Chapter 24

In high school, students had to attend evening self-study sessions on Sundays, but Lin Mu arrived at the water town, turned on his computer, and logged into the Lianxin platform. Seeing the messages, he decisively skipped class.

The first message was from the *City Education News*.

*Our Journey, the Vast Starry Sea* had, after several issues, shown its exceptional quality.

According to teachers who had read the newspaper, this was the best article they had seen in the *City Education News*, and it was the main reason they changed the use of the *City Education News* from desk padding to something to be distributed to students.

Cough, cough, the latter reaction was automatically ignored by the leadership of the *City Education News*.

Other newspaper offices in the province and city also noticed this article and had contacted them to discuss reprints.

Lin Mu, of course, was happy to see this. Although the reprint fees were only half of the normal fees, he cared more about the increase in his reputation after *Vast Starry Sea* spread.

He had already gained over 200,000 reputation points from it, and after it spread to a few more cities, he expected to gain several hundred thousand more.

However, *Vast Starry Sea* was not very long and would end in two more issues.

There were other similar works, but most were in comic form, which clearly did not suit newspapers.

...

The second message was from Lin Shuiqing, the editor of *Martial Arts Stories*.

From last night to today, he had sent over a dozen messages, all asking if Lin Mu was around.

Guessing that there might be something urgent, Lin Mu immediately sent him a message.

Not long after, a reply came.

Lin Shuiqing: "Have you finished the manuscript? If so, send me the first two chapters as soon as possible and write a brief introduction. If you have time, check out the latest serialized novel in *Martial Arts*. Your next opponent is him, so be prepared..."

Lin Mu: "Almost done, I'll send it to you by the day after tomorrow. I've read *Seven Curses of the Wild Wind*, it's very good, but don't worry, I'm confident!"

Seeing Lin Mu's response, Lin Shuiqing on the other side of the computer couldn't help but smile wryly.

"This kid, he's fearless like a newborn calf. You're confident, but I'm not! Sigh, usually the two magazines seem to be of similar quality, but when *Martial Arts* puts in effort, the difference is clear... sigh!"

After casually comforting Lin Mu, Lin Shuiqing put down the computer and went into the living room.

Zhu Zhengting and Qin Hong were already waiting outside.

"Yiye Shu must have gone back to his hometown for the school break, which is why he hasn't replied to me," Lin Shuiqing explained.

Zhu Zhengting frowned and said, "His manuscript fees are already in the tens of thousands, enough to buy a computer, so why hasn't he bought a phone? Forget it! Next time we send him his manuscript fees, we'll give him a phone! He's the most suitable person right now, and we can't afford any mistakes!"

Lin Shuiqing and Qin Hong exchanged glances, both surprised, but said nothing.

"Now, let's talk about *Martial Arts*. According to reliable sources, after *Seven Curses of the Wild Wind* started serialization, the sales of *Martial Arts* increased from 40,000 to 53,000. The power of Heshuo is still evident in physical books," Zhu Zhengting sighed.

40,000 was the normal sales volume, and it increased to 53,000, which was a direct increase of about 30%!

Qin Hong took out several sheets of paper: "I looked it up online, and most of the increase in subscriptions came from Heshuo's fans. After this peak period, the next issue probably won't see such a significant increase."

Heshuo, one of the dominant figures in the martial arts novel world, even if unwilling, *Martial Arts Stories* had to admit that the serialization of a famous author's work had a significant impact on the magazine.

From his debut to now, each of his works had brought a group of loyal fans.

Many people had already read *Seven Curses of the Wild Wind* online, but when it was serialized in *Martial Arts*, they still bought a copy to support it.

"Today, the magazine has been printed and is just waiting to be sent to various sales points. It will be released simultaneously in different regions tomorrow. In two weeks, it will be time for Yiye Shu's serialization. Focus on him. By the way, have him send over a brief introduction first. If the quality isn't good, we can make timely adjustments. Have you told him this?"

Lin Shuiqing nodded, and the three of them chatted for a while before preparing to leave. Suddenly, they heard the notification sound from the computer in the bedroom.

In this world, the Q娘 (Q Lady) was even more advanced, allowing the setting of different notification sounds for each contact. Lin Shuiqing knew immediately that it was a message from Lin Mu.

"Don't leave yet, it's a message from Yiye Shu. It must be the new book's introduction!" Lin Shuiqing said.

Zhu Zhengting, who had been looking tense, finally showed a smile and nodded in satisfaction: "This author is good. His quality is always guaranteed, and he never delays. You asked him to write the introduction, and he did it so quickly. We were thinking of using our own people to write a captivating introduction to attract readers. It seems we should focus on cultivating him in the future! Let's take a look before we leave!"

The three of them went to the bedroom and indeed saw the message from Lin Mu, which was the document of the new book's introduction.

"Introduction to *The Linked City Sword Technique*."

Lin Shuiqing clicked to receive it and then opened it.

"Internal energy is the foundation of martial arts. Those with deep internal energy can be as light as a feather, walk on water, and even fly through the air. The old ancestor of Shaolin, Dharma, once 'crossed the river on a reed.'"

"There is also the 'pointing technique,' which uses internal energy to strike pressure points, making people mute, deaf, cry, or laugh, immobilizing them as if they were in a prison without chains!"

"Then there is the 'air palm technique,' which can injure from a distance, and the 'sword aura,' which can cut through anything!"

"According to ancient legends, there is a *Linked City Sword Technique* in the martial arts world, containing a great secret. For this secret, disciples have killed their masters, fathers have killed their daughters, brothers have fought each other, and lovers have parted ways."

*The Linked City Sword Technique* tells this story...

"Riches and glory are but a dream at dawn, fame and fortune are like floating clouds. Even the closest kin are not real, and affection turns to hatred. Do not let the golden collar bind your neck, nor the jade lock chain your body. With a clear heart and few desires, you can transcend the mundane and live a happy and contented life."

The content was not long, and after Lin Shuiqing finished reading it, he turned back to see that both the editor-in-chief and deputy editor-in-chief looked as if they had seen a ghost.

"Crossing the river on a reed... pointing technique? Wow!" Zhu Zhengting's eyes were wide open.

"Air palm technique? Sword aura? This... can martial arts novels be written like this?" Qin Hong's eyes were wide open, and she had lost all her usual composure.

Lin Shuiqing was also deeply impressed. The reason was simple: in just a few words, a complete martial arts world had unfolded before them!

In the past, martial arts novels were all about physical combat, with darts and flying coins. A skilled use of flying coins was already considered an incredible technique.

*Seven Curses of the Wild Wind* was so popular on Dianxia because it introduced the concept of "special powers" for the first time in a mid-length novel, making it the top of the monthly ticket list.

But that was just a vague, non-human concept!

"Internal energy! Good! Just for these two words, the next serialization must be his! By the way, have him send the first and second chapters as soon as possible. I can't wait to read *The Linked City Sword Technique*..."

"Also, have the technical department find a way to include this introduction in the magazine that will be sold tomorrow!"

PS: Thank you, Shen Ben Wu Ming, for another 100-point donation. Your continuous support is greatly appreciated. It's Monday tomorrow, so I'll do three updates. Also, I'm asking for recommendation votes for tomorrow. In the new week, I hope to go further on the new book list.

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