An Introduction to Fanfiction (Continued)

Ji Shichen heard the voice, looked up slightly at Si Ming, confirmed that he was looking for her, placed the bookmark on the page she was reading, closed the book, and showed the cover.

The cover simply read, "Essence Juice Desire Fluid."

"..."

--This thing is porn, right? Judging from the title, it's definitely porn, and it even parodies idioms... No, no, no, maybe something's wrong. Given the character's established personality, it's impossible for someone to read this kind of book. Maybe the content doesn't match the description. Aren't there those kinds of books that deliberately give porn a textbook cover to mislead people? This is just the other way around; it's essentially the same thing...

--Completely different! So what exactly happened? Think carefully, use my wisdom, I'm sure I can find a reasonable explanation... Right, right! Don't be misled by the title and make a preconceived mistake. This is actually a psychology book that explores human nature. Didn't Freud's psychology attribute all kinds of psychological phenomena to sex, and even create the concept of "sexual power"? This book must be the same.

--Damn, I'm so clever! I found the truth so quickly. Luckily, I'm knowledgeable and have long since developed the composure to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapses before me. I didn't immediately show any surprise, otherwise the other party would definitely look down on me and consider me a person with dirty thoughts.

Si Ming cleared his throat, intending to begin with Freud's famous quote, "Psychoanalysis has three pillars: the psychological mechanisms of the unconscious, the role of resistance and repression, and the importance of sex," when Ji Shichen spoke up, "It's a erotic book."

I admit it!

Moreover, she spoke in a nonchalant tone, indicating that she was definitely not a novice, but a seasoned veteran who had been immersed in this field for many years!

I know that personas are meant to be ruined, but this one has fallen apart way too quickly. The image of an intellectual beauty has been completely destroyed in just the second sentence.

Si Ming wiped non-existent cold sweat from his forehead and said, "Does Uncle-Master like reading this kind of book?"

"Hmm, I think it's very interesting, do you want to watch it?"

Si Ming was about to refuse at first, but then he remembered that this wasn't something he was asking for. Having similar interests could also bring them closer, so he said, "Then I'll gladly accept. I'll take a look when I have time."

Ji Shichen smiled and said, "I knew you would like this kind of book too."

How do you know? You can tell just by looking at someone's face? Is it because of the saying in physiognomy that "large nostrils indicate a strong sex drive"? But my nostrils aren't that big.

Si Ming awkwardly accepted the book, then, remembering his business, asked, "I wonder what brings you to the Northern Continent, Uncle-Master?"

Ji Shichen didn't hide anything and said, "There are two things. First, I'm interested in the Divine Pillar that maintain the Eternal Barrier. Our Su State's Divine Pillar has been destroyed, but the Nation of Valor one is still there. And according to the news you've brought, the Heaven-Defying Society might take the opportunity to attack the Divine Pillar, so I want to take this opportunity to observe it."

That answer is quite in line with his character. Si Ming asked, "And the second thing?"

"The second matter is personal. I heard that 'Gods and Ghosts of the Three Kingdoms' is your work?"

Completely unprepared for the other party to suddenly ask about this, Si Ming was a little caught off guard, but he still nodded, feeling a little proud that even his elders had his own book fans.

"I have a question: Did Zhao Yun actually love Liu Bei?"

"..."

Si Ming recalled those pedantic researchers on the internet from his previous life who insisted on proving that Zhao Yun was Zhao Yun, citing reasons such as Zhao Yun saving Adou out of maternal instinct, Zhao Yun serving as a bodyguard for many years, and Zhao Yun's unwillingness to marry, all of which were extremely far-fetched.

The problem is, I didn't write "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." The content is a heavily modified version of history, not a fictional novel. The rescue of Liu Adou at Changban Slope is indeed included, as it's one of the highlights of the battle, but the part about Zhao Yun refusing the widow is completely omitted. Why would anyone still make that connection?

"It's less about love and more about loyalty," Si Ming replied, offering a rather conventional answer.

Ji Shichen didn't mind and continued, "Why is your pen name Sima Kongming instead of Zhuge Zhongda? In the Official History Arc, wasn't Zhuge Liang always on the offensive and Sima Yi always on the defensive? Moreover, Zhuge Liang even gave Sima Yi a set of women's clothes, and Sima Yi was so flattered that he dressed up in women's clothes and danced gracefully in front of his subordinates. This shows that Zhuge Liang was the stronger party and Sima Yi was the weaker party. Zhuge should be in front."

