Join me, as we venture deep into poetry.
Poems collected by other famous poets.
Poems collected by me.

"Yunxi… I’ve kept you waiting," Lu Sheng rose to his feet and couldn’t help but whisper as he gazed at this girl who had been waiting for him.
At the sound of those words, Chen Yunxi’s eyes immediately turned red.
"Brother Sheng…"
"Let’s go. Today’s weather is rather fine. I’m sure Golden Light Temple must be lively," Lu Sheng walked up and gently held Chen Yunxi’s right hand.
"Anything that Brother says…" Chen Yunxi said softly with her head bowed.
Quickly, the two of them packed some items. Chen Yunxi alone climbed onboard Lu Sheng’s horse carriage and they slowly headed in the direction of Golden Light Temple.
Golden Light Temple was situated outside Mountain-Edge City, near the Eastern Mountain. It was a famous Buddhist temple known for its effectiveness in answering prayers. Many tourists and Buddhists would come and piously offer incense at the Temple.
Golden Light Poetry Recital was one of the poetry recitals with prizes organized by the temple. It was held once every three months and was a mini-event that garnered popular support. It was somewhat like those guessing contests with prizes in Lu Sheng’s previous life on earth.
Lu Sheng led Chen Yunxi all the way to the foot of the hill Golden Light Temple was on. Numerous carriages had already been parked at the foot of the hill, and many Buddhists and tourists could be spotted coming up and down the hill.
Both the plainly-dressed and the richly-robed were among them. Many pious Buddhists began kowtowing and reciting sutras even at the foot of the hill, praying for the Buddha to show himself to them.
Alighting first, Lu Sheng held onto Chen Yunxi’s hand and strolled into the entrance of the hill path. Not many subordinates followed them. Only two men subtly followed them from a distance.
"I heard that praying to the Buddha here is very effective. I wonder if that’s true?" Lu Sheng smiled.
Because he was bald, he wore a scholar’s cap to cover his head. Still, the lack of eyebrows on his face gave him a ferocious and harsh look.
Fortunately, he had asked Little Qiao to dress him up. The loose white robes on him billowed in the wind, concealing his muscular body and adding a scholarly air to him to ameliorate the harsh look caused by his lack of brows.
"My Youngest Mother also comes to pray often. It seems effective indeed. But, I don’t believe in these," Chen Yunxi shook her head lightly and smiled.
"Doesn’t matter. We’re just here to sightsee," Lu Sheng led Chen Yunxi through the entrance and climbed up the stone steps, step by step.
With his physical endurance, even in his severely wounded state, he had stamina far ahead that of most people. In less than half an hour, he had reached the temple gates.
There were stalls at the temple gate which sold incense joss sticks. Chen Yunxi bought two sets for Lu Sheng and herself. Then, they began touring the temple with the rest of the tourists. 
Finally, they entered the main hall. Like the rows of tourists, they lit their incense joss sticks and stuck them into a large incense altar.
Then, they knelt on small praying mats, put their palms together and shut their eyes in prayer.
"Gong…"
"Gong…"
"Gong…"
A series of gong sounds rang out. Dusk gradually fell. Amidst the sea of chanting sounds, Lu Sheng watched Chen Yunxi put her palms together—her eyes shut—and pray towards the Buddha statue. He too turned his head towards the Buddha statue and began praying silently.
‘I pray that my parents, family, loved ones, and friends would remain healthy and blissful all their lives, then lead peaceful, quiet lives.’
‘I pray that my wounds will recover sooner and I’ll get to upgrade my Ultimate Crimson Nine Furies Skill further. Then, hack anyone in my path to death!’
Chen Yunxi and Lu Sheng both shut their eyes and prayed, but the thoughts in their minds were heaven and earth.
After offering up incense, the extraordinarily lively Golden Light Poetry Recital began. At this recital, every one could compose a poetry. Naturally, the theme was determined by the Abbot.
The prizes were all displayed on a platform on a square outside the temple. More than a few hundred, maybe even a thousand people surrounded the platform. As the day turned into night, one could still see a sea of heads, densely packed into a large crowd.
Lu Sheng was uninterested in poetry and had no time and energy for some supposed poetry recital. He had booked a chamber in a restaurant overlooking the square. With Chen Yunxi in tow, they went to the chamber and watched the proceedings of the recital from their vantage point.
"This is a good view. We can hear their poems and be spared from the squeeze," leading Chen Yunxi into the chamber with a smile, Lu Sheng gazed downwards through the window.
On the platform at the center of the large circular square, several old monks cloaked in dark yellow monk robes were speaking to the young men and women who were participating in the recital.
These young people were couples. They looked confident, clearly about to show off in front of their partners.
If their poems won the people’s recognition, the temple would carve their work into the Golden Light Wall that the temple had erected specially for the recital.
"It’s a pity I don’t know poetry. Otherwise, I could try to leave my name on the Golden Light Wall," Chen Yunxi looked enthusiastic.
"If you want, we can give it a go," Lu Sheng smiled. This Golden Light Temple had to have a formidable background as well. Otherwise, it was bound to have trouble knocking on its doors in these dangerous times.
Crimson Whale Sect had once investigated this temple. The intelligence gathered showed that an expert was hidden in the temple, such that the average ghost was no match for this Golden Light Temple.
"I can’t… let’s forget it…" Chen Yunxi waved her hands continuously, her cheeks blushing. She took a step back, knocking into Lu Sheng who had been standing behind her. Her shoulder-length hair rubbed against Lu Sheng’s nose tip. It felt itchy and carried a refreshing fragrance.
