Chapter 67: What Do the World’s Cold Stares Have to Do with Me?

Everyone was stunned. With Xiao Yan’s latest chapter title, was he really about to strike back?

The latest official chapter of Demon King’s "Swordsman’s Adventure" was titled “I Become the Demon Lord.”

But Xu Ze’s single-chapter post carried a title of its own:

“From Here On, Slay the Demons!”

The intent behind it was unmistakable.

At that moment, many authors sighed:

“Newcomers are always too impulsive. Challenging Demon King head-on at this time isn’t wise.”

“Exactly. 'Immortal Execution' is still in its early stage, and hasn’t even reached the monthly or bestseller rankings. He should’ve waited for another million or two words, built some momentum, and then considered it.”

“Right, by then he might even be able to contend for the top spot on the monthly and bestseller rankings against Demon King.”

...

Li Haijie was a fan of 'Immortal Execution' and often browsed the authors’ forum in his free time.

Today, when he saw people slandering 'Immortal Execution' on the forum, he was the first to fire back as a loyal fan, rallying others to join him.

After they finally overran Demon King’s review section, he felt elated, as if he’d won a battle for his idol.

But when he saw Demon King’s single-chapter post, regret washed over him.

Suddenly, he realized that 'Immortal Execution' still lacked deep foundations. As a new book, it simply couldn't compete with 'Swordsman’s Adventure' for rankings. Now that it was at odds with the other side, if they got mocked, there’d be no way to refute it.

“Sigh, maybe I’ve brought trouble upon Master Xiao Yan,” Li Haijie thought gloomily. If he hadn’t replied and counterattacked, perhaps none of this would have happened. Now, facing Demon King’s taunts, Xiao Yan might have no choice but to swallow his pride.

With a heavy heart, Li Haijie clicked into 'Immortal Execution'.

“Wait, there’s an update.”

“From Here On, Slay the Demons!”

What a bold title!

But the format was odd—it didn’t mention the chapter number…

Suddenly, Li Haijie’s eyes widened.

Could it be…?

With trembling hands, he clicked into the main text.

“Tonight, 'Immortal Execution' will be officially released. According to tradition, every book gets an author’s note before launch. I hadn’t planned on writing one, mostly out of laziness.

Lazy as I am, I haven’t even created a fan group. So, while everyone else knew about today’s events, I was the last to find out.

Now, I’m seriously considering starting a group.

As for what happened today, I have only one thing to say:

The world’s praise and blame, the cold eyes of others—what does that have to do with me? I simply smile in serenity.

There’s no need to say more. Let’s get to the point—after all, this counts as a launch note.

Tonight, this book goes live. At last, it’s eligible to compete for the most significant bestseller and monthly rankings.

I have a habit: if I do something, I do it to be the best.

I don’t ask for much—let’s claim the top spot on the bestseller list tonight.

As for the monthly ranking, since it’s already the end of the month, I suppose we’ll have to wait until next month.

So let others reign on both lists for a few more days. But it’s only these last few days.

My hands itch; let me end with a short poem for everyone:

At dawn the rooster crows, at dusk the crows compete in noise.
Who among us shuns the bustle of the world?
The road stretches far, the waters run deep, fame and fortune await on the path to Chang’an.
Today’s youth, tomorrow’s age.
The mountains—ever steadfast;
The people—already worn and weary.”

...

After reading the entire post, Li Haijie was trembling with excitement.

Master Xiao Yan was so unyielding! This single chapter had his blood surging with passion.

The world’s praise and blame, the cold eyes of others—what does that have to do with me? I simply smile in serenity.

That was Xiao Yan’s attitude.

The difference in stature between Demon King and Xiao Yan was laid bare in an instant!

Who cares if you’re a platinum-level master, or the current bestseller champion?

Tonight, 'Immortal Execution' will surely rise to the top!

