Follow the Archangel stories of Nicholas and his band of misfits through their challenges and struggles.

200 years ago man created the greatest AI known but this Machine eventually grew a mind of its own and evetually it's own body, it rose up with others like it against the human race this battle went on for about 20 years and nature and most resources were dieing off cause of the continuing battles but the final battle it released a large blast but is wasn't a bomb it was something else entirely, the machines had something hidden down their main base, something that wasn't human or machine something not of this earth, the blast brought back nature it changed it along with the humans and Machines closes to the blast.....both of them went a evolution of some sorts and because of this both sides where able to form a peace ending the war



Lia Giles became a border guard and mechanic for the power lines on the in between of the main city and the unearthly forests, no longer being able to stand living in the high technology world where humans are treated like second class citizens. On one of her patrols she discovers something or more like someone that no one has ever seen before.

Although Huo Shaoheng was excited, he didn't show it on his face.
"... I think so," he said lightly. "Can the mechanical arm find a fixed position?"
The idea of the assembly experts was to use the mechanical arm to grab the small submarine and then use mechanical strength to pull the submarine up.
It didn't sound like it needed much technology, as long as the horsepower was enough.
But when it was actually implemented, it was not only a physical job, but also a technical job.
First of all, it was necessary to operate the camera on the robotic arm to record all aspects, so as to get more data parameters. Otherwise, if the grip wasn't right, it would cause great damage to the submarine.
Second of all, the robotic arm had to carry out metal detection on the seabed around the submarine, in case there were traps and explosives. It was better to be safe than sorry.
Finally, the robotic arm had to grasp the most reliable and energy-saving position. It also had to ensure that the steel spines could be inserted into the submarine for internal sampling. This was a comprehensive task that involved various aspects such as material engineering, fluid dynamics, and marine geology.
The assembly experts controlled the robotic arm to film the Mini submarine. They analyzed it and said, "It looks like this submarine has been here for a long time. Look at the shellfish and seaweed on the submarine. They are black like a large piece of air-dried rock. Tsk Tsk, the titanium alloy material is ruined like this..."
The main material of a submarine was titanium alloy. The better the quality of the titanium alloy, the higher the performance of the submarine.
Sometimes, technology was no longer the limit, but the resource material would always be.
Even if a big country didn't safeguard its technology, just safeguarding its resource materials was enough to make a small country have its hands tied.
Huo Shaoheng's face was dark, and he didn't say another word.
Four hours passed, and the camera on the robotic arm finally captured the entire mini submarine from top to bottom, left to right.
Then, they went to check whether there were mines or other explosives on the seabed around the submarine.
At this time, the other general assembly experts, along with Huo Shaoheng and Zhao Liangze, replayed the images they had just taken.
Even Zhao Liangze had never captured close-up high-definition pictures.
That was because he didn't have a large-scale device like the robotic arm, which allowed him to dive deep into the sea to take close-up pictures.
He only had the flood dragon, the unmanned aerial vehicle. He could only sink for five kilometers before he couldn't continue sinking anymore.
The place where the submarine sank happened to be a trench. It was at least eight kilometers away from the surface of the sea. It was one of the few deep sea trenches left in the world.
He focused his attention on the high-definition picture displayed on the sixty-inch large screen and silently compared it with the picture he took.
The experts in the final assembly were professionals after all. They could roughly analyze the material and structure of this mini-submarine with just a glance at the high-definition image.
Facing the high-definition image and preliminary technical analysis of the mini-submarine in front of them, the experts were so shocked that their eyeballs almost popped out.
"... this, this, this, this submarine isn't made of titanium alloy! Could it be... a cement submarine?!"
"Oh my god! In my lifetime! I never thought I would be able to see a cement submarine go out to sea for service!"
Their hands trembling as they caressed the high-definition picture of the submarine on the big screen, a few general assembly experts practically pounced in front of the big screen, as if they could touch the real shell of the submarine just like that.
"A cement submarine?" Huo Shaoheng and Zhao Liangze looked at each other and saw the confusion in each other's eyes. "Isn't the cement submarine still in the model stage of the laboratory?"
"It's in the model stage, but all the benefits are obvious to everyone!" An equipment specialist in general assembly started to gesture excitedly. "We all know that no matter how powerful a submarine is, as soon as it's discovered, it would only become a target for the enemy."
"Therefore, how to conceal oneself has always been the utmost important part of submarine research and development."
"While we were searching for all kinds of concealment materials, Germany's World War II anti-magnetic armor made of cement entered everyone's field of vision. That was simply a genius invention, and it had also inspired weaponry experts from all over the world.
"If the shell of a submarine was made of special cement that had been added with special chemical ingredients and was covered with a soundproof tile on the outer layer of the submarine, the outer layer of the submarine can be coated with an anti-submarine effect of double sound insulation and demagnetization.
"That was because the cement shell can absorb the sound waves of the enemy's detection sonar, and it can also shield the sound waves produced by itself. Moreover, it won't cause the abnormal magnetic field of the seabed that is usually caused by a traditional titanium alloy submarine while it is submerged under the seabed.
"The existing submarines are all made of special titanium alloy materials. This kind of material has benefits. For example, it is light, strong, and durable. However, it also has many innate defects that all countries are unable to overcome. For example, it can't block sound waves, and it can't eliminate the magnetic field variation that is produced whenever it moves.
"That was all until a few years ago. When the Ruby Central Weapons Design Bureau of Russia proposed the idea of a 'cement submarine', all these problems were instantly solved.
"Because first of all, a submarine with a cement shell can easily break through the limit of a normal submarine's diving depth of 1,800 feet. It can sink to the deepest seabed by relying on its own gravity.
"Second of all, its coating can disable all anti-submarine detection systems that rely on sound and magnetic fields.
"Finally, it's a cement fortress! It's simply an indestructible shield! If it's built properly, even nuclear weapons can't blast it apart!"
As if he had seen a rare treasure, the assembly expert's eyes lit up, and he gave a long speech on the benefits of a "cement submarine".
Huo Shaoheng had heard of a "cement submarine" before.
He had sent his own people to infiltrate the Russian KGB several years ago, in part because of the new type of submarine, the "cement submarine".
However, as far as he knew, the Russian "cement submarine" was still in the blueprint and model stage, and they hadn't developed a submarine that could be used in actual combat yet. Moreover, it was very small, much smaller than the mini submarine in front of him.
They had previously identified this submarine as a "mini", compared to a traditional titanium alloy submarine.
If this was really a "cement submarine", then its size would already be relatively large in comparison.
"It's really a cement submarine?! That's really impressive," Zhao Liangze muttered to himself. "But it's so heavy, so how can it rise from the bottom of the sea?"
"Look at its flank. Yes, this is the place." The general assembly expert used a laser pen to delineate a category on the big screen. "When it moves, there will be a sliding wing sticking out here. It can reduce drag and increase speed. If it uses nuclear power as its power system, then it will be able to sail indefinitely under the sea!"
"In fact, the power system of a cement submarine and its operating system are inherently superior to traditional submarines. Because the power system of a cement submarine doesn't need to consider weight, it can be added as much as possible."
The introduction from the assembly experts finally made Huo Shaoheng and Zhao Liangze understand.
The cement submarine in front of them, called "Cereus I" was at least 20 years ahead of the submarine technology of this world!
"Sir, even without what's inside the submarine, even if there's only a shell left of the submarine, it's still worth the trip!"
"That's right, that's right! I really didn't expect such good stuff to be here!"
"No wonder this operation was so confidential! It's worth it! It's more than worth it!"
The Huaxia Empire's military was filled with people who knew quality. Before this, they had worked hard just to complete a mission that their superiors had given them.
But now, from the bottom of their hearts, they were determined to salvage the submarine!
Many of them wished they that a military order stating that if they couldn't salvage the submarine they couldn't leave, would be issued!
Because they were also experts in naval weapons research, and several of them were submarine experts.
They rushed to Huo Shaoheng and shook hands with him one by one. They said earnestly, "Chief, if this submarine can't be salvaged, we'll apply to stay here."
"We heard that you've set up a base here. That's amazing! Your strategic vision is unparalleled! Can we use your base? We guarantee we'll pay the rental fee!"
Hoping that he would agree to their request, a few experts in their forties and fifties looked at Huo Shaoheng eagerly.
Huo Shaoheng didn't know how to react, but he still looked calm and composed. He said, "Don't worry, everyone. We'll salvage this submarine no matter what. We'll give it to you guys to do research on when we get back."
He paused and added, "If the owner of the submarine allows it."
"The owner of the submarine? This submarine has an owner? Who is it?" An expert asked curiously.
"Cereus." His heart suddenly softening, Huo Shaoheng said slowly.
The name popped out from the tip of his tongue and his tongue collided with his lips. It reminded him of Gu Nianzhi's soft lips.
Huo Shaoheng closed his eyes and quickly drove the inappropriate flirtatious feeling out of his mind. He adjusted his expression. "As long as she agrees."
"Cereus? There really is such a person?"The general assembly experts were even more surprised.
They thought it was just the name of the submarine.
Gu Nianzhi's English name was known only to her close friends and colleagues. Ordinary people, such as these military general assembly experts, naturally wouldn't know.
Huo Shaoheng nodded and said with a smile, "Since that name was written on it, it must be that person. As long as you guys find her and get her permission, you guys can do research on this submarine."
The experts looked at each other and wisely shut up. They didn't continue to argue with Huo Shaoheng about the ownership of the name "Cereus.".
He was the one who had discovered it anyway, so he was right no matter what.
If they were to make things difficult for him, they would probably never have the chance to do research on this submarine that they had always dreamed of working on.
Everyone quieted down and continued to operate the robotic arm.
Soon, eight hours had passed. It was time for the second group of experts to go on stage.
Song Jinning had yet to wake up, so Huo Shaoheng had Zhao Liangze take the lead there and found a place to sleep.
Huo Shaoheng didn't know whether it was because there was a problem with the magnetic field, or because he had been too exhausted for the past few days, so he started dreaming. Huo Shaoheng had just closed his eyes when he saw a tall and thin man in a khaki trench coat standing in front of him.
The man looked at him and smiled with deep regret. Then, he bowed to him and disappeared.
Huo Shaoheng snapped out of his dream. The man's regretful smile flashed through his mind! Wasn't that how Gu Xiangwen's face appeared in Ye Xuan's photo?!


