The Grand Secretary’s Pampered Wife

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T H E S U N

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CELESTIAL CONQUEROR

[Antonny C.] [Ava C.] [] [Leeyue] [Lily J.] [Manon] [Sophia W.] [Sweetlove] [Val Nes]

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“They’re here! They’re here!”

“Who’s here?”

“Fifth Master Han’s opponent!”

“What? It’s actually them?”

Seated on the Black Wind King, Gu Jiao pricked up her ears to listen to the excited chatter. “Who is it? Why such a reaction?”

“It’s Nangong Jing! The legitimate daughter of the Nangong Family!”

Hearing this, Gu Jiao let out a soft “Oh,” her interest piqued as she looked in the direction indicated. Sure enough, she saw a young woman clad in armor riding toward the battlefield.

Nangong Jing, the legitimate daughter of the third branch of the Nangong Family, was seventeen years old and had mastered excellent martial skills.

Hmm… Gu Jiao didn’t remember seeing her among the cavalrymen participating in yesterday’s selection.

Nangong Jing rode over to the elevated platform where Fifth Master Han and Han Lei stood. She looked up at them and spoke with neither arrogance nor subservience, “My father had an urgent matter and could not attend. May I take his place in the match?”

According to the rules, this was not allowed.

Otherwise, what would happen if everyone started bringing in reinforcements?

Fifth Master Han glanced down at her from the high platform and said indifferently, "Alright."

Nangong Jing replied, “Many thanks!”

Fifth Master Han descended the platform at an unhurried pace.

Gu Jiao stroked her chin, musing to herself about a question that had been puzzling her: why did Fifth Master Han, who was still young, already have a full head of white hair?

When Fifth Master Han entered the arena, he wasn’t riding his own Black Demon Horse but instead a regular Black Wind Cavalry horse.

Nangong Jing furrowed her brows and questioned, "Fifth Master Han, why aren't you using your own horse? Are you looking down on me?"

Fifth Master Han replied flatly, “Young Miss Nangong, you overthink. I assumed the Nangong Family wouldn’t be sending anyone after such a long delay and sent my horse back to the estate. Fetching it now would have kept you waiting even longer.”

Though his words were polite, his tone and expression told a different story.

Nangong Jing, both angry and embarrassed, said coldly, "Why hasn’t the gong been struck yet?"

The examiner cleared his throat lightly and struck the gong.

Nangong Jing’s weapons were twin blades, while Fifth Master Han was barehanded.

As Nangong Jing charged toward Fifth Master Han on horseback, he remained motionless.

Nangong Jing's martial skills were on a completely different level compared to Fifth Master Han. She couldn't harm him at all. Before her blades could even graze a strand of his hair, Fifth Master Han used his internal force to knock her off her horse.

Her horse seemed to have been greatly startled as well, rearing up on its hind legs with its front hooves poised to trample her.

With a casual motion, Fifth Master Han grabbed Nangong Jing and lifted her from the ground just as she was about to be struck.

Nangong Jing's face turned pale with fright, and she clung to his arm and fell into his embrace.

Everyone’s expressions changed dramatically.

No way?

In front of a public audience, the distinguished daughter of the Nangong Family and Fifth Master Han... uh... this...

Out of sight of the onlookers, Nangong Jing’s eyes turned cold as she clung tightly to Fifth Master Han and suddenly pulled him down with her.

She intended to go down together, taking Fifth Master Han out of the competition!

In her determination to eliminate Fifth Master Han, she was willing to sacrifice her own reputation as a woman.

Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow. “Ah, I see. Someone from the Nangong Family advanced yesterday.”

The crowd was disgusted by her actions.

“This vile woman! She’s using underhanded tactics!”

“It’s over! They’re falling!”

"Oh no—"

The two of them tumbled off the horse together.

Nangong Jing clung tightly to Fifth Master Han, the corners of her lips curling into a cold smile. "Let’s go to hell together, Lord Han."

