Purgatory Artist - Chapter 6: Asking Nicely

Under a twist of fate, Aurus was struck by a bolt of lightning, making him realize that he would never have the chance to play the game he poured most of his time and effort into ever again.

Fortunately, a goddess took pity on his miserable fate and gave him two choices: the first one was to reincarnate through the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and the second one…was to reincarnate as a stick. Hearing the second choice, Aurus could not help but remember...that this was exactly the starting character of the game he used to play!

Without hesitation, Aurus chose the latter, bringing a smile to the goddess’ face…which seemed to contain secrets and desires hidden to the naked eye.

And so, Aurus was reborn into a world that he was familiar with, albeit this time—he was now living a life as a stick!

Though that may be the case, witness the adventures of Aurus as he turns the expectations of everyone around him upside down as he gradually returns to his previous heights… and perhaps, far beyond it!

Witness the birth of a supreme being...from its roots!

Note: Please understand that the beginning of this novel was written at a time where I didn't know a lot about pacing and other important stuff crucial in writing. Once you get past that point (around the midpoint of Volume 2), it gets better. I hope you enjoy reading!

【Valiant Female War God VS Scheming Regent 1V1 Strong Couple, Power Struggle, and Intelligent Plot】In her previous life, Zhan Lan was the adopted daughter of the General's Mansion, who relied on her glorious military achievements to marry the illegitimate son of Emperor Xuanwu, Si Jun.Zhan Lan helped him ascend to the throne and guarded the empire for him.Upon her return from defeating enemies, Empress Zhan finds her husband, who never touched her, and the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion, Zhan Xuerou, entangled on her bed in Kun Ning Palace.Afterward, the close relatives of the General's Mansion were killed one by one, and the deputy generals of the Zhan family army were murdered!Before dying, Zhan Lan was informed by Zhan Xuerou that she was actually the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion!Reborn in this life, Zhan Lan advances step-by-step, using schemes and strategies to overthrow the tyrant's regime.The world knows the treacherous minister Mu Yan as lecherous and cruel, but Zhan Lan knows his true identity and strength that can overturn the dynasty!They fake a marriage to join forces in revenge; she punishes the wicked, he finishes them off; she kills, he breaks hearts.But why does the lecherous Regent look at her more and more like a wolf eyeing its prey?Until Mu Yan presses her on the bed and whispers hoarsely: “Lan'er, I'll help you take down the dog emperor, and you help your husband extinguish the fire...”They meet at the pinnacle, sharing the empire as a black-hearted couple.

A car accident left Mu Lan, who was about to get a divorce, with sudden amnesia.Gazing at the strange man before her claiming to be her husband, Mu Lan was speechless. Could her taste really be that terrible that she chose a man with a poker face?“Whether I was blind or out of my mind before, since the heavens have granted me amnesia, this is an opportunity to start anew.So, this marriage, I'm definitely ending it!”However, no one can escape the so-called 'True Fragrance Law.'Not only did she fail to get the divorce, but she also ended up investing herself into it....Tingxiao never expected to suddenly find charm in the woman he had married for seven years and hardly bothered to look at more than once, all because of her amnesia.But even though they had agreed that once her family overcame their difficulties, they would go their separate ways, he found himself unable to let go.“Tingxiao, you're shameless, breaking your promise and growing fat from it.”“If I'm fat, I'm fat; for my wife, I accept it!”

Elara’s first life crashed hard. Cruel tricks ruined her name, broke her dreams, and turned the whole entertainment world against her. Friends betrayed her. Lovers sold her out. Everyone she trusted stabbed her in the back. The pain piled up until she felt trapped with no way out. One night, she couldn’t take it anymore. She walked to the river and ended it all in the cold, quiet water.Later, proof came out. Messages. Recordings. Everything showed she had been framed. People posted apologies online. But it was too late. She was already gone.The universe, though, clearly has a twisted sense of humor.Because somehow, Elara came back. She woke up in her own past, every awful memory still sharp in her head. Right then she made a promise she would never break: protect her gentle grandfather no matter what, and never let anyone push her to that dark place again.This time she steps into the entertainment world with her head high. She trains harder, sings better, fights smarter. The same people who once crushed her? Now they get to feel the pressure.Love? Not happening. Her heart is locked tight. But why is it that as she rises and shines brighter, handsome, powerful men start circling her—guys who never even glanced at her in her previous life were now hovering around her.The actor smiled at her during a press interview, leaned closer, and said softly, “We should have dinner sometime.”The footballer sent flowers so big they blocked her room door.The surgeon she met at a charity event checked her pulse and then forgot to let go of her wrist.The singer she collaborated with kept calling her name during rehearsals, as if the mic could not hear him well enough.Elara stared at the ceiling that night and sighed.She only wanted to sing. Why did everyone look like they wanted to adopt her, date her, or both?But the worst one came after the concert.The lights had just gone off. Her ears were still ringing. Sweat clung to her neck. She had barely stepped backstage when a shadow blocked her path.She looked up.The CEO of the greatest company in Aurelia stood there. The same man who once said her voice was “not worth investing in.” The same man who did not even know her name before rebirth.Now he held her wrist lightly, but firmly.“Let’s talk,” he said.Elara blinked. “About… sponsorship?”“No,” he replied calmly. “About marriage.”Her brain froze.“…What?”“I will give you everything,” he continued, as if asking for a glass of water. “Resources. Protection. Freedom to sing. Become my wife.”Elara stared at him, her mouth open, her thoughts running in circles.This was not how it was supposed to be.Why was the world now skipping steps?NB:This story takes place in a fictional world. Aurelia is a country. Solmere, Veston, and Starfall City are the three capital cities of Aurelia. Other cities, such as Lorien and Crelou, are smaller cities.