Chapter 126: The Contest of Speech and Writing (Part 2)
The two sides continued their conversation in a friendly atmosphere, with the professor of history sporting crow’s feet feeling increasingly in tune with Ji Ma. It was like fate had brought them together; he particularly enjoyed how her eyes sparkled when he shared various life insights, as she frequently nodded in agreement, saying things like, “Wow, I never thought of that before.”
He felt that the enchantress before him was as beautiful inside as she was outside. He was completely oblivious to the fact that half of his enjoyment in their interaction stemmed from her beauty. If a plain-looking woman had approached to listen to his profound teachings, he likely wouldn’t have been as pleased.
“We’ve talked for so long without realizing it,” the professor remarked, looking flushed and younger than before as he stood up. “It’s getting dark; let’s call it a day. Otherwise, those petty people who don’t like me might slander me for infidelity. I wouldn’t mind, but it would damage your reputation.”
You really are confident.
Ji Ma felt happy that her ears could finally relax. She said, “Thank you for your concern. Very few people care about the reputation of enchantresses; everyone assumes we don’t pay attention to such things.”
“Those people see the world in black and white. They’ve never encountered any demons but conform to others’ opinions, thinking all demons are bad—essentially a mob mentality,” the professor said, his tone exhibiting a hint of intellectual superiority.
Ji Ma smiled and asked, “You mentioned you have many friends in the Department of Letters. There’s something I find hard to say.”
“Go ahead. When it comes to literary matters, I can rival the emperor.”
“Well, I have a friend who wants someone to help write a novel. He’s responsible for the outline, but apart from money, he can’t offer anything else,” Ji Ma explained. “You know, writers tend to have a certain pride, but his taste is rather low. Honestly, I didn’t want to deal with him, but unfortunately, he is a good person, and I owe him a favor.”
“So, do you know any students who are desperate for money?”
The professor smiled. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed; some people need financial support to get through tough times. I know a few struggling writers who make a living by copying books. If your friend is generous, it would be a gift to them.”
With that, he tore off a piece of paper, wrote down an address and a name, and handed it to Ji Ma. “Just say I referred you.”
Ji Ma accepted the paper. “Thank you so much.”
For the first time, a genuine smile appeared on her face. The best part of writing is that she only needed to provide the ideas and the outline, and the typist would help fill in the blanks.
The two said their goodbyes, and Akarnis, with a cold expression, immediately approached, causing those nearby to distance themselves from this emotionless witch hunter.
The professor gave Ji Ma a sympathetic glance and said, “Friend, one day you will be free.”
With that, he turned and left.
Akarnis watched the professor’s retreating figure and said, “What a pity.”
“Pity?” Ji Ma shot him a glance. “Were you eavesdropping?”
“Just a bit,” Akarnis replied. “Although I don’t know what you were up to, I think he’s going to be in big trouble. I was planning to deal with him quietly tonight, but since you got to him first, it’s fine.”
Ji Ma widened her eyes in confusion. “How can you just slander someone without cause? I didn’t do anything.”
Akarnis rolled his eyes in front of her and asked, “You didn’t use any extraordinary abilities, did you?”
“What would I use them for?” Ridiculous, why would I need to?
“That’s good. The grand incantation master has been keeping an eye on you,” Akarnis said, but then sighed in disappointment.
“Should I thank you for your warning or what?”
“Why are you so cautious?” Akarnis pointed to a three-meter-high wall in the distance. “What if I chased you with a knife, and you were so scared that you flew up the wall? How exciting would that be?”
This time, it was Ji Ma’s turn to roll her eyes at him and say, “Nice thought, but you should just stay in the banquet and suffer.”
Akarnis pulled out a stolen meat floss donut from his pocket, looked around, and then took a bite in a manner akin to a thief, a troubled expression on his face.
“You’re quite a celebrity with the emperor now,” Ji Ma remarked. “Introduce me later; I have something I want to discuss with him.”
“Muamua…” Akarnis chewed, then asked, “If you want to talk to my boss, sure, what’s it about?”
Ji Ma said earnestly, “I need sponsorship to start a publishing house. I believe the emperor needs my help with public opinion to deal with the demon invasion and protect our homeland.”
Akarnis satisfactorily stuffed the last bit of donut into his mouth, his cheeks bulging, and said, “Oh.”
The sun sank slowly in the west, the evening glow blood-red as it dipped below the horizon.
But in the distant city of Akardo, the demon realm’s evening glow, like blood, lingered, reluctant to leave, likely because it didn’t share the same sun with the mortal realm.
The bright red light fell into the eye sockets of the skulls atop the spiked balcony of a fortress-like palace.
The local lord of Akardo was loudly questioning the demon dragon princess who had come to issue orders in his study:
“Shouldn’t the weak die?”
The demon dragon princess, not having transformed into her human form, disdainfully kept her head high, her bright yellow dragon eyes gazing down at him as she said, “They should.”
