Chapter 71
Chapter 71
The moment Shen Lang saw him, a sense of hostility flared. It was only natural for those of a kind to despise each other. Both he and Shen Lang wanted to live a life of leisure, free from toil. The difference was that Shen Lang, lacking a natural halo, sought to become a live-in son-in-law with his handsome face, while Zhu Wenhua aimed to live off his reputation as a great talent, putting on airs.
‘It’s one thing for us to be rivals, but Zhu Wenhua, aren't you betraying your own class by trying to become Zhang Chong’s son-in-law? A man from a historic noble family trying to cozy up to the new political faction!’
Zhu Wenhua had no idea that a single glance from Shen Lang had prompted so many thoughts. He didn't know who Shen Lang was either, but the moment he saw him, a strong sense of animosity rose within him. Not only was he a widely acclaimed talent, but as a son of nobility, his pride soared to the heavens. Yet this man dared to scoff upon hearing the title of his book?
Zhu Wenhua said coldly.
“Sir, you scoffed when you heard the title of my book. Why is that?”
Shen Lang answered honestly.
“I’m not quite sure myself. I just heard a foolish title and couldn’t help but laugh.”
‘Are you provoking me?!’
Hearing Shen Lang’s words, everyone present naturally turned to look at him.
Zhu Wenhua’s face was like ice as he asked.
“And who might you be?”
Shen Lang instantly understood the true meaning behind the question. It meant, ‘Tell me your name, and if you turn out to be some powerless commoner, I’ll kill you.’
Before Shen Lang could speak, Jin Mucong, who was beside him, spoke up.
“I am Jin Mucong of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, and this is my brother-in-law, Shen Lang.”
‘Even if we compare status and titles, Zhu Wenhua, you are not qualified to contend with us.’
But upon hearing their names, Zhu Wenhua’s expression changed dramatically, quickly turning into one of immense joy.
‘What perfect prey! I was just wondering how to catch Miss Zhang Chunhua’s eye, and these two idiots walk right up to my door! They’re enemies of Lord Zhang Chong and rumored to be fools. They’re the best prey imaginable!’
Zhu Wenhua said to them.
“So you’re Jin Mucong, the so-called shame of a prestigious family. Is it because you’re as dumb as a pig that Miss Jin Mulan had to take in an uneducated, untalented man as a live-in son-in-law?”
He then turned his gaze to Shen Lang and continued.
“And you must be… Shen Lang, the idiot famous for becoming a live-in son-in-law in pursuit of personal gain?”
‘Oh, my!’
Shen Lang closed his eyes. The heavens were truly looking out for him. Whenever he wanted to humiliate someone, a face would present itself. Now that he wanted to show off, someone was offering their head to be stepped on.
How could his book become a sensation overnight? Obviously, by trampling on the most famous talent of all. And what better justification could there be than if that person was an enemy Shen Lang had to defeat? Shen Lang opened his eyes and looked at the battle-hungry Zhu Wenhua before him. He sighed inwardly.
‘He must have a death wish. Zhu Wenhua, in the prime of your youth, with so many fans losing sleep over you. Why rush to your death like this?’
Shen Lang smiled and said.
“That’s right. I’m that uneducated, untalented freeloader.”
Hearing this, Zhu Wenhua was at a loss for words.
‘Damn it, does this Shen Lang have no shame?’
At that moment, there were three young women in the bookshop. Judging by their attire, they were all daughters of esteemed households. They were first surprised by Shen Lang’s handsome face, but upon hearing his words, they spat in disgust.
“What brings you two to our Nanshan City, instead of staying in Xuanwu City?”
Before Shen Lang could answer, Jin Mucong said proudly.
“We came to publish a book.”
“Publish a book, you say? Since when did writing become such a lowly affair?”
His meaning was clear: any dog or cat can write a book these days. There was no doubt that Jin Mucong was known as a good-for-nothing for hundreds of miles around. And although Shen Lang had shown his brilliance in Xuanwu City, in the minds of everyone in Nanshan City, he was still just an idiot who coveted wealth and status despite having no learning or talent.
“If my memory serves me right, didn't you, Brother Shen Lang, study at the town academy for nearly ten years and still fail to complete your elementary studies?”
