The Sword and Heir of Shadows - Chapter 17: Facade and Innocence

Li Qiao, a soft and glutinous girl, dresses up as the little daughter-in-law of a poor family.

Rural household registration, two dilapidated houses.

What she didn’t know was that her husband, who was not stingy at home, would become a business tycoon in the future, possessing supreme status and untold wealth.

What’s more, she didn’t know that the reborn step-sister was determined to take her place as the rich wife.

The step-sister is often persuaded to leave: brother-in-law drinks and fights, and is not good enough for you.

Li Qiao is irritable every day: He said he deserves me to death.

The step-sister added: He is too poor, you and your children suffer hardships with him.

Li Qiao blushed: He said that it is difficult to divide a child unless there is another one.

stepsister: …

- Description from novelbuddy

Lin Qi’an safely crossed into a fantasy realm, becoming the Crown Prince of Beiyang of an Immortal Dynasty. His father, the current strongest Sword Emperor, enjoys an exalted status! His fiancée is also the unparalleled beauty ranked first on the Fairy List.However, Lin Qian discovers that he has an overwhelming number of enemies, all of whom are emerging protagonists destined for greatness!Those born with a sacred body! Reincarnation of a Great Emperor! Holder of immortal treasures!Fortunately, Lin Qian awakens a villain system, which rewards him for defeating these protagonists.“Ding! Opening beginner’s gift pack, obtained ‘Dragon Yang Dao Physique’.”“Ding! Subdued the daughter of golden luck, rewarded with the divine skill ‘Thousands of Swords to Court’.”“Ding! Slayed the an ancient clan’s holy son, rewarded with ‘Ice Qillin Essence Blood’.”Lin Qian could never have imagined that these so-called daughters of luck could see through his special constitution!The icy pure and aloof holy saintesses, one after another, turned into villainesses. What broken protagonists? Isn’t the Dragon Yang Dao Physique more fragrant?

Japan – National News BroadcastThe polished news anchor sat upright, her gaze sharp as she adjusted the stack of papers before her. The newsroom behind her hummed with quiet urgency, the weight of the moment settling over the broadcast.“Authorities are baffled by a sudden and unexplained surge in sleep-related deaths across Japan,” she began, her voice steady yet tense. “More and more citizens are passing away in their sleep without any prior health concerns. Experts are working tirelessly to determine the cause, but no clear explanation has emerged. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual symptoms before bedtime.”A graphic appeared, displaying the spike in fatalities over the past month. Behind her, unsettling photographs flickered across the screen—blurred images of individuals found in their beds, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.The anchor’s tone shifted. “Health officials recommend citizens avoid excessive fatigue and maintain healthy sleep habits. More updates will follow as investigations continue.”---United States – Paranormal PodcastIn a dimly lit podcast studio, the host leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. Across from him, a rugged man in a worn flannel shirt, gripping a faded photograph in one hand and a beer can in the other, leaned back in his chair.“So, you're telling me you saw this creature firsthand?” the host asked, clearly intrigued.The man scoffed, shaking his head. “Damn right, I did. Ugly thing had wings bigger than my body—slow but sneaky. Thought it could steal my pigs again, but I was ready this time—camera in one hand, shotgun in the other.”He slammed the table for emphasis, then shoved the blurry image toward the host. The photograph depicted a small, red-skinned humanoid figure with large, bat-like wings, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.“Spit, the thing didn’t know what hit it when I fired!” the man chuckled, his voice full of excitement.The host held up the picture to the live chat. “Alright, what do you think? Mothman? Demon? Or is our friend here just seeing things?”The chat exploded with theories—some skeptical, others eager for the investigation to continue.---China – Liangyuan Street MarketSurveillance footage from a bustling night market in China captured a chilling scene. A woman in a red qipao walked gracefully through the crowd, her figure striking in the soft glow of lanterns.Suddenly, she paused. Her body flickered—like a glitch in a video—before vanishing completely, as though she had never existed.The footage zoomed in, replaying in slow motion. In the final frame before she disappeared, her face distorted unnaturally, her eyes hollow and empty.The screen cut abruptly to black.

[Shelter System successfully bound to host!][Option One: City of Light, save the survivors in the apocalypse and become a glorious and benevolent savior.][Option Two: City of Darkness, humans who enter the City of Darkness can only become your slaves. And you, will be the devil ruling over the apocalypse.]Sorry, I am no saint, I choose City of Darkness! From today onwards, I will be a villain!