Gossip

The Yulan Festival has just ended, but the entire Yulan is still in a festive mood. The red lanterns on every household are still up.

On this joyous occasion, news of the birth of a daughter to Lin Feng Baruch, a master of stone carving, swept through the snow-covered Yulan. But this was all just hearsay; some believed it, some didn't, and it was merely a topic of conversation and amusement among friends and relatives.

The people are forgetful, and this turmoil would normally have subsided soon, but at this moment, a shocking message came from the Baruch Empire.

Emperor Arno Baruch of the Baruch Empire personally issued a decree confirming the news of Lin Feng's newborn daughter. He also announced that a full-moon celebration would be held for her on the first of next month, which is February 1st, 10200 in the Magnolia Calendar, with a grand banquet for guests.

The imperial edict was concise, conveying only this information in a few words. It made no mention of whether Lin Feng's new daughter was indeed the goddess who could speak and fly from birth, as rumored.

But the common people all have a gossipy heart, and now that Yulan is peaceful and prosperous, without war, their gossipy mood is even higher. Although the imperial edict did not say that Lin Feng's new daughter was a goddess, it did not deny it either, right? As a result, the news that had already been spread like wildfire even showed a tendency to evolve into a fantasy novel.

Wandering poets even wrote popular poems about it, which were sung everywhere. This further amplified the influence of the news. Within just a few days of the imperial edict being issued, everyone in the entire Yulan, from emperors and kings to ordinary people and beggars on the street, knew about Lin Feng's new daughter. However, the versions they knew were varied and conflicting.

Merchants, driven by profit, found business opportunities amidst the rampant spread of rumors. They sent people to collect these diverse pieces of information, compiled them into books, and then sold them.

In this January, the people of Yulan had little farm work to do, and after more than a hundred years of development, the economy of all the major empires in Yulan was booming, and ordinary people had spare money. When they saw that someone was selling such gossip books, they all rushed to buy them.

Once someone took the lead and saw the huge business opportunity, other merchants followed suit. They didn't just limit themselves to the news of Lin Feng having a daughter, but also included other gossip circulating among the people. For example, a certain sword saint defeated a certain Saint Magus in a certain place, or a certain great mage suffered from impotence and could not have sex, etc. They collected these rumors, regardless of their truth or falsehood, and compiled them into a book.

Although these rumors are a mix of truth and falsehood, making it difficult to distinguish between them, ordinary people simply view these matters with amusement, not caring whether they are true or false. What business is it of the common people which concubine the emperor favors? And whether a certain city lord frequents brothels or indulges in nightly revelry, it has absolutely nothing to do with these ordinary people.

As time went by, these books came to be collectively known as "gossip" books.

This is also the origin of the "gossip" business of Yulan.

Many years later, when a historian traces the origins of gossip books, he will discover that the "gossip" actually originated from the news of Lin Feng Baruch, a legendary figure in the Yulan, having a daughter.

Upon learning this, the historian would remark, "Truly a legendary figure; he excelled in every field he entered."

Let's rewind to January 20th, 10200 in the Yulan Calendar.

On this day, Lin Feng and Yale, whom he hadn't seen for many years, were drinking together in the back garden of Dragonblood Castle.

"Third brother, my niece is really something. Now almost everyone knows about her," Yale said with a sip of his drink.

"That little girl not only turned Dragonblood Castle into chaos, but she also stirred up the entire Yulan," Lin Feng said, taking a swig of his drink.

"Haha, third brother, there are books about Baobao on the market now, and they're selling like hotcakes. I feel there's a lot of profit in it. Why don't you give me some firsthand information about Baobao, and I'll have my Dawson Chamber of Commerce Company write one to sell? I'm sure this book will become a bestseller all year round, even surpassing magic books," Yale joked.

"Alright, but you'll have to dig out the firsthand information yourself from your niece," Lin Feng said with ill intent.

Thinking of the Baobao's "terrifying" aspects, Yale couldn't help but shrink back and said awkwardly, "Then let's forget about it."

"Are you talking bad about me again?" A childish voice suddenly came from behind the stone table, and at the same time, the Baobao appeared on the stone table.

"No." Lin Feng shook his head directly. Yale quickly nodded in agreement.

The Baobao glanced at Yale and then ignored him, turning to Lin Feng and saying, "Father, I want to be a Baobao and obedient daughter from now on." As she spoke, she flew onto Lin Feng 'Lin Feng shoulder and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek with her tiny red lips.

"Something's not right!" That was Lin Feng's first thought.

