
The Cocker Spaniel that Meng Li brought over was well trained, and didn't bark or wander around everywhere. It lay quietly on the floor, sniffed, blinked its big eyes, and stared at the kitchen of the small restaurant, where the aroma of cooked food was coming from. 
Zhang Zian took a few sips of his orange juice, then thought silently about the letters on the napkin.　　
Since they were talking about science fiction, he remembered a fiction story he'd read in the past. He asked, "Professor Meng, I'm wondering if you've read a short fantasy story, called the Book of Sand?"　　
"Book of Sand?"　　　　
This time, it was Meng Li's turn to feel shocked. He was bending over to comb out his Cocker Spaniel's fur. Cocker Spaniels had naturally curly long fur, which easily tangled and needed frequent combing. Otherwise, they would look sleazy. Besides from studying, his graduate students had another assignment to comb the dog's hair, which made them joke that they were working at a cotton mill.　
Meng Li thought for a while and was certain that this name was unfamiliar. He hadn't read it.　　
"Like I said, I rarely read science fiction. Most of the books I read are about math. You have to keep learning these days, otherwise you'll get outdated very easily." He smiled. "Is this Book of Sand an interesting read?"　　
"No, despite the fact that it's called Book of Sand, it's not an actual book, but a short fantasy story with only 2000 words. The author is the Argentinean writer, Jorge Luis Borges. This is his most recognized work," explained Zhang Zian. He'd read the story a long time ago, but he still remembered it because it was so mind-blowing.  
"Oh?" Meng Li was slightly interested. "In math, brevity is beauty. A story of 2000 words is somehow this author's most recognized work? It must be deep in thought and artistic. What is it about?"　　
Zhang Zian recalled this science fiction story and began retelling it.　　
In the beginning of Book of Sand, the hero was an ordinary man living in an ordinary house. One day, a stranger visited him with a suitcase. The stranger was selling the Bible, but the man was not interested, as he already owned a few Bibles. Then the stranger took out another book. It wasn't a Bible, but the cover read The Holy Book.　　
After flipping open The Holy Book, the protagonist found that the page numbers were odd. They weren't in sequential order, but completely random. Most importantly, the page number of the book was endless, and he could never find the beginning nor the end. New pages always appeared out of nowhere, and the book had pictures like a dictionary.　　
The stranger said that he bought this book from a village. The salesperson called it The Book of Sand, as it was endless like sand.　　
It was a very strange book, but the stranger was willing to sell it to the man at a relatively low price. In fact, he'd wanted to get rid of it for a long time.　　
After getting this book, that man also became its slave. He stopped going out, for he loved the book so much that he couldn't step away from it. He studied it all day and night, because of his obsessive interest in it. He could no longer sleep. And even if he did sleep, he dreamed about it all the time.　　
Like the stranger, the man suddenly realized that his life would be completely ruined if he continued on this way. So he decided to get rid of this nightmare just as the stranger did.　
After getting this far, Zhang Zian suddenly started acting mysterious and asked, "Can you guess how the hero got rid of the book?"　　
Meng Li was completed drawn in by this odd story. He stopped combing the Cocker Spaniel's fur and took a guess. "Did he sell it to somebody else, like the stranger did?"
Zhang Zian smiled. "He did something smarter. He hid it like a tree in the forest. When nobody was watching, he hid the book on a bookshelf of a national library with 0.9 million books, and tried not to remember which shelf it was. He never even visited the street where the library was."　　
Meng Li knocked on the table with excitement. "Great idea! If he did so, this Book of Sand could no longer be found, unless some extremely unlucky guy picked it up, with a chance of 1 out of 0.9 million!"　　
Zhang Zian smiled bitterly.  This extremely unlucky is sitting right in front of you, and offered you a glass of orange juice.　
He remembered that when Pi first arrived at the pet shop, it would make a gesture of slipping sand out of its hand. Back then, he thought that it was referring to the sand of Ganges river. Could he be wrong?　　
"So is the story is over?" Meng Li was looking forward to hearing more.　　
Zhang Zian nodded. "It's finishes with an open ending. Professor, is this Book of Sand similar to The Hyperwebster Dictionary?"
Meng Li said, "Indeed. But the Hyperwebster is more rigorous, and it does have a beginning."　　
Zhang Zian agreed on this. The Hyperwebster was a theory of science, but the Book of Sand was a fantasy of literature. They shared some similarities only in certain aspects.
"Either the Hyperwebster or the Book of Sand, if they do exist, would be very precious. Aren't they? They would be the most impressive books on Earth. Or if there are other civilizations in the universe, could they come up with better books?" he asked.　　
He remembered that Galaxy once said the nameless book was the most impressive book on the earth, but not in the universe.　　
Meng Li asked, "Impressive? Of course. Except that both books have limitations, which is because they're written in English, and are limited to the 26 letters. Some ideas can't be expressed by just 26 English letters. If some civilization in the universe has a more comprehensive linguistic system, they could theorize a better version of the Hyperwebster."　　
Zhang Zian nodded. This confirmed Galaxy's remark.　　
"If you got a copy of the Book of Sand, or the Hyperwebster, what would you do?" He tentatively asked again.　　
Meng Li was drinking his orange juice. He stopped after hearing these words.　　
"Get a copy? Neither of these two book are supposed to exist in real life. How would I get a copy?" He pushed the question back with a scientist's rationality.　　
"In theory, let's suppose you had one." Zhang Zian clarified.　　
"Well..." Meng Li thought about it. "If I got the Book of Sand, I might read it. If I would end up getting obsessed over it like the man from the story...I'm not sure, maybe. A lot of people crave knowledge, after all. But if I got the Hyperwebster, well, it's hard to say. The words might be in random order. I wouldn't be able to read even if I try. Perhaps I would give it to the government." 　　
He was half joking.　　
"This is my other question." Zhang Zian ignored his joke. "If the words in the Hyperwebster are in random order, how can you know that it contains all knowledge and all of the great writings?"　　
Meng Li murmured, "This is theoretical. Theories are theories, after all. They never consider the obstacles of actually reading it."　　
Zhang Zian continued. "Have you heard this quote: My life has an end, but knowledge is endless?"　　
"Yes. I may be a mathematician, but I know this famous quote." Meng Li smiled. "It means that, our lives are limited, but knowledge is limitless. How is this related to our discussion about the Hyperwebster and the Book of Sand?"　　
"It is, in fact, very much related." Zhang Zian spoke firmly. "Professor Meng, do you know the second half of this quote?"　　
"Well..." Meng Li had no idea.　　
The first half of this quote was well-known, but the second half was often ignored. A lot of famous quotes were like this. People only took the parts that they needed, and twisted the original meanings. Such as the quote: When your parents are still around, you travel too far. It was often used to teach people to treat their parents properly. However, in the original text of Confucius, the second half was: If you travel, you must have a plan.
"The second half is: Chasing the endless with the limited is dangerous!" Zhang Zian answered his own question.　　
Meng Li considered the second half of the quote, and compared it to the first half. Then he said with uncertainty, "I'm not an expert in ancient literature. The second half means pursuing unlimited knowledge with my limited life is doomed to fail?"　
"Correct."　　
"Our ancestor's words still make sense today," exclaimed Meng Li.　
"I agree," said Zhang Zian half-heartedly. This was all his self-reflection. He understood something, more or less.　　
That untitled book, whether it was the Hyperwebster or the Book of Sand, or some other imaginary book of another civilization in the universe, was endless. But human beings were still limited. Pursuing the neverending with the limited was destined to fail. Therefore, nobody could read the nameless book on their own. As he flipped open the nameless book in attempt to understand it, he was making this mistake.
The man from the Book of Sand, out of his thirst for knowledge, was making the same mistake as well. He didn't realize that knowledge was without bounds, but his time was limited.　
It really was true. My life has an end, but knowledge is endless. Chasing the endless with the limited is dangerous!　　
Unless...　　
Meng Li realized this at the same time. "A limited person cannot read an endless book, unless there are endless numbers of people. If an infinite number of people are reading the Hyperwebster at the same time, and each person is extracting meaningful words and connect them into lines and articles, then they are pursuing infinity with infinity."　
"But how can there be infinite numbers of people? It's still meaningless." He shook his head and sighed.　　
No, it is meaningful, said Zhang Zian silently to himself.　　
He understood why Galaxy could read the nameless book. It had been through an infinite number of reincarnations, and had the infinity feature.　　
Famous was going through reincarnations with Galaxy in the Imagined World, and touched the border of infinity. That was why it could see blurry words.　　
Pi could read it, as it must have also possessed the infinite feature.　　
One could only understand the nameless book by pursuing infinity with infinity.　　



