Is a Flash Necessary?

"Chancellor of Literature, do you have a wondrous method to increase the nation's fortune?" Emperor Ye Huan burst into the Eternal Bright Palace, with Hou An holding a pair of "Dragon Boots" close behind.

"Your Majesty, it is not about increasing the nation's fortune, but rather reducing its depletion." In the Eternal Bright Palace, an elder with crane-white hair and a youthful face bowed slightly.

This elder was none other than one of the Four Prime Ministers of Great Xuan, the master of Wenchang Pavilion in charge of literary fortune, Chancellor of Literature Yan Baichuan.

Ye Huan quickly pulled the Chancellor to sit down and asked, "Please, Chancellor, explain in detail."

The Chancellor smiled faintly. "This starts with that Unclaimed Literary Heart. Your Majesty may recall that a person named Chen Luo was mentioned in the Gazette Report that day."

Ye Huan nodded. "According to the report, he played a major role in capturing the Demon Race spy and finding the Literary Heart. I have already decreed to the Grand Hall to grant him a title and reward. I imagine a County Male title is within reach."

The Chancellor drew a document from his sleeve and handed it to Ye Huan. "Now, I'm afraid the title will need to be raised again."

Ye Huan took the document from the Chancellor with confusion, not opening it immediately, but looking at him. "Chancellor, what do you mean?"

The Chancellor did not beat around the bush and said directly, "Wan'an County is where Wei Yan's disciple serves. Worried about his disciple, Wei Yan personally went to preside over the Literary Heart selection ceremony. Upon arriving in Wan'an, Wei Yan unexpectedly discovered that Chen Luo had written a True Intent Essay, which condensed a Book Spirit capable of devouring ghosts, named Zhong Kui."

"Two hours ago, Wei Yan sent a flying message to the Qingniao Division, transmitting the True Intent Essay to me. I gathered a hundred ordinary people to recite this essay, and indeed, over a dozen of them found that wandering spirits and minor ghosts dared not approach them."

"As for the rest, it's not a problem with the essay. It should be a matter of time; if they recite it daily, they should achieve the same effect."

"Your Majesty, if our dynasty's fortune is divided into ten parts, two parts are spent on protecting the people from the Ghost Calamity. If this essay spreads across the realm and everyone recites it, wouldn't that save the dynasty two parts of its fortune?"

Ye Huan was overjoyed. "Is this true?" He quickly opened the document, read it through swiftly, then closed his eyes slightly to sense it.

A moment later, Ye Huan opened his eyes. "The nation's fortune has indeed trembled slightly; this method is feasible." Then he continued, "But Chancellor, among Great Xuan's subjects, only ten million understand Elegant Script. Our dynasty still has hundreds of millions of people. Is there a way for them to grasp this method as well?"

The Chancellor, having the whole picture in mind, said, "Your Majesty, please examine this essay closely. Wei Yan sent me a separate message, saying that the era and characters in the essay were all fabricated by Chen Luo. However, at the end, a method is mentioned: to have a master painter depict the scene of Zhong Kui devouring ghosts into a painting, to ward off evil spirits."

"I have a good friend who is an exceptional painter. Why not ask him to follow the example of Wu Daozi in this essay and paint a Zhong Kui Devouring Ghosts Painting? If it proves effective, we can spread it across the realm."

"Chancellor, your words align perfectly with my thoughts. Leave this matter to Wenchang Pavilion. But..." Ye Huan stroked his chin, "Has the Chancellor investigated Chen Luo's family background?"

The Chancellor drew another dossier from his sleeve and placed it before Ye Huan. "Your Majesty is wise. This Chen Luo's grandfather was from Suzhou. He followed the late emperor on a southern campaign, but due to an old ailment, settled in Wan'an County, Qingzhou. His father, Chen Buqi, was the twenty-third place in the Imperial Examination's nineteenth year of the New Era, but later resigned from office, took the alias Yang Ziyun, and roamed mostly along the border. Six years ago, when a Barbarian Minor King raided the border, Chen Buqi went to rescue Zisang City and died in battle. Now, only Chen Luo and his sister Chen Xuan remain in the household."

