Chapter One: Publishing a Textbook for the Chinese Department? (5,400 words)

The Magic City remained as prosperous as ever.

In 2012, Jin Yucheng’s novel *Blossoms*, published in *Harvest* magazine, was awarded the Ninth Lu Xun Literary Prize. He depicted the Shanghai of the 1960s to the 1990s with exquisite detail. Xu Chengjun still remembered a few lines from it: "When things reach an extreme, they can only head in the opposite direction; this half-minute is the true flavor of Shanghai." "If you don’t believe it, stick your head out of the dormer window—ah, the night, the layer upon layer of rooftops, the weeping voice of the local opera..."

However, to Shi Lei’s surprise, while he could usually sense a response from his magical artifacts with even a single drop of essence blood, this scroll remained completely unmoved.

Mrs. Romano brought towels and a bathrobe, grumbling about Esther once more, but Esther saw clearly that beneath her sharp tongue lay a heart of gold. Esther knew her good luck had protected her once again; she had arrived too early, and the man’s malevolent sacrificial ritual had only just begun, meaning he had not yet been fully corrupted by the puppet.

"The taste of being short on money is hard to bear; poverty can drive a hero to ruin. I finally understand why so many people in this world discard their integrity, or even risk their lives—it is all for money," Zhu Hongyu sighed.

Only after the "Pale Bone Nail" grew calm did Esther pull it out. She traced an arc in the air with the sword, which had turned increasingly pristine and white. After confirming there were no abnormalities, she plunged it back into her palm, watching as it dissolved once more into a pattern of silver threads interwoven with feathers. Although, for her, this height could now be reached through a simple "theft," she still walked steadily upon the ground, her soles treading over the footprints of some unknown creature.

At this moment, Xinghua also emerged from the side chamber, but was stopped by a single sentence from Xin Nian, leaving her to stare blankly as the other moved further and further away.

As many historians have noted, were they not forced to the brink with no other choice, how would the common people ever rise up in desperation?

He had not lied in the slightest. Out of respect for the Prime Minister, he could not easily make a move; only by luring the beauty away from the Prime Minister’s estate would he find an opening.

Under the gaze of countless angel statues holding long swords on either side, he approached a god statue that towered even higher than himself.

In particular, for the countries surrounding the Qing River, the spectacle of people flocking to eat the river’s famous specialties during certain months of the year was truly magnificent.

Nalan Heng’s lips curled upward uncontrollably, his amber, peach-blossom eyes swirling with emotion. Ye Yun and the other two also wore expressions of joy.

On the snow-white wall hung several photographs; one could tell at a glance that they were quite old.

"Young Master! We lost many men, but we finally captured these four," a subordinate’s voice called out from afar.

The three of them went upstairs together. Although Maibao was impatient to see what was in the bag, he still waited obediently on the side, his dark, round eyes fixed unblinkingly on the bag.

"Send these people to Jilu Fortress. Additionally, dispatch five hundred troops to maintain the defenses of Linrong, and promote a County Commandant. Later, I will petition the Imperial Court to reorganize the Linrong Court Commandant and Huben divisions," Xu Huang said coldly.

The news of the injury had indeed been false, just as the Cangyue Sect had warned—never act rashly until the truth is confirmed. Yet, he had been unable to restrain himself, never expecting to fall into a trap set by Li Yunmu.

Not until they reached the door of An Ruo’s home did she suddenly turn back to look at the figure behind her, her eyes filled with a hint of surprise.

"That..." An Ruo hesitated for a moment before deciding to share the legend with Lu Ling. Once she had finished, she quickly averted her gaze, waiting patiently.

When he had been on the pirate ship just moments ago, he had endured it by sheer force of will. He was a man who loved peace and quiet—or, more accurately, he was accustomed to it.