Want some affordable, yet good covers for your stories? It's now officially open! 

Please be guided with the rules and regulations . 

CREDITS TO ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHERS, and OWNERS of the images I use here.  

Please be guided with the rules and regulations . 

Kindly fill out the form that I will be posting, I'll try my best to give you a good and decent cover according to your request. I hope all of the writers, beginners or amateur writers know that I am not really good in graphics but I will surely to give what you want my dear. Don't hesitate to ask me about your request. Please use my cover as long as you can.

Most of the images are not mine and I am not taking its ownership.

All of my artworks on Sustaining the King's Life will be posted on my twitter:
@chains_lock / https://twitter.com/chains_lock

What will be found on my twitter?
1. Every new volume = new cover/artwork
2. Map design
3. Character design
4. Random scenes from the book
5. Art requests *scenes/characters
6. Q&A to characters themselves/author. (YESSS YOU CAN ASK THEM QUESTIONS LMAO)
7. ...and more!

Follow me on twitter! https://twitter.com/chains_lock or just simply type @chains_lock

On a secluded mountain situated upon a kingdom known as Feuersturm, resides a seemingly trifling cabin with an unlikely duo as its inhabitant—a witch, and her apprentice who presumably comes from a clan sought after by slave traders. 

Faustina is a sixteen-year-old girl who fled the slave market with the help of a sickly witch named Eula, who later on trained her as an apprentice for the span of seven years. 

Plagued with a mysterious disease for several years, Eula died despite the efforts Faustina had exerted to cure her; in her last breath, she left an odd request behind. 

"Sustain the king's life. This is your duty. Do not adhere to the prophecy."

To which the odd plea shadowed a bizarre series of events, a consequential sentence; similar to that of a premonition. The same night the phrase was muttered, the chain of events followed:

A warlock's intrusion to their home, with a peculiar yearning to resurrect Eula from the dead...

and the king himself, asking for Faustina’s aid.

- > Photo used is RE-DRAWN by Chainslock from the manhwa: 【폭군의 번역기가 되어버렸다 | AUTHOR: 샤무아】

『The image is redrew to fit the character description. Credits to the artist for the reference photo.』

[1-2 chapters a day (GMT+8)]

All of my artworks on Searching For Andromeda will be posted on my twitter:
@chains_lock / https://twitter.com/chains_lock

What will be found on my twitter?
1. Every new volume = new cover/artwork
2. Map design
3. Character design
4. Random scenes from the book
5. Art requests *scenes/characters
6. Q&A to characters themselves/author. (YESSS YOU CAN ASK THEM QUESTIONS LMAO)
7. ...and more!

Follow me on twitter! https://twitter.com/chains_lock or just simply type @chains_lock

Ephraim, or as called by his colleagues, Raim, is an archeologist. Upon his commencement, he was stationed with a task force consisting of a researcher, a biologist, a doctor, and a former sergeant-in-arms; their team entrusted with a duty to examine the desolated lab of an abandoned former space station: ANDROMEDA. 

As a man of science, he knew what his weakness was: curiosity. Upon entering the premises of ANDROMEDA, Raim discovers that succumbing to his desires would prove fatal one day. 

And that day has come. 

By the end of the darkness of the seemingly isolated laboratory was not obscurity filled with dust and desolation—but a tunnel leading to another realm of knowledge. A pathway to another dimension. 

No . . . the -pathway- to another world. 

The entrance to a completely different time where magic, knights, kingdom, monsters, and battles reigned supreme; now Ephraim and his task force must utilize their knowledge to survive onslaughts and drive the kingdom of another world to prosperity. 

! ! ! ARTWORK and COVER created and designed by Chainslock ! ! ! [credits to Mikebosi’s Windreader Zell for the reference photo]

«CONTEST: Webnovel Spirity Spring Awards 2020»

By a Fateful Encounter, Helen Lancaster obtained a Heaven-Defying Art. Watch her in her Journey, from mediocre Cultivator to A Goddess who had Dominion over Love and Lust.

Additional Tags: R 18, Romance, Mature Themes




The cover is not mine. I couldn't track down original creator but if the author is out there, message me if you want me to take it down or give credit

Luna has been busy processing all the necessary documents for a new mission. 
 
Thud. Thud. Thud. 
 
"Come in." 
 
Dae came in and sat on the empty chair next to Luna. He slid his finger on his watch. To ordinary eyes, it looks just like a regular fitness watch, but in actuality, it's a state-of-the-art watch exclusive for high-level agents. Only S level agents and above are qualified to use it. 
 
"Look at this."  
 
A 3D version of a woman illuminated above his watch.  
 
"So, this is going to be the new you, what do you think? Huh, huh? Cool, huh?" 
 
