a royal cage of silk and shadows

She, breathtaking and indifferently gentle, soft and adorably clueless. She was a Divine Doctor who could bring the dying back to life, and also a poison expert who killed without trace! She possessed a pair of clairvoyant eyes, and also a body filled with mysterious vital energy! People said: Even Yama Raja had to give way to those An Yiqing wished to save! He, cold and aloof, stunningly handsome like a deity. He was the most outstanding descendant of the Ancient Martial Arts Families and also the youngest general of Xuanjin Country! He was an emperor who emerged from darkness and blood, holding great power and deciding over life and death! When the gently indifferent her and the cold and proud him met, what kind of sparks would they ignite? Affection chapter: An Yiqing asked, "Hm, I heard you like me?" Gu Yelin stiffened, "Yes!" An Yiqing's eyes fell, her voice flat, "But I can't be with you." "Reason." Gu Yelin's voice was dark and heavy; his heart clenched in pain—he had been poisoned, and only this little white rabbit in front of him was the cure! "Master said I have an incurable disease." "If you live, I live; if you die, I die!" Gu Yelin's voice was low and resolute. An Yiqing's downcast eyes gradually reddened, and the corners of her mouth curled slightly, "Every time I see you, my heart races, I struggle to breathe, and my cheeks turn red. Master said that's the incurable disease, and only you can heal me." Gu Yelin's dark eyes surged with waves of joy and excitement, like a surging undercurrent. ...Only she could cure his poison, and only he was the medicine for her. Underdog chapter: At the banquet Qin Jia: "Who do you think you are? Just an orphan with no parents, what right do you have to cling to Young Master Gu's side?" An Yiqing's eyes swept over coldly, a mocking smile on her lips, "Relying on you who would be nothing without the Qin Family, relying on me who could pinch you to death with one hand!” “You slut!"— Qin Jia, furious, raised her hand to slap An Yiqing. "Sick of living!" Suddenly, a pair of iron-like hands gripped Qin Jia's arm tightly; he had only left for a moment. Who was this blind person daring to bully his treasure? Qin Jia roared resentfully, "Young Master Gu, why are you doing this to me? She's just a wild child with no parents!" "Who dares to say that the An Family's only jewel is a wild child?!" A furious rebuke erupted like a thunderclap, shaking the entire banquet. Baby chapter: The plump Little Bun wriggled his little bottom, his glutinous voice carrying a complaint, "Daddy, why won't you let me sleep with Mommy?" Gu Yelin's mouth twitched, "You are a man, you cannot cling to my wife." "Hmph! Jealous men are so annoying!" Little Bun mumbled, "The Uncle Duan who came to see Mommy yesterday is nice, so is the Uncle Bai who I met last week, and there's Uncle Li who gave me a big red envelope during the New Year and that pretty auntie, they are all nicer to me than Daddy!" Third Young Master Gu's temples throbbed. Why, even though his adorable little white rabbit was married, did those wolves with greed in their eyes still not give up? Men were one thing, but even women were trying to get involved! Third Young Master Gu felt aggrieved; the road to being a henpecked husband is long and arduous~ ************************************ The author says: This story slightly incorporates special abilities with fantasy elements. Every place name, medical term, and jargon used within the context of gambling-stone craft is all fictional. Industry insiders, please do not criticize, thank you!~

This is an era where heroes emerge in great numbers! This is an era where death and hope exist side by side! This is an era where the old order and the fires of new civilizations collide! What kind of grand epic will be written by the decaying federation, the fanatic empire, the obstinate theocracy, and the stirring foreign races?

Welcome to a virtual underground game with no protection, full of lurking players who seek survival, power, and fortune. Kieran chose to enter this VRMMORPG game without hesitation, because he knew this was the only way for him to escape death’s grasp. Can he escape death in real life though, or will he end up dying inside the game?

Bienvenue dans un jeu souterrain virtuel sans protection, plein de joueurs en embuscade qui recherchent la survie, le pouvoir et la fortune. Kieran a choisi de pénétrer dans ce jeu VRMMORPG sans hésiter, car il savait que c'était le seul moyen pour lui d'échapper à l'étreinte de la mort. Peut-il échapper à la mort dans la vie réelle cependant, ou finira-t-il par mourir à l'intérieur du jeu ?

Most people are born ordinary, but there are always some who, despite being born ordinary, aspire to greatness. From an exploited undocumented worker to the godfather of the dark; From those who obey the rules at the bottom of society, to the emperor behind the scenes who makes the rules; The country belongs to the federation when the sun shines, but it belongs to me when the night falls! "Sometimes, shadows can not only be as vast as light but can even cover it!" "We never extort anyone, every penny we make can pass through our conscience." If someone knocks on your door at night, they either bring my regards or brings the destruction for your arrogance. As for what you will get, it depends on how you choose, my friend!

