second uncle, who are you guys talking about?"
Old Zhou impatiently said, "Don't ask what you shouldn't. All you do is run around outside all day, how would you know anything? One of these days I'll send you to your brother's place and have him keep an eye on you."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ziyan was instantly afraid. She shook Old Zhou's arm and pleaded coquettishly, "Grandpa, you care for me the most. Please don't send me to second brother's place!"
"We'll see based on your behavior. If you don't behave, then there's no other way," Old Zhou said lovingly.
"I promise I'll be good," Wang Ziyan vowed.
After the meal, the few of them went to Hundred Flowers Lane. Tang Xiaoyu and the other person started preparing for the events of the night, while Old Zhou and the others found a spot to sit and ordered some wine, snacks and side dishes.
As he watched Tang Xiaoyu's busy figure, Old Zhou found her more and more likable.