Smiling Under Lanterns - Chapter 44 - 43: Bribing the Gods_1

The Solvaris Empire is surrounded by the Godspire — a massive wall a thousand meters high, older than anyone can remember, and deadly to cross. No one knows if it was built to protect the Empire… or to trap it.Reth, a 19-year-old from Earth, finds himself in this strange world. He has no great strength or magic, but a unique Obedience System forces him to serve Princess Asthia, the sharp and ruthless commander of the Serpent Wing.If he disobeys her, he suffers unbearable pain — maybe even death. If he obeys, he gains new powers and skills, growing stronger with every command.While the Empire’s Obedience Sigils keep its people in chains, Reth’s System makes him something different — a weapon, and Asthia’s personal bodyguard.Together, they face plotting nobles, rebel cults dreaming of life beyond the wall, and monsters twisted by corrupted mana.But as Reth’s Corrupted Intent — a cold, unshakable will — grows, so does his resistance to Asthia’s control. Their uneasy trust is tested when they uncover a secret about the Godspire’s true purpose.To protect Asthia and reveal the truth, Reth must decide whether to keep obeying… or risk awakening a horror that could destroy them both.

Volume 1: Spaceship's RetrievalVolume 2: Returning to Outer SpaceVolume 3: Empire's Descent: Space Aliens vs Magicians[Completed Book ][ A 20-chapter side story about MC's love life will be uploaded at a later date. ]*****A planet that was not recorded in the database containing records of almost all human discoveries in thousands of years. This is where Wallace has to live and survive until he discovers a way home.He was left with a damaged spaceship that can only be used as a shelter now. Equipped with his bio-armor, laser gun, and other advanced technology equipment, he was confident that he can somehow survive in this world. But there is something here that is not existing in many galaxies that humans have conquered... magic.Unfortunately for him, before he could explore the new world that resembles Earth, he died.*******Yes, the whole volume 1 was for the sake of retrieving the spaceship aside from world-building, etc.There will be a lot of unanswered questions or missing information at the beginning but don't worry... everything is planned and will be revealed in later chapters.Also, the first half of the first volume was inspired by 6 or so animes and 4 other novels. Good luck finding them.Thanks for reading![ P.S. This is my first book so please keep it in mind. I hope you consider reading all free chapters first. Anyway, I assure you that my writing will get better as the story goes. ]

After traveling to the Great Wilderness, Shen Can became the Ancestral Temple Keeper of the Blazing Flame Tribe due to his 'frail' body, responsible for the daily cleaning, offering incense, and routine sacrifices at the Clan Ancestral Temple..Shen Can fulfilled his duty as Ancestral Temple Keeper by using the 'Simurgh Blade' to pierce Wild Beasts' necks, extracting their blood to offer to the ancestors, only to discover that he could absorb their lifespan to deduce a cultivation method.

What is martial arts?Martial Arts has nothing to do with musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, treasures or secret manuals, nor is there so much talk about being the best in the world. Martial Arts is a technique, a method that gives the weak a chance to draw their blades against the strong.What is chivalry (xiá)?Chivalry is not about romantic affairs, traditional culture, or being gentle, respectful, frugal, and compliant. Chivalry is violence, it's the bayonet forged by those driven to Mount Liang to use against tyrants.Cao Mo pledged with a dagger, (Returning to) Lu to invade. Zhuan Zhu entered with grilled meat, (Pacifying) Wu to usurp the throne. Brother Zhang cried in the market, avenging his lord by defiling a lavatory. Suicide by cutting one's own throat to seek justice, acting while concealing his sleeve. The tyrant of Qin seized souls, the coward gained courage.This is a martial artist's story.In the 1930s, a group of like-minded young people came together, striving to change the world.Then, two hundred years later, in a garbage landfill, Xiang Shan, the Progenitor of Cyber Martial Arts who had once rebooted heaven and earth, woke up reciting the name of his enemy, having lost all his memories.“Perhaps it's because I lost back then that the world has become what it is...”“So this time, I won't be defeated again!”This is the story of a person changing the world once more!