1. Download a suspicious game
2. Catch a few magical pets as partners
3. Go through interesting daily routines and lead the pet shop to a whole new level

"Does it matter?" Fang Fang felt uneasy and she switched the topic.
In the past, Fang Fang was not so persistent in taking science subjects. In fact, when she was a child, she was most fearful of mathematics. Thereafter, as she had been greatly affected by this gamble, Fang Fang was completely at odds with mathematics. She was bent on beating the subject. Even as she was selecting subjects in high school, she would insist on science subjects and not think of anything else.
First, Fang Fang wanted to prove herself to this person. Second, she had relied on this quote to persist until today. She was full of confidence.
Fang Fang thought about it this way. Hence, she also wanted to inspire Qiao Nan with this quote so that Qiao Nan would not waste her talent.
Qiao Nan swept her fringe with her hands. "Fang Fang, there's something that I don't know if I should tell you. If I don't, I'm afraid you'll constantly be brainwashed and misrepresent a noble person's original quote. If I do tell, I'm afraid of affecting you negatively. I'm in a fix."
Fang Fang was dumbfounded. "What do you want to tell me? Is it so serious?" Would she be affected just by a few words? She did not believe it!
She thought of the many things that that stinky man said to affect her, including what he said about the selection of subjects on this occasion. That man persuaded her for a long time and insisted that she select humanities instead of science. She snorted and refused to listen. She would definitely do well!
"Yes, what is it?" Tang Mengran ran over to Qiao Nan's side and pulled Qiao Nan's sleeve.
"Tell us. Tell us so that all of us will know."
"The original quote from the noble person?" Zheng Lingling's eyes lit up. "Are you referring to what Albert Einstein said? There is nothing wrong with this quote. I've seen this since primary school."
Qiao Nan pulled her hair and said helplessly, "Have you heard about misinterpretation out of context and generalization?"
"Yes, what about it?" He Yun's curiosity was aroused by Qiao Nan.
Qiao Nan let out a long sigh. "If I didn't remember wrongly, actually, the full quote says, 'Success is ninety-nine percent hard work and one percent genius. Nevertheless, usually, the one percent genius is more important than the ninety-nine percent hard work.'"
Although computers were only prevalent after the 2000s and every household had one, the behavior of 'screenshot' already existed from way before.
She did not know who, in order to encourage students, took a screenshot by directly snapping and posting only half of what Albert Einstein said. It might be done to encourage all the students in the world, but it also bluffed silly kids such as Fang Fang to make them happy.
"Is… is there really such a matter?"
When they heard that the full version of the noble person's famous quote that they had firmly believed in for so many years was, in fact, like this, everyone in the dormitory except for Qiao Nan was dumbfounded, not to mention Fang Fang.
The first half of the quote encouraged people to put in great effort to learn and improve, but the second half was demoralizing. Although only one percent genius was mentioned, it was also talking about congenital talent. Moreover, the famous quote expressed that talent was indeed more important than working hard.
Fang Fang looked like she had been dealt with a big blow. She lost her usual calm composure as tears welled up in her eyes. She looked as if she was about to cry. Qiao Nan had a fright. "Fang Fang, don't panic. You should look at this quote from another perspective. If you wish to become a scientist, you must have that one percent talent. Of course, if you just wish to be a science class student and perform well in your studies, it's actually enough to rely on that ninety-nine percent hard work. The extent of work is different, so the expectations are certainly different."
"Yes, yes, yes! Nan Nan is right. Nan Nan is a very good example. Didn't Nan Nan say that she's actually not talented? She succeeded because of hard work. That's why her results are so good. Fang Fang, we don't need to be sad. Don't cry." Zheng Lingling hugged Fang Fang's shoulders and patted her back. Similar to Qiao Nan, she felt that Fang Fang was going to cry.
He Yun had a face full of heartache. "I feel so gloomy. I'm so furious. I was such a naive and pure child. I can't believe the school has been bluffing us for so many years. I'm so hurt."
"Don't talk about it anymore. I feel disappointed at the mention of this." Tao Zhenqin held her chest. If Nan Nan did not mention it, she would never know the original quote.
"…" Qiao Nan, who accidentally revealed the truth of the matter, did not know what to say at the sight of the situation. What she said not only affected Fang Fang but also the rest of the dormitory residents after all.
"I… I need to calm down alone." Fang Fang, who felt the most hurt, was dumbfounded. She refused to let anyone accompany her during that evening's self-study time. She ran out, found a quiet place, and was prepared to calm down by herself.
As per her previous practice, Qiao Nan continued to revise her studies in the classroom.
Unexpectedly, the senior that was 'rejected' by Qiao Nan last week with a question came looking for her again. "Hi, Qiao Nan. I hope you still remember your senior from the third year."
When she heard the voice, Qiao Nan lifted her head and raised her eyes. "Senior, have you solved that problem?"
The male student hesitated for a while. He then said as a matter of fact. "I didn't solve it." Nevertheless, he already knew the answer.
Initially, the male student intended to bluff Qiao Nan that the problem was solved by him. But at the thought that Qiao Nan's results were so good and she was able to give him such a difficult problem, she might do it again.
He was able to 'solve' it on this occasion. However, if he could not do it again, wouldn't that be too embarrassing?
The male student was most worried that Qiao Nan would immediately throw him another problem after he had just 'resolved' the current one. He could not possibly leave with Qiao Nan's question every time and pass the answer to Qiao Nan a week later, could he?
Hence, the male student thought of another way. "Then, Qiao Nan, a few days have passed. Have you found the answer?"
If Qiao Nan had not been able to resolve it, then he could discuss and examine it together with Qiao Nan. From no solution to having a solution. Wasn't that a good excuse?
Qiao Nan knocked the tip of her pen on the table a few times. She completely ignored those in and out of the classroom who wished to watch the fun. "Senior, judging from the look on your face, you seem to have gained something."
"Yes, I've consulted someone. At the very least, I've managed to find the solution. I've also understood the whole solution. Do you want to go to the library together to decipher this question?"
"Since senior already has the answer, that's good enough." Qiao Nan smiled. Immediately after, she tore a paper. "This question is too difficult. It's not easy to try to solve it. After getting this question, I solved it on the very same day and found its answer. However, as it's too difficult, I'm not confident of my answer. Since senior has already found the correct answer, do you want to read what I wrote first to see if my final answer is the same as what you have? That way, I'll know if I've done it correctly."
"Poof… Cough, cough…" Tang Mengran, who was having some water, directly choked on it. She was coughing non-stop.


Qiao Nan: Crap! I am your biological daughter, yet I am treated as if I was picked up from the streets. In fact, you treat me worse than that!

Mother Qiao: Qiao Nan, you are not as pretty or smart as your elder sister. You are not as blessed as her. You have no right to study, marry, or to have your happiness!

Qiao Nan: Why am I not allowed to study, marry, or to seek my happiness? I will find a man right now and marry him!

Qiao Nan is dumbstruck upon discovering that the man right beside her is a powerful figure in the quad—the person who has the most promising prospects to be the future Chief.

Qiao Nan stares at the well-built man in front of her. He has firm abs and cold, chilling eyes. She swallows the lump in her throat as she says her greetings, "Good Morning, Chief!"

