Chapter 715 - An Average Persons Intelligence (2/2)

No matter how skilled an author was, you could not deny that the current trend of web novels was still dominated by feel-good works. A majority of the readers would want to relax when reading novels, not get spiritually drained.

Relaxing and feel-good works aside, anything else interesting and exciting enough would be enough to please the herd.

An unlikable protagonist was one issue. An unoriginal setting was another. Sophisticated writing had succeeded at nothing but bringing out the deepest and darkest fears of a reader. It was not the pleasant thrill one got from reading horror. On the other hand, the personalities and skillsets of the protagonist’s numerous were well-portrayed. None of them were unforgettable.

If a work like this received a manga-adaptation, it would markedly more interesting. After all, mangas had the visual edge when it came to depicting characters.

Zhao Youyue gave Professor Chen her genuine thoughts on the latter chapters of the novel. She surreptitiously followed up with some of her views regarding the male protagonist. “I am not saying that a ‘Virgin Mary’-styled male protagonist is bad. However, we can’t deny that they are no longer in-trend. You don’t have to scrap him, you could probably insert another character inside to complement the male protagonist. His “Zhong Zhou Squad” [3] would share the spotlight among themselves. That might just be the last brick that needs placing.”

At first, Professor Chen did not take Lady Zhao’s advice to heart. She was sure that a reader, even Lady Zhao would never be able to sway her principles. However, Zhao Youyue’s sincerity and in-depth analysis of her work had touched her.

Therefore, Professor Chen asked curiously, “In what shape and form would this final brick take?”

Zhao Youyue responded as if she had long anticipated this question. She responded with the fluidity of a well-rehearsed presentation. “Of course, let’s have a wise man. This perfect squad is missing the voice of wisdom! We have not yet seen any team battles occurring in the novel. When one happens, and it will, we can’t have everyone rushing in like monkeys. We need a strategist, a formulator. They must take even the strengths of the weakest link into account. Every squad must have a leader. And every leader must have a wise advisor!”

This time, Professor Chen started to laugh. She had already considered introducing a ‘wise’-styled character to the mix. She had even studied the classic manga “Death Note” and had planned to use two of its wise characters as references. However, she did not think of placing the wise character at the male protagonist’s side.

Professor Chen felt that Lady Zhao’s words were wise and true.

“Her name would be ‘Chu Xuan.’ To her, everyone else is of average intelligence… at best…” Zhao Youyue said pleasantly.

Translation note:

[1] “a man’s name, a tree’s shadows” (人的名,树的影) means once a person has a good reputation, it is akin to a tree having shadows. The person with a good reputation would be able to utilize his reputation to protect himself, while the tree with shadows would be able to give shade to someone.

[2] “Virgin Mary” (圣母) is a term which refers to characters that are friendly on the surface, but is actually a stubborn character that would pit her friends against each other.

[3] “Zhong Zhou Squad” (中洲队) is from the book “Infinite Terror” by zhttty (a web novelist). It consists of 19 members who could reincarnate themselves when they die.