I Am a Rune Engraver, Carrying a Knife Makes Perfect Sense - Chapter 20 - Liu Shaoteng

*Slow Burn Historical Fantasy Novel*

Elise had about to change into the dress that was lying on the corner of her bed when she heard a knock lightly calling from her door. Curious, she turned the door knob only to have a tall man towering in front of her.

“Master Ian!” She called.

Ian smiled with the usual mischievous smirk that he always used. His crimson eyes trailing a little over her room and spotted the black dress over her bed and shifted his eyes over to the woman in front of him. He stepped forward and spoke. “Where did you acquire that dress?”

“Mr. Harland gave it to me.” Elise replied and strained her neck to see Ian’s brows knitted in its elegance.

“Do you know why a man would love to give a woman a dress?” He gave the riddle that she always had to think twice before replying. But this time, she found no answer and instead shook her head. “I don’t know.”

His grin grew bewitching as though something had stirred deep inside the scarlet eyes that he had. He slowly slid his hand over the collar of her dress, sending a cold shiver that startled her for a moment due to its freezing temperature. After unbuttoning the first two buttons on her collar, he tilted his head down, whispering to her ears. “Because they want to be the one to undress the cloth.”

He paused and kissed her neck, turning the pale skin to red before retracting his move to fix his eyes on her and leisurely replied. “Unfortunately, you can’t wear the dress over there with this.” He chuckled and passed a box over to her hand. “And the fortunate news is I prepared a dress for you.”

Elise was a cursed little girl who could see ghosts. Her family hated her and threw her from one adoptive family to another. However, misfortune didn't act alone. When she was brought up by her aunt, she was sold as a slave. When she had thought she would become nothing but a sacrifice to the sorcerer, she was saved by a man whose identity was far different than a normal mythical being.

Jiang Li takes a meal and gains the status [Satiety].

[Satiety: Restores 1 Stamina per minute. Duration: ∞]

He no longer has to eat.

He sticks a talisman on himself and gains the status [Armored Horse Divine Travel].

[Armored Horse Divine Travel: Increase movement speed by 1000%. Duration: ∞]

Taking pills, gaining spiritual qi, refining the body, nurturing the soul, and increasing life expectancy…

He only needs one pill for the status to take effect for the rest of his life.

Those crippling secret techniques that boost power for three seconds but result in three-year feebleness? They are now the most powerful and most amazing techniques!

Waiting for a thousand years to comprehend the Dao after using one enlightenment pill? No, he is comprehending the Dao every day!

He is Jiang Li, a Prince Charming who can turn an instant into eternity →_→…

GunGun, as a national treasure(panda), was stolen by thieves and skinned. Once he woke up, he had a healthy body and lots of bamboo leaves. But monsters with glowing eyes surrounded him, most importantly they were floating, have greenish blue faces, fangs, and have no little legs?!

(⊙o⊙) Oh, the two-legged monster is here again, huh, is this bowl of food for him? These tender leaves are delicious, they should be hidden in the deepest part of the den.

There was an extra panda cub in the Interstellar Admiral’s embrace which he brought everywhere he goes. The place where a gun was once placed turned into a place for holding a basket full of leaves.

One day, GunGun became a beautiful boy.

Pouting face GunGun: Big monster I’m hungry. Huh? Where’s my fur!

The admiral’s face flushed crimson red being overwhelmed by its cuteness: “!!!!!” My darling!

******Small Theater~******

GunGun who was holding a small bamboo shoot and shivering: It’s so scary, monsters with no heads or tails are floating!

The admiral who fell from the sky: GunGun, don’t be afraid.

GunGun who was holding a little apple and shivering: It’s so scary, a glowing green skull is smiling at me!

The admiral who fell from the sky: GunGun, don’t be afraid.

GunGun who was clinging to the Admiral’s thigh with wet eyes: Ah, the corpse moved! He said that I’m cute and wanted to touch me.

The admiral who became fierce: This absolutely won’t do!

- Description from Novelupdates

Takahiro Nao, a 25-year-old drowning in debt and despair, lives only for his struggling family. Every sacrifice he makes is for them—until a selfless act costs him his life. Instead of the end, Nao encounters a Goddess of Benevolence who offers him a miraculous deal: “Live in a new world, and your efforts there will support your family back on Earth.”Reborn into the dead body of Naoki von Blackmore, the so-called “Failed Hero,” he finds himself burdened with the daunting task of saving the world by defeating the Demon King—all while supporting the family he cherishes. Armed with formidable powers yet haunted by his past failures, Nao steps into a dangerous realm of swords, magic, and ferocious monsters. Facing relentless enemies, harrowing trials of life and death, and an unyielding fate, he’s forced to confront the ultimate question: how far is he willing to go to protect the people he loves?Filled with emotional struggles, determination, unexpected humor, and a touch of romance, this story asks a powerful question to the readers: What would you sacrifice for the people you love?