That night, in the capital.
Lin Tiechuan was staying in the most dilapidated little inn in the western part of the city. The room was cramped, the roof leaked wind, and the bedboards creaked with every movement.
This was the lodging he had chosen for himself using the meager subsidy the imperial court had issued after he passed the preliminary selections.
He hailed from a remote, godforsaken little village in the borderlands. Growing up, let alone silver, he had barely even eaten white steamed buns.
Sending the direct disciple of the Central Continent's Xuansong Sect flying with a single punch today had drained most of his vitality. After returning to the inn, he haphazardly wiped the blood and dirt from his body, collapsed onto the bed, and fell fast asleep.
What he didn't expect was—
Before he could even fall into a deep sleep.
Three horse-drawn carriages had already parked silently outside the inn's doors.
From the first carriage stepped down an outer sect deacon of the Black Tortoise Sect.
From the second carriage came a steward of the Gu family of Nanling.
From the third carriage descended a masked middle-aged man, half a token from the Treasure Pavilion hanging at his waist.
The three parties arrived at almost the exact same time.
They exchanged glances at the doorway.
The atmosphere was momentarily awkward.
The Black Tortoise Sect deacon spoke first: Little Brother Lin's battle today has shaken the capital with his prestige. Our sect is willing to invite him with the position of Chief Inner Disciple—
The Gu family steward coldly interrupted: The Gu family is willing to take him in as a direct descendant, with a signing bonus of three hundred thousand spirit stones.
The masked man from the Treasure Pavilion said unhurriedly: If Little Friend Lin is willing to stoop to join us, our pavilion will offer—
Stop fighting over him.
A lazy voice drifted out from inside the inn.
The three of them turned their heads in unison.
Behind the inn's counter, a completely ordinary-looking innkeeper with an unfamiliar face was wiping a bowl while looking at them with a beaming smile.
You three gentlemen.
My shabby little shop cannot accommodate so many distinguished guests.
How about—
You all head back for today?
The Black Tortoise Sect deacon frowned: Who are you?
The innkeeper unhurriedly pulled out a token from under the counter.
Black background, gold lettering.
Four small characters—
West Factory Patrol.
The Black Tortoise Sect deacon's pupils shrank slightly.
The Gu family steward's smile instantly froze on his face.
The masked man from the Treasure Pavilion's breathing suddenly caught.
The innkeeper's smile grew even gentler.
Little Brother Lin is sleeping. For you three to visit late at night is truly against etiquette.
If you are truly intent on recruiting him—
See you tomorrow at the Hour of the Dragon at the Great Zhou Martial Arena.
His Majesty awaits.
The three parties exchanged glances.
None of them were fools.
What it meant for Wang Hao to personally station someone here to keep watch went without saying.
This was a piece of meat that had already been stamped with the words Great Zhou.
If they dared to make a move tonight, tomorrow they would experience what it meant to be questioned by the West Factory.
...Farewell.
The three carriages silently retreated.
The innkeeper watched them leave, then turned back to continue wiping the bowl, the smile on his face unchanging.
He looked up at that shabby little room upstairs.
Little Brother Lin—
Sleep well.
First thing tomorrow morning, His Majesty's grace will arrive.
The sky was just beginning to brighten.
Lin Tiechuan was jolted awake by the sound of beating gongs and drums.
He rolled over, tumbled out of bed, and groggily pushed open the window to look—
The entire dilapidated street was densely packed with people.
Eunuchs, imperial guards, officials from the Ministry of Rites, imperial physicians, runners from the Ministry of Works, and even a team of burly men specifically carrying chests.
The chests piled up over half the street.
The leading old eunuch, holding a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict in his hands, was smiling so widely his face was full of wrinkles.
Lin Tiechuan, receive the decree—
Lin Tiechuan was completely dumbfounded.
Barefoot, shuffling in his torn pants, his hair as messy as a bird's nest, he stumbled downstairs.
