The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 135 He's Still Here (6.7k views, please subscribe!!!)

【Tang Qi's Longjincheng Log】

Given the high cost of living in the business district, I don't think dining there is a wise decision, especially after hearing that most restaurants there focus on presentation, such as plating and the concept of ingredients.

Restaurant servers would describe their dishes like this:

"This 'Fragments of the Forest' is made with a rich variety of ingredients. The leafy greens come from the Druidic Society of the Southern Forest, the citrus fruits are from the Sunny Harbor on the coast of the Terran Empire, the spices have a unique flavor from the Sandy Isles, and the water is all melted from the snow-capped mountains of the Icewind Valley in the north..."

What? You're asking me what kind of dish this is?

Vegetable salad, of course.

Therefore, if you're an adventurer looking to make a living, it's best to head to the Spine area.

There may not be expensive ingredients there, but there must be dishes that are unique to their hometown.

I recommend a restaurant called 'Orc Skull', run by a retired orc adventurer. The roasted meat is so tender and juicy, and the secret sauce is spicy and delicious. Five gold coins can feed four adults.

The least recommended restaurant is the dwarf restaurant 'Mountain Copper Pot'. The food is okay, but the decor is terrible.

Their tables and chairs are too low; it's far less comfortable for you to eat while squatting.

"You always write these jokes in your books, aren't you afraid the dwarves will come after you?"

Looking at what Tang Qi had written in his notebook, Merlin couldn't help but scratch his afro.

"It's just a means to gain fame."

Tang Qi clearly understood the advantages and disadvantages.

"Black and red are still red."

The log explicitly mentions "more fame, more rewards." Regardless of the method, as long as you spread your reputation and let more people know you, that's fine.

At worst, he could disguise himself when he went to Ironforge someday, or have Kuru cast a transformation spell on him to hide himself—this spell should be recorded in the necromancer's spellbook.

"Speaking of which, this guy has been locking himself in his room studying hard for a month now, so there shouldn't be any problems, right..."

Worried that the kobolds might get addicted to reading, Tang Qi put the notebook back into his dimensional bag.

Turning his head, he saw Ambition staring intently at his fingers, examining them closely.
"Any questions?"

"Brother Tang Qi smells of perfume."

"Perfume? I didn't wear any..."

"It's right on your finger, subtle. At first, it smells a bit like pear, then it develops a woody aroma, mixed with the sweetness of citrus and the freshness of jasmine—oh yes, it smells like iris."

"Iris? I've never even seen one before."

Looking back on his journey today, Tang Qi couldn't recall visiting any iris gardens.

Merlin, a local, chimed in:

"There are only two places in the entire DragonGold City where irises are planted in large quantities: one is the [Burial Village] under the management of the Druid Society, and the other is the [Starlight Mage Academy] in the Upper City."

"The Academy of Mages... perhaps it's because of this ring?"

Tang Qi revealed the [Mind Shield Ring] and brought it close to Ambiya's pert nose.

"Smell it?"

"That's its taste."

"That must be perfume sprayed by its owner."

Tang Qi didn't care too much about these things, since he was now the owner of the ring anyway.

Once the carriage came to a stop, he finally paid the other half of the commission, and then pushed open the door of the Golden Oak:

"So many people?"

It wasn't even evening yet, and apart from a few scattered patrons with cravings, the tavern lobby was filled with many familiar faces gathered in another corner.
“Gravel, old and new white pigs, blonde girl, lame pigeon boss... and a few other unfamiliar faces.”

He quickly realized that everyone was waiting for him.

So much so that before he even reached them, Lord Mel spoke first:
"Make a price."

"What's the price? Are you buying pork? I'm sorry, wild boar meat is a bit tough, I don't really like it."

Tang Qi ignored the enraged old boar and turned to look at Catherine.

"So what happened?"

After Catherine gave a brief account of what had happened, Tang Qi finally understood the purpose of the group:
"So you two, father and son, came here to cause trouble, and the rest of you came for the publication—"

Why? Didn't you reject me this morning?

The lame pigeon replied somewhat awkwardly:
"If Miss Wendy were to act as guarantor, I think this matter might be worth considering..."