Chen Yunxi froze, rooted to the ground, not daring to move a single inch.
Lu Sheng smiled and gently placed his hands on her waist. However, Chen Yunxi immediately spun round and stepped away.
"Brother Sheng, let’s watch the recital first." Her face was red as beetroot. Staring at the ground, she whispered softly, "This… this isn’t the place to…"
Lu Sheng was speechless. He had not intended to do anything. It seemed like his action of holding her waist had shocked Chen Yunxi. "Let’s watch the recital, watch the recital," he hurriedly said.
The two of them stood together again, gazing down at the poets from the window. Still, Chen Yunxi’s face had nervousness written all over it.
"Out of the room in Golden Light,
Under the tree in frosty night,
Divine scriptures nowhere to find,
Return to see them in plain sight."
A poem was accepted and read out loud by a monk, winning a sea of applause and acclamation.
"The poem describes a person pursuing the legendary state of enlightenment described in the scriptures kept in Golden Light Temple. Legend has it that once a man attains enlightenment, he can roam freely in the world and receive the Dao of eternal life and the secrets of heaven," Chen Yunxi analyzed softly. "The poem begins ordinarily, but the last line points out the truth that while everyone seeks the treasured scriptures everywhere, they are oblivious to the fact that the greatest treasure is in one’s own house. This last line lifts up the poem to a whole new level. Not bad indeed.
But, Golden Light Temple is but a small temple. Such a majestic poem doesn’t fit it aptly."
Lu Sheng nodded in agreement. Such a poem was but of average standard. Fortunately, this Golden Light Poetry Recital was not an official recital, but just an event held for liveliness. Thus, its standards were not high.
"Don’t underestimate this Golden Light Temple. It’s still got some pretty impressive people in it," he casually remarked.
"How does Brother Sheng know that?" Chen Yunxi glanced at him.
"Since I’ve said it, there must be some truth to it," Lu Sheng smiled.
The crowd below was beginning to choose the second poem.
"Hark the jadeite swallows cry..." The first line was pretty grand.
Lu Sheng suddenly felt a warm sensation on his hand. Chen Yunxi, who had been standing in front of him, was drawing closer to him.
The short jade green skirt was lifted up slightly by her hand. The skin of her thigh under her skirt touched the back of Lu Sheng’s palm. It was the back of her thigh. Against his palm, it felt like fine silk, smooth and warm, tender and fine.
Lu Sheng stared at Chen Yunxi. Her cheeks were blushed and she acted as if she had not noticed. But, how could one not notice such intimate skin contact?
Especially when it was a sensitive zone like the back of the thigh. Any higher and he would feel her bottom and mysterious zone. Such an obvious permission lit Lu Sheng’s heart ablaze in lust instantly.
Slowly, he turned his hand around to rest his palm against Chen Yunxi’s thigh.
Chen Yinxi’s cheeks turned even redder. But, she continued pretending to watch the poetry recital.
"Low the waves of Nine Lakes lie." The second line was read.
Chen Yunxi was worried that Lu Sheng would be offended by her jumping away earlier. Hence, she was trying to compensate him.
‘I jumped away from Brother Sheng earlier. I ought to make it up to him. He likes my legs. So, I’ll just let him touch them,’ she was still suffering from low self-esteem because of her legs. At the same time, she also wanted to test Lu Sheng. If he truly did not mind that her legs were too long, then he wouldn’t move his hand away.
As for rules that prohibit improper conduct between man and woman, Chen Yunxi naively thought that there was nothing wrong with letting Brother Sheng touch her just a little bit. She liked Brother Sheng and would end up belonging to him, anyway. It didn’t count as improper to let him touch her leg just once.
Chen Yunxi wasn’t wrong, either. Given the liberal atmosphere of Mountain-Edge City, even the entire Northern Lands, touching the leg was really not much indeed.  But, what she did not understand was how difficult it was to push a man away once the fire of desire was lit in him…
Behind her, Lu Sheng’s eyes were glazed. His body temperature rose quickly as he lightly caressed the back of her thigh with his palm. Both of them were getting warmer and warmer.
Lu Sheng’s hand began moving upwards towards Chen Yunxi’s crucial part too.
Chen Yunxi’s body heated up immediately and turned into jelly. She tried to push Lu Sheng away, only to find that it was like an insect trying to push a tree away.
"Young Master!"
A voice rang out from outside the chamber, breaking Lu Sheng out of his horniness.
"What’s the matter?" Lu Sheng sucked in a deep breath of air. He understood that these bodyguards would not ever interrupt him unless it was a matter of high importance.
Yin Yang Jade Crane Aquarius Qi circulated in him, rapidly suppressing the fire of desire in him. His eyes recovered clarity and sobriety as he withdrew his hand from Chen Yunxi’s thigh.
"An urgent memo," the bodyguard replied outside the door.
Lu Sheng let go of Chen Yunxi and quickly walked to the door, opened it, and took a wax-sealed letter.
Unfurling the letter in a jiffy, Lu Sheng read its contents and his eyes immediately turned dark.
Li Shunxi had met with mishap.
The letter was sent by the Liu sisters. Martial League was screening for traitors in its midst and shockingly found five suspects. In one such screening, Li Shunxi had been framed by others. They found many leads in his living quarters, identifying him as the murderer of an old senior in the league. 
Enraged, the League Master of Martial League locked him up immediately. Presently, he was awaiting trial. Liu Qin wrote to ask him to testify for Li Shunxi to prove that he was not the murderer. If possible, he ought to help him as well. After all, he was the only friend left whom Li Shunxi trusted.
But, Lu Sheng smelled something fishy in this incident.
Slowly, he folded the letter and crumpled it in his hand. Activating his Needle Qi, he pulverized the letter into powder in a second.

