The Raiden Shogun of Inazuma is a martial arts fanatic, and Inazuma itself has a strong martial culture. However, strangely enough, the status of scholars is clearly higher than that of martial artists, not to mention the literary giants who stand above the scholars.
Teacher Zhenyu should be considered the most mysterious literary giant in Inazuma's literary circles. Therefore, the news of Yuto bringing his next work back to Inazuma from Liyue caused such a sensation.
Soon, the news from the inspection station spread throughout Ritou. Even Hiiragi Shinsuke, the head of the Hiiragi Clan of the Kanjou Commission, personally rushed over, clutching the few copies of the Chronicles of Seiraimaru's Sword-Seeking. He couldn't put them down. He opened the table of contents of one of them and, sure enough, it was different from the first volume's table of contents. This was indeed the second volume written by Teacher Zhenyu.
As Inazuma's purse, the Kanjou Commission, led by the influential Hiiragi Shinsuke, naturally lacked no Mora. However, these books before him were something money couldn't buy, so he was naturally envious.
Moreover, the most crucial point was that the literary circles in Inazuma held a very high social status. As high-ranking officials in Inazuma, they considered themselves cultured individuals. These currently unique books were a symbol of their social standing and brought them prestige.
After his initial excitement, he realized that the person who brought these books back to Inazuma was still standing beside him. To be honest, if he hadn't heard of Yuto's reputation, and if he wasn't an Inazuman, would these books even have a chance to be sent to Yae Publishing House? No way.
How much would it cost to open his own printing factory? If he were to print such a widely popular novel himself, what he'd be printing wouldn't be books, but Mora.
"Little friend Yuto, please forgive my lapse. It's just that this old man has yearned for this book for a long time. I thought I wouldn't live to see Teacher Zhenyu's second volume. Thank you for finding Teacher Zhenyu in Liyue, and even more for bringing this book back to Inazuma."
"Clan Head Hiiragi, you are too polite. It's just a pity that Teacher Zhenyu is in Liyue, and Inazuma's Sakoku Decree restricts the spread of information. Otherwise, perhaps Teacher Zhenyu could have written a third or even a fourth volume."
"Little friend Yuto, what do you think of this? Would you be willing to entrust this book to our Kanjou Commission for printing? The terms would definitely be more generous than Yae Publishing House."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. Teacher Zhenyu is a person who remembers kindness. At the time, this novel was not very popular in Liyue. It was only after the editors of Yae Publishing House accidentally discovered it that they elevated this novel to its current height.
He is immensely grateful for this. Before I left, he repeatedly instructed me to make sure these books were delivered to Yae Publishing House. Besides, behind Yae Publishing House is the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. If she were to find out about this, it would likely cause trouble."
"This... then how about this? You have so many copies here, why not leave one for me? I'd like to read Teacher Zhenyu's masterpiece as soon as possible. If all of them are given to Yae Publishing House, I'd have to wait at least ten more days for them to print a large batch. This old man doesn't want to wait another minute."
"I can, but I have a small condition."
"What condition? Just say it. In this small area of Ritou, our Hiiragi Clan still has some influence."
Yuto pointed to Lumine and Paimon behind him and said, "It's like this. These two friends of mine want to go to Narukami Island, but currently in Ritou, foreigners need a travel permit issued by the Kanjou Commission to go. I wonder..."
Upon hearing this, Hiiragi Shinsuke's expression suddenly changed, but he quickly composed himself and said, "Well, this is a bit difficult. The current policy in Ritou was personally issued by the Raiden Shogun. As one of the Tri-Commission serving the Raiden Shogun, we naturally cannot openly defy the Raiden Shogun's orders. How about you suggest another condition, little friend Yuto?"
"Can't you make an exception? I can just keep one copy, and give you all the rest."
"This... indeed not. The policy is as it is. I hope you understand, little friend."
"Is that so? That's truly a shame." Yuto firmly took the book back from his hand, which annoyed Hiiragi Shinsuke, but he did not act out immediately.
"Little friend Yuto, won't you suggest any other conditions? How about this, I can offer three million Mora for this one book. If you're willing to sell all three books to me, I can directly offer ten million Mora. This is found money, why not take it?"
Just as Yuto was about to refuse, Paimon, standing nearby, pulled him and urged, "Sell it! Ten million Mora for three books, what a bargain! Yuto, don't worry about us. If you feel bad, you can share a little with us, hehe."
Paimon, that money-grubber, was truly hopeless. However, Yuto saw Lumine also nodding at him, seemingly agreeing with the other party's approach. Since both of them, the parties involved, agreed, Yuto had no reason to refuse.
Thus, he sold the three books to Hiiragi Shinsuke for ten million Mora, and Hiiragi Shinsuke promptly settled the payment, then quickly left with the three books.
Hiiragi Shinsuke, under the envious gazes of the crowd, swaggered away with the three books. The others looked at the remaining book and the letter, not daring to touch them easily. These were to be sent to Yae Publishing House for printing and publication. If they were to accidentally damage even a tiny bit of it, they would probably have to commit seppuku to apologize.
The head of the inspection station carefully re-organized and packed Yuto's luggage, admonishing him, "Mr. Yuto, you must deliver this package to Yae Publishing House intact as soon as possible! We are all waiting to see the next part of the story quickly."
Yuto took his luggage and led Lumine, Paimon, and Thoma to a secluded spot, saying, "Sorry, Lumine, Paimon, it seems that Ritou is indeed very strict with foreigners right now."
"It's fine, don't we still have Thoma, our fixer? I'm sure he must have another way, right?"
Thoma nodded and said, "Alright, I can tell you frankly, if I use all my resources, I have a way to introduce you to the Raiden Shogun. But before that..."
"Are you going to do that too?!"
Sure enough, the ultimate tool was about to go online again!
"Heh heh, connections are also a very expensive business. If you want to get what you wish for, you must first help solve other people's troubles."
"That's a nice way of putting it. I get it, you want to be a middleman who earns favors! No wonder you became a fixer."
"Sorry, Lumine, Paimon, I'm afraid I can't help you right now. I probably need to head to Narukami Island first."
"Ah? Why?"
"I suddenly thought of a possibility. I need to send this book and letter to Yae Publishing House as soon as possible."
"Is it that urgent?"
"If Hiiragi Shinsuke had only bought one book, I might have believed he wanted to read it early. But he actually bought all three books at an inflated price. I suspect he might be thinking of pirating and printing this book ahead of time."
"Ah? Can he do that?"
"Why not? You've seen how highly this book is regarded in Inazuma. Although the author gave the publishing rights to Yae Publishing House, if the Hiiragi Clan could print and release this book before Yae Publishing House, even if it's only a few days earlier, it would be enough to earn massive profits.
Compared to the ten million Mora just now, that's just a drop in the bucket. Moreover, pirated books don't require sharing profits with the author. If I delay too long in Ritou, Teacher Zhenyu's loss will probably be huge."
"I see. Then you should go to Yae Publishing House quickly. We'll figure out our own way to Narukami Island."
And so, Yuto left Ritou alone, under the envious gazes of Lumine and Paimon, while the two of them began their journey as tools in Ritou.
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