Chapter 30: Chapter Thirty: The Dirge of Fallen Flowers

Gaining transcendent power from refined literature is only slightly harder than manifesting a Book Spirit.

This is also why, after “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio: Nie Xiaoqian” and “Dream of the Red Chamber” were written, not a single person has yet gained transcendent power from them.

“The Dirge of Fallen Flowers.”

Lu Fang murmured, his eyes brimming with joy.

In that very moment, the abilities and effects of the transcendent power—The Dirge of Fallen Flowers—flooded into his mind.

Transcendent Power: The Dirge of Fallen Flowers.

Cost: Physical stamina and “Qi.”

Once activated, it suppresses a target of the same realm’s all-around abilities by two-thirds, while simultaneously enhancing the user’s all-around abilities by two-thirds.

If the target is one rank higher, the suppression and enhancement effects are reduced to one-quarter.

If the target is two ranks higher, it becomes completely ineffective!

The Dirge of Fallen Flowers itself has no offensive capabilities.

Lu Fang nearly burst out laughing—no wonder this transcendent power was so hard to obtain; just these two effects alone gave him overwhelming advantage in his own realm.

Imagine a battle at the same realm: the enemy can only use half their strength—what kind of situation would that create?

Most importantly, Lu Fang could also enhance half of the opponent’s strength.

Amidst falling peach blossoms, Lu Fang strode quickly into the courtyard.

After sensing how far he could expand “The Dirge of Fallen Flowers,” he concluded that if kept within ten meters, the stamina and Qi cost was negligible—easily sustainable.

Perhaps it had something to do with there being no target to suppress.

But there was no need to worry; Lu Fang had ample Book Fragrance to replenish it.

Activating “The Dirge of Fallen Flowers” did not consume Righteous Qi.

For Lu Fang, whose Righteous Qi was severely limited by Heaven’s decree, this was perfect.

In other words, “Transcendent Power: The Dirge of Fallen Flowers” might be a hidden trump card in someone else’s hands—a lethal strike reserved for critical moments.

But in Lu Fang’s hands, with sufficient Book Fragrance to replenish the cost, he could use it continuously.

…

“Fuman Tavern.”

“The Marquis of Literary Crown is truly a divine figure! The ‘Red Bean Song’ from Dream of the Red Chamber is exquisite.”

“Ah, Brother Chen, you’re mistaken. In my view, ‘Qingwen Tearing the Fan’ is the true masterstroke—it captures the fiery, spirited maid with astonishing depth.”

“I think Liu Laolao’s second visit to the Grand View Garden is the most brilliantly written—Liu Laolao, the impoverished old woman, feels so vivid, as if she stepped right off the page.”

“If we’re talking about the most pivotal moment in Dream of the Red Chamber, it must be ‘Lin Daiyu Buries the Flowers’—that’s universally acknowledged.”

The scholars argued endlessly, barely touching their food and drink, each convinced their view was correct.

Such phenomena were everywhere; it would be surprising if they ever stopped.

The refined literature “Dream of the Red Chamber” had become a nationwide topic of discussion in the capital.

Besides “Dream of the Red Chamber,” another matter had the capital’s people buzzing: three Grand Confucians, ordered by His Majesty, had just returned from suppressing provincial armies that had conspired with demon clans to assassinate the prophesied ones.

Tens of thousands of people named Lu Fang and their families were temporarily housed in “Qingfeng Monastery” in eastern Jingcheng.

In a detached courtyard within the monastery.

“I wonder how my brother is doing in the capital.”

Lu Ling said anxiously.

Xiao Tao, bending to tidy the bed, smiled upon hearing this:

“Miss, don’t worry. This is the capital—Young Master won’t dare cause too much trouble. He’s probably confined somewhere in this Qingfeng Monastery already. Didn’t Manager Chen go to inquire?”

As soon as she finished speaking,

Manager Chen rushed in, excitedly leading in a Confucian scholar, and replied:

“Miss, this Confucian scholar named Chen Ji says he’s Young Master’s friend, and has come specially to escort us to the Li residence.”

Lu Ling frowned, sizing up Chen Ji, then hesitated:

“Mr. Chen, what happened to my brother? Why didn’t he come himself?”

