Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Surroundings
In this world and this era, originality is doomed to die.
Ji Ma never expected that writing books would make her rich.
As far as she knew, during the Renaissance period on Earth, which was similar to the civilization of the other world, “Don Quixote” had excellent sales, yet the author’s financial situation saw little improvement.
Even in her more civilized era, piracy in literature was rampant. Piracy websites could simply spend a little money, buy software, and mass steal original novels, with the primary cost being merely subscription fees.
Ji Ma remembered that during her high school years, when she first wrote a novel filled with awkward sentences and poor writing, it was uploaded to a leading novel website. The next day, her novel appeared on piracy websites.
Before that, she thought only popular novels had the right to be pirated.
This was how she intuitively understood just how low the cost of piracy was and how rampant it was.
In the other world, piracy would be even worse.
To make money, one must master core techniques that others cannot replicate.
Ji Ma had long decided—she would sell merchandise.
While pirated novels would harm her interests, they would also spread the fame of her works. Selling merchandise was the best way to convert fame into money.
As for what kind of merchandise to sell?
Ji Ma picked up a soft heart, squeezing it hard; it was resilient and elastic, resembling flesh. She sniffed it again and detected no strange odors.
“You’re it for merchandise,” Ji Ma muttered to herself, reciting a prepared advertisement, “A flight. cup made from the molded form of the supremely beautiful and lewd Elven Queen! One hundred percent satisfaction guaranteed, letting you personally experience the favors of the green-skinned orcs.”
Ji Ma had made her plans long ago. To that end, she deliberately left the story incomplete, with the plot stopping at the scene where the Elven Queen was captured by green-skinned orcs and escorted by goblins, occasionally being toyed with, though provided with food, clothing, and sleeping accommodations.
The Elven Queen was carefully maintained and brought into an orc tent, where she was hung up in the middle, facing eighteen strong orcs.
The story abruptly ended there, with the last line being: “…. In the orc tent, the high-pitched voice of the Elven Queen, half in anguish and half in climax, echoed…”
Many readers would probably be enraged at this point, feeling a fire building up inside. To vent, they would certainly purchase merchandise, fantasizing about being one of the orcs while leaning towards dirty and dark thoughts.
The abrupt plot twist also provided readers with a space for imagination. The brain is the best sexual organ; even the world’s greatest authors, when tied together, would find it difficult to surpass the readers’ “sexual fantasies.”
After all, no text can satisfy everyone, but everyone’s sexual fantasy can certainly satisfy them.
I digress.
Ji Ma shook her head.
That Lei, the young man with acne, was a crucial part of her plan.
She had to make him give up; Ji Ma knew well that with men, unless you speak directly, they can still think you have an interest in them. The previously cold attitude and indirect rejection might just be due to shyness or perhaps a test.
She had experienced it herself.
At that time, she played the role of a sycophant, degrading herself entirely; if she could travel back, she would definitely beat her own legs with a stick.
“I sent back the heart; I can’t accept it. It’s simply because I have someone I care for…” Ji Ma thought for a moment and decided to mention George’s name, “He is the handsome and charming, strong and enduring, kind and righteous George Hammer—”
Ji Ma crossed out the word “Hammer” and changed it to:
“… kind and righteous George Warhammer, a descendant of ancient knights, the strongest of the new generation of the Holy Hall, the one who pierced the Demon King’s chest, the breaker of shackles, the liberator of Shalin City, the Sword of Order, the Shield of Kindness, and the Slayer of the Green Dragon….”
She wrote a long list of titles, knowing many were likely to invite scrutiny. But no matter how one counted, all those titles would surely convey the message that “Little Joe greatly admires George.”
Writing up to this point, Ji Ma thought for a moment and continued:
“I have already given my virginity to him, and I go to his bed every night. I hope he doesn’t misunderstand me; please stop bothering me, thank you.”
“By the way, he is sleeping behind me; I secretly got up to write this letter, hiding the heart you sent.”
After looking it over, Ji Ma was quite satisfied. She asked herself, with this text, even if her former self as a sycophant received this letter, she would surely die on the spot, extinguishing her desire to pursue.
As for possibly exposing the secret that she and George had a physical relationship.
Let her future self worry about that.
Besides, isn’t George, as a tool, in the way?
Ji Ma reread it and felt it was too overboard; she worried the acne-faced youth might not handle the blow and might jump into a river to commit suicide. Dying was one thing, but delaying her plan was unacceptable.
She made it clear: “I hope our relationship remains a pure transactional one.”
“Your mother has strict requirements for you. You seem like a filial son who loves his mother. If she sees your hobby able to continuously bring in gold coins to help relieve the burden of supporting the family, she will surely look at you differently.”
