The influence of the newest arc of Fox Spirit Matchmaker was spreading. The citizens, who had still been shaken by the incident with Dvalin, no longer cared about that at all. Every street corner and every shop was filled with people talking about the comic.
"I originally thought Shi Kuan's story was already touching enough, but then Yan Ruyu appeared. After reading it, I couldn't hold back my tears."
"Right? I never expected such a story! When I saw the title page, I thought Boss Su was talking nonsense, but now I'm convinced."
An adventurer wiped his tears while speaking excitedly.
Everyone nearby looked the same. The entire Adventurers' Guild was practically crying because of Fox Spirit Matchmaker.
Inside the Cat's Tail tavern, Diona was mixing drinks so fast her hands were about to cramp. She never expected so many people would come to drink today. The little one shook the cocktail shaker while despairing. "Can someone take over for me? At this rate my hands are going to go numb."
Another wave of guests arrived. As soon as they stepped inside, they shouted that they wanted twenty cocktails.
Diona collapsed onto the counter. She felt like her little kitty life was going to end today.
Across the Angel's Share, the Deer Hunter, and elsewhere, the entire city was swept up by the Thousand Faces arc.
Merchants and ordinary citizens alike, anyone who had read Fox Spirit Matchmaker, were all moved to tears by this story. That sense of despair and helplessness was deeply engraved in everyone's hearts.
Especially the words Su Han carved on the title page, which people remembered clearly.
Inside the comic shop.
The Hall Master had just finished reading two volumes. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and choked up. "Yan Ruyu is so miserable. That feeling of sitting on a mountaintop watching your beloved live out their entire life, it's unbearable. It makes me want to tear someone apart."
"That's why I wrote on the title page that I hope those who go down the wrong path can someday turn back."
Su Han closed the book in his hand and spoke with a smile.
"That's true, but Yan Ruyu's suffering is a thousand times worse than Shi Kuan's! It was decades! Just thinking about it scares me."
The scene of Yan Ruyu sitting on the mountain as wind and snow covered him still lingered in Hu Tao's mind. It showed just how powerful the comic's emotional impact was.
While the two were chatting, footsteps sounded outside. Su Han looked up and saw Lumine and Paimon returning.
Hu Tao said in surprise, "You sold out so fast? It's only been a few hours."
"Hehe, what can we do? Su Han's comics are too popular. We got to Springvale and finished today's work in just forty minutes. You won't believe it, people came to buy before we even set up the stall."
Paimon animatedly described their experience. Even though Springvale was full of hunters, the people there had heard of the comic. They were surrounded the moment they started calling out. It was the first time Paimon felt earning Mora was so easy, and she was thrilled just thinking about it.
"You worked hard. Take a break. A new comic came out today. Do you want to read it? It's really good."
"Huh? A new one already? Let me see!"
Paimon had been tired, but the moment she heard there was a new comic, she perked up instantly. Su Han also handed a copy to Lumine.
The two, one big and one small, began to read together.
Hu Tao leaned over and whispered mischievously, "I bet she cries within five minutes."
"I'm guessing three."
Su Han raised an eyebrow. His intuition told him Paimon wasn't that strong. The continuation of Yuehong's story alone could make her cry.
Hu Tao didn't believe it. "Then let's bet. If she cries within five minutes, you'll be my coffee research assistant for a day."
"No problem. If she cries in three minutes, you'll wash my feet tonight."
"Deal!"
Lisa overheard them and found it amusing. "Then I'll bet on three minutes too. If I lose, Hu Tao helps me with a small task. If I win, I'll give a little gift."
"No problem!"
It was just a small bet. One more person didn't matter.
As soon as Su Han started timing, Paimon immediately became absorbed in the story.
"How could this happen? So Dongfang Yuechu was preparing to confess? This is so hopeless. To learn the one you like is thinking of someone else on the day you planned to confess… that hurts."
"It's not just that, Paimon. Look, Honghong is wearing white today."
Lumine noticed the detail. Red was Honghong's usual attire, but she only wore white on the Qixi Festival. In many traditions, white symbolized death-related matters.
Paimon glanced at the page and realized it was true, which made her even sadder. She then turned the page to the scene where countless blossoms rose across Fox Mountain. The flower spirits mistook it for a signal and activated their spells.
When flowers bloomed across the entire mountain, Honghong saw them too, but showed no emotion. As the demon king, her heart held only one desire, to promote harmony between humans and demons.
"I told you, it isn't love. It's a debt. I've decided that no matter what happens, I'll fulfill her dream. Maybe only then will her heart move toward me."
"What if your sister truly falls in love with someone else?"
"Then I'll gamble. I won't regret it."
At this point, Paimon finally couldn't hold it in and burst into tears. Lumine, however, still managed to remain steady.
Su Han and Lisa exchanged satisfied smiles. They knew Paimon couldn't handle it.
Hu Tao sighed. "Ah, how unlucky. I thought she'd cry at Shi Kuan's part. Fine, fine, I lost. I'm never betting again."
Afterward, Paimon cried repeatedly. When she reached Shi Kuan's story, she could barely continue.
Even Lumine was deeply moved. She didn't cry, but she could hardly stay composed, until she reached Yan Ruyu's arc, which completely broke her.
By eight o'clock that night, Su Han and Lisa still hadn't heard back from Jean, so they went to rest.
Outside.
In the forest beside some ruins, a scruffy knight was eating while reading a comic. He discovered it in the city while buying spices and bought a copy because so many people were talking about it.
He ate grilled meat while reading.
Goodwin originally just wanted to use the comic to pass the time. But when he read the story of Wangquan Fugui and Qingtong, his grilled meat fell to the ground and tears streamed down his face.
Compared to their love, his own cowardice felt unworthy of Glory's affection.
Especially the line "I will be your eyes." It pierced Goodwin's heart. His lover, Glory, was blind. If he couldn't bring her light, could he not at least bring warmth and care?
Every time he went to the city for spices and saw her helpless expression, Goodwin questioned himself. Was pride really that important?
After a long time, the knight took out his belongings and cleaned his face. He had made up his mind. Even if the whole world mocked him tomorrow, he would return to Glory's side. He couldn't let her wait helplessly any longer.
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