“Young Master Lu killed a member of the Xiao family of the Marquis of Valor, and was ordered by His Majesty to be confined—he can’t come himself, so he sent me to fetch you to the Li residence first.”

Chen Ji smiled.

But the moment he spoke, Lu Ling swayed, nearly collapsing—only Xiao Tao’s quick support kept her upright.

Good heavens!

Her own brother had killed someone from a Duke’s family—and been confined by His Majesty.

Before leaving, she had repeatedly warned Lu Fang not to cause trouble in the capital.

And now? He’d killed someone from a Duke’s household.

Lu Ling steadied herself, urgently asking: “Is my brother alright?”

Only then did Chen Ji realize their ignorance: “You don’t know that the Semi-Sage took Young Master Lu as his disciple? Yesterday, His Majesty granted him the title of Marquis of Literary Crown. You didn’t hear?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Our Young Master was made a Marquis?”

Lu Ling, Xiao Tao, and Manager Chen stared at each other, then at Chen Ji’s serious face—he didn’t seem to be joking. But how could this be possible?

The blame lay with Grand Confucian Wang Fu: upon learning Lu Ling was his junior’s family, he’d merely told his attendants to look after her.

Later, overwhelmed with duties, he’d forgotten to inform Lu Ling of Lu Fang’s situation in the capital.

“Here’s what happened…”

Chen Ji recounted every detail of Lu Fang’s exploits in the capital.

Killed a Duke’s family member, confined for a month, flogged thirty times.

Harassed by former Chancellor Xiao Wanlin in court, he composed “Ode to Lime” on the spot.

Wrote a second refined literature piece and could emit Book Fragrance—thereupon granted the title of Marquis and a mansion by His Majesty.

Lu Ling, Xiao Tao, and Manager Chen sat stunned—could this really be the same person? Was this some terrible mistake?

After triple-checking, Lu Ling still couldn’t believe it, saying:

“Xiao Tao, am I dreaming?”

Xiao Tao pinched her own arm: “Miss, I just pinched myself—it hurt! This isn’t a dream. Whether true or false, we’ll know when we see Young Master.”

“Yes, yes, yes…”

Lu Ling rarely lost her composure—this was simply too “surprising.”

Under Chen Ji’s guidance, Lu Ling and Xiao Tao boarded a carriage and headed toward the Li residence.

…

Tian Feng 29th year, tenth month, twelfth day.

The month of confinement had ended; Lu Fang moved from the Li residence to the mansion granted by His Majesty.

Since arriving in the capital, Lu Ling had been busy repairing the Lu residence and hiring maids and servants; with more people now in the household, it had grown lively.

The first thing Lu Fang felt upon returning to the Lu residence was a sense of belonging—he now had a home in Jingcheng.

During this time, the serialized continuation of “Dream of the Red Chamber” in the Great Zhou Literary Gazette had sparked widespread acclaim for iconic scenes like “Shi Xiangyun Asleep Amid Peony Blossoms.”

When it came to the deaths of Qingwen, Lin Daiyu, and Wang Xifeng, it stirred considerable controversy.

Lu Fang had altered some parts of Dream of the Red Chamber—for instance, Miaoyu’s death: in his view, Miaoyu’s pride would lead her to take her own life if captured.

So when writing the bandits’ raid on the Ningguo Mansion, he directly portrayed Miaoyu as accidentally killed by the bandits.

“Hahaha… I didn’t expect her to be so endearing.”

Lu Fang took a sip of tea, suddenly recalling how Li Yu, who had been furious about him killing Lin Daiyu, had recently visited, claiming he wanted to spar with him.

What nonsense!

He’d flatly refused—he knew perfectly well Li Yu was coming to punish him for killing Lin Daiyu.

Anyone who wasn’t a fool would refuse.

Li Yu stormed off, declaring, “I’ll never read another book written by Lu Fang!”

“Won’t read my books? I don’t believe you.”

Lu Fang smiled and picked up his brush to continue writing.

The final chapter of Dream of the Red Chamber was completed in no time.

The moment he finished the last character, the reward for Dream of the Red Chamber appeared.