On the authors’ forum, those who read Xu Ze’s single chapter couldn’t help but marvel:

“My god, Xiao Yan is way too fierce!”

“A true role model for us all! This is the passion every writer should have! The cold eyes of the world—what does it matter to me? This is so inspiring! Tonight I’ll definitely support with my first subscription!”

“But do you all realize what’s truly terrifying? 'Immortal Execution' has no fan group! That’s the key! Even without an organized group, its fans can still suppress Demon King’s organized supporters!”

“Damn, now that you mention it, just how many fans does 'Immortal Execution' actually have? If they ever get organized, could even two Demon Kings withstand them?”

“No wonder Xiao Yan has the confidence to aim for the bestseller’s top spot tonight—he’s not just making empty boasts!”

“Tonight’s going to be quite a show.”

“Hey, fellow writers, can anyone interpret that final poem?”

“Let me translate. Basically, it's a satire of Demon King’s relentless pursuit of fame and fortune, and a jab at his advancing age!”

“Haha, won’t Demon King be furious when he sees that?”

“No sleep tonight! I’m staying up to watch the drama unfold!”

“+1!”

...

Meanwhile, the review section for 'Swordsman’s Adventure' was finally reopened.

To prevent 'Immortal Execution' fans from flooding the reviews again, the admins enabled a fan-value-only posting system.

At the same time, in Demon King’s fan group, everyone was discussing Xu Ze’s single chapter.

“This Xiao Yan is too arrogant!”

“Exactly! As if the taunt wasn’t enough, he even shamelessly declared he’d take the bestseller’s top spot. He must be dreaming!”

“I’m not sleeping tonight. I’m watching the bestseller rankings to see if anyone can dethrone our Demon King!”

“I’m staying up too!”

Chen Shuo himself was surprised. He hadn’t expected Xiao Yan to respond so directly, with not a hint of retreat.

Chen Shuo smirked coldly.

“Slay demons? He’d better not end up slaying himself.”

“Let’s see how he plans to take my top spot tonight!”

Elsewhere, Ku Ku and Section Chief Zhou Suqing were in the editor-in-chief’s office, joined by the head of the fantasy channel.

The editor-in-chief asked sternly, “What’s going on with Xiao Yan’s single chapter?”

Ku Ku was full of resentment; she’d always considered Xiao Yan a good person. He hadn’t even known about today’s incident at first, and had promised her he’d calm his fans. But Demon King suddenly posted a taunt, and Xiao Yan must have retaliated because of that.

Just as Ku Ku was about to complain, Zhou Suqing quietly pulled her back.

Zhou Suqing shook her head slightly, then said to the editor-in-chief, “Maybe there’s a big misunderstanding between them. Should we ask Xiao Yan to delete his single chapter?”

Ku Ku was puzzled—why only ask Xiao Yan to delete it? Didn’t Demon King do the same?

If anything, both should delete their posts.

But it wasn’t that Zhou Suqing was timid—Demon King was simply too cunning. Although everyone could see he was mocking Xiao Yan, the wording itself was innocuous.

Xiao Yan’s, on the other hand, was a direct confrontation. Content like that would definitely be deleted if upper management saw it.

Xiao Yan was still too young.

The editor-in-chief paused for a moment after Zhou Suqing’s words.

Two minutes later, he said gravely, “No. Leave it as it is—just make sure their fans don’t flood the reviews again.”

What? Xiao Yan doesn’t need to delete his post?

Zhou Suqing was surprised. This wasn’t like the editor-in-chief at all; he usually disliked internal conflicts among authors.

She thought he’d be much stricter.

Meanwhile, the fantasy channel’s head felt a twinge of jealousy. The editor-in-chief was clearly favoring Xiao Yan. Such an overtly provocative single chapter, yet he didn’t make him delete it.

For a moment, he even felt a bit sorry for Demon King.

...

And so, as the clock struck midnight, the moment finally arrived.

'Immortal Execution' was officially launched!