Tang Qi glanced at Mel's gloomy face and delivered another blow to his heart:

"He's going to publish my book right in front of you, don't you have anything to say?"

The old wild boar raised its pale, bitter face, looking as if it had just chewed up a whole block of rotten blue cheese:
"Of course not, he is free to publish whatever he wants."

Tang Qi could see Mel's nails digging into his palm, and knew that he was not feeling well.

After spending a fortune and painstakingly bribing major publishers to boycott them for a month, they finally had a chance to finally hold their heads high.

The result was that they first suffered a setback at the hands of the city guards, and then discovered that the blockade plan had failed, with all the funds spent on it becoming 'sewage waste'—

The cleaners in Longjin City would specifically clean out the waste from the sewers, use magic to burn it into ashes, and then the wind would blow it away, leaving nothing behind.

But what could he do as a nobleman without real power?

Should I warn the cavalry commander's daughter not to interfere with my plans?
I fear that that very night, the Flying Dragon Cavalry will storm into my mansion under the pretext of 'arresting criminals'...

So he could only swallow this bitter pill in silence:
“Name your price. How much would it take for you to sell me the seeds and this land where you can grow star plums? To show my sincerity, those publishers will stop bothering you.”

Where is the sincerity?

Tang Qi chuckled.
"If you want to monopolize Star Plum, go and discuss it with Catherine. This is not my business."

As for the publishing house you mentioned—isn't there already one?

“I can use my connections and funds to promote your book—something the Silver Shield family can’t do!”

"Who says we can't do it?"

Wendy slammed her hand on the table, stood up, put her hands on her hips, and snorted coldly.

"Of course I'll promote this book!"

Tang Qi asked curiously, "What would you do?"

"Hmm—I'll tell my friends that your book is very good."

"..."

Tang Qi realized that this Miss Wendy had no idea what 'publicity' meant, and turned to look at the lame pigeon.
"And what will you do then?"

The lame pigeon was in a dilemma and could only lay out the pros and cons:
"Of course, it's the same old publicity methods: book launch, newspaper ads, etc... But you're a new author after all, so these methods might not be effective."

Mel raised his chin arrogantly and said:
"I will spend money, lots and lots of money, not only to publish your work in newspapers and magazines, but also to get famous writers to praise your books and introduce them to nobles at my ball—I guarantee you'll become famous throughout the entire Dragon Gold City overnight."

"Just give me the land and the seeds."

The lame pigeon's smile was somewhat bitter.

Lord Mel has this ability, he is absolutely certain.

These promotional methods are indeed something his small publishing house couldn't do.

Tang Qi gradually understood the current situation—

Choosing Mel and helping him achieve Star Plum's monopoly means sacrificing the future of Golden Oak in exchange for the chance to become famous overnight.

Choosing Limpy Pigeon and signing a publishing contract with him means facing a dilemma in terms of publicity and distribution, as it takes time for his reputation to grow.

But this isn't actually a multiple-choice question:
"So, Mr. Limpy Pigeon, what is the revenue share for publishing?"

His decision was like a blow to the back of Mel's head, leaving him dizzy and confused, and prompting him to ask:

"Damn it, don't you understand the situation?"

I can pay you to become famous overnight. Once your book becomes a bestseller, the profits will far exceed what you're holding onto these star plum blossoms!

"Isn't it that you've never been able to figure out the situation?"

Tang Qi glanced at Mel with a strange look.
"You've come to my door time and time again, causing me so much trouble for no reason."

Today they almost destroyed the newly built orchard, ruining the very foundation of this tavern...

What makes you think I'll agree to your request?

"I have money!"

Mel believes that as long as you have money, there's nothing you can't do.

There are no eternal enemies.

He can use money to resolve conflicts.

This has always been the practice.

“No one cares.”

Tang Qi sneered.
"Money is your only fig leaf, but it's not mine."

"What did you say!?"

"Am I wrong, my pathetic lord?"

Tang Qi used his fingers to examine the bloated wild boar in circles.

