Chapter 256

Upon emerging from the Wenyuan Academy, Lv Fang immediately found He Zixuan and took out the first chapter of *Journey to the West*, both parts one and two, that he had on him.

"Only the first chapter, parts one and two?"

He Zixuan glanced casually at the manuscript in his hand, somewhat surprised. Previously, Lv Fang's speed at writing elegant literature had been quite fast, but this time, *Journey to the West* seemed a bit different.

It had taken so long to write just the first chapter, parts one and two.

Lv Fang shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "There's no help for it; the mind and inspiration always have times when they run dry. I will write *Journey to the West* very, very slowly, but rest assured, the quality is still guaranteed."

He Zixuan waved his hands repeatedly and said, "How could I worry that Lord Wenguan wouldn't write well? It's just that the previous phenomena caused by *Journey to the West* were immense, and the entire Great Zhou was looking forward to it. Having waited so long, many people are gossiping."

"They say that Lord Wenguan is likely unable to write it anymore, and some are saying that the phenomena were too great, that you likely cannot suppress them, that your talent has dried up, and that you will ruin this *Journey to the West*."

Lv Fang was somewhat stunned upon hearing this and asked, "The name *Journey to the West* alone caused heaven-sent phenomena; there are still people worried that I can't suppress it, or that my talent has dried up and I'll ruin it?"

He Zixuan lowered his voice and said, "Because the *Great Zhou Literary Gazette* is now popularized across the nineteen provinces, its influence is too great. I don't know if there are people with ulterior motives pushing this possibility everywhere, which is why it has become like this."

"However, Lord Wenguan need not worry. Those who don't believe in you are in the extreme minority; the vast majority of people still trust you very much."

"As long as the first chapter of *Journey to the West* is published in the *Great Zhou Literary Gazette*, it will immediately slap the faces of those skeptics and people with ulterior motives."

Lv Fang actually didn't care. Being looked down upon—just as He Zixuan said, any skepticism would be vulnerable in the face of true strength.

There was just one point he cared about very much.

"The people with ulterior motives you mentioned, is it the Xiao family?"

Lv Fang pointed directly to the heart of the matter.

He Zixuan remained silent, not responding for a long time. Lv Fang didn't need to be told to guess that these people with ulterior motives must be the Xiao family. Aside from the demon-barbarians and some other alien races who wished him dead, his greatest enemy was likely the Xiao family.

Even though he was now Lord Wenguan and his reputation in Great Zhou was at its peak.

But in front of the Duke of Xiao, the other party was only acting in the shadows, and he really had no way to deal with them.

Even if he took a step back and had the strength now to wipe out the Duke of Xiao's family.

The Zhou Emperor would not allow such a thing to happen, so Lv Fang could only make a note of it and settle the score with the Xiao family later.

"Brother He, try your best to get the first chapter of the elegant literature out as quickly as possible. Also, this book is very different in type from the previous ones. If the *Great Zhou Literary Gazette* receives any feedback from the nineteen provinces, you can send me a sound transmission talisman immediately."

Lv Fang said solemnly.

"I have noted it," He Zixuan replied.

Just as Lv Fang turned to walk away a few steps, he suddenly stopped and asked, "By the way, have the characters for the performance of *Dream of the Red Chamber* been selected?"

He Zixuan smiled and said, "It's about done. Ever since this matter spread, many people have wanted to vie for this opportunity. I have already selected several people for the more important roles, just waiting for you, Lord Wenguan, to make the final decision."

"The people are at the residence next to the Lord Wenguan's mansion. If you have time, you can go take a look."

"I will find an opportunity to go take a look." Lv Fang hesitated for a moment, stammering for a long time, before saying, "Has Li Yu returned to the capital?"

He Zixuan sighed softly and said, "No. Previously, Miss Lv Ling also asked me about it. I specifically had people inquire, and it seems Cousin Li Yu went traveling alone toward the northern direction of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"As for exactly when she will end her travels and return to the capital city, no one knows. But looking at the situation, she likely won't be back for a short time."

"I am also very strange; I don't know what happened."

"By rights, if Cousin Li Yu hadn't encountered something troubling, she wouldn't be so willful as to just say a word and go traveling."

"The north of Great Zhou?" Lv Fang muttered to himself as he left.

He Zixuan was left completely confused. He had a feeling that the reason Cousin Li Yu left the capital to travel must have something to do with Lv Fang.

Yet no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out why.

Could it be that Cousin Li Yu was jealous of Lord Wenguan's talent?

He Zixuan thought for a while but couldn't come up with any reason. He shook his head vigorously and turned his attention back to the first chapter of *Journey to the West* in his hand.

Honestly, he was also very curious.

What kind of peerless, marvelous book would this be, for which the mere mention of its name caused such heaven-sent phenomena?

Especially after hearing Lv Fang say just now that the content of this *Journey to the West* was quite different from the previous types.

After hurriedly reading through the two parts of the first chapter, He Zixuan seemed to be possessed, muttering something in his mouth. After a long while, he finally came back to his senses and shouted, "Wonderful!"

When the *Great Zhou Literary Gazette* came out the next day, everyone in the Great Zhou Dynasty, upon learning that *Journey to the West* had serialized the first chapter, immediately sparked a buying craze and a wave of discussion.

Topics like the Jade Emperor, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, and the heaven-born spirit monkey exploded throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty.

In this fantasy Great Zhou Dynasty, this category of book was unique; previously, there were no such things as the Heavenly Court or the various official positions of the Underworld.

The human race only worshipped Heaven and Earth, as well as the various sages throughout history.

One can imagine how many people were shocked by this setting when the first chapter of *Journey to the West* was published in the *Great Zhou Literary Gazette*.

Moreover, the influence of *Journey to the West* far exceeded Lv Fang's imagination, but he didn't know this yet. After returning to the Lord Wenguan's mansion, he did not start writing *Journey to the West* again.

Instead, he rested for two days and casually went to the residence next door to select the characters for the performance of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.

Compared to before, the selection of characters this time was much greater.

After all, this was the first time that a classic book was being performed based primarily on elegant literature in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Once the news got out, it wasn't just some women from song and dance houses who wanted to perform these classic roles.

Many children from wealthy and official families also wanted to come and give it a try.

Selecting the candidates was very easy. Lv Fang just took one look and decided on the basic roles for *Dream of the Red Chamber*.

He also set the time to begin the performance during the New Year festival.

"Brother, what are you thinking about so intently?"

Lv Ling's questioning voice suddenly rang out in the study, pulling the dazed Lv Fang back to reality. He had been reading a book just now when he suddenly thought of all the things with Li Yu, so he had been lost in thought for a while.

"It's nothing. When did you arrive?" Lv Fang asked with a smile.