Game Design: Who Rated the Games as Very Easy? - Chapter 12: Curse of the Gods!

As part of the imperial family, every move by Chu Yuan in this game of chess is made with apprehension, fearing that with a moment of inattentiveness, the whole match will be lost in a single move.

Ascending to the throne at eighteen, not half a year passes before civil strife erupts in Yun Nan. Though the thoughts of the old guard at the imperial court are not exactly identical, they are all waiting to see how the new emperor will put an end to this.

Unexpectedly, before this side could make a move, a few thousand miles away, the King of Xi Nan, Duan Bai Yue, had already personally commanded troops to attack in all directions; not half a year had passed when peace was restored.

Sparse moonlight shines into the palace; Chu Yuan stamped the wax seal himself, and had a secret letter sent urgently to Yun Nan 800 miles away — this time, what must we(1) give in exchange?

Brush marks passed through the back of the paper; it almost can be seen, when writing this line, how angry the young emperor was.

Duan Bai Yue spread out a piece of paper unhurriedly, replying with only one word.

You.

Notes:
(1): Chu Yuan is using the royal ‘we’ here.

- Description from Novelupdates

Three years ago, she was cruelly abandoned by the man she loved deeply, leaving her to walk down the aisle alone while heavily pregnant. Three years later, she reappears transformed, stunningly beautiful, and says with a smile, “Husband? I don't need a husband.” The man behind her narrows his eyes, his thin lips turning into cold blades, “Qin Yan, try saying that again?”

Xu Youyou rebirthed to when she was 16 years old and chose a path different from her previous life and met Qiao Mu ten years earlier. The youth who had braved the wind and snow protecting her till death — and who had confessed to her.

And she realized, the Qiao Mu ten years earlier and the Qiao Mu she knew were completely different people. He didn’t have his smile that could radiate sunlight, he didn’t have his courage that could penetrate snowstorms, and he certainly didn’t have his perfect eight pack. He was like a short mushroom, quietly growing in the corner’s shadow.

Xu Youyou: If you dare be like this when you confess to me, you are so dead.

Qiao Mu was a teenage Weiqi genius, he loved Weiqi, but because of his shadow of youth was unable to enter the competition arena. And because of the fear, he was unable to become a professional player and could only return to a typical school life.

Until he met Xu Youyou.

A widely known reckless and fearless girl, who was the complete opposite of him. She was good at everything, except things relating to love. Clearly he wasn’t her type, yet she always provoked him. But the biggest joke was himself, he clearly knew everything, yet could not help but fall into the hands of the enemy.

- Description from Novelupdates

Hurt. Bullied. Ignored. Boris decided to end his life in the most pathetic, cowardly way imaginable.But of course—how could even death go right for him?Fate, it seems, had other plans.Boris wakes up in another world, reborn as Kaden Warborn—the second young master of the Warborn family. A clan of glorious madmen who treat death like a family tradition.And wouldn’t you know it—death comes knocking again.[Congratulations, Host. You have awakened the Cycle of Rebirth System.][Core Principle: Die to grow stronger.][So go on, Host. Don’t be shy.][Court death.]…Excuse me?Armed with a system that rewards dying, surrounded by maniacs who treat funerals like festivals, Kaden Warborn begins his new life.Hopefully, this time, not like a coward.