Demons, devils, ghosts and monsters
Plunge the mortals weak in horrors;
Arms of gods and blades of devils,
Shroud the world in untold evils.

Lu Sheng was an ordinary civil servant in the modern world. After waking from a drunken stupor one day, he found himself trapped in a dangerous world where demons, ghosts and supernatural monsters terrorize the land. 

In this world, ordinary mortals live in dark fear and helplessness, without any means to fight against the supernatural. 

As Lu Sheng struggles desperately for survival, he stumbles upon a game mod he had designed for a mobile phone app in his previous life. It unexpectedly becomes his special ability, which enables him to instantly level up any skill he learns, albeit at a cost.

Thus, Lu Sheng begins his journey, striving for power beyond the reach of a mortal as he treads the way of the Devil…  

"Lord Gu Masters, please come in!" The waiter bent his back as he invited Hua Song and An Chong into the shop.
"This is a famous teahouse of the capital city, it is very crowded, I have come here many times in the past." Hua Song transmitted as he explained to An Chong.
The two had disguised as Gu Masters as they came to the capital city of Profound Literature grotto-heaven.
An Chong was more willing to observe the capital city from above the clouds. But since Hua Song had such interests, he could only accompany the person who invited him.
"I want a table on the fifth floor." Hua Song was very familiar with this place.
The two came to the fifth floor, they entered the room and saw through the windows that the streets were bustling with people outside, the street with the bronze gate where the first round of the competition was held was completely packed with people.
"These are the current generation scholars of my Profound Literature grotto-heaven, they are the hope of our future as well. Please observe." Hua Song sighed as he handed a rank five investigative Gu worm to An Chong, it could observe the target's talent qi.
An Chong took a look and used it immediately, his field of vision changing immediately. He could now see the talent qi above the heads of countless scholars. These talent qi had all sorts of colors, some were taller than others, they all had different forms, it was an eye-opener.
"Since you have such a Gu worm to observe talent qi, what is the point of holding this competition?" An Chong asked.
Hua Song chuckled: "You might not know, talent qi is like cultivation level, even if one possesses a larger talent qi, they might not be able to use it properly in actual competition. Furthermore, this competition requires them to make poems on the spot, they cannot cheat. We want to test the upbringing of these scholars, some who have abundant talent qi might not have sufficient inspiration to create the highest quality poems."
An Chong nodded: "I see that the formations here are interlinked, they are able to amplify the creative thinking of the scholars?"
Hua Song nodded: "Indeed, you are very perceptive! Within the immortal formation, scholars are able to display greater abilities than usual, they will make full use of their talents."
As they spoke, the door was knocked.
After getting Hua Song's permission, the waiter brought over an array of dishes and wine.
"Eight treasure duck, golden thread crispy sparrow, panda crab meat, they are all signature dishes of our teahouse, please enjoy the food." The waiter said.
Hua Song gave the waiter one primeval stone as a tip before he left the room.
Hua Song explained to An Chong: "Envoy, even though the tea here is mortal tea, it was created by Lord Hua Yu in his youth, when he was still a rank four Gu Master, he became the top scholar and thus this tea was named by him as the top scholar tea."
"Oh?" An Chong became interested now, this was the creation of a rank eight Gu Immortal in his youth.
"Then I will have to savor this well." An Chong drank it, he shut his eyes as he tasted the tea, in a daze, he felt a rush of excitement in his heart, it was as if he had attained success after decades of hard work, he finally gained the reputation and fame that he deserved, life was at its peak!
"Good tea, good tea." An Chong praised sincerely: "Even though this is a mortal tea, it has a trace of human path ingenuity within it!"
During the fate war, Central Continent's Heavenly Court used multiple human path killer moves with shocking power, the entire world knew about it. Thus, human path became renowned in the world, everyone knew about it.
While the two immortals were enjoying their tea, the bronze gate of the first competition ground opened slowly.
The crowd of people waiting before the gate erupted into a huge commotion.
"It's opening, it's opening!"
"Don't squeeze."
"Quickly let me in."
The crowds charged through the gate.
Li Xiao Bai was among them, but he was at the back instead.
He moved along with the people as he analyzed the rules of this competition.
"The world poetry competition has eighteen rounds, each one has a question, everyone has to answer it, regardless of how many people, their final product will be assessed and only half will be able to pass."
"Towards the later rounds, the numbers will continue being halved. Like this, once someone passes all eighteen rounds, they will fulfill the condition."
"If someone fails once, they will have to return to the previous round. If they keep losing and fall out of the first round, they will be out."
"However, this poetry competition will last for seven days. Everyone has three opportunities to try even if they get kicked out of the first round."
"This way, Profound Literature grotto-heaven will be able to pick the most eligible Gu Immortal seeds. Even if someone makes a mistake, they will have a chance to try again. But if any scholar fails to perform throughout the seven days, it will mean that they are not up to standard, they are not qualified to receive the grotto-heaven's help to become an immortal."
Li Xiao Bai retracted his thoughts, he had already arrived at the first arena.
The arena was large but packed with scholars.
There were males and females, young and old, the number of people exceeded the thousands.
This was just the first day.
Li Xiao Bai waited for another fifteen minutes in the arena before all of the scholars had joined the first round.
There was truly a sea of people, the liveliness was overwhelming.
Thankfully, the first arena was an immortal formation space, it could expand casually and hold so many scholars without problems.
Bang… bang… bang!
As the drums rolled, a voice was transmitted into the scholars' minds: "World poetry competition, first question — Spring, the time limit is five minutes."
After saying that, the voice vanished.
"The first question is spring?"
Many scholars frowned while many scholars showed happy expressions.
Li Xiao Bai thought to himself: "There are simply too many spring poems in existence, this question seems really easy. After all, most scholars would have some sort of verses related to this theme. Even though the world poetry competition requires the creation of poems on the spot, a person can easily modify existing verses to create their own new poems."
"But in reality, this question is quite the tough one." Li Xiao Bai had an expression of deep thought.
He knew that his poem was going to compete against the surrounding people. As long as he was stronger than half of them, he would progress to the next stage.
Many scholars noticed this as well.
Many people started to think, some sat down on the ground while others paced around with their arms behind their backs, some lowered their heads, muttering softly to themselves.
Li Xiao Bai's thought was: "Which poem do I use, or steal?"
There were many spring related poems in his memory, they were all amazing classics.
But using a legendary classic from the start was not good, this would not allow Li Xiao Bai to explain himself in the future. He did not have top tier talent qi, if he took out a shocking poem now, he would attract suspicion.
If his luck was good now, Li Xiao Bai might take slight risks. But now that he was having bad luck, Li Xiao Bai decided to play safe.
While Li Xiao Bai was thinking about it, many scholars already started to make their poems.
Thus, all kinds of lights shining in all colors, weak or strong, appeared. Whenever the light fades from a scholar's body, they would have some gains.
Some gained Gu worms, some gained a rise in cultivation level, some recovered primeval essence, while others recovered from fatigue.
This was the killer move known as assisting literary talents.
Profound Literature grotto-heaven's creator, its original owner, had used this move before his death. Because of assisting literary talents, more and more scholars were encouraged to study, it eventually created the environment of Profound Literature grotto-heaven where most people were scholars.
Li Xiao Bai decided on his poem.
He coughed lightly before starting his recital.
"A moonlit night[1]."
"Deep into the night the moon shines on half a cottage, across the sky the Big Dipper lies, the Little Dipper tilts an incline."
"The warmth of spring is readily felt tonight, through the green window screen, insects buzz and hum."
After Li Xiao Bai finished his recital, a light buzzing noise could be heard around him, his entire body shined in an intense green light.
Whoosh.
The scholars around Li Xiao Bai felt an invisible pressure as the green light forced them to move aside, a huge empty space was created with Li Xiao Bai at the center.
"Such, such a strong light!"
"A famed poem has appeared!"
"To think that a famed poem would appear so quickly. I wonder who created it?"
Many scholars lost their train of thought, they all looked towards Li Xiao Bai with admiration and suspicion.
Li Xiao Bai had a calm expression but he was a little conflicted inside: "Sigh, I went overboard a little, the effect was so eye-catching, I gained too much attention."
He looked around, hoping someone would step up and take the attention away from him.
As the green light entered his aperture, his cultivation level rose.
"Oh! A famed poem has appeared, let me go read it." At the teahouse, Hua Song had a sensation.
After reading Li Xiao Bai's work, Hua Song nodded in satisfaction: "Brilliant, brilliant! This Li Xiao Bai is very young but his poems are very mature."
"Normally, spring poems would use verses involving greenery or peach blossoms. But this poem uses another train of thought, using the night scene to conceal the spring light, it is quite interesting."
"The final verse must be created using Li Xiao Bai's personal experiences. It has a refreshing, happy, and lively feeling."
"Poems take after the creator, this Li Xiao Bai has a superb mindset!"
Hua Song praised it for a while, as if he had just eaten a delicacy of the world. He looked at An Chong as he smiled: "I wonder what envoy thinks of this poem?"
An Chong felt a headache as he thought: "If you didn't tell me, I wouldn't know what's so good about this poem. Sigh, he wants me to critique it, what should I say?"
[1] Poem by Liu Fangping.


With his Three Fundamental Views* unrighteous, the demon is reborn.
An old dream in the ancient days, a new author with an identical name.
An old story about a time traveler who was constantly being reborn.
An eccentric world that grows, cultivates, and uses Gu. 
The Spring Autumn Cicada, Moonlight Gu, Liquor worm, Comprehensive Golden Light Worm, Fine Black Hair Gu, Hope Gu. . . . . .
And a peerless great demon that freely acts to his heart’s content.
Translator's Synopsis: 
A story of a villain, Fang Yuan who was reborn 500 years into the past with the Spring Autumn Cicada he painstakingly refined. With his profound wisdom, battle and life experiences, he seeks to overcome his foes with skill and wit! Ruthless and amoral, he has no need to hold back as he pursues his ultimate goals. In a world of cruelty where one cultivates using Gu - magical creatures of the world - Fang Yuan must rise up above all with his own power.
--------------------------------
Gu is a legendary venomous insect, often used in black magic practices. It can take on the form of several insects, usually snakes, crickets, worms etc.
* = one's world view, values of worth and philosophy on life 


