Chapter 65: Doing Business in Inazuma? Of Course You Have to Contact the Fox of the Grand Narukami Shrine
Paper can't hide fire forever.
Even though she was acknowledged by Wangquan Fugui, Qingtong was ultimately discovered by his father!
Inside the grand hall.
Looking at the floor covered in embroidered silk paintings and the severely injured spider spirit, Wangquan Fugui's father roared in fury: "Ignorant fool! Just because of a little demon girl, you let your Wangquan Sword remain unsheathed! You are not worthy to be called a descendant of the Wangquan clan, let alone to wield the Wangquan Sword!!"
But after all, Wangquan Fugui was still his son. His tone softened slightly as he said, "Considering your lack of worldly experience, I'll overlook this once. Kill it with your own hands, and I'll persuade the clan to let bygones be bygones."
Wangquan Fugui lowered his head. After a long silence, he said softly, "She's already gravely injured. Can't you spare her?"
"I said.. kill it!!"
Seeing the relentless fury in his father's eyes, Wangquan Fugui knew there was no way out. He slowly stood, drew his sword, and looked at the girl who, even before losing consciousness, had still woven silk paintings for him.
Memories flooded his mind.
Just as his junior sister thought her senior brother had finally "returned to the righteous path," Wangquan Fugui plunged his sword into the ground, then lifted the unconscious Qingtong into his arms and walked out.
"If we can make it out alive," he murmured, "would you be willing to see all the rivers and mountains of the world with me?"
Back in the courtyard on Yujing Terrace.
Everyone except Su Han was completely stunned by the manga.
They had thought the humorous tone of the first volume was its main style, but now they realized how wrong they'd been.
Ningguang glanced back at the poem printed on the title page and sighed emotionally. "I've lost. Just this story alone could be passed down in Liyue for a hundred years."
"More than that!" Keqing sniffled, wiping her tears. "This is the first time I've ever read something so moving. Those two have suffered so much… No wonder Qingtong risked everything to find Wangquan Fugui's reincarnation. Just for him giving up his clan for her.. it's worth it."
Beside her, Ganyu dabbed away her tears, silently apologizing in her heart for having misjudged Qingtong earlier.
Beidou let out a long sigh. "I really misread this one. This story would blow up anywhere, not just in Inazuma."
Seeing everyone so emotionally wrapped up, Su Han smirked. "You're celebrating too early. The manga still has a few pages left."
At his reminder, they all noticed the remaining pages and continued reading.
Moments later, Master Keqing was the first to break down.
"Su Han!!!! You're too cruel! Qingtong and Wangquan Fugui have suffered enough, how could you still torture them like this?!"
She was the first to finish reading, but when she reached the final page, she completely lost composure. She had thought the story would end peacefully, yet what awaited was ten thousand swords piercing the heart!
The others wore the same expression, struck speechless by how brutal the ending was.
The final few pages went like this—
Wangquan Fugui carried Qingtong out of the hall. Though his father spared him, the rest of the clan would not. They would never allow a "disgrace" to exist within the Wangquan family, so they unleashed their flying swords to block his path.
Without the Wangquan Sword, Fugui couldn't fend them all off.
On the last page, his body was impaled by countless swords, yet even then, the man still shielded the woman in his arms, refusing to let her suffer the slightest harm.
And with that, Volume Two ended.
Keqing was visibly shaken, and Su Han quickly tried to comfort her. "Alright, alright, don't get too worked up. This is only the beginning! I promise the story will get even more interesting later."
"Really?"
"Of course! I guarantee that every couple in Fox Spirit Matchmaker will end up together in the end!"
Keqing eyed him suspiciously, feeling that there was something off about his words.
But Su Han wasn't wrong, this really was just the beginning. Surely the next stories wouldn't be even more tragic… right?
At that moment, Ningguang suddenly said, "Su Han, I suggest you don't go out for the next few days."
"Huh? Why?"
"Don't you understand? Your story got even Keqing this emotional. Just imagine what'll happen with all the other love-struck readers. If you don't want to be mobbed on the streets, best stay indoors."
Ningguang's warning made Su Han's expression stiffen. She had a point, after the ending of Second Dream, plenty of customers had already come begging him to change the story. With Fox Spirit Matchmaker being this heartbreaking, who knew what extreme reactions might come next?
Ganyu asked softly, "Is it really that serious? It's just a story, isn't it?"
Su Han shook his head. "Better safe than sorry. Tell Xu Er and the others to call the Millelith if anything happens."
After everyone's emotions calmed down, the bet was settled.
Though the results weren't officially declared, Beidou already admitted defeat. She turned to Su Han and said, "I lost the bet. Whatever you want, just say it. I'll be heading to Inazuma with the cargo in a week."
"Just sell the manga there," Su Han replied.
"That's all?"
Beidou blinked. She had expected him to demand something shady. Selling manga sounded like a free profit.
Besides, stories about love between humans and yokai would be a huge hit in Inazuma.
Su Han smiled and revealed his real intention. "Not quite that simple. I want you to deliver new shipments regularly."
"You're crazy! You have no idea how dangerous Inazuma is right now!"
"No, no, hear me out." Seeing her alarmed face, Su Han quickly explained, "I know the situation in Inazuma better than anyone. Once you arrive, just contact the people at Yae Publishing House. They'll handle everything."
He was confident that once Yae Miko saw how good the manga was, she would definitely lend her support.
With her help, Beidou wouldn't need to worry about the business side at all, she only had to make deliveries.
The name "Yae Publishing House" rang a bell for Ningguang. After Ganyu whispered a few words in her ear, she nodded in realization. If this involved a retainer of the Raiden Shogun herself, then Beidou's safety and profits were all but guaranteed.
"Then it's settled," Ningguang said. "Beidou, you'll head to Inazuma next week."
"Fine, but if anything goes wrong, don't blame me," Beidou replied. Still, with Ningguang backing it, she wouldn't refuse.
Later, everyone enjoyed a grand meal together.
Though there was no wine, the food was excellent, and the atmosphere lively. None of them noticed, however, that on the third-floor window, a faint shadow flickered now and then.
By noon, Fox Spirit Matchmaker officially went on sale.
Compared to the frenzy of previous releases, the response seemed a bit subdued this time, and most buyers were women.
The clerks thought maybe the new manga wasn't catching on, until a group of tearful young women burst into the shop, sobbing as they shouted through their tears, "Tell your boss to come out and explain why he tortured Wangquan Fugui and Qingtong!!"
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