It was a famous quote or something- "through the tunnel of a lens, you see your hopes, your dreams"- some mass movie or the other. But he couldn't quite recall where. Pity really. It didn't really matter of course, but it would have been great to know. But hey, you could live a complete life without knowing it. But all he was really saying was that it would've been great to know. You know. Just would've. Like a sort of bonus to your life. Life++. You couldn't always get what you wanted, but it was a fairly simple wish. He just wanted to know where the quote came from. Wasn't really too much to ask honestly.

And once he got to know who's quote that was, he'd have loved to feed the man through a meat-grinder. Because whatever was at the other end of the lens most definitely was not his hopes and dreams. In fact, it was a little muon accelerator. Expensive thing- that. Needed a license and everything to operate that sort of thing. They usually used it to try and deconstruct walls and stuff. Real powerful stuff. Could probably blow a few walls straight through on a max charge. Real powerful.

He looked at the lens again.

It was popular- that sort of thing about seeing a tunnel of light and all that when you were about to die. Sort of vague stuff, the kind of droll they loved to put in all their movies and things these days. People loved it- that sort of tunnel of light sort of thing. And then ten seconds later it wouldn't really matter because it'd all be happily ever after again. Of course until the next sequel, but that was pretty whatever. Kirill as a rule tended not to watch that sort of thing. He considered himself much too intellectual for that. But once in a while you had to encourage yourself to go out and about with people who might be willing to lend you a little cash.

So every once in a while he would go out and about with that sort of people- really he didn't even know them. But things that had to be done had to be. And a few dollars a free lunch or so later, he'd find himself back home wasting his life doing nothing, nowhere. Of course it wasn't nowhere. It was his little podlike apartment. Tiny thing. Best he could afford. He managed its rent with the meager pay from his shitty job. Well that was where it'd all started anyway. Small job.

Kirill had woken up late. He'd been tired. He'd slept a grand total of two hours after being a complete sweat the whole night, and grinding his arse off in the server, trying to get internet famous in that shitty game. Well not really shitty- it was brilliant. It was absolutely great. Spectacular. That was why it was ass. He liked it so much he'd wanted all that digital fame it could bring him. Hell, he'd even made a couple thousand credits betting and stuff. All illegal of course. But that hardly mattered did it? But it wasn't reliable. You could lose all your money any day. Consistency. Consistency paid. 

So he had a job.

And he'd been late for his job that day- woken up late, sleep as hell, but desperate enough to get to work. It was like Monday Morning Blues, but all day long, all week. Sleeping was probably good for his health. Sleep was good. But caffeine was better. Just three shots of caffeine- pure strong liquid stimulant and you were all ready to go. So three shots, and one hour later he reached work late.

Boss didn't take that well. Reasonable, of course, to get angry at that. If he'd been the boss he would have been angry too. Very justifiably. Would've probably fired the chap who'd been late too. But he wasn't the boss, so he didn't really have a whole lot of good will in him to give out. Then again who did? On a seventh-world planet like this one, you were basically trapped. But that was brooding and edgy and all that. All he needed was to get that sweet digital fame, and more coffee.

He was unemployed now.

So of course, the first thing that he did- the first thing any reasonable arsehole would do- was to go and get three more shots of caffeine. This wasn't all that artisan shit. No beans or nothing. No organic shit. Just pure synthesized chemicals- immediately effective. Brilliant stuff. Not good for your health or something, but hell, he could just go ahead and deepen his pool of debt. Absolutely brilliant stuff.

In all honesty, he regretted some of it. Losing you job was pretty shitty. But such was life no? That was probably some movie cliche too. Probably the moment that jinxed it all. But such was life. What an arse of a statement. But such was life. The guy at the little coffee-shop, he was a pretty nice guy. His name was Bil32 or something. Bit of an arse, but a nice one. Most 32's were slight asses really. Man had come and asked him for a favour. In a professional capacity of course. The news hadn't quite spread yet, it'd been just that morning that he'd been employed as tech support. Bil didn't know that. Bil really didn't need to know that.

When Kirill hadn't seen Jess at the counter he'd initially figured that official maintenance had come by or something. That was the thing with big tech. When they said complementary service, it really meant that you didn't have any choice about it. No two ways. No nothings. They come in and either fixed it for you, or fixed you up. Exactly the sort of thing that would happen on a seventh-world planet like this. But that'd been what he'd thought. Maybe Jess'd broken down or maybe it'd gotten complementary service or something. Waitress bots weren't exactly his specialization. But it surprised Kirill a bit more. It was a lot stranger. Jess'd stopped working alright. But that's where the issue'd come in. The server hand't registered it. In fact, the server hadn't really registered anything.

The conversation with Bil had been a little terse. Mainly because he'd asked for a little extra when he'd heard the details. And Bil had the nerve to haggle. What an ass. Real 32, the man.

Kirill got his money.

And he'd also gotten into this hole mess. If he could go back in time, he'd have asked for a shit-load of money at least. Probably would've eased his pain a little. Maybe he could've had a clone of himself made or something. Resurrection was thing, sure- but it was hella expensive. And unreliable. You might die one day, just run over by a nuclear warhead or something, and wake up only to find out that seven of your organs were missing because the guys at the 42'd loaned them out since you wouldn't be using them anytime soon or something. Stupid shit. Couldn't really do much about the money now.

He couldn't really do much about anything.

It'd been that moment that had decided where he was going to go. The problem with the server was weird. Everything related to this matter was, but that server had been weird. Real weird. Real damn weird. So like, there'd been this thing, like the sudo-ports you know, it's like those internet controller things. It'd been something wrong with that. Or so he'd thought. Thinking hadn't been a good idea. He'd tried everything. Tried testing direct to processor commands and all that sort of technical thing. He'd even turned it on and off.

It was a horrible computer. It was broken. Totally smashed. Utterly wasted. Maybe something with those Vibrosion tubes or something, something to do with those quantum things- all that scientific stuff. It was an expensive server. All big tech shit was like that. Big. Expensive. Couldn't really fix it. He'd tried. The digital gods knew he'd tried. And that's when Bil has come back and asked.

Status? What Status had there been to give? He'd given it frank and straight to Bil. Call the asses at Big Tech. No two ways about it. And then Bil dropped the bomb. Real 32 move you know- all 32's, straight asses. He had bought it resale. No wonder. No damn wonder. NO DAMN WONDER. If he ever saw a 32 again, Bil or not, he'd pulp the man's face in. To the best of his ability, obviously, whatever power he might summon up through his atrophied arms, that would be the power of his retribution. "Mighty as the gods of Rome," or something like that. Well he could only hope that was the real quote. Couldn't really remember much then.

He'd slapped Bil. Bil didn't take kindly to that. Slapped some goddamn shit into that arsehole. Damn 32.

The fans broke.

That'd been a real shit moment. Bil had stopped for a second. He'd looked Kirill dead in the eye and cussed him straight to hell. Then Kirill told him.

It'd been grim and all that. The fans were broken. The server was overheating. Bil was either going to be in some deep financial shit, or he wouldn't. He wouldn't be anymore to be in deep financial shit. That was the thing with seventh-world bullshit corporate law- buying a modified or fake product was the same as being complicit in making a fake product. And that- that meant you were really in the meat-grinder if you got scammed. You may as well try and respawn yourself into another body, no matter how many organs you were missing. Any number of missing organs would be greatly preferable to being in the meat-grinder.

So Bil'd obviously chosen to keep it financial. Couldn't blame him, but it was a real 32 move that. Selfish as hell. They'd shut it down, locked down Bil's Jess model for the night, and grabbed all those broken parts. Anything was worth a shot right now. Kirill had thought that this had been his chance. real chance to get even more money. But he should've just asked for more money straight up. Bil was a real 32, and he should've known that that meant he was an absolute idiot. Straight to his bones, real solid idiot.