“Next, I hope you’re prepared; I have contacted an avant-garde sculptor who is very interested in your craft. I have struck up a deal with her, and I believe you won’t let me down. Keep these gold coins to improve your living conditions, as the challenges ahead will be great.”
After finishing the draft, Ji Ma dipped her pen in ink and took a piece of white paper from the drawer, quickly copying it all down in half a minute.
This was still under the condition that she wrote clearly.
Copying books, while tedious, had its rewards.
After finishing the letter, Ji Ma folded it neatly and placed it under her heart.
Ji Ma calculated that she had ninety-three gold coins left.
She took out three gold coins and placed them under her heart. This amount could already buy a castrated pig.
But Ji Ma thought for a moment, to ensure everything was foolproof, she made a difficult decision and added two more gold coins.
On one hand, the high reward could stabilize the acne-faced youth. On the other hand, it indirectly told him that her wealth far surpassed his, so he should give up.
In the world, where could one find a rich and beautiful young lady who could be casually pursued?
After confirming everything was in order, Ji Ma placed the items in a wooden box; out of a certain vengeful mentality, she nailed the nails in one by one.
The wooden box was placed at her feet, and she glanced at the pile of books on the table, stacked like a small mountain.
Ji Ma felt a moment of despair; pressed by George’s advances, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and began the long night of copying books and writing reflections.
She didn’t even know when Litis was going to bring a female goblin; tonight, she had to remind her.
As Ji Ma thought, she spread out a piece of paper, writing fervently under the dim oil lamp.
…
…
Morning.
The elf Litis lay on the soft bed, stretching her body, murmuring in a language no one in this world could understand:
“What’s the rush? I finally lured a knight; I’ll bring you a goblin queen tomorrow.”
After speaking, Litis reached beside her bed, but found nothing. She blinked with sleepy eyes and realized she was alone in the bed.
The knight who shared the night with her was already dressed and had his back turned to her. On the bedside table, there was a jar of milk.
Litis wanted more; she picked up the milk and drank it all, intentionally letting the white milk run down her cheeks and along her neck.
The taste of the milk was somewhat odd, and Litis frowned slightly.
The knight turned his head and asked, “You’re awake?”
“My savior,” Litis smiled at him, “Before I take that ugly goblin away, shall we indulge a bit more?”
Yesterday, Litis had been “captured” by a group of goblins. She hesitated whether to experience the goblins’ stinky bodies or to break free from the ropes, kill the goblins, and capture the goblin queen.
Just then, a knight happened to pass by with a group of followers, “rescuing the damsel,” and easily killed most of the goblins.
Litis had already agreed with him that she would leave with the captured goblin queen tomorrow, at least that’s what the other goblins called her. Though the so-called goblin queen merely wore a rough crown made of branches and copper pieces.
“Your Majesty,” the knight smiled, “How do you like it here?”
Litis caught a glimpse of a book on his desk titled “The Misadventures of the Elven Queen” and asked, “What do you mean? I’m not a queen.”
“Although you’ve dyed your hair, I still recognize you,” the knight licked his lips. “Since you’ve been so promiscuous, why not just stay with my family and serve me forever?”
Litis laughed, “You want me to be a family heirloom?”
“You have no choice,” the knight said. “I bet the high elves wouldn’t expect their queen to willingly be a public harlot, seeking thrills everywhere?”
“What have you done to me?” Litis covered her head. “I can’t exert any strength!”
“I’m sorry; I didn’t want to hurt you; I added something to the milk.” The knight set up a tent below and casually picked up a roll of rope, stepping in front of Litis.
“By the way, you didn’t tell anyone else, right?” Litis suddenly said. “As a Bartow knight, you wouldn’t risk damaging your reputation.”
“So what if I did?”
“That’s great.” Litis suddenly raised her head and pounced on the knight like a tiger. By the time the knight reacted, Litis had already pressed her knee against his back and locked his head with both hands.
Naked choke!
The knight struggled hard, but Litis’s strength was far beyond his expectations; he felt like he was pinned down by a bear. The arms around his neck gradually tightened; the knight’s face turned red, and he couldn’t breathe.
“Femininity is a good weapon for men, but unfortunately, I’m immune to all poisons,” Litis said. “Sorry, pretty boy, I can’t give up all men for one.”
With that, she exerted her arm, and with a crack, the knight’s neck snapped.
Litis stood up, placed the knight’s corpse on the bed, and covered it. After washing up, she got dressed.
She opened the door and walked out, telling a servant:
“Call the butler.”
When the butler arrived, Litis cracked the door slightly, allowing the butler to see the knight lying in bed.
She said, “Your master is still sleeping. He promised to give me the goblin queen he captured yesterday.”
The butler glanced at his master’s corpse and instructed the servant to pack the female goblin and to give Litis a horse.