Luna looked closer at the model. The model has golden-brown skin, a waist-long hair, freckles around her cheeks, 2 black moles on her collarbone, and one just below her eye, her face was nicely sculpted out. Her high rounded nose and deep philtrum accentuated her thin lips." 
 
"I already have a mole below my eye and my freckles. How long is this gonna take?" 
 
"Well, the moles are going to be tattooed. That can be done in one session but it would still take at least a week to fully heal." 
 
"Okay." 
 
"The sculpting would need 3 sessions. What would take longer was you gaining weight." A scale model of Luna appeared beside the first model. 
 
"With your current body, you're too sharp and muscled. We need to soften you out first for you to look a little feminine." 
 
"Alright. Go handle all the preparations. Just tell me the schedule." 
 
Dae gave her his signature thumbs up. 
 
"Go book a room in an hour. We'll discuss the plan after I finished this. Tell the General to come too." 
 
Dae tapped his watch for a while before saying, "Done, done, and done. I'll head out first." 
 
Luna only nodded her head a little in his direction before focusing on her monitor again. 
 
After an hour. 
 
The four of them are gathered in a room again. Luna preceded the meeting.  
 
"As discussed last time, we'll infiltrate the entertainment industry. Do you all remember Agent 194?' 
 
It was the General who answered, "Is he the one assigned in Hollywood back then?" 
 
"Yes. He chose to retire during his evaluation. He loved the character he played, so he went to pursue fashion design. Now, he's a famous fashion designer and his brand, Louis, is an elite shop in the US and Europe." 
 
"What do you plan to do with him?" Asked the General. 
 
"I need his help for my debut. The cover-up story is that he saw me during a nature trip and took me in as a model." 
 
"Will he agree to it?" Dae couldn't help but ask. 
 
"He's been pleading me for years to walk on his runway. I don't even know for what reason he wanted me to. Anyway, I already called him to ask for his help, and he's already on his way here to process the requirements for field assets." 
 
Luna had to set down her phone and wait for more than two minutes before Louis can stop screaming in excitement when she asked for his help. 

A field asset is someone connected to the Union that assists in missions.
 
"Once, that is set", Luna turned to Sia, "I need an app that we can use to monitor the movements in Capitol. I have sent the blueprint to you." 
 
Luna showed them the initial UI design of the app. 
 
"The app will be called Moments. Every post will be in the form of a 30-second video. It maybe a text, photo, or a video. The posts can only be stored for 50 hours upon posting, then it will be saved on the profile's archive folder that only the owner than access. Its chat messaging is encrypted, but I already created a hack onto it." 
 
"Engagement buttons include react (heart, funny, sad, angry), comment (no bot nor indecency allowed), and sharing to other apps. But contents posted in the app cannot be saved illegally like screen capture or screenshot. All files are DRM and will forever remain in the Union server." 
 
"There are already so many apps out there, how can we be sure that they will use ours?" The General asked.  
 
"Exclusivity." 
 
"How?" 
 
"After my debut, it's the only app I'll use. People who doesn't have an account won't be able to see my posts. Then, for the first time, Louis will be opening a social account for the first time also only in Moments. After that, everything will just follow." 
 
"Will that be enough?" 
 
"Yes. Getting the scoop from Louis himself would shake the entire fashion world. And besides, I created the app with celebrities as my target audience. A platform safe for them to have their personal and business page into one." 
 
"In the meantime, Sia here's a list of gamers I want you to contact as beta-testers once the app is uploaded on the app store." 
 
"Got it, sis!" 
 
"That's it for Phase one. I still need to build my foundation in the entertainment industry anyway. This might take at least six months before we become stable. There are also a lot of people who want to get a hold of someone's dirt for personal gain, so we really need to scope out things out personally before gearing ourselves into phase two."

Yuehai gave her world to the man she loves only to die in his hands. 

After five years, destiny has given her a chance to come back to Capitol to collect the debt they owed her that was long overdue.

Will she be able to end a world-threatening terrorist group and face the monsters of her past at the same time? 

Will she be able to trust and love again?

Chapter 1: The Coming of Age

As the sun has risen, the people in a small village called Morning Leaf have also started to wake up as the bell rang in the town hall that was placed in the middle of the village square.

"Wake up, Jade! Wake up!" A hyper young man kept shaking a well built young man that has an odd silver hair.

"Stop it, Zi. I still want to sleep!" The  silver haired young man whose name is Jade tried to stop the loud one with a fat body whose name is Zi from disturbing him from his beautiful dream of becoming the Martial King.

"Wake up, Jade. Today's the Coming of Age, everyone's already starting to fall in line for the assessment." Zi kept insisting for Jade to wake up already as he continued with his piece. "Come on. Come on! Come on."

