"By the way, Su Han, isn't there something a bit off with your setting?"
After finishing the latest volume, Xingqiu's brows furrowed slightly, and his expression turned serious.
Su Han looked puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"It's like this," Xingqiu explained. "In Liyue, the qilin is considered an auspicious creature. But in your story, you made it a demonic beast. I'm worried that might be taken badly, it could offend the immortals."
Hearing that, Su Han fell silent. He had almost forgotten about that.
If nothing else, Ganyu herself was a bona fide qilin. But if he changed the story's setting, the entire Wind and Cloud plotline would fall apart.
"How about this," Xingqiu suggested when he saw Su Han's dilemma. "Why not add a note at the start of this volume? Something like 'The qilin in this comic is a corrupted creature and bears no connection to the real world.' Wouldn't that work?"
Su Han's eyes lit up. That was practically an Earth-style disclaimer! He immediately clapped his hands. "Hmm? That's actually a great idea. Thanks a lot, really."
Xingqiu's reminder had saved him from a big problem. Otherwise, even if Ganyu herself didn't mind, someone else might use it as an excuse to cause trouble.
To slander an immortal was no small crime.
Xingqiu smiled lightly. "We're all friends here. If I spot something off, of course I'll mention it. Anyway, it's getting late. I'll finish reading the rest at home. As for the paper you need, I'll try to get it arranged today. How's that?"
"Perfect. I'll be counting on you, then."
After sending Xingqiu off, Su Han immediately used the system to edit in the disclaimer for the next issue.
When everything was done, he closed his eyes to sense the changes in his body, completely unaware that Xingqiu had just run into Hu Tao outside.
That same Hu Tao, ever since returning home earlier, hadn't been able to eat or rest. The comic had completely hooked her. She couldn't take it anymore and had decided to head back to the store, only to run into her old friend.
"Eh? Xingqiu? What are you doing here, wait a minute… what's that in your hands?"
Hu Tao had been all smiles, happy to see him again, but when she caught sight of the books he was holding, her expression froze.
Because the covers of the comics in Xingqiu's hands were different from the ones she had!
Wait, could it be that new volumes were out?
Xingqiu's face changed instantly. He hurriedly tried to stop her. "Hu Tao, don't—"
But he was a second too late. Hu Tao's voice rang out loud and clear.
"Volumes Three and Four of Wind and Cloud! Where did you get those?!"
The street instantly fell silent.
After several hours of hype, countless citizens had fallen in love with Wind and Cloud. Some had even gone mad for it. Unfortunately, the shop was only selling Volumes One and Two, so even the most eager fans could only wait and rehash the earlier chapters.
And now, hearing that the next volumes existed?
Who could possibly stay calm?!
In the blink of an eye, both Hu Tao and Xingqiu were surrounded.
"What?! The next chapters?!"
"Where did you get them?!"
"Look, it's real! Volume Three is 'Peerless Divine Sword and the Snow-Drinking Blade', and Volume Four is 'The Martial Legend, Nameless'!"
"Heavens! I've been waiting all day, thinking there wouldn't be more, and now there is?!"
Hu Tao was instantly full of regret. Why did she have to open her mouth?
Meanwhile, Xingqiu's face turned pale as he frantically tried to dodge the crowd. If not for his martial skills, the comics would have been snatched away by now.
But even then, the mob refused to back down, they had to see the new chapters!
Seeing the situation getting out of control, Xingqiu gritted his teeth and darted away with a quick movement technique. But Hu Tao wasn't so lucky; surrounded on all sides, she was trapped.
"Wait! I don't have any comics, stop pushing!"
If she hadn't been worried about hurting someone, she would have already used her elemental powers. Just when she was about to despair, a calm voice sounded overhead.
"Alright, everyone, settle down. Volumes Three and Four will be on sale immediately! Please don't hurt anyone over a comic, alright?"
The voice was soft but carried effortlessly over the noise.
It was Su Han, the owner of the comic shop.
Once they heard that everyone would get a copy, the crowd finally began to disperse. Xingqiu, watching from outside, let out a long sigh of relief, while Hu Tao wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Goodness, these fans are too intense."
"That's on you," Xingqiu said helplessly. "I was going to share them quietly, you know."
"Hehe, I just got a little excited, that's all. Oh right, how long are you staying in town this time?"
"Probably a while," Xingqiu replied. "I just made a business deal with Su Han, as payment, he let me read the new volumes early."
"No wonder," Hu Tao said, narrowing her eyes. "He told me he'd deliver the new chapters to me as soon as they were ready."
As they chatted, a store clerk approached with a small bundle. He bowed to Hu Tao. "Master Hu, these are the comics our boss promised you and Mr. Zhongli. Please accept them."
"Mm-hmm. Tell Su Han that if he ever needs a favor, just ask. This Hall Master has her own connections, you know. Anyway, I won't go inside, the fans are a bit too enthusiastic today."
"Thank you for your kindness."
The clerk hurried back to the shop. Business was booming after the release of the new chapters, and with each sale earning him a thirty-mora commission, he couldn't afford to waste time chatting.
As for Hu Tao, she now had a bright smile on her face, clutching her treasured comics.
All around the street, fans who had just bought their copies gathered in small groups, animatedly discussing the story.
"Wow, the new chapters didn't disappoint! Nie Feng entering the Lingyun Cavern and obtaining the Proud Cold Six Arts and Snow-Drinking Blade, incredible!"
"Heh, that was thanks to me! If I hadn't grabbed onto the Feiyun Commerce Guild's young master's trousers, who knows when we'd have seen these!"
"Haha, same here! I almost clung to his legs myself. Totally worth it, though!"
Their faces were filled with excitement, their clothes disheveled, yet none of them cared, they were too eager to keep reading.
"I knew it! He wasn't dead after all. And that Peerless Divine Sword scene, so epic! All the blades resonating as one!"
"I wonder if Bu Jingyun will manage to claim that sword for himself."
Earlier, to reunite with his deceased lover, Bu Jingyun had shattered his own blade, the Unmatched Sword. Many thought he'd never recover from that loss, but then came the birth of the Peerless Divine Sword!
The moment it appeared, the entire martial world trembled. Yet obtaining it would not be easy.
When the readers saw the Sword Pool filled with countless identical blades, they couldn't help but gasp, how could anyone find the real one among so many?
Then they read that the sword was to be consecrated with the blood of Greed, Wrath, and Delusion, the Three Poisons, and realized the Peerless Sword's birth was still incomplete.
As the story unfolded, both protagonists faced tragedy. Wind lost his beloved; Cloud fared little better, Chuchu was caught in schemes, and even his weapon was stolen.
Thankfully, fate granted them allies. Bu Jingyun reclaimed his weapon, and in a deeply moving moment, shed tears for love.
"See? Even the Cryless Death God can weep. Love blinds the strongest hearts…"
"Exactly. If not for his devotion, he'd never have sworn eternal vengeance against Xiongba."
"Now the hatred's at its peak. Let's see how Xiongba dies next!"
And at the end of this volume...
The Martial Legend, Nameless, made his appearance, personally teaching Wind and Cloud their combination techniques, marking the story's rise to a true climax!
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