Let me say a few words to everyone.

As is customary, I’d like to say a few words before the book begins. The reason I’ve delayed until today is, frankly, out of embarrassment...

With my previous novel, I attempted a new approach to historical fiction, but as everyone knows, it ended in a crushing defeat—the lowest point in my twenty-year writing career. For a writer who has always harbored a bit of pride, the agony of that experience is easy to imagine.

In truth, I spent six months preparing for that book. The stack of reference materials I pored over was taller than a grown man. The opening alone was rewritten eight times, with countless additional minor revisions—no one could say I didn’t pour my heart and soul into it. Yet the outcome was deeply disappointing. Last year was, in a word, abysmal...

Fortunately, my loyal readers never abandoned me. Many of you have been with me for more than a decade. Some are not even fans of supernatural elements in historical fiction, but you continued to subscribe out of pure support for this beleaguered monk. And dear Old Niu and the others diligently boosted the popularity of my chapter reviews. My gratitude is beyond words.

With your support and encouragement, I was able to finish that last book with integrity, upholding my professional standards and repaying those who stuck by me through the toughest times.

During this period, I also took time for serious reflection and self-examination. Some issues were technical: for instance, my attempt at “historical fantasy” ended up a shapeless hybrid. I believed that as long as I wrote with care, it would inevitably result in something good. But in reality, there are many who write with diligence; truly great works, however, are rare as phoenix feathers. Clearly, the two are not synonymous—one is a subset of the other.

Furthermore, in my endless revisions, I forgot that this is, at its core, an online novel. Nothing can violate the basic rules of web fiction, yet foolishly, I cast them aside...

And so on, and so forth—I’ve learned many lessons.

The purpose of these reflections is to learn from my mistakes and avoid repeating them. Thus, this book, “The Top Scholar,” was born.

Right from the start, some readers remarked that “the iron-headed boy has returned.” I take this as an affirmation—it shows I am willing to admit my mistakes and change. As long as I can maintain this precious quality, I won’t become jaded or complacent; I can shamelessly sit at the table with the young!

Many have also expressed concern that with the acclaimed “A Rank Among Officials” preceding it, how could “The Top Scholar” offer anything new? There’s no need to worry. “A Rank Among Officials” was written in 2009—sixteen years ago. In that time, the world has changed dramatically; our lives and worldview have been utterly transformed.

So, both the protagonist and my own understanding of the world within these pages are entirely different now. “The Top Scholar” will, without doubt, be a completely different book. As the story unfolds, you will feel those differences for yourselves.

To be honest, I can’t fully articulate them yet; I can only write from my heart, and together we’ll gradually come to understand these changes.

I must also admit: it feels so good to return to what I do best! No more tiptoeing as if carrying eggs across a river—every plot and character introduction is clear in my mind, as natural as breathing.

Though, due to the last book’s performance, early recommendations for this one have been severely affected. For example, the featured spot on the premium page lasted only a single day... The cruelty of it! But rules are rules—I have no choice but to do my utmost and hope for your support, climbing the new releases chart step by step with your help.

The good news is, after a week’s effort, we’ve risen from outside the top eighty to twelfth place. Unfortunately, the mobile app only displays the top ten, so I ask for your continued support—cast your votes, read the latest chapters if you haven’t, help boost our numbers. Let’s strive for the top ten!

Traditionally, I’d promise bonus chapters for votes. But this time, to ensure a comfortable reading experience from the very start, instead of my old routine of just 4,000 words a day during a book’s early phase, I’ve switched to two chapters totaling 6,000 words.

Right now, I’m still a one-eyed man, and I labor meticulously over each page—nothing is left to chance. Every day, I spend eight hours typing with one eye just to deliver six or seven thousand words. Each chapter then requires over an hour of revision; I’m often working past midnight, my eye turning into a sharingan by the end...

So I think maintaining my current update rate while asking for your votes is not too brazen.

Well, maybe it’s a little brazen...

In any case, I’m counting on you—let’s make a great comeback this time!