CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 124: YOU HAVE TO COME BACK EARLY

When the second issue of "Youth Daily" went on sale, everyone in Xuanzhu County, men and women, young and old, eagerly awaited it.

Although "Xuanzhu News" doesn’t directly compete with "Youth Daily"—one focuses on current affairs while the other on entertainment—they don’t refrain from mocking and ridiculing each other.

Sales exceeding ten thousand in a day, with city-wide discussions—who wouldn’t be envious?

Moreover, the ten thousand sales figure is a conservative estimate, calculated by "Xuanzhu News" based on their best sales—many people buy "Youth Daily" not for the articles, but for the pictures.

Randomly flag down any man on the street and say, ’My wife is a Yanjing policewoman,’ he’ll 100% reply, ’What a coincidence, mine too.’

If Le Yu had a murdering system, he could become a super demon king solely based on the "Yanjing Policewoman" picture by reaping trillions of lives.

It’s said high-end clubs such as Xiangxue Sea and Golden Basin Dew have already launched "Yanjing Policewoman" services, including personalized options like ’arrest’ and ’counter-arrest’, ’infiltration by female prosecutor’, etc. Le Yu even received an invitation letter from Xiangxue Sea, inviting him over to ’evaluate and criticize’ their newest service.

This keen sense makes Le Yu marvel at Xuanzhu County’s reputation as a city of merchants, and he reluctantly rejected Xiangxue Sea’s invitation.

Alas, there’s no choice. Until he activates the "Ice Blood Physique," he absolutely doesn’t dare to lose his virginity, lest he damages the legacy left by Jing Zhengwei—that "Fearless of Pain, Unharmed by Sword" ideal physique.

To see the impact of pain protection, don’t look at Le Yu; look at his opponents. In recent alley battles, Le Yu advanced by leaps and bounds, fighting with ease and killing without pause—not only because his "Intermediate Biting Battle Technique" was unrivaled, but also because—his enemies were afraid.

Get hurt and they’d hide, feel pain and they’d want to run.

But in battle, is there room to hide and run?

No warrior seasoned on the battlefield can withstand the side effects of pain. Persistent heroes are rare; most are ordinary people who collapse at the first touch. At this moment, a ’Fearless of Pain’ buff can create a massive difference in combat strength.

Precisely because of this reason, even though Le Yu has been indulging in the decadence of a capitalist’s life, his private life is as clean as a man with no nightlife.

Once accustomed, it’s not a bother—like how Le Yu sleeps with Qing Lan every day now. After a while, she felt just like the giant Pikachu plush at home. The only difference is if her sleeping posture is bad, Le Yu’s arm will ache from being crushed the next day.

Humph, women, just so.

In the editor-in-chief’s office, Le Yu looked at the cover of the new "Youth Daily" featuring the curvaceous, white-haired "Ice Shooter" and suddenly felt tempted.

Oops, could it be that I’m actually fond of paper characters?

Le Yu quickly put down "Youth Daily," thinking he should give the illustrator a raise—not expecting a casually chosen artist could flawlessly reproduce the ’colorful image’ in his mind. It seems, in the realm of ’colorful images’, men’s communication reaches an unprecedented level.

He picked up another newspaper, today’s freshly released "Xuanzhu News."

As the saying goes, competitors are foes.

"Xuanzhu News" is a weekly, its release staggered with "Youth Daily." Three days after the second issue of "Youth Daily" was released, a ’flashy and ostentatious’ article was published in the second edition of the new "Xuanzhu News," directly targeting "Youth Daily."

The Tint Family, backed by five major business associations, certainly doesn’t fear the Jing Family. They clearly stated "Youth Daily’s" five major offenses and strongly condemned the public for purchasing Youth Daily.

The five offenses are:

① The cover is too lewd.

② Fabricating false figures.

③ Fabricating false news.

④ Fabricating false stories.

⑤ Serializing nonsensical novels.

Le Yu never expected the newspaper office to keep secrets. After the first issue’s sale, rumors that ’Youth Daily’s content was all made up’ had already spread throughout Xuanzhu County. After all, when Le Yu lets all the editors make up the news, how could it not leak?

But the wonder of this world is that the truth might not be believed by everyone.

People only believe the reality they are willing to believe.

Initially, many thought that once the public knew "Youth Daily" was fabricated, its sales would be severely impacted. However, unexpectedly, the second issue of "Youth Daily" saw even greater booming sales, and the Jing Family bought a second printing factory to non-stop print newspapers from two factories day and night, leaving every bookstore wiped out of "Youth Daily".

Le Yu understood very well, just like how he used to enjoy reading freshly made-up stories on Zhihu—the fun of it lies in, as long as others write it realistically enough, Le Yu can be entertained.

Similarly, as long as the newspaper’s fabricated answers, anecdotes, and inspirational stories are realistic enough, intricate enough, appearing real to the reader, the public will buy into it.

The public: ’What, Youth Daily is made up? Oh, I know.’

Then they turn around and continue discussing this week’s historical anecdote about ’One-eyed Stone Man stirs the Yellow River and overturns the world.’

In Le Yu’s view, this "Xuanzhu News" article ’flashy and ostentatious’ is rather impotent rage. A serious newspaper facing a tabloid being crushed is only natural; this is a cross-era shocking blow of jokes.

It’s estimated that "Xuanzhu News" will soon put aside its arrogance and honestly open a column for jokes and anecdotes, trying to divert Youth Daily’s readers.