That'd been the moment he knew he'd been in deep shit. Nothing honestly reminded you that you were a nobody, nowhere, than being in deep shit because of big tech.

He look back into the lens.

Kirill 'Drogya' Andonov works tech-support. He's an average guy, working an average job,  living the average life. Until, of course, he gets involved in your average conspiracy to overthrow your average seventh-world government. With big tech pursuing him, and a mysterious person contacting him on the servers of his favourite game, exactly what the hell has Kirill got himself into?

SBC News Headquarters.
In the glamoured office room, Daniel sat across the table.
A few moments ago, he was celebrating the success of the news on Kiba. He knew he might upset both White Angel Corporation and Kiba but he didn't care. After all, he was earning a great profit, especially when his deal with Sylvan was considered.
When Kiba called him, he thought he should entertain him,. They might become enemies, but being cautious was wise.
Now, his joyous mood was ruined by a single statement from Kiba. If he has heard that statement from anyone else, he wouldn't be worried but it was Kiba! Kiba's history was proof that he has succeeded in fucking others' wives! Instantly, Daniel regretted making Kiba his enemy. 
"Kiba, what do you mean?" Daniel tried to be patient. He knew he couldn't let anger cloud his judgment, otherwise, there would be drastic consequences.
"You know what I mean. Anyways, there is a quote I religiously follow in my life," Kiba replied, changing the subject.
"Which quote?" Daniel curiously asked.
He wouldn't waste the chance to understand the thought process of his enemy. Based on that, he could even take some precautions.
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
This famous saying has benefitted Daniel a lot and this was why he wanted to know the quote Kiba religiously followed.
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant," Kiba has a profound expression on his face as he spoke. There was an extraordinary gleam in his eyes when he said 'seed' and 'plant'.
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Daniel didn't dare think about the meaning of 'seed' and 'plant'.
"Your channel showed the news about the 'harvest' I reaped. So I will show you the process of 'planting' the 'seed'," Kiba patiently continued his explanation. "Honestly speaking, all I care about is the planting process. I leave harvesting to guys like you."
"Son of a bitch!" Daniel was incensed.
"Come on! I am doing it for your sake," Kiba's expression showed how disappointed he was at Daniel's incompetence to understand. With a sigh, he continued," Imagine the TRP your channel will earn when the world learns of me planting my seed inside Sarah! Imagine how glad your wife would feel to have an extraordinary seed planted inside her! I do all the hard work but you get to reap the benefits! It is a win-win situation, no matter how you look at it!"
"I will kill you!" Daniel cursed.
"The world doesn't appreciate kindness but this doesn't waver my determination of helping you or your wife," Kiba added in a voice filled with deep sorrow.
A sage won't stop rescuing the life of a mortal just because the mortal doesn't want to live. Helping others was the duty of sages, and Kiba felt the same when the wives of others were concerned.
"Motherfucker, don't you dare say another word!" Daniel's anger surged out. The glass windows started shaking and the lights dimmed.
He has been happily married for over a decade and even fathered two children. Now, this 'Wife Hunter' was targetting his wife! So how could he control himself!?
"Becoming a cuckold is good for you. Imagine the happiness your wife would feel to be in my arms," Kiba's expression showed he was imagining the 'happiness' of Sarah.
"I will rip you to shreds if you dare come near my wife!" Daniel fumed with anger. The windows cracked and the lights blasted apart.
"I'm talking about love and happiness, and yet, you have been caged by negative emotions. Please know the greatest enemy of mankind is anger!"
"#$%!"
"Let me ask you something: Doesn't the happiness of a husband lies in the happiness of his wife?" Kiba asked.
"It does! And I have provided her with all the happiness!" Daniel answered proudly. He has treated his wife Sarah like a queen and has never cheated on her despite countless opportunities.
"You haven't," Kiba disagreed.
"I haven't!? How would you know?!"
"I know such things but I can't share details as they are trade secrets," Kiba replied with a faint smile.
"YOU!"
"I am sure you are a good husband and hence perfectly suitable for the role of a cuckold," Kiba added with a smile full of good intention.
Daniel was turning insane by every passing second. How could being a good husband makes one suitable for becoming a cuckold?!?
"Don't you get bored if you eat the same food every day? Don't you feel annoyed if you have to wear the same clothes every day?" Kiba asked.
"How are they related to being suitable for a cuckold?" Daniel was having a hard time understanding Kiba.
"It is normal for human beings to get bored if they follow the same routine every day. Sure they might not complain but that's because they don't have any choice. This basically means they are not happy!" Kiba slowly explained as if he was a professor explaining to his weakest student.
Daniel snapped his teeth in frustration. He could now understand what Kiba wanted to tell him.
His wife was tired of only having him as her sexual partner. She needed a new partner in bed and Kiba was volunteering! This was the kindness and help he was talking about!
"If you love your wife then don't bind her in the shackles of marriage. Allow her to have the happiness she has always craved for!" 
Kiba took a brief pause before asking.
"You want to be a good husband, right?"


In the age of mutants and technology, everyone is after power and eternal life, but Kiba lives for his dreams of lust and vanity.

A man on a mission to live the life to the fullest. 

The tale of the legendary Wife Hunter whose very name terrifies husbands around the globe.

This is the story of the devil who does as his heart pleases, unafraid of the labels of good and evil.

-----

Fan synopsis:

Entangled in the schemes of two-faced government, a futuristic divided world, and a holy mission of his own, follow Kiba's journey of sins!

(Note: The starting 20 chapters are very short and slow paced. The main story starts from the 30s so please give it a try till then ^_^  You can rest assured the novel has a good plot besides the R-18 elements ^.^)

I do not own the cover.

Support:
http://bit.ly/trueseeker

Discord:
https://discord.gg/TGmqHw3

Glossary/Wiki:
http://trueseekernovels.com/

Welcome to Commoner Justice, the kingdom of growing technologies Populus! In a world where knowledge is power, will you be able to maintain your study while achieving your true love?

This is a game for you to test your time management skill along with experiencing sweet romance.

As a student at St. Leger academy, you'll be given one year with a fixed amount of hours everyday. Will you use your time to study, or spend it to deepen you bound with the capture targets? How to pass the test, and at the same time, successfully conquer the love of your life? Let's find out in "Commoner Justice"!

========================================================
Character profiles
========================================================
Mia Sienna Stuart (default name)

Height: 170 cm
Weight: 50 kg
Appearance: pink hair, amber eyes

Background: The heroine of the story, who was raised as a commoner her whole life. One day she discovered that her father was actually Earl Stuart! The naive and clumsy Mia might not know everything about the world of nobles, but she has the potential to do great things.

Personality: adorable, willful
Skill: unknown (based on different play through)

Quote:
Why can a commoner do this, but a noble can't?
Why can a noble has the right to access this place, but for a commoner it is forbidden?
Whoever I am, noble or commoner, I'll do what I want!

========================================================
Leo Darragh De Warrenne

Height: 182 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Appearance: dark brown hair, red eyes

Background: Populus kingdom's crown prince, he was born by a consort who is a commoner. Since childhood he received different kind of abuse from royals and nobles around him. He endured them all and tried his best to study to be a good king, with his secret dream is to rebuild the kingdom into a place where commoners and nobles are equal. Will you be able to help him achieve his dream?

Personality: serious, tsundere
Skill: hard-working, fast learner

Quote:
I can't take my eyes of you, my shining star.

Tips: you must spend a lot of time with the Leo to unlock all of his character events. During the harvest festival, choose to help Leo. To get the good end, you must rank first in the last test and passed the first round of the physical tournament.

========================================================
Ethan Cillian Beaufort

Height: 178 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Appearance: silver hair, blue eyes

Background: The heir to the Beaufort dukedom, the captain of the academy's baseball club. The weight of inheriting the dukedom might be too big for the carefree Ethan, so he usually slacks off his lessons as he like to focus on his swordsmanship instead. Will you have what it take to share his burden and help him find his justice?

