Paintings of Terror - Chapter 231: The Knives that Disappeared

Takahiro Nao, a 25-year-old burdened by crushing debt and driven solely by his love for his struggling family, meets a tragic end—until a mysterious Goddess of Benevolence offers him a second chance: reincarnated in another world, and his efforts there will provide for his family back on Earth. Awakening in the body of Naoki von Blackmore, a disgraced “Failed Hero,” Nao is thrust into a realm of sword and magic, monsters, and war, tasked with the impossible mission of defeating the Demon King. With newfound powers, a shadowy past, and the weight of two worlds on his shoulders, he must battle not only relentless enemies but fate itself. Blending emotional depth, thrilling action, moments of humor, and a spark of romance, this gripping isekai adventure asks: how far would you go—and what would you sacrifice—for the people you love?

The person with the best martial art skill in the world, whose prestige is unparalleled. The head disciple of TianQing sect, the leading sect of all Six Great sects, and Jianghu’s number one, Ming ChangYan shaoxia.

During a decisive battle, he slipped and fell.

His ten years of cultivation was completely annihilated and reduced to a normal human.

Fortunately, he was lucky enough to have fate decide that his life shouldn’t end there, and he survived.

The doctor told him, “To gain back your cultivation, enter the palace as a concubine!”

In order to get the medical herb that was given to the emperor by the XiYu Region, the immortal’s grass, Ming shaoxia could only wear a skirt, apply makeup, endure the humiliation, suffer patiently, and join the palace drama.

Ming ChangYan: This shaoxia is shameless.

Unfortunately, just as he dressed up in drag and entered the palace, he meets the man he once picked up from under a mountain.

…..

Ming ChangYan: I was joking just now…..this is too shameless!

If I were to be found out by him, my (old) number one reputation would go down the drain!

- Description from Novelupdates

Xiao Chen, “the waste” of Xiao clan, had his engagement to the Young Lady of the Yang clan renounced.

And when he arrived at the sect that sympathized with him and took him in, he found corpses strewn all over the place and a mist of blood in the air. The sect was exterminated by a mysterious group that was looking for the ‘Wind Spirit Jade’.

He himself was left behind only half-dead for ‘wastes do not deserve to die by their hand’. Humiliated once more and on the verge of death, in the surroundings strangeness happened. A whirlpool sucked up the blood mist and diverted it into Xiao Chen’s forehead, transforming and enhancing his body.

- Description from Novelupdates

“So, what do you want?” He Xinyan quickly glanced up into Gu Yechen’s face and frowned. Why did he look so familiar? Where did she see him before?

“I want you.”

“. . .” Well, that was direct.

He Xinyan opened her mouth to speak but she couldn’t form the right words.

“Let's make a deal. You become my girlfriend and you can ask for anything in return.”

“Anything?” He Xinyan repeated.

Gu Yechen nodded his head, “Anything.”

He Xinyan thought about what could help her but realized that there wasn’t much she needed as of now. However, she would definitely need support in the future.

There were many things she couldn’t do by herself, but Gu Yechen would definitely be able to do.

“How long would this deal last?”

Gu Yechen leaned back against the couch casually, “However long I feel like.”

“And. . . that is about how long?”

“Forever.”

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He Xinyan’s life was in ruins.

After being cheated on by her fiance, her life went downhill as she lived under endless rumors and hate comments. Her stepsister framed her for things she never did, her fiance betrayed her, and her father kicked her out of the house for being an unfilial daughter.

At the lowest point of her life, she died. . .

A car accident killed her, and also brought her back to eight years ago, before everything started going downhill. With a second chance, He Xinyan was determined to take back what was rightfully hers and also take revenge on those who hurt her in the past.

He Xinyan thought that she was already prepared for all the lies and secrets from her past, but she realizes that her first life was only a joke as more secrets get uncovered.

In her twisted life and story, He Xinyan couldn’t possibly defeat everyone’s schemes and achieve her goals by herself.

Through an unexpected encounter, she met Gu Yechen, the cold and powerful CEO of the Gu Corporation.

With a powerful and cunning man protecting and helping her this time around, He Xinyan was certain that her second chance would be successful!

However, success doesn’t come easily. . .

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