Chapter 10: The Martial Arts World of Newspaper Publishing（10）

Walking out with joy, returning home expressionless.

If this were the modern world, Chloe Chen would have taken them to court. Give me back my spotless reputation!

To avoid getting caught in the crossfire, Cai Jingjun pretended to be an emotionless tool, doing his best not to attract her attention. Only after she stormed into the house and furiously started writing did he finally release himself, covering his mouth as he laughed in delight.

When people get angry, they write faster—it was as if she was transforming rage into power. With rapid strokes, she quickly wrapped up Duan Bailang's part of the story, along with the first three forms of Soaring Frost Twin Blades.

At this point, Sword Inquiry Gazette had opened an exclusive section just for her writings, allowing her to publish 10,000 characters in one go. This meant that what used to take readers two issues to finish could now be read in a single sitting!

Because of this, Chloe had to speed up her writing, which naturally accelerated the plot.

By now, Leo Li had already learned Duan Bailang's twin-blade technique. After bidding farewell, he embarked on his next journey. She only needed to fill in the remaining seven sword moves later through his recollections of training.

For the time being, Duan Bailang, the fan-favorite character who even compelled the head of Sword Inquiry Manor to write a personal letter, would not be appearing again.

"The eerie, dilapidated pavilion barely let in any light. Leo Li's meridians had been sealed, and he shivered from the cold."

"On his journey north, he encountered a poor farming family. They had unknowingly offended an old crone, who killed the husband on the spot. As she was about to kill the wife and child, Leo happened to pass by and hurriedly intervened."

"Little did he expect that the crone was none other than the infamous leader of the Bone Sect—Madam Skeleton."

"Legend had it that Madam Skeleton was erratic and deranged. Enraged by his interference, she struck him with a palm attack, sending him flying before cruelly killing the wife and child."

"Leo thought he was about to die, but unexpectedly, Madam Skeleton stared at him for a while, then suddenly let out a manic laugh and took him to this abandoned pavilion on a cliffside."

This time, Chloe planned to introduce three concealed weapons: boomerangs, willow leaf darts, and flying needles.

Madam Skeleton was just a plot device. The real threat was her subordinate, the Red-Robed Enforcer, Nie Piaopiao, who specialized in hidden weapons. She was tasked with guarding Leo. When he attempted to escape, she struck his arm with a boomerang and captured him.

Later, Leo realized that Nie Piaopiao always held back when attacking, likely following some secret command from Madam Skeleton—his wounds were never serious.

Thinking that he might as well take advantage of his imprisonment, he began observing Nie Piaopiao's throwing techniques. He deliberately provoked her, engaging in a battle of wits and skill to steal her hidden weapon techniques.

After three days of hard work, Chloe finished writing the first twelve chapters of The Art of Hidden Weapons. She stretched lazily and, once the manuscript dried, sealed it in an envelope. Cai Jingjun discreetly delivered it to a secret drop point for mailing.

Ever since an unknown thief broke into her house last time, Chloe had been reflecting on how she was found.

After careful thought, the only weak link was her correspondence.

Her work was published in Sword Inquiry Gazette, so anyone tracing letters from the Sword Inquiry Manor back to her could easily pinpoint her location.

Thus, the first thing she did after moving was to send a letter to the Sword Inquiry Manor, instructing them to avoid replying unless absolutely necessary. Her letters would follow a one-way path only.

If they had to reply under special circumstances, they had to maintain complete secrecy and use an exclusive hidden route.

Sigh, just writing a novel, yet it felt like underground espionage.

Chloe could only lament—her damn talent was to blame for attracting trouble.

Curling wisps of sandalwood incense drifted like mist. A portrait was enshrined within a sacred alcove, with a small golden statue placed below it.

Kneeling devoutly before the shrine was a young woman in her prime. However, her hair was styled in the manner of a married woman.

Li Shiyu never expected that despite struggling so hard against fate, she would still be manipulated—married off as a mere bargaining chip to a "suitable match" who was a complete stranger.

Her father, her mother, her grandparents—none of them saw her as a living, breathing daughter or granddaughter. To them, she was just a tool for securing benefits.

She bowed three times, then closed her eyes and murmured a prayer to the statue.

It didn't matter. Even if she had lost everything, it still didn't matter.

Leo Li had lost everything once too. But he defied his fate and seized his own opportunities.

So could she.

Li Shiyu would never surrender. The more they treated her as a pawn to be played with, the more she would act meek and obedient.

Until the day her fangs fully grew—when she would make them regret it bitterly.

"Madam, the Master has returned from court. He seems to have been humiliated and looks furious."

A low voice from her trusted maid came from outside.

Li Shiyu opened her eyes, her cold gaze filled with scorn.

She glanced at the portrait and statue above the altar—both depicted a scholarly young man standing on auspicious clouds, holding a brush, with gentle brows and a warm smile. It was a custom-made image of Gallant Wind Hero.

Li Shiyu whispered an apology to the shrine, then calmly followed the maid out.

The moment she stepped through the doorway, her cold expression transformed—her features softened into charm, her eyes gleamed with affection, and she became a vision of delicate beauty.

Sun Erlang stormed in, seething with anger.

As Deputy Minister of War, he was responsible for military affairs. Recently, a shipment of weapons bound for the frontier had been intercepted. The Emperor was furious, demanding answers from the Ministry of War, throwing the entire court into turmoil.

Although both the War and Justice Ministries were investigating the case, as long as the weapons remained missing, his anxiety would persist.

Li Shiyu seized the moment, softly attending to his needs while subtly probing for information.

Sun Erlang, already in his thirties and with a teenage son, had taken this young wife as his second spouse. His fondness for her often led him to share court affairs with her.

After gathering key details, her eyes flickered with calculation.

"If that's the case, why not let me help, my lord? Lately, the noble ladies of the capital have been fervently worshiping Gallant Wind Hero. I could organize a fundraising event under the guise of charity—wives of officials donating silver for the well-being of frontier soldiers. You could present it as an act of kindness, gaining favor with both the Emperor and the military. What do you think?"

Sun Erlang's eyes lit up.

This was a brilliant idea.

It would placate the Emperor, silence the border troops for now, and boost his own reputation—all at once.

Still…

"Who exactly is this Gallant Wind Hero?" He hesitated.

It sounded like some wandering swordsman.

Li Shiyu delicately explained, describing how the figure had gradually become revered by commoners, martial artists, and now even noble households.

Convinced, Sun Erlang pulled her into an embrace. "You truly are a wise wife. What more could a man ask for?"

Li Shiyu smiled demurely, inwardly sneering.

The capital's noblewomen originally disdained Gallant Wind Hero as a peasant's belief. But it was she who had stirred the tide.

To her, Gallant Wind Hero was a spiritual pillar. These women were lucky to be allowed to worship him.

Now, she could take it further—using this opportunity to expand his following.

Thus, Gallant Wind Hero would rise, not just as a writer, but as a legend.