Chapter 44

Beige Crane Hall was taken aback for a moment, met the boss's gaze, and then understood, nodding in agreement.

"The first free issue of *Ding Fantasy* will be themed around martial arts. Pass this message to every editor and collect any good ideas they have."

Xue Muliang spoke rapidly, but his thoughts were clear, and his words were well-organized.

"That's all for now. Dismissed."

After everyone left, Xue Muliang leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. After seeing Gu Yongseng's self-disclosure that he was the author of *The Sword of Yue*, he accurately sensed that the attempt to poach him would end in failure. Sure enough, not long after, Mo Publishing called to inform him to start Plan B.

Plan B was the task he had just assigned—entering the martial arts novel market.

Since they couldn't poach Gu Yongseng, they would recreate him. As a publisher, one's eyes shouldn't always be on already famous authors but should focus on discovering new talent. Only then could the content industry thrive.

Xue Muliang adjusted his emotions, pulled out *The Great Wulin* from a stack of magazines on the corner of his desk, and carefully flipped to the chapter "Seven Swords Descend from Mount Tian," beginning to read.

In fact, besides Plan B, Xue Muliang had secretly prepared Plan C. If all else failed, he would personally step in. After all, his own debut work, *The Second Space*, was also a fantasy novel, and in the traditional view, fantasy and martial arts were not too far apart.

No matter what, as a "miracle in the publishing industry," Xue Muliang, who had risen from an ordinary writer to his current position, must have possessed certain qualities of resilience.

...

Cui Song's information was correct. After Professor Chen Shilang read *The Sword of Yue*, he praised it highly. When he saw the author's self-description, he understood the entire incident of Gu Yongseng being attacked. As an expert-level literary researcher, he detested the practice of labeling people. Reflecting on history, from the burning of books by the First Emperor of Qin to the literary inquisitions of the Qing Dynasty, how much damage had been done to Chinese cultural heritage?

As for Gu Yongseng's seemingly joking self-introduction, Professor Chen saw it as more of a fit of pique. In reality, after enduring so much criticism, to still be able to remain so calm was already quite remarkable. If it had been him many years ago, he might have already been shouting curses.

When teaching his graduate students, Professor Chen Shilang specifically brought up this incident for discussion. The students knew that their mentor had previously written an article praising *The Sword of Yue*, and unlike those easily provoked so-called hot-blooded youths, they discussed the merits and flaws of *The Sword of Yue* and *Seven Swords Descend from Mount Tian* in a very rational and professional manner.

"You don't have to be too polite. I want to hear your genuine thoughts. Would you beat me up after reading these stories?" Professor Chen Shilang asked with a smile.

"How could we?" the students hurriedly replied, knowing that their mentor liked to joke, but they still felt the need to respond positively.

"But, because we are adults..." one of the students, a boy with glasses, hesitated. Although he didn't finish his sentence, everyone understood the implication. Adults naturally have their own sense of right and wrong and wouldn't commit crimes because of TV shows or novels, but minors who haven't formed their values yet lack this judgment.

Professor Chen waved his hand. "I notice that there are more and more young people like you. You are in the prime of your youth, yet you act so mature, even more so than I do. I don't want to teach a bunch of old-fashioned students."

The graduate student's face turned slightly red, and he lowered his head without speaking. Professor Chen continued, "Xiao Bo's point is also valid. Otherwise, why would there be a term like 'not suitable for children'?"

The students smiled in agreement.

"But in my view, neither *Seven Swords Descend from Mount Tian* nor *The Sword of Yue* has any content unsuitable for children. On the contrary, I see that the books teach people how to be just and promote the triumph of justice over evil. What's wrong with that?"

After saying this, Professor Chen looked around and asked, "Has anyone read Gu Yongseng's works?"

A girl in the front row looked around and then quietly raised her hand. "I read *The Sword of Yue*."

Professor Chen nodded and said seriously, "In literary research, the most taboo thing is to make comments without textual basis. Wang Bin, what do you think of *The Sword of Yue*?"

The girl named Wang Bin blinked and said, "I saw the beauty of Xi Shi, the hatred of King Goujian of Yue for King Fuchai of Wu, and the loyalty of Wen Zhong to the State of Yue. But I liked the straightforward A Qing the most, though she was too insecure."

Professor Chen smiled. "What kind of girl can remain confident in front of Xi Shi?"

Although most of the graduate students hadn't read *The Sword of Yue*, the topic of the struggle between Wu and Yue and Xi Shi was familiar to them, and they joined the discussion enthusiastically.

...