Personality: cheerful and heroic
Skill: swordsmanship and good at sport

Quote:
I finally found what I want to protect. It's you and your future.

Tips: you must spend a lot of time with the Ethan to unlock all of his character events. During the harvest festival, choose to help Ethan. To get the good end, you must rank in top 10 of the physical tournament and also top 10 of the final test.

========================================================
Henry Harrison Drummond

Height: 187 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Appearance: long blond hair and green eyes

Background: the oldest son of the marquess's family, born and raised in a house with many children. His mother lives happily with 10 of his father consort, so he think that all woman are beautiful as long as they received the right treatment. He is a lady-killer and friends to all ladies around, but never fixed his eye for anyone. Can you become his special?

Personality: warm and kind
Skill: cooking, cleaning and take care of others

Quote:
If every lady in this world is a rose in the garden, then you would be the only red rose that can caught my eyes.

Tips: you must spend a lot of time with him and spend times with the side characters to unlock all of his character events. To get the good end, you must discover the secret events and choose to support Henry.

========================================================
Robert Cormac Gordon

Height: 188 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Appearance: dark blue hair and purple eyes, wear glasses

Background: The school's doctor and also the first year's home room teacher. As a famous researcher, he was given the baron title and start to work at the academy. He loves to solve mysteries and observe interesting things. Will you be able to catch his interest?

Personality: curious and dependable
Skill: teaching, mystery solving

Quote:
From now on, I'll continue to observe you, my most beautiful target.

Tips: you must spend a lot of time with Robert to unlock all of his character events. To get the good end, you must rank in top 3 in the first semester's test, then unlock the secret event and choose to support Robert.

========================================================
???
(Information only revealed after the first play through.)

Tips: you must spend a lot of time with him to unlock all of his character events. To get the good end, you must maintain your score in both knowledge and physical education above average throughout the game. Also, spend times doing different things in the game to get enough clues and unlock the ultimate option in the after-credit event.

(If the the ultimate option is locked, this ending is the same with the bad end). 

========================================================
Annie Gracie Beaufort

Height: 175 cm
Weight: 59kg

Background: the prince's fiancee, first daughter of Duke Beaufort family. She loves the prince but the prince never really care about her at all. How'll you survive under the bully of a noble's daughter?

Appearance: long drilled golden hair, blue eyes
Personality: arrogant, obnoxious

Quote:
If you can't even follow a simple rule, how can you call yourself a noble?

============================
Edith Maisie Beaufort

Height: 172 cm
Weight: 52 kg

Background: the doll-like twin younger sister of Ethan, who stick to his brother like glue everyday. It'll be hard to conquer Ethan as his sister continue to "accidentally" interrupt it! What will you do in this case?

Appearance: long curly silver hair, blue eyes
Personality: calm and cold

Quote:
The place next to brother is mine, isn't that right brother?

========================================================

Tips on the reverse harem route:

After you got all of the other good end, you will gain the attribute "talented" which let you have passing score in every test even if you don't study at all. With this, you can have enough time to gather all characters events, as well as special group events.

In the final ball, all of the capture target will vows to protect with you forever.

(removed)
It's really stressing me out, surrounded by bot comments...

So thanks for the experiences, but I'm out :)

At the cafeteria, Claire, Kyla and myself dined over excerpts from famous philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli. On the table were a cup of warm coffee and a few doughnuts.

Claire, an avid coffee drinker, took a sip on the cup. Then she took a fork, grabbed a piece of the doughnuts and ate it.

"Sweet," Claire admitted to us. "The sugary feel of the doughnuts makes my day."

Every seat inside the cafeteria had been taken by students, employees and customers alike. Even the wireless internet connection was wildly inconsistent as it could not contain the heavy volume of users.

With my laptop, Claire's tablet and Kyla's smartphone on hand, we took notes and dissected one particular quote from Machiavelli. 

"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

In between, Claire sipped some more coffee and chewed on a few slices of doughnuts. Meanwhile, Kyla brought out some mints and put it on her mouth.

What the professor gave to us was a group project about a quote from Niccolò Machiavelli. We were free to choose any one of his quotes and explain it thoroughly on a sheet of paper.

"What do you think?" Claire inquired Kyla and myself about the quotation. 

"Personally, what Machiavelli said was typical of a dictator ruling with an iron fist," Kyla commented. "Look at Ferdinand Marcos. He possesses many friends, but because of Martial Law, he became an extremely intimidating ruler."

"Same with the likes of Hitler and Lenin," I replied. "Machiavelli's passage applies to the totalitarian rule of a few countries. Those whose power is too imposing and unyielding at the same time."

"In my opinion, this quote is also applicable to corporations and families too," Claire joined in. "If you have a father who seems to care about your well-being but shows some tough love as well, then that's a Machiavellian way of putting it in context."

All three of us typed our respective explanations on my laptop. Then Kyla brought out her USB stick and saved the file on it.

"I'll be printing out the sheet for our group," Kyla notified us. "But since the deadline is not until Wednesday we could chat and continue delivering our contributions online. Is that all right with you?"

"No problem with us," Claire replied affirmatively. 

We continued talking over our project when a sudden vibration shook my pocket. That turned out to be my smartphone ringing. 

"Girls, I'm sorry but my class comes in a few minutes," my voice trembled in desperation. "We'll talk later."

I hurriedly ran out of the cafeteria without even saying goodbye to Claire and Kyla. My heart suddenly beat fast upon racing to the classroom.

By the time I arrived, my body had been sweating and weary. Making matters worse was the unusually hot weather that we experienced that day.

I sat inside the classroom exhausted, my heart rate rapidly increasing by the minute. As Michelle entered the room, she looked at me with a worried expression on her face.

"Christine, you look tired," Michelle remarked thoughtfully upon sitting down beside me. "What's the matter?"

"It's nothing," I answered wearily, my voice slurry with all the rapid breathing. 

"Christine, would you like some water?" Michelle offered me her jug. "You must be running out of breath."

I received Michelle's jug and gobbled some of the water. Upon wiping my mouth, I gradually breathed deeply to relax.

Michelle then used her towel and wiped the sweat off my face. 

"Christine, are you okay?" she asked me.

"I'm fine now," my deep voice replying to Michelle. "I had to run straight to class just to avoid getting late."

"Actually it's only 11:15 on the clock," Michelle showed me her watch. "You're five minutes early, but that's enough."

While waiting for photography class to start, I messaged Kyla and apologized for not immediately saying goodbye to her and Claire earlier. She replied with, "It's okay. We understand your situation", before closing with a pair of smiling faces with halo emoji.

"Any assignments?" I asked Michelle upon staring at her.

"You should be lucky that there were no projects this week," Michelle replied. "But I do possess some notes from the previous lectures. You might require them."

"I indeed do," my direct response to Michelle's generous offer. "Good thing there were no assignments due for this class so time is absolutely on my side."

Just then, Taylor and Erin arrived, and sat alongside Michelle and myself. Shortly after, the professor entered the classroom as well.

"Good morning students," the professor greeted us. 

"Good morning madam," the whole class typically responded in unison. 

"Today we're not having photography class in this classroom," the professor announced. "Instead we are moving to the studio for a little orientation on modeling photography."

"Did you hear that?" Michelle exclaimed to us. "We're going to the studio."

"Great," Taylor answered back. "I always dreamed to be a model."

"So do I," Erin joined in. 

The entire class walked downstairs and into the studio. It was situated on the second floor and was constructed next to the equipment and audio-visual room.

Upon entering the studio, the professor again assigned us into nine groups of four. This time, however, Michelle, Taylor, Erin and I found ourselves in different groups.

As Michelle and I went our separate ways for the project, she issued me one final reminder.

"Christine, remember to coexist with our other classmates," Michelle said to me. "Try being respectful and friendly with them all the time."

With one final nod of approval, I went to my assigned group while Michelle walked towards hers. The group I joined in consisted of three charming ladies and myself.

