[{"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-3":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},2291966,4481,"Chapter 3: Chapter Three: He Is a Strange Man","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Lu Ling slapped her palm against the ground and rolled upright; around her, dark winds hissed, accompanied by shrill screams and wails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray dark winds spun faster and faster around her, forming a “Wind Prison” that trapped her inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, be careful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ling cried out anxiously, slashing at the Wind Prison with her sword—its effect was minimal; she couldn’t escape anytime soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang glanced up briefly, then lowered his head and kept writing furiously—faster, faster, just a little more, almost done…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon drifted above Lu Fang, grinning sinisterly as it extended its clawed hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the critical moment, a golden light shot out from Lu Fang’s sleeve—the glow of the “Triangle Yellow Talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden light struck the demon’s body with a sizzling sound; the demon let out a piercing shriek, as if suffering grievous injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fearful of the golden light, the demon dared not approach Lu Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grotesque ghostly face twisted in hatred, turning its glare toward Lu Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Lu Ling was swept into the air by the dark winds, the demon reaching out its claws to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop! Stop! Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang shouted, seeing the demon’s hateful gaze, forcing a thin smile: “You came to kill me, didn’t you? I’ll let you kill me—just spare my sister…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang hurled the “Triangle Yellow Talisman” he held toward the demon—directly striking its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light, fluttering talisman fell like a thousand or ten thousand catties, smashing the demon with a howl of agony; it crashed to the ground, its mist-like body dimming noticeably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang had no time to think—he wrote even faster:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Several years later, Ning Guo passed the imperial examination. His daughter bore one son. After taking a concubine, each bore another son—all rose to prominence in officialdom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the final stroke was completed, all written pages floated upward; the characters seemed to come alive, converging into one point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, they coalesced into a figure with a wild expression—around thirty, dressed in gray robes and wide trousers, hair pinned high with a wooden hairpin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madman bowed deeply: “Book Spirit Yan Chixia bows before my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the instant the Book Spirit formed, recitation voices echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The space rippled; waves of pale green “literary qi” shimmered into view and flowed into Lu Fang’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Lu Fang’s spirit surged—he felt his body improved by the literary qi, and information about the Book Spirit Yan Chixia flooded his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Book Spirit Yan Chixia (Grade 8, Rank 1).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studied for over a decade at Kunlun, mastering orthodox Daoist techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Book Spirit’s rank rises with the master’s cultivation level; currently available: Ten Thousand Swords Art (commanding swords with qi—versatile, offensive and defensive, endlessly variable).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluorescent Moon Sword (highly lethal against demons, ghosts, and monsters).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qimen Flying Armor (a Daoist treasure armor—wearing it grants speed far exceeding that of ghosts).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve formed a Book Spirit!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang was ecstatic; he was about to ask Yan Chixia if he could slay the demon, when a deep voice echoed in his mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, Yan Chixia shall slay this demon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten Thousand Swords Art—Sword Ten!” Yan Chixia pointed his finger; a two-inch Fluorescent Moon Sword shot forth from his fingertip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon sensed danger and tried to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fluorescent Moon Sword split into ten brilliant sword beams, piercing the demon’s mist-like body; with a final scream, the demon’s soul scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Chixia retracted the Fluorescent Moon Sword and bowed slightly: “My lord, the demon is slain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang clapped his hands in delight: “Well done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the crisis over, Lu Fang realized his back was drenched in sweat—he had gambled by throwing the Triangle Yellow Talisman to save Lu Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this world’s heavenly dao recognized his writing as true literary text, completing “Liaozhai Zhiyi: Nie Xiaoqian” must bring a great reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Lu Fang had no time to overthink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He acted on impulse, putting himself in her place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, everything unfolded as he hoped—his “foolish” sister was unharmed, and he had survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ling’s breath was slightly disordered; the moment the demon vanished, the dark winds around her dissipated. She stepped forward to study Yan Chixia, uncertain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, is this the Book Spirit you formed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, reading elegant texts from the Three Teachings grants supernatural power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet those who form Book Spirits are exceedingly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lu Fang nod, Lu Ling pinched her own cheek—feeling pain, she finally believed it was real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder she doubted it—her own brother was utterly unreliable, his literary talent half hers at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day, he