Should I plagiarize? Make something up? Pretend to faint?
These thoughts flashed in Chu Yu's head at that moment.
Plagiarism would be the easiest, fastest and most substantial way. It was over 1,000 years ago now, which was the time of the blossoming of poems before the Tang Dynasty. She could use all of the Tang poems that she remembered and nobody would come after her for the copyrights now.
Chu Yu did think of that when she was studying poetry at the last minute earlier. She even considered it carefully in her head as she excluded the poems with backstories and those that did not suit the current trend. She was left with seven to eight poems, which was enough for her to fake it.
However, she hesitated now that she was really going to do it.
The reason being most of the poems that Chu Yu remembered were her favorites since she respected the poets who wrote those poems. She felt guilty for claiming their creations just like that.
The second solution would be to make things up, which would mean she would have to come up with whatever was in her head and present it. This would be an absolute dead end. Her diction that was not on par aside, her lack of knowledge in intonation and the sound of words would confuse the people.
The third solution was even more shameless than the previous two, which was to slump on the ground shamelessly. She would pretend to be sick and nauseous, allowing her to escape this pickle that she was in. Embarrassing or not aside, if she were to carry this out, she might be sent away from the mountain.
Chu Yu's expression was serious as she was arguing about the pros and cons in her head while she held the wine vessel motionlessly. Suddenly, she felt someone pulling her sleeve. It was Liu Sang. He reminded her softly while holding his head low, "Princ-…"
As soon as he spoke, he corrected himself immediately upon realizing how Chu Yu had been introducing herself to the people. "Cousin Zi Chu, they're waiting for you."
While he was tugging Chu Yu's sleeve with one hand, he slipped the other hand into her sleeve and scrawled the back of her hand with his fingertip slowly. Chu Yu felt it carefully and realized it was the word 止 (zhi).
Zhi? Did he mean Rong Zhi?
Recalling Rong Zhi, Chu Yu recalled his suggestion all of a sudden: Huan Yuan. She had almost forgotten about that person!
The fourth solution appeared before her eyes just like that: her substitute.
On a certain level, the fourth solution was no less shameless than the other three. However, to Chu Yu, this seemed to be the best solution.
Chu Yu smiled and raised her glass at Pei Shu's direction. "I can't think of any now. Could I get my cousin, Yu Zi Yuan, who's here with me, to take this on for me?"
Before Pei Shu replied, Chu Yu heard a mirthful voice that came from beside her. "Of course, that's alright. But since he's taking over for you, he'll have to come up with two poems and drink two glasses of wine."
Chu Yu tilted her head sideways and realized it was Wang Yizhi who had spoken. He was pouring himself some wine and drinking it while looking at her with a subtle smile in his eyes.
Since Wang Yizhi spoke first, Pei Shu could not object to his idea, so he nodded. "Let's do that."
Chu Yu frowned and soon responded with a smile. "My cousin will come up with the poems and I'll drink the wine." She was not petty, but she was afraid Huan Yuan might say something that he should not if he got drunk.
Huan Yuan had a slight change of expression when he heard that. Just when he was going to say something, he saw Chu Yu coming closer to him all of a sudden and whisper softly into his ear, "Come up with the poems for yourself."
Her voice was so soft that it felt like a lingering thread. However, Huan Yuan's fingers could not help but quiver a little when he heard her. Before she left, Rong Zhi had taken the time to speak to her because he knew that Huan Yuan might decline the request, so he taught her to say that. He said Huan Yuan would be able to write as soon as she said that to him.
Chu Yu was just doing what Rong Zhi said, but Huan Yuan felt a stir of emotions. He recalled the arrogant lady he had met when he was taken into the Princess's Imperial Residence two years ago. The lady teased him in a rather disdainful tone, asking him to write two poems for her.
Naturally, he rejected her. Since then, he could not write a single sentence of any poems for exactly two years.
However, Chu Yu just uttered that to him right then.
Come up with the poems for himself?
What kind of joke was that?
He was struggling inside and could not calm himself down quickly. The fleeting freedom he had today was something significant to him. Having been on edge from the two years of suppression, he might burst like a dam if Chu Yu were to touch him right now.
Just like the saying 'strike while the iron is hot', as Chu Yu watched his emotions getting stirred up, she smiled as she got someone to bring a pen and some paper to the low table and place them before Huan Yuan.
Huan Yuan extended his hand involuntarily. He was like an exploding rock as soon as he picked up the pen while poems flowed out of his heart like spring water. He simply could not stop writing.
As Huan Yuan was writing diligently, Yue Jiefei, who was standing in a corner, was so bored that he was going to count the ants on the ground. He thought to himself, 'Nothing has happened since we've been here for so long and the Princess is really into this poetry recital. Is she really a changed person?'
According to the Princess's habit in the past, she would have brought at least two or three beautiful men back by now.
Yue Jiefei was just an ordinary person who had no class and culture. He was very close to digging a hole in the ground since he was bored with whatever was happening there.
Yue Jiefei was moaning softly in his heart, 'Princess, just tell me who you're interested in. No matter who the person is, I'll bring him back for you.'
***
Rong Zhi walked straight to the courtyard where the princess's bedroom was as soon as he entered the East Court.
Nobody stopped him along the way. There were even people who asked if he needed help, but he declined them with a smile.
After getting into Chu Yu's bedroom, he closed the door and put the latch on. There would be no maidservants who would come in to clean since he locked the door.
As he took a glance around the room, Rong Zhi revealed a faint smile at the edge of his lips while his eyes looked unfathomable.
After looking around the room, Rong Zhi arrived at her bedside. Just when he was bending down to flip the blanket over, he touched a bumpy, rough mark when he held the side of the bed.
He tilted his head and looked while raising his brow. He saw a few of the words 正 (zhen) carved on the bedside, and there was an incomplete one with three strokes beside them.
Rong Zhi left empty-handed approximately 15 minutes later.


From the depths of a deep and blissful slumber, Chu Yu awoke to the vague sense of someone beside her. Among four of five men that she saw sleeping around her when she awoke, one in particular, caught her eye.
'Who is he?'
With his unrivaled elegance and the air of supremacy around him, he gazed upon the princess and asked, "What's wrong, Princess? Did you have a nightmare?"
And with that, an uncontrollable chill rose up her spine that made her shiver despite the warmth of the room.
Is it a joke? Or is it destiny?

Chapter 3. The Villainess Turns The Hourglass, Part III

Translator: Khan
Editor: SootyOwl


The jubilant Aria clasped the piece of the hourglass. Although the action caused numerous sharp pieces to dig into her small and fragile palm, it was not the pain, but the joyous relief that reminded her that she was living a second life.
 
Drops of scarlet blood fell onto the floor, dripping down and gradually condensing. It was both the remorse and the venom of the wicked woman wishing for revenge.

'I will never forgive you.'
 
Slowly, Aria opened her hand and smiled.
 
The smile was so similar to that of a benevolent saint that even Jessie's shivering stopped.

---
  
"It seems that Aria has been studying hard as of late."

Several days had passed since Aria had returned to the past, and Aria's clear and transparent recital of poetry had filled the dining hall. As a result, Count Roscent had praised Aria for the first time. 