"Argh. Alright, stop it, fatty!" With the repeated insistence from Zi, Jade finally gave in.

"That's the spirit!" Zi beamed as he hop out of Cloud's bed.

"Imma go and help Sister Anya to prepare the breakfast. Prep yourself up now. You better not go back to sleep or else I'll smack your head to make you fully awake. Hehe." With that, Zi's belly jiggled in excitement as he walked out of the room. 

"Aye. Aye." Jade sighed as he was half risen on his bed. He can helplessly do nothing with that energetic fatso. He always wondered where does he get that energy from. He can only shake his head as he drag himself up.

"Finally." Jade clenched his fist in determination. "I'm coming for you, Moon."

+++++++++

The sun was now fully risen when the two young mean were able to arrive in the village square. A long line of young men that were in the same age as them, around eight to ten years old. This was the right age for a young man to step in the world of cultivation. This event only happens once in every three years that is why this event is special not just to the kids but also for the academies and sects, and for the kingdom itself because this is where they recruit talents to be groomed to serve or rule the country as a Martial Warrior.

"Aargh! Look at how long do we have to wait, Jade? I bet the sun would start to set and it won't still be our turn." Zi's loud cry made the crowd of young men and women looked at the two as they fall in line. Zi's squinted eyes were trying to stab at Jade which gave meaning that this is all his fault.

"Don't blame me. Who's the one who kept on making moves on Sister Anya?" Cloud gave an indifferent pout as a response.

"Haha! Well look what we have here. It's the boar and the boor! Aren't you two lost?" A brown wavy haired young man who was trying hard to emanate a sophisticated aura of a noble mocked the duo.

"Haha!" Despite the senseless mockery, this gained a laugh from the young boys and girls who were near.

"Hmph! You want to be beaten up for you to know whether we are the ones who are lost or you huh, Zheng?" Zi provoked as he gave the young boy a thug look while cracking his knuckles. Jade only glanced at the 'sophisticated' young man with a mocking gaze and silently queued.

"Hmph! You really do live up to your name..you pig." The young brown haired boy, Zheng just snorted towards Zi's response and moved as the line queue moved.

"You know that you don't have to stoop to that scaredy cat's level. I'm ashamed to be with you, you know that." Jade sighed as he told off fatty Zi.

"You!!" Even though there were four young boys and a girl between them, Jade's statement was still heard by Zheng despite how softly he said it to Juno, and this angered Zheng like a cat that got stepped on its tail.

"Haha! Why, do you have something to say, you pussy?" Zi laughed at Zheng's reaction which made him provoke the brown haired young man even more.

"Leave him be, Zheng. You're making our prestigious clan look bad by arguing with some nobody." A sweet yet feisty voice sounded as it reprimanded the young boy Zheng. The voice came from a young blonde girl who were in between.

"My bad, Lily. You're right." Zheng stopped bickering with Jade right away as the young girl called Lily interfered.

Lily was a direct descendant of Ling Clan in the royal city of the Silver Star Kingdom but only the Ling Clan of this Morning Leaf Village knew this.

One year has already passed, and the villagers only knew her as the nephew of the chief of Ling clan. She became the next village crush of these young men after when a certain girl had left four years ago because of having a monstrous talent. 

The same reason for becoming the village crush — Lily, not just because of her adorable face but also because of her talents in martial arts. She can practically beat every one of her generation except for Jade because of his brute strength and his animal-like instinct which made her blush from here and there whenever she sees him.

"Haha! Why don't we bet, Lily, if who is the most talented to the three of us? The most talented gets to be the boss of this village." Fatty Zi loudly declared his wager.

"How childish..everyone knows that the boss of this village is our Ling clan." The young girl Lily responded with out paying attention.

"Heh..how about if you're the most talented of us three then you get to date Cloud then?" Fatty Zi cheekily snickered as he made this comment. He can tell that this young girl who had just started to bloom has a crush on his little buddy.

"Hmph! That wager doesn't make sense at all. Why would I want to date a nobody?" The blonde young woman's tsundere side kicked in.

Fatty Zi only foolishly laugh at the young girl, while the silver haired Jade was having a solemn look.

+++++++++

"Next!" A middle aged voice announced. "Batch 9, come inside."

Hours of long wait passed by, the sun was getting ready to set when it was Jade, Zi, Lily, Zheng and other five young boys turn to go inside the Cultivation Tower. The tower has five floors, and each floor indicates one's talent; Mortal, Earth, Sea, Sky and Heaven.

When the nine young children entered the tower, there they saw multiple tall wooden podiums that presented the books. There was a vertical wooden sign with plain "Mortal" word etched on it above the entrance and above the passage going to the next floor. These kids knew that there are higher tiered cultivation manuals in this tower that's why they did not bother to look into the books in this floor and directly ascended to the second.