To this day, with the city guards' impartial judgment, this "Star Plum Tycoon" no longer poses any threat to himself or the entire tavern.

The troubles he'd been dealing with for so long had made him less inclined to mince words, and he no longer held back in his speech:

"You say money can buy everything, but have you really bought it?"

Money can buy you luxurious clothes, but it can't buy you a proper sense of aesthetics.

Money can buy you publishing channels, but it can't buy a poet's works.

Money can buy you a nobleman's mansion, but it can't buy you real power.

Money has enabled you to build a complete family, but it hasn't allowed you to raise an obedient son.

Money can buy you ample protection, but it can't give you true courage.

You can't possibly forget that you survived only because you were terrified by werewolves and had your villagers' Achilles tendons severed, can you? Can money help you forget those humiliations?
People certainly need money, but they can't have only money.

Everything you have now is built on money—and it doesn't even come from you, but from the blessings of your ancestors.

You are merely a beneficiary of the natural barrier of the forest and the gifts of the star plum.

So tell me, why should I agree to your ridiculous deal?

Do I care about your so-called 'overnight fame'?

Even without your help or money, I can still achieve fame and fortune.

But when you tear off this fig leaf called money, tell me—what do you have left?
Nothing at all.

You're just a fool who clings to a pacifier that says 'money can buy everything,' living in a false world for comfort—

You can actually sense how much of their respect for you is laced with mockery.

But as a cowardly, weak, and incompetent wild boar, you are unwilling to face it.

That's all. "

"you you--"

All the resentment that Mel had been holding back all day burst forth at this moment, as Tang Qi's words were like a razor slicing open his face.

No one has ever cursed him like that before.

But in his anger, he couldn't even find a point to refute.

So much so that even when he opened his mouth, he couldn't utter a single word.

Resentment surged into his brain along with his blood, and almost simultaneously, the complications caused by his obesity took hold.

His forehead was covered in sweat until finally, he fainted from difficulty breathing.

"Father--"

……

"It's just a brief shock. Just let him rest quietly and keep his breathing clear."

Father Lynn, summoned by Catherine, pried open Mel's eyelids and checked her condition through her iris, reassuring Melard that he could rest assured for now.
“I was going to say to pay attention to a healthy diet, but looking at your and your son’s physiques, it’s not an easy thing for you.”

"Take him back to rest," Tang Qi waved to Merad.

All his sarcastic remarks were directed at Mel personally.

As for Merard, he clearly has values ​​that are very different from his father's.

Whatever his reasons for stopping Mel from destroying the orchard, Don Qi had to admit that he was no longer the little white pig he was in Starplum Town.

But Melard doesn't seem to be satisfied with this:

"Wait, I have something to say—"

I understand now. Simply choosing your father or a publishing house isn't the best way for you to publish. What if you self-publish, leveraging our family's promotional channels to reach the entire Longjincheng area?

Tang Qi raised an eyebrow:

“I don’t have the money to self-publish.”

"I'll take responsibility."

Melard patted his chest.
"I don't know why my father made it a choice between you and me."

But at least from my perspective, isn't leveraging the publishing house's functions to create publication numbers and assist with printing, while utilizing our distribution channels for promotion, the best way to achieve a win-win situation?

"I did win, but what about you? How can you guarantee this will bring you enough profit?"

Tang Qi looked at him with some surprise, but asked in confusion,

Have you read my book?

"No."

"How can you be sure that this is a 'win-win' situation? If my book is completely worthless, wouldn't that be a 'lose-lose' situation?"

"Because in my experience, going against you will never lead to anything good, just like my father."

The little white pig pointed to Lord Mel lying on the ground.
"But every time I work with you, I gain something unexpected."

Merard did not explicitly state what he had achieved.

But at least he knew clearly that a roasted potato wrapped in a handkerchief had flashed before his eyes.

He still remembers the lingering warmth beneath that rough fabric.

That was his reason for standing in front of the fruit farmer and disobeying his father:

"I still love my father."

But I wanted to prove to him that I was right, to tell him that the family could prosper under my leadership...

I don't want him to lecture me on what I should and shouldn't do anymore.

