Chapter 18 - The Novelist School (2).

“Then why bother establishing officials like you? Wouldn't it be better to just abolish the position?” Hearing the other party's words, Xu Xuan said, somewhat puzzled.

“You know, whether the monarch reads it is one thing, and whether our position exists is another,” Liu Xian said. “And it's not that the monarch will definitely not read the content we submit. It's just that, only stories captivating enough will have a chance to be read by the monarch, hahaha.”

“Ultimately, it's just to grab the monarch's attention?”

“That's right, it's to grab attention. Not just the monarch's, but we also compile particularly interesting stories and publish them throughout the land, to capture the attention of everyone.”

“I think I understand, but as the person involved in the story you just mentioned, I'm not very happy about it,” Xu Xuan couldn't help but say, hearing the other party's words.

“Don't say that! If a story based on you truly becomes popular, your name might be passed down through the ages in another form.”

“But the person in that story isn't me at all.”

“Don't you think that after our embellishment, the whole affair becomes more appealing? Afterward, if you agree, I will consider publishing this story, and after revision, I'll even add a wonderful spiritual core to it.”

“Fakes are fakes in the end!! What's the point?”

“Who says fakes are always fakes?” Hearing Xu Xuan's words, Liu Xian suddenly uttered something that sent a chill down Xu Xuan's spine: “You must have seen many portraits of ancient sages, largely similar. But did they really look like that? There's no clear historical verification, no tombs or records from that time, and in some eras, not even writing existed. Yet, haven't all of you believed them? Those ancient myths and legends, and you portray your ancestors based on the prototypes from those circulating stories.”

“Uh, so those are just legends.”

“All the great schools of thought in the world are using these legends to educate the populace. For example, are the legends related to Yu the Great, whom the Mohist School worships, true? Were Yao and Shun in ancient times really that great? Compared to meticulously excavating ancient tombs, searching for turtle shells, and translating their inscriptions, don't you think reading a legendary story is simpler?”

“So what? The truth of history will eventually be unearthed. In this regard, I still agree more with the Historian School.”

“Those from the Historian School are great, a thousand times greater than us who write unofficial histories. We would never deny that,” Liu Xian said. “But what they know is ultimately limited to them and a small number of people who have the ability and interest to study history. Those prominent figures of their time will ultimately be forgotten by most future generations.”

“So?”

“So this is where we Novelists come in. Even if historical records are broken, as long as the stories we compile are spread, whether good or bad, at least the people of the world will know that such a person once appeared on the land of Huaxia. That such a name once existed.” Liu Xian grew excited as he spoke: “Just like Nüwa and Fuxi in ancient times, when there wasn't even writing, but the people of the world still knew there were these two great deities in antiquity, right?”

“Uh… in some sense, it seems there's nothing wrong with that.” Hearing this, although Xu Xuan felt something was off, he couldn't pinpoint the problem. After all, he came from a parallel world's future, and his understanding of historical figures was mostly through historical novels, TV dramas, and other entertainment programs. Without these, he wouldn't have known many historical figures himself…

At least in the past, his interest was indeed cultivated by these fan-created works, and only then did he go on to learn about those historical figures.

“I probably understand the role of your Novelist School. To allow ordinary people, who have no connection to history, to know that these figures once existed in the past, is in a sense a remarkable thing. After all, not everyone will meticulously study history.”

“Hmm? You actually understand?” Hearing Xu Xuan's words, Liu Xian was the first to be surprised: “You know, our school of thought has been completely refuted by the Hundred Schools! I never thought someone could truly understand us! Are you interested in joining our Novelist School?”

“Joining the Novelist School, I'll pass,” Xu Xuan's tone softened after hearing the other party's words: “Ultimately, having some entertaining stories to spice up life isn't a bad thing. But I wouldn't want to be in your unofficial historical novels; it would be more interesting to be in official history.”

“You truly are an interesting person. But for those who make it into official history, who doesn't also have one or two unofficial histories written about them?” Liu Xian said with a smile: “Please don't be so malicious towards us; we just hope that future generations will be willing to remember your name as much as possible.”

After speaking, Liu Xian pointed to Xiaozhuang, who had been silent all this time.

“Pure bullshit.” Just then, Xiaozhuang, who had been silent, finally spoke: “Don't listen to his nonsense, acting all noble. Ultimately, they're just a bunch of pleasure-seekers. As for adding a noble and grand purpose and core to their actions, that's just a basic skill of the Novelist School. They can summarize a principle for anything; if you believe them, you're a fool.”