Surprisingly, they accepted me with open arms. It was a surreal experience because for much of my life, Michelle and myself would constantly be in the same group.

But then I recalled first grade when my teacher forced me to join a group with one of the bullies. However, the situation now is different as we were more mature and refined with our movements.

"Welcome to the group," the three students enthusiastically greeted me.

Now I must deal these strangers with renewed determination and positivity. God please help me.

Christine, a 22-year-old college student, decides to open a blog and write a story about her tormented past.

As a young child, Christine was constantly abused and mocked by her classmates for her nearsightedness and portly complexion. To make matters worse, she was left to live with her aunt after her mother was assigned to work overseas and her father became too preoccupied in his work as a doctor.

This story is about a young woman's pursuit towards positivity and joy amid these turbulent times. For Christine, all she wants now is to face her fears and overcome them one by one.

>>>>>>Basketball court <<<<<<<
      - - - - - - - 4 pm---------

Captain X: "So you want us to hold a fake match, with Don Heeden as a fake ace?" 

Keiro: "Yes, Captain."

Captain X: "That wouldn't be too hard, Heeden's a good player. I'll contact our neighbouring high school and see if they're up for a match."

May Rusa: "So, if we manage to get rid of the Ghost, will you guys make my entry into the ghost club official?"

Keiro: "Yeah, so better do your part in promoting the match as a major event." 
-
-
-
_
-
      >> Ghost club
      >>   4pm


Shimlee explained the happenings of the last week to Berthy. 

Berthy: "So you are telling me there is a ghost in the basketball club and it's the deceased mother of a deceased senior?"

Shimlee: "Yes."

Berthy: "At this point, I'm left with no choice but to believe you... But how did you guys contact all those seniors? Must've been hard..."

Shimlee: "About that... the Student Council helped us."

Berthy: "Yeah? Well that's good. Then, I shall leave it to you guys to finish the job. Let's just say that as ghost club leader, I am monitoring your activities from here." 

As Shimlee looked on, Berthy adjusted his pillow, dimmed the light and fell back on his couch. Before long he was fast asleep. 
- 
-
-
-
-
-
->>>>Next day 
>>>>>Basketball court
>>>>>6pm

The school was in excitement. A sudden basket ball match with the neighbouring Goldy High had attracted many onlookers. The cheering squad members were especially active under the guidance of May Rusa. 

Some special arrangements were made by the Ghost club which some students thought were cool. For one, all the basketball players were wearing jerseys which the fashion designer club had specially designed in early Nineties style.   

Another thing was that the new red haired kid was given the Ace's jersey and for some reason it read 'Benson'.

As Nineties music filled the air, the whole audience bustled with excitement and cheered on for Moldi High. Captain X looked at the ghost club members from the court and gave a thumbs up. 

Keiro: "Hopefully this should work. It looks very real."

The match progressed smoothly. 

Even though it was a friendly match, all players seemed to be playing with spirit and Don Heeden too seemed to be very much into his 'role' as he made several buckets in quick succession. 

Han Marsha came up to Keiro in the stadium. 

Marsha: "I heard that the President was looking for you." 

The noise level was high with the cheers and excitement, Keiro couldn't hear what Marsha said. 

Keiro: "What did you say?" 

Marsha shouted: "I said that President Moncee was looking for you... I heard that the council is receiving several calls these days from old seniors asking about an alumni meeting..." 

Keiro gulped. 

Keiro: "Just tell the Prez I'm on a sick leave." 
Marsha: "What did you say?" 
Marsha couldn't hear her properly. 

Keiro: "Just tell old Moncee that I'm on a sick leave."

Moncee: "Is there anything else that you want to tell him?"

Keiro looked behind her. It was President Moncee. He too was present at the match. Keiro thought that he did not seem to be too happy even though he was smiling the same smile as he usually did. 

Moncee: "I will be seeing you again, Jan Keiro." 
-
-
-
-
-
>>>Next day 
>>>>Ghost club. 

>>>Background music:
      'At last' by Etta James 
(Plus Berthy's distinct snoring)  


Shimlee, May Rusa, and Keiro sat together in a corner of the club discussing the closed case. The basketball court ghost couldn't be spotted by Shimlee anymore. 

Shimlee: "I can't believe our plan worked. The ghost has really passed on." 

May Rusa: "The captain thanked us with tears. Also, it seems the basketball club's popularity has soared with the recent match."

Shimlee: "What's wrong Keiro? Did Moncee threaten you?" 

Keiro: "He said he'll see me soon. I don't know what's gonna happen...  but never mind that. I'm more worried about my confession to Don Heeden. I'm going to ask him out today."

May Rusa: "About that... umm... something happened." 

Keiro looked at May Rusa with surprise. 

Keiro: "Don't tell me, you are going out with him or something..." 

Rusa: "It's not me. I heard he recently started dating the student council record keeper Gee Rona." 

Keiro stood up from where she sat. 

Keiro: "Wait... What?! When?! How?!"

Rusa: "You asked me to invite her for coffee to discuss the budget. Well, I was kind of busy so I sent Don Heeden in my stead and asked him to keep her occupied for half an hour, and..." 

Shimlee: "They fell in love?" 

Keiro sat back in her chair, stupefied. 

May Rusa brought her some water and Shimlee consoled her. 

Shimlee: "It's alright Keiro, there is a famous quote that says 'There are many fish in the pond'."

May Rusa: "Yes, there is also a quote that says 'Misfortune comes in pairs'." 

Shimlee: "Are you really trying to console her?" 

Just then two students passed by the ghost club. Their chatter could be heard from where they were sitting. 

Student A: "I heard there was an accident in the physics lab, the whole science club is in an uproar. They were summoned by the school chairman too." 

Student B: "I heard it involved that first year kid Julis Roju who is said to be a genius."

Keiro's  face grew pale.

"It can't be... No way!"

After being suspended from the newspaper club for publishing articles against the student's Council, high school girl Jan Keiro joins the ghost club where her best friend is a member.
Apparently, her best friend Shimlee can see ghosts because of a peculiar gene passed down in her family.
They are also joined by the scientific genius Julis Roju who is kicked out from the chemistry club for his out of the world experiments. 

