Lovia placed the two drafts side by side on that wobbly, broken table, looking from one to the other.
The one titled "regarding the matter of the geo archon being a synthesized god who caused his wifes death" was bold, blunt, and had a strong impact, perfectly aligning with her original intention to "go big." However, the risks were also obvious; the title was like waving a hand at the Millelith: "Come look, I'm making up stories about Rex Lapis right here!"
The one titled "The Name of Morax Actually Hides Twin Deities and a Life-and-Death Contract!" had a core premise just as outrageous, but the title looked more professional, carrying a scholarly tone. The writing was also slightly more "serious," at least draped in the fig leaf of "research" and "drunken slips from an anonymous consultant."
"Hmm... how about I just give them both to the Shopkeeper and let him choose?" Lovia giggled, folded the drafts, and tucked them into her bosom.
"I hope the Shopkeeper doesn't faint on the spot." She patted the spot where the drafts were and took a deep breath.
Putting her hood back on to hide her distinct Melusine features, Lovia slipped out of her secluded shack like a wary cat. Moving through the shadows at the edge of the harbor like a nimble fish, she blended into the evening crowds of Liyue Harbor and walked quickly toward the bookstore.
The weather didn't seem as good as last time; the sea breeze brought in some damp mist, making the sky over Liyue Harbor look a bit gloomy.
Lovia's heart was just like the weather, fluttering with uncertainty. As she walked, she rehearsed what she would say.
"Shopkeeper, here's a new draft with some bold speculations... or perhaps, do you think readers would prefer this theme?"
Or maybe just be direct: "These two are even more explosive. Is there a bonus?"
She shook her head to clear out these messy thoughts.
Just improvise, improvise.
Anyway... this content is enough to make the Storyteller Storyteller cough up three pounds of tea!
Arriving at the bookstore entrance, she noticed it seemed even livelier than her last visit. She could vaguely hear several customers talking loudly inside, and the topic seemed to be... "record of shi pos wanderings"?
"...It's truly wonderful! Even knowing it's nonsense, seeing Rex Lapis suffer a setback... er, I mean, experience life, why is it so interesting!" a gruff voice said.
"It's not Rex Lapis! It's Lord Zhongli!"
"Right, right, right, it's Lord Zhongli."
"Eh, isn't it just? Hahaha, the writing is practically lifelike!" another voice chimed in.
Lovia's heart couldn't help but speed up, filled with both excitement and nervousness.
She lowered her hood and carefully squeezed into the bookstore. Then, while no one was looking, she pulled her oversized hood even lower and slapped the drafts onto the counter.
The Shopkeeper only felt a gust of wind. Before he could see who it was, he heard a sharp "thwack" as a stack of neatly folded papers was slapped onto the counter.
He looked up in shock, catching only a glimpse of a small figure and a flash of bright blue eyes from beneath the shadow of a hood.
After slapping down the drafts, the figure didn't linger for a second. They turned and dashed out at an incredible speed, almost using their hands and feet to blend into the crowd outside. The whole process took less than three seconds.
"Hey! Wait! The drafts..." the Shopkeeper called out instinctively, but the figure had already vanished.
He looked down at the papers on the counter. The familiar folding method, the familiar handwriting style... and the title on the cover read—"The Name of Morax Actually Hides Twin Deities and a Life-and-Death Contract!"
The Shopkeeper's hand trembled, making the abacus beads clatter. He nearly knocked over his teacup, his hands shaking even harder than the first time.
He flipped to the next one—
"regarding the matter of the geo archon being a synthesized god who caused his wifes death"?!
This... this title... what blasphemy! What audacity! stories
Has this "Lovia" gone mad?! The previous "leisurely wanderings of star glitter" was a bit out of line, but at most, it was harmless teasing. But this time... the Shopkeeper felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He could almost hear the heavy footsteps of the Millelith and the clinking of shackles in his ears.
He instinctively looked around, confirming that the "contributor" he had glimpsed had indeed vanished and hadn't attracted any special attention from the other customers. Only then, with trembling hands, did he quickly snatch up the two drafts like a thief and stuff them into the drawer under the counter, even guiltily locking it.
His heart was pounding wildly, nearly bursting through his chest.
The drawer was locked, but those two shocking titles were spiraling crazily in his mind, refusing to leave.
"The Name of Morax Actually Hides Twin Deities and a Life-and-Death Contract!" was slightly... slightly better. At least it looked like a scholarly topic. But the content? The content was probably just as rebellious!
And the other one—the title alone was enough to have him put on public display at Yujing Terrace for the crime of "blaspheming the gods"!
Fine beads of cold sweat broke out on the Shopkeeper's forehead. He forced himself to calm down and aimlessly fiddled with the abacus, trying to hide the turmoil in his heart. The customers in the shop were still enthusiastically discussing the funny stories in "leisurely wanderings of star glitter" about "Lord Zhongli" being cheated by unscrupulous merchants and getting lost because he forgot his money.
But the Shopkeeper felt as if he were in another world. His gaze drifted uncontrollably toward that locked drawer.
Curiosity was like a cat's claw, repeatedly scratching at his heart.
What on earth did that fellow "Lovia" write? twin deities? A Life-and-Death Contract? Causing his wife's death?!
And what the hell are synthesizing deities?!
Every single word here was stepping on the most sensitive nerves of Liyue's laws and the people's faith!
Finally, after seeing off a wave of customers and during a temporary lull in the shop, the Shopkeeper checked his surroundings like a thief to ensure no one was watching. He tremblingly pulled out his key and opened the drawer that seemed to house a prehistoric beast.
He took a deep breath, as if going to his execution, and first pulled out the draft with the relatively "milder" title: "The Name of Morax Actually Hides Twin Deities and a Life-and-Death Contract!"
Unfolding the paper, he began to read word by word.