He dropped to his knees—
Commoner... Commoner Lin Tiechuan, receives the decree.
The old eunuch smilingly unrolled the imperial edict, his shrill voice echoing down the early morning street.
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—
The borderland youth Lin Tiechuan, of humble origins, yet possessing a resolute mind and a loyal and brave character, has established his might with a single punch, shaking the capital.
Such a young talent is truly a pillar of our Great Zhou, a paragon among prodigies.
We hereby bestow—
A four-courtyard grand mansion in the southern part of the capital.
One hundred taels of gold.
Thirty thousand silver coins.
Ten bottles of Earth-grade high-tier pills.
Access to read in the Outer Pavilion of the Royal Library.
A position as an Imperial Guard Instructor.
A core seed spot in the Prodigy Gang.
A reserve spot in the Avengers Alliance Demon Suppression Squad.
Furthermore—
The old eunuch paused, his smile deepening.
Appointed—to the position of Vice Captain of the Prodigy Gang.
To draw an imperial salary, enjoying the stipend of a seventh-rank official, issued monthly.
Respect this.
The entire street fell silent for a breath.
The next moment—
With a massive uproar, the street full of spectating commoners instantly exploded into chatter.
Vice Captain?!
Seventh-rank salary?!
Royal Library?!
Good heavens—the poor kid who was sleeping in a broken-down inn yesterday is a man of the imperial court today?!
This, this, this this this—
What dumbfounded the crowd even more was that chest after chest of rewards were carried straight into the inn by the Ministry of Works runners on the spot.
The glittering yellow gold, the shining white silver, and the pill bottles clinking together.
Lin Tiechuan knelt blankly on the ground.
He raised his head, staring at that bright yellow imperial edict, his lips trembling for a long time without making a single sound.
In his entire life—
The most gold he had ever seen was the palm-sized gold foil on the shrine at his village chief's house.
But now—
One hundred taels of gold were piled up right in front of him.
His eyes grew hot, and tears fell patter-patter down his face.
The old eunuch bent down, smilingly helped him up, and gently patted his shoulder.
Vice Captain Lin.
His Majesty has words he asked this old slave to pass on to you.
His Majesty said—
Work hard.
I have high hopes for you.
Start as the Vice Captain of the Prodigy Gang for now.
The future is long.
Lin Tiechuan's body trembled.
His Majesty has high hopes for me?
The old eunuch's smile remained unchanged.
His Majesty said it personally.
His Majesty also said—
He paused, lowering his voice.
In my life, the thing I cannot stand the most is seeing those from humble backgrounds bullied by noble families.
This punch of yours struck the very punch that I have wanted to throw all these years but found inconvenient to do so.
Lin Tiechuan's pupils shook violently.
Tears surged out without warning.
He knelt on the ground and heavily kowtowed three times in the direction of the imperial palace.
Commoner Lin Tiechuan—
For this life—
Is willing to serve His Majesty to the death!
The old eunuch smilingly watched him kowtow.
In his heart, he silently sighed.
Your Majesty, oh Your Majesty.
This combo of yours to buy people's hearts is truly... like highway robbery, completely unambiguous.
At the same moment, in the side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Wang Hao leaned back on the couch, drinking the newly stewed goji berry soup prepared by Wei Zhongxian, while leisurely flipping through this morning's Great Zhou Times.
The front page of the newspaper took up an entire spread—
His Majesty Breaks Convention to Bestow Prodigies, A Humble Youth Becomes World-Famous Overnight
Lin Tiechuan: I Just Wanted to Throw a Punch, I Didn't Expect to Punch My Way into the Imperial Payroll
The Justice of Our Great Zhou Begins with Today's Punch!
On the supplementary page, there was also a lifelike illustration—
A youth wearing rough linen martial attire sending a noble scion in fine silk clothes flying with a single punch.
Beneath the drawing was a line of large characters:
"Even the humble have soaring ambitions; a single word from His Majesty sets the world in stone."