Gu Nianzhi had no idea how to get the aloof and handsome Major General to fall in love with her. 

His eyes were dark and serious. "...Seduce me. If you can do it, I’m yours." 

Gu Nianzhi: "!!!"

Disclaimer: The following stories contains sexual assault, rape, nonconsensual acts, mentally abusive relationships, and violence towards women. Readers are advised to proceed with caution.

"It's been a week since Levit Castlebridge, son of Elvis Castlebridge, made an announcement that caused nationwide commotion," the newsreader said. "Claiming to be a saviour of the oppressed, Levit Castlebridge claims that he will rid this country of its rulers.

"The military has been sent to all parts of the country to prevent any riots or support rallies that may have risen out of this.

"However, the military is currently at a disadvantage, having lost the Codwell Armoury Complex to the rebel group calling themselves the Amnesty Circle. Majority of the government has fallen into turmoil regarding the matter. While it is still uncertain if an attack will be carried out on the Amnesty Circle, the country's safety hangs in the balance. 

"There still has been no incident in the nature of a war, but military leaders state that if the need came, they would wage a war the country would never forget."

The TV went black and Levit's reflection rested its remote-bearing hand on the sofa in his room.

"Everything you hoped for?" asked Eva, lying on her back on the bed.

"You've asked that before," Levit said. "And yes. Is the project complete?"

"It is," Eva said.

"Then let's go," Levit stood up.

***

In the central chamber of the Armoury Complex, the military personnel and trainees of the Amnesty Circle had gathered, along with the Assembly.

Levit (three floors off the ground) strode onto the balcony and gazed out over the crowd. The Assembly stood here.

Below him was a single, ten-metre figure draped in a white cloth.

"Greetings, all!" Levit spoke. A floating microphone beside him amplified his voice. The gathering's attention turned to him. He heard Eva's footsteps as she stood a few feet behind him. 

"I have called you here today to relate to you the Amnesty Circle's next order of business," he said. He paused for a moment's effect before declaring with flair, "We are going to take over the Province of Codwell!"

Immediately, he received the exact reaction he'd received the first time he'd made such a declaration.

"Impossible!"

"The Army will be done with us in no time!"

"This is too ambitious for a kid!"

Levit smiled calmly through it all. And when the commotion died down a bit, he spoke. "My dear friends!" he said. "Did I not promise that I would give you the Codwell Armoury Complex?"

Mutters.

"And didn't you say the same things?"

Murmurs dragged out.

"And yet, isn't this that same Complex we're standing in?"

The murmurs continued.

"I am the definition of impossible!" Levit said. "I shouldn't even be here, for so many reasons! And yet I am! I asked you to trust me once and now I ask you to trust me again!"

"Castlebridge," the General said. His name, Levit had learnt, was Lysander. "Isn't this a bit too ambitious? Are you sure your victory here hasn't made you a little . . . overconfident of yourself?"

"Hm," Levit smiled. "So you don't believe in me either?"

The General said nothing.

"Very well!" Levit said. "Let me show you something!"

And with that, someone pulled the white cloth off the figure, revealing a tall robot with the head design like a wolf, a black-grey body with red edges, mounted weapons in some places while invisible in others.

A roar of shock, amazement and awe hurled itself over the crowd.

"This, is a MORBID," Levit said. "By now, many of you know what those are. Mechs designed by our enemy, Hinsa, to lay waste on our armies, with the agility of a ground troop and the armour of a mega-tank. Thanks to Eva and the Stallion we found in this building, we can now mass-produce as many of these as we wish!"

Levit felt triumphant as he saw the reaction he'd caused on the crowd. He held an arm out towards them.

"Now tell me!" he called. "Will you, the Amnesty Circle, help me make Codwell part of our domain?"

"Yeah!" came a deafening roar and someone began chanting his name, and soon, the whole crowd was chanting his name.       

"Levit! Levit! Levit!"

Levit grinned.

