Only now realizing that behind the Qingying Gazette stood a Fogfolk, Ma Shuo and Yin Bo’s hearts turned from alarm to joy.

“Are you planning to merge with us, fellow countryman? ” Ma Shuo smiled slyly at Yang Zicang.

“Merge? Oh… you mean the blackboard newspaper? Of course not. “

“Uh… no? Then what are you here for? ” The two became alert.

Yang Zicang carefully observed their faces and ears. If not for the distributor Duli saying these two were his guests, even he might have been deceived at first glance. No wonder Musing Night hadn’t spotted any suspicious figures.

He let out a light hum, tapping his fingers on the book page.

“Your distributor summoned me here. I thought we could discuss a few things in this place. “

“？！“

Ma Shuo immediately jumped up.

Yin Bo, who had just returned to the kitchen and flipped a couple of scoops of vegetables, rushed out frantically, waving an oil-dripping iron spatula: “You lunatic, what the hell are you talking about? “

-｛Distributor Month One·Xiaotao gave me a Neutral Review.｝

-｛Distributor Xiaotao expressed “Impatience. “｝

On the other side, Ma Shuo stood frozen as if struck by earth-shattering news. After several full seconds, he suddenly looked up at the fellow countryman he had trusted.

“To think… you can transmit this much information… ” Ma Shuo’s face twitched as he stared at the ring on his finger.

“Moon Realm’s third-layer distributor, Mr. Duli, says that if you agree to become his long-term contracted client, according to the rules of the ‘Yuehua Distribution Alliance,’ you can receive a… Moon Realm… artifact… from the next… distributor’s shop that he sends to you… “

Ma Shuo practically gnashed his teeth as he uttered the word “artifact. “

He had no idea this ring could relay messages from a distributor!

And the first time it did so, it was for this brat in front of him? An artifact? Why had he never so much as heard of the word before?

Yang Zicang asked, “Did he say anything else? “

“That’s it! “

Yang Zicang furrowed his brows. This was the downside of not knowing where the shop was located.

Sure, the distributor was eager to sign a supply contract with him, showing high recognition and a desperate need to cooperate. But this eagerness stemmed solely from the fact that he controlled the Fei Lu Inn, which had a “divine disposition. “

For now, let’s set aside the possibility of failure in controlling the inn… Once the contract is signed, at least there’s a chance he might obtain this artifact.

Take, for instance, Diane’s necklace sold at a rock-bottom price…

Truly sorry, Mr. Diane.

Thinking this, Yangzi Zang quietly apologized to Diane in his heart. It was only in the past two days that he learned it was costing the distributors themselves to procure these supplies.

So far, Diane hadn’t earned a single Radiant Glory-related profit, the inn— in fact, he had sunk a considerable amount of resources into it instead.

Seems these distributors placed a huge stake on the Fei Lu Inn.

The two men stared at him in silence when a burning smell of food filled the air. Yin Bo raced back to give the stew a few quick stirs with his spatula.

Yang Zicang withdrew the fingers resting on the dictionary’s cover. Ma Shuo glanced at the words “A Dictionary of Mutao and Major Mistfolk Languages ” and twitched the corners of his eyes. This guy is new around here!

Yang Zicang looked up again and asked, “The treasure’s effects come with a discount. How do we deal with this? “

Ma Shuo was completely stunned: “What do you mean? “

“Uh… well, it’s like this, how should I put it. “

Yang Zicang rubbed his hands together.

“He claimed it’s a treasure that can produce over two hundred wisps of moonlight every day, but in reality, it only works in the true Old World. How do we handle this? “

“There’s something like that? ” Ma Shuo’s body trembled from sheer anger.

Why hadn’t the distributor told him this?

After silently cursing to himself, Yang Zicang frowned and thought further. Even if this treasure was gifted to him, the triple-layered distributor was obviously someone dishonest. At the very least, he exaggerated the claims, and so… this was also a potential risk.

If there were hidden benefits to signing the contract…

Tata Mingqi, his skill in crafting jewelry, was also exceptionally good.

Seeing this sudden stranger sit there, smiling faintly one moment and frowning the next, Ma Shuo’s fury flared uncontrollably.

“Fellow townsman, I’ve passed along the message. You don’t plan on staying here for lunch, do you? “

Yang Zicang looked up with an “Uh ” and asked, “Can’t you contact the distributor to communicate again? “

“Do you think you’re the one who employs the distributor?! Just communicate whenever you want! ” Ma Shuo slammed his hands on the table, spittle flying everywhere.

“That’s true enough. ” Yang Zicang tapped lightly on the table with his fingers.

“Ha! One meal is no big deal, ” Ma Shuo said with a sinister grin.

“The main thing is, we’re each handling our own respective shipments of Brilliance. If someone from outside sees us together, they’ll think we’re merging. That would be bad, very bad. “

“Alright, alright, I’ll be going now. Oh, your food is burning. Goodbye. “

The sizzling sound of wild game meat fat mixed with the aroma of wild vegetables wafted over.

As soon as Yang Zicang left, Ma Shuo sat down in a huff, snatched the brush from the paper, and hurled it onto the desk.