"I should have stayed home and played video games." This was Ray's last thought before darkness engulfed him after he was hit by a car. But surprisingly, instead of finding himself before the gates of hell after dying, Ray found out he was transmigrated into another world. The world Ray was transmigrated to was called Arora World, a place where you can use different kinds of skills, magic, and even acquire powerful classes. Ray found himself in the body of a young boy named Evan, who was studying in a hunter academy after awakening his abilities at the age of fourteen. At first, Ray was happy that he was transmigrated into the body of someone who had awakened his abilities and could use the magic he always wanted to use. However, as Ray went through Evan's memories, he finally realized that everything was not as simple as he had expected. Evan had a unique physique that didn't allow him to increase his power like other people. Because of this useless unique physique, Evan was the weakest hunter in the entire academy. And that was not all; the more Ray looked at Evan's memories, the more he realized just how troublesome his situation was. "I know I entered this body without buying a ticket, but isn't this too much?" Ray said in a depressed voice after going through Evan's memories. Will Ray be able to survive in this new world? Is the physique of his new body really useless? Join Ray on his adventure to find out.

A one-night stand was all she wanted, but that was never his style. Still, they ended up together in a night of passion. No names, no feelings, and no complications. Heiress and advocate lawyer Daniella Hamilton had never wanted her inheritance, only wishing to live a simple life. Still, she ended up in the center of an intense war for power. Now, she had to find the balance between the life she dreamt of and the life that she was meant to have. Enigmatic and brilliant CEO Prince Alexander Princeton renounced his title to his birthright, believing that true power should come from building his own legacy. However, the kingdom faced a new dilemma where he was asked to serve his people and sit on the throne. Separated after their one night of wild adventure. They thought that their unexpected encounter was an isolated incident. However, fate had something else in mind, as they find their way back in each other’s arms, not in a passionate embrace but with a contract that would bind them for a long time. Would their agreement fulfill their dreams, or would it end in a disastrous union? [Warning: Mature steamy content, slight violence (in the later chapters), and some inappropriate language] *** Nominated in the WSA - Webnovel Spirity Awards 2021 Thanks to all my readers for all your support. You have been a great inspiration during my journey in writing this story. I would have never made it if not for your encouragement through your votes, comments, reviews, golden tickets, gifts, and continued support. Thank you so much. COVER PHOTO - Commissioned by Vatarison Instagram: bishop_1275

“Unlucky” would be the nice way to describe Lucas’ luck. He wasn’t just down bad. He was practically cursed. As someone who never asked to exist, he’s had to experience medical torture, imprisonment, and eventually death. And that was just his first life. Then, just as he thought of escaping his fate, he transmigrates into the body of the Empire’s most useless Flower Vase. Great, now he should have status, wealth, and beauty, right? Wrong. Because his new body, Young Lord Luca Kyros, was a vegetable. And what’s worse was that no one else seemed to know the truth. To everyone else, he was just your typical rebellious heir. He wouldn’t have minded that. He was used to being called a harlot or similar names for being a defective Guide. But the problem was he woke up right smack in the middle of the Royal Military Academy’s Assessment test. And his double body, the one who should be attending school, perished in an ambush. So now, he’s forced to resolve his existential crisis while attending a school he never even enrolled in. He’ll have to conquer his flimsy body, his brooding roommate, and his picky-eater “dungeon”—all that on top of surviving impending doom. Someone definitely needs a miracle.

