Rise of the Crusader - Chapter 254 The Shop Opening

At the peak of her career, A-list actress Song Ning announced her withdrawal from the entertainment industry for love, shocking the nation.Everyone thought that she must have found her ideal home. That was why she was so determined.At first, Song Ning thought so too. For the rest of her life, she would not be a celebrity. She would only be a virtuous and virtuous woman who would take care of her husband and children at home.However, on the night before their wedding, she found out that her fiancé was having an affair with her best friend.Enraged, Song Ning found a random man to register their marriage at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.She originally wanted to take revenge on her scumbag fiancé, but she did not expect that the man who registered his marriage with her was the heir of nation's largest financial group, Mu Chen.After they got married, Mu Chen doted on Song Ning and protected her in every way possible. He didn't allow anyone to bully her.Song Ning always thought that she would be happy for the rest of her life and live the best life she wanted.That's right, she got it. It was just a little different from what she had originally imagined. The person who gave her everything was someone else.Many years later…Song Ning looked at Mu Chen affectionately. "I'm really lucky. Thank God I met you and saved me from hell."Mu Chen smiled faintly. “Yes, thank God.”However, Song Ning would never know. Mu Chen wasn't talking about thanking God for letting him meet Song Ning. He was thanking God for letting Song Ning's fiancé cheated on her so that he would have a chance.There was no such thing as an accidental encounter. It was just a premeditated pursuit.That day, he waited for Song Ning outside the Civil Affairs Bureau for ten hours…

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?

Chang Xia is an anomaly in the tribe——

She doesn’t dress up, make friends, or play around. She likes to hoard all kinds of wild vegetables, and she doesn’t eat meat, saying it’s unpalatable. The whole tribe was worried that she would not grow up and die.

When she became an adult, she directly picked up a sick seedling and married her.

later.

Chang Xia used the hoarded wild vegetables to farm and feed the entire tribe; she built houses and roads, so that the tribe would no longer suffer from cold and freezing; she also conquered the entire ancient continent with delicious food.

Finally, the clansman knew that the sickly seedling beside Chang Xia was once the most powerful totem warrior of the tribe. At this time, the clansmen understood that Chang Xia was the most powerful.

- Description from novelbuddy

In a world where failure is almost guaranteed, the game I now find myself in has a staggering 99.9% chance of defeat. Every choice brings chaos, and every road leads to disaster. No one has ever beaten it—it's infamous for being impossible to clear. But somehow, against all odds, I've transmigrated into this cursed game.Worse yet, I've taken over the body of Max, a minor character whose role is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. In the original story, Max is destined to die—nothing more than a forgettable extra lost in the background, a mere footnote in the epic tale of others.Frustration hit me hard as I realized I was trapped in this dead-end character. My doom felt inevitable, and every instinct told me to give up. What hope did I have in a world where even the strongest could barely survive?But just as despair was about to swallow me whole, a System suddenly activated, turning everything on its head. Along with the System came a peculiar ability:[Charm]It wasn't some overpowered skill designed for combat or survival. No, it was something entirely different, yet equally powerful in its own right.[Charm: Increase favorability as more women are captivated by your presence.]This was my key to survival.Through this strange, almost ridiculous skill, I realized that I could change my fate. The powerful female characters, once unreachable in the original storyline, could now be influenced. If I could make them favor me, their strength, influence, and protection would be mine.But it wouldn’t be easy. Each of these women had their own complex personalities, histories, and goals. They were dangerous, capable of crushing me in an instant if I misstepped. But with charm on my side, I might just be able to win them over—and in doing so, alter my destiny.What was once a game of certain death had now become a gamble of life and affection. Every conversation, every interaction, would determine whether I live or die. My charm was my weapon, and it would be the only thing standing between me and the grim fate that awaited Max.Now, with my new plan in motion, I’ll have to navigate the intricate web of relationships and alliances while avoiding the countless threats looming over me. The odds are still stacked against me, but for the first time since I arrived, I can see a glimmer of hope.If I can make the right moves, charm the right people, and avoid the pitfalls, I might just survive this nightmare.Or better yet, thrive.This is my one chance at life in a world of inevitable ruin, and I’ll do whatever it takes to change my story.