[{"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-99":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},2292062,4481,"Chapter 99: Deceive Heaven and Cross the Sea","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-99",99,"\u003Cp>Inside a moving carriage, Tong Wanner looked out through the curtain and asked, puzzled: “Where are they taking us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huan'er leaned over, “Miss, it seems we’ve left Nanyunhe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huachu leaned back slightly, eyes closed; her trembling eyelashes betrayed her nervousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xin slowly lifted the opposite curtain and peered out, smiling: “Indeed, we’ve left Nanyunhe—by this direction, we’re heading toward the eastern part of the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage halted at a mansion on the eastern end of Wanfeng Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Zixuan’s voice rang out from outside: “Ladies, we’ve arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Wanner jumped out first, gazing up at the mansion, uncertain: “This is where we’re staying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xin and Wang Huachu stepped down one after the other; even though they came from wealth, they were stunned—they had only heard from others that those living on Wanfeng Street were either rich or noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought that, in their downfall, they’d end up here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could that pockmarked face be some noble heir?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Zixuan led the three into the mansion and said: “No one currently lives here. Pick any room you like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, Young Master Fang said he can arrange a maid for each of you; if you don’t want one, you’ll be compensated in silver. There will be a dedicated chef here, but I must warn you: pay attention to your figures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you need anything, you may instruct a servant to go out and purchase it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Wanner frowned: “Can’t we go out? Staying cooped up here is too stifling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Zixuan smiled: “For now, you truly cannot leave. Later, these restrictions will lift. More people will move in soon, so boredom won’t be an issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, all three of you must read Dream of the Red Chamber once and write down your feelings about your favorite characters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xin looked confused: “Young Master He, may I ask—what exactly are we supposed to do? What is our status now? Are we Young Master Fang’s concubines? Or…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, cough, cough…” He Zixuan choked on his saliva and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got high hopes. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. You’ll find out soon enough. All I can tell you now is that being chosen by Young Master Fang is your fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though you’ve sold yourselves into servitude, no one here will force you to do anything—just follow the rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember: if you fail to carry out Young Master Fang’s orders with diligence, the consequences will be severe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang hadn’t said this, but He Zixuan thought a little pressure wouldn’t hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After He Zixuan left:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three women chose to share a pavilion-style study room, finding comfort in each other’s company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Wanner wondered: “Strange—just now, someone from the kitchen came to ask what we wanted for dinner? They’re treating us so well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xin grinned, eyes crinkling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it nice being treated well? I thought I’d be forced to marry Young Master Fang as a concubine and suffer under a shrew’s tyranny. Now? All I have to do is read Dream of the Red Chamber. Beautiful clothes, expensive food—whenever I want.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They even gave us maids, and five taels of silver each month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re in this state now. I don’t ask for much—I’d be happy to live like this forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Huachu, feeding the fish beneath the pavilion, sighed and shook her head: “It won’t be this simple. Nothing this good exists in the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Wanner skipped over, scooped up a handful of fish food, and tossed it into the water, watching the fish scramble for it with a grin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why overthink it? By the way, Sister Wang, didn’t you bring your ancient qin? Teach me later, okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xin opened her mouth, then swallowed her worries and said: “You? Learn the qin? I’ll bet you can’t even play after three years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you underestimating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dare to bet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, I’ll bet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Feng Year 29.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 29th day of the 12th month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brilliant fireworks burst across the sky, marking a perfect end to the year and welcoming the new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dining with Lu Ling, Lu Fang went alone to his study. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms had only two chapters left—he planned to finish it tonight while his mind was still alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow and wind swirled outside the window; inside, lamps burned bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thus, the Three Kingdoms fell to Jin; Sima Yan unified the realm, ending the era of the Three Kingdoms. Wars across the land were temporarily quelled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the final stroke was written:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flood of literary qi rose above Lu Fang, surging into his body with crackling pops—his physical form had ascended a tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m still a Confucian scholar, yet my physique is this strong. If I told others I was a martial cultivator, no one would doubt it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang stood and stretched, clenched his fists tightly, and struck a classic bodybuilding pose from his past life, savoring the explosive power within his limbs, nodding in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completing Romance of the Three Kingdoms brought more than just literary qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supernatural Ability: Deceive Heaven and Cross the Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consumes physical stamina and momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once activated, it creates a barrier over a limited area, rendering all observation impossible, and alters the user’s entire appearance and aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A transparent barrier materialized out of thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang studied it curiously, then willed it to expand—within moments, it engulfed the entire study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several trials, he reached a conclusion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier’s size depended on how much stamina and momentum he expended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Lu Fang tried altering his appearance. His handsome face shifted within seconds into a round, chubby visage—a blend of He Zixuan and Wang Teng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One unfamiliar face after another appeared; he was having fun—but his voice remained unchanged; altering that required separate training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grow one chi taller.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he thought it, his body instantly rose one chi. He punched, kicked, and jumped—no effect on his balance or movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another chi taller. Stronger physique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grew another chi taller, his muscles bulging like those of a powerful strongman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—why do I feel my strength and momentum have increased significantly? Is this an illusion? The stamina and momentum cost is so low—does that mean I could become a giant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang was startled by his own thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, he’d been disappointed—this wasn’t a combat-oriented supernatural ability. But if his theory held true, this wasn’t just a slight boost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang stepped out of the study, stood in the courtyard, looked up at the Deceive Heaven and Cross the Sea barrier, and said: “Grow one meter taller!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Success!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grow another meter. Strengthen the physique further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grow another meter. Strengthen the physique further…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he stood ten meters tall. He clenched his fist and slammed it into the ground—BOOM! The floor caved in, forming a crater the size of a sandbag.\u003C\u002Fp>",1146,"2026-06-20T03:56:21.568Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b952101640f5c5c937a4a305d55efdcfe894265af818f414e9ffb7b333798b98","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-100","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-98",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]