His own distributor had to rely on bribing a newcomer with treasures—someone still learning the Mutao language, no less!

And throughhim, his competitor!

This was contempt! Humiliation!

The raging fire in Ma Shuo’s heart grew hotter as he thought to himself,I must absolutely complete this Brilliance to regain some face.

……

For two consecutive days, the “Dancing Fire Gazette’s ” low-priced lunches earned high praise from the trapped residents of Baoyu Village.

Those few who had once been beaten made a complete turnaround and became advocates of art. They proposed that even in difficult and harsh circumstances, one should maintain optimism~

Seeing that the “Dancing Fire Gazette ” people had whitewashed therealreason for their dancing that night, many felt indignant and scornful. But they dared not say much, because as soon as those words appeared, they would inevitably incur the condemnation of all those clamoring for the cheap lunches.

Haven’t you noticed that the “Qingying Gazette ” has been keeping quiet for the past two days?

……

“Are we really just going to pretend we don’t see through their little tricks? “

At the evening meeting on the 21st, the room of the Qingying Commune had grown empty of yet a few more middle-aged and elderly faces, leaving people feeling dispirited.

They had already asked around and learned their fill. Besides the first day, when those twenty lunches were actually paid for by someone, in the days since, Uncle from the Warehouse Inn had clearly been giving away five free lunches every day, yet the discounted total refused to increase.

But that didn’t stop theDancing Fire Gazettefrom already eclipsing theQingying Gazettein popularity.

“We need to do something too. It’s infuriating seeing those creeps using a newspaper to whitewash themselves. “

“Yeah, these people make me sick! “

“But they really are doing good deeds though, ” Milena said, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the room.

“Only twenty portions for—wait for it—thousands of people? “

“Hah, well! ” laughed the injured journalist by the table. “Mr. Youragita once said: even if a man’s very nature is bad, if he’s doing good today, there’s something there. Sure, he’s still all arrogance and pride, thick as gristle—but the fact is, ain’t that still doing something good? “

Yang Zicang brought over the stewed fish soup. “Let’s have dinner first. That big fish today was caught by Tata. “

“Isn’t that kid a vegetarian? “

“Yeah, he is. Does it say that means he doesn’t kill? Not a word. “

“That’s enough about the damn fish! ” Everyone crowded over to the table. After a few filled Yang Zicang in on the business with theDancing Fire Gazette, several of the younger ones turned to him.

“Professor Wumin, ” came a voice, “what brilliant idea do you have up your sleeve? “

The journalist, Jean Conwayard, looked at him too.

Yang Zicang had already known about this matter. He pretended to think for a moment, then said, “How about we distribute fish soup to everyone for free? “

“Distribute fish soup? “

The others hesitated. “That would take a lot of netted fish. ” Finally, their gazes converged on Jin Kingston in the red robe, who was washing his hands in his leather glove and about to grab utensils for the meal.

Yang Zicang, also curious, followed the eyes to look at this follower of the Fire Belief.

Feeling their stares, Jin Kingston turned his head and chuckled. “What are you looking at me for? There are so many fish in the sea, so many people here—if we catch just a few, it’ll be fine. “

“Ah, then we need to prepare more bowls, don’t we, classmate Yang. “

These people relaxed, casually seeking Yang Zicang’s opinions. Everyone had unconsciously begun treating him as the one to make decisions for them.

“That’s right, ” Yang Zicang nodded. “It’s best to borrow from around the Warehouse Inn. There are plenty of stone houses there. Wealthier people used to live in them. “

“Got it. ” Several people set off with confidence.

“I’ll go too. ” Jean Conrad followed them out the door.

……

These people, borrowing bowls in the dark, quickly aroused Ma Shuo’s suspicion with their sharp movements.

After they left, he made some inquiries, then returned to his room in great excitement.

“Yin Bo! ” Ma Shuo shouted loudly. “Come quick, I’ve got good news! This is our best chance to take down theQingying Gazette. “

Yin Bo rushed out. “What are you on about? “

Ma Shuo cheerfully tossed his coat onto the chair. “Hmph, they’re going to distribute fish soup to these refugees tomorrow at noon. Look, isn’t this a golden opportunity? Quick, let’s scrape off one of those jokes and write this news up there. “

Yin Bo hesitated and said, “You want to write it now? Shouldn’t we confirm if it’s true first? “

“Your words make sense. “

He had originally thought that newspaper was just something the locals had whipped up for fun. He never expected there was a fellow countryman behind it. Now the nature of things had completely changed.

Yin Bo changed into a long coat and went out. Since he needed to go near the old lighthouse again, he even deliberately made small alterations to his gait—using his waist and hips to drive the movement instead of his thighs. This made his legs seem slightly longer. Though it looked a bit effeminate, by pairing it with a slightly hunched back and a round-brimmed hat, a passable image of an unfortunate yet pretentious middle-class man from the city emerged.

After observing from a distance for a while, the group that had taken over the old archive room was indeed feeling around in the dark to cast nets and catch fish. Yin Bo felt relieved. Then he heard a few kids whispering about drinking fish soup together tomorrow, and his heart was put even more at ease.