Like everyone else, Xingqiu only flipped through a few pages before being completely absorbed. Compared to the settings in his own novels, this comic was a truly revolutionary creation.
Fire Qilin.
Leshan Giant Buddha.
Nie Renwang.
Clay Bodhisattva Predicting Fate.
And especially, the Sword Saint's appearance.
All of these left Xingqiu utterly dumbfounded.
"Soul leaving the body?? No, that's the Primordial Spirit. My heavens!!!"
"The Heaven-Destroying Earth-Annihilating Sword Twenty-Three... no wonder the Sword Saint was so confident. To slay someone on the level of the soul… how could mortals ever reach such a realm?"
"It's just a pity that the hero Xiongba's destiny hasn't ended yet."
Seeing the Sword Saint fail at the final moment, even Xingqiu couldn't help but feel regret. Xiongba was too ruthless, he would wipe out entire families at a whim. If he continued to live, he would surely become a great threat.
But fate was fate.
Though the Sword Saint's final sword technique was powerful, he still lost to Bu Jingyun. It could only be said that it was fate's arrangement.
After finishing the comic, Xingqiu was still immersed in the story. "Hah, that was so satisfying… it's just a shame that the next chapters aren't out yet. Otherwise, I'd read them all in one go."
Seeing Xingqiu close the comic, the old butler stepped forward and asked, "Young Master, have you finished reading?"
"Yes, it's a truly brilliant story. By the way, Uncle Li, you didn't bring me here just to read comics, did you? There must be something else."
Xingqiu was very sharp. Otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the praise of all his tutors. And since the man before him was his father's trusted aide, there was no way he brought him here just to read. It was suspicious.
Butler Li smiled approvingly. "Young Master, as a butler, I shouldn't meddle too much. But you're not young anymore, and the Master is getting on in years. The Eldest Young Master has been supporting the Feiyun Commerce Guild alone, he can't keep that up forever.
This time, they called you home with the same hope, that you could start sharing some of the responsibilities.
Still, I know your heart isn't in business. But look at the opportunity before you, this comic, isn't it the perfect chance?"
Xingqiu looked at the neighboring shop in confusion. "You mean… you want me to discuss business with the owner?"
The butler nodded. "Exactly."
If the Young Master liked martial arts stories, why not let him try this? It would stop the Master's nagging and let him enjoy himself at the same time, truly the best of both worlds.
Xingqiu quickly caught on and clapped his hands. "Then I'll give it a try."
In the past, he had no interest in business, but this time was different. Xingqiu was also curious to meet the comic shop owner, and if he could urge him to release new chapters faster, all the better.
Excited, Xingqiu went to the store clerk, but since business was booming, he had to wait over ten minutes before the clerk was free.
"Hello, I'm the Second Young Master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. I'd like to discuss some business with your boss. Is he available?"
The clerk had just finished serving another customer and looked up. Seeing the man's fine silk robes, the blue Vision on his belt, and his bright blue short hair, the clerk froze for a moment, this was none other than the Feiyun Guild's Second Young Master, Xingqiu!
The clerk immediately straightened up respectfully. "Ah, it's Young Master Xingqiu! Please, this way, the boss is resting upstairs."
"Thank you."
With the clerk leading him, Xingqiu soon arrived at the shop's second floor. But before he even entered, a wave of intense heat washed over him. Startled, he muttered, "Hm? Could it be that Boss Su is also a powerful cultivator?"
Though he hadn't met the man, Xingqiu had already heard about him during a gathering with Hu Tao.
But someone who could survive being chased by Hilichurls for half an hour hardly sounded like a master. Unless… he'd been hiding his true strength?
That had to be it.
Just as Xingqiu was lost in thought, a voice came from inside.
"Come in, the door's unlocked."
"Thank you."
Pushing the door open, Xingqiu found that the earlier heat had vanished. A handsome man sat cross-legged inside. His eyes were amber, his short brown hair matched a martial robe that made him look effortlessly elegant.
Seeing the visitor, Su Han's eyes lit up. He smiled. "Xingqiu?"
"Yes, that's me. You must be Miss Hu Tao's guest, Mr. Su Han. A pleasure to meet you for the first time."
Xingqiu's etiquette was impeccable, but his formal greeting only made Su Han laugh.
"Whoa, whoa, no need for all that formality. Just call me Su Han. I'm friends with Hu Tao, so that makes us friends too."
Hearing Su Han's friendly tone, Xingqiu's tension faded. He sat down on the carpet. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. Actually, I came today to discuss a bit of business, if Brother Su has the time."
"Business, huh?" Su Han thought for a moment. "Well, I do need quite a few things right now. If you can help me with a few matters, I don't mind selling you some stock."
"Oh? What matters?"
"As you can see, my shop's been booming. There are too many customers, but I'm running short on white paper. I'd like to buy a large amount, does your Feiyun Guild have connections for that?
Also, I need a large, secure warehouse, moisture-proof and fireproof."
As his comic's popularity grew, Su Han had discovered several problems: his storage space for comics was running out, and with production increasing, white paper had become a critical issue.
Especially after his comics went viral, many merchants in the city hiked up paper prices, nearly driving Su Han mad.
His current stock would only last a few more days, after that, no amount of worry would help. He urgently needed a steady supply.
Now, with Xingqiu's visit, perhaps that crisis could be solved.
Hearing the request, Xingqiu sighed in relief. These were simple matters for his family. "That's not difficult. Our Feiyun Guild does have some connections. But, Brother Su, when will the next volume of Wind and Cloud be released? Could I perhaps read it early? I can even waive my payment if you'll let me preview it."
Su Han had seen people send knives to rush updates, but this was the first time someone offered free labor just to see new chapters.
Still, having such a devoted fan was nice. Smiling, Su Han pulled two comics from his robe. "Here, take these."
He had already finished these new issues at lunch but hadn't taken them out from the system space yet. Since Xingqiu was so eager, he might as well do him a favor.
Receiving the comics, Xingqiu froze. "Wait... these are…"
"The next two volumes. I was planning to sell them in a few days, but since you're so keen, I'll let you have an early look."
"Su Han… you're my savior! You're incredible! I'll get your business done right after I finish reading!"
Xingqiu was so overwhelmed that he could barely speak. For a Wind and Cloud fan, nothing could beat reading the next chapters ahead of everyone else.
He carefully opened the comic. The story picked up right where it left off, Bu Jingyun still unable to defeat Xiongba, marking the true beginning of the Wind and Cloud saga.
The Martial Legend: Nameless.
The Peerless Sword.
Greed, Anger, Delusion.
The Three Poisons Sword Ritual.
And Wind falling into the Abyssal Cloud Cave, obtaining his family's heirloom weapon, the Snow-Drinking Mad Blade.
One scene after another, utterly thrilling.
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