The Grandmaster Strategist - Volume 1, Chapter 18: The King of Southern Chu Declares Himself Emperor

This novel is also known as Endless Bloodstone / Infinite Bloodcore

In the dark night there is no light, save for the sound of war drums and rally cries. The young man listens carefully, it is his heartbeat and the flow of his own blood.

What hides in the darkness ahead? Is it man, god or… a monster?

There is no such thing as the best road. However, the journey beneath one’s feet is unbounded!

- Description from Novelupdates

The most beautiful old ancestor of the immortal sect, who lived for five thousand years, repeatedly broke the rules of immortality and was punished by the Heavenly Dao.Upon opening her eyes, she became the true daughter of the Xia family, who had been kidnapped into a mountain village as a child.She thought she would have to suffer through all the hardships of the human world, but who knew that when she woke up she was directly 14 years later, on the very day she was rescued—She wanted to run wild and be beautiful on her own, but her whole family pampered her to the heavens!Want to do scientific research? Three big brothers donate a research institute.Headache and cold? Powerful parents gather authoritative experts overnight, starting the examinations from cancer.Rumors in Capital City are never-ending: The Xia family's daughter is a spoiled and arrogant waste!The Xia family rose in defiance, but Xia Ye just laughed: I'll handle it myself.The foremost classic instrument of China, she made it casually 500 years ago.The ancient texts that students memorize until they're bald, necessary for the college entrance exam, were written by her 700 years ago in a drunken stupor.The world's seventh greatest unsolved mystery—a relic Sky Pit with a diameter of 7,300 meters—was created by her 1,000 years ago during a quarrel with Heavenly Dao.Everyone was waiting for her to show off and fail miserably, but the Xia family kept receiving calls from the Mutant Plant Association, metaphysics masters, supernatural organizations, cultural archaeology bureaus... “Has the old ancestor returned?”Later, Xia Ye ascended to the second spot on the global rich list. At the award ceremony, she raised an eyebrow: What happened to the divine retribution and punishment, it seems quite nourishing?By her side, the world's richest man, the Heavenly Emperor in a suit and shoes: How could I truly punish my own wife...

Jiang Mian initially became famous in the entertainment circle with just one photo, in which the woman looked stunningly beautiful and unforgettable with a lazy, indulgent smile directed at the camera.Despite her beauty that captivated everyone, her acting skills were criticized, and the internet labeled her a “vase beauty.” Yet she didn’t care at all, “Is it my fault for being too beautiful?”#MyBeautySealsMyActingSkills#Since Jiang Mian entered the circle, she had been showered with endless resources, becoming so arrogant it made others jealous.Even her manager couldn't stand it anymore, “I say, ancestor, should I send you for a makeover, get you cleaned up?”Jiang Mian: “I don't want to.”Later, everyone unexpectedly saw Jiang Mian on the most popular variety show, and the internet sneered and questioned it.What shocked her was encountering her “missing husband.”During the recording: “Jiang Mian, you're 30 seconds late, you're penalized!”In private: “Wife, I was wrong, I'll kneel as punishment!”Latter, Jiang Mian gained countless fans from this show.North City's new CEO of Fu’s, Fu Sichen, had a sharp eye and acted decisively, creating a sensation in the entire financial sector as soon as he took office.One day, at an event, when Jiang Mian was asked about her ideal type, she didn't hesitate and said, “Definitely has to be manly! And if he has a sexy wheatish complexion, it would really hit the spot for me.”Fu Sichen: ?? Where did the wheatish complexion come from?After the event, Jiang Mian gave the man at home a fright, “Fu Sichen, you... why did you tan?”The man hung his head and looked at the woman in his arms, “I wanted to hit the spot in your heart.”—I love you, no turning back.

A one-night stand was all she wanted. A one-night stand was not his style. Still, they ended up together in a night of passion. No names, no feelings, and no complications.

They thought that their unexpected encounter was an isolated incident. However, fate had something else in mind.

As they found each other, back in each other’s arms. Not in a passionate embrace, but with a contract that would bind them for a long time. An agreement they were both bond to honor.

Daniella Hamilton was an heiress who wanted nothing to do with her father and her inheritance. She pursued her career to become a lawyer for the masses who could not defend themselves from the injustice in their current judicial system.

Alexander Princeton, as the name suggested, was a possible heir, next in line to his father, the Duke of the Blackstone House. He also wanted nothing to do with the title or the prestige of the dying Royal Empire. To him, wealth was the real power.

Would their agreement lead them to the fulfillment of their dreams or would it end up in a disastrous union?