Chapter 48: An Elderly Otaku Arrives

"Is that so?" Fang Qi remained somewhat hesitant, yet if the author possessed a profound enough understanding of the game, perhaps a novelized adaptation would indeed resonate more deeply with the people. "How about... we give it a try? If Lady Qingqing's brushwork can earn my approval, then it shall naturally be no problem."

"What are you all discussing so animatedly?" Seeing the few huddled together in fervent debate, Song Qingfeng and his companions quickly hurried over to join them.

"You can rest easy!" Xu Zixin leaned back into her computer chair, comfortably closing her eyes with the corners of her lips slightly upturned. "We are discussing commissioning an official novel for Diablo 2."

"What? Diablo 2 is getting a novel?!" Song Qingfeng cried out in surprise. Compared to Resident Evil 1, the lore and setting of Diablo 2 were far more grand, and coupled with the increased freedom of the gameplay, they had indeed paid relatively little attention to the plot.

Yet this did not mean Diablo's story lacked allure; it was merely that Diablo 2 possessed far too many other captivating elements.

Thus, upon hearing the news of an impending novel, the interest of the others was instantly piqued. "When will it be released?"

"Brother An..." Bu Che and his companions, who had originally been discussing skills off to the side, could not help but turn their heads, gesturing toward Fang Qi's direction. "The owner says Diablo 2 is getting a novel adaptation?"

"What is the story of Diablo 2 anyway?" An Cheng blinked in confusion. "Every day is just spent farming for gear, so I really haven't paid much attention to that..."

"Anyway, it involves demons, angels, and all sorts of strange things. I was only focused on playing at the time and didn't listen too clearly, but it did seem quite fascinating, far more novel than the biographical fiction popular nowadays," Ouyang Cheng remarked. "Should we buy a copy to read when the time comes?"

"Let's go ask when it comes out first!" Bu Che said. "I only know Blood Raven used to be a hero, and Tristram was destroyed by Diablo, but I really have no idea what actually transpired within. Now that you mention it..."

They exchanged glances. "No way... are we really going to read this sort of thing...?"

"It seems I actually want to read it a little..."

Originally, in their eyes, biographical fiction was truly nothing worth reading, consisting entirely of unrealistic and ridiculous fantasies!

Yet now, for the first time, they had actually developed an interest in such a book!

...

Within the grand hall of the Nalan Family.

Nalan Hongwu's closed eyes opened by a fraction. "Have you brought them back?"

"Your subordinate... is incompetent!" Nalan Ying's head bowed deeply.

"Hmm?" From within Nalan Hongwu's narrowed eyes, a trace of dangerous light gleamed as he asked, word by word, "What happened? Did I not have you take the Shadow Guards with you?"

It would have been better left unmentioned, but now that Nalan Hongwu brought it up, Nalan Ying could not help but recall the Shadow Guard street dance troupe in front of the internet cafe. His face contorted into an expression of sheer misery. "...The opponent was simply too formidable. Your subordinate had absolutely no idea when they made their move, yet the Shadow Guards were utterly routed, instantly struck down by lightning magic!"

"Lightning magic?" Nalan Hongwu said solemnly. "The lightning magic of cultivators gathers the thunder of heaven and earth, its precursors being exceedingly obvious. You are telling me the Shadow Guards were completely felled by lightning magic?"

"The opponent's lightning magic..." Nalan Ying gritted his teeth. "Had no precursor!"

"No precursor?!" Nalan Hongwu gently stroked his entirely white beard. "Which is to say, by merely transforming their own spiritual energy into lightning, they could instantly subdue all the Shadow Guards. The cultivation of such a magus has likely already surpassed the Divine Sea Realm!"

Nalan Hongwu closed his eyes once more. "Such a cultivator is indeed beyond your ability to handle. This matter cannot be blamed on you."

"Your subordinate... is ashamed!"

"Only... when did an external Divine Sea Realm cultivator arrive in Jiuhua City, and yet the entire Jiangnan region received not a single shred of news?" Nalan Hongwu inquired further. "This person... seeks neither wealth? Nor fame?"