Besides club activities, Keiro also has to handle her arch enemy Matt Moncee, the handsome and clever student- council president who hides his true nature behind a righteous exterior.

~~~Quotes by the great personalities of this novel 

 Keiro: "It is not 'survival of the fittest' . It is the survival of those with the fittest friends." 

Gara Shimlee: "If one sees a ghost, one should have the courage to admit it. People might think that you are weird though." 

 Roju: "Yes. I love the moon. But only half of it." 

 Berthy: "Nothing is more important in life than peace. In order to have peace one ought to stop thinking.In order to stop thinking one should go to sleep." 

May Rusa: "Did you say your house was haunted? Can we switch houses, please?"

 Moncee :"Everyone has a weakness which can be used to manipulate them. But those who do this should take care not to have a weakness of their own."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FAQ: IS THIS A HORROR NOVEL? 

ANSWER: No. Atleast that's the plan. 

This work has been edited by : Jack Tyler. ( Arigato )

Yes.You guessed right. The cover was done by me. I'm hoping that some day a cool artist will fall for my novel and offer a free cover...

Jon Xu:

Uh, this might be a little out of character for me, but I believe we exist to improve ourselves.

Although I'm an easygoing person, I guess it's best to improve yourself whenever possible. I'd say that improvement is necessary in case you're ever in a dire situation. If your skill needs to carry you through a tough time in life, it's important to have it. Not much is worse than failing a crucial task due to a lack of skill, no? But for the most part, as long as your skill can get you by - as long as your skill level is adequate to live off of, there's no purpose in trying to improve, really.

If you're at a mundane point in your life and you find your job boring, trying to excel is an option to attempt to break the monotony. Go higher and achieve greater. That is, if you can. Hard work can only take you so far. Everyone is born with a set amount of talent, and this wall is insurmountable for anyone who tries to breach it. In the end, if you end up excelling, you may be burdened with more responsibilities. If you're the ambitious type, this may be great for you! Although if you are, you may not be experiencing monotony in your life in the first place, rendering this whole spiel useless. Unless you're tired of trying to improve?

What type of person am I?

I'm the type of guy to pushes to improve only if it's fun! What's the point of life if you're not having fun? There's a famous quote from where I grew up. "You only live once". And although this quip isn't derived from a great philosopher or anything, and spirits and such exist, this quote isn't entirely false. What's the point of life if you suffer? Do you want to suffer for the entire time you exist? Obviously, no one wants to. And if improvement transforms to suffering, I will gladly shirk that duty. And personally, I believe you should, too. If you're overburdened by responsibility, just take a break. I'm not saying you should completely run away from your job, but having fun is important! Stray from the monotony of society! Create your own world! And once you're refreshed, you can go back. Obviously, the way to avoid this in the first place is to avoid the trap of typical societal responsibility. But that's nearly impossible, so you're going to have to make the most out of your given situation. And if you enjoy your current position in life and are truly satisfied, then all the more power to you. You've succeeded in life. You enjoy what you're doing, and surviving in the process. There's no better position to be in life.

Wouldn't that make me a failure at life, then?

By my own definition, I suppose so. But why does it matter if I'm a failure in my own book? I'm having fun, and others around me seem to believe I'm successful. I don't need to rectify this situation any time soon. It'd just be another pain in the ass. I don't want to set any more unnecessary goals for myself, especially if they're the cause of suffering.

Oh, Iota?

That guy... if you looked up the definition of "success" in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of him. Like seriously, he tries to improve all the time *and* he's having fun doing it? It's absolutely unfair, but there's no doubt he has the talent to make great things happen. He's always trying to get me to improve as well. Which I totally respect him for. Sometimes I think I may be a little too laid back... and in those times, he's always next to me so I never lose sight of what's good for me. Although I may not like it, I have to take my medicine once in a while. When did medicine ever taste good, anyway? I guess if you use the flavors for kids, it's a different story... but adult sized problems need adult sized medicines. And there's no way they would taste any good.

All in all, though, I'm pretty happy with how things are going. Life's pretty fun, even though I do have to dial it back a bit once in a while. Honestly, even though I'm not objectively the best in all aspects of life, I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

——

Iota Ix:

Self-improvement. Without a doubt.

We exist to create a better version of ourselves every day. You must try to improve yourself whenever you can. You never know when you'll need your skills the most, so it's important to keep them sharp. Once you've acquired the skills you need to survive in life, you've reached the first step in your journey to mastery. In other words, if you're confident in your abilities, you ironically lack the ability to discern your own flaws.

No one's perfect. Not even the god of this world is. As for the god of where I'm from, that's a different story. One for another time. But the road to perfection is never ending, and the ones who get the farthest are the biggest winners in life. 

Basically, this means success and failure are relative. How far you are from achieving perfection is for you to decide. But as long as you're on the path, it's impossible to be a failure. This may sound like I'm being pretentious, but it's practically impossible for me to be a failure at life. I'm always trying my best to push myself further, and I succeed at taking the steps. Some are small, some are big. But every one of them is a step farther from failure and closer to perfection.

Jon?

Pfft, that guy... Well, I guess that would technically mean he's a failure at life.

But if you want to be super pessimistic about it, everyone is a failure at life. If we say perfection is the ultimate goal, no one will ever realize it. No one will ever succeed, defaulting everyone to "failure". If everyone is a failure, though, then no one is.

Which is why I'm trying to get him on the right track. He's someone I enjoy being around. Someone who can push me to improve myself like nobody else can, although he doesn't even know it.

Deep down, we're both hyper-competitive, although neither of us wants to admit it. I'd say he wants to admit it even less than I do. Under that facade of a carefree guy is a monster hungering for life's ultimate goal - perfection. If he puts in a little more effort, he may be able to surpass my abilities one day.

There really is no such thing as talent in this world. Some may call me a genius. Others may call me crazy for believing such a thing. But I'm only where I am due to the amount of sheer effort I put in every day. I've been trying to improve myself for as long as I can remember. In my first memory, I witnessed my parents walking. I thought to myself, "How can I do that better?"

Speaking of which, I suppose it's entirely possible to get a little *too* hung up in seeking perfection. The monotony of daily life can eat away at your ability, numbing it down into nothingness.

In a way, the mind is similar to a pencil. Monotonous work is like writing an essay - it gets dull after a while. Taking a break or a few days off is like sharpening it.

... Damn. Now that I think about it, that's not a very good analogy, is it? If you sharpen a pencil and don't use it, it stays sharp. Oh well, it appears there's somewhere else I can improve.

Anyway, breaks are important to refresh your abilities so you can give it your all. Because if you're not excelling at life, what reason is there to live it? Which is another reason I enjoy having this guy around. He knows when I'm too pent up and when I have to let myself go, even if it's just for a few brief moments.

In reality, I'm content with how things are going. Although things could always be better, they could be a hell of a lot worse. My daily progress isn't disappointing in the least, and even if nothing shows as a result of my efforts once in a while, I know they'll bear fruit eventually. Perfection isn't within my grasp, and perhaps it will never be. But no way in hell would I ever trade my position in life for anything else.

Jon Xu is taken to another world. Isekai trash.

Jon is a fairly intelligent, ordinary high schooler who loves physical and mental challenges, but only if they’re in the form of games. One day, it seems like the world suddenly ends; he is taken to a new world by a mysterious white light after school. How is this world different? Who is watching him? Why is he here? What is his goal? What is a “monolith”? Find out next episode on dragon ballzzzz

Do not read if you despise monologues.

Unravel the mysteries of this new world alongside the main character, as well as truths about him and his family. What can you determine?

This is an isekai written by me. Inspired by a wide variety of isekai stories.

Release ~1 chapter/week or less

Why did I decide to write this?
First of all, I'm just an ordinary person. Before writing this, I had no experience in creative writing at all. I am also an isekai fanatic. I have read and/or watched a multitude of isekais, and some of them are bad. Like, really bad (see Conception and Master of Ragnarok)... I knew for a fact that I could write a better story than those. If those could get animes, why not try to write my own? I also wanted to create a world that the reader can explore. This concept is heavily inspired by Overlord, my favorite series of all time. Although the quality is nowhere near as good, I wanted to create an experience similar to that of reading Overlord for the first time and picking apart the world. I hope I am doing a decent job.

Chapter 153 – Fake Intel

Jia Xu had been sitting alone on the spectator seats since he heard that an emissary from the Capital was here. 