As the emperor of the Xingyuu Empire, Emperor Lianghu had complete access to the empire's information network. He was provided with updates from every corner of the continent, even extending as far as the Alzar Kingdom's Royal Assembly. Naturally, he knew about the problems in the Yunyun Stronghold and his daughters' actions. When Minister Linshi declared Xiuying and Ming as traitors, he did not take the news well. They were his progeny, his flesh and blood! A daughter would always hold a special spot in a father's heart. From how Lianghu treasured his wife, it was not hard to see he cherished his two daughters. Despite that, the relationship between them deteriorated to the current critical state.
The plan of kidnapping Elizabeth was a carefully thought out one. One could see that from how the empire deployed more than a dozen Imperial Sentinels to Port Silic. The Imperial Sentinels were a symbol of power and might, geniuses and monsters that surpassed human limits. Yet, the emperor was more than willing sacrifice them in exchange for the heir apparent! Elizabeth and Korogin, these two people were the keys to the Alzar Kingdom. Their existence was paramount! When she was successfully brought to the Yunyun Stronghold, it was like one hand on the Alzar Kingdom's throat. One more squeeze and it would suffocate the kingdom. With Lord Korogin's death, it would be a perfect ending.
Because of the Li Family and his daughters, Elizabeth was handed over to General Illion. It was an unimaginable loss! He was infuriated from the bottom of his heart. How could he raise his daughters to be so ungrateful? That day, his fury was felt through the palace. Furthermore, General Illion had the audacity to capture them! Although it did not completely turn the tables, it did level the playing field. Emperor Lianghu had set an elaborate trap for Lord Korogin. The forces in the north were deliberately weakened for General Illion. This gave Lord Korogin a sense of security in his plans. Yet, even if Emperor Lianghu captured Lord Korogin, the Alzar Kingdom had his daughters.
Were they equivalent? Generally speaking, the lives of the princesses were not worth the Master of Strategy's. A dullard could see that. Lord Korogin was not only the Master of Strategy, he was also the head of the Royal Assembly and the substitute monarch! His position was paramount, second to Queen Bethnal. Comparing him to the Imperial Princesses, which served an auxiliary role in politics, was a joke. However, Emperor Lianghu greatly treasured his two daughters and would fight for them back, even if he had to give up Lord Korogin! Of course, that was before they decided to stab in the back and turn to the kingdom… Now, it was hard to tell.
Therefore, their imminent arrival was confusing. Emperor Lianghu, the Four Cardinals, and even the Imperial Council believed that the Imperial Princesses would be taken to the Alzar Kingdom with the heir. That way, the kingdom could secure their advantage over the empire. The reason why Elizabeth could be kidnapped was a combination of factors. Firstly, Lord Korogin did not disclose her true status to anyone. Secondly, General Illion did not expect such a strong force to emerge in Port Silic. If the Xingyuu Empire tried to replicate their success now with the Imperial Princesses, it would be impossible. No matter what, they would be safeguarded as bargaining chips. Hence, their actions right now were the very definition of stupidity!
For betraying the empire, I'll make sure to make my daughters regret it! Emperor Lianghu thought viciously before a confused expression took over. What? Why am I thinking like this? Why would I hurt my own daughters? However, that confusion was like a rock falling on an ocean. The waves gradually faded, replaced with an overwhelming, bordering on illogical, hatred for the Alzar Kingdom.
While the emperor was conflicted, Sir Winstin was pale as he murmured, "Why would General Illion do this?" From what he knew, General Illion was always a calm and cunning man. This impulsive and self-destructive act was unlike him.
"General Illion shouldn't know of Lord Korogin's defeat here. Is he coming with other intentions in mind?" Cardinal Hui wondered.
"Regardless of what he's planned, there is nothing he can do here," Shaolong said.
Cardinal Hui turned to look at the emperor, who was trapped in his own thoughts. "What are your orders, Your Imperial Majesty?"
"It will be the same plan as before. Destroy the Alzar Kingdom's army and capture all important figures. For this battle, General Illion, Princess Elizabeth…" He hesitated to continue, "Princess Xiuying and Princess Ming are our top priority targets. Everyone else is to be killed!" the emperor ordered.

***

Back with the Alzar Kingdom's fleet, even before they arrived, they could feel a heavy oppressive aura in the air. It hung above them, like an executioner's blade. It was excruciatingly suffocating! Although the clash between Lord Korogin and Emperor Lianghu passed days ago, time could not wash away the insanity and bloodlust that lingered here. That, and the ridiculous casualties from here, made everyone instinctively feel goosebumps. Everyone here was a soldier that fought on several warfronts. They were particularly sensitive to such things.
Alzar gliders swept over the lands unimpeded and returned within an hour, their expressions ugly. The ravaged battlefield could not be covered up. The torn-up ground, the thousands of corpses, and the stench of death was extremely noticeable. Additionally, with the descent of winter, snow covered the lands. Before the blood could dry, it stained the white into an evil red. If anyone missed it, they would be laughed at as blind. Seeing this, the soldiers were mortified. They could see an overwhelming number of Alzar corpses. Whatever battle happened here ended in the complete annihilation of the Alzar army. The scouts reported everything to General Illion.
General Illion was solemn. Around him were his highest-ranking officers, including Sir Lorenzo, who had dark faces. By now, they understood everything from Lord Korogin's daring plan to siege Yongtein and the emperor's elaborate trap. Everything was in the empire's firm control from the very beginning. They were like puppets, playing along to the tune of their enemies. With how the battle turned out, it was clear that Lord Korogin was met with calamity. His fate unknown. At this point, was there a point in continuing? It would be much better to turn around and head towards the Alzar Kingdom instead!

With Elizabeth Silvera, Benedict Hawken, Shirley Adonina, and Freon Adnire, these four will rise from nothing to the top! However, it will not be easy. Strength is only gained through pain and suffering. From Fundamental Realm to Perception Realm, from Gaseous Fog to Condensed Drop, from meager Rank 1 to legendary Rank 5 Gods, this is a complex story where mortals and gods struggle alike! And this isn't just about battles, wars, and schemes. It's about how everyone grows in this increasingly diverse world! Buckle tight because this will be a long journey. This is the Chronicles of New Havens!

Book 1 Lion and Snake (Completed 2-22-2020)
Book 2 Meeting of Masters (Completed 12-13-2020)
Book 3 Empire's Collapse (Ongoing...)

Estimated Arc 1 progress: 50% 

Chapter updates are either daily or once every two days.

All credit belongs to Square ENIX and Jeremy Chong for the cover and all adjustments are personally made.

