Chapter 124: The World of Martial Arts Is Not Just About Killing

The editors, filled with curiosity, one after another clicked on the file link Wang Ke had sent them.

Though skeptical about a master writing wuxia, it was still a new work from a heavyweight author, and everyone was very intrigued. Besides, Wang Ke had already shared it in the group chat, and he seemed quite excited as he left downstairs.

It was strange.

Could it be the case of joy turning to sorrow?

Each editor soon found a seat and began reading.

The office fell into silence, with only occasional voices and the soft tapping of footsteps echoing down the empty corridors.

Those were people from other editorial departments leaving for the day.

One by one, the lights in the Baidu Reading office building dimmed until only one place remained brightly lit—the Fantasy Editorial Department.

The editors were engrossed in their reading, none speaking a word or mentioning leaving.

Time quietly slipped away.

The lights in Baidu Reading’s literary building gradually went out one by one.

At that moment, near the junction between the fantasy editorial area and the hallway, a shadow began to materialize.

It was a middle-aged man, slightly overweight, with a Mediterranean flair to his hair, dressed in a work suit. He observed the fantasy editors seated in their chairs, each absorbed in their phones.

He stepped lightly behind one editor and glanced at the screen.

Editors typically read manuscripts at lightning speed; otherwise, it would be impossible to review hundreds or even thousands of submissions in a single day.

But this time, like Wang Ke, they were reading very slowly.

Reading a dull book was torture to an editor; time would drag like a snail. But when reading an exceptional, high-quality manuscript, time seemed to accelerate, leaving them wanting more.

Everyone completely forgot that it was already past working hours.

Clocking out on time was the easiest and most eagerly awaited thing for every wage earner.

Yet this time, they seemed to have forgotten about leaving.

Leaving work? What’s that? Is it even important?

Not at all.

Everyone was utterly captivated by The Condor Heroes, earnestly and meticulously reading every word.

The fantasy editors were wholly absorbed in this book, an unprecedented silence enveloping the office, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Under the incandescent lighting, several figures not belonging to the fantasy department passed by unnoticed.

This book seemed to possess a magical power, firmly holding everyone’s attention.

After a while, one editor suddenly raised his head, a bit frustrated, glancing around: “Is that it?”

This editor was among the fastest readers in the group and had just finished the latest chapter of The Condor Heroes. When he clicked to the next page, he found there was no more—it was the final chapter.

That’s all?

Is that the speed of a top-tier author?

Wasn’t he supposed to be a human typing machine? This little bit of writing is barely enough to fill a gap between teeth.

Completely insufficient.

The editor was quite annoyed—too short.

But just because this editor finished reading didn’t mean others had. Everyone else was still deeply engrossed, but upon hearing his disgruntled complaint, they looked up at him with displeasure.

The middle-aged man with the Mediterranean hairstyle was especially annoyed: “Shut up. If you keep talking, I won’t let you off.”

The editor was stunned, then looked at the man who threatened him: “Wait, you’re not from our department. Where are you from?”

His words immediately alerted the other editors still absorbed in the book.

An outsider had entered the company?

This was serious—if anything went missing, who would be responsible?

Unfazed, the man tidied his Mediterranean-styled hair and said, “Don’t worry, don’t misunderstand. I’m Zhang Liang from the neighboring Wuxia Editorial Department.”

The editors only caught two words—Wuxia Editorial Department.

Wuxia editors? What were they doing here?

Everyone became wary.

There was competition between departments at Baidu Reading. The Fantasy and Wuxia editorial departments were separate entities—rivals, in fact.

Though not outright enemies, their relationship was far from friendly.

Zhang Liang knew he wasn’t welcome. He smiled awkwardly, “I just saw your lights still on when I was leaving, so I came over to take a look. Just looking.”

He then started to walk away. “You all carry on.”

This was no place to linger.

However…

He’d hit the jackpot. This book was definitely a potential bestseller.

Still, he found it strange that the fantasy editors were all reading a wuxia novel. Had the Wuxia Editorial Department fallen behind?

That was impossible.

“Could it be that a fantasy author was preparing to switch to writing wuxia, and this was that author’s new manuscript?”

Since the master shifted from fantasy to xianxia with the hit novel Jade Dynasty, many authors had begun to contemplate crossing genres, all eager to become the next big name.

They all believed they could be the next big name.

Perhaps this author was one of them. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain why a wuxia manuscript ended up in the hands of the fantasy editors.

“I’ll have the chief editor get involved,” Zhang Liang resolved. He couldn’t handle this himself.

He left…

Fantasy Editorial Department.

The editors exchanged glances.

“Did he say his name was Zhang Liang?”

“From the Wuxia Editorial Department.”

“This is bad. Something big is about to happen.”

Everyone recalled a recent incident at Baidu Reading’s editing departments.

To compete for a top author, the xianxia chief editor had nearly come to blows with the fantasy chief editor in a true showdown of manhood.

Could this be about to happen again?

“If the sky falls, there’s always a taller one to hold it up. We have our chief editor.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

A wuxia novel that reads like a guaranteed bestseller, appearing in the fantasy department—it was obvious the two chief editors would soon engage in a war of words.

But no one doubted their own chief editor would lose; with past experience, it was impossible.

“We absolutely cannot let the Wuxia Editorial Department snatch this book.”

“The master truly is a master. His understanding of wuxia surpasses everyone else’s.”

Wuxia novels were extremely popular in today’s online literature world. Many men harbored a romantic yearning for the sword-wielding, wandering life of the martial world.

Currently, wuxia’s popularity ranked in Baidu Reading’s top three genres, even threatening to surpass the second place.

The fantasy editors had read many wuxia novels and understood the market well.

The master’s new work, The Condor Heroes, was refreshingly original. Even in today’s wuxia market, it was a novel with an innovative approach.

“No wonder the master didn’t want to keep writing those ‘loser’ stories.”

“Wuxia is a man’s pursuit; the martial world is a man’s romance.”

“The master truly understands wuxia.”

“The martial world isn’t just about fighting; it’s about human relationships and worldly affairs. Damn, it stirs my blood.”

“This is wuxia like no other on the market—a completely new creative direction.”

Most wuxia novels focus on struggles between righteous sects and demonic cults.

But the master’s The Condor Heroes portrayed a vivid, lifelike martial world.

Reading it, one almost felt transported into that world.

Especially the phrase: “The martial world isn’t just fighting; it’s about human relationships and worldly affairs,” which made everyone long to experience the thrilling, righteous life of the martial world firsthand.

Night, slightly cool, 10:20 PM.