I don't want to become a lord like him.

Tang Qi glanced at the unconscious Mel and understood what the little white pig was after.

But he still shook his head and said:

"Although your choice is commendable, you must at least prove your ability to me."

After all, this is a collaboration between me and you, bypassing your father—

I can't choose a riskier challenge just to fulfill your dream.

The only advantage of self-publishing is that the publisher only charges a fixed printing and publishing fee, and the subsequent sales revenue is unrelated to the publisher; all profits and losses are borne by the author.

If the "Guide" series of books becomes a bestseller, he will not only enhance his reputation but also earn more royalties.

Disadvantages...

It's just that Melard might not have that ability.

The little white pig looked around and quietly whispered in Tang Qi's ear:

“I can take some money from my father’s vault. If my father can throw money around, so can I.”

Moreover, I am the sole heir of the family, and even if I am unwilling, my every word and action represents my father's attitude.

With this influence, I'm confident I can do a good job of promoting it.

"So filial? Aren't you afraid he'll whip you?"

"I've talked about the good things, what about the bad things?"

"..."

Tang Qi opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word for a long time.

"Boss Limpy Pigeon, what are your thoughts?"

"Me? I just want to expand our business and let people know that [Harbor Pigeon] publishes more than just melodramatic novels... You should ask Miss Wendy."

Wendy didn't understand what they were saying at all:
"Me? I just wanted to read a book."

Therefore, there was no conflict of interest between them.

This plan gave Mellar a chance to prove himself, expanded Lame Pigeon's options, allowed Wendy to see the finished product of "The Guide" sooner, and gave Donch the opportunity to gain both fame and fortune...

The only loser seems to be Mel.

"Well, it doesn't sound too bad. After all, I have confidence in my guide."

The key to success or failure has never been sales channels or advertising methods.

It lies in the quality of the books themselves.

"Shall we draft a contract then?"

Having enjoyed the farce, the lame pigeon enthusiastically began to explain.
“I brought my lawyer with me this time. These kinds of things should be handled by professionals.”

Tang Qi, who was not good with numbers and regulations, looked at Catherine with pleading eyes.

"Then let me do it."

A sense of being needed welled up inside her, and Catherine unconsciously curled the corners of her lips as she accepted the task.

Tang Qi believed that Catherine could help him obtain the greatest benefit, so he stopped getting involved.

He then turned his attention to Wendy and her group.

He walked over to the rubble and asked:

"New teammates?"

The gravel grunted twice.

"Otherwise what? I'm in high demand."

"Why not steal the leg?"

"What the hell-"

Just as Sui Shi was about to slam his fist on the table in anger, the shirtless dwarf monk beside him suddenly burst into laughter:
"Ha, so you're the teammate he was talking about who loves telling jokes? I have to admit, you definitely beat me when it comes to jokes. You might not know this, but I've always wanted to be like you, able to make people laugh with just one sentence, but that's obviously a challenge. After all, it's really difficult for me to only say one sentence each time. But I must admit, your 'leg-stealing' is worth more than all the jokes I've told today. I have to spread this word so that when people ask me in the future, 'Rumi, why did you take so many risks in so many teams?' I'll tell them it's because 'Chatty Rumi steals legs!'"

"boom!"

The dwarf's nape appeared so fragile that he lay peacefully on the table.

Tang Qi then noticed another woman sleeping peacefully at the table—

She must be a woman, otherwise she wouldn't be able to sleep with her head resting on her chest.

"It seems that there are hardly any normal people in your new team."

"Hey, don't even think about stealing my new teammate."

Seeing Tang Qi and the dwarf joking around, Wendy inexplicably felt a strange sense of unease, as if she were the one being teased.
“I paid a hefty sum to hire Mr. Stonecrush.”

"Of course not. I reckon he'd go crazy if he teamed up with me again—otherwise, why would he be avoiding me?"

The gravel turned its head away:

"So you knew all along, you foul-mouthed jerk."

While joking, Tang Qi handed the manuscript of the "Guide" to the young lady:
"So you're planning to go to the dungeon next?"

"Of course, that's a dragon's treasure trove. I don't think anyone would be uninterested, right?"

