CHAPTER 192: 192 FAIRY TALE LOVE STORIES

What is an ill-fated love? It’s a feeling different from normal love, a connection that shouldn’t have formed, like a seed that should never have sprouted... But now, this seed has been artificially catalyzed by me! It’s all Matchmaker’s fault, rewarding something as absurd as Pan Jinlian’s Bamboo Pole... This is an outrage!

「...」

"Storekeeper Lin, please wait." Lin Bai had just left the City Lord’s Mansion when he heard Scholar Zhao’s voice.

"Mr. Zhao, is there something you need?" Lin Bai turned, a Card landing in his palm. The dazed Pei Yanzong stood behind him.

Seeing this, Scholar Zhao’s expression changed instantly. "So, it was you who did this to the City Lord."

"Mr. Zhao, I don’t understand what you’re saying." Lin Bai looked at the scholar and smiled faintly. "The City Lord has already forgiven Lao Mi. Do you still intend to pursue this?"

"Lin Bai, I have followed the City Lord for over ten years; I know his temperament and character better than anyone." Scholar Zhao stared at Lin Bai, an icy chill emanating from him. "But after being struck by Lao Mi’s short club, he has been acting too abnormally. The way he looks at Lao Mi... it’s as if he’s looking at a woman, yet he himself is completely unaware. How similar is this to those struck by your Bow of Love? Dare you say this has nothing to do with you?"

Lin Bai looked at the scholar, pondered for a moment, then said, "Unrelated."

"You..." Scholar Zhao nearly choked, glaring at Lin Bai in fury. "Do you realize what you’re doing?"

"I am facilitating the rapid integration of the heaven-sent individuals with Qian City." Lin Bai straightened up, declaring righteously, "I intend to spread the Justice League throughout the world, pull the high-and-mighty Cultivators down from their pedestals, and restore peace and stability to the world. I am undertaking the greatest endeavor in human history..."

In Lin Bai’s perception, Scholar Zhao’s negative emotions practically exploded. Blood vessels crept into his eyes, and the fist hidden in his sleeve tightened then loosened.

Finally, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and after composing himself, opened them again. "Lin Bai, the City Lord has always highly valued you. From the day you arrived in Qian City, acting on a request from Commandery Princess Yunyang, he has been secretly looking out for you..."

Looking out for me? Where was he when I first arrived and was intimidated by several Sects from the Supervisory Immortal Office? Where was he when Daoist Qingming from the Return to Dragon View came to attack and kill me? And what was he doing when I fought the Return to Dragon View alone outside the city? Hmph! If that’s called ’looking out,’ then ’looking out’ is far too easy... Xu Longyun provided me with a place for Alchemy, bought my Dan Fang at a great expense, and even gave me a royal Token for protection. Now *that’s* what I call looking out for someone, isn’t it? He actually has the gall to claim credit!

Lin Bai scoffed internally, then looked towards the gates of the City Lord’s Mansion and cupped his fists. "I have always been grateful for the City Lord’s care. I hold a respected elder like him in the highest regard. After establishing the Justice League, the very first thing I did was invite him to be the league’s supervisor. With such an upright elder overseeing the Justice League, I firmly believe it will flourish..."

Seeing Lin Bai feigning ignorance, Scholar Zhao felt his blood boil, and the urge to confront him surged again. But recalling Lin Bai’s unfathomable methods, he suppressed the impulse and said, "The City Lord is different from those Sect Leaders. He is the parental official of this city. Every decision he makes affects the livelihood, even the survival, of countless commoners. Sect Leader Lin, I know that while your actions may be audacious, you still adhere to your conscience. Please, spare the City Lord."

"Mr. Zhao, you truly misunderstand me." Lin Bai shook his head. "Besides, the City Lord himself said he kept Lao Mi to discuss some economic matters. You shouldn’t read too much into it." With that, he employed the Wind Riding Art, preparing to leave.

Scholar Zhao suddenly grew anxious. "Lin Bai, do you intend to make an enemy of the entire world?"

Lin Bai stopped, looked down at the fuming scholar on the ground, and smiled faintly. "No, I am saving the entire world."

A flash of anger crossed Scholar Zhao’s eyes. "Lin Bai, persist in this, and you will regret it."

Lin Bai glanced at him, said nothing, then turned and departed.

Lin Bai’s arrogant voice transmission echoed clearly in Scholar Zhao’s ears: "If I can save the world, what does it matter if I become the world’s enemy? Fool, how would you know this isn’t a strategy I discussed with the City Lord?"

Scholar Zhao started, watching Lin Bai bathed in sunlight high above. His furious gaze slowly grew complex, and his lips moved. "What does it matter if I become the world’s enemy? Could I have misjudged him?"

「 」

Lin Bai landed at the Beggar Gang Branch. The Players, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately swarmed him.

"Storekeeper Lin, Lao Mi didn’t return with you?" Lonely Old Man asked.

"He’s staying at the City Lord’s Mansion tonight to cultivate his relationship with the City Lord." Lin Bai glanced at him with a smile. "Barring any surprises, Lao Mi should have won the City Lord over."