schemed to go to brothels and listen to songs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For such a man to form a Book Spirit? She could only credit the ancestral spirits of the Lu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang felt a quiet pride and raised an eyebrow slightly—the original text of “Liaozhai Zhiyi: Nie Xiaoqian” mentioned Yan Chixia only briefly, describing him as a strange man whom demons dared not approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original text contained dialogue:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Caichen: “Why not seek Yan Sheng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nie Xiaoqian: “He is a strange man—we dare not approach him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Book Spirit Yan Chixia Lu Fang formed was vastly more powerful, and upon formation, he himself was infused with literary qi, benefiting his body, essence, and spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, he had been weak as a child, drained of yang energy by the demon, leaving him gaunt and frail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, infused with literary qi, though still slender, he could clearly feel strength coursing through his limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Confucian cultivation realms ranged from Grade 9 to Grade 1, ascending in order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grades 9 to 7 were the Scholar Realm; Grades 6 to 4 were the Literatus Realm; Grades 3 to 1 were the Master Realm; beyond that lay Great Literatus, Semi-Sage, and Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each grade had three sub-levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang could now write and bring words to life—he was effectively a “Provisional” Grade 9, Rank 1 Scholar; Yan Chixia was Grade 8, Rank 1—fully one grade higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Book Spirit’s rank would rise with Lu Fang’s own—this was terrifyingly powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ling questioned the male servants, confirmed no one was seriously injured, and ordered Chen the steward to lead them away and distribute rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the servants left, Lu Ling, heart pounding, flipped through the pages Lu Fang had written—forming a Book Spirit proved this “Liaozhai Zhiyi: Nie Xiaoqian” was an elegant text.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its content was strange and fantastical, with a touch of romance—perfectly suited to her brother’s nature, a happy accident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historically, those who composed elegant texts were all ancient sages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang, elated to have escaped death, gazed at his beautiful, virtuous sister and joked: “Sister, were you picked up or adopted by our parents?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ling scolded: “Why would you say that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just asking,” Lu Fang laughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister was so beautiful and virtuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she married one day, he’d be heartbroken—logically, she must have been adopted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss… ah~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A maid rushed in, tripped over the threshold, and fell, crashing into Lu Fang’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid’s name was Xiao Tao, Lu Ling’s personal attendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, she’d been unlucky since childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Tao was the only young maid left in the household; Lu Ling had dismissed all others to let Lu Fang study in peace, keeping only elderly maids and strong women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was kept because she had grown up with Lu Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former host had clashed with Xiao Tao—every meeting brought her bad luck, so he avoided her like a tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he’d still given her a mocking nickname—Big Tao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Lu Fang had been infused with literary qi—his body was much sturdier; otherwise, he’d have been knocked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ling helped Xiao Tao up, glared at her, and said: “Awake? Go tidy my bedroom—tonight, Brother sleeps in my room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Miss, I’ll do it right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Tao came in hurriedly and left just as fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang grinned sheepishly: “Sister, I have something to ask you—I want a maid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine,” Lu Ling replied promptly. “Xiao Tao is pretty and quick-handed—why not make her your maid too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang shook his head vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ling’s “shared” arrangement meant she’d be spying on him—he’d have no freedom at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Chen the steward rushed back in: “Young Master, Miss—the magistrate’s men are here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost as soon as he spoke, several clerks in black robes entered the room; last came Lu the Private Secretary, a scholar in his forties with a goatee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Book Spirit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu the Private Secretary gasped upon seeing Yan Chixia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerks exchanged glances—throughout the entire Zhou Dynasty’s history, those who formed Book Spirits were vanishingly few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu the Private Secretary studied Lu Fang and smiled: “Earlier, your Lu family steward reported to the authorities that a demon had attacked your household?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang recounted, in full detail, the demon’s assault and how he formed the Book Spirit to destroy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are Lu Fang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations, young Lu Fang, on forming a Book Spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu bowed slightly: \"County Magistrate Zhao has ordered that all individuals named Lu Fang be brought to the county office for protection; please come with us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1529,"2026-06-20T03:56:21.568Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8afce3047be5640f165a1300f712cf11f5ac5bb7916f16ef914d1a64b551d481","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-4","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-2",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]