The Reticent Blade - Chapter 118 - True Body of the Sect Leader

In the age of the Great Liang Dynasty, the lives of the people were made convenient with steam-powered machines that run on a fuel named Violetstream Gold. Chang Geng, who lived in a small countryside village, shared a distant relationship with his mother while his stepfather was away most of the year round, and the only people he was close to were two little kids, the village teacher, and his yi fu – adoptive father. But his life was flipped upside down one day following the barbaric Man tribes’ invasion, and it turned out that his entire identity had been an illusion – not only was Chang Geng himself not the country boy he thought he was, but also his mother, his teacher, and even his beloved yi fu…

Luna Lethal, a name synonymous with fear and power, ruled both the underworld and the elite circles of society. Orphaned young, she rose through treachery to become a master of manipulation and skill. Yet, her reign ended in betrayal—a laboratory explosion claimed her life. To the world, her death was a tragedy; to her enemies, a cause for celebration. But Luna awakens in the body of Aurora Smith, a neglected and ridiculed child despised by her adoptive family. Stripped of her former strength but not her will, Luna faces a choice: seek revenge for Aurora’s mistreatment or forge a new path. As her sharp mind and unyielding spirit transform Aurora’s life, shadows of Luna’s past resurface. Loyal followers sense her presence, while old enemies seek to destroy her again. Torn between vengeance and a fresh start, Luna must confront her identity. Is she still the Devil of the underworld, or can she find peace in a second chance at life?

For as long as he could remember, life had always been cruel.A young man in his early twenties—his name now lost to the past—was dealt a life filled with misfortunes.A cold, empty apartment, a soul-crushing job, and, finally, a terminal diagnosis.With nothing left to live for, his only comfort had been escaping into the fictional world of Path of the Elemental Sage, a story of heroes, magic, and survival.But fate had other plans.When death finally came for him, he didn’t fade into nothingness.Instead, he awoke in the world he had only read about—a world of chaos and danger where death lurked around every corner.The air smelled of magic, the sky was filled with possibilities.{«[Status Window]»}[Name: Lyrium Blackwood][Age: 16][Rank: D-][Skills: None][Elements: None}At first, confusion filled his mind.Who was Lyrium Blackwood?Why was he here?And why did this body feel so different?But as his memories returned, so did the realization: this wasn’t some blessing or second chance.He wasn’t reincarnated as the protagonist.No destined savior.No cheat abilities.No grand fate.He was just another mob, a face in the crowd meant to exist and die without leaving a mark.But this young man—the one who had left his old name and life behind—wasn’t the kind of person to roll over and accept his fate.“This world is dangerous. The protagonist isn’t the only one fighting for survival here,”he muttered, his red eyes deep and sharp.Unlike the naïve characters in the story, he knew the stakes.He’d read the web novel.He’d seen the carnage, the betrayals, the disasters that wiped out entire cities.And if there was one thing he refused to be, it was a pawn in someone else’s game.“I don’t care about glory. I don’t care about saving the world. All I care about is surviving—no matter what it takes.”Lyrium Blackwood wasn’t planning to live quietly or avoid danger.The only way to survive in this brutal world was to rise to the top.To be strong enough to stand above both heroes and villains.Using his knowledge of the story’s events and his iron will, Lyrium sets out on a relentless path to surpass the protagonist.Whether through clever manipulation, brutal training, or sheer desperation, he’ll climb higher and higher, leaving nothing to chance.But the deeper he gets, the more he realizes that this isn’t just the story he once read.As fate pushes him closer to the heart of the narrative, Lyrium begins to suspect that his reincarnation wasn’t an accident—and the world itself might be watching him.“I don’t care who or what stands in my way. If the story wants to kill me, I’ll rewrite the ending myself.”----------------------------------I apologize for any mistakes in this story, as it’s my first attempt at writing a novel.

“Shit, why this guy!?”Of all the unique characters he could’ve transmigrated as, it had to be the bastard instructor.Vanitas Astrea.A third-rate middle game boss, who was dismissed from the University after severe allegations, losing his teaching profession and ultimately, exiled from the Empire.“.....How did I even get here!?”Vanitas must now circumvent his way around this new world, confront his past, mend broken relationships, and prevent looming tragedies that would lead to his demise.