The Duke's Marchen

Li Qiang did not want to die.

He was The Killer. He killed for fun. He killed for a living. He killed because he was angry. He killed because he was bored.

But in the end, he was still the Villain of someone else's story. He had caused her too much pain and suffering. And it was his time to pay for that. Scratch that.

Meh.

He was already dying anyway. Why not take this time, to be honest?

And if he wanted to be honest, he needed to say it.

To hell with the world!

Li Qiang did not care about anyone else aside from the love of his life, Wang Rou. It was just… her.

All her.

And seeing Wang Ruo devastated because of her daughter broke his heart. How could he let the woman he loved all his life suffer such a loss?

The last thing Li Qiang remembered before losing his consciousness was Wang Ruo's smile. Despite the tears in her eyes, Wang Ruo still looked beautiful. She was and still is… the most beautiful woman in Li Qiang's eyes.

So, if he hated the world, why did he choose to die for Wang Rou's daughter? Wasn't he the selfish Li Qiang who killed people without batting an eyelid? Wasn't he the Villain? The evil incarnate who liked to remove his enemy's nails and laughed while they suffer?

How ironic.

However… the darkness that surrounded Li Qiang did not last long. He frowned. Pain? How could he feel pain? He was dead, his heart taken away from his chest, and was given to Wang Rou's daughter.

The relentless sobbing reached his ears. Was it his beloved Wang Rou? No. This voice was too… thin. He didn't like it. It was followed by the smell of flowers. Was it roses? He hated roses.

He furrowed his brows. Did the operation fail? Was he still alive?

"Husband… Husband… please wake up." The sobbing continued. Husband? Was it Wang Ruo? The thought immediately made him frown. Why would Wang Ruo call him husband? Was this a dream?

The throbbing pain in his left rib started. It was light, then it intensified. Li Qiang couldn't help but wonder if he was awake as they took his heart. Was that even possible?

"Husband… please don't leave me." Li Qiang turned around. Darkness surrounded him. He was still in the same place. Who was calling him husband? Then slowly, Li Qiang felt a nudged in his hands- No, it was as if someone was stroking his hands.

What was happening?

The sobbing continued.

"Madam! Look… the Duke's hands are moving!"

"W — What?"

"I will go call the doctor!"

"The Duke is awake! He is awake!"

"Hush! Do not disturb the Duke and the Madam."

The conversation confused him. Duke? Madam? Slowly, he opened his eyes and squinted at the light that assaulted his sight.

"Husband! Husband! You are awake!"

"Doctor!!! Where is the doctor!"

Then chaos started. People running around, panicking, doctors checking him, sobbing, more sobbing and tears. Li Qiang only watched as everyone sighed in relief.

The Duke is safe!

That was the only thing that registered in his mind. The Duke? Is him? Though confused, Li Qiang chose not to ask questions and waited for everyone to finish. The doctor immediately said it was a miracle. That the Duke was only left with some small bruises and a few days would be enough for him to heal.

"Husband! I am pleased that you are safe." Li Qiang eyed the woman sitting next to him. She had been crying since he woke up. "The Gods must have blessed us!" The woman's face was pale, her hair was in a messy updo and a gentle smile was plastered on her beautiful face. Yet, the smell of her perfume nauseated him. Her skin wasn't as nice as Wang Rou's, her smile was too nice it looked fake.

"May I have some time alone?" Li Qiang uttered. His words surprised the woman. Her gentle smile was immediately replaced by disappointment. Yet, she still nodded and gestured the line of servants to leave with her.

At her departure, Li Qiang immediately let out a sigh of relief. He eyed the four-poster bed and the white paint of the room that he was in. This was not his room. He was a hundred percent sure that this was not a place that he knew.

He squinted at the fireplace a few feet away from his bed. On top of the fireplace was a painting of some Chinese characters. It was an unfamiliar poem.

Then an unforgiving pain throbbed in his head. He closed his eyes as his hand supported his head. Flickers of memories like photographs flooded his brain. Hundreds of memories… of him smiling, of him, fighting, and flirting.

What was happening?

Li Qiang opened his mouth into a silent scream. This pain was something that he had never experienced before. However, it did not last long. The pain started to disappear… gradually… then it vanished. Leaving no trace of the previous agony that he felt.

Li Qiang straightened his body. He did not even notice the sweat on his forehead. He shook his head and…

Blood? Li Qiang widened his eyes at the scarlet liquid that was apparently flowing from his nose. The memories made it easier for him to find the bathroom.

He eyed himself in the mirror, his reflection gazing back at him. He was tall… taller than his previous body. But his face, his light brown orbs, his dark hair- were the same.

A sigh escaped him. The memories in his head were not his. He was smart enough to know that. They hummed inside his head like little bolts of lightning ready to strike at any given moment. Shaking his head, he went out of the bathroom. Then he lay in his bed. A frown was written on his face.

He had transmigrated to another world, in a body that was not his. They have the same features and name. Li Qiang wondered if this could be the alternate dimension that people on Earth spoke of.

Was that even possible? He wanted to laugh at his thoughts. Yet… here he was. A living proof that his soul was not the original occupant of this body. Li Qiang decided to sort the memories in his head.

He was a Duke in a kingdom called Yu- A known kingdom in the west of the Continent Sirluu. His name was still Li Qiang… and well- he is useless. This Li Qiang was a bad fighter, a dumb merchant, and someone who love women! The memories of this Li Qiang romancing hundreds of women made him dizzy.

This man was the opposite of his previous life!

He opened his eyes as his face morphed into an ugly frown. How could this man touch all those ugly women!?

The thought of this body touching other women made him more and more irritated. Li Qiang gritted his teeth. How could he transmigrate into a body like this?

He rose from his bed. Determination flashed in his eyes. He needed to cleanse this body. And he will start with… making all of his mistresses leave his estate!