MTL - Cataclysm King - Chapter 23 Devil's Crossing

On their wedding night, she gnashed her teeth, yelling, “Your Highness, that’s shameless!”

Set off by the flickering light of red candles, he curved the corner of his mouth into a wicked grin, “Actually, I can be more shameless…”

…

When they met for the first time, he was the young prince who lived in his day of brilliance, while she was the pampered princess of the adjacent state.

When they met again, he became the crippled underdog suffering from frustration, while she became the lackluster hostage stranded in an alien land.

In his mid-life, he was defeated in the fight and had his legs broken; his wife passed away and he didn’t have anything left except his father’s detestation… After constant blows took the edge off his spirit, all he wanted was nothing but serenity.

In her teen-age, her state perished and her home lost; she lapsed into an awkward situation after being abandoned and having her marriage annulled… As endless hardships isolated her from happiness, everything she wished for was no more than peace.

…

“Lu Zhishan, when I first met you, I didn’t think I’d marry you…too old,” after years passed by, one day, she lay on his laps mumbling, with a kind of hazy beauty on her boozy face, “and lame.”

“Mu Nanzhi, you have the wrong memory. At our first meeting, I’m neither old nor limp.”

“…When was that?”

“When people were celebrating your first birthday,” that man assumed all gentleness and joy crept on his eyes and brows, “On that day, you were ‘drawing lots’ in the rear hall. I also sneaked there to have a look. But, out of my expectation, you directly grabbed my true-love knot.”

…

How vivid the red love pea is embedded in the exquisitely carved dice,

Just as my feelings for you deep in my bones.

- Description from Novelupdates

In times of war…What is a Battle Mecha engineer expected to do? Are they expected to do research and realize their imagination?How about a Battle Mecha pilot? Are they expected to enter battle with their mechas as they display their exquisite control through bizarre and bewildering techniques?What about a member of the special scouts? Are they expected to infiltrate deep into the enemy lines as they use stellar unarmed fighting skills to suppress the enemy with a single move? Or are they expected to make use of disguises and stealth techniques to take out the enemy?And what about a military officer? Are they expected to analyze the outcome of a battle? Or are they expected to create brilliant strategies to triumph over the enemy through a miraculous move?For someone who excels in human psychology, deceit, assassination, and disguise, what happens when that person is merged with all those professions?This is the story of a cowardly, wretched, and despicable fatty.

Arriving in a new world where the steam industry was booming, he inherited a three-story apartment on the capital’s royal square, took in someone else’s cat, and listened to the whispers at his ear, ready to witness this mysterious and bizarre era. The epic of the Sixth Era was about to commence, and behind the curtain, The Chosen One was destined to step into legend. Old Gods, Relics, steam, witches, detectives, ancient secrets, the Era’s brilliance... “Would you like to play a round of Roder Cards?” Time engraved the hours, as Silvermoon illuminated the shadows. I compose your legend, you whisper your verses to me.

Wang Li thought dying would be the end of his troubles. Instead, it was just the beginning.After his untimely death, he finds himself reborn in a world of powerful cultivators, ancient sects, and deadly rivalries. With a mysterious Primordial Rebirth System, he has a second chance to reach the peak of cultivation. There's just one problem…All of his ex-girlfriends from his past life are here too!From the cold and ruthless Mu Yuechan, the Ice Demoness of the Frozen Lotus Sect, to the fiery and unpredictable Lin Ruoyan, the Scorching Sun Saintess, and even the cunning and seductive Feng Yuling, the Fox Demoness of the Thousand Illusions Pavilion—each of them remembers their past with Wang Li.And they all have unfinished business with him.Some want revenge. Some want redemption. Some… might even still have feelings for him.But in a world where love can be deadlier than any sword, Wang Li must navigate sect politics, ancient grudges, and divine conspiracies—all while trying to survive his vengeful, jealous, and ridiculously powerful ex-girlfriends.Can he mend broken relationships? Can he avoid being frozen, burned, or seduced to death?Or will he somehow turn this chaotic mess into the greatest cultivation harem in history?One thing’s for sure—cultivation has never been this complicated!