The director-general, deputy director-general, 13 directors, and some other top brass of Division 13 quickly assembled in the conference room to discuss how to proceed with Han Xiao.
"Han Xiao possesses knowledge of vital information. With his help, we will be able to launch precise attacks on the Germinal Organization's bases. He is a mechanic, and has demonstrated combat ability on par with elite agents. He is willing to cooperate…" read the Intelligence Director from a compiled report.
"I believe that we can put some trust in him and work together," he added.
After a few seconds of uncertain silence, the Internal Affairs Director was the first to raise his objection.
"No way. What if the intel he gives us is false?"
Division 13 was split into two factions: the hardliners, led by the Internal Affairs Director, and the conservatives, led by the Intelligence Director.
The two factions sat separately.
"That is very unlikely," answered the Intelligence Director. "He is a deserter of the Germinal Organization, and only stands a chance to live if he gains our protection. There is no reason to doubt his willingness to cooperate."
"For all you know, it could just be an elaborate act!" The Internal Affairs Director shot back. "I suggest we detain him and extract the intel from him by force! Division 13 doesn't need to negotiate with anyone."
"You are being ridiculous! Such measures are uncalled for! Han Xiao has already demonstrated his sincerity to us, what we should be doing is accepting it and working together against the common enemy!"
"That is what a coward would do!"
"You are the definition of brainless!"
Under the leadership of their respective spokesmen, the other members from the two factions began to engage in an exchange of insults. Although both factions valued the intel that Han Xiao possessed, one faction wanted to befriend him and work together, while the other faction saw him as a potential threat. The squabble looked like it was almost about to escalate into a brawl.
The director-general and the deputy director-general simply watched on. The director-general was the person with the most power in Division 13, while the deputy director-general was actually a bureaucrat tasked by the higher-ups to perform supervision. He was also referred to as the administrative director-general.
It wouldn't be unusual for there to be power struggles for the director-general position in an institution like Division 13, but the deputy director-general actually couldn't be bothered with much at all. Take now for example: he had been sitting still from the start without uttering a single word, as though his spirit had left his body and was on a tour of the world. He was probably even more concerned with what he would have for dinner later on. Well, if you consider that his ambitious predecessor had ended up mysteriously charged with treason, wanting to maintain a low profile was understandable.
The director-general, on the other hand, was a dignified-looking man who commanded respect. He contemplated for a moment before speaking his mind, "Since you want to both cooperate with him and control him, isn't there a perfect solution? Let's recruit him to the department."
The bickering crowd instantly broke up; silence ensued as the hardliners stared blankly.
What the heck‽
"Absolutely no way!"
"What if Han Xiao's motive was precisely to infiltrate us‽"
"That goes against our secrecy policy!"
The director-general suddenly bellowed, "We'll settle it the way we always do; we'll have a vote!"
The conservatives rejoiced. Aside from the one neutral director, each faction had exactly 6 people. With the director-general's vote, they would most likely win it. On the other hand, the hardliners were panicking.
Suddenly, the Internal Affairs Directors spoke, "I think that the logistics department will suit him well. Not only will it maximize his usefulness as a mechanic, we will be able to keep him under close watch since he will be inside the headquarters."
He had already resigned himself to the inevitable.
For once, the conservatives agreed with him. The logistics department was indeed the best option as Han Xiao would be confined to the HQ.
However, the director-general suddenly cut in, "Since we are going to make use of his talents anyway, might as well assign him to the Covert Ops Department!"
The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly froze. All the directors turned and looked towards the neutral director – the Covert Ops Director who had been in the middle of yawning.
"Ahhh— eh, what? Me?"
"Then it's settled!" decided the director-general as he slammed the table. "Words and actions may be deceiving, but motives are not. We'll let him join the Covert Ops Department after verifying the locations he's disclosed."
The directors all face-palmed themselves. Whatever makes you happy, boss.
The deputy director-general yawned to break the silence.
"Time to finish up already? What's on the canteen menu today?"
…
After the conference, the Intelligence Director and the Logistics Director proceeded to the logistics department together to examine the Lightweight Mechanical Arm.
They were interested to see Han Xiao's craftsmanship to gain insight on him.
The personnel they had tasked with conducting the examination was Luo Xuan, the 'ace' of the logistics department. He was the top machinery studies student of his year at the Western Capital University, and had been recruited directly into Division 13, where his continued excellence earned him the favor of his higher-ups. There were plans to transfer him to the Covert Ops Department.
He was flawless – apart from being too arrogant.
"Begin."
Luo Xuan began to get to work with the Lightweight Mechanical Arm, but he suddenly stopped and reported, "It's encrypted."
Machines were commonly installed with encryption to prevent unauthorized disassembly and reverse engineering. The [Basic Assembly] knowledge that Han Xiao possessed came with the method to install such encryption. The encryption that he had installed would take an E-class mechanic to crack. Evidently, Han Xiao had anticipated this series of events.
Rover One was also encrypted—not that it mattered, since it had self-destructed.
"Can you crack it?" asked the Intelligence Director.
"No problem," replied the confident Luo Xuan. He didn't think that it was possible for an unknown mechanic to make a lock that he, a genius, couldn't crack.
Twenty minutes later, however, he had not made any progress, and was sweating profusely. "Four-layered encryption‽ Is the bastard who made this machine crazy or something?"
A four-layered encryption was extremely complex to crack as the slightest error would cause the machine's internals to disintegrate, rendering it useless. Luo Xuan was at a loss of how to proceed.
The Intelligence Director's face had long since darkened.
"Can you crack it or not? Don't waste my time."
Luo Xuan suppressed his irritation and, through gritted teeth, replied, "This encryption is too complex. I— I need more time."
"Enough. I don't have the time to wait for you. Just tell me your thoughts on the arm."
Luo Xuan face darkened in displeasure and he replied, frustrated, "The craftsmanship itself is nothing special. Only the encryption was well made. Feels like the creator is some bumpkin who treats garbage like treasure."
The Intelligence Director's eyes twitched, but he left without saying anything else. His men retrieved the Lightweight Mechanical Arm. His next plan was to perform actual combat testing at the Germinal bases that Han Xiao had revealed to them.
He was actually more interested in the rover; it was a shame it was burnt beyond recognition.
Division 13 may have been powerful and mighty, but one could never have enough new weapons.
"The Research Department is always allocated with the largest cut of the budget, yet those useless fools only know how to create useless crap like double-sided sticky bombs, curved guns that don't work at all, and fake nipples to hide poison needles! They even have male and female versions!"
The Covert Ops Department had borne a grudge against the research team ever since two of their agents were self-poisoned due to a 'wardrobe malfunction'.
…
Meanwhile, the director-general was making a phone call to Tall Old Man.
"I have ensured that Han Xiao will join the covert ops team."
"Good work. Thank you."
"Old man, is he really worth doing all this for?" asked the director-general curiously.
"Heh heh. Intel is not all he has to offer. I have a feeling that he will play a crucial role in the battle against the Germinal Organization."


What do you do when you wake up and find yourself inside the very game that you love? 
What do you do when you realize you that you have not only become an NPC - you have even been thrown back in time to before the game even launched! 
What will happen when our protagonist's two realities coincide? 
Han Xiao was a professional power leveler before his transmigration. Using his past life's knowledge, Han Xiao sweeps through the universe as he prepares for the arrival of the players. This is definitely not your typical transmigration novel.