Wendy took the manuscript and turned to the section that interested her the most.

Will you be going too?

"As you said, I am also very curious about the Dragon Treasury."

"So we'll be competitors from now on?"

"possible."

Shattered Stone raised his fist with great interest, looking as if he wanted to settle both old and new scores at once:
"You better pray you don't run into me, I won't hold back!"

"The reason you didn't say 'go easy on me' is because you couldn't kick me?"

"Screw you!"

The stone was about to kick Tang Qi in the waist and abdomen, but thanks to the [Alertness] buff, Tang Qi was able to retreat even faster.

"So this necromancer did this to piece together a body? The one I saw earlier? Why haven't I seen her today?"

"She has some things to attend to, I'll recall her on the eve of our departure for the dungeon. Is there a problem?"

"No, I'm just curious whether her legs really belong to that bitch..."

Wendy gritted her teeth.

"The thought of that bitch spreading rumors that I forced her makes me furious."

"Then she probably won't have another chance to spread rumors."

That's all Tang Qi could say.

"But in any case, I've finally seen the end of the story."

Wendy took a deep breath, slowly stood up, as if intending to leave.

"The published version will have illustrations, right? I'll buy a copy and use it as a 'beginner's adventure guide'."

Clearly, an illustrated guide will be more intuitive.

Merlin also sat down beside Tang Qi at the opportune moment and rubbed his hands together:
"So, the subsequent profit sharing..."

"If the sales figures are good this time, we can certainly continue our long-term cooperation."

"Give me a room, and I'll start creating right now!"

"Go ask Catherine later."

Tang Qi temporarily postponed all other matters, and only after seeing Wendy and her group off did he finally have a moment to catch his breath, handing the dimensional bag to Ambly:

"Ambi, prepare plenty of food later, preferably greasy food, then wake Iu up and tell him to find me in the 'Mushroom Cellar'."

"Brother Tang Qi, are you going to torture Yi Wu again?"

"What are you saying? What are you saying? I'm doing this so it can grow faster!"

Tang Qi scratched his nose and argued.

In fact, the team is already somewhat unbalanced due to the lack of Shatter, an important tank.

Dawn, positioned in the front row, is a glass cannon, while Kuru, though possessing some spellcasting ability, is ultimately a low-level mage.

As a support, although he can pretend to be the second damage dealer, he is still not comprehensive enough from the perspective of a three-person team.

"I can't just find a suitable and trustworthy teammate on short notice."

We can only hope that Iu will grow into an important fighting force as soon as possible, and explore the dungeons with great strength and speed.

After all, the Dragon Treasury is really tempting...

While pondering this, he had already used the light from the Ring of Glory, which was enough to dispel the darkness, to venture deep into the cellar beneath the tavern.

The cellar remained cold and damp.

Especially the bodies of the gang members who died last night, whose nutrients had not yet been fully digested by the mushrooms, were rotting and looked rather pitiful, making the underground place even more eerie.

The mushrooms seemed sad again, so much so that they hummed a low, mournful tune.

For various reasons, Tang Qi felt goosebumps all over his body, and his mood became somewhat heavy.

He sat alone in another corner, continuously charging the [Spore Replicator].

A short while later, Anbi hurriedly climbed down the cellar with her dimensional bag on her back and ran to Tang Qi's side:
"The smell here is so pungent."

Her nose was always sensitive, not to mention the cellar was filled with the strong, pungent smell of mint.

"The smell of mint, the smell of a corpse, the smell of Brother Tang Qi... Hmm, something's not right?"

Tang Qi helped her unload her package, and seeing her hesitation, he couldn't help but ask:

"what happened?"

"There's also an unfamiliar smell..."

Tang Qi frowned, then realized the truth:

"You mean other people have been in the cellar?"

"No, it's not."

Anbi's voice grew fainter and fainter, almost disappearing into the mushrooms' low humming.

The look in their eyes as they gazed at Tang Qi gradually turned fearful:

"He...he hasn't left yet..."

"What!?"

[Be alert] It can happen suddenly!
(End of this chapter)