Jade was the last one to ascend the stairs but when he was about to step into, there was a mysterious force that was blocking him from ascending. As the other eight noticed this, they looked back at him with a questioning gaze.

"You guys go ahead, I want to stay here for the mean time to try and get as much as knowledge about cultivation." Jade was scratching his head as he tried to make an excuse so that they won't noticed that he can't ascend the next floor.

"Don't fool around at this time, Jade. Hurry up or else, I'll be the first one to get the legendary cultivation of the original Martial Emperor." Fatty Zi smirked.

"Haha. No hurry, we just entered the tower and still have a lot of time. You guys go ahead, I might not need that legendary cultivation art anyway. What's the use of it anyway if it's not compatible with you?" Jade just laugh as he tried to make an excuse.

"Haha. I bet you just can't ascend the stairs, you trash." Zheng mocked as he looked down at Jade.

"What's that?" Jade snapped as he gazed a murderous look towards Zheng.

"Hmph! Why don't you ascend the stairs to prove to us that you can ascend the stairs then?" Zheng snorted.

"Why don't you go down here and I'll give you a beating then?" Jade retorted.

"That's enough, Zheng. He has somewhat a point there, cultivation art doesn't have to be high tiered in order to become powerful. Compatibility is also a big part." Lily interjected but felt doubtful inside because only cultivation clans and sects only knows this kind of knowledge. Clearly this young man is an orphan that's why he shouldn't have any profound cultivation knowledge. She bashfully eyed the young man secretly as she ascended to the second floor. 

"You're right." Fatty Zi only nodded as he continued to ascend the stairs, secretly worried with his buddy. "But I'm still going for that legendary cultivation."

"Hmph! How shameless." Zheng snorted as he and the others proceeded to ascend the stairs too.

+++++++++

The other five young men were only able to ascend to the second floor while Zheng and Lily were able to ascend the third floor. These two were dumbfounded when they saw  ascended the stairs to fourth floor smoothly.

Lily knew to herself that she can also ascend the fourth floor but it would give her a hard time. She can only bit her lip as to stop herself from showing her capabilities to this fatty for she has a reason on staying in the third floor. She was tasked by her father to cultivate the Sea rank, Burning Frost Heart which was the most compatible art for her unique physique. This cultivation art can only be specifically taken from the Cultivation Tower of this village. After spending almost half an hour of looking, she was able to find this cultivation art, and in luck, she was able to assimilate the cultivation knowledge in her mind.

"Have you found what you have been looking for, Lily?" Zheng approached Lily the moment she opened her eyes from the knowledge assimilation.

"Yes." Lily nodded. "Were you able to find something compatible to you?"

"Uhm..I guess." Zheng scratched his head as he showed it to Lily. The cultivation art that he found right away was for defense and after half an hour of looking for other cultivation arts. Luck was not on his side as for no other cultivation arts was compatible with him.

It's not the person who gets to choose the cultivation art for themselves starting at the third floor of the Cultivation tower, it is the cultivation art itself that gets to.

"It's not a bad cultivation art. Take note that it is a Sea rank which indicates your talent and the mightiness of your cultivation." Lily encouraged as she noticed the disappointment in Zheng's face. 

"Plus, you will now be able to take a beating from those two." Lily added as she descended the stairs. This remark made Zheng really want to cry.

As Lily was descending down the stairs. She couldn't help but think of the silver haired young boy with those gem-like blue eyes. 'I wonder if he really made it to the top floor.'

+++++++++

On the fifth floor.

The space of this floor was small and a small platform can only be seen here. On top of the platform, there were only three bronze covered book which has a star pattern.

Ascending the fifth floor really gave Fatty Zi quite a hard time. Half an hour passed by just ascending that stair. It made him lose a few pounds. But it was all worth it when he arrived as he approached the platform right away to check how mighty a heaven rank cultivation art can be.

+++++++++

When Lily and Zheng arrived at the first floor to exit the tower, they were surprised to see that Jade was still here.

"Hahaha! I knew that you can't ascend higher floors, you mortal trash." Zheng mocked the young boy who was quietly reading at the corner.

"Huh?!" A murderous face can be seen on Jade's face as he looked at the brown haired young boy. He had a high expectation on himself for he has a high aspiration also. But, reality hit him really hard for he has no cultivation talent. This have really made him frustrated.

"Time's almost up for choosing a cultivation art. Why are you still here?" Lily questioned as she gave a look to the young man that she already knew the answer.

"What?!" Jade acted like he was shocked to this finding. "Aiyah..I must have been caught up with this interesting cultivation that I've found. Haha." 

"Anyway, I don't need to have a legendary cultivation art or to go to higher floors anymore for I am very confident with the cultivation art that I've found here." Jade added as he showed such confidence. "Do you want to know the art that I've found?"