"In just over ten thousand words, it encompasses martial arts, legend, politics, love, and even mythology. It's truly remarkable, a small sparrow with all the organs."

The Qianhong editorial group inevitably discussed *The Sword of Yue*. Gu Yongseng's move to strike back had given the editors a sense of satisfaction, and they were all excited about the story.

"I personally think the most brilliant part is the last bit, bringing the idiom 'Xi Shi holding her heart' to life."

Given the short length, the discussion mostly revolved around the love triangle between Fan Li, A Qing, and Xi Shi. A more original point was whether A Qing's sword skills were stronger than those of Zhan Zhao.

Just as everyone was discussing heatedly, Lu Yichou suddenly appeared and said, "The publication number for *Grass on the Plain* has been obtained. Han Shao can finally publish a legal magazine."

Upon hearing this news, everyone immediately celebrated, and Han Shao sent a happy emoji.

"Don't get too excited yet," Lu Yichou said, pouring cold water on the celebration, making the editors tense up again.

"If everything goes as planned, *Seven Swords* will return next week. Tang Nan, get ready. Now you can celebrate to your heart's content..."

...

August is the last month of summer, and the weather remains hot, but the occasional typhoon from the sea can alleviate the heat, perhaps the only benefit of the hateful typhoons.

"Congratulations, I heard from Tang Nan that *Seven Swords* can continue serialization next month."

Mi Hu and Liu Jingting were strolling around an open-air flower, bird, and antique market. Mi Hu turned to Liu Jingting and said.

Liu Jingting smiled lightly and shrugged, looking as if there was nothing unusual about it.

Mi Hu pouted and turned to look at a colorful bird. After walking quietly for a while, she casually asked, "Everyone is discussing your *The Sword of Yue*. What do you think about it?"

"I remember I told you that once a work is completed, it has its own destiny. People can say whatever they want about it. Those who like it will find reasons to like it, and those who dislike it will find reasons to dislike it. I think everyone's discussion is reasonable and very good."

Mi Hu was clearly not satisfied with this answer. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a strange voice saying, "Very good, very good!" Looking up, she saw a parrot mimicking Liu Jingting's words.

Liu Jingting looked at the parrot, as if he had a sudden realization, and then smiled bitterly, saying, "Actually, everyone is a parrot."

Mi Hu thought he was commenting on the public's reaction to him. "Even though a work can contain various elements, people are ultimately interested in a few specific aspects, and their views tend to repeat. As for personal attacks..." Mi Hu shook her head, indicating that there was no good solution.

Liu Jingting was always calm about this issue. "This is a problem that every product creator has to face. There will always be a group of people who will attack you without any reason, either from below or above."

"From above?"

Liu Jingting pointed to his head and smiled. "Let's not talk about this. Let's go see that vase. Why is it so tall?"

Mi Hu was always worried that Liu Jingting would be influenced by some vicious comments and develop a fear of writing. However, every time they discussed this issue, he always seemed indifferent.

"Indifference is the key to fearlessness!"

Mi Hu remembered him saying this, but she didn't really believe that anyone could truly achieve this. Since he didn't want to talk about it, they went to see the vase.

...

When Liu Jingting and Mi Hu stood in front of a blue-and-white porcelain vase over 1.7 meters tall, in a park in Jianghai, two teenagers who looked like a couple were sitting on a bench.

The girl was around 15 or 16 years old, with short hair and single eyelids, very fair skin, and a pair of innocent eyes, looking very pure. The boy was probably a year or two older, dressed casually but with each item clearly expensive. This wasn't because his clothes had designer logos, but because a black luxury car was parked nearby, and a tall, sunglasses-wearing bodyguard stood beside it.

"The story is too short. It wouldn't even make a 20-episode TV series. Give me some ideas," the boy said sincerely to the girl.

"Why are you suddenly interested in this? Have you really changed your ways?" The girl's tone didn't quite match her innocent appearance.

"You know, I've been under a lot of pressure from Ocean lately. Every time I see my father and brother, they look so worried. I read *The Sword of Yue*, and it's quite popular. Turning it into a TV series would definitely have a market."

"That's a new one. Your father and brother are worried, and you're still asking how others can survive?"

The boy didn't mind the girl's sarcasm and leaned in with a smile. "Kian, please help me. If this works out, I'll take you to Hainan for a yacht ride, or to Canada for skiing."

The girl turned to look at the boy and said coolly, "If you really mean it, come to me next time without the bodyguard. Haven't you seen dramas? How can you court a girl from a poor family so formally? It doesn't look sincere at all."

With that, the girl turned and walked away, leaving a stunned Palace Second Young Master behind.

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