The Rise of Xueyue - Chapter 167 Win With One Hand

In the cutthroat world of Westeros, where power is a game and everyone's fate is a pawn in a deadly chess match, Gendry is a nobody with a secret that could change everything. A bastard with the blood of the Stormborn coursing through his veins, he's been thrown into the scorching heart of a blacksmith's forge. Here, he'll face the trials of iron and fire, learn to hide his true identity, and carve out a path through the treacherous whirlpool of power.As the shadow of the Spider spreads across King's Landing, Gendry's fate takes a dark turn. Can he survive the deadly game of politics? And will he find his own glory amidst the forge's flames?

God: I shall bestow the Saintess upon you.
Pope: W- wait a moment! This is a boy!
God: That is the Saintess.
Pope: ??????

And just like that, the Saintess was raised by the church for fifteen years without any questions asked…

- Description from Novelupdates

Themes: Black Market Trading, Global Crime Networks, Boundaries of Human Nature and Morality, The Struggle Between Truth and SurvivalStory Background:In a modern metropolis, the surface level of prosperity conceals the darkness and corruption lurking beneath. Ethan, a highly skilled detective, spends his life navigating the shadowy corners of the city, uncovering the hidden secrets buried beneath the mundane facade of everyday life. When he is drawn into what initially seems like a simple suicide case, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the global black market, power struggles, and transnational crime.Main Characters:Ethan (Protagonist): A seasoned, calm, and intuitive detective who excels at finding the truth in complex cases. On the surface, he is a quiet, solitary man who prefers to avoid social interaction, but deep down, he is haunted by unresolved cases from his past. Faced with dark forces, he is both determined and full of doubt.Lila (Female Protagonist/Key Ally): Ethan's investigative partner, an intelligent and resourceful intelligence officer with a mysterious background. Her past is also shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to have an undisclosed connection to the “Black Angels” organization. She provides crucial assistance in Ethan's investigation, but her motives remain unclear, casting suspicion on her true intentions.Victor Saville (Antagonist/Main Adversary): A charismatic yet dangerous businessman, who appears to be a successful entrepreneur but is, in fact, one of the central figures of the global crime syndicate “The Black Angels.” Cold-hearted, clever, and ruthless, he controls a global black market network, overseeing arms trafficking, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. He is not only a key figure in Langley's death but also the biggest obstacle in Ethan's investigation.The Mysterious Woman (Key Character): An elusive woman who repeatedly appears during Ethan's investigation, warning him not to delve deeper into Saville and the “Black Angels” organization. Her identity is unclear, but it is evident that she holds vital secrets about Saville and his network. Her appearances leave Ethan bewildered—whether she is an enemy or his only ally remains uncertain.

The wrong way to act as a villain no.1: Get rid of the protagonist while he still hasn’t become powerful.

The wrong way to act as a villain no.2: Take the limelight from the protagonist at the key moment.

The wrong way to act as a villain no.3: Make the protagonist fall in love with you, thus making him incapable of completing the final step – eliminating the major villain.

Han Changsheng, Head of the Demonic Cult, is the major villain who’s employed all three incorrect methods.

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As the leader of the first Demonic Cult in the underground world of martial arts and cultivation, Tianning Cult, Han Changsheng carried on the long-standing tradition of an unstable mind and a refusal to seek any treatment.

Originally, his life should have passed by quickly and simply, but one day he kicked a descended Immortal Lord off a cliff. In order to make up for this mistake, he must aid the Immortal Lord in ascending back to his position… but why does this mistake keep growing? Hey, lao zi doesn’t need you as a younger brother, you should look for An Yuan! Don’t chase after lao zi, you’re destined to be An Yuan’s wife! Don’t worship lao zi as a martial arts lord, lao zi is the genuine leader of the Demonic Cult! Hey, Hey lao zi is obviously the major villain! What the hell are you doing?!

- Description from Novelupdates