"Hmph..I couldn't be bother with you anymore." Lily shook her head as she exited the tower while Zheng gave him a mocking look as he followed which made Jade grit his teeth and clenched his fist secretly. She really was disappointed with the man that he admired.

"Kha-kha! A mortal trash trying to show off how great he is. How hilarious!" A mysterious eery voice sounded over as the two young boy and girl exited.

"Who?" Jade's immediately skipped away,  frightened like a cat.

"Heehehee! Hey, kid. Just a question, how do you intend to become someone powerful with that meager cultivation art that you've chosen?" The mysterious eery voice mockingly asked the young boy.

"Hmph. As Moon once said, 'the simpler the cultivation art that you cultivate, the easier for you to master and transcend it.'" Jade answered the unknown voice warily.

"Khakhakha! That is true. However, what happens after you were able to transcend your cultivation? I'll tell you, your transcended cultivation will only be reranked into Sky Rank or higher. With this mortal art that you chose together with your mortal aptitude, your cultivation could only transcend at least as high as mid tier Sky rank. Do you see how big the gap if the starting line would be at Heaven rank?"

What the unknown voice said made Jade speechless. As if the eeriness of the voice have an effect, it made him upset and especially indignant to having a talentless fate.

"However, I did not talk to you just so that I can mock on you.." The eery voice sounded again which caught Jade's attention from the anger that was welling inside him. "I spoke to you to let you know that what if I can change your fate?"

"You can do that?" Jade was moved from the mysterious statement. "How can you do that? How will you do that?"

"Heehehee. Simple. You just have to cultivate me." This answer made Jade dumbfounded.

"Y-you're a cultivation art?" After a few moments of sinking in what the mysterious eery voice have told, Jade was able to respond with a question.

"Why, yes." An frightening smile can be imagined by Jade as this simple answer was being said. This gave him goosebumps and cold sweats.

"You only now have five minutes on staying in this tower. At the far left most corner in front of you, you can see that it is the only black tattered book out of the books that are beside it. Pick it up, hurry!"

With the compelling order, Jade picked the described book from the eery voice. The book was indeed tattered and was black as a charcoal, even the pages were black. The only design you can see on the book cover was an etched eight pointed star which have the symbol of each of the five elements plus the symbol of wind, lightning and poison, and in the center of the star was the yin and yang symbol. 

"Drip some blood in order for you to assimilate the cultivation art as your own."

"Eh? I have to cut myself?" Jade was beginning to hesitate for he was afraid to loose some blood.

"What are you afraid of? What's a little blood for you to change your fate and destiny?"

As the mysterious eery voice was being convincing, Jade's hesitation disappeared as he bit hard on his thumb to bleed. As the drops of blood splattered on the book, it mysteriously moved to the symbol — tracing its pattern glowed eerily glowed after. 

As the blood glowed, Jade's eyes slowly turned all cold black as the cultivation knowledge integrated in his mind.

Jade and Moon were orphans raised in the outskirts of the Bronze Star Kingdom. In a world where people are born with cultivation talent, Jade was without any. In contrast, Moon was a reincarnation of a divine being thus making her destined for greatness.

This is a story of a promise between the young boy and the young girl which was been torn by destiny yet was been reunited by the fate.

Like every morning, Surya had carried out his solar cultivation at the top of the hill.

Now that he had returned to the mansion he had decided to start his new training.

In the training yard, Surya stood face to face with a large shelf filled with metal training weapons.

His blood seethed with the excitement of becoming stronger and he took the handle of any weapon.

When he removed it from the big shelf he realized that it was a long spear, smoothing the handle he noticed the simple grooves and the erased trace of what was once the design of a silver dragon.

The blade looked sharp and well cared for, indicating that even though it was old and used it was still well cared for.

Adopting a basic spear posture he tried his best to perform some movements in the basic stage.

After a long moment of familiarizing himself with the weapon, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I have no foundation, what am I trying to do !?" Surya knew that a tutor would be an obvious choice to begin his weapons training.

But he couldn't let his pride die and present his movements like an idiot.

After viewing a mental screen for a while he decided.

[The art of the Spear: A thousand Dragon rises from the storm.]

[Would you like to redeem it in your memory?]

"Yes"

In his mind a great tsunami of information flooded his entire being.

The technique consisted of numerous positions and foundations about the masterful art of the spear.

"The spear must be like a storm dragon. Furious and imperious, causing and destroying everything in its path." Surya whispered a stretch of the technique like a mantra.

Moving according to his memories, He took a new position.

His body receded while his two hands held the spear forward.

If he were an enemy, he would surely notice that he looked like a cocked dragon, ready to pierce and destroy the world in front of him.