"Storekeeper Lin, what will it be like once Lao Mi and the City Lord develop feelings for each other? Will it be like Qing Yu and Flower Stream, where the wife follows the husband’s lead?" Lonely Old Man pressed.

"More or less. Back then, the City Lord only had eyes for Lao Mi; he even shooed me out," Lin Bai replied perfunctorily.

He had already gleaned from the private chat messages what these Players were most concerned about: whether NPCs could be turned into obedient Puppets. Normally, they wouldn’t ask so directly. But this time, Crispy Rice had turned off his livestream, and they couldn’t enter the City Lord’s Mansion. Each one of them was itching with curiosity, privately cursing Crispy Rice—who was reaping all the benefits—to death.

"Enough about that. We’ll know Lao Mi’s situation tomorrow morning." Lin Bai glanced at them. "What’s the latest on those Sects in Hundred Flower Valley?"

"Just as we anticipated, no Sect is willing to join the Justice League," Lonely Old Man replied. "Our Undercover agents reported that Morning Yuan Sword Sect, Medicine King Valley, and Spirit Artifact Pavilion plan to seek reinforcements from the Seven Righteous Sects. Meanwhile, Hundred Flower Valley will hurry to Qian City, feigning surrender to delay our campaign."

"Seeking reinforcements, eh?" Lin Bai mused for a moment, then asked, "How long will it take for them to arrive?"

"It takes about seven days to reach the Seven Righteous Sects," Lonely Old Man said. "Whether reinforcements will come, or when, is uncertain. After all, they need to await decisions from their superiors."

"Seven days?" Lin Bai was surprised. "Is the disconnect between the Seven Righteous Sects and their subordinate Sects that severe?"

"We wouldn’t know about that," Lonely Old Man replied. "After all, we’ve only been here for less than two months. Our understanding of this world is limited to what we’ve personally experienced. Moreover, those Sects are now wary of us, so many confidential matters are simply inaccessible."

"No matter. Let’s just proceed with our plans step by step. You’ve all done an excellent job. How could ordinary people establish such a vast enterprise in so short a time? Lao Mi has won over the City Lord, so all of Qian City is essentially under our control," Lin Bai said with a smile.

Seven days to reach the Seven Righteous Sects—that bought him plenty of confidence. Based on the usual patterns in the Immortal World, the Seven Righteous Sects were unlikely to mobilize their full strength against a minor figure like him. Even if masters from the Seven Righteous Sects could arrive instantly, seven days was enough time for him to accomplish many things. Who knew how many trump cards he would possess by then? Besides, the System had pushed him, step by step, to this point. A confrontation with the Seven Righteous Sects or the Five Demonic Gates was practically inevitable; he was already mentally prepared. With the red string in hand, he had no reason to panic!

"It’s all thanks to you, Storekeeper Lin," said Lonely Old Man. "We were just tagging along."

"You were just tagging along before, but now that our operations are expanding, none of you will be able to slack off anymore," Lin Bai said with a wave of his hand and a smile. "Alright, let’s not dwell on the uncertain future. Focus on taking each step steadily. I guarantee that everyone in the Beggar Gang and the Righteous Door will live the best possible life in this world."

"Thank you for your guidance, Storekeeper Lin," Lonely Old Man replied, cupping his fists.

"How did the interview with the Five Evil Gates go?" Lin Bai asked, turning to Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi.

"Reporting to Storekeeper Lin, I’ve obtained the primary materials," Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi said with a frown. "However, there’s nothing particularly outstanding, and due to equipment limitations, many of the photographs taken cannot be printed."

"Find a way to polish the stories; make sure the accounts of the Sect Leaders are somewhat legendary. Don’t focus your writing on portraying them as villains," Lin Bai instructed. "Emphasize the tragic aspect of ’winner takes all, loser is vilified.’ Describe how, in the struggle for doctrinal supremacy, the defeated Sects were unjustly branded with evil names by the Seven Righteous Sects. Write that Taoist law is righteous when used for righteous purposes and evil when used for evil purposes. The Blood Refining method can kill, but so can the dignified Sword Dao. Start with their unwillingness and their resistance; portray them as a group of inspirational figures who have been struggling to survive for the sake of their orthodoxy."

"Understood," Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi nodded.

"Remember, a reversal. There absolutely must be a reversal," Lin Bai stressed. "Any evil deeds they committed must have been fabrications, framed by the people of the Seven Righteous Sects. But they, being too proud, disdained to offer any explanation..."

Dao Xu frowned involuntarily.

"Storekeeper Lin, but this deviates from the facts!" Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi protested. "Once the truth is exposed, Justice Weekly’s reputation will be ruined!"

"What then? Should we announce that the Justice League has recruited a group of Monsters and demons as members? How could the world trust our Justice League after that?" Lin Bai glanced at him. "What do you think the common people want to see? How much do they really understand about the Cultivation World? Aren’t they just looking for some excitement? As for events from hundreds or thousands of years ago, who truly knows what’s real and what’s not?"