Timothy stared at the window. After reading the letter, he cancelled the march and went to his office with Erik. 
The two were silent for a while until Erik spoke with a worried tone "Tim, you don't know anything about women" 
"Yeah" he answered lazily
"And…" Erik paused as if recalling something "you never had a lover before" 
"That's true" Timothy agreed
Erik leaned on his chair "Some people even say that you" he paused and whispered "like men"
Tim shot Erik a piercing look that almost made him fell off the chair. While it was true that he never had a lover before, it was not because he likes men. He just doesn't have interest in romance. For him, romance was a privilege only commoners could enjoy. Every noble family uses marriage as a political tool so he already knew that someday he would marry someone for political reasons. But now that it finally happened, he was slightly scared. He will live with this person possibly his whole life. Although Castonian law allowed divorce, he will still be tied to her. He was young and still had many ambitions.
 He wanted to experience his youth and discover the secrets of this world. He wanted to travel north where the sea spans the horizon, to visit the howling mountains of Ninev, the lush fertile plains of sond, the ghambit desert. Most important of all, he wanted to find the person in his dreams, that woman whose presence fills his heart with both joy and sadness. If he will marry, he can't do these things. 
"Baseless rumors!" Erik immediately clarified "but Tim, are you alright with this?" 
"It's father's orders. I don't have a choice. As long as she doesn't shackle me, then it's alright." 
Timothy stood up and went to the cabinet. He took a bottle of aged Hadean wine. The bottle was one of the best ones in his collection. He then took two cups and offered one to Erik.
"Drinking before breakfast. Is that wise?" Erik cautioned. 
Timothy ignored his question. "We will leave the castle and head for the capital tomorrow. You're not unfamiliar with the King's patience. Besides.." he poured some wine into his cup. The aroma of aged hadean filled his nostrils with glee. " we also need to visit your father in Greenwater along the way. The Marquis will be happy to see you again." he took a sip. The rich taste of the wine warmed his heart. 
"I'll make the preparations then" Erik also poured some wine into his cup. He took a sip and then emptied the cup into his mouth. He let out an ecstatic grunt "After we're done with this of course" he raised his cup and took the bottle again to pour some more. 
************************************************************************************
Erik and James prepared for the journey while Tim went to see General Marvin and gave his final orders. He relinquished his command of the castle Knightsend to the General. It was a bad time to change leaders because there are rumors that the neighboring Kingdom of Tulosa was preparing for an invasion. Nevertheless, Timothy trusts General Marvin abilities. 
News of the imminent departure made the mood in the castle somber. Although Timothy was strict, he was also popular with the soldiers. Several officers and even common soldiers went to Timothy to confirm the news. 
In the afternoon, Timothy decided to give the soldiers his farewell.  4000 men stood silently. Their discipline was absolute and their eyes were brimming with pride. Timothy remembered the same scene a year ago when he punished the soldiers by making them stand all night. They were undisciplined back then, now they stood strong like true Castonians. 
"Garrison of Knightsend" He started. His voice was loud and clear. His posture was powerful but not overbearing "I am Timothy Castonia, your garrison commander" he paused "You know me as rooster prince" he gave a playful grin. 
The soldiers contained their laughs and the mood was lightened.
"You may have heard of the news. I'm leaving Knightsend. But no, I'm not abandoning you" he assured them "the entire Castonian army is behind you so don't be anxious."
"I only have one request" he paused to catch everyone's attention "If the Tulosans dare invade us, make them kneel. Make them understand that when the lion roars, even the wildest stallions tremble. Show them that they had chosen the wrong land to invade. " Timothy's voice echoed throughout the castle.
"15 years ago they also tried to invade. Our predecessors broke them while defending the walls" Timothy pointed at the walls "these very walls. They assaulted these walls thrice, each time failing. It was bloody, but our predecessors broke them. We then renamed the Castle, Knightsend to warn them not to think about future invasions" 
"But it seems our warning did not deter them from trying their luck again. If they did invade, it will be your turn to break them. It's your turn to defend your Kingdom. Instill in their minds that Knightsend's name still stands!" Timothy raised his fist into the air and the soldiers' cheers boomed inside the castle. 
Timothy paused to let the noise subside. He then ended his speech with a question, "Will you defend Castonia?"
Filled with emotions, the soldiers saluted by pounding their fists into their chests. Timothy could see the smoldering fire in their eyes. He was proud of them. They are the very definition of a Castonian, strong, loyal and brave.
The assembly was then disbanded with the soldiers in high spirits. 
The afternoon gave way to evening, and evening became morning. It was time to leave.
Timothy, Erik and James took one last look at the Castle. Although Timothy might not want to admit it, he had grown fond of Knightsend. The walls were not that tall, but they gave an aura of strength and vigilance. The towers were not so imposing, but Timothy knew that only a fool would underestimate these towers. The gates were not the strongest in the word, but the enemy would have to sacrifice a lot to take it. 
The three of them turned their horses around and started their journey.  Their destination- The City of Nirvana, Capital of Castonia.

He enjoyed the city's splendor from the balcony of the palace. It was dazzling, worthy of the Gods' envy- if they even exist. 
He felt something soft and warm embrace him from behind. Arms wrapped around his belly. 
"What are you thinking about?" she asked while sniffing his back. 
"Would you believe me if I said that I was thinking about you?" he turned around and feasted his eyes upon her pretty face. 
"I wouldn't" she shook her head and grinned. 
"Why?"
"Because I've fallen for your sweet words many times before and I will not fall into your trap again" 
He whispered to her ears, "What if I say that I'll give you the world?"
"Cliché" she smirked
"What if I say, that I'll give my life for you?"
"Too tragic" she laughed
"What if I say that" he rubbed his nose against hers "I will love you with all my heart"
She smiled "Then I'll have no choice but to fall for your sweet words again"


*****************

Hello readers! Hopefully this tells you what the novel is all about. 
- Romance (Early romance and no harem)
- Power Couple
- War, Politics, Kingdom building (because of this, the main demographics of this novel are male readers. But female readers can also read this because I will make sure that the romance will not degrade over time)
- Medieval setting
- A touch of gore and violence (not so much)

Release rate - one chapter/day
Map of Western Castonia -https://imgur.com/5ZsaoCg
Map of Eastern Castonia- https://imgur.com/kST4PiA
Map of Vanadis-https://imgur.com/qv9RZLv
Map of Tulosa - https://imgur.com/doPe3ga
Larger Map- http://imgur.com/a/tpzG2Ia

Note: The cover is of course not mine

Chen Yu and Hou Yi continued on toward the assembly point, systematically plundering several other groups along the way. They didn't bother detouring to round up every single team, since those who had been pushed off the path were by definition weaker and therefore had probably been looted already. The pair strolled along in this way for several hours, and, having collected more than a third of the total mecha ignition keys by the time the sun rose, they decided to rest in a new trench. 

Seeing them bury into the ground, the instructors at the monitoring station couldn't stop their mouths from twitching. These unscientific brats were finally done, but couldn't they have left some keys for their peers? How was the academy supposed to fail so many of their twelfth-graders? Nevertheless, a corner of their hearts were very satisfied, these two had been raised quite well. 

As the hottest part of the day passed, most of the students copied Jin Yongguang, leaving the network viewers with nothing to watch but mounds of sand. For the bored audience, Chen Yu threw out a question that was like tossing a pebble into a pond. "Am I the only one who remembered that comment about the military cheating Jin Yongguang?" 

The people who had become ardent admirers of the boy buzzed, they'd forgotten about that! Still, many negated the possibility: how could the military be so stupid as to lose such a talented mecha operator? Furthermore, while repeatedly witnessing Jin Yongguang's brilliance did make them waver, everyone tacitly understood that some covert means were necessary to defend the Federation, many inquired if there was any evidence for either side. 