“Hey, hey, hey?” Hearing Xiaozhuang's words, Xu Xuan couldn't help but be surprised.

“Otherwise, if what they do is truly to let future generations learn more about famous historical figures, then what about the large number of random, non-existent things and people they've written about? To make future common folk remember a bunch of things that don't even exist?”

“Oh, oh, that's truly just pure interest. After all, isn't writing stories ultimately about finding fun and passing the time? Hehehe.” Liu Xian then let out an embarrassed laugh: “I didn't expect to be found out. As expected, this kind of talk can't fool Miss Xiaozhuang.”

“Damn it!! I want to kill this guy again now.” Hearing the other party's words, Xu Xuan once again felt the urge to draw his sword. If Xiaozhuang hadn't directly exposed him, he really would have believed the other party's rhetoric: “Ultimately, why are you interested in me? I don't think I'm anyone particularly amazing.”

“Being able to endure that old woman Mo Li and travel with her for so long, in my opinion, you're already quite formidable.” At this moment, Xiaozhuang, who was beside them, suddenly spoke: “It must have been tough on the road, right? After all, Mo Li is a woman who never rests or enjoys herself.”

“Uh? You seem to have some animosity towards Mo Li?” Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

“It's not exactly animosity,” Xiaozhuang suddenly sighed, hearing the other party's words: “But if we met, we'd probably just end up arguing…”

“…” Just then, the food and wine were successively served.

“Oh, oh? Is there some untold tale of love and hate between you and Master Mo Li? Please, you must tell me?” Hearing the other party's words, Liu Xian suddenly asked.

“Scram! Remember, kid, if you see anyone from the Novelist School in the future, just beat them away. Now you know why they're so annoying, right?” After scolding Liu Xian, the girl took a large, uninhibited gulp of wine, and then said: “I just think Mo Li's Dao is a pity. She's such a hero, yet she's embarked on a path against the world.”

“A path against the world?”

“That's right! The Mohist School's Dao is nothing short of a path against the world: suppressing desires, exhausting the populace, and abolishing hierarchy. She can be a saint, but she also demands that everyone in the world be a saint with her. Her Dao ultimately cannot last. But to strive her entire life for the lowest common people… this person… this person is truly infuriating!! Why is she the only great saint in the world? Why must everyone be like her? At least leave a way out for us ordinary lazy people. But in the end, Mo Li truly is a genuine hero of this era.”

“Uh… I'm a bit confused whether you like her or hate her,” Xu Xuan asked, somewhat puzzled by Xiaozhuang's words, which contained both criticism and praise.

“What's there to say? Everyone in the world knows she's a good person, the most benevolent and selfless person in the world. But her path won't last; it will ultimately be destroyed by the times. Some things, even if good, she takes too far.” Xiaozhuang said, her gaze once again turning to the Novelist beside them: “As for this guy, just beat him up. False things can never find the true Dao, because their starting point is fake.”

“What if it's fake? If enough people believe it, it becomes real. You should know this better than I, shouldn't you?” Hearing Xiaozhuang's words, the Novelist beside them suddenly spoke: “Kunpeng, a being even larger than a nation, I truly wish I could see it with my own eyes.”

“Instead of telling me, why don't you personally go out to sea and experience it? Maybe you'll find it out there.”

“Spare me, I don't have that courage,” Liu Xian said.

“You yearn for it, yet you don't act, ultimately only entrusting it to words. How uninteresting. People like you are destined to never be truly free.” Looking at Liu Xian, Xiaozhuang gave her assessment while drinking: “Forget it, I can't be bothered to argue with you. Anyway, I'm leaving Eastern Chu soon. And the world already has enough opinions about me; one more won't make a difference. It doesn't matter. Kid, ask your questions quickly, and then send this guy away. If you don't want them to fabricate stories about you, mention less about yourself.”

“That's right, then it's time to answer some of my questions. What exactly is the Chitu God?”

“Oh, oh! So you're also interested in the Chitu God!! Since you're interested, you can take a look at this.” Liu Xian then pulled a silk book from his embrace: “You can have this Chitu God Dream Record to read.”

“Chitu God Dream Record?” Hearing Liu Xian's words, Xu Xuan was first stunned, then took the silk book from the other party's hand: “Is this a record about the Chitu God?”

“It's a novel I wrote.”

“Pfft!” Xu Xuan, who had just taken a sip of wine, immediately spat it out after hearing the other party's words: “What's the use of this thing?”

“Of course it's useful! After all, the Chitu God was originally created by me through this novel.”