As for putting a lewd picture on the cover, they probably still won’t dare.

To put it plainly, using lewd images on a cover is actually illegal, the government manages such immoral activities. But Lex is the eldest son of the Jing Family, and although the images are provocative, they’re not overly so—the important parts are all covered. They’re not showing more than the ladies in Xiangxue Sea, so the Governor’s office just turns a blind eye.

Even if it’s banned, Lex has a backup plan. Who says lewd images have to be explicit? A cute girl rolling her eyes and sticking out her tongue, with some milk splashed on her face, can equally make the youth of Xuanzhu County weak at the knees.

The success of Youth Daily meant Lex’s plan could move to the next stage. However, the changes in the system panel made Lex even happier—

"Challenge (refreshable): Waste others’ time for 10,000 hours; Difficulty: ☆☆.

Current Progress: 3912/10,000"

Just as Lex thought, when people discuss his articles, skits, novels, it’s deemed a waste of their time!

When Lex started the newspaper, he vaguely hoped this could help him complete the challenge, and he didn’t expect it to go so smoothly. At this rate, a few more editions of the newspaper will complete the challenge.

Although ’Survive for 15 days’ is a much simpler challenge, it was clearly a beginner’s benefit, so Lex couldn’t ask for too much. He just hopes to complete the challenge quickly and activate ’Ice Blood Physique’, so he wouldn’t have to keep guarding his chastity.

’Celestial Body of Chastity’ has high requirements, not only can he not be with women, but not with men either... Lex means he can’t do it himself.

Yes, ever since Jing Zhengwei practiced Celestial Body Combat Technique at age 12, he has been abstinent for years. Lex had to give a nod to the radiant physical prowess of folks who haven’t exploded from the restraint.

Though gradually moving towards the peaceful life of a newspaper tycoon, an adult’s life is never easy, apart from the growing belly.

Lex let Mu Qingmei go half a month ago, and to his surprise, she came to work the next day. Lex had already prepared for her resignation. But Mu Qingmei didn’t engage him in any conversation, and these days Lex was scared to death, avoiding card games, and staying home working on Future Echoes.

In the second issue of Youth Daily, Mu Qingmei submitted an article using the symbols Lex had agreed upon with Yin Minghong, indicating that White Night wanted to contact Shadow Sound Concealment. Lex felt his identity might be exposed, but for the sake of Shadow Sound Concealment and his next step plan, he would eventually have to meet White Night, so he set a date and place to meet.

Lex glanced at his pocket watch; it was time to set off.

Though, there was still a small problem that needed handling here.

Lex pushed the door open and left his office, seeing Mu Qingmei in the office area on the second floor, working hard at her desk. Hearing the movement, Mu Qingmei immediately turned her head to glance at Lex, then lowered her head again.

Even though her gaze wasn’t directed here, Lex knew Mu Qingmei was definitely keeping an eye on him.

If Jing Zhengwei also ran out at this time, the username ’Shadow Sound Concealment’ would certainly arouse suspicion—Shadow Sound Concealment already has plenty of ties with the newspaper—so Lex walked up to the third floor, heading to the editor-in-chief’s office.

Hearing the door open, Qing Lan, wearing glasses, looked at Lex, then at his right hand.

Lex’s face darkened: "I don’t have it! Always thinking about drinking, look how chubby you’ve become!"

"Coconut milk is good for the skin, it won’t make you fat!" Qing Lan fearlessly replied to Lex’s intimidation, "I asked the shop owner, every girl who loves drinking his coconut milk is slim and trim!"

"Are you an idiot? If they honestly told you it makes you fat, would you still buy it?" Lex said irritably, "Are you from Xuanzhu County or what, don’t you even understand the deceit in business?"

Qing Lan snorted, clearly not taking Lex’s words seriously. She laid down her pen, swaying in her chair, "My throat feels dry... my belly feels a little empty... dry... empty..."

"Didn’t you just finish lunch recently?" Lex clicked his tongue, "Oh well, since I’m heading out later, be sure to work diligently."

"Hehe, thank you, young master."

"By the way, hang a ’busy’ sign on the door and lock it. Whoever is looking for you or me, say we’re occupied, no time."

Qing Lan widened her eyes at him, her face reddening for some unknown reason, "Then... what are we busy with?"

"Whatever, just say we’re playing cards." Lex opened the editor-in-chief’s window, looking down at the empty alley, "I’ll leave through here, don’t let anyone know my whereabouts."

"Wait!"

Lex was just about to jump down when Qing Lan grabbed his wrist.

"Is hiding your whereabouts dangerous?"

Lex thought for a moment, "Could be dangerous, or might not be, who knows."

Qing Lan seemed to be deliberating on something, nodded slowly, and let go so Lex could leave.

When Lex climbed to the window ledge, Qing Lan suddenly said, "I’ve figured out an amazing combo strategy for the Liaoyuan card deck, shall we play cards tonight?"

"Sure!" Lex agreed readily, "Daring to challenge with the Liaoyuan deck, I’ll use my strongest Wolf Eagle deck and show you what the ’greatest duelist under the banner of a legend’ is!"

"Then come back early, young master."

"Okay!"

Lex jumped down in the alley, turned into a corner, and moved aside a wooden plank on the ground, revealing a package hidden underground.

Looking at the contents, Lex smiled slyly.

"It’s time... for White Night to meet ’Shadow Sound Concealment’."