Something unusual is bound to happen. Baobao's sudden change in attitude gave Lin Feng a sense of crisis, as if he had fallen into a trap.

My Baobao used to barely acknowledge me, and even when she did, it was usually to hurt my pride as a father. But now, she not only said she wanted to be a "well-behaved daughter" but also kissed me. This is definitely not normal.

"Tell me, what are you up to by acting all cute?" Lin Feng pulled the Baobao off his shoulder and placed him back on the stone table, giving the Baobao a look that said, "I see right through you." His eyes conveyed, "Little guy, you're still too green to mess with me."

"Father, your daughter has truly repented and turned back from the wrong path. Today, Mother taught Baobao children should respect their elders, greet them politely, not talk back to them, and not speak ill of them. Baobao was too young to understand before, and I know I did many wrong things. Please forgive Baobao, okay?"

The Baobao blinked her bright, lively eyes at Lin Feng, looking as adorable as could be. An unsuspecting person might easily be fooled by her expression. Even Yale nearly popped his eyes out of their sockets.

Lin Feng rolled his eyes. He didn't believe Baobao's claim of reformation for a second. Although he had only spent twenty days with this little girl, Lin Feng knew he had figured her out. In Lin Feng's opinion, Baobao's arrival was just to torment him. Otherwise, why would she do everything against him?

Besides, the three rules the Baobao mentioned about treating elders seem to be the same ones she used to teach Ruth on the day she was born, right? And now she's using them too.

The more Lin Feng thought about it, the more he felt there was a major conspiracy involved.

Lin Feng pondered for a moment, then decided to play along. He looked up, met the Baobao's "helpless" eyes, and said, "Alright, I forgive you. Now that you've realized your mistake, repented, and decided to be an obedient Baobao from now on, shouldn't you greet the uncle behind you?"

"Oh, hello Uncle Yale." The Baobao turned around, called out sweetly, and at the same time, half-squatted, turned slightly to the side, and gave a bow.

"Uh, oh, how are you, my little niece?" Yale, somewhat incoherently. Just an hour ago, Yale had been thoroughly tormented by the Baobao, but now this little Fiend was bowing to him—a complete 180-degree turn that left Yale's head spinning.

"Baobao heard that elders are expected to give gifts when they first meet younger people." Baobao blinked her bright eyes at Yale, as if to say, "If you don't give me one, I'll cry and make you cry."

"This..." Yale almost cried. Although he was now the president of the Dawson Chamber of Commerce, with assets worth at least several billion, he really didn't have anything he could offer as a gift. He couldn't just give her a Magic Crystal Card; that would be too tacky. Actually, Yale really wanted to ask, "Is this really our first meeting? What about just now..."

"Alright, Baobao, children shouldn't just reach out for gifts all the time, understand?" Lin Feng adopted a fatherly authority and said sternly.

"Okay, Baobao knows, Baobao's a good boy/girl." The Baobao responded sweetly.

Lin Feng was secretly delighted. Although he knew that the Baobao was just being perfunctory, it still allowed Lin Feng to experience what it was like to be a father for the first time in front of the Baobao.

Lin Feng flipped his hand, and two black "stones" appeared. Lin Feng handed them to Yale, saying, "These are two specially treated Thunder-attribute Lowgod Godhead Black Stone, for you and George. Even if you wanted to reach the Saint Realm, it would be difficult. But these two specially treated Godhead can increase your elemental affinity, allowing you to quickly reach the Saint Realm. After that, you can Refine Divine Spark and become gods."

Upon hearing this, Yale's eyes lit up. Although Lin Feng's words somewhat overturned his understanding, he had no doubt about Lin Feng's words. Between good brothers, there's no need for doubt.

Yale accepted the Godhead and stored it in his Space Ring, sighing, "To be brothers with you, my third brother, in this life, even if I were to die right now, it would be worth it. Heh, now I'm increasingly realizing how wise it was to have my father send me to Ernst Institute."

"Yes, yes, you've always been benefiting from my father's fame."

"Cough cough, that, the third one..." Yale almost choked on his own saliva upon hearing this. He felt that coming to Dragonblood Castle today was a complete mistake. Although children may speak without thinking, Yale really couldn't take the Baobao's words as a joke. His "weak" heart was hit hard by the Baobao.

"Baobao, children aren't allowed to interrupt when adults are talking," Lin Feng scolded.

"What they said is true. Mothers teach their Baobao to be honest and not to lie," the Baobao said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

"Ahem, third brother, I suddenly remembered I have a lot of things to take care of at the Chamber of Commerce, so I'll be going now." Unable to bear the blow from his Baobao, Yale fled in disarray.