The countess, who smiled naturally, intelligently forged a pretense for Aria's brilliance, "She enjoyed reading numerous books during our impoverished life, which is why she is elated by the opportunities to learn."
 
A lie. Aria hadn't even learned how to eat cleanly until she was sixteen years old. She had never touched the cover of a book before entering the county, which had similarly transitioned to her life after that as well. 

She preferred playing over reading, and to dress up in luxury was her pleasure. This was also because that was all she knew how to do.
 
When she had been very young and ignorant, she had remembered how she had stumbled upon some of the poems that the count enjoyed and had memorized them in front of his weary state, but the receiver of any honor had always been Mielle.
 
It was natural that Mielle, who could recite the poems like songs, was praised over Aria, who had recited poems mechanically, like a book, just like now.
 
"It's a famous poem handed down from generation to generation in Count Roscent's county. It was written by the first count, and it was the first poem that I learned when I was four years old. The last verse, the woman's reply to 'The Woman I Love,' is not well known, but only when the two become one is the poem complete."
 
With her right hand on her chest, Mielle recited the poem quietly and clearly. There was a sense of satisfaction in the eyes of those who watched her. Aria's mother, the countess, also looked toward her with a commendable expression. She seemed like the lead actress who succeeded the upbeat supporting actress.
 
"… and I will gather my admirable heart and scatter it all out into your future!"
 
When she finished her poetry recital, there was a round of applause in the dining hall. Unlike in the past, where she had gritted her teeth with envy and jealousy, Aria joined the audience this time. With blushing cheeks and a shy smile creeping from her mouth, Mielle had become the real protagonist of that day.
 
As always, it was an honor that was taken by her from Aria. An honor that would always return to the noble girl as opposed to staying with the girl of humble origins.
 
It could be that due to Aria's presence that there was more praise being thrown at Mielle. It would be a compliment to say that all of that was a coordinated effort to trample on the petty pride of a stupid girl, so Aria decided to reclaim the glory that was stolen from her.
 
Since it wasn't Mielle's to begin with.
 
The applause died down, and Aria, the supporting actress asked without losing her smile and composure, "What a beautiful poem, Mielle. But do you know what?"
 
This sudden question caused Mielle's eyes to widen. 

Aria continued kindly, for it was obvious that Mielle did not know, "The fact is that this poem was created by the brother of the first count, who tried to assassinate him. This was the reason why this poem was not famous. Because the first count did not want the poem to spread."
 
That was the reason why Aria had decided not to memorize it, because she had wanted to add that information… but she decided to test her luck all the same.
 
"I remember that not too long ago this poem was forbidden since there was an embedded metaphor in it wishing a curse on the family."
 
Mielle's fine face quickly hardened like ice because the poem she had so proudly recited could also be seen as her cursing the family. After achieving her first victory, Aria had to resist rolling on the floor with laughter.
 
It was the complete opposite of the past.
 
She had wanted to be recognized for something, so she had hired a tutor to prepare that poem. It had been then that her eyes had twinkled in anticipation, and she had recited the answer that she had long prepared in the presence of the count, who had returned after being away abroad on business for a long time. But her eyes had become instantly lifeless from the numerous sharp criticisms that followed.
 
It had not been long after the count entered the room that this incident had happened, and the person who had criticized her had been none other than her brother, Cain.
 
He was four years older than Aria, and had learned much from attending the academy, so he had used that knowledge to pick on everything that Aria had tried to do.
 
'He must have known all of this.'
 
However, this time, he had kept his mouth shut the entire time, not wanting to insult his sister. No, it could be that, in the past, he had wanted to hurt Aria just like Mielle.
 
To confirm that, Aria just rolled her eyes and checked Cain's face. He was staring at Aria with his mouth firmly fixed. Now that Mielle had been humiliated, it seems that he was unhappy about the situation.
 
Aria smiled awkwardly and decided to pretend to defend Mielle since she didn't want to be openly hated.
 
"Mielle is only thirteen years old, so it is amazing that she was able to memorize the whole poem."
 
However, the mood did not abate since it was clear that Mielle had memorized and recited that poem just now in quite the foolish manner.
 
'How embarrassing would it be for her to berate the daughter of a shallow prostitute who was born and raised in the lowest places of society without even knowing what Aria knew?'
 
The count, who had warned her daughter in vain for the first time, encouraged everyone to continue eating as he raised his fork. Aria, who smiled like a child at her new father, took the messy-cut meat and brought it to her mouth.
 
That day's meal was very satisfying.
  
The first thing Aria had done after returning to the past had been to hire a tutor. She was of low origin and hadn't learned proper manners until she was about to die. Because of the things she had heard and learned in the last decade of her life, she tried to use elegant gestures whenever she could, but she hadn't then.
 
There had been no need for that because she had retained her mother's good looks. Her mother had stolen the count's heart with her beauty alone, which was why no matter how reckless and rash she had acted, Aria had always had countless suitors. A beauty that one could get drunk with just by staring, she was essential to entertain a great party.
 
Although she had heard the growing criticism and vulgarities thrown at her back as time passed, she hadn't thought of learning anything because there were many that loved her appearance, so Aria hadn't felt the need. She had been humiliated several times at parties, but each time, a bunch of men had defended Aria.
 
Thinking back, it hadn't been much help. They had done so to have a night with her, not to love or care for her. Just like moths jumping toward a light, men had been captivated by her appearance, chasing after a fantasy that could burn in a flash at any moment.
 
However, as time passed, the men that followed Aria were soon bound to their elegant, aristocratic paths and began engaging with others in their circle, and finally, none remained by Aria's side. Of course, a few men who had confessed they had truly loved her came to mind, but she didn't know if those words had been true.
 
'Yes, if the opportunity comes, we'll see what happens if I test those idiots.'

To beat a villainess, you must be even more evil than them.

Aria is killed unjustly by her sister but along with the turn of a illusory hourglass, she is reincarnated 5 years into the past.

She will now live for revenge, revenge against those who drove her into her death. This is the new life she has chosen.

Chapter 3. The Villainess Turns The Hourglass, Part III


The jubilant Aria clasped the piece of the hourglass. Although the action caused numerous sharp pieces to dig into her small and fragile palm, it was not the pain, but the joyous relief that reminded her that she was living a second life.

Drops of scarlet blood fell onto the floor, dripping down and gradually condensing. It was both the remorse and the venom of the wicked woman wishing for revenge.

'I will never forgive you.'

Slowly, Aria opened her hand and smiled.

The smile was so similar to that of a benevolent saint that even Jessie's shivering stopped.

—

"It seems that Aria has been studying hard as of late."

Several days had passed since Aria had returned to the past, and Aria's clear and transparent recital of poetry had filled the dining hall. As a result, Count Roscent had praised Aria for the first time.

The countess, who smiled naturally, intelligently forged a pretense for Aria's brilliance, "She enjoyed reading numerous books during our impoverished life, which is why she is elated by the opportunities to learn."

A lie. Aria hadn't even learned how to eat cleanly until she was sixteen years old. She had never touched the cover of a book before entering the county, which had similarly transitioned to her life after that as well.

She preferred playing over reading, and to dress up in luxury was her pleasure. This was also because that was all she knew how to do.