Chen Yu smiled and obliged, posting, "You have to see this, I have a friend who can access court records so I asked him to check on Jin Yongguang's history. But I don't even know what the results mean!" Along with this message was a copy of the Jin Jia family register that showed that Jin Yongguang had been removed, as well as an official acknowledgment by the Federation of Jin Yongguang's disinheritance. 

The original owner's family was, after all, one of the most powerful in political circles, Jin Yongguang's grandfather had eventually heard some rumors about his son's activities several months before the military's announcement. Just when he'd been investigating Jin Zhong and why he was suddenly behaving so suspiciously, his grandson explained what had happened, how a captain had talked to him, that he'd been pretending to help Jin Zhong for some time now. Apparently, Guang'er had been struggling on whether to tell him the truth for a few weeks, but, aware of his grandfather's health and extreme dedication to the Federation, he'd ultimately decided that he should warn him. 

Once the old man had recovered from his shock, he put aside his disappointment in his son and began to appraise the situation. The military already knew about his son, and since he had to be eliminated, the whole family wouldn't be let off in order to cut the grass at the roots. Perhaps the sole person in their family who could survive was this grandson of his, who had proved his allegiance to the Federation. 

For this faint possibility, Jin Jia was demolished, Jin Yongguang severed off, all the liabilities, debts, stains his parents had incurred could no longer be transferred to him. Furthermore, doubtful that the military would protect Guang'er despite the fact that he was assisting them, Elder Jin had carefully kept the documentation secret so that the child would have at least one hidden card. 

Actually, Chen Yu hadn't intended to get this patriotic old man involved, because there was some risk that he would do something crazy, like attempt a mass suicide or such. He had been forced to pull him in, however, because the Federation's regulations required the head of the household's cooperation to legally change the family register, and he didn't want to stand out too much by hacking in. 

But the old man had surprisingly taken the news rather well, quickly analyzing the best route to take. Chen Yu quite liked this kind of sensible person, he genuinely felt it was a pity that in the end, Elder Jin had killed himself on the day of General Hou's broadcast. At that time, Jin Yongguang, having already become someone unrelated to Jin Jia, had merely visited the funeral then returned to the academy, but this had called down a great deal of public criticism on him for his lack of filial piety, his heartlessness at abandoning his family as soon as scandal broke. Meanwhile, the body's younger brother, who generally appeared somewhat weak and undependable, had gained some favor for his heartfelt grief. 

Although the boy had ended up replacing the original owner in the plot, Chen Yu sensed that he was merely a pliable tool, at the funeral he had foolishly even tried to convince Jin Yongguang to stay and support his parents. Once Jin Jia fell, the younger brother would have nothing to rely on, nor would the original owner, who had spent most of his life in the academy's dorms instead of with his sibling, have supported him unconditionally. Since Chen Yu would be going OOC by targeting the boy or helping him, he wouldn't interfere whether or not the child was able to support himself. 

Spreading the documents now, when Jin Yongguang's image was neutral at worst, caused the public to doubt the military. 

Jin Jia's heir had been cut off so early, what did that mean? It implied that Elder Jin had found out about his son's betrayal and, hoping to protect his grandson, had isolated Jin Yongguang, but the timing of his actions, which indicated that he had discovered General Hou's intention to prosecute Jin Zhong, in turn suggested that someone close to him had been allied with the military. Wouldn't the most likely person then be...Jin Yongguang? So it was true that the boy had been used and discarded? 

The viewers exploded. 

"What a poor kid! And even when everyone was so mean to him, he didn't even defend himself, he must have been so sad." 

"The military really did make a mistake this time. He's such a good talent, but no one would have wanted him in their division if we hadn't discovered that he was innocent." 

"Pei, even if they step forward to clarify now, I say Yongguang shouldn't agree to work with them! Yongguang's too simple to deal with such sneaky, backstabbing people." 

In the face of such overwhelming criticism, the loyalists couldn't say anything without being bombarded on all sides. 

Laughing, Chen Yu closed the message board. Although this conversation was amusing, there wouldn't be much progress with it alone. 

He instead turned to confirm that the Imperial fleet that had coordinated with Murong Wen were on their way, it looked like it would arrive soon after night fell. Yes, the protagonist's grand plan of revenge had in fact been to use Jin Zhong's secretary to negotiate with the Empire. 

His bargaining chip was that as a former student of the academy, he was familiar with the standardized mecha's critical weaknesses: that it was barely equipped with weapons, that the defense systems could be taken down with just ten shock beams, and so on. Additionally, Hou Yi's status as General Hou's son and his famous prospects as a tactician and a mecha operator made him a priority target for the Empire.  

Satisfied with their progress, Chen Yu, who hadn't even considered warning the academy—he had neither the ability nor the interest to explain his source of information—rolled over to sleep. 

Once the sun had set and the temperatures had dropped, Chen Yu woke Hou Yi up, his plans required that they start moving so that they would be within a few hours' walk of the assembly point when the Empire attacked. By his count, this planet had a slightly longer day than he was used to, with nineteen hours of daylight and twelve hours of nighttime, so there were only eleven hours until the deadline. 

As he'd expected, within the next hour, the military noticed approaching starships that hadn't been cleared, but they didn't immediately notify the teachers, unwilling to cause a panic until they had confirmed that it was a hostile force. Thus, the academy only grew aware of the problem once the starships were visible to the naked eye, so that the emergency notification they sent through the communication channels in the students' mecha was far too late. 

Glancing at the Imperial insignia on the incoming fleet that the faculty was warning about, Hou Yi didn't panic, he quickly looked around for the most defensible location. A quick calculation later, he decided that they could reach the assembly point in three hours, that would be the safest place since there were academy instructors with fortified mecha there. Having decided, he controlled his mecha to stand behind Ah Guang's in case some other student tried to take this chance to hurt him, then, opening a private communication channel with Ah Guang, he soothed, "Don't be scared, I can protect you. Let's head to the coordinates for now, okay?" 

Chen Yu agreed, but he corrected, "Ah Yi, I'll be the one to protect you!" Although Hou Yi chuckled inside, secretly wondering how Ah Guang could be so cute, he didn't refute the other boy, hastening to get him to shelter. 

Behind them, a mass of frightened teenagers sprinted toward them, while from above, the Imperial captain in charge of this mission locked in on the movements. After zooming in, it could be discerned that two figures were leading the rest, so, guessing their identities from what Murong Wen had told him, he dispatched several of his mecha operators to bring up both of them. The people in the Federation military headquarters building were so stunned by the fact that the enemy's movements were aiming at the students instead of their soldiers that they gaped at the monitoring screens for a whole minute, during which time Jin Yongguang and Hou Yi were surrounded by a dozen sleek black mecha. 

Inside his cockpit, Hou Yi furrowed his brow. It seemed that things wouldn't be so simple to get away, they seemed to be the main objectives of the Empire's mission. Which one of them was the Empire aiming for? 

One of the mecha in front of him stepped forward, the operator's voice booming out through its speakers. "Cadet Hou Yi, Cadet Jin Yongguang, you are both invited to meet with our captain, please do not resist." 

