Hearing Wang Jiu casually say the four words "kill to silence," Shen Ruoshi almost wanted to curse. What kind of people did Qingming find, thinking nothing of killing to silence! Silencing is one thing, but is it necessary to kill?!

Wang Jiu said, "From the history of human society, even the dead may not keep secrets, let alone the living."

"So you’re suggesting I kill to silence?"

Wang Jiu said, "Of course not, you just asked what I would do in such a situation. But your situation is different, I strongly disagree with you taking such extreme measures."

"...So it’s okay for you to take extreme measures yourself?"

Wang Jiu said, "For the overall benefit, using extreme measures to make sacrifices at certain times is unavoidable."

Shen Ruoshi was trembling with anger as he listened. Why had no one noticed before that such a shameless face was hidden beneath that sharp face!

However, for Wang Jiu, these words indeed came from the lessons learned with the blood of countless people in Jiuzhou. The Immortal Demon war, especially in the early stages, saw the infiltration of the Demon Race into humanity everywhere. A moment’s kindness could lead to the irreversible loss of millions. All the common knowledge and decency that human society formed over tens of thousands of years crumbled under the crisis of annihilation. For the sake of the majority, the lives of the few were to be mercilessly erased, and only this cruelty could ensure that humanity persisted through that most difficult period.

But for the people of Xiangzhou who live in peaceful times, this survival logic is too cold-blooded and ruthless. So Shen Ruoshi decisively responded, "I don’t need your approval or disapproval, I absolutely cannot commit such a beastly act of killing to silence!"

Wang Jiu thought for a moment and said, "Generally speaking, only human civilization would consider killing to silence for the sake of keeping secrets. Beasts have no such concept of secrets."

"..." For a moment Shen Ruoshi was speechless.

If someone else talked to him like this, the Sand Gathering Divine Skill would have been unleashed long ago, yet Wang Jiu... indeed possesses a kind of incredible charm, especially when facing him directly, the sincerity and purity in his eyes are palpable.

Making it impossible for one to truly get angry with him.

Shen Ruoshi shook his head, calming the little anger in his heart, and then asked, "Let me be frank, if I don’t want people to know that I’m Three Lives Stone, what should I do?"

Wang Jiu said, "Hmm, interesting question. Generally speaking, when a person achieves great success in a certain field, out of social psychology, they will seek broad recognition from the public. Especially when achieving great success in an unrelated field, it further demonstrates the person’s comprehensive abilities. So what is your reason for wanting to conceal this fact?"

This question from Wang Jiu made Shen Ruoshi flush with embarrassment: "Where do you get so many questions from?"

Wang Jiu said, "I need to fully understand the background situation before I can make detailed and reasonable suggestions. For example, if a powerful Outer Celestial Demon threatens to destroy the Xiangzhou Continent if your pen name is exposed, then considering the overall benefit, I believe killing to silence would be the best solution."

"How is there such an Outer Celestial Demon in the world?"

Wang Jiu said, "That’s the question I’d like to know as well. If you have any clues, please contact me."

Shen Ruoshi gritted his teeth for a long while and finally said in a low voice, "I don’t want the impression I’ve worked hard to build over the years to be destroyed. Since the children were young, I’ve always played the role of an iron man. If they find out I spent my spare time writing those romantic stories..."

At this point, Shen Ruoshi found himself unable to continue,

Wang Jiu thought for a while: "So it’s about maintaining the reputation of the former leader of Shen City? Understood, it’s not difficult to handle."

Shen Ruoshi was surprised to hear that it wasn’t difficult to handle?

Wang Jiu said, "Although I don’t have a deep understanding of human society, many principles are universal. For example, if a leading figure’s private indulgence is exposed, involving acts like bullying young girls, and due to conditions, it’s impossible to eliminate all those who exposed it, then the correct way to handle it is to rationalize the evil deeds."

Shen Ruoshi frowned: "How can bullying young girls be rationalized?"

Wang Jiu said, "The most common explanation would be that she was poisoned and desperately needed a male between the ages of 100 and 101, with white hair and black clothes, and in the True Essence Realm of the Sea Overturning Realm, to infuse her with pure essence. So, out of necessity..."

"Why do you insist on using me as an example?"

Wang Jiu explained, "It enhances immersion, making it more convincing."

"...So the idea is to fabricate a lie so transparent it’s self-deceptive?"

Wang Jiu said, "Why do you think it’s transparent? I think my rational explanation is perfect. Including recent bestselling literary works, they often have similar plots. I believe public acceptance would be quite high."

