Hmm, Pig Head rarely writes these kinds of concluding remarks. But this time, I feel I must say a few things.

I thank all my brothers, sisters, comrades, and compatriots for their support and encouragement during the writing process. For this, Pig Head can only repay you with an even greater passion for writing.

For better or worse, another book is complete—nearly four million characters in less than a year.

Thank you for your support, thank you for your encouragement, and thank you for everything you have done for Pig Head over this past year.

Xie Long Dao has significant shortcomings; Pig Head is acutely aware of this. A setting built upon such a sprawling, eclectic mix was bound to be difficult to manage and control.

For the next book, Pig Head will return to the pure path of Xianxia, without incorporating other messy elements. It will be a Xianxia rooted in historical reference, striving to forge a complete world—a truly whole Xianxia world where significant effort is placed on both the cultivation system and the societal structure.

From Xiao Xing Ji all the way to Xie Long Dao, Pig Head hasn't been entirely fond of either protagonist. They were too pure... too uninteresting... For the next book, the protagonist will return to tradition! Back to figures like Yang Wei and Yi Chen—a character who isn't exactly a good person, but certainly not a villain either.

I've discussed this with fellow readers like Bajie and Ant in the QQ group; the next book won't feature earth-shattering, massive scenes. Even in depictions of war, there absolutely won't be those hollow, large-scale spectacles.

Pig Head will also use a more nuanced approach to describe characters other than the protagonist, including female characters, which I am not entirely comfortable with yet. Everything awaits Pig Head's hard work!

For the next two months, Pig Head will diligently read relevant historical materials. I already have many biographies, as well as works on poetry, literary arts, and social customs. Pig Head will spend these two months immersed in reading to fill my empty mind.

Coincidentally, Pig Head is taking a two-month break to rest.

To be perfectly honest, since debuting in '03 until now, Pig Head hasn't taken a break for seven or eight years. I even have records of only taking three days off during past Spring Festivals before returning to the keyboard.

Allow Pig Head a moment to rest, to step away from the influence of previous works, to carefully sort out the gains and losses of recent years, and to let my nearly boiling brain settle down so I can write the upcoming book with complete dedication.

If everyone wants to see Pig Head’s daily updates—what I do each day—please check Pig Head's Sina Weibo. I chirp a few things there every day.

t.sina.com.cn/ricewhu!

Pig Head will use the QQ group and this Weibo to announce when the new book starts!

Once again, thank you all for your support and encouragement in the past.

This sentiment cannot be repaid except through diligent typing, wholehearted focus on the keyboard!

Sincerely: Xue Hong January 30, 2011 V