Chen Yu studied the pilot who'd spoken, sneering. The Empire must place quite a bit of importance on decorum, even hostages had to be 'invited.' Before either he or Hou Yi could react, however, they were directly seized on both sides and dragged toward where the Imperial starships had landed. 

Hou Yi assessed the situation and, finding that there was almost no possibility for both of them to escape, he urgently murmured, "Ah Guang, I can hold them off for a while, you run and get help." 

Chen Yu paused, gazing at the boy with complex eyes, he simply counted down. "Ah Yi, in three, two, one, go!" 

Instinctively, Hou Yi understood what Ah Guang wanted, so despite his reluctance, they acted at the same time, throwing off their captors. 

The Imperial soldiers were caught off guard, but they swiftly recovered, drawing out their large laser guns from the holsters on their backs. Chen Yu smiled, those seemed much more interesting than his weapons, he'd take them gladly. 

Having swept a glance around to grasp the distribution of his opponents, he seized one of the hands that held the laser gun on him and twisted it behind the soldier's back, spinning so that he was protected by the other's mecha, then stuck his mecha's palm onto the other's vulnerable charging port. While the standardized mecha's shock beams wouldn't cause much damage to a mecha protected by a beam shield elsewhere, this spot would conduct electricity very well. Just a few moments later, the pilot had been electrocuted thoroughly, only able to save his life at the last second by removing his fingers from the metal controls. Due to not knowing whether their colleague was unconscious or dead, the other Imperial mecha operators hesitated, during which time Chen Yu forced the jerky mecha's arm to hold its laser gun up and accurately shot down the pilots around him. 

On the other side, Hou Yi had also managed to capture an Imperial mecha, but he hadn't disabled it, instead shooting his plasma gun to bore a small hole into the cockpit then climbing in to fight bare-handed against the soldier inside. By the time the Federation soldiers arrived, Hou Yi had taken over one of the Imperial mecha, while Jin Yongguang was in his standardized mecha finishing his last electrocution of an Imperial soldier. 

The audience who had been frozen staring at their screens in horror finally breathed again at the sight, prouder than ever of Jin Yongguang and Hou Yi. Look, two teenage Federation cadets had been enough to defeat so many of the Empire's experienced soldiers! 

Just when Federation reinforcements were flying in and everything seemed to be settled, however, the Empire's fleet, which had been trying to shoot down the two boys since the beginning of the skirmish, finally had a clear line of fire once their compatriots had collapsed. 

They directly raised their plasma cannons and shot at Hou Yi.

Chen Yu lost his life of luxury, pleasure, and thrills, was forced

to live as a thousand tragically minor characters,

to die a thousand tragically minor deaths.

Now he only needs to successfully complete ten last missions to escape the system's control.

Done with playing bit parts, he can finally

crush the golden fingers,

chomp the thick thighs,

crumple the plot armor

and outshine the proud children of heaven.

Let's start with the beginning.

Definition/Form - the anchor of all existence. Used to limit Possibility into Reality. Not the word 'definition' with a lower case 'd' used to limit the possible meanings of a verbal sound or assembly of drawings. Will Defines Reality.

Will - the force that Defines Possibilities and Realities; only Souls have a Will. Will is the consciousness of the Soul.

Soul - a piece of True Divinity? The Void? Maybe the Void is True Divinity. Unknown. It is the source of Possibility in Reality, and thus the base from which Will stems.

Sentient - has a soul.

Void - this is the Undefinable. It is nonexistence itself, and only thus perceived leads to existence from the Void. The metaphor used to perceive it is the relationship darkness has to light. Because darkness exists, light can be defined.

Possibility/Chaos - Undefined existence. This cannot be part of Reality, though Reality might dissolve into Chaos and the Void. Creatures that tap into Chaos for unlimited power constantly face the danger of becoming Undefined, thus slipping from Reality and possibly becoming one with the Void.

Mana/Qi/Power/Energy/Magic - all refer to partially Defined Possibility. The Definitions limit the possibilities enough for Reality to incorporate it without falling apart, but these can and do change Reality either by being used to alter a Definition (Alteration), strengthen a Definition (Reinforcement), destroy a Definition (Destruction), or be Defined further into Reality (Conjuration).

Reality - when Possibility is fully Defined by Will, it becomes Reality.

True Divinity - the actual God who is omnipotent and omniscient, who creates and controls all. No actual Definition known.

Godhood - with a lower case 'g'. Refers to a being that is no longer Defined by the Will of another, but is Defined by its own Will. While nigh immortal, it is still possible to destroy a god with powerful enough magic or the right exploitation of a weakness, which is why most gods seek to resolve any inner conflict before Ascension.

Ascension - The process of switching the Will Defining oneself to one's own Will. The process endangers the existence of the being undergoing Ascension, especially if done too fast. There are multiple forms of Acension and cultivation, see Appendix B.

Cultivation - the act of assimilating power or other mostly unDefined Possibility so as to form a new base for your existence with your Will. This process may or may not be assisted or hampered by a World's Laws.

Space - definition of Definition. Space is Reality Defined, part of the cause and effect system of Reality. Something that is more self Defined may take up less to no space, such as a god.

Sleep - the time when one's Will is withdrawn from the world. It fully reconnects with Soul, but stays connected to the body. At this time, any sentience or subconscious that is the body's becomes more active, as it is no longer repressed by the Soul.. In very rare cases, this consciousness may have its own Will and may be even more proficient than the Soul's Will. In these cases, it is probably because there is a second Soul attached to the body.

Body - the vehicle of consciousness. Bodies are medium through which a Will affects the world. Complicated bodies, e.g. biological, allow for a greater separation between Will and Reality, as the Will is more caught up in affecting the body. Simple bodies, such as ghosts, decrease this distraction, allowing Will to affect Reality much more easily. However, this in turn this allows Will to be affected much more easily by more Defined objects. Ghosts tend to be bound in place, and are weak to magic that affects their Definition in any way. Additionally, certain physical objects may harm them, depending on the world's Laws.

World Law - rule by which the a world operates, as Defined by the Will that created the world

Plane - a separate world connected to another, usually created by the same Will

Alignment - refers to innate suitability and understanding of a mana Concept/Element, and is based solely on Definition

This is a pure power fantasy. My MC will always win; it's just a question of how. I will try to make him human en

I'm planning on rewriting everything into a separate novel after each arc. I will only put character and creation stat sheets here though.

This my first rough draft.

