I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 17 Queuing
Initially, the teahouse was in complete chaos. Gradually, the noise subsided, and then the number of people around Li Baoku doubled.

Half an hour later, the heads of people in the lobby on the first floor were drawn to one place like a tide, and the one that stirred the tide was Li Baoku's voice.

Gradually, countless heads also peeked out from the private rooms on the second floor.

"...Covered in blood, Xu Yi grabbed a Guan Dao that he had somehow seized, and with a backhand slash, he beheaded Young Master Zhou. With another slash, he lifted up the head of the Zhou family patriarch, tied the two heads together with his hair around his waist, and rushed out of the Zhou family mansion. The afterglow of the setting sun fell on him, making him look like a god of death descending upon the world."

With a bang, the gavel struck, and Li Baoku stood up and bowed deeply.

Instantly, a deafening roar of cheers erupted, accompanied by countless strands of spiritual energy flying towards him.

While thanking him, Li Baoku picked up the spiritual threads, and in a short time, he had obtained nearly a thousand of them.

Li Baoku was overjoyed; the income from this one match was equivalent to his earnings from three matches in the past.

"Don't stop, don't stop, tell me quickly, and I will reward you."

A wealthy young man waved his hand, and a strand of spiritual silk landed on the tea table where Li Baoku was telling stories.

Li Baoku quickly bowed and said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's not that I'm keeping you in suspense, it's just that the story ends here. To find out what happens next, you'll have to wait for the next installment."

"What, you think it's not enough? Give me another hundred."

The rich young man's face fell.

Li Baoku's back was sweating, and he dared not keep them in suspense any longer. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, it's not that I'm being presumptuous, but I really don't know how this story will develop."

"Do you dare to tell stories?"

"I really don't know. The story I'm talking about is called 'I Came From the Mortal World,' and it's a novel serialized in the Yunmeng Times. The Yunmeng Times will publish it tomorrow."

Yesterday, we storytellers were invited by a newspaper, given only this first story, and asked to help promote it. Tomorrow morning, the newspaper will publish two more stories, and then you'll know what happens next.

"Newspapers? Serialized articles? What kind of nonsense is this?"

"Anyway, if you are interested in hearing the story tomorrow, I will come again. If you want to know the sequel as soon as possible, you can definitely buy the Yunmeng Times on the way."

"Damn, what a wonderful story! Why wait until tomorrow? It's driving me crazy, damn it..."

………………

The No. 30 compound on the front street, formerly the warehouse of the Fourth Branch of Jiufenshan, has now been requisitioned by Canaan Morning Post and has been repurposed as a branch office.

After several days of renovations and the arrival of a large amount of new furniture, the furniture for the Canaan Morning Post's Yunmeng branch was put up.

In the past few days, staff members have been arriving one after another.

At midday, Li Shaobai lay on a chair, basking in the sun, and dozed off.

Upon waking up, just as he was about to call for tea, he spotted Wang Pang and Lu Zhang whispering excitedly under the large apricot tree in the courtyard.

Li Shaobai hates nothing more than a lack of rules and regulations. He shouted at them, and the two were startled, turning around hastily as if they were hiding something.

Li Shaobai was puzzled. When he got closer, he saw that Lu Zhang's sleeve was bulging.

At his command, Lu Zhang took out a crumpled wad of dark, coarse paper.

Li Shaobai snatched it away, unfolded it, and found it to be a printed copy of the Yunmeng Times.

"You, you guys."

Li Shaobai's chest heaved violently as he roared, "Have you all gone mad? We run our own newspapers! You don't read the Canaan Morning Post, but this lousy tabloid!"

After meeting Xue Xiang at the Dong Family Garden that day, Li Shaobai had long forgotten about Xue Xiang's boastful words and the Yunmeng Times.

"Yes, yes, we are also collecting intelligence for our superiors. Otherwise, who would be looking at this shabby Yunmeng Times?"

Lu Zhang was quick-witted.

Wang Pang, with his rat-like eyes, echoed the voice.

Li Shaobai's expression softened slightly. "This tattered Yunmeng Times has been experiencing a lot of misery lately."
"Hmph, that Xue fellow, what a waste of his time to start a newspaper!"

As he spoke, he flipped through the Yunmeng Times, noticing that the sections were arranged in an interesting and novel way, including social hot topics, investment information, and document discussions. "That's interesting; they certainly come up with some unconventional ideas."

As he spoke, Li Shaobai flipped the page to the back, where a serialized novel occupied two-thirds of the space. "This is suicidal! Bringing a traditional story into the newspaper is hilarious."

By the way, since you guys are interested in the Yunmeng Times, does anyone else buy this lousy newspaper besides you?

"Uh……"

"Say!"

"Yes, someone...is buying it."

"How many people bought it? Who are they?"

"I...I really can't remember, there's a queue outside."

"Queue up? Haha, what did I tell you? You'll just end up as wrappers for fried dough sticks."

Wang Pang and Lu Zhang exchanged a glance, neither daring to speak.

Li Shaobai's eyes flashed coldly, "You don't want to tell me that you're all lining up to buy the Yunmeng Times, do you?"

"Yes, it's true. There are queues at all thirteen newsstands in the thirteen wards of the city..."

"Yes, sir, the way he runs this newspaper is so strange. That serialized novel, 'I Came From the Mortal World,' is so original and wonderful..."

Not daring to let Li Shaobai guess any further, the two spilled the beans, revealing everything.

"Quickly find me the latest issues of the Yunmeng Times."

At Li Shaobai's command, the two immediately took action.

After a short while, Li Shaobai picked up the first piece, "I Came From the Mortal World," and began reading it on the spot.

In the blink of an eye, half an hour had passed. Li Shaobai hadn't moved an inch. He closed the day's newspaper and couldn't help but say, "How could someone write such an original and unique story? Who exactly is this person named 'Wanting to See Jiangnan'? He's incredibly talented."

This guy surnamed Xue is really no pushover.

Lu Zhang said, "If Yunmeng Times can serialize vernacular stories, so can we. With our size and distribution channels, there's no reason for us to lose to this makeshift team like Yunmeng Times."

Li Shaobai's eyes lit up. "That's it! Let's do it this way and find someone quickly."

………………

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiufen Mountain will be locked up, and the public holiday will begin until the 8th day of the first lunar month.

On this morning, the city magistrate, along with the nine chief seals, thirteen departments, thirty-nine offices, and two hundred and fifty-two officials bearing flying fish badges, gathered on the green lawn in front of the Hall of Light.

The city magistrate delivered a passionate speech, recalling the past, commenting on the present, and looking forward to the future.

Hong Zhangyin, in position number two, took over and announced the year.

Those of Xue Xiang's rank can receive two spirit stones, one hundred catties of pork, and thirty catties of spirit rice.

After the meeting at Guangming Hall concluded, each courtyard held its own banquet and group meal.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, Xue Xiang, unable to hold his liquor, left the restaurant and went to the outdoor green lawn. He turned on the bamboo tube switch on the mountain wall, and clear, sweet mountain spring water gushed down.

Xue fetched water to wash his face, and the biting cold wind hit his face, instantly clearing his swollen mind.

"You have to work on your alcohol tolerance."

A voice came.

Xue Xiang turned around and saw Xie Haiya appear behind him, dressed in a fur coat and carrying a hand warmer.

"A true Foundation Establishment expert!"

Xue Xiang inwardly grumbled, but his actions were swift; he quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

(End of this chapter)