Conversation (2)

Qian Renxue choked on his sarcastic remark, her pretty face flushing slightly as she hurriedly said, "How could I? I promise I won't get angry! Just say it!"

"Oh?" Zhao Linchuan drew out the word as he leisurely watched her. "Then swear it. Swear on your Angel Martial Soul that, no matter what I say from now on, you will never get angry, much less harm me because of it."

"You!" Qian Renxue was angered by his increasingly outrageous demand. Embarrassment, annoyance, helplessness, and all sorts of expressions flashed across her face before they finally became a low, irritated rebuke. "Zhao Linchuan! I advise you not to go too far!"

"See? Getting worked up again." Zhao Linchuan watched her try to maintain her dignity while unable to stop herself from revealing a girlish side. A trace of amusement flickered in his eyes, and his tone softened. "Fine, forget the oath."

"Beg me instead."

He leaned forward slightly and, with a hint of teasing, said in a low voice:

"As long as you ask me, I'll continue to open my heart to you from now on and tell you everything I think—all those unpleasant but perhaps useful words from the bottom of my heart."

"What do you say?"

Qian Renxue did not answer at once. Instead, she carefully looked him over again from head to toe, as though she were meeting him for the first time.

"Lin Chuan, I've realized... you seem like a different person." Her eyes held a probing look. "Back at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you were always stern and reserved, so steady that you even seemed somewhat... lifeless."

"I've never seen you so... lively. Or even a little... shameless."

Zhao Linchuan turned around and looked toward the chirping sparrows hopping along the branches outside the window. His profile seemed somewhat hazy amid the light and shadow as he calmly said:

"Have you?"

"Perhaps... you've never seen what I'm really like." He paused, his voice gentle. "Maybe I was always like this."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Qian Renxue walked around in front of him, tilting her head as she looked at him, her red lips curling upward. "Look at you, acting all profound. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were some ancient old monster who'd seen through the mortal world."

Zhao Linchuan did not look at her, merely lifting the corner of his lips. "It's just my protective coloring."

Qian Renxue's expression turned serious. She walked to his side and stood side by side with him as she looked out the window, her voice becoming exceptionally earnest and sincere.

"In front of me, you don't need any disguise."

"I, Qian Renxue, swear on my Martial Soul that I will never harm you."

"You can trust me completely."

Zhao Linchuan glanced sideways at her. Meeting the pure sincerity in those violet eyes, he fell silent for a moment before finally nodding lightly.

Seeing him accept, Qian Renxue felt inexplicably delighted and continued their earlier topic. "All right, back to the point."

"Since you dismissed my previous plan as... well, unbelievably foolish, then shouldn't the exceptionally insightful Mr. Zhao Linchuan offer some advice and point a clear path for his current 'ally'?"

Zhao Linchuan thought briefly before speaking. "What you want to do..."

"What we want to do." Qian Renxue immediately corrected him, emphasizing their current alliance.

"All right. What we want to do is nothing more than unify the continent." Zhao Linchuan readily went along with it. "And the most fundamental factor in unifying the continent is winning the people's hearts."

He turned around, his gaze deep.

"Unification without the people's support is merely a loose pile of sand forcibly kneaded together through military strength. Its foundation will be unstable, and the slightest disturbance will cause it to fall apart."

"But if you have the people's hearts, then the great cause of unification will take half the effort and achieve twice the result. It will come naturally."

"Take the Heaven Dou Empire, for instance. If all its people support you, then once Xue Ye dies, you'll be able to take control of the empire in the most natural way and at the lowest possible cost."

Qian Renxue shook her head, her brows slightly furrowed. "Winning the people's hearts is easier said than done."

"Over the years, I've secretly done quite a few things to benefit the people and bestowed favors and goodwill, but when it comes to truly winning their support, the results have been minimal."

"That's because your method is wrong." Zhao Linchuan's tone was certain. "The masses are often blind. What they believe usually depends on the first voice that reaches their ears, or on whoever is last able to persuade them."

"If you want to guide public sentiment, the key lies in controlling the 'narrative.'"

"The narrative?" Qian Renxue seemed thoughtful.

"Exactly." Zhao Linchuan slowly explained, "I suggest establishing something similar to official bulletins across the entire continent. You could call it... the Douluo Daily."

"Print it every day, recording major news and interesting events from across the continent. Then hire people to read and explain it to illiterate commoners in places where crowds gather, such as taverns and marketplaces."

"In addition to news, the daily could include captivating stories and legends to draw the people's attention."

"More importantly," he said, looking sharply at Qian Renxue, "you must subtly weave Spirit Hall's achievements into it."

"For example, if Spirit Hall wipes out a den of bandit Soul Masters terrorizing a region today, then tomorrow you can turn it into a heroic tale of punishing evil and spread it far and wide."

"Day after day, through such subtle influence, Spirit Hall's image as just, powerful, and protective of the people will naturally take root in everyone's hearts."

"Given enough time, once the people's hearts turn toward you, won't it be as natural as water flowing downhill?"

"...!" Qian Renxue's eyes suddenly lit up as though stars had been reflected in them. "Brilliant! Lin Chuan, this plan is brilliant!"

"Only..." She quickly thought of the practical issue. "Such a vast operation—daily printing, distribution, and hiring people to give readings—will certainly cost an enormous amount..."

"Then that's none of my business." Zhao Linchuan spread his hands, his tone relaxed and carrying the air of someone washing his hands of responsibility.

"How to raise the funds and establish the channels are matters for you, the Young Master, and Spirit Hall to consider."

"My responsibility is to point out the direction."

Qian Renxue took a deep breath and nodded heavily. "I understand. I'll solve the funding and distribution issues."

Her eyes shone with unprecedented brilliance as she pressed on, "Lin Chuan, then in your opinion, what should I do most urgently right now?"

Zhao Linchuan answered without hesitation, "Immediately find a reliable stand-in to take over all of Xue Qinghe's daily affairs."

"And you yourself must immediately remove your disguise, return to Spirit Hall, or find a safe and secluded place to enter closed-door cultivation!"

"Make up for the cultivation you've neglected all these years as quickly as possible!"

His gaze suddenly became as sharp as a hawk's, carrying a trace of cold killing intent. "Then wait for the right opportunity and, with the force of thunder, thoroughly seize the Heaven Dou Empire, which has long been rotting from within!"

Qian Renxue's heart tightened as she sensed the undisguised murderous intent in his words. "What do you intend to do?"

(The protagonist was a transmigrator who had crossed over in his physical body.)