MTL - The Immortal Taoist - Chapter 159 Epee gate retreat

“What does it feel like to be a shadow?”People say it's bondage — the absence of light, of freedom. But what is freedom, really?The ability to choose whatever you want?Or... just a beautiful illusion masking the void?Strange question, I know.But you'll understand soon enough.Because my lives?They've always been a little... enlightening.— Kaiser

Dumbledore always believed Voldemort was the greatest threat to the wizarding world until a thousand-year-old vampire showed up at Hogwarts with the deed in hand—“A thousand years have passed, and Hogwarts' lease is up!” said Dracula. “Headmaster, you wouldn't want your students to be homeless, would you?”“What do you want?” Dumbledore asked gravely.“Anything interesting.”“Well, I think the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is quite interesting!”...And so, Hogwarts gained a professor who couldn’t be dismissed.McGonagall: “Albus, I don't think Professor Dracula's teaching is suitable for the poor children!”Dumbledore: “There's nothing I can do, no one can fire him.”...Draco: “My father is a governor, I'll have him get you fired!”Lucius slapped Draco on the head, “Mr. Dracula, Draco speaks without thinking. Please, don't fire the Board of Governors!”...This is the story of a vampire who lived too long and found amusement in the wizarding world out of sheer boredom.

Liu Yan, an ordinary office worker from Earth, unexpectedly traveled to a strange world.

The heroes of the ages are on the side, embarking on a journey to conquer the heavens.

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“Block him.”“He's technically still my boss.”“Then block him with dignity.”The call ended again.And then started again.I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt.“Yes, Mr. Walton?”“Have you changed your mind yet?”I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough.“Do you ever take a break?” I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand.“You're avoiding the question.”“Because it's a dumb question.”He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. “It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer.”“It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to.”There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker.“You are acting unreasonably.”“ Unreasonable?” I sat up. “I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday.”“Isabella-”“Certainly not, Mr. Walton.” I mimicked his tone perfectly. “I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with.”SYNOPSISIsabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story.But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger.Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not.Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position.Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival.So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend.No feelings attached. No drama. Just business.Or so she thought.“Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes,” he said, passing by without a glance.The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud.I opened it. The contract. All of it.---Enemies to lovers? Check.Slow burn? Hmmnyea.Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes.Delicious workplace tension? Of course.Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely.Smut?? Wanna find out?Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.