Wang Hao almost spat out his goji berry soup when he saw it.
"This writing... this artwork..."
"It is truly a pity that the Ministry of Rites folks do not write storybooks instead."
Wei Zhongxian bowed his back and chuckled from the side.
"To reply to Your Majesty, the Great Zhou Times had three additional print runs this morning, yet supply still cannot meet the demand."
"In all the major teahouses and taverns across the capital, storytellers are everywhere—"
"All talking about the story of Lin Tiechuan's single punch."
Wang Hao gave a hum of acknowledgment and took another sip of soup.
"Tell the editor-in-chief of the Great Zhou Times—"
"Things like this should be turned into a series from now on."
"Every ten days to half a month, hype up a genius of humble origins for me."
"Even if there isn't one, manufacture one for me."
Wei Zhongxian bowed and complied.
Wang Hao put down his soup bowl and looked up toward the outside of the hall.
The sunlight was just right.
He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but his tone extremely calm.
"The hearts of the humble across the world, starting from today—"
"Are right here with me."
At the same time, in the embassy of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace stationed in the capital.
Shen Xue put down the newspaper in her hand and remained silent for a long time.
Ren Mingyue stood beside her and said in a low voice—
"What is Miss Shen thinking about?"
Shen Xue did not answer.
She only looked out the window.
Outside the window was the morning light of the capital, the jubilation on the streets, and the continuous sounds of storytellers slapping the table and cheering in the teahouses.
After a long time, she finally let out a soft breath.
"I am thinking—"
"Our Ice and Snow Divine Palace also has disciples of humble origins."
"In our palace, they have done the hardest and most tiring work for generations."
"They have never thought that they could stand in the center of the arena in this lifetime and be praised by others."
She closed her eyes.
"What Wang Hao did is very terrifying."
Ren Mingyue asked softly, "Terrifying in what way?"
Shen Xue opened her eyes, her gaze complex.
"Terrifying in that—"
"From now on, the humble disciples in my palace will have a new thought in their hearts."
"A thought they originally did not even dare to have."
"They will start to ask themselves—"
"'If I go to the Great Zhou, could I also deliver that punch?'"
Ren Mingyue fell silent.
After a long while, she said in a low voice—
"So, Wang Hao's most powerful move is not fighting."
"It is—"
"Making others want to fight alongside him."
On the other side.
Yun Meng sat by the window of the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect's courtyard in the capital, munching on pastries while reading the newspaper, muttering to herself.
"This dog emperor—"
"He is just—"
"Just—"
She held it in for a long time before squeezing out a sentence—
"Just even more of a dog than I thought."
Her personal maid carefully asked from the side, "Holy Maiden, then will you still help him do things?"
Yun Meng took a bite of the pastry.
"Help."
"What, just because he is a dog, am I supposed to just watch him be a dog all by himself?"
"I have to learn a trick or two to take back with me."
Maid: "..."
Besides, after that night, she could no longer separate herself from this menace.
And for Lin Tiechuan, after receiving the imperial edict, moving into his new mansion, and putting on the training uniform issued by the imperial court, the very next thing—
Was being personally dragged to the training ground by Wei Zhongxian and kicked onto the arena.
He dazedly looked at the cold-faced guy opposite him.
"This... who is this?"
Wei Zhongxian explained with a smile.
"Vice Captain Lin, for the second round of the competition, His Majesty has personally arranged an old friend for you."
"You recognize him, right?"
Lin Tiechuan focused his eyes and took a look—
Standing opposite him was the direct disciple of the Xuan Song Sect who he had sent flying with a single punch yesterday.
This person had a face full of unwillingness, his eyes looking like he wanted to eat someone alive.
Lin Tiechuan: "..."
He subconsciously looked toward the high platform.
On the high platform, Wang Hao was smiling and waving at him, even giving him a thumbs-up.
The meaning was very clear—
Do your best.
