The Hundred Flowers Manor was in jubilation.
For years, the Star-Moon Sect had been the black sheep of the capital's entertainment district—feared, but not loved. Tonight, they were the trendsetters.
In the main hall, Xue Qingqiu sat at the head of the table, looking at the pile of silver taels and spirit stones collected from the night's tips. It was more than the brothel usually made in a month.
"Explain," she said, looking at Xue Mu. Her tone was no longer skeptical; it was intensely curious. "They paid for the privilege of shouting. They paid for a song that had no Daoist meaning, no cultivation insight. Why?"
"Because we gave them an identity," Xue Mu said, pouring himself a cup of wine. "Before tonight, they were just customers. Now, they are 'Fans'."
"Fans?" Xue Qingqiu tasted the strange word.
"Fanatics," Xue Mu clarified. "Supporters. When they screamed Xiaochan's name, they weren't just cheering for her. They were cheering for themselves. They were investing in her success. Her victory becomes their victory."
He picked up a silver tael. "This is the 'Fan Economy'. Liu Qingyan sells art. We sell emotional connection. We sell the feeling that they made her a star."
"Emotional connection..." Xue Qingqiu murmured. "It sounds like a variation of our sect's Heart-Linking Charm, but applied on a massive scale without using Qi."
"Exactly," Xue Mu nodded. "And the best part? It's addictive. Tomorrow, they will come back. They will want to see her again. They will want to buy her portrait. They will want to know what she eats, what she wears, what she likes."
He turned to the stunned managers. "Start production immediately. I want portraits of Yue Xiaochan in that red dress. Small ones for the poor, large silk ones for the rich. Limited edition, signed by her. Price them at ten times the cost."
"Ten times?" A manager choked. "For a drawing?"
"It's not a drawing," Xue Mu said. "It's merchandise. Trust me, they will fight over them."
Yue Xiaochan was sitting on the table, swinging her legs, eating a pear. "So, I just have to keep smiling and winking?"
"For now," Xue Mu said. "But fame is a fickle beast. Tonight was the debut. Now comes the hard part: The Narrative."
"Narrative?"
"Liu Qingyan is the 'Fairy'. You are the 'Little Demoness'. We need to play up that rivalry. Fire and Ice. Tradition vs. Rebellion. We need the city to take sides."
Just then, a servant rushed in, looking flustered.
"Sect Master! Young Master Xue! There is... someone at the gate."
"Who?" Xue Qingqiu frowned. "It is past midnight."
"It's... It's the Zither Fairy. Liu Qingyan."
The room went silent.
Yue Xiaochan dropped her pear. "She came here? Now?"
Xue Mu smiled slowly. "See? The rivalry has already begun."