The Gate Traveler - Chapter 22B6 - : Rue the Shepherd, Mahya the Schemer

“When the old gods are forgotten, they do not die—they wait.”In the year 1025, the Viking Age wanes.Iceland bows to Christ. The Althing governs by law. And the gods of old fade to whispers.But in the far Westfjords, something stirs.Vetrulfr, a former Varangian captain and exile, returns from the East with foreign gold, forgotten warcraft, and a hunger no man can name.He comes not in peace, but to raise Ullrsfjörðr from ash and ice; building walls, carving runes, and waging war on behalf of a dying faith.From Reykjavík to Aachen, rumors spread: a ghost walks the North once more. Some call him the son of Ullr. Others, a wolf-cloaked demon.But all will know his name.and when the Valkyries call, he will answer.

A powerless woman’s worst nightmare is marrying someone against her will. When those who are supposed to protect her betray her in the vilest of ways, Leonor is forced to marry a Duke known for his cold nature and repulsive appearance. After a miserable childhood, it shouldn’t have been a surprise to her that her future was never truly in her hands in the first place.Duke Desmond de Montclair was nobody before the war. He garnered the King’s favor by doing the impossible in battle. Unfortunately, any achievement is eclipsed by his appearance and unbearable personality. In a kingdom that idolizes beauty, there is no room for someone like him.At first, Leonor finds life with the Duke to be what she’s used to - walking on eggshells and never speaking what’s truly in her heart. Eventually, things slowly start to change as the Duke learns about the horrors she faced while living with her family. His power becomes the key to her revenge.However, in a moment where she feels cornered, Leonor confesses to the Duke that she’s in love with someone else. The progress she has made with the Duke comes crashing down around her.Will her magic abilities be enough to convince the Duke not to throw her out? If she can make herself useful to him, perhaps she can gain his sympathy somehow…

In this world, orphans or just anyone without any hope for this world can apply to become a “walking target”. Their sole purpose is to be a practicing dummy for the students of the sect who train to become “Demon Hunters”. These students need “walking targets” to test their training on living, walking beings of flesh and blood.
In exchange, they will be provided with food & shelter.
Their existence value is lower than a slave, but if they manage to survive a few years they can receive a life long pension.

Xiao Han is such a “walking target”. One time he witnessed a powerful Demon Hunter disposing a demon. When the demon died, a fragment of the demon that managed to escape entered Xiao Han’s heart. No one saw that, and even Xiao Han himself only felt some discomfort for an instant.

But that thing in his heart soon gave Xiao Han visions, and the first one is of a cultivation method which allows Xiao Han to absorb damage to enhance his body. A perfect cultivation method for a “walking target”.

- Description from Novelupdates

Xia Ye is pressured by her mother to either land a golden rice bowl (good paying job) or find a golden turtle (rich husband).

So the stakes are high at her latest job interview. Driven by desperation, Xia Ye comes up with a devious plan to drive away the other candidate. Of course, things do not go as plan when the other candidate turns out to be her interviewer!

From Shusheng Bar:

I: “General manager, I only said I will cook but did not agree to wash the dishes.”

He: “If you don’t wash the dishes, do you expect me to wash them?”

I: “Do you know a woman is most attracted to a man who can do housework? Especially when he is wearing an apron and washing the dishes. This is the ideal image of a good man in the thinking of a majority of the women. In order to create the prefect image of a good man, I feel it is necessary for you to wash the dishes.”

He: “A man who washes the dishes is really very attractive?”

I: “Really!”

He: “Well, I will believe you this once.”

He: “Xia Ye, come into the kitchen.”

I: “Do you need me to help you with something?”

He: “Just stand there and don’t move.”

I: “…..?”

I: “If there is nothing I can help you with, I’ll go out.”

He: “Standstill!”

I: “You asked me to come in, just to….. watch you wash the dishes?”

Me: “If you don’t watch, what is the point of me washing the dishes?”

I: “…..”

He is distressed: “I fell in love with a person, but I do not know how to say to her.”

I suggested: “This is simple! Directly tell her I love you, should be all right?”

He is worried: “But …… I’m worried that she will not accept me.”

I comforted: “How can since you are such an outstanding man? There must be something wrong with her brain if she doesn’t accept you!”

He nodded: “Well, I love you!”

I: “…… Huh, there is something wrong with my brain ……”

He: “……”