After living as a famous Korean vlogger-slash-mukbanger, Neoma died a (shameful) death and regressed to her tragic first life--- the life where she has to live as a hidden princess with a tyrannical father and a yandere twin brother. She died at the hands of her psycho brother in her first life. But luckily, she charmed her "big brother" this time. Her father remains a sc*mbag, though. But a blessing in disguise happened when her twin brother got "sick." Because of that, she has to pretend as the "Crown Prince," forcing her father to treat her well. She thought she was finally on the road to becoming a lady of leisure. But, despite her laziness, she still ends up completing royal duties that put her closer to the throne than her sick twin brother. The next thing she knew, they already prophesied her to be the first empress of their very patriarchal empire. Now Neoma finds herself in the middle of the succession war she never wanted to be involved in! *** [EXCERPT 1] “Neoma de Moonasterio, the first princess of Moonasterion Empire. From now on, you’ll live as Prince Nero’s proxy.” [The hell is this psycho saying?] Neoma, despite her confusion, still smiled at her father--- the emperor. “Father, what do you mean by that?” “From now on, assassins sent by my enemies would target Nero,” the emperor explained. “Until he’s strong enough to protect himself, you’ll pose as your twin brother.” Her smile froze, but she still acted innocent. “But Father. If I take my brother’s position, then wouldn’t the assassins mistake me for him and…” She stopped talking when she realized that was exactly what the emperor wanted her to do. [This sc*mbag wants me to be bait?!] “You’re no longer a princess, Neoma de Moonasterio. From now on, you’ll live as Prince Nero de Moonasterio,” Emperor Nikolai said coldly while looking down at her with glowing red eyes. “Try to survive until your twin brother comes back to take his rightful place, understood?” Neoma was too shocked to react. [Are you f*cking kidding me, you sc*mbag?!] *** [ORIGINAL BOOK COVER. Artwork by sola_cola.] *** [EXCERPT 2] “I’m so sick of your tyrannical a*s,” Neoma yelled at her father aka the emperor. “I won’t forgive you for hurting Lewis and Tteokbokki!” “What will you do about it then?” Nikolai asked with a smirk. “Kill me?” “Yes! I’ll f*cking kill you, sc*mbag!” “Language,” he warned her, upset that his five-year-old daughter curses like a sailor. “Using vulgar words is unbecoming of the future Crown Prince.” “I’m a princess!” Upon yelling those words, the royal princess’s eye color changed from ash-gray to red. [This is getting serious.] “Stop it, Nero,” Nikolai told her sternly. “If you keep that up, the royal knights will come and–” “I’m not Nero!” Neoma screeched angrily. Then she jumped in the air with her left fist, ready to punch him. “In the name of the moon, I’ll punish you!” [What…?] And Princess Neoma, pretending as the Crown Prince for her sick twin brother, punched Emperor Nikolai, her father, in the face.

In a world where everyone is a slave, someone is born who cannot be controlled. At the same time, an unstoppable villain rises on a quest for revenge. But the truth is darker than he ever imagined, and now he must face an unbeatable enemy — including himself. *** Bruno was a young man born on Earth, the son of an influential modern Emperor. Despite having everything money could buy and receiving the best and most rigorous training to succeed his father, he chose the opposite path, defying his family’s ruthless rule. The price of his innocence? A merciless death and the complete erasure of his existence by the deity controlling his fate. On Earth, the law of the powerful was absolute; a slave could never rebel. But then, he wakes up again. He’s reborn in a world of cultivation, where freedom was promised to those strong enough to claim it. Now, he could soar like a free bird and carve his own destiny... or so he thought. The harsh reality of this new world soon showed him how insignificant he still was. He realized he had only changed masters. The freedom he sought was an illusion. The heavenly laws treated everyone as servants, and their rules were unbreakable. Bruno learned this bitter truth after losing everything that made him happy due to an unjust rule. But who was he to question? Hopeless, Bruno died... and was reborn as Alm, an unstoppable villain. With a soul poisoned by pain and vengeance, he sowed chaos across the universe. Planets were destroyed, countless lives taken, and his name became synonymous with terror. A hero rose to oppose him, wielding a sacred sword of hope. People from all corners of the universe united against Alm, raising their voices and weapons to stop the villain who defied the heavens. But Alm was no longer just fighting for revenge. He was challenging the heavenly laws that sought to control him, fighting fate and all living beings. And against all odds... the sacred sword shattered. The alliance of the entire universe was defeated. The villain won! Now, Alm found himself alone in the empty void of a dead universe, facing his own inner demons. Who could be more ruthless to him than himself? “What have I done?” At that moment, the doors of truth opened to him. Everyone was a puppet of a supreme figure, an entity that manipulated minds and even the heavenly laws. “I will find you, no matter where you are!” Thus, the last emissary of the true Heaven’s Will awakened. Alm, who once only relied on his sheer will and rage, now had a system to guide him. But his opponent was an immortal existence, above even the heavens. The villain who destroyed an entire universe now faced a new beginning. He discovered that the universe he devastated was just a tiny grain of sand in an infinite cosmos, where countless other universes existed. And so begins the legendary tale of the villain’s rise... and the Sacred Round God? A strange Duality of Shadows existed within one person. But this time, he wouldn’t be alone. *** To clear up any potential confusion or frustration, here are some key points about the story. I’ll avoid major spoilers, but a few things will be revealed. You might find this concerning at first, but just check the book cover—it shows the main character and his only partner. She first appears at 10 years old, but rest assured, there’s no inappropriate content or early romance. At around 13, SHE starts developing feelings for the protagonist, but he doesn’t respond until she’s an adult. With her determined personality, she tries to seduce him at 17/18, but it doesn’t work. Their relationship only happens much later. The book has nods to other works, with my own spin on them, and focuses on avoiding elements I find problematic in other stories. Lastly, the beautiful book cover was commissioned and created by HDIArt.