Everyone present laughed at his words.
‘What kind of book could two useless fools have written? They probably can’t even read.’
Shen Lang didn’t respond but handed the manuscript directly to the manager of the Jade Pavilion. This man was not only the owner but also someone who had read countless books. He had heard of Shen Lang and Jin Mucong’s reputations.
‘Could such useless fellows write anything good?’
However, since Jin Mucong was the heir to the Count's estate, the owner of the Jade Pavilion couldn't afford to offend him, so he accepted the manuscript politely. He feigned a serious attitude but was actually just skimming through it without much thought. He had even already decided what he was going to say.
‘Young Master’s writing is quite unique, as befits a descendant of a renowned family. Unfortunately, our shop has no plans to publish any new books in the near future. Perhaps you could try another bookshop, like the Ink Scent Pavilion?’
But after reading just a few paragraphs, the manager’s expression changed completely. His literary appreciation was not on par with the Count of Xuanwu, but he was still astonished by the book. Every sentence revealed the author's profound understanding of human nature and the secular world.
Moreover, the poetry and prose were not ornate, but the tone in most passages was one that seemed to see through the world, making it feel mature and vibrant to the reader. The more the bookshop manager read, the more amazed and thrilled he became. Countless details were so exquisitely expressed they were startling.
In the manager’s view, the book was of a very high caliber, but it also had its flaws. First, it was both extremely elegant and vulgar. Only readers with exceptionally high literary tastes could understand the deep implications within the text; to ordinary people, it would seem like nothing more than a worldly erotic novel. Second, the Jade Pavilion’s main clientele were women. They preferred melodramatic love stories, especially tales of love and revenge among the children of wealthy families.
But even if it didn't make money or was too refined to be popular with the general reader, the manager wanted to publish this book. Just then, Zhu Wenhua took the manuscript and quickly scanned two pages, reading ten lines at a glance. His face then turned as foul as if he had eaten dung, and he looked as though he might vomit.
He lamented.
“To think such a vulgar book exists in this world. I never imagined someone could write such prose. It is a disgrace to all scholars.”
After speaking, he handed the manuscript to a woman in silk robes standing beside him. She was the daughter of an official, an ardent admirer of Zhu Wenhua, and a woman infatuated with novels about talented scholars and beautiful ladies. Her literary tastes were ordinary, but having read many books and critiqued all the popular novels of the day, she had earned a reputation as a talented lady.
She took the manuscript of Shen Lang’s *Boundless Wind and Moon*, and after reading just one page, her heart began to pound and her ears turned red. It was a very stimulating book. She was deeply embarrassed but wanted to read more. But she couldn't.
‘I have a reputation as a talented lady, a daughter of a great house, a lady from a respected family. How can I possibly like such a vulgar book? If word gets out that I enjoy this, everyone will think I’m a shameless woman.’
The woman hesitated for about three seconds, then threw Shen Lang’s manuscript to the floor and stomped on it fiercely.
“This book is so vulgar and base I can hardly bear to look at it. Master Zhu’s words are true. To write something like this is truly a disgrace to all scholars.”
Zhu Wenhua had anticipated this outcome and smiled triumphantly. He looked at the owner of the Jade Pavilion and said.
“Manager Mo, if you intend to publish this book, then I’m very sorry, but I will no longer be able to publish my books at your shop. I simply cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with such contemptible people.”
Finishing his sentence, he glanced at the women. Although they had been swayed by a handsome man like Shen Lang, they had been fans of Zhu Wenhua for years. So, receiving Master Zhu’s glance, they made their positions even clearer.
“Manager Mo, this book is truly so despicable that we can’t bear to look at it. If you publish it, we will no longer set foot in this bookshop.”
Once the official’s daughter spoke, a dozen or so other women around her chimed in ceaselessly. The bookshop manager was momentarily flustered. The words of this woman, the leader of a group of more than a dozen, carried some weight. If they boycotted the Jade Pavilion, most of the young ladies in Nanshan City would follow suit. In that case, he would suffer a huge loss.
He had wanted to publish Shen Lang’s book, but now he had no choice but to give up. The bookshop manager picked up the manuscript and returned it respectfully to Jin Mucong.