Taking a deep breath, Surya opened his eyes and pushed the spear in front of his.

In the second form he raised the tip like the shape of the ascending dragon.

The third and fourth forms were like that of a descending dragon and a low wave like a cunning tail.

He continued to practice all 13 primary forms until he reached a not so regrettable stage.

Realizing that the day had already passed and the night had come, he showed a somewhat disappointed expression at having his time reduced.

(…)

Sitting in an armchair surrounded by shelves full of library books, Surya was studying with a thick book in hand.

"For a great war!" Surya said smiling, finding what he was looking for.

It was a book telling the story of their continent.

Crescent Immortal Continent. A great continent located to the south of the planet.

The continent was divided into two parts of different cultures, the West and the East.

The Kingdom of Samsara was a small kingdom on the northern edge of the West.

In comparison to some great empires in the West and some great sects in the East, the small kingdom was like an ant compared to big elephants.

As the city Fortaleza was normally a line of defense against barbarians and countries east of the Kingdom, it was quite desolate in comparison.

He had also discovered that the enemy of the Kingdom that had destroyed and killed his family was an enemy empire to the Silver Lion empire of which they were affiliated.

The black-coal empire was another low-level empire since its foundations were in a constant war for territory.

Unfortunately for the Kingdom of Samsara, a low-level Kingdom was on the black-hot Empire's elimination list.

He squeezed his hands tight enough that his nails penetrated the cover of the book before he tossed it aside.

[Mission: Defeat the Barbara horde that comes to destroy the city Fortaleza.]

[Reward: 1 random summons and 2100 Absolute Points.] [Failure: Death or enslavement by barbarians.]

He quickly got up from the armchair and grabbed his white coat and put it on his shoulders, as soon as he walked out the door, Yumi appeared in front of him and was going to say something before Surya interrupted her.

"Save your energy, we will have to stain our blades today. It will be a bloody night." He said his last sentence with a smile.

Yumi smiled a little before disappearing into the shadows.

Walking through the mansion, he watched through the windows, all the agitated soldiers preparing for an impending battle, apparently, they already knew about the horde.

After a few moments he had already arrived in front of Stephan's office and knocked on the door.

"In between." A rigid voice came.

Opening the door, he found himself facing an armored Stephan watching the moon through the large window of his office.

"Barbarians," Surya said to capture Stephan's attention.

He just turned and waved.

"It is the first horde in the last 15 years. The flames of war are about to ignite again."

"Father, I will participate in this battle. As a warrior I must bathe in the blood of my enemies in battle!

Stephan turned, about to vigorously deny the idea, but was caught over the burning eyes.

In these last million years, Surya had not killed anyone, he would like to know what a battle tasted like.

He smiled slightly and left without saying a word.

"My soldiers will be with me, don't worry." He said in the hallway in an attempt to relieve Stephan.

At first Stephan didn't understand but decided to leave it to Surya, the more soldiers with him the better for his safety he thought.

(…)

Standing on the walls of the Fortress, Surya watched the great forest in front of his with half-closed eyes.

"Tsk. Hyuuga." He said quietly and quickly a figure in a gray uniform and white demon mask appeared on his knees.

"Tell me what you see." He said as an order.

Anbu turned and looked away from the horizon of trees.

Looking through the holes in the mask, Surya saw the violet eyes that saw through everything.

"An enemy camp 5 kilometers ahead. Estimated to be at least five by barbaric men."

"Five thousand!?" Surya looked behind him and saw a large crowd that was armed and said goodbye to their families out of concern. "

In Fortaleza, at most, there were three and a half thousand soldiers, in addition to ordinary citizens who could serve as soldiers in extreme hours.

Surya nodded slightly and decided to prepare.

He wore light gold-colored armor, where the plates protected only fundamental parts, the weight and the openings in the joints allowed him a fluid movement that he liked.

While flexing his muscles, he felt a hand on his shoulder, when he looked he saw the beautiful red-haired beauty.

Mirya wore light armor similar to his but in blue.

In his hands a spear pointed dangerously at the sky.

Her stance told Surya that she was at least proficient in the use of the spear.

With a slightly worried face she said.

"You shouldn't fight this battle Surya, according to the scouts are at least a few thousand barbarians, leave it to the sister here and go back to the mansion."

Surya looked into his amber eyes for a moment and looked away to see the horizon.

"I can't. How could I let these damned barbarians invade a territory that in the future will be mine to rule like a King!" Surya was not afraid to declare his goal of being a ruler.

Mirya looked a little surprised and also disconcerted by Surya's determination.

She immediately thought of someone like that and smiled.

"I think you will have competitors for that Surya goal." She smiled at him and walked away.

Surya just thought that she too would like to go up as a new lady of the territory and left it alone.

