Return of the Legendary Runesmith - Chapter 24 - 23- Challenge(1)

On one spring evening when I was eight years old, I, Erica, Duke of Aurelia’s daughter, realized something.

【Time Travel + Workplace Competition + No Lazing Around + Ambitious Female Lead】Overachiever Shen Wei traveled through time and found herself as the lowest-ranking maid in the grand residence of the Yan Prince.The Yan Prince held a prestigious position, but his consorts were all content to live dull lives. The noble-born princess consort was as tranquil as a chrysanthemum; the concubine sought a life of monogamy; the reincarnated woman was utterly disillusioned with the Yan Prince and had given up on striving for anything; and the other timid concubines dared not make a move…The queen of workplace competition, Shen Wei, declared: Don’t stop me! I’m going to outwork these unambitious slackers!…The Yan Prince had grown accustomed to the stagnant atmosphere in his harem, until a particularly skilled courtesan appeared.This concubine was stunningly beautiful, adept at both literature and dance, hardworking, and always brought him fresh excitement. The Prince couldn’t help but take a second, then a lifetime-long, look at her.Years later, Shen Wei became the all-powerful Imperial Noble Consort, with children and the emperor’s exclusive favor.Meanwhile, the princess consort remained as tranquil as ever; the concubine was aging and had yet to experience a monogamous life; and the reincarnated woman was still eating simple meals in her modest abode…After half a lifetime of striving, Shen Wei finally reached retirement and revealed her true nature, fully embracing a life of leisure. The retired emperor interjected: “You competed for favor just to retire?”Shen Wei snacked on melon seeds: “What else?”Living is all about retirement!The retired emperor was even more surprised to find, in midlife, that other men were vying for his wife’s affections!

On their wedding night, she gnashed her teeth, yelling, “Your Highness, that’s shameless!”

Set off by the flickering light of red candles, he curved the corner of his mouth into a wicked grin, “Actually, I can be more shameless…”

…

When they met for the first time, he was the young prince who lived in his day of brilliance, while she was the pampered princess of the adjacent state.

When they met again, he became the crippled underdog suffering from frustration, while she became the lackluster hostage stranded in an alien land.

In his mid-life, he was defeated in the fight and had his legs broken; his wife passed away and he didn’t have anything left except his father’s detestation… After constant blows took the edge off his spirit, all he wanted was nothing but serenity.

In her teen-age, her state perished and her home lost; she lapsed into an awkward situation after being abandoned and having her marriage annulled… As endless hardships isolated her from happiness, everything she wished for was no more than peace.

…

“Lu Zhishan, when I first met you, I didn’t think I’d marry you…too old,” after years passed by, one day, she lay on his laps mumbling, with a kind of hazy beauty on her boozy face, “and lame.”

“Mu Nanzhi, you have the wrong memory. At our first meeting, I’m neither old nor limp.”

“…When was that?”

“When people were celebrating your first birthday,” that man assumed all gentleness and joy crept on his eyes and brows, “On that day, you were ‘drawing lots’ in the rear hall. I also sneaked there to have a look. But, out of my expectation, you directly grabbed my true-love knot.”

…

How vivid the red love pea is embedded in the exquisitely carved dice,

Just as my feelings for you deep in my bones.

- Description from Novelupdates

Qin Hao crossed into a parallel world and unexpectedly inherited the position of the current Celestial Master of the Qingyun Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion.Draped in purple robes, holding the authority of the Xuanmen sect.Bound to the Super Celestial Master System, he could earn different rewards every day by completing designated tasks.Organizing Taoist scriptures, he received the reward [Taiping Qi Technique]!Cleaning the main hall, he received the reward [Innate Golden Light Curse]!Sweeping the mountain gate, he received the reward [Soaring Immortal Step]!Pruning flowers and plants, he received the reward [Innate Yimu Qi Capture Technique]!Wiping the statues of the Three Pure Ones, he received the reward [Righteous Thunder Law]!...He thought he could live peacefully without trouble, but unexpectedly, a photo that went viral online pushed him into the spotlight.A self-proclaimed fighting champion and male live streamer entered Qingyun Mountain, claiming to seek a man in purple robes for a challenge.A match of martial arts.The live stream was filled with over a million enthusiastic viewers.They supported the male live streamer in exposing a fraud, wondering whether the rumored Celestial Master in purple was truly as powerful as said.Under the watchful eyes of the public, Qin Hao reluctantly accepted the challenge.Qin Hao asked, 'Fellow practitioner, what shall we compare?'The male live streamer smiled confidently: 'I've heard the Celestial Master in purple is unmatched in martial arts; I have practiced free combat since I was young and have specifically come to learn something from you!'Qin Hao shook his head: 'Martial arts, I do not know.''What do you know then?' the male live streamer asked.Qin Hao unleashed a palm strike into the air, condensing the five thunders within his palm, and with a mighty slash.Golden thunder transformed into a blade of qi, slicing directly at the challenger. The thunder left in its wake split the 'Challenge the Celestial Master' plaque that the male live streamer had brought, right in front of the mountain gate, into two halves.Qin Hao said with a smile: 'I know thunder spell!!'