At first, he wanted to attend the assembly and wanted to see what the eunuch was here for. However, the moment he noticed the attitude of the eunuch, he chose not to attend the meeting and had been waiting for the situation to resolve.

Then, he saw Tong and his wives rushed into the hall, and heard the ruckus along with the battle sounds. He figured that the Capital emissary did not come here for a talk. Thus, he continued to stay behind and watch.

With the chaotic voice and sound inside the government hall, it was not hard for Jia Xu to guess that Zhang Jiao and Zhang Tong would definitely rebel against Emperor Ping. 

Jia Xu massaged his temples and sighed. This rebel army was troublesome, but they had a good foundation. A little polish could make them shine, but it might take a lot of efforts. 

'My gold, my retirement fund …'
'MAH HEAVENLY BREAKFAST!'
'MAH ENDLESS STEAK LUNCH!'
'MAH DREAM-LIKE DINNER!'
'Don't you shit around too much! I can't clean up your mess forever!'

He kept watching until Tong walked to his strategic map and started putting dolls and square chips on the board. 

The line-up of the dolls and the chips represented Tong's commanding generals and his troops. Jia Xu focused all of his attention on the map and analyzed Julu's military power. Combined with his initial knowledge and the spy records from Sima Fang and Zhang Jiao, he understood the general status of the overall military prowess of Julu now. 

The next thing he wanted to know was the quality of the generals and the sergeants. 

…

The battle policies were usually decided by the grand commanders, strategists, or the bigwigs in the army. However, the true battle results were always decided by the decisions of the generals, sergeants, and the lesser commanders as they had to improvise their own tactics during the flow of the battles. 

Even if the generals were the best tacticians in the world, they could not win a war without subordinates that could execute their commands and complete their objectives. 

At the same time, best sergeants could not utilize their abilities to the fullest if the commanders were inept. 

This relationship had to go hand-in-hand in a war, or else, no matter how much the army had prepared their homework and planning, they would still fail 100% of the times. 

There was also the famous quote of Sun Tzu.

"Know thy enemy and know thy self, find naught to fear in 100 battles."
"Know not thy enemy, but know thy self, win once, lose once."
"Know not thy enemy and not know thy self, find defeat in every battle."

Jia Xu also learned about this quote. However, he had another idea which was a derived version from Sun Tzu's teaching. 

"Know thy self, half thy victory secured."
"Not know thy self, defeat is guaranteed."

Without the self-evaluation and self-awareness, jumping into a battle with only the enemy's information was the same as a suicide. 

In a situation when someone goes into a battle with only the knowledge of the enemy's weak points, but he does not know his own capability if he could exploit it or not. Then he would become a pushover who challenges against a giant as he would be relying 100% on his luck that his enemy has to be either stupid or weak so he could achieve his victory.

This motto was with Jia Xu since the day he passed the imperial examination and became an official. As long as he could understand his own limits and his abilities, he would have nothing to fear against all trickeries by his enemies as he would have already seized 50% chance of the victory. In the situation where he could predict that he would not have enough hidden trump cards to play against his foes, he would simply retreat from the conflicts. 

Having 50% chance of victory by having all controllable factors in his hands was better than betting his luck purely on his enemies' unpredictable actions.

Thus, he managed to survive against all odds until this day. 

Now, he had jumped on board of this rebel ship. He had to understand every bit of power that Tong and his men had. 

…

'4 … 5 … 6 … So it's 60,000 soldiers in Julu.'
'10,000 on Changshan and … 50,000 in Jinyang!?'
'Since when has he taken over Jinyang!?'
'I see flag marks in Anping and other two counties. So he owned those as well.'
'4 …. 5, five dolls at Jinyang. So he has many trustworthy subordinates there.'
'I see several dolls in Julu and Changshan. But are they capable?'
'Is it a vain trust or are they capable enough to earn his trust?'
'I'll need more intel about our generals. I'll ask that grumpy Sima again.'

Jia Xu maintained his focus on the map to obtain more hidden information.

Once Tong had done placing his ally armies, he picked three red color dolls and three 10,000-troops-chips on Ganling City. They were Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Cheng Pu, and their 30,000 soldiers.

Tong stopped after placing the dolls of Sun Jian Army. He left the strategic map and walked to Lu Zhi's former residential areas as he wanted to obtain more information from Lu Zhi's spy organization. 

Seeing that Tong had finished playing on the map, Hua Shi and Dong Bai also returned to Tong's courtyard to rest. They also send a messenger to Zou Shi to invite her for a hang out as well. 

With everyone had gone, Jia Xu was left alone again. Despite staying here alone for a long time, no one had noticed him.

Jia Xu walked down the spectator stand and arrived on the side of the map. He recollected all intel he had obtained from both Sima Fang's spies and Zhang Jiao's spies.

After he recalled all of the information he had, he replaced all Tong Army yellow dolls in Jinyang with red color dolls. All flags around Jinyang were replaced with different color flags as well.

'That brat Zhang Tong is good on most of the fields, but he sucks at intelligence management.'
'Putting the dolls here in the open is like telling the enemy spies that they have allies.'
'But thanks to him, my initial plans will work flawlessly.'

Finished replacing the dolls, Jia Xu called a servant to deliver Tong a message. 

"Please tell young master Zhang, do not tamper anything on the strategic map unless I'm around. The map is not completed yet. Secondly, if young master Zhang wants to mobilize an army or deploy troops, please consult me first."

Done with the message, Jia Xu left the table and walked to the direction of Sima Fang's Department of Justice building. He smiled while he peered at several groups of garrison soldiers who were looking at him in a distance.

'One or more of them should be the Capital's spies.'
'Now I've leaked an intel for you. It's time for you to take the bait.'
'Dance for me, bitches!'

…

An hour later, Tong received the message from Jia Xu. 

"He saw me using the map?"

Tong was surprised. He was too single-minded at the time, and he did not pay attention to his surroundings. 

'Don't tamper with the map? Is he planning something?'
'Alright, I like what he is doing so far. Let's see what his master plan is.'

"Go and tell Jia Xu. Come see me tomorrow. I want to have a word with him."

…
…

11 PM. The same day.

Ten soldiers in the palace guard uniform snuck to the strategic map. They jumped on the large map and huddled together, hiding the light of a small torch.

At the center of their huddle, it was the location the cities where Tong put the dolls and square chips on.

"One plate is ten thousand troops. Sixty thousand in Julu and ten thousand in Changshan."
"Our guys in the army also confirms this information."
"Good. But what about the other dolls they put on Jinyang and Ganling?"

The spies put their torches near the map of Jinyang and Ganling. Their sights focused on the flags and the color of the dolls.

"They're in a different color. Julu Army is yellow. Ganling and Jinyang are red."
"Can we confirm that Jinyang and Ganling are their enemies?"
"We don't need to. Our job is to collect the info. Those will be our commander's jobs."
"Right. We learn what we need. Let's scram."

Done with their jobs, the spies put down their torches and used the night as cover to escape from the scene. All of them ran, kept their head down, and proceeded to the exit gate of the inner government building walls. 

They laughed in their heart. This city's security was a joke to them. All they had to do was to create a fake identity and register their names to the city hall. Once it was done, voila, a token of the citizenship of Julu. 

"Let buy a few souvenirs before we return to the Capital." One of the spies laughed.
"Yeah, let's."

As they took a step crossing the gate, a terrifying scene revealed to them. Hundreds of garrison policemen had surrounded them. Their hundred torches illuminated the dark night into a day, and their crossbows also pointed at the ten spies.

"FBI, You're surrounded! Surrender now!" The surrounding polices shouted.

Tong, a sinner who was suffering endless torment in hell because of his mistake he had done in his previous life, was giving other chance to redeem himself by the devil. 

All he had to do was participating in the redemption program, organized by the gods and the devils. He would be reincarnated as a random citizen of China during the end of the era of the East Han, and the prelude of the era of the Three Kingdoms. He would also retain his memory and a cheat skill that he designed for himself. 

Tong later found himself reincarnated as Zhang Tong, the son of the Yellow Turbans leader, Zhang Jiao. 

The problem didn't end with just the dilemma of the Yellow Turbans Army. It appeared that other than him, there were 99 others from the modern world that reincarnated into this timeline with him as well. 

This redemption program by the gods and devils didn't seem to be simple. There was definitely something fishy going on. 

Then the hidden agenda revealed itself to the reincarnators. Zhang Tong had to utilize everything by any means necessary to survive this ordeal.
--------------------------------------------------
Warning: It's a story with deranged characters that MC and friends won't get a smooth sailing life forever like the other typical WN novels. 

Patience and high tolerance are required for this novel. Constant nerfs, plot twisted, and changes in the story are expected. 

All RoTK fans should also be warned. I don't follow the trends of historical events. All characters and their thought won't be like in the 14th-century novel RoTK or Dynasty Warrior.

Again, I don't sell 100% wet-dreams in this novel. I mixed nightmares in it.
--------------------------------------------------
This series has ended. 
--------------------------------------------------
Due to the copyrighted kinds of stuff, I changed my cover back to my first cover until I can get my hands on a better one.
--------------------------------------------------

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