[{"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-4":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},2291967,4481,"Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Ink Dots","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-4",4,"\u003Cp>The guest room in the magistrate’s backyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did they bring me to the county office?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang felt uneasy, turning it over in his mind—something was off. Protection? The ghost was already slain; what protection was needed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that they saw me write a refined text and summon a book spirit, and now they’re using it as an excuse to invite me here, hoping to win me over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Lu Fang imagined marrying the magistrate’s daughter and ascending to the peak of life—actually, that wouldn’t be so bad… hahaha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not ugly, not anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang rose and walked to the corner of the room, finding a bronze mirror atop a wooden cabinet. He picked it up and faced it at himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slender face appeared in the mirror—dark, long eyebrows with upward-sweeping tails, large narrow eyes, a straight nose, thin pale lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now, truly seeing his own face, did Lu Fang understand what “dignified bearing” and “elegant charm” meant—this face was undeniably that of a beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the original body believed the pretty woman admired him; in terms of looks alone, he truly had the credentials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, he’d have been a top-tier idol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock knock knock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knock came at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang combed his hair with his hand and smoothed his robe before walking over to open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside stood a middle-aged man in a robe, about forty-five, dignified in appearance, with three flowing whiskers—refined yet imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magistrate Zhao, please come in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang recognized the man and stepped aside, gesturing with a bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao entered with a smile, stroking his beard and nodding:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magistrate Lu said you wrote a refined text and summoned a book spirit. I’d never heard of you before. Perhaps… you’re the Lu Fang the higher-ups mentioned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang frowned slightly, hesitating: “What do you mean by ‘that Lu Fang’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he thought about it, Magistrate Lu had said to bring all men named Lu Fang to the office for protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d assumed it was a slip of the tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Magistrate Zhao says, “that Lu Fang” mentioned by the higher-ups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s too much information here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Fang couldn’t make sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his memories, the original body had never left Poxian in twenty years—how could “higher-ups” know him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If bringing him here wasn’t about recruiting him or marrying off a daughter, then there must be another motive…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao shook his head, then pulled from his sleeve a sheet covered in dense script: “The Strange Tales of Liaozhai: Nie Xiaoqian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve just read your refined text. I heard your book spirit slew the ghost—could you be the legendary Yan Chixia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before coming here, Magistrate Zhao had inquired into Lu Fang’s past—rumor had it he was a notorious failure, talentless and virtueless, a spoiled brat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t fathom how such a man could write a refined text and summon a book spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout history, only those who studied the canonical texts of the Three Teachings could summon book spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To see a self-composed tale of ghosts and marvels recognized by Heaven as a refined text—and to summon a book spirit from it—was truly unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang feigned excitement: “This was merely my idle fancy—I never expected it would take form as words and summon the book spirit Yan Chixia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it is indeed this spirit,” Magistrate Zhao nodded, then asked curiously: “The ghost was slain by the book spirit—what abilities does it possess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang summoned Yan Chixia: “Allow me to demonstrate for Magistrate Zhao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Chixia responded, extended his palm—and a two-inch-long, luminous moonblade materialized, spinning with spiritual light in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed two fingers like a sword, thrusting into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!” The sound of slicing air rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moonblade became a streak of rainbow light, circling Yan Chixia’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qimen Feijia!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang shouted—it was the name he’d heard, and though he didn’t fully understand its function, he was eager to see it in action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golden light shot from Yan Chixia’s body, instantly forming a gleaming, divine armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The armor clung to Lu Fang like a celestial warrior descending from heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao’s eyes widened—he’d never seen a book spirit’s power before, and it surpassed even his wildest imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is Qimen Feijia!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Lu Fang’s first time using Qimen Feijia—he felt uncertain, took a step forward, and suddenly felt as light as wind; the scenery blurred past, and he was already in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy shit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang saw he was about to crash into the front screen wall—he leapt upward, soaring over ten zhang high. Glancing down, he took in the entire layout of the county office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a cup of tea passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang gradually adapted to Qimen Feijia’s speed; when he ran at full force, he became a streak of golden light, circling the office several times before returning to the guest room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incredible speed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao was astonished, his eyes filled with envy—he thought: ‘Those who summon book spirits are rare; to possess extraordinary power is only natural.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang dismissed Qimen Feijia, his face glowing with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Yan Chixia’s current realm and “presence,” and Lu Fang’s own physical strength and “presence,” he could sustain Qimen Feijia for fifteen minutes—next time he faced danger, he’d have a means of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Presence” was intangible, invisible, yet undeniably real—the “presence” radiating from a person grew stronger as their realm advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could sense others’ realms through presence, suppress those of lower realms with it—endless applications…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether activating Qimen Feijia, launching the moonblade, or using the Ten Thousand Swords Art, all consumed Lu Fang’s and Yan Chixia’s strength and presence equally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao clapped his hands repeatedly, praising: “Tell me again—from the beginning—how you encountered the ghost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang dared not hide it—he recounted the “night encounter with the beautiful woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He subtly embellished certain parts, emphasizing that he had merely taught the woman knowledge, not lusted after her beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d told the same story to Chen the steward and Magistrate Lu—perhaps most didn’t believe him, but he stuck to it firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the ghost was dead; no ghost could contradict him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao listened, smiling faintly: “I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man like Magistrate Zhao could easily guess the truth—he simply chose not to expose it, thinking it wiser to report it this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang hesitated, then spoke honestly: “The ghost kept probing me—asking what treasures the Lu family possessed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao was startled: “Does your household have treasures?