Si Ming’s Taoist heart was already somewhat shaken, and now it was completely shattered.
Duan Qinglan chuckled softly, pointing at the two and said: "You guys, you only see setbacks but not opportunities. A single two-stick incense offering can kill someone wearing the City God Armor, and it has deep ties to our Tangkou. Isn’t this our chance?"
"Old Si, you’re always thinking about how to bring the Divine Stealer Hall closer to success, but have you ever considered that tightening our relationship with the Young Master might actually be the key to taking Tangkou a step further."
"Madam is absolutely correct."
Si Ming instantaneously recovered from his frustration of "comparing oneself to others only brings misery."
"I’ll personally oversee the print shop to ensure the news the Young Master wants published gets on the paper."
"Hold it." Duan Qinglan stopped Si Ming, saying: "Old Si, the Young Master’s intention to feature news, I’m guessing: First, he wants to push Zhang Yifeng to rise to the Holding Armor Incense position, otherwise, he wouldn’t highlight Zhang Yifeng’s killing of Lu Yusheng,
Second, he wants to tarnish the kidnapper’s reputation,
Third, he aims to pressure the City God, using public opinion to make the City God afraid of investigating Lu Yusheng’s death too deeply."
Si Ming felt Duan Qinglan’s analysis made sense. In the household, it was ultimately the Madam calling the shots.
Duan Qinglan continued: "So, we have to act accordingly. When we print the Young Master’s headline news, let’s pair it with the most righteous-looking photo of Zhang Yifeng to instill in the minds of the common people an image of unwavering justice for Zhang Yifeng, gaining him more popular support.
The Bone Elder Association, regardless of what shady actions they take behind the scenes, still publicly places great value on popular support. With the people’s backing, it’s much easier to rise to the Holding Armor Incense position.
Then, on the second and third pages of the paper, publish plenty of dirt on the kidnappers’ daily misconduct. On the fourth and fifth pages, print the tragic and heart-wrenching stories of children stolen away by kidnappers, arousing deeper hatred among the people towards them.
As for the front page, feature positive stories of the City God’s demon exorcism and Tao protection feats—the more glorious, the better."
The first two points made sense to Si Ming, but the third point left him puzzled.
Why promote the City God’s positive image?
This Tangkou has partnered with kidnappers countless times for dirty dealings.
Wouldn’t it make sense to smear them, instead of boosting their prestige?
"To pressure the City God, first, you must elevate their image, raise them to a height where the coldness of fame freezes them, making them reluctant to publicly refute Lu Yusheng’s death!
Didn’t you hear the Young Master describe Lu Yusheng as a traitor to the City God? By elevating the City God’s image, it indirectly reinforces the traitor narrative."
"Besides, put the City God aside first to strike at the kidnappers. You must deal with enemies one by one, step by step, to avoid fighting battles on multiple fronts."
"I don’t know about other aspects of the Young Master, but in crafting news strategies, his choice of words is incredibly meticulous, indicating he had thought everything through even before making the call."
With Duan Qinglan’s explanation, Si Ming finally understood the news-related cleverness of Zhou Xuan.
"Not only are his methods remarkable, but his ability to steer public opinion is equally astonishing. Our Tangkou is truly blessed to have chanced upon a master."
Si Ming hummed a little tune while changing into formal attire and happily went out with Housekeeper Bai.
Zhou Xuan lay on the bed, his eyes tightly shut, preparing to "settle accounts" with the Blood Well and Divine Revelation.
"Tonight, the sacrifices were plentiful. You two better clear the account first."
"Well spirit, don’t rush to tell me the divination’s results. First, tell me—what’s the value of these sacrifices?"
Zhou Xuan couldn’t shake off the nagging suspicion that last time, Monk Zhu Jiu might have skimmed something off the top during his transaction with the well spirit. This time, even between brothers, the accounts had to be precise.
Inside the Blood Well Secret Realm, snow began to fall.
The snow landed on the ground and traced three characters—six, six, Xuan.
"The first two ’six’ characters represent two six-stick incense sacrifices."
Zhou Xuan started calculating: three five-stick incense Great Coroners, three "sitting four aspiring five" Little Coroners, one five-stick incense Lu Yusheng, plus six Magic Artifacts and one set of City God Armor—only exchanged for one six-stick incense sacrifice?
"Well spirit, you swindler!"
The Secret Realm’s snowfall intensified, eclipsing even the snowfall from the wrongful execution of Dou E, snow falling as if expressing overwhelming grievances.
"Oh, I get it now. Those Magic Artifacts and City God Armor correspond to the final ’Xuan’ character, right?"
Suddenly, the snow turned radiant, fluttering joyfully amidst shimmering sunlight.
Zhou Xuan excluded the Magic Artifacts and City God Armor from the exchange and recalculated—four five-stick incense offers, plus three ’sitting four aspiring five’ incense clusters, exchanged for one six-stick incense sacrifice. This "exchange rate" seemed reasonable.
"Well spirit, you truly are a math genius."
After concluding the account, Zhou Xuan proceeded to ask the two questions he most wanted answered.
The first—At how many incense sticks will the Ancient Tattoo Clan try to kill me?
The second—Who is the Hundred Bone Song?
This time, the Blood Well dropped snow first, forming two characters—two, six.
"Answering these two questions will require consuming a six-stick incense sacrifice? Well spirit, you are truly the fairest of them all. Let’s proceed with the divination."
Zhou Xuan stood upright, waiting for the Blood Well’s divination results...
ps: Dear brothers, two updates totaling ten thousand words—muah muah da.