[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou":3,"chapter-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-259":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ink Saint of Great Zhou",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2292222,4481,"Chapter 259: Seeking a Son-in-Law","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-259",259,"\u003Cp>“A major event about to happen in Beiyacheng?” Lu Yunzhan frowned, for he had heard nothing of any such event—but Zeng Wan’s solemn expression suggested he wasn’t joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zeng Wan lowered his voice and chuckled: “Hehehe, I heard the daughter of a hereditary viscount in Beiyacheng is holding a bride-selection ceremony today—throwing a embroidered ball in the city square.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why there are so many people in Beiyacheng lately—many came specifically for this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu brother, you don’t know: Viscount Bai Feng’s domain is Beiyacheng itself, and he has only one daughter—a woman of peerless beauty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zeng Wan swallowed hard and smiled: “A year ago, I caught a glimpse of Miss Bai from afar—she was beyond description.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Yunzhan was surprised. “If Miss Bai has such noble lineage and such beauty, why resort to throwing a ball to choose a husband? That seems unreasonable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zeng Wan nodded seriously. “When I first heard the news, I was stunned too—but after triple-checking, I confirmed it’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They call it throwing a ball, but catching it only grants you eligibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Afterward, you must pass layer upon layer of trials—if you fail, you won’t win her. What do you say, Lu brother? Want to join me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yunzhan shook his head. “You seem quite taken with Miss Bai, Zeng brother—I wouldn’t steal your chance. I’ll pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no!” Zeng Wan waved his hands. “I’m already married—so I’m disqualified from the start. I’m here just for the spectacle, to see who actually wins her heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t take this the wrong way, Lu younger brother—you’re not as handsome as me, but your aura and demeanor have a certain rugged charm. Maybe Miss Bai will take a fancy to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zeng Wan finished half-joking, half-serious, and pressed Lu Yunzhan repeatedly to come along. Seeing how insistent he was, Lu Yunzhan reluctantly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Zeng Wan didn’t believe he had any chance—and neither did Lu Yunzhan. He had enough self-awareness to know that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Bai Yu’s ball-throwing wedding ceremony had indeed stirred chaos in Beiyacheng. Even before dawn, crowds had already packed the central stage so tightly not a single gap remained—all desperate for a front-row position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yunzhan stared at the dense sea of people ahead; from where he stood, he could barely make out a blurred outline of the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could imagine how many had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Bai family were viscounts and ruled Beiyacheng, they had mobilized the city’s military patrols to prevent disturbances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe we should just give up,” Lu Yunzhan sighed. “There are too many people. This bride-selection ritual is ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s crowded, yes—but I expected nothing less.” Zeng Wan smiled confidently. “We’re already here. Why rush? Wait a bit longer. When Miss Bai appears, you’ll see I didn’t lie—she’s truly beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A commotion erupted ahead. The stage before them was merely the first trial—a screening gate. Only those who passed could proceed to the next stage, and only after clearing all stages could they reach the spot where Miss Bai would throw the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it is,” Zeng Wan slapped Lu Yunzhan’s shoulder. “Since we’re here, let’s give it a shot. With so many entering at once, the trials must be quick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yunzhan frowned slightly. “Zeng brother, aren’t you married? Didn’t you say you’re disqualified? Are you sure you want to try?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zeng Wan shrugged. “Who cares? What if Miss Bai likes me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yunzhan shook his head but said nothing. After all, he was here for the spectacle. As Zeng Wan said: since they’d come, why not try?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Zeng Wan had spoken so often of Miss Bai’s beauty that even a normal man like Lu Yunzhan couldn’t help but be curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting Miss Bai once wouldn’t be a bad thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zeng Wan predicted, ten men entered the stage at once. The nature of the trial was unknown, but judging by the speed, it must have been easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About an hour later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yunzhan and Zeng Wan stepped into the stage together—but inside, they discovered each path was a separate, isolated corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A veiled maid led them forward; every few steps, a Bai family guard stood by—all cultivators around the Sixth Rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was undeniable: Viscount Bai Feng’s power in Beiyacheng was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking several dozen paces, Lu Yunzhan entered a small room partitioned by crimson silk. A well-dressed maid sat on a chair; opposite her stood another chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Lu Yunzhan, the maid glanced at his face and immediately frowned. His appearance, at first glance, was indeed odd—almost ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if you looked longer, or grew accustomed to it, you’d find his ugliness carried a strange charm—combined with his innate calm and composure, it drew you in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please sit.” The maid widened her eyes, scanning him up and down, then nodded repeatedly. “I’ll ask you a few simple questions. Answer truthfully. With the Bai family’s resources, we’ll know if you lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yunzhan sat and smiled in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid glanced at the paper in her hands and asked her first question: “Your name? Where are you from? Are you married? What sect do you cultivate under…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the maid had said, her questions were basic. After recording his answers, she told him to wait outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This way!” Another maid greeted him and led him down a different corridor. Outside, he found nine others standing beside him—the men who had entered the stage with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them was Zeng Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’d it go?” Zeng Wan asked aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yunzhan transmitted his reply silently, detailing what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zeng Wan concluded the first trial was purely about appearance. The maid’s basic questions were meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held an almost unbelievable confidence in this regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe they’ll let me through even though I’m married—after all, I’m not exactly ugly.” Zeng Wan mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was slightly exaggerated—but not entirely untrue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from a bit of extra flesh, Zeng Wan’s features had a certain dashing charm—hence his confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already married, yet still here to join the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>",1008,"2026-06-20T03:56:22.339Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8cbae8c2900b684978a6acca08457eceb1075b6d8a97a2f2c1bd8aa0dec322b8","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-260","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-258",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]