The lord of Akardo raised his hand.
“Then explain, what does it mean to develop bilateral trade and protect the mortals who come to trade?”
“Raising pigs.”
“What?”
“I won’t explain it a second time,” the demon dragon princess replied. “The demon king’s orders are unquestionable. If you don’t understand, just act according to the command; all you need to do is execute it.”
The lord of Akardo felt an anger rising, but considering the power of Demon King Marus and the terrifying presence of the dragon princess before him, he suppressed it and asked:
“Fine, but what about the Blood Midnight at the end of the year? Are we just going to let those mortals watch us kill each other for amusement?”
“Postpone it,” the demon dragon princess said. “Only the pigs should be slaughtered.”
The lord of Akardo suddenly understood; this was coordinated with the impending apocalyptic war. Thinking of the blood sacrifice to the blood god alongside Marus, he couldn’t contain his excitement. Marus was likely the first demon king in history to gather all the fragments of the demon king’s crown.
“I understand now.”
The demon dragon princess glanced at him, then leapt into the air with her four limbs, soaring into the blood-red sky.
Turning his back, the lord of Akardo commanded his subordinates, “Send word to gather all raiding teams to hunt fierce beasts and do not touch the trading caravans. Anyone who does will die. Also, open my treasury and distribute the shiny items inside. The more mortals in the city, the greater the rewards.”
“Yes!”
As his subordinates left.
A three-eyed raven landed on a skull atop a spire, cawing several times.
…
…
On the other side, after the hysterical old noblewoman had to excuse herself to rest, the atmosphere at the banquet gradually relaxed. The young men and women exchanged glances, and after indulging in wine and food, people began to ease their tension. A bald general with a golden cup laughed heartily upon hearing a joke.
Madame von Kainstan, dressed in a Gothic black gown and looking as pale as a corpse, was sharing beauty tips with everyone. Akarnis couldn’t help but take out the stolen makeup mirror, quietly examining Madame von Kainstan. Upon seeing her reflection, he couldn’t help but sigh and put the mirror away. The guests from Silvani, especially Madame von Kainstan, looked far too much like the legendary vampires, and legend has it that vampires do not appear in mirrors.
How amusing it would be if there were a vampire at the emperor’s banquet.
Thinking of this, Akarnis felt another sigh coming but instead let out a loud burp.
He looked at the warm and orderly atmosphere of the banquet and felt even more bored.
The celebration banquet was utterly pointless; it was only fun when Ji Ma stirred things up. And she was currently negotiating in a room with the emperor himself and a large group of guards.
As a few melodious chimes rang out, the most anticipated dance segment of the banquet began.
The emperor and his wife took the stage together, first offering congratulations, followed by wishing everyone a great time, and so on.
The band started to play music, and in the warm glow of the roaring fireplace, the married couples faced each other in two lines, arms linked, gracefully entering the dance floor to perform an elegant dance.
Standing five meters away all alone, Akarnis sighed again and muttered, “This is ridiculous; you have to line up just to dance.”
This was just the prelude. After seven or eight minutes, the dance partners separated, some returning to their seats, while others sought new partners.
Now, as long as both parties were willing, they could take to the dance floor to dance and deepen their bonds.
The young ladies sat together, fanning their rosy cheeks, eyes sparkling with excitement, quietly discussing whether their crushes would come to invite them to dance. They couldn’t help but compare and bet on which of them had spent the night with the most handsome and strongest men.
Among them was Saintess Jenna, who, although not participating in the chatter, found herself caught up in it.
“Your Grace, aren’t you planning to dance tonight? How disappointing this must be for the gentlemen.”
Saintess Jenna shook her head with a gentle smile.
“Her fiancé is said to be handsome and charming, a young war hero, coming to this banquet and putting the other gentlemen to shame. Surely, Your Grace wouldn’t be interested in any other men?”
Saintess Jenna ignored them and sipped her drink nonchalantly.
The group naturally shifted the topic elsewhere.
“Which gentleman caught your eye today?”
“Sir Bolo? I heard he personally killed a black orc on the battlefield and was given the emperor’s commendation. He also inherited his uncle’s estate.”
“What about you?”
“Galte. I especially like wise and powerful mages.”
“What are you thinking? He’s already promised to someone from the Potts family.”
“I’m just looking to dance.”
Under the cover of their fans, they animatedly discussed, and after some peer encouragement, shyly threw playful glances at the gentlemen across the way, hiding their faces behind their fans but unable to resist peeking to see if anyone was interested in them.
As the exchanges continued, the atmosphere grew hotter. Groups of men began preparing to invite the ladies they fancied to dance.
At this critical moment, Ji Ma, dressed in men’s clothing and tight pants, walked over, capturing most of the men’s attention in an instant.
Gentlemen who were about to rise slowly sat back down, and those who had lifted their feet stopped in place. Meanwhile, the ladies behind their fans cast glowering looks at Ji Ma.
