I am a Chef in the Modern Era - Chapter 14 - Grilled Fish

He is Xi Liang’s legendary emperor: a decisive and ruthless king; a man of supreme wisdom; a cunning strategist.

According to legend, he once conferred the love meant for the three thousand concubines in his harem onto one woman, while the world watched in envy.

According to legend, he once executed a hundred people for her, turning the palace into a purgatory overnight.

According to legend, he ultimately sentenced that same woman to death by execution…

A conspiracy that swept through the country resulted in her tragic end. This lifetime seems to be a repeat of her past life. Can she escape the clutches of fate to attain true love in this life? In both lives, she was the Emperor’s wife, but is that ruthless man really her true love mandated by Heaven?

Did she really die, just like that?

In the end, beyond the veil of lies and mysteries, who exactly was she? Was she a woman that he truly loved, or was she merely a chess piece to be used in his political machinations?

The stories passed onto later generations remain fraught with conflicting opinions.

- Description from Novelupdates

The world was cruel.....Especially for those who had lost their chances to shine.Aether was one of them....Aether, an individual born with a silver spoon, found himself discarded like a defective product. He had longed for love and tenderness, but what others showed him was nothing but pain.Even in the face of that pain, he smiled not because he wanted to, but because he had no other choice. Despite the heartbreak, he entered into a hell called society with a beautiful smile.....“Can't you do a single thing!!”“...”“You are fired!!!”“....W-Wh..”“I am sorry, Sir, but you need at least a bachelor's degree to enter our company!!”“....I-I am...”“I am sorry, Sir, but we cannot provide a loan for your ideas without reassurance!!”“....W-Why?”“I heard your father is a politician.... So, You know....”“...”After a long struggle, he finally got a job, but his brother's words rang in his ears:“Yeah, yeah… I know you got the job thanks to me, of course. So, don't ever contact me or even MY parents” his brother declared.“...Heh...”Just as he believed he had earned society's recognition, an unforeseen event claimed his pathetic, seemingly worthless life....“HONK!! HONK!!”Yet, amidst the cruelty of society, he defiantly cried,“I JUST WANT TO LIVE!!!!!”Witnessing his heartfelt cry and desire to live in the hellish place called society, he was granted a second chance.~Ding!~However, even in this new life, his situation remained unchanged. He continued to struggle not only to live and eat but also..... seduction.“HOW DARE YOU SEDUCE THE PRINCESS!!”“.....he..he... B-But I didn't seduce her!!”“HOW DARE YOU SEDUCE MY MOTHER!!”“...Hehe”“YOU HAVE SOME NERVE TO SEDUCE MY WIFE, DON'T YOU?”“HEHEHEHEHEE.....”

What to ExpectWelcome to this Martial Peak fanfiction, a respectful expansion of the legendary work by the original author. This fic follows the core events of the original, with a fresh twist in the form of a new protagonist who is an “outsider”—a modern reader reincarnated into the world of Martial Peak.1. MC Setup: A Cultivation Novel Reader in Martial PeakThe protagonist is NOT someone from the Martial Peak universe but a cultivation novel enthusiast from another world.No prior knowledge of Martial Peak, but vast experience with cultivation logic, tropes, and meta-awareness from similar novels.This allows for unique decision-making, unconventional strategies, and a slightly different approach to situations while still following the original storyline.He won’t be overpowered from the start, but expect fast progression due to his deep understanding of cultivation mechanics.2. Respect for the Original PlotNo major timeline changes—key events still happen as they should.All future arcs and climaxes remain intact to preserve the integrity of Martial Peak.What changes? The MC’s interactions, techniques, and relationships, providing a fresh perspective while saluting the original work.Expect some butterfly effects, but nothing that derails the core story!3. Large Harem (With More Depth & Development)Martial Peak already has one of the largest harems in cultivation fiction—we’re expanding on that.4. Smut Content IncludedLet’s not dance around it—explicit content will be featured in this fic.Balanced between romance, cultivation growth, and action, ensuring the story remains engaging beyond just smut.Cultivation-based dual cultivation, yin-yang balance, and ‘special’ training sessions will be explored in a tasteful yet satisfying manner.5. Fast-Paced UpdatesSince we’re not making drastic changes to the story, the pace will be fast and consistent.Updates will focus on the MC’s journey, harem development, and the occasional divergence to deepen character arcs.As long as there’s support and interest, the fic will keep expanding.Final NotesThis is a passionate tribute to Martial Peak, keeping the spirit of the original intact while giving readers a fresh perspective, expanded harem dynamics, and more in-depth character interactions.Are you ready to ascend to the peak once more?Let’s begin.

Emperor Zi Yu used 5 strikes of his axe to split mountains and unify everyone underneath the heavens. He partitioned the land into 9 areas, thus establishing the Nine Cauldrons which eventually became known as the 9 prefectures.