Chapter 28

At around eight in the evening, the bookstores around the school were still open for business.

"Old Chen, I have a notice for you: no more stock of 'Martial Arts Stories' in the future!"

The speaker was Ren Pingxuan, the one who had given Lu Buping the plan. During the meeting, he had been all smiles, warm and friendly, but at this moment, facing an ordinary bookstore owner, his smile was tinged with a hint of sarcasm, making it uncomfortable to look at.

Old Chen was taken aback: "What? What's wrong with this book?"

Ren Pingxuan chuckled but didn't explain: "This is the school's decision!"

Old Chen stared at him for a while, then finally said with a bitter smile: "Alright!"

Ren Pingxuan smiled, turned, and walked out of the bookstore to notify the next one.

The status of No. 1 High School was very high, so high that no bookstore around the school dared to refuse. Legally, the school's decision couldn't command anyone, but in this town where education was paramount, it was more effective than the police station!

Ren Pingxuan went from one bookstore to another. In just an hour, he had notified all the bookstores within a mile of the school, and the responses were all as expected.

Within a mile of No. 1 High School, the area was entirely under the school's control, with no internet cafes, KTVs, or bars allowed. Beyond a mile, it was outside their jurisdiction.

...

After returning home that evening, Lin Mu received a message from Lin Shuiqing on QQ, asking him to check the 'Martial Arts Stories' Baidu Tieba.

Lin Mu smiled, already guessing what it was about.

Sure enough, the homepage was filled with posts discussing inner strength. Previously, Lin Mu's stories were short, and no one discussed them much on the Tieba. But today, the latest issue's preview of inner strength had set the Tieba ablaze.

"The author of 'Dagger of the City' is amazing, I'm already on my knees!"

"Light steps on water, crossing the river on a single reed—those eight words are so captivating!"

"Let's discuss what inner strength can do!"

...

"Actually, everyone has been fooled. The so-called inner strength is just the supernatural power from 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind'!"

Lin Mu's eyes twitched, and he clicked on the post.

"Those who have read 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind' know that the inner strength mentioned in this book is just a copy of the supernatural power. Taking a master's work, changing the name, and claiming it as your own—does this count as innovation or plagiarism?"

The original poster also posted several excerpts from 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind' where the protagonist used supernatural power.

Second floor: "Tell me loudly, which floor is this?"

Third floor: "The original poster and the one above are idiots, confirmed!"

...

Meng Nanxi: "The original poster is an idiot. 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind' doesn't have a systematic description of supernatural power; it's just a result of the protagonist's unique encounter. The author of 'Dagger of the City' clearly has a systematic application of 'inner strength.'"

Lian Gege: "Please use your brain, a new author suddenly coming up with such a setting? 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind' has already been uploaded with over 100,000 words online. This 'One Page Book' is clearly influenced by it."

...

Yizhan Qianji: "As a long-time subscriber to two martial arts magazines, I've never seen such a setting. While 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind' does have supernatural power, it can't be compared to 'One Page Book's' setting of 'inner strength.' If 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind' had such a setting, it wouldn't just be at its current level!"

...

There were supporters and detractors. Lin Mu scanned through the posts, his smile never fading, feeling quite calm.

If there were no questions about the appearance of inner strength, that would be strange.

Thinking about it, Lin Mu went to the 'Martial Arts' Tieba, where the discussion was also intense. However, this was the stronghold of 'Martial Arts,' and more of the readers supported 'Seven Spells of the Wild Wind.' After being exposed to supernatural power, their interest in inner strength wasn't as deep.

Lin Mu glanced through it casually and then closed it. Many of the posts were clearly baseless, and reading them would be a waste of time.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Mu opened his document and started typing again.

Instead of wasting time, he should make every second count!

...

The next day at school, Lin Mu noticed something unusual. A few classmates who liked 'Martial Arts Stories' came to ask him about 'Dagger of the City.' After a few casual responses, Lin Mu also learned a piece of news.

All the bookstores nearby had been ordered by the school to stop selling 'Martial Arts Stories'!

Lin Mu's eyebrows twitched, and he sighed: "If it's banned, so be it. That's just how it is!"

This wasn't really bad news. The school banning the book before a single chapter was serialized proved the book's appeal. One high school alone wouldn't significantly impact sales.

However, Lin Mu soon saw the school's second move.

First, Shang Zhicheng sternly lectured the class, emphasizing that the college entrance exam was approaching and that the focus should be on studying. No other magazines were allowed!

Not only that, but Shang Zhicheng also flipped through the desks of a few students who often read leisure books, confiscating all the 'Martial Arts Stories' he found!

This wasn't just in Lin Mu's class. In all three teaching buildings, the homeroom teachers seemed to have become stricter, confiscating one copy of 'Martial Arts Stories' after another. Students who bought 'Martial Arts Stories' were called out and scolded.

First, they cut off the source from the bookstores, then they searched for the already circulating magazines. With the school's efforts, discussions about 'Dagger of the City' in the school became taboo, unable to be openly discussed.

Wang Haiyu and a few others in the back row were only discussing inner strength during a break when the next class bell rang, and Shang Zhicheng called them out and scolded them harshly.

"There must be a mole in the class!" Lin Mu said confidently.

If there were no moles, how could Shang Zhicheng have known about their discussion, which was only among their seats?

Wang Haiyu and the others nodded in agreement: "Damn! If I find out who it is, I'll beat them up!"

Chang Qiankun, who was nearby, lowered his gaze and pretended to browse the web, taking out his phone from his pocket.

In high school, many wealthy students had bought phones, and no one paid attention to Chang Qiankun's frequent phone use.

"Lin Mu! Wang Haiyu and the rest of you! Come out!"

Lin Mu and Wang Can exchanged a glance. Wang Can gritted his teeth, looking around as if trying to find the mole.

Chang Qiankun watched the group leave, his lips curling slightly.

"You think there's a mole?! Yes! I'll be clear with you! There is! What do you want to do about it? Do you really think writing a few novels gives you the right to act arrogantly? Let me tell you! This is a school! A place for learning! Your twisted methods have no future! If you don't get into college, I'll see how arrogant you can be!"

As soon as they entered, Shang Zhicheng exploded, pointing at Lin Mu and scolding him.

PS: Thank you, Shen Ben Wu Ming, for your generous donations. Here's the third update of the day. Please recommend! The few who vote every day are the same loyal friends. Are the others all busy with their girlfriends?