Given the might of the Nalan Family, even if the situation had been unfavorable at the time, dealing with a small shop should not have escalated to the point of needing violence.

Wealth, fame, and fortune—which of these did not tempt the hearts of men?

Nalan Ying shook his head. "Reason dictates that opening doors for business is precisely for the pursuit of wealth, yet it is said this shop never operates outside its regulations, let alone violates its own rules. Furthermore, if a customer violates them, they will never be received again."

Nalan Ying spoke helplessly, "And precisely because of this, there is absolutely no room for accommodation."

"Oh?" Nalan Hongwu was indeed aware that some eccentric masters possessed bizarre temperaments. For instance, Master Lu of yesteryear; in order to invite him to design the Immortal-Destroying Crossbow, it had taken no small amount of effort!

If the master of this small shop was also such a capable eccentric, Nalan Hongwu would not find a surplus of rules surprising.

Nalan Hongwu asked again, "Is that thing called a 'computer' in that small shop truly as miraculous as you claim?"

"Your subordinate speaks without a single word of exaggeration!" Nalan Ying declared.

"Since that is the case, this old man shall personally go take a look, to see just what manner of sacred existence this is!" Nalan Hongwu now lived a secluded life, not for any other reason, but simply because he no longer found interest in most affairs. If this object could catch his eye, making this journey would be of little consequence.

Of course, if it failed to impress him, this matter would certainly not be resolved so easily!

Nalan Ying raised his head, his face filled with shock. "Family Master, you... are going personally?!"

Nalan Hongwu rose from his seat, revealing a lean elder with hair and beard completely white, his back slightly stooped.

"It is also a fine time to let certain people see whether this old man is truly so old that he is about to die!" As he spoke this sentence, a chilling intent flickered within his eyes!

An involuntary shiver ran down Nalan Ying's spine!

Nalan Hongwu called out, "Elder Fu."

"This old servant is here." From the darkness behind the grand hall, there stepped forth an elder whose hair and beard were likewise entirely white. He was tall and imposing, dressed in a meticulously arranged white robe with gold trim.

"Prepare the carriage."

"Yes."

"Family Master... are you truly going?!" Nalan Ying's heart trembled. One had to know that this old family master had remained behind closed doors for over a decade without stepping outside!

Today, for the sake of a small shop, he was actually going out in person?!

Amidst his hesitation, Nalan Ying watched as the two men stepped out of the grand hall!

...

Compared to Shen Qingqing, a newcomer who focused heavily on the lore, Fang Qi's understanding of the plot was unmatched by anyone.

Fang Qi and Shen Qingqing's official novel plan had been largely agreed upon, and he intended to have Shen Qingqing write a portion of the first act first.

After explaining part of the plot to Shen Qingqing in detail, the sun sank into the west, and evening arrived.

The sky gradually darkened.

That proud, blazing sun at the edge of the sky had also reached the moment of its descent.

At this time, Fang Qi beheld a magnificent carriage drawn by four strange beasts—resembling horses but possessing a single horn upon their brows—come to a halt before the shop doors!

These horses were by no means ordinary steeds; merely standing there, they exuded an indescribable majesty.

"Unicorns?" Fang Qi inexplicably recalled the creature, though the horses before him were black, distinct from the beasts of legend, and their eyes betrayed a fierce aura!

Demonic beasts!

And powerfully tamed demonic beasts at that!

Driving the carriage was a tall elder clad in a white robe with gold trim. The elder brought the carriage to a stop and opened the door, whereupon a lean elder, leaning on a black cane of unknown material, slowly stepped down.

"Is this the small shop Shadow spoke of?" Nalan Hongwu surveyed the premises. Aside from its unique architectural style, there was truly nothing else to draw attention.

Fang Qi, on the other hand, looked at the two elders outside the shop with some surprise, dazed for a moment. "At such an advanced age, they still run to an internet cafe to play games?"