Ye Huan's expression grew solemn. "A descendant of a loyal martyr... he must be heavily rewarded... Hou An!"

Hou An quickly stepped forward.

Ye Huan continued, "Draft an edict: Chen Luo, for his merit in finding the Literary Heart and later writing a wondrous essay to protect the nation, is granted the title Earl of Wan'an..."

Hou An noted this and said, "Your Majesty, this Earl of Wan'an... does that mean Wan'an County will be his actual fief? By ancestral law, if a subject receives an actual fief, he is not allowed to remain in the fief. Should another decree be issued ordering his relocation?"

Ye Huan glanced at the Chancellor, who shook his head. "This old minister has no opinion on this."

Ye Huan hesitated for a moment. "We were already going to commission the Zhong Kui Devouring Ghosts Painting, and that boy will have to come to the capital to thank me anyway. He can write such a remarkable essay, so he must be a great talent. Issue another decree: order the Ministry of Works Construction Supervision to select a prosperous area in the capital and build an Earl of Wan'an mansion according to the earl's rank..."

Hou An quickly advised, "Your Majesty, there is no vacant land left in the prosperous areas of the capital. If it's too far, it won't show Your Majesty's great favor. Your servant has a suggestion, one that would suit the Earl of Wan'an perfectly."

"Oh? Where?"

"Qing'an Ward, the Abandoned Prime Minister's Mansion!"

Chen Luo had a dream.

He dreamed that Chen Xuan was getting married, and as her brother, he had to carry her on his back to the bridal sedan!

He jolted awake!

He felt as if some precious treasure had been taken from him.

His mood was a bit sour.

Chen Luo opened his eyes, and before him was a stretch of flower forest.

Yes, Chen Luo now had to sleep in two steps. First, fall asleep in the outside world, enter the Dream Flower Forest, and then fall asleep again in the forest. This phased sleep was like being unbearably tired, getting into bed, and then still being able to scroll through Douyin for two more hours.

Luckily, he didn't suffer from insomnia!

Chen Luo opened his eyes again, and a man's face came into view.

"Master, you're awake..."

What the—who!

Chen Luo instinctively threw a punch, but the man tilted his head slightly, dodging the attack, and said with a hurt look, "Master, why did you strike me!"

Chen Luo then realized the man was Ji Zhong. The two had reached an agreement yesterday, with Ji Zhong staying by Chen Luo's side as a guard.

"Brother Ji, it's best if you're not near me when I'm sleeping," Chen Luo said seriously.

"Why? As your guard, I should be by your side at all times!"

"I like to kill people in my dreams!"

"No, I watched for three hours. You sleep very peacefully, just muttering in your sleep occasionally."

"What did I say..."

"Something about refusing to carry someone on your back..."

Chen Luo: (((;;)))

Chen Luo couldn't be bothered to argue with Ji Zhong anymore. He got up from the bed and asked, puzzled, "Where's Xiao Huan?"

Ji Zhong replied, "A lot of servants came today. Xiao Huan is with Miss Xuan and Uncle Ping in the front courtyard making arrangements."

Chen Luo nodded—it seemed the servants in the manor had finally returned.

"Could the bland, boring days of a Rich Second Generation really be about to begin?" Chen Luo gloated inwardly as he stepped out of the room, with Ji Zhong hurrying to follow.

Chen Luo frowned slightly. "I say, Ji Zhong, your body's only just starting to recover. Why don't you go back to your room and rest? I'm not in any danger right now."

"Don't. Young master, didn't you say today we'd keep writing The Smiling, Proud Wanderer?"

"Well... I'm going to wash my face first, eat some breakfast."

Ji Zhong suddenly grabbed Chen Luo's hand. Chen Luo was startled. "Brother Ji, you..."

"Young master, don't waste time walking. I'll get you there faster!"

"A little Righteous Qi, thousands of miles of refreshing wind... let's go!"

Are you kidding me? The backyard's only so big, and you're using flash-step through walls!

Don't stop the collections and recommendations—when it seems there's no rain, there's actually clear skies.

Begging for collections, begging for recommendations... a couple of monthly tickets would be nice too.

The project's heating up, everyone, throw in some investment before you go, alright?