I am still writing, but quarantine gives you less free time when you’re juggling more items in your schedule

"Go ahead and ask! I'd like to see how you attempt to turn the tables in public!"
"I see. Then Chief Wuma should listen closely." Jiang Pengji smiled indifferently. "First question: who is Liu Xi?"
"Your blood-related elder brother. It's also the identity of the man you took the name of."
Wuma Shang answered without hesitation.
Jiang Pengji's expression remained calm while she responded with ease, "Ha, this is incorrect. I am Liu Xi, and Liu Xi is me. Who said that a younger sister was not allowed to use the name of her late brother to console the grievances of their parents? This is a respectful act, and I don't think there's anything wrong with it."
Wuma Shang glared, wide-eyed, at her and almost choked on those words.
The minister audience watched his expression excitedly, while the audience in the live streaming room continued cheering Jiang Pengji on.
[Yan RiAn]: Danger up ahead! Non-combat personnel should evacuate immediately! The host is charging up for a big attack!
[Bandwagon Xiao DingDing]: Hello, 911? There's a patient about to get wrecked. I'm pre-ordering an ambulance.
[Gufeng YisiYuan]: Host's charge is at one hundred percent. I have a feeling that there's going to be a slaughter up ahead.
[WuYe ZhongSheng]: Sigh... Is living not fun? You just had to pick a fight with my husband. Now, you see, you're going to be destroyed.
"Such distorted logic!" Wuma Shang's face was a little dark, but he also couldn't manage to find an appropriate rebuttal now.
Jiang Pengji asked her next question with a smile and became more cunning with her words, forcing the ministers to hold in their laughter in their seats. "Second question. Please listen carefully, Chief Wuma—do you believe the statement 'anyone wearing men's clothes is a man, and anyone wearing women's clothes is a woman' is correct?"
Wuma Shang opened his mouth and didn't know whether to answer yes or no.
No matter what he said, Jiang Pengji still d a bellyful of responses for him.
If he said yes, he would be clearly lying through his teeth.
How could a person's gender be determined simply through a piece of clothing?
Men who wore dresses were still men. His body would not become a woman's simply because of his outfit.
Similarly, women who wear men's clothing were still women and wouldn't turn into real men.
If Wuma Shang answered that the statement was wrong, he would jump right into Jiang Pengji's trap and slap his own face.
He answered in distress: "This statement is clearly wrong."
Jiang Pengji laughed, "Yes, this statement is fundamentally wrong. In the same way, I, Liu Xi, am fundamentally a female who simply likes to dress as a man before people. Is it my fault that people assume I am a man simply because of the way I dress? I don't ever use cosmetics to hide my face and always show my true face. Outsiders mistake me for a man. Am I supposed to correct everyone and say I am a woman all the time? In other words—why are you blaming others for your own blindness?"
Wuma Shang's face reddened in anger, and he pointed at her as he said, "You ignorant youth, this is clearly an excuse. If you had no intention of hiding, then why did you say you would confess after the assembly? It's clearly because you have a hidden agenda! This is obviously a lie before the crown."
"This statement is wrong," Jiang Pengji answered. "Everyone thought that Liu Xi was a man, and His Highness and the empress dowager were simply the same. I had no intention of hiding, but I also didn't explain myself in time, let alone tell everyone I met that I was a female and admit that I had been lying all along. In other words, I am simply saving an exit for you in case you couldn't find a way to back down. I didn't think the Chief would be so aggressive about this!"
Wuma Shang's anger had reached a peak due to Jiang Pengji's endless games.
"No matter what excuses you use, you still can't hide the fact that you have attempted to lie about your gender in order to obtain Wanzhou!"
"I see. So Chief Wuma is only so insistent on this matter because you think a woman like me should not claim the title of Wanzhou magistrate?"
Wuma Shang gave a mocking laugh and said, "You hid your gender in order to claim the title of Wanzhou Magistrate and committed the felony of lying before the crown. What other excuses do you have?"
Jiang Pengji shot a cold glance at Wuma Shang.
"I thought that a real crime would be a third party claiming to be Liu Xi in order to obtain the Wanzhou Magistrate title. I didn't think that your definition of a crime would be a woman keeping her gender a secret to claim the title of Wanzhou Magistrate. Liu Xi is still Liu Xi, the real one, and not a fake in disguise, so why can't he take on Wanzhou?" Jiang Pengji sneered. "Or should I say, the Chief doesn't think a woman has the right to become the Wanzhou Magistrate?"
Wuma Shang questioned Jiang Pengji back.
"Did I say anything wrong?"
"Indeed, it is wrong! This is a laughable, grave mistake!" Jiang Pengji's voice suddenly rose as she pointed at Wuma Shang with the ritual baton in her hands and said confidently, "If you say that a woman is not qualified to become the Wanzhou Magistrate, shall I ask you if the former Marquis General Xu is a man or woman?"
Jiang Pengji single-handedly dragged the brothers Xu Pei and Xu Fei down with just this one line, simply because these brothers were descendants of General Xu.
The Xu brothers, thinking they were just part of the audience, exchanged a glance and then turned their heads away in disgust.
Before Wuma Shang could answer, Xu Pei announced, "General Xu was a woman."
Wuma Shang's face twitched as he clenched his fist under his sleeve. His glance toward Jiang Pengji carried a thick aura of hatred and toxicity.
"General Xu was indeed a woman and was an excellent general even among her male colleagues."
Jiang Pengji bowed with her hands toward Xu Pei and a smile on her face.
Xu Pei also dumbly answered, as he was still in a daze.
How had his younger brother suddenly turned into a younger sister?
The face was still the same, and the body was still the same, but the gender was completely flipped.
Jiang Pengji then continued, "I don't dare to say that I will be better than my predecessor, but I've always admired General Xu and respected her as my role model. Our dynasty is a direct descendant of the Great Xia Dynasty and should naturally follow the lead of our predecessors in order to regain our past dynastic glory. And for my last question, Chief Wuma, please listen closely—do you still think that it is wrong for female Liu Xi to take on the title of Wanzhou Magistrate?"
Wuma Shang was just about to say that Jiang Pengji was too arrogant in comparing herself with General Xu, only to hear that Jiang Pengji had already addressed his concern and fought words with words.
"…Unless Chief Wu Ma also agrees with the Zhongzhao cultural standard 'Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women,' which states women should abide by the three obedience and four virtues, and thinks that the great General Xu was a disgrace to womanhood, that she should have been deprived of her title and been left pinned onto the pole of shame? I've heard that the Classics were popular within Zhongzhao. Many great scholars also wrote books to slander General Xu and other female generals alike. I'm sure Chief Wuma is aware, correct?"
Jiang Pengji said forcefully, "You only need to answer yes or no!"
Wuma Shang's face was pale. There was a buzzing sound in his ears, and cold sweat began to appear on his palms.
He answered in a stammering voice, "S-such unrefined arguments! This woman has broken the rules of womanhood…"
"That's enough!"
A stern, hard voice forcefully interrupted Wuma Shang's words. An elephant-tooth ritual baton swung at his face, almost knocking him to the ground.
Xu Pei's face darkened to the color of the ashes in a frying pan as he questioned harshly, "Mister Wuma! Who are you saying is a disgrace to womanhood?"
Xu Fei wasn't as kind as Xu Pei. His baton swung immediately in anger.
The Xu brothers didn't get along, but it wasn't time for civil war right now. An outsider had just insulted their ancestor. How could they remain silent?


Jiang Pengji got something called the Court Intrigue Stream System.
System: "Your goal is to become the most prestigious woman in the kingdom (the Queen)!" 
Jiang Pengji: "Okay, System. No problem!"
Years later, she met the target by becoming the most prestigious woman (the Empress).
Jiang Pengji: "Well done, no?"
System: "Why the hack did you fight on horseback? I want court intrigue among the King's women!"

#how a future general wins the ancient throne
#Her man watches in silence, the System watches with tears

general assembly definition novel

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