issue with quotation marks?

the quality took a dive - obviously just miles copypasta

here I was hoping to be somewhat original. Oh well. glad you liked it

almost a 3x size of regular chapter tho

that was a long time ago - I would take it out, but I think sometimes it's important to provide context for the choices made when writing. Ofc there's no pleasing some people. :) But I appreciate the well wishes!

it was a bunch of kids having a playground fight from her perspective during the tournament. she got bored playing ref and decided to test the heir herself but there wasn't all that much to be excited about from her love. But she wanted to see the FL react to a threatening situation so she played a bit where she wouldn't have bothered normally

The crazy isn't faked. she keeps it under control but she has a rep. that's why Chenli freaked. crazy but skilled is a good way to put it. The brusque cold persona is the mask so that she can operate with others especially. if she's in charge

...I think you made my point for me lol. She's cold and brusque when she's not excited. She's learnt to channel her bloodlust or excitement into battle. The first time we see her she was playing up the crazy to pressure the FL cause the other geniuses except for cap were not giving her trouble. Then again when she went after the traitor she was pissed and so on. Trying not to overuse the tic. she not just crazy 😀

don't worry. she goes all harleyquinn once her bloodlust gets up. But she is hundreds of years old if not thousands so her acting like a crazed bezerker when asking to pass the salt seemed like a plothole in itself. If she can't control herself how believable she survived and has high ranks and responsibilities?

sect is about to reap the fruits of their behavior. I actually wrote them as a dig at the typical xianxia sect where all the focus in on political and actual factional infighting but with no negative effects other than to power up the MC. Real life it would not be sustainable

yeah the knife sect is the classic example of a sect that's gotten complacent and rotten. Grass and other parties have destroyed them from the inside out. They think they have patrols but they have been subverted etc. Basically They look imposing but they are an empty shell

The fact that the sect has been corrupted and is not doing their job is the point:) And bad guys always say lame stuff when they monologue

an interesting view. I prefer to think of the crazy persona as one that comes out when she's emotional about whatever is going on; she's learnt to keep a clamp on it when she has to be responsible

she only talks like a psycho when she is deliberately trying to screw with people's heads and starting fights, killing bad guys. If she's in professional mode - i.e. being Senior Enforce in Charge - she restrains herself (after many many reprimands in the past) although she will always be a little cold when she speaks...

The Knife name is very important - cause the founder was all about being more than just a weapon, yanno :) The Grass lives everywhere of course... grass never completely dies.

Changed the frog proverb to one more on point and accurate

Thank you for such a positive Review. I often feel like my writing is not as good as other authors.

Thank you very much for such a positive review. I hope I can continue to meet your expectations going forward

as explained in chapter 59😀

I appreciate the encouragement. I genuinely appreciate it as, personally, as a reader I find myself disappointed in my 'voice'. I feel that many other authors I read do a better job at making their words paint a picture, with less words and a more relaxed flow, which makes for a more enjoyable read. I have not quite found that sweet spot in my own writing, despite trying on and off for years - although this is the first novel I have published on a consistent schedule - don't ask about the other attempts, they never really got off the ground