When she had been very young and ignorant, she had remembered how she had stumbled upon some of the poems that the count enjoyed and had memorized them in front of his weary state, but the receiver of any honor had always been Mielle.

It was natural that Mielle, who could recite the poems like songs, was praised over Aria, who had recited poems mechanically, like a book, just like now.

"It's a famous poem handed down from generation to generation in Count Roscent's county. It was written by the first count, and it was the first poem that I learned when I was four years old. The last verse, the woman's reply to 'The Woman I Love,' is not well known, but only when the two become one is the poem complete."

With her right hand on her chest, Mielle recited the poem quietly and clearly. There was a sense of satisfaction in the eyes of those who watched her. Aria's mother, the countess, also looked toward her with a commendable expression. She seemed like the lead actress who succeeded the upbeat supporting actress.

"… and I will gather my admirable heart and scatter it all out into your future!"

When she finished her poetry recital, there was a round of applause in the dining hall. Unlike in the past, where she had gritted her teeth with envy and jealousy, Aria joined the audience this time. With blushing cheeks and a shy smile creeping from her mouth, Mielle had become the real protagonist of that day.

As always, it was an honor that was taken by her from Aria. An honor that would always return to the noble girl as opposed to staying with the girl of humble origins.

It could be that due to Aria's presence that there was more praise being thrown at Mielle. It would be a compliment to say that all of that was a coordinated effort to trample on the petty pride of a stupid girl, so Aria decided to reclaim the glory that was stolen from her. 

Since it wasn't Mielle's to begin with.

The applause died down, and Aria, the supporting actress asked without losing her smile and composure, "What a beautiful poem, Mielle. But do you know what?"

This sudden question caused Mielle's eyes to widen.

Aria continued kindly, for it was obvious that Mielle did not know, "The fact is that this poem was created by the brother of the first count, who tried to assassinate him. This was the reason why this poem was not famous. Because the first count did not want the poem to spread."

That was the reason why Aria had decided not to memorize it, because she had wanted to add that information… but she decided to test her luck all the same.

"I remember that not too long ago this poem was forbidden since there was an embedded metaphor in it wishing a curse on the family."

Mielle's fine face quickly hardened like ice because the poem she had so proudly recited could also be seen as her cursing the family. After achieving her first victory, Aria had to resist rolling on the floor with laughter.

It was the complete opposite of the past.

She had wanted to be recognized for something, so she had hired a tutor to prepare that poem. It had been then that her eyes had twinkled in anticipation, and she had recited the answer that she had long prepared in the presence of the count, who had returned after being away abroad on business for a long time. But her eyes had become instantly lifeless from the numerous sharp criticisms that followed.

It had not been long after the count entered the room that this incident had happened, and the person who had criticized her had been none other than her brother, Cain.

He was four years older than Aria, and had learned much from attending the academy, so he had used that knowledge to pick on everything that Aria had tried to do.

'He must have known all of this.'

However, this time, he had kept his mouth shut the entire time, not wanting to insult his sister. No, it could be that, in the past, he had wanted to hurt Aria just like Mielle.

To confirm that, Aria just rolled her eyes and checked Cain's face. He was staring at Aria with his mouth firmly fixed. Now that Mielle had been humiliated, it seems that he was unhappy about the situation.

Aria smiled awkwardly and decided to pretend to defend Mielle since she didn't want to be openly hated.

"Mielle is only thirteen years old, so it is amazing that she was able to memorize the whole poem."

However, the mood did not abate since it was clear that Mielle had memorized and recited that poem just now in quite the foolish manner.

'How embarrassing would it be for her to berate the daughter of a shallow prostitute who was born and raised in the lowest places of society without even knowing what Aria knew?'

The count, who had warned her daughter in vain for the first time, encouraged everyone to continue eating as he raised his fork. Aria, who smiled like a child at her new father, took the messy-cut meat and brought it to her mouth.

That day's meal was very satisfying.

The first thing Aria had done after returning to the past had been to hire a tutor. She was of low origin and hadn't learned proper manners until she was about to die. Because of the things she had heard and learned in the last decade of her life, she tried to use elegant gestures whenever she could, but she hadn't then.

There had been no need for that because she had retained her mother's good looks. Her mother had stolen the count's heart with her beauty alone, which was why no matter how reckless and rash she had acted, Aria had always had countless suitors. A beauty that one could get drunk with just by staring, she was essential to entertain a great party.


Although she had heard the growing criticism and vulgarities thrown at her back as time passed, she hadn't thought of learning anything because there were many that loved her appearance, so Aria hadn't felt the need. She had been humiliated several times at parties, but each time, a bunch of men had defended Aria.

Thinking back, it hadn't been much help. They had done so to have a night with her, not to love or care for her. Just like moths jumping toward a light, men had been captivated by her appearance, chasing after a fantasy that could burn in a flash at any moment.

However, as time passed, the men that followed Aria were soon bound to their elegant, aristocratic paths and began engaging with others in their circle, and finally, none remained by Aria's side. Of course, a few men who had confessed they had truly loved her came to mind, but she didn't know if those words had been true.

'Yes, if the opportunity comes, we'll see what happens if I test those idiots.'