"In the end, only I will sit on the throne" Surya thought.

An immortal tired of living as a silent observer. Eternal and silent ages have brought you to a point of extreme desire for the feeling of living.

When Hue was about to carry the girl, Uoron calmly and leisurely came out of the bushes.

Being reminded that there was somebody else in their midst he took a deep breath and exhaled trying to calm himself. Finally suppressing his earlier feelings, he turned to looked at Uoron.

"Uoron, please carry her things and helped me bring it back. Our house is just below this hill."

He started walking towards the other direction of the red leafed tree even before Uoron could reply. He was carrying the fainted girl in his arms in a princess style. 

Honestly speaking, he didn't care if the stuff was brought back now or not as he can just retrieve it later but remembering that wild animals like foxes sometimes appear here that could destroy her things he asked Uoron instead as his hands were full in carrying Reen alone.

He didn't even he turn back once to see if Uoron was following him or not and just continued walking.

Uoron stared at his retreating back not minding being bossed around. It was a good thing he found out the man's identity before doing anything that he would greatly regret in the end. If it was any other person, he would be battered black and blue [1] by now.

It was not that he was afraid of Hue but he didn't want to risk the relationship that they could form in the future. As he was also trying to relieve his boredom he thus picked up her things such as her glasses, recorder, water bottle and book deciding to just go with the flow for now.

While thinking this way, his eye caught the attractive design on the book. The book was covered in a red sheet with a single puzzle piece symbol in the middle of its cover. There was nothing written on the spine of the book. The book seems to have a lock mechanism upon his assessment but currently it seems to be unlocked. 

"This design... hmmm... " he whispered

He was sure of this description since the sky completely cleared up and the moon was surprisingly bright that night. It was as though the earlier rain specifically showered the scenario.

He wanted to return her things before they truly get out of his site however curiosity ruled over logic, he sat down on the tree root she was previously sitting. He flips the cover and started reading. Only one paragraph was written with a beautiful handwriting.

"For curious seekers reading this book
Turn the next page and take a look
However, a warning I must give
Be cautious and prepare to receive 
The secrets that lies within each word
That will now be unfurled.

- Crimson Puzzle

Mindful of the warning, Uoron still decided and turned the page…


Author's Notes:

[1] A person being covered in bruises

After experience a broken heart and a series of unfortunate events, Reen had remembered everything.  While all this were happening, he came into her life.  Should she forgive and forget everything and live the life she always wanted or should she stay and fulfill her need to be free from her past’s dark constraints? 

Need or want which should she choose...?