Fifth Master Han remained calm, his thin lips parting slightly. "You’re celebrating too soon."

Nangong Jing’s expression froze.

Fifth Master Han pried one of her hands away and gave her a palm strike!

Using the force of the recoil, Fifth Master Han landed smoothly back in his saddle.

Nangong Jing, on the other hand, fell heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood on the spot.

Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, she glared fiercely at Fifth Master Han. "You knew all along I was planning to scheme against you?"

Fifth Master Han replied coldly, “Yes.”

Nangong Jing frowned. "Then why did you still—"

Fifth Master Han sneered. “If you want to scheme against me, you have to be prepared to pay the price, don’t you?”

After today, Nangong Jing’s reputation was utterly ruined.

If it meant eliminating the biggest competitor to the Nangong Family’s descendants, her sacrifice would have been worth it.

But now, her sacrifice had been in vain!

Gu Jiao gained a new understanding of Fifth Master Han. He truly was a ruthless man, showing not even the slightest mercy to a beauty like Nangong Jing.

The next three matches were less remarkable.

What followed was another round of one-on-one elimination battles, but Gu Jiao and Fifth Master Han continued to avoid facing each other.

The intensity of the day was overwhelming. Aside from the two physical combat rounds, there was also a war strategy simulation in the afternoon. Everyone had to complete all the events before they could leave the military camp.

After the combat rounds ended, it was already noon. At that moment, everyone’s first thought was to eat, leaving their horses to be fed by their attendants.

When Gu Jiao led the Black Wind King to the stables, the stables were nearly empty.

Gu Changqing also led his own Black Wind Cavalry horse over, pretending to feed it as he spoke to Gu Jiao in an understated manner. “The afternoon will be a sand table war strategy simulation. We’ll draw lots on the spot.”

Gu Jiao first inspected the feed in the stable, ensuring it was safe before feeding it to the Black Wind King. “There are eleven participants. What happens to the odd one out?”

Gu Changqing replied, “There’s one automatic advancement spot. Whoever draws it is lucky.”

“Can it be rigged?” Gu Jiao asked.

If it could be rigged, it would undoubtedly go to someone from the Han Family.

Gu Changqing shook his head, "It can’t be. The draw is conducted on the spot, and the war strategy simulation takes place immediately after, with everyone present. There’s no chance for foul play."

Gu Jiao replied, "Oh."

Gu Changqing continued, "After the war strategy simulation, only the final selection round will remain—a three-hundred-mile cavalry ride. This afternoon’s round is crucial."

This was the only selection round that didn’t involve using mounts and didn’t require combat skills. It tested military strategy and tactics.

A person’s exceptional martial skills didn’t necessarily mean they were good at leading troops into battle.

Gu Jiao had experienced war before, but the commander had been Tang Yueshan. Her advantage in this area wasn’t particularly strong.

According to Gu Changqing, none of the advancing candidates lacked proficiency in military strategy. Even Taoist Qingfeng had studied military books thoroughly before becoming a monk.

“Want to practice with me?” Gu Changqing suggested.

“Sure.” Gu Jiao agreed.

Gu Changqing broke off two branches, giving one to Gu Jiao. He sketched a rough diagram on the ground.

“This is a fortified city, easy to defend but hard to attack, with twenty thousand troops stationed inside. However, the city’s grain supply will only last three days. The enemy has eighty thousand troops, and their strategist advises their commander to launch a night raid on the city’s granary, burning their supplies, thus winning the battle without a fight. Will you be the attacker or the defender?”

Wasn’t this just the ?

---

References

1. — The Battle of Guandu was a pivotal conflict during the late Eastern Han Dynasty in China, fought between the forces of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. It marked a major turning point in the power struggle of the Three Kingdoms era, solidifying Cao Cao's dominance in northern China.

Raz P.'s Thoughts

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Description:

In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.

When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.

The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.

From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.

***

Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.

After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"

Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"

Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasn't finished his lines yet though…