In the countryside of Jingzhao City, there stood a pavilion named the Sheep's Pavilion.
A few elaborative carriages were parked beside the pavilion. The winds were cold and harsh in the countryside. The distant mountains were swathes of brown against the blue sky.
The sun was high in the sky, providing the much-needed warmth in the early winter days.
Ziyang's Layman of the White Deer Academy was leaving the city for an official post.
It was great news for the academy—especially when it had been losing clout in the courts.
The mentors drummed out a rhythm and sang while the students danced merrily. The air was filled with excitement as each and everyone looked forward to a day they would be on the receiving end of such a celebration.
In the pavilion sat three elders who were drinking tea. The man with a long, white beard dressed in a purple robe was the guest of honor.
The man was Yang Gong—courtesy name, Ziqian, art name, Ziyang's Layman. In Yuanjing Year 14, he was the top scorer in the imperial examination. However, he retired from his post just after one year of service and went back to the White Deer Academy. He spent 22 years there learning and teaching—he had students from all over the world and became an established Confucian scholar.
Nevertheless, he should have had a better future. Not long after he entered the political arena, he suddenly departed from the courts. There had been many rumors when that happened. Some said he offended the Emperor, and thus was ejected from the courts.
Others said he offended the Grand Secretary of that time who was known for using cruel tactics, therefore he packed up and left.
Regardless of what happened in the past, Yang Gong was back in the courts after 22 years. He was elected as Qingzhou's provincial administration commissioner.
He was a high-ranking official of the border.
The two other men beside him were also noteworthy. They were well-known even beyond the White Deer Academy and their fame was on par with Ziyang's Layman.
Li Mubai was the man with the goatee in a grey robe. He once had the art name, Chess Master. Five years ago, he lost a three-round chess game with Wei Yuan and flipped the chess table. Since then, he no longer played chess.
The one in a blue robe was Zhang Zhen—a military strategist. He was the author of the Six Swords of War, a compulsory reading for Dafeng's military officials.
He was the only military strategist in Dafeng who could stand toe-to-toe with Wei Yuan.
Outside the pavilion stood a group of students who were there for the send-off. They were the cream of the crop that was the White Deer Academy.
Xu Xinnian was among them.
"Mentor Ziyang is finally given an administration role. If we can impress him, surely it'll be good for our future in the courts." A friendly peer asked, "Cijiu, have you prepared a poem?"
'My brother gave me a poem, technically half a seven-character octave.' Xu Xinnian stared at the pavilion and said, "I have an incomplete draft. Yong Shu, you've outdone yourself."
The seven-character octave had a strict format. The number of characters had to be uniform for all eight sentences. Two sentences formed a line, making four lines in one stanza.
The poem Xu Qian recited only had two lines, half a stanza. After breakfast, Xu Xinnian had tried to pry the remaining half of the poem from his cousin but the man avoided the topic.
"No. Knowledge is as vast as the ocean, one has to put in the effort to make a boat, just as how we need to impress our elders for a better future," the friend said. Knowing Xu Xinnian was not well-versed in poetry, he refrained from asking more.
"Yong Shu is right. Corruption is common in the courts these days. The low-level officials cooperate with the high-level officials to milk the commoners even with the increasing frequency of disasters. To make changes, one has to adapt to the ways." Another student chimed in.
Yong Shu nodded and turned to Xu Xinnian. "You've always looked down on poetry but it is the one thing that can last centuries. Your essays will be forgotten after a decade or two."
'Poetry is a minor subject. It can't be used for governance nor can it improve the lives of the common. It is merely a stylistic art form.' Xu Xinnian swallowed his words as he was about to use said stylistic art form to impress an elder. He gave them an incoherent response.
Yong Shu was surprised to find no retaliation from Xu Xinnian.
The national chess player, Li Mubai, said, "Brother Yang, if you had half their wits, you wouldn't have wasted 20-odd years of your life."
Ziyang's Layman smiled.
"That's incorrect." The military strategist, Zhang Zhen, said after taking a sip of his tea, "Brother Yang was ambitious and he followed fate's plan."
At that, Ziyang's Layman spoke, "In the end, I was pushed out of the courts."
"It wasn't your fault. Those from the Imperial College were always dead-set against the White Deer Academy."
"The empire is ruined within 200 years because of those power-hungry bastards who only know how to please the top and squash the bottom."
The statement had to do with an interesting piece of history.
The source of Confucianism was the sage, Confucius. The White Deer Academy was founded by the sage's disciple, a proper linkage to Confucius himself.
200 years ago, due to a power struggle in the courts, the White Deer Academy was hated by the then emperor.
At that time, the White Deer Academy had a traitor in their midst—according to those who hailed from the White Deer Academy.
The traitor was once a mentor in the academy and he took this opportunity to set up his own faction. He pleased the then emperor with his plan to 'stay true to heaven's wish and exterminate mankind's sin'. With the emperor's support, he created the Imperial College and became its first generation scholar.
The Imperial College took over the role of the White Deer Academy as the main delivery organization for the imperial courts.
Thus, the Confucians have been fighting for legitimacy in the past two centuries.
Ziyang's Layman said in a low voice, "My journey to Qingzhou will be the first in many years. I will lay the groundwork in the courts and revitalize the academy but I cannot work alone. The academy requires assistance from my peers and the talented young."
Li Mubai and Zhang Zhen exchanged a smile. Zhang Zhen scanned the crowd of students. "Does anyone wish to recite poetry for the guest of honor, Ziyang's Layman?"
"A poetry recital must have a prize, else there is little meaning." Ziyang's Layman retrieved a purple jade from his waist and said, "The winner will get this piece of jade accessory."
The purple jade was a rare find.
The students congregating outside the pavilion were enchanted by the jade accessory. The accessory was blessed with the scholar's luck and wisdom—the person who received it would undoubtedly be blessed with good luck.
The gift had another meaning.
An elder's personal accessory was only given to his juniors and students. Whoever received the purple jade would be considered Yang Gong's student.
"I volunteer to recite a poem for Ziyang's Layman," said a man dressed in a green Confucian shirt. The jade accessories glimmered around his waist as he walked out of the crowd. He folded his sleeves in greeting.
Li Mubai smiled. "This is my student, Zhu Tuizi. He has some poetry skills."
Ziyang's Layman smiled and gestured for the student to begin.
When the student named Zhu Tuizi was done, a satisfied smile was on Ziyang's Layman's face.
"Good," said the military strategist. He refrained from saying anything more as the two other scholars were much better at poetry than him.
A good start did not guarantee a good end. The subsequent poems were a far cry from good.
The difference was stark. The poems that came after the first student's were barely passing the standard.
Li Mubai said with a sigh, "Ever since the Imperial College prioritized the writings of the sages, the students have all been clinging tightly onto the essays and scriptures. 'Stay true to heaven's wish and exterminate mankind's sin.' Sooner or later, we will descend into a world of shackled and unimaginative poetry. Literature will no longer capture a person's soul."
The words were tinged with sadness.
It was the reason behind the diminishing powers of Confucianism. 200 years ago, the Confucian's famous quote was, "Buddhism is great, Taoism is great, sorcery is great. Wizardry and witchcraft are amazing too. Well, martial artists are not among the civilized ranks. They can leave with the monsters and non-humankind. Now, I say to all of you seated, you're all trash!"
Yes, the Confucianism of 200 years earlier was that conceited.
Fast forward 200 years, every other discipline treated Confucianism as an annoying little sibling.
The Confucians were understandably unhappy about the turn of events.
Ziyang's Laymen sighed. "Let us move on from this topic. Any student who wishes to recite their poem, stand up."
There was silence.
Zhu Tuizi stared at the purple jade. At this stage, he was confident it would be his.
"I have a poem." Xu Xiannian stood and approached the pavilion.
He had bided his time as he was a low-profile scholar who did not wish to upstage his fellow peers. It most definitely had nothing to do with the fact that he and Zhu Tuizi had once engaged in a heated argument.


Once a police academy graduate—Xu Qian, woke up and found himself in jail. He was to be banished to the borderlands in three days...
Stuck in this inhumane society, his initial goal was just to be a rich man and pass his days in relative safety.
…
Many years later, Xu Qian recalled the events of the past. His enemies and friends were dead, there was nothing of them left but bones.
The rolling Yangtze River flows east as the waves wash away the heroes. 
Success or failure, wrong or right; matters little, it might?
The lush mountains remain while the sun sets every night.


