Chapter 1505: The Pei family

The Duke of Ding's Prefecture.

"Report!"

"Eldest Young Master, in the dead of night, the Pei family's subordinates brought a person clad entirely in black into the inn, and they have yet to come out."

"Eldest Young Master, shall we take action?"

Chen Sheng's voice rang out, filled with solemnity and excitement; he was itching to act.

After experiencing the slaughter of the battlefield, Chen Sheng had truly had enough of these dull days.

Therefore, he was extremely excited, waiting only for Gao Yang to give the order so he could begin.

Gao Yang let out a yawn, lying lazily on the bed as he said, "Take action for what?"

Once these words were spoken, Chen Sheng was instantly stunned; he was completely bewildered.

"My lord, this person must be a hidden hand brought by the Pei family; the Pei family is surely about to make a move against you."

"If this goes wrong, it could lead to an assassination attempt. Shouldn't we prepare a response in advance?"

Chen Sheng asked with a look of confusion.

Gao Yang glanced at Chen Sheng. Green Radish had taken leave to go home for a few days, and without her diligent massages, he had rarely suffered from insomnia.

Now that the sky outside was faintly brightening, he had finally felt a hint of sleepiness, only for Chen Sheng to arrive.

Gao Yang waved his hand, shooing him away: "Rest assured, the Pei family only dares to play within the rules; they won't attempt an assassination."

"You can set your heart at ease."

"As for other methods, we shall discuss them after the Pei family makes their move tomorrow. For now, go to sleep."

Gao Yang waved his hand and replied.

Then he turned over, clearly intending to sleep.

Chen Sheng stared at Gao Yang's back as he drifted off, sighing inwardly, "As expected of the Great Qian's number one Living Yama; even if the sky were to collapse, he remains unperturbed."

"This calm demeanor, this composure..."

But at this moment, Gao Yang called out.

"If it truly becomes impossible to handle, arrange for the experts in the prefecture to slaughter the Pei father and son."

"You must use death-sworn men; do not let it be traced back to me."

"..."

The next day.

A hint of dawn bloomed on the horizon, and sunlight filtered through the clouds, enveloping the entire Great Qian.

Today was a good day. As the sunlight spread, the entire Changancheng displayed the vitality of the world's premier megacity, home to millions.

On Zhu Que Street, the cries of peddlers and hawkers were about to ring through the heavens, and noisy discussions could be heard everywhere.

Over the past two days, the struggle between the Pei family and the Living Yama had spread throughout all of Changancheng.

As soon as the bamboo paper went on sale, it was immediately snapped up by excited Changancheng scholars.

Today, before the shop selling bamboo paper for the Duke of Ding's Prefecture had even opened, a large crowd of scholars had already gathered outside, forming a long queue.

"Brother Wang, you're here to queue for bamboo paper this early?"

"Oh, Brother Li, you too? The Pei family's mulberry paper costs a hundred coins a sheet, while this bamboo paper is only eighteen coins, yet the quality is nearly identical. Naturally, I came to grab some."

"It's a pity that each person is limited to three sheets per day, and once they're sold out, that's it. These three sheets are truly a drop in the bucket!"

"Isn't that the truth? Lord Gao is too conscientious. With a cost of nineteen coins, he actually sells it for eighteen, losing a coin on each. Lord Gao is truly the light of us scholars from humble backgrounds!"

"Indeed, Lord Gao's moral character is noble; this move is beyond reproach."

Within the crowd, scholar after scholar voiced their opinions, their faces full of joy.

What they discussed remained the bamboo paper and its selling price.

But just at this moment, a wave of public opinion arrived quietly.

Inside the teahouses.

Outside the wine shops.

At the roadside storytelling stalls, and among some people with suspicious movements strolling along Zhu Que Street, all nodded in unison.

Then, a public opinion war, fueled by the Pei family's "money power," began.

"Have you heard? Bamboo paper is known in our Great Qian as 'Ghost-Fear Wood'; it is extremely heavy with yin energy. If one uses this to write and copy the sages' books, won't it damage one's literary fortune?"

"No way? This bamboo paper can damage literary fortune? That's pure nonsense!"

A diner drinking wine in the bustling, noisy restaurant spoke up, pretending to be casual.

But as soon as these words were out, they were met with angry rebukes from the Changancheng scholars.

But immediately after, the burly man put down his chopsticks and said with displeasure, "Kid, what nonsense? Bamboo in our Great Qian is indeed called Ghost-Fear Wood. If you don't understand, go back and ask your elders to see if it's me talking nonsense or you who is ignorant!"

Once these words were spoken.

Some Changancheng scholars showed hesitation on their faces.

Not to mention the Great Qian, the entire world held beliefs in ghosts and gods in great awe.

Once the idea of damaging literary fortune was raised, the thought of "better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't" surfaced.

Nearby, a scholar couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Then will this bamboo paper really damage literary fortune?"

The burly man picked up his chopsticks, plucked a peanut, tossed it into his mouth, and then chuckled.

"Bamboo has heavy yin energy and is known as 'Ghost-Fear Wood'; naturally, it easily attracts dirty things. You tell me, will it damage literary fortune?"

"But I'm just a butcher; whether it damages literary fortune or not has nothing to do with me! Anyway, I can use it boldly, but you lot might not be so sure!"

"Shopkeeper, bill please!"

Having said this, the burly man stood up, shouted, and then disappeared from the restaurant, leaving everyone looking at each other in dismay.

"Nonsense! Bamboo paper was born yesterday, and today rumors of Ghost-Fear Wood appear. This must be the Pei family's underhanded tactics. How can we believe such absurd rumors?"

"Young man, in our Great Qian, bamboo is indeed known as Ghost-Fear Wood. This claim isn't fabricated, but whether paper made from bamboo will damage literary fortune, that is truly unknown."

"Better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't!"

"Believe in an egg! I believe in Lord Gao!"

"That's right, I also believe in Lord Gao! This must be a trick devised by the Pei family; it's too clumsy!"

The crowd voiced their opinions, but apart from the instigation of those with ulterior motives, most people still believed in Gao Yang.

However, these words had uncontrollably planted a deep nail in their hearts.

This nail was difficult to pull out...

Almost at the same time, in every corner of Changancheng, under the Pei family's comprehensive offensive.

News of "Ghost-Fear Wood" and the damage to literary fortune spread like wildfire, sweeping through all of Changancheng.

As time passed, this matter became the talk of the town in Changancheng, causing a huge uproar.

In a Heaven-grade room.

Pei Cheng, dressed in brocade robes, rubbed the walnuts in his hands, making a clicking sound.

He laughed heartily, "Not bad, not bad! This Living Yama's money power is truly useful!"

"Under the sweep of public opinion, this Living Yama must be in despair, right?"

"There hasn't been any news all morning." ===== CHAPTER 1507 =====