Qin Xinying looked blankly at Tang Zhenhua. It had been quite a while before she said in disbelief, "But Grandpa, that woman walked her school's red carpet in Xixi's dress that must have been gifted to Qiao Liang by Xixi. How could Qiao Liang…"
Although there wasn't any media in that art performance, it was widely known on the Microblogs that Xiao Rou, in that red dress, stunned everyone with her beauty that night and many people admired her as the most beautiful red carpet belle. Qin Xinying had seen those photos and recognized that the red dress was designed by Tang Xi. Although she couldn't remember it clearly, she was sure she had seen that dress in Tang Xi's design album! If that dress wasn't made by Tang Xi, it must be made by Qiao Liang according to Tang Xi's design drawings! 
But that country bumpkin was in that dress!
"That's enough." Tang Zhenhua looked at Qin Xinying and frowned. "Now that Xixi has given it to Qiao Liang, it's his now. He can give it to anyone. I don't want to hear anyone mention it anymore, including Tang Xi!"
Qin Xinying looked at Tang Zhenhua in astonishment. It had been quite a while before she successfully suppressed her emotions and looked at Tang Zhenhua with a smile. "I was too worried about Xixi, so I lost control. Sorry, Grandpa, I was not acting like myself."
Tang Zhenhua looked at Qin Xinying who was sincerely apologizing to him and smiled as he said, "Okay, go back, or if you still want to talk to the girl who took Xixi's dress, you can wait for her here. I'll leave first." 
With that, he closed the car door without looking back. Qin Xinying thought of her purpose, and hurriedly knocked on the window. Tang Zhenhua rolled down the window and looked at her. Qin Xinying gave a sweet smile, and said a bit shyly, "Grandpa, my father asked me to ask you when your investment capital will be transferred to our company's account?" 
A cold gleam flashed through Tang Zhenhua's eyes so quickly that Qin Xinying didn't notice it. He smiled kindly. "Hasn't the money been transferred yet? I'll call the finance department to urge them to work out the contract asap, then I'll send someone to the Qin's Group to sign the contract, and then the money will be transferred to your company's account. Don't worry." 
As soon as he said this, he closed the window. Butler Tang started the car and couldn't help pounding the steering wheel, cursing angrily, "Those bastards! How dare they track and monitor you?!"
Tang Zhenhua sneered and looked from the rear-view mirror at Qin Xinying who was waving her hand and saying goodbye to him, and said indifferently, "I'm afraid they're not just monitoring me. Fire all the servants after we get home. How about the matters I asked the finance department to do?" 
"You can rest assured, Master. They told me they were almost done." Butler Tang smiled when he mentioned this. "The Qin's Group is doomed this time. They will disappear in at most two months."
Tang Zhenhua grunted. "Don't let them find a single trace of this, in case they use it to turn the tables."
"Don't worry, Master. They will never be able to turn the tables against us." Butler Tang smiled as he glanced out of the rear-view mirror. The car cornered and left the school. "This Miss Qin is really shameless. How can she lie to you like that?"
"Tang Zhong." Tang Zhenhua took a look at Butler Tang and said, "Remember, a liar will always lie. Never believe a single word she says."
Butler Tang nodded, looked at Tang Zhenhua and asked in surprise, "Why were you so kind to that Miss Xiao Rou…"
Tang Zhenhua looked at Tang Zhong again and raised his eyebrows. "That girl is innocent. She didn't know Xixi had died, nor did she know what kind of a person Qiao Liang was. She only knew Qiao Liang respected me as much as his own grandfather, so she treated me as kindly as if I was her grandfather. I'm so much older than her. How can I bully a kid? People will laugh at me if I do that."
"But you were so angry at that dress thing…" Butler Tang looked at Tang Zhenhua ponderingly.
Tang Zhenhua sighed, raised his hand to stop Butler Tang from continuing, and sighed, "Forget it. Xixi has gone and I don't hate this girl. Let it be. By the way, investigate the daily chemical company of the Xiao's Group and submit to me an investment proposal."
Butler Tang looked at Tang Zhenhua in surprise and the latter said, "Book a restaurant. I'll have dinner with that girl this evening." 
Butler Tang was even more surprised. Did Master come to give that girl a hard time or back her up?
On this side, although Qin Xinying was not satisfied with Tang Zhenhua's attitude towards Xiao Rou, she was happy that Tang Zhenhua finally confirmed that he would invest in the Qin's Group. After seeing Tang Zhenhua's car speed off, she hurriedly took out her cell phone and called her father. "I've fixed it." With that, she lowered her eyes to look at her right hand. Even the long sleeves couldn't cover the plaster cast on it.
Qin Xinying gnashed her teeth when she saw her right hand. Damn you, Xiao Jing! I'll avenge myself one day!
Qin Xinying's father laughed out loud on the line when he heard this. He said, "By the way, I've found two more design drawings for you, and I've sent them to your email box. You can use them for Paris Fashion Week." 
Qin Xinying was glad to hear this news. She smiled and hung up the phone before getting in the car and turning on her laptop. After checking the works in her inbox, she sent them to Vivian in satisfaction, and typed, "These are my previous works I have just found. If you think they're okay, please make the dresses based off of them. By the way, I'd like to ask for a day off."
Tang Xi didn't expect that she would finish the exam by the afternoon. She looked at Ning Ke who was also taking the exam. The corner of her mouth twitched and she asked casually, "What do you think of the exam?"
Ning Ke smiled at Tang Xi. "If you think it's easy, I think I can handle it too."
Tang Xi chuckled. "Really? Then I'd like to congratulate you in advance. I gotta go. See you tomorrow."
Ning Ke gazed at her receding figure and smiled happily. "See you tomorrow, Xiao Rou!"
Tang Xi waved at him, and walked out of the school carrying the bag. She had a hunch that she would pass the exam, and she believed she would get good news tomorrow.
But her joy didn't last long when she saw a person standing in her way. Tang Xi looked at this person and gave a sarcastic smile. 


Xiao Rou, a girl growing up in a poor countryside family, found that she was actually the daughter of a wealthy couple, and her mother mistook another girl as her when she gave birth to her in hospital. She thought she would change from an ugly duckling to a noble swan and lived happily ever after with her real family, but the reality gave her a heavy blow. The girl, Xiao Jinning, who took her family, her fiancé and everything else from her, used every possible means to frame her up. She returned to her biological parents only to find her parents despised her but doted on Xiao Jinning. She was framed as a thief and expelled out of home. And then, she was hit by a car and stomped to death by Xiao Jinning. her tragic life was ended.
Tang Xi, a real princess, the heiress of the powerful Empire Group, was murdered by her greedy relatives. When she opened her eyes again, she found she was in another girl’s body. She became Xiao Rou and had a magic system—008 in her body! With the help of 008, she began her journey of revenge. She would avenge poor Xiao Rou, punish the murderers of her, become the most popular star, and….make up with her true love---Qiao Liang. 

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