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang shook his head vigorously: “The Lu family has been merchants for generations—what treasures could we possibly have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao nodded: “I understand. Stay here for now. The ghost’s master is surely occupied with his own troubles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost wasn’t random—it had a hidden master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang’s heart leapt: “I have a younger sister at home—could you bring her here too? I fear she’ll be targeted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magistrate Zhao reassured him: “No need. The ghost came for you alone. Rest assured—before, we didn’t realize anyone dared harm people; now that we know, we won’t let the shadow-dweller succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright moon spilled silver light across the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing Magistrate Zhao off, Lu Fang sat alone in thought, grew drowsy, and finally lay down on the bed, slipping into sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half-asleep, he appeared in the Ink Brush Book Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ink-black sky, ink-black earth—towering before him stood a colossal brush, unmoving, while books shimmering with multicolored spiritual light frolicked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Chixia was there too—he bowed deeply: “Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang sighed and shook his head: “Don’t call me Lord—call me Young Master. This is the Ink Brush Book Realm? I can enter it in dreams?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he asked, the towering brush above seemed to understand—it hovered and tapped the air. A drop of seven-colored ink descended from above and sank into Lu Fang’s crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, he gained profound understanding of the Ink Brush Book Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could enter at will—just silently repeat the thought three times. Entering automatically in dreams occurred because one could choose new books; if one didn’t wish to enter, simply think “don’t enter” before sleeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The books within the Ink Brush Book Realm were ranked by the Great Zhou’s cultivation realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A book’s rank was determined primarily by its internal setting, with rewards and supernatural powers as secondary factors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Books suited to Lu Fang’s current realm were easier to obtain; higher-rank books could be obtained too, but with far less likelihood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any book obtained from the Ink Brush Book Realm, once written, granted rewards: book spirits, items, or cultivation techniques…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first book, “The Strange Tales of Liaozhai: Nie Xiaoqian,” had no threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To obtain a second book, however, one needed many people to read it, generating “book fragrance,” which made acquiring the next book significantly easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Book fragrance had many uses:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First: it could be absorbed to replenish strength and mental energy; consuming a certain amount could elevate one’s cultivation realm—like a supreme tonic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second: it could serve as bait to attract books within the Ink Brush Book Realm—the more fragrance, the easier it was to “catch” books beyond one’s realm; the less, the books wouldn’t even notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acquiring books was like fishing—with an ink rod, ink line, and ink hook, one could cast beyond the seven-colored ink line to “fish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rod, come!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang tried calling out—and instantly, a black bamboo rod appeared in his hand, identical in weight and feel to an ordinary one. He flicked it lightly, and the tip extended as he willed it, hovering above a certain book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could obtain a book from myth or legend, even one of its book spirits would be invincible—then he could walk the world with impunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring me a powerful book!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang squinted, trying to make out the book’s title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes grew blurry, yet he could not pierce through the colored spiritual light to see the title; he rubbed them, deeply annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t see the book’s title! How am I supposed to choose? A book ought to have a nose, eyes, and ears—ideally, it should recite its own content. That’s what a proper book does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he muttered this complaint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant brush standing between heaven and earth freely brushed ink across the air: “Master Lu Fang, Sovereign of the Ink-Script Realm, grants form and voice to all books.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the books duang-duang-duang… sprouted mouths, ears, noses, and limbs, becoming “book-people” of varied shapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each “person” spoke a line tied to its book…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, clamor rose and fell in waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaotic, noisy, like a bustling marketplace hawking goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang held his breath, listening intently, trying to catch what the nearest book-people were saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tattooed book-person, inked with dragons and phoenixes: “Sister-in-law, maintain your decorum.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Water Margin?” Lu Fang was baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curly-bearded book-person: “Sister-in-law, mount your horse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Romance of the Three Kingdoms?” Lu Fang scratched his head, grimacing—these book-people were insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t they just recite poetry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang looked hopefully at the book-person riding clouds and mist—this one clearly looked powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloud-riding book-person: “Sister-in-law, open your mouth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Journey to the West?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang quickly extended the ink hook tied to the ink thread upward toward the book-person—if he could hook this book and summon Sun Wukong…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the book-person ignored the ink hook above it, soaring and darting through the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried hooking many book-people and found that books with high realms barely glanced at the ink hook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other book-people did glance up at the empty hook, but showed no interest in being caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because there was no book-scent as bait?\u003C\u002Fp>",1953,"2026-06-20T03:56:21.568Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d01cf3b0c465bae214ae14c421234bbe912c8e4017cd45fe91608633d3805b11","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-5","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-3",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]