Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Chapter 496 Speechless Between Truth and Falsehood

Shang Qi's caravan came from the north, passing through Changxiao Town, with its destination being Beixuan City.

He had good relations with some merchants in Beixuan City.

I've naturally heard about Wuyuzi issuing a challenge to Mohen Bookstore recently.

Shang Qi and Wu Cang of Qingzhai Bookstore knew each other when they were young. After arriving in Beixuan City, out of the need for merchants to maintain their relationship, Shang Qi took the initiative to visit Wu Cang.

It's hard to say how much of it was genuine emotion.

But the word "sincerity" is always on my mind.

Unfortunately, while Shang Qi was sincere, Wu Cang only wanted to take advantage of the situation and figure out what benefits this merchant could bring to his bookstore.

The wine has passed three rounds, and the food has passed the five flavors.

Wu Cang brought up the recent dispute, saying:

"Brother Shang, you must have heard about what happened recently. Our Wuyuzi from our bookstore is a man of great loyalty and righteousness. In order to avenge his mentor, he single-handedly went against the Mohen Bookstore."

“I admire his benevolence and righteousness, so I will give him my full support.”

"...

"Wuyuzi has a very high chance of winning and will surely become famous throughout the world. His book, 'Becoming a Master at the Wishing Well,' will definitely sell like hotcakes and be very profitable. Brother Shang, aren't you tempted?"

As they drank and toasted, Shang Qi became intoxicated and less clear-headed, retaining only a sliver of fragile rationality.

He understood Wu Cang's meaning—if Shang Qi wanted a share of the spoils, he had to provide strong support beforehand to secure Wu Yuzi's victory.

Shang Qi was about to follow up with more detailed questions.

As he put down the cup, his arm was bumped by the wooden plaque at his waist. Without making a sound, he rubbed the words "Seeing is believing" with his fingertips, and suddenly became a little more sober.

Shang Qi said with a smile:

"Brother Wu Cang, so in that case, whether Mohen Bookstore or Qingzhai Anthology wins doesn't depend on who writes better stories, but rather on which side 'Wuyu' is on?"

He hit the nail on the head, revealing the key to victory in this seemingly complex situation.

Just as Wu Cang was about to say something, Shang Qi raised his hand to stop him and said:

"Shang is a person with a weak mind. If he hears too much, he will inevitably be tempted."

"It's better not to listen, it's better not to listen!"

"However, since the key to victory lies in where this 'Speechless' stands, I must see the real Speechless. If this person is indeed in Qingzhai Bookstore..."

Shang Qi smiled and continued:

"I also admire such a loyal and righteous person, and I will naturally give my full support! Come, let's drink!"

Wu Cang's gaze darkened slightly, but he still wore a smile.

Even after seeing the guests off, he still reeked of alcohol, yet he remembered the important matter that had occurred to him during the meal. Slightly drunk, he summoned his subordinate and gave him instructions:

“Go! Do as I said… find a fake Wu Yu over here, around fifty or sixty years old. This old lady should have a bit of a scholarly air, but also a touch of playfulness, and then…”

Once the orders were given, the subordinates immediately began to carry them out.

Wuyuzi has been in high spirits these past few days, seemingly excited about what's about to happen.

He heard that Wu Cang was hosting a banquet for his friends today, so as soon as the merchant left, he rushed over to Qingzhai Bookstore.

By this time, Wu Cang had sobered up considerably.

He was holding a wine glass filled with water, head bowed, seemingly lost in thought. Seeing Wuyuzi approach, he quickly beckoned him over, saying:

"Tonight's banquet reminded me of something."

"Who wins and who loses depends on where Wuyu stands. Those book lovers are nothing but a mob that parrots others; they have no idea what is right and wrong."

"I'm just afraid that when that day comes, the Mohen Bookstore will be truly speechless and determined to prove themselves, even at the cost of revealing their identities, in order to suppress us."

"Just now, I ordered someone to go down and find someone to pretend to be speechless."

"Even if the real Wuyu stands up at Mohen Bookstore, our Qingzhai Anthology can still make her look fake!"

Although Wuyuzi was somewhat surprised and paused for a moment, he nodded in agreement.

I felt a little uneasy.

I had considered having someone pretend to be speechless before, but I was afraid that doing too much would lead to more mistakes and that I would be exposed later.

But Wu Cang's explanation... seems to make some sense.

Whatever!

Consider it a backup plan.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Slightly drunk, Shang Qi returned to his residence by sedan chair.

Just as he was about to undress and wash up, he suddenly exclaimed "Huh!" He quickly looked down and found that the wooden plaque hanging at his waist had disappeared!

He searched himself thoroughly but still couldn't find it.

Shang Qi hurriedly sent someone to search the sedan chair, but was told that no one had seen it.

"Oh no! It must have fallen at the doorway before it got into the sedan chair after leaving Qingzhai Bookstore."

There were quite a few people coming and going as evening approached.

Maybe someone picked it up...

Shang Qi sent people to search for it with little hope, but he knew in his heart that the wooden sign was probably lost.

He smiled helplessly, shook his head, and sighed:

"Could it be that Miss Wu gave me this item to shield me from Wu Cang's deception today?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Gu Lang, Luo Budao! What are you two doing wandering around Beixuan City all day long!"

Because of this recent mess, Li Fuwei's temper has worsened, and he's extremely displeased with Gu Lang's behavior of not doing anything productive and running around aimlessly all day.

Gu Lang also knew that Mohen Bookstore had been very busy lately.

His employer is utterly incompetent...

But today, after hearing Li Fuwei's "reprimand," he smiled and quietly approached, handing over something—

It was that wooden sign that said "seeing is believing"!

Li Fuwei took a closer look and immediately recognized the handwriting on the wooden sign. Wasn't this Zhu Wuyao's?

"Old Li, look what I found!"

Li Fuwei turned the wooden plaque over and over to examine it, and exclaimed in surprise:

"Where did this come from?"

Gu Lang and Luo Budao immediately straightened their backs and said:

"Although we've been running around these past few days, we haven't been unaware of what's going on between the two bookstores. Today, we're going to Qingzhai Bookstore to scout out their situation!"

"And this wooden sign came from the back gate of Qingzhai Bookstore!"

Luo Budao nodded quickly and continued:

“That’s right, we suspect… she never left Beixuan City at all! Maybe she already has a plan in mind regarding someone impersonating Wuyu!”

It's no wonder that Gu Lang and Luo Budao were so suspicious.

After all, Zhu Wuyao possesses the Thousand Appearances skill, which allows him to change his appearance.

Perhaps they secretly became Wu Cang's honored guest and were treated with great hospitality, just waiting to expose Qingzhai's conspiracy when the two companies' new books were released!

Gu Lang said:

"No matter how this matter is resolved, it cannot avoid involving Miss Zhu."

"The most urgent thing is to find her. I know that Mohen Bookstore has countermeasures, but Miss Zhu is currently living in seclusion and does not want to attract attention. If you want to do anything, it is best to wait until I find her first and discuss it with her."

Li Fuwei has been holding back his troops these past few days, also because of this matter.

After hearing Gu Lang's words, he hesitated for a moment and asked:

"But Miss Zhu's whereabouts are currently unknown. Even if she were in Beixuan City, it would be difficult to find her if she wanted to avoid people..."

Gu Lang took the wooden plaque, put his arm around Luo Budao's shoulder, and said with considerable confidence:

"On the day the new book is released, we'll take the opportunity to sneak into the backyard of Qingzhai Bookstore and make the past happen again, to see what Miss Zhu looks like now!"