"You... should read fewer novels and pay more attention to reality." As Shen Ruoshi spoke, he also fell into deep thought. Although Wang Jiu’s example was absurd, the principle was sound. As long as a somewhat credible reason is given, most people wouldn’t want to admit that the City Lord of Shen City was privately a master of romantic literature.

The collapse of such an identity would be unacceptable to most people, who would prefer self-deception to a relatively less absurd reason to escape reality. What I need to do now is give them a reason.

As a literary master, weaving plots and stories comes naturally. After pondering for a moment, Shen Ruoshi came up with a makeshift plan.

"How about saying it’s a conspiracy from hostile forces outside the city." Shen Ruoshi said, "Over the past few decades, whenever something inconvenient for public disclosure happened, we blamed the Li Family from Cyan Cloud, and public acceptance was quite high. Now that the Li Family is no longer convenient to use, perhaps we can switch to the Golden Jade Zhao Family."

Wang Jiu thought for a moment: "The Zhao Family of Golden Jade City plotted to damage the reputation of the former City Lord of Shen City, undermine Shen City’s cultural confidence, and disrupt Shen City’s social system by secretly scheming to tempt you into writing romantic novels in your spare time?"

"...Is that not possible?"

Wang Jiu said, "I think it’s pretty good."

"That’s good." Shen Ruoshi nodded, thinking that this reason should be quite effective for the people of Shen City. Moreover, expanding on this could further embellish the details, like how the City Lord of Shen City was lured by the Zhao Family of Golden Jade City to become a romance master?

"Just say the City Lord of Golden Jade and I had once clashed, and she falsely claimed Shen City people are courageous but not strategic, with a culture lacking gentle details and humanistic care, belonging to a lower class culture. To uphold Shen City’s honor, I not only strongly countered her false claims on the spot, but also made a bet with her: As the City Lord of Shen City, a battle-hardened iron man, I could also become a romantic master, writing bestsellers throughout the continent, works that everyone would recognize. As long as my pen name remains popular, with rising sales continually over twenty years, it’s considered my win, and City Lord of Golden Jade must publicly apologize to me and the people of Shen City!"

This explanation made even Shen Ruoshi feel exceedingly clever, worthy of being a literary giant with numerous works.

According to this explanation, his writing of romance novels in his spare time was not a result of a troublesome personality but rather a selfless act for the people, broad-minded, for the benefit of Shen City, willing to gamble his life’s prestige, this leadership grace, awe-inspiring and heartening!

"Moreover, when asked why this matter needed to be kept secret, it can be explained as a requirement of the bet, to prevent me from using my City Lord position to forcibly market the book. The works under the pen name Three Lives Stone sell well because of their content, not marketing. I want Zhao Chenlu to be completely convinced in this bet!"

After saying this, Shen Ruoshi looked at Wang Jiu with bright eyes: "What do you think of this explanation?"

Wang Jiu said, "So you intend for Zhao Chenlu to bear the brunt of insulting Shen City and apologize to you?"

Shen Ruoshi said, "I see you have a good relationship with her, could you help persuade her to do me this favor?"

"I can try, but this old friend never listens to others, so I think the possibility of her agreeing to help is very low."

Shen Ruoshi said, "Never mind, her refusal would only confirm my prior slander, making her seem like a despicable coward who dares not admit her actions."

Wang Jiu thought for a moment and summarized, "I see, so you want my friend to take on all the blame just to maintain your personal honor?"

Shen Ruoshi added, "It’s not just personal honor, it’s also the spiritual symbol of the people of Shen City... Okay, I admit it’s too despicable, even more absurd than the Li Family in my novels."

Saying this, Shen Ruoshi suddenly sighed, "Forget it, what happened that I dare not face it? I’ve always been upright throughout my life, and now at a hundred years old, I become a despicable villain. This Heart Demon is truly distorting one’s nature."

After speaking, Shen Ruoshi puffed out his chest, saying, "There’s nothing wrong with admitting what I have done. I’ll go wake up those sleeping children and reveal this matter, including my attempt to silence to cover the truth. I will bear any slander from the outside world with serenity — consider it a spiritual battle. As a Shen City warrior, even if I fight to the very end, I will not turn and flee again."

Before he finished speaking, the room suddenly echoed with a woman’s light laughter.

The voice was lively and somewhat familiar.

"You make it sound quite convincing. Looks like living a hundred years has finally given you some of the spirit of Kaishan’s descendants. But I can help you with this; there’s no need for it to be so tragic."