Has the culture of "fujoshi" (female fans of male-male romance) crossed dimensions and poisoned this place, even afflicting powerful cultivators like those at the Spirit Transformation?

Furthermore, when did I describe Sima Yi as flattered and dancing gracefully? He wore women's clothing to prove he could endure humiliation and to reassure his generals not to act impulsively, not to reveal his fetish for cross-dressing. Did the commander-in-chief of the three armies have no shame?

There was a TV series in my past life featuring Sima Yi as the protagonist, which included a scene where Sima Yi in women's clothing in front of his army. That's utter nonsense. It's one thing for Sima Yi to wear women's clothing in the military tent, but at least the generals were sensible enough to know why Sima Yi was putting on this act. What do the soldiers know? They don't understand intrigue or forbearance. Seeing their leader get slapped and not even trying to retaliate, they'd see him as a coward, not a hero. Morale would plummet, and his prestige would be completely destroyed. If Zhuge Liang saw this, he'd probably laugh himself to death, raise his fan, and declare, "The counterattack against Northern Wei is just around the corner!"

"Pairing Zhuge Liang with Sima Yi is outdated; the current trend is to pair Zhuge Liang with Minister of the Masses Wang."

Ji Shichen frowned and said, "Minister of the Masses Wang is the one who was scolded to death by Zhuge Liang on the battlefield in the 'Shu State Arc,' right? He had few scenes and didn't have any outstanding talents. He seemed like a minor character. Why is he paired with Zhuge Liang? Their statuses are too different, aren't they?"

Si Ming was speechless. In this day and age, without video websites and the culture of parody videos, it seemed that Minister of the Masses Wang would never be able to be seen with the strategist Zhuge.

Ji Shichen continued, "Actually, I want to write a poignant story about Zhou Gongjin, Zhuge Kongming, and Sima Zhongda. The main plot revolves around the three of them becoming friends in their youth, forging a deep friendship, and then, due to their differing stances, being forced to lead armies against each other, each serving their own master. Therefore, I would like to obtain your authorization as the author."

It sounds pretty normal, no gay elements, just some exciting and energetic stuff. Si Ming didn't refuse, saying, "In short, it's fan fiction, right? No problem, I can write an authorization statement."

"Fan fiction?" Ji Shichen repeated the word several times, then said, "Actually, the idea of writing this story came to me after reading your work. Isn't the 'Gods and Ghosts of the Three Kingdoms' series about the same group of people making different choices that lead to different futures?"

"You mean parallel worlds?" Si Ming explained the concept of parallel worlds.

Ji Shichen nodded and said, "That's right, that's exactly what I meant. Before, after reading some excellent literary works, I couldn't help but write short stories for the characters, but it was just for my own amusement. It wasn't until I read your novel that I realized there were other ways to write like that."

Si Ming wondered to himself, "Could I have started a new era of fan fiction?"

However, while the BL (Boys' Love) culture is beginning to emerge, the moe (feminized) culture hasn't appeared yet. Will we see works like "Peerless Gay Love" in the future?

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered something and quickly opened the book "Essence Juice Desire Fluid," and sure enough, on the second page he saw a beautiful illustration of two handsome men cuddling together.

This isn't a lewd book at all, it's a book about sex!

"I've been very busy lately and probably haven't had time to read, so I'd better not take what others are doing."

Si Ming hurriedly returned the book to Ji Shichen.

"Okay, I'll lend it to you after I've finished reading it."

Ji Shichen had no objection, turned the book back to the page with the bookmark, and returned to her previous state, reading the book while paddling with her feet in the water.

Si Ming noticed that the other party maintained a calm tone throughout, even when discussing Zhuge Sima, as if they were discussing poetry and prose. There was none of the lewd and vulgar feeling that a yaoi fangirl might have, and her intellectual temperament did not disappear. Under these circumstances, even a straight man like him did not feel disgusted.

Looking back, Si Ming checked everyone's injuries. Most were minor and would recover in a few days. Murong Qing had the most injuries, but they were mostly external. Compared to the sense of accomplishment she felt from killing a Demon Marshal in her first battle after advancing to the Nascent Spirit Transformation, it was nothing. This kind of victory was enough to allow her to improve significantly.

However, Ying Zhou requested to leave the team.

"Since Sister Murong has come to help, there's not much use for me staying. Besides, this knife is damaged, so I need to go back and find someone to repair it."

The Conquest Demon Saber had been cracked by Hujia's Big Scissors in the previous battle. Even though Ying Zhou hated his father, it was still a precious relic and quite handy to use, so he didn't intend to just throw it away.