Win, and I will promote you another rank.
Lin Tiechuan took a deep breath.
"...Your Majesty."
"You, sir—"
"Really think too highly of me."
While a bloody battle flared up again on the arena, another even grander duel was also approaching.
Wei Zhongxian stood beside Wang Hao and reported softly—
"Your Majesty."
"The betting pools for the battle between Xiao Chen and Ye Guyun have already opened."
"As of the Chen hour, the Ministry of Revenue has taken in silver—"
"Nine million seven hundred thousand taels."
Wang Hao hummed leisurely.
"It is not enough."
"Have the Great Zhou Times add more fuel to the fire."
"The headline shall be called—"
He paused for a moment, a mischievous smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"A Once-in-a-Century Encounter! Grassroots Tiger VS Sword Dao Genius! One Battle to Settle It All!"
Wei Zhongxian bowed, holding back a laugh.
"This old servant will go handle it right away."
Wang Hao picked up his teacup.
The fragrance of tea curled upwards.
He gazed at the faint trace of blood-red in the direction of the Crimson Moon in the distance, his eyes profound.
"Xiao Chen, Ye Guyun."
"This battle—"
"Fight beautifully for me."
"The people of the world are watching."
"I, too, am watching."
Oh my, without even paying attention, he had poached the Heavenly Dao's Child of Destiny to work for him. Tell me, wouldn't the Heavenly Secret Pavilion be furious? Would that old immortal Xie Wujiu cough up blood?
transmigrates into the world as the sect master of the Heavenly Yan Sect, which is on the verge of being wiped out. He binds a system that grants him cultivation power based on the number of disciples he has: for each disciple, he automatically gains a year's worth of cultivation every single day! Take one disciple: every day he gains 1 year of cultivation power. While others struggle through a year of bitter training, he gets the same just by sleeping through a single night. Take ten disciples: every day he gains 10 years of cultivation power. Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—he breezes through all bottlenecks without lifting a finger. Take one hundred disciples: every day he gains 100 years of cultivation power. Even a Soul Transformation Venerable before him can’t survive a single blow. Take ten thousand disciples: every day he gains 10,000 years of cultivation power! With a wave of his hand, he topples empires. With a single step, he crushes the sacred grounds of the universe. ... While others fight tooth and nail for secret techniques, Lin Yan casually hands out Nascent Soul-level cultivation manuals as beginner textbooks. While others strain to find talented recruits, Lin Yan opens his doors to anyone—so long as they’re human. In just three short years, the Heavenly Yan Sect went from a backwater sect made up of three crumbling huts to a sacred land that every cultivator under heaven would kill to enter. ... One day, otherworldly demon gods invade, with a million demon soldiers pressing down upon the realm. Lin Yan, yawning, rises from his lounge chair and glances at the system panel: [Current Disciples: 1.28 million] [Daily Cultivation Increase: 1.28 million years] He waves his hand casually, and the countless demon soldiers are reduced to ashes in an instant. “So noisy… interrupting my fishing.”
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
pression Bureau] Transported to a fantasy world overrun by demons and monsters, Gu Qingfeng becomes a jailer in the Demon Suppression Prison of the Great Yan Dynasty's Demon Suppression Bureau. From this point on, bizarre cases frequently occur in the Demon Suppression Prison, once known as hell on earth and infamous for its gloomy, terrifying atmosphere! Why do the demons and monsters in the prison wail miserably every night? Why has the corpse demon, capable of transforming into various beauties, donned black stockings and switched careers to become a foot massage therapist? Why has the eye demon, expert in soul-snatching and illusions, turned into a VR headset? Why is the fox spirit performing otaku dances? Are all these occurrences a twisted expression of demonic nature, or a descent into moral depravity? After peeling away layer upon layer of mystery, all clues ultimately point to a jailer named Gu Qingfeng. Gu Qingfeng: "Hehehe... My dear demons and monsters, whose card shall we flip today?"