“Young Master’s writing is quite unique, as befits a descendant of a renowned family. Unfortunately, our shop has no plans to publish any new books in the near future. Perhaps you could try another bookshop, like the Ink Scent Pavilion?”
Jin Mucong was instantly enraged.
‘My book is this good, and you won’t publish it? Are you blind to the treasure before your eyes?’
Shen Lang pulled him back and said.
“Let’s go.”
In that short time, Shen Lang had already formulated a meticulous plan in his mind. He had not only devised a scheme to rise to the top by trampling on Zhu Wenhua but had also figured out how to finish him off completely.
***
Not long after Shen Lang and Jin Mucong left the Jade Pavilion, Zhu Wenhua blocked their path. He wore a bright smile and said.
“Shen Lang, don’t waste any more of your time. As long as I am here, not a single bookshop in Nanshan City will publish your book. This isn’t Xuanwu City; this is Nanshan City, ruled by my Zhu Clan.”
‘Hmph! Your Zhu Clan is a disgrace to the old nobility. You knelt and meekly handed over your fiefdom and military authority before the Prefect of Yangwu Commandery even had to act. Aren’t you ashamed to call this the Zhu Clan’s Nanshan City?’
Zhu Wenhua said.
“Go back to your Xuanwu City. With a single word from me, every bookshop in Nanshan City will refuse to publish your book.”
Jin Mucong said in a cold voice.
“Zhu Wenhua, for what reason do you oppose us?”
Shen Lang said nothing.
‘Fatty, if you say something so childish and foolish, you’re just giving him a chance to boast.’
As expected, Zhu Wenhua smiled with a look of superiority and said.
“Do I, Zhu Wenhua, need a reason to crush someone?”
***
Hearing Zhu Wenhua’s words, Shen Lang didn’t even try to visit any other bookshops in Nanshan City. But Jin Mucong couldn't give up so easily and went to the Ink Scent Pavilion, only to be rejected again. Jin Mucong then went to the second, third, and fourth bookshops. But without exception, he was rejected by all of them.
Whether it was because Zhu Wenhua and his fans had appealed to the bookshops, not a single place in Nanshan City would publish Shen Lang’s book. Seeing this, a single phrase came to Shen Lang’s mind.
‘A master suppressing a newcomer. A master suppressing a beggar. Hmph! No, that’s not it! A decrepit old master is suppressing a future bestselling author.’
The sky turned dark, and Jin Mucong said, dejected.
“Brother-in-law, are we really going home defeated like this?”
He gritted his teeth.
“No. Our book is too good. I will get it published. Let’s go to Righteous Sun City next door.”
Shen Lang shook his head.
“There’s no need for that. Follow me!”
***
Half an hour later, Shen Lang found a bookshop and met with a sleazy, cunning-looking middle-aged man. He took the manuscript, flipped through it as if speed-reading, quickly found the sex scenes, and began to read with great interest.
“G-good book. Excellent… And there are even illustrations. And so realistic, too. So good. It’s a masterpiece. A masterpiece…”
Jin Mucong was overjoyed and asked.
“So you’ll publish our book?”
“Willingly, willingly. I will publish it.”
Jin Mucong asked the owner.
“You just flipped through the book and read a few paragraphs. How did you determine it was a masterpiece?”
The sleazy middle-aged man replied.
“I’ve read countless books, and most of them don’t move me at all. But when I read a certain passage in this book, even I, a man who has read it all, felt that part of me harden. It must be a masterpiece.”
‘Ugh!’
It turned out he had only been looking for the sex scenes. Jin Mucong asked him.
“You might not be able to publish Zhu Wenhua’s books at your shop. Aren’t you afraid?”
The hunchbacked middle-aged man chuckled, “Heh, heh,” while regretfully looking away from a certain passage.
“I publish erotic art and picture books. Why would I be afraid of not being able to sell his books?”
“You publish erotic art and picture books?”
Jin Mucong couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
“Is there a problem?”
Shen Lang and the hunchbacked middle-aged man looked at Jin Mucong at the same time.
‘Right, what’s wrong with selling erotic art? It’s a cultural pastime for the common folk, isn’t it?’
“N-nothing.”
Shen Lang silently scorned Jin Mucong.
‘Fatty, what do you know?’