There was no need to draw random lots to determine the teams. The Bloodwine Spirit automatically split all the tournament participants into Red Team and Blue Team, along with splitting the two teams into two different starting sections of the island.
The tournament participants had some time to prepare before heading to the starting section.
Seiji and Shika were put on the Blue Team.
Seiji contacted Izawa using a spell and learned that he and Kanna were also put on Blue Team. They then decided to meet up and stick together.
The four of them soon met up and swiftly moved to an ordinary abandoned house in the Blue Team's starting district.
After finishing their preparations, they waited for the battles to begin.
"Sigh… I want to just give up and surrender." Kanna Fujihara's head was dropping down as she spoke dispiritedly, still in her state of being an idle fish. "According to what you told me, Seiji, things are going to get pretty bad in this tournament. Shouldn't I just directly surrender for the sake of protecting my life?"
"Master, please be a bit more spirited. It's not allowed to surrender without even trying to fight." Izawa spoke up before Seiji could even respond.
"I don't like surrendering, either! But didn't Seiji say that things were really serious!? There's even a warship! Who the hell knows just how terrible things will become! Perhaps even this entire island will be sunk by bombs!!" Kanna suddenly snapped in anger.
Izawa looked towards Seiji.
"I don't think so…" Seiji rubbed his chin in contemplation. "This is a pretty large island. Sinking the entire island shouldn't be that easy."
"Then it's also possible that the entire island will be bombarded with bombs or even nukes!"
"In the worst-case scenario… perhaps that's possible. But before that happens, there should at least be time for us to escape."
"I don't want to be like the main character of an action movie, always escaping for my life in the middle of explosions! I'm not someone with the aura of a main character. I'll die! I'll definitely die!" Kanna kept waving her hands wildly. "I've decided, I'm going to surrender, I'm going to admit defeat right away! No matter what punishment I receive, my life is the most important!!"
"Master…"
"Don't stop me, Ryuuno! I've made up my mind!"
"That lonely flower, standing alone yet not lonely, stubbornly blooming in her beauty…" Izawa suddenly started speaking poetically a line that sounded like it was from some poem.
Kanna's body instantly froze up.
"Even if she is ignored, disdained, looked down upon by the icy wind, she still has her lonely pride, just like myself…"
"Ahhhh! Stop reading that poem!!"
Kanna made pitiful noises as if she had received a severe mental attack.
"So what if she admires her beauty by herself? Lonely beauty shall never lower its head due to the corrupt vulgarities of life…"
"Ahhhhh grahhhh!!!!"
Kanna clutched her head with both hands and squirmed all around, making strange sounds as if she was breaking down.
Seiji was stunned by the sight, while Shika simply watched calmly.
"This is a poem that my master wrote when she was young." Izawa paused in his poetry recital and explained, "This poem's name is—"
"Ahh gahhh shut up!!!"
Kana furiously rushed towards her own Spirit-branded Retainer, yet Izawa stopped her easily by simply pushing down on her head.
"If Master doesn't become spirited, I shall be forced to continue my poetry recital."
"Ryuuno!!!"
"On yet another sorrowful autumn…"
"Ahhh I get it I get it stop reciting!!!"
The Fujihara Family young lady was defeated by her own embarrassment.
'So, 'necessary measures' was referring to this? How scary,' Seiji exclaimed in his mind.
"Actually, I think that it's well written." While exclaiming, he decided to pour salt onto Kanna's wounds.
"Shut up!!!" Kanna was becoming teary-eyed.
Under the threat of this mental attack, Kanna gave up on surrendering the tournament… at least on the surface.
If Kanna truly wanted to surrender, then it wouldn't have mattered no matter how many old poems of hers Izawa recited out loud.
Actually, Kanna was just venting her emotions, while her loyal Spirit-branded Retainer was cooperating in allowing her to do so.
Everyone fell silent for a moment. That's when Seiji noticed that something was wrong.
Mist had started spreading everywhere.
Yet, this was no natural weather phenomenon!
The mist swiftly became even thicker, to the point where it limited one's field of vision. It was impossible to see through even when Seiji used [Astral Vision].
Bright-red cluster amaryllis flowers then started appearing and blooming brilliantly everywhere!
"It's started…"
At the tournament spectating grounds.
All the hidden cameras' projections were blocked by gray mist, and it became impossible to spectate the ongoing tournament.
Yet the spectators weren't surprised by this at all. Many were even happy to see this.
The Messengers faction had taken action! Just as expected.
It didn't matter at all to the 7321 faction that they couldn't see anything at all. The important part was to surveil the entire process.
They had finished with their preparations already. It was now time to surveil the process and gather all the valuable information that they could.
As for the tournament participants now stuck within the mist?
Their fates would have to depend on themselves.
The Revenge Alliance.
Daikawa Rota felt the new power gradually increasing within his body. He started laughing loudly from the bottom of his heart. His laughter was supremely delighted and even fanatical.
He now had such strong power that would allow him to accomplish what he wanted to.
His choice hadn't been wrong.
This new power was real. It would definitely be able to open up a path to the future!
'If all of this is just me being insane, then allow me to become even more insane.
'It's time to overthrow the old and corrupt ruling power, punish those who do evil as they please, and create the order of a new generation!!'
The brand-new future would begin from this moment onwards in this battle.
"Let's go! Comrades!!" His passionate shouting was like a raging wildfire.
"Ohhhhh!!!" He received a response from his companions that was also like a heated wildfire.
The Bloodwar Alliance.
Shigure Tendo watched a cluster amaryllis flower pop out of the ground and begin to bloom.
Natsuki Shuurin, who had been randomly chosen to be their team leader after Shigure gave up the position, was currently saying something. Shigure didn't pay her any attention at all.
These bright-red flowers were truly beautiful.
Even if these bright-red flowers symbolized death.
Precisely because these bright-red flowers symbolized death.
Death was just as meaningful as life… although Shigure didn't really understand what the meaning of either was.
There were many things that Shigure didn't know or understand. That was because he indeed possessed low intelligence.
However, he was able to feel.
For instance, the cluster amaryllis flowers' beauty, the mysteriousness of the mist, the emotions of the people around him, the flow of the air, the passing of time…
"Milord Shigure…" an anxious voice spoke up beside him.
Shigure turned around to see Keimi Umetani standing next to him.
"I'm a little afraid…" she whispered in a soft voice. "I feel that something frightening will occur…"
Shigure silently looked at her.
"My mission is to serve Milord… that's why… even though I know that making such a request is shameless of me… still… If it's possible… if we really do meet with danger, Milord Shigure… could you please… protect me slightly?"
Weakness, inferiority, fear, expectation, desire…
Shigure sensed all these things from Keimi Umetani.
She hoped to obtain his promise, even if it was only an empty one to be polite. That would help to suppress the anxiety in her heart.
Shigure was never one to make empty promises. That's why...
"I can't."
Keimi's body stiffened upon hearing such a cold refusal.
"I… I suppose you're right… Someone like me doesn't have the right…"
"I can't 'slightly' protect you," Shigure continued. "That's because I have no idea just how much 'slightly' is for me. However, I understand the concept of 'with all my power.' That's why… I shall protect you with all my power."
Keimi paused in surprise for a moment as her eyes became teary.
"Thank you." She sincerely expressed her gratitude.
The next second, someone suddenly screamed!


Translator note: Apologies to the readers. This series is currently on hiatus. We ask for your understanding!
A 30-year-old Chinese NEET is reincarnated into the body of an otaku that choked to death on instant noodles. As he comes to grips with his new life, he realizes that this world is subtly different from Earth. The denizens of this world are far better looking, and this new world also possesses futuristic technology as well as mysterious Yin Yang masters! 
After reincarnating, he realized that he was endowed with a miraculous game-like system, which enables him to increase his own stats and transcend the limits of the human body. This system even has a game-breaking ability to save and load in real life!
In this new world that’s akin to a 2-D game, he just wants to enjoy life and head for a glorious future... However, he is quickly embroiled in a complex plot. Can he unlock his true potential and utilize his system to break the shackles that confine him and discover the truth about his previous body’s circumstances? 

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