"But—" Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi tried to argue, but Lin Bai cut him off mercilessly.

"I know you hold justice dear in your heart, which is commendable, but we must prioritize the outcome," Lin Bai stated. "The second issue’s main feature is the Justice League, so it mustn’t instill panic. Only then will the people trust us and believe everything we report. Furthermore, once individuals like Xin Shang are promoted with a positive image, when they encounter common folk, do you think they’ll strive to maintain that image, or will they deliberately tarnish themselves and utterly destroy the future of the Five Evil Gates? Crucially, how can you be certain that the information you gathered from your interviews is even true?"

Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi opened his mouth, stunned into silence.

"Get it now?" Lin Bai smiled. "The past isn’t important. We’re focused on the future, on planting a seed of goodwill. That way, even if others imitate us by starting newspapers and writing articles to slander us, the common people will voluntarily step forward to debate them."

"Paparazzi, listen to Storekeeper Lin," Lonely Old Man sent a private message. "Only by doing as he says can ’Justice Weekly’ succeed. We’re not in reality; we’re playing a game, get it?"

"Fine!" Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi said dejectedly. "Old Lonely, why is even playing a game so underhanded?"

"This *is* reality," Lonely Old Man said, casting an appreciative glance at Lin Bai and sighing. "Just as Lin Bai mentioned, once Justice Weekly becomes widespread, other Players will inevitably follow suit. When they start spreading rumors, are we going to fight them with facts? Little Paps, public opinion always serves politics. So many people in the Beggar Gang depend on Storekeeper Lin for their livelihood; we can’t afford to lose."

"I understand." At that moment, Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi’s convictions crumbled. He looked at Lin Bai and said, "I know what to do now, Storekeeper Lin."

"Do you know the purpose of the Justice League?" Lin Bai nodded and asked.

"To integrate Cultivation with the people’s livelihood, and for Taoist law to serve the people’s livelihood," Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi replied.

"Correct," Lin Bai said. "In this issue of the weekly, also include a few love stories."

"Love?" Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi was taken aback.

"I intend to promote the Great Path of Love," Lin Bai stated. "Spreading love among the populace might strengthen the bonds between individuals and promote the cultivation of the Love Principle."

"Who should I write about?" Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi asked tentatively. "You and Miss Jiang?"

"Writing about me is an option, but my story isn’t particularly striking. Consider Qing Yu from Return to Dragon View and Flower Stream from the Mysterious Darkness Cult, their forbidden love that defied Sect barriers; Pei Yanzong’s battlefield declaration of love, his noble sentiment of being willing to die for his beloved; even Lao Mi and the City Lord’s mutual admiration that transcends age. If these stories are polished well, they’ll be more effective at capturing the public’s attention," Lin Bai said after a moment’s thought.

GULP!

The sound of swallowing echoed around.

Apart from him and Jiang Qingqin, none of these pairings are normal! Isn’t it enough to cultivate the Love Principle in private? Once these stories are spread, how will the world perceive them?

Dao Xu’s expression changed instantly. "Lin Bai, you can’t do this! There’s nothing between Pei Yanzong and me! You’re the one causing all this trouble!"

"I know." Lin Bai glanced at him and said, "But the fact that Pei Yanzong was willing to die for you cannot be denied, can it? I know you look down on Pei Yanzong, and I’m not trying to force you together. I merely want to use these examples to awaken people’s yearning for the beauty of love. This world is too fickle; many have lost faith in love. This all stems from a lack of understanding. I want to use diverse examples to help the world comprehend the true meaning of love!"

Dao Xu’s face flushed crimson, and he looked like he wanted to argue further.

Lin Bai flipped his palm, recalling Dao Xu into the Card. He then said to Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi, "I know these examples of lovers might seem a bit thin. You can apply some artistic embellishment. For instance, between Jiang Qingqin and me, highlight ’sweetness.’ For Qing Yu and Flower Stream, emphasize ’struggle’ and ’determination.’ For Pei Yanzong and Dao Xu, focus on ’parting by death’ and ’sacrifice.’ And for the City Lord and Lao Mi, accentuate ’admiration for talent’..."

The new reward from the Matchmaker System was "Rush Moon," a devastating weapon for group battles. To compensate for his own shortcomings, Lin Bai had gone mad, not hesitating to throw himself into the mix for hype.

After Lin Bai finished speaking, all the Players and the Taoists from Return to Dragon View present were dumbfounded.

Is this the so-called Great Path of Love? Apart from him and Jiang Qingqin, not a single one of those pairings is normal, right?

Immortal Realm’s First Papparazzi looked at Lin Bai and stammered, "S-Storekeeper Lin, if we do this, won’t ’Justice Weekly’ become a gossip rag?"

"The Great Path of Love concerns the Laws of Heaven and Earth; how can you call it a gossip rag? The founding purpose of the Justice League is to promote these laws." Lin Bai’s expression grew much more solemn. "At the beginning of the articles, clearly state the cultivation insights of the Law of Love. If anyone can achieve enlightenment from it, that would be a great meritorious deed. Don’t worry about what others might say; just do it."