All the talking authors let out a cheer.
"Same old rule, the first one on stage gets a full set of my autographed paw print collection, and if you become the super dancer of this dance battle, you’ll also get a set of my photo collection."
Black Cat struck a pose he considered sexy, which caused a burst of laughter.
Though not really sexy, it was still quite cute, especially since it was a black cat with indeed pink paws that looked quite tempting.
"Senior, if you can dance, why not give it a try?"
The novelist whispered.
"Forget it, I’m not interested in the prizes."
Liu Zheng was tempted for a moment, then shook his head.
If God of Fool was just an ordinary black cat, he might have been a bit interested.
But a cat that could talk and write books, collecting its photos felt a bit perverse.
"The prizes are just giveaways, the dance battle itself is the reward."
"Is that so? Are there any risks?"
Liu Zheng cautiously asked.
"For you right now, there shouldn’t be any."
The novelist said, glancing at the Legendary Armor he wore.
"If anything, it might just be a bit embarrassing."
She covered her mouth and giggled.
"Tsk, just embarrassment, no big deal."
Liu Zheng said carelessly.
He raised his hand high and shouted loudly.
With the boost of his high constitution, his voice was also quite loud, echoing throughout the arena.
Since he had decided to participate, he might as well be the first one and grab some extra prizes.
"Good, Deliveryman Mister, as the winner of the last round, is full of confidence."
Black Cat was also very pleased to see this.
Although the dance battle was also a benefit of the Authors Association, the pain involved wasn’t something every author was willing to endure.
Moreover, most authors are more introverted and reserved, making it difficult for them to step forward to take the lead.
Thus, it wasn’t uncommon for the dance battle to experience awkward silences.
Although Black Cat could also specify participants through random draws, it was always a bit awkward.
Liu Zheng offering to be the first also solved that problem for him.
"Please, Deliveryman Mister, come up on stage."
He said enthusiastically.
Liu Zheng didn’t hesitate and walked toward the center stage.
As he reached the bottom of the stage, a stone pillar rose automatically from under his feet, lifting him to the same height as the stage.
"The first defender has appeared, so who wants to be the first challenger?"
Once Liu Zheng jumped onto the stage and stood firm, Black Cat immediately shouted out loud.
Unexpectedly to Black Cat, someone responded as soon as he finished speaking.
Liu Zheng looked in the direction of the voice and then frowned.
Because the person challenging him was Fei Shibu.
"Very well, please Miss Fei Shibu come up to the stage."
Black Cat said excitedly.
Gathering the first dance battle pair so quickly made him very happy.
Normally this part would take at least ten or fifteen minutes.
Although there was a bit of tension between these two, the more intense the dance battle, the better the effect and the more exciting the scene.
After all, with him watching, nothing serious could happen.
Fei Shibu quickly got onto the stage, her blood-red eyes staring intently at Liu Zheng.
"I’ll give you a chance, leave that woman and be my man. Whatever she can give you, I can give you. What she can’t, I can also provide."
Fei Shibu’s tone was still assertive, but her eyes now carried a hint of seductiveness.
She wasn’t just talking big; her background was as deep as that of the novelist, and her family was equally prominent.
Liu Zheng refused without hesitation.
"How so? Are you still pursuing some kind of faithful devotion?"
Fei Shibu snorted coldly.
"If I said yes, would you believe me?"
Fei Shibu said bluntly.
Someone who could embody the Five Virtues was already an oddity, having a peculiar perspective on love was quite normal.
"If that’s the case, then I have even more reason to get you."
It was not because she found Liu Zheng particularly charming but because it served to embarrass novelists even more.
"Uh, that’s not the reason. My reason for rejecting you is quite simple, but I fear you might not dare to hear it."
He shook his head and said.
"Nonsense, there’s nothing I’m afraid to hear, I just worry you’re afraid to say it."
Fei Shibu proudly said.
"Alright then, remember you asked for this."
Liu Zheng looked at her with pitying eyes, then turned to Black Cat.
"God of Fool, may I borrow your microphone for a moment?"
Black Cat cheerfully handed him the microphone.
It clearly saw that Liu Zheng was up to something, and so did the other authors, but none intended to stop him.
Naturally, authors are a group that thrives on seeing excitement, not shying away from commotion.
The authors from Metropolis were no exception; in fact, they were even more so.
"Hey everyone, can you hear me?"
Liu Zheng tapped the microphone a few times and then spoke like a third-rate wedding host.
Some of the authors responded.
"Good. So this lady, uh..."
Liu Zheng paused as if he had forgotten what the woman in front of him was called.
"This is Miss Fei Shibu."
Black Cat helpfully reminded.
"Alright. Miss Fei Shibu, now I’m going to answer your question in front of everyone."
"The reason I reject you is quite simple, and that’s because—"
Liu Zheng drew out his words.
He said with a broadcaster’s cadence, even adding his own echo.
"I’ve said what I needed to say, thank you everyone."
Liu Zheng bowed and then handed the microphone back to Black Cat.
The arena fell into a second of eerie silence, and then...
Thunderous laughter erupted, turning the ball into a sea of joy.
Then, a piercing scream cut through all the laughter.
"You’ll pay for this!"
Fei Shibu’s face contorted with rage, her already injured eyeball splitting open due to the strain.
Two ghost claws emerged from the torn pupil, and eyes identical to the original ones sprouted on the back of each claw.
Facing such humiliation in front of everyone, she was determined to destroy this human on the spot!
However, Black Cat stood between them.
"Fool, are you really going to side with a stranger against me?" Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel·fiɾe·net
Fei Shibu snapped harshly.
The ghost claws gestured menacingly in mid-air but eventually did not advance further.
"I’m just maintaining order at the ball. Besides, since the delivery guy won the contest, he is no longer an outsider."
"Since you initiated provocation, you should expect retaliation."
"I know you used to throwing your weight around outside, not even the Security Bureau is spared."
"But this is the Writers’ Association, and you need to follow the rules here."
Black Cat’s pupils shifted into dangerous slits, like a lion ready to pounce.
"In recent years, the president has been less visible, the vice-presidents facing a drought of inspiration and fraught with ailing latter years, they haven’t interfered much."
"Some think they can stir trouble, bringing external practices into the association."
"Although I haven’t yet become a vice-president, I believe I have what it takes to manage this association."
"If you challenge the association’s rules again, I’ll turn you into a cover right now and personally deliver you to the Fujiwara Family’s official residence!"
"Members present, who is in favor and who is against?"
Black Cat’s gaze fixed on Fei Shibu, while sweeping the entire arena with peripheral vision.
No one opposed, including the Platinum Authors present; it was utterly silent.
Indeed, many authors even displayed approving smiles.
Indeed, the Writers’ Association had been a bit unsavory recently, it was time for a cleanup.
Liu Zheng stood to the side with a bizarre expression on his face.
It seems he had become the unwitting pawn in a scheme.