The Longest Day in Chang'an - Chapter 27: Wei Zheng (13:00-14:59) Part 1

“Hey, have you ever heard of the lunatic roaming around the tower?”“Are you kidding me? Who haven't heard of him yet!?”“Hey hey, are you talking about... that person?”Interesting news travels even faster than light, especially regarding the mysterious figure that everyone in the Ethereal Tower is curious about, the lunatic ascender whom thoughts and deeds are so off-place that even the greatest among them just couldn't grasp his intent, almost as if he is ascending a completely different tower than them.While everyone in the tower talks about the lunatic who lurks on each tower's floor more than he is supposed to, the person they are talking about just goes on his merry way to collecting treasures he wants, and while the world is talking about him.“Come on, give me some luck, maybe roll the hundred times multiplier again...”He's sitting while rubbing his palm together, gambling on something that will make everyone faint.

Dreaming back in the middle of the night, Wen Mingtang saw the ending of the beauty who pampered the golden house;

After waking up from the dream, Wen Mingtang changed his core and decided to take a down-to-earth path…

****

At the end of last year, the evaluation forms for personnel changes in various ministries in the capital came out, and the public chef of Dali Temple topped the list with a record of changing 12 cooks in half a year.

Since then, the public chef of Dali Temple has become famous in the first battle, and has become a nightmare for cooks all over the capital.

…

On this day, a new chef came to the public kitchen of Dali Temple who had been vacant for more than half a month…

- Description from novelbuddy

In an era where humanity has long conquered the stars, a girl with a restless heart yearns for more than the predictable comforts of galactic life—she wants to explore the cosmos for herself. But her dream is torn apart when she’s stranded on a forgotten planet, a dumping ground for criminals with no way out.Left to rot among the desperate and the damned, she stumbles upon a strange machine buried in the scrap heap of discarded tools by higher classed planets—one that fuses with her psyche and grants her access to a system unlike anything in known space. It doesn’t just guide her. It evolves with her. It builds. It changes everything.Now she’s on the run, pursued by the relentless interstellar police who want back what she stole. But with each escape, each discovery, and each battle, she pushes further into the unknown, reshaping the wreckage of the past into something new.Blending the inventive spirit of technical progression with the high-octane energy of cinematic battles, this is a story of survival, rebellion, and rebuilding—one shattered world at a time.

“Look at him,” someone snickered from a few rows over. “Smells like he sleeps in a dumpster.”“Probably does,” another voice added, louder this time. Nox just stared at his textbook, the words blurring. He had heard it all before.Then, Mark, one of the main reasons his life was a living hell, swaggered past his desk. Mark always had a smirk on his face. “Oops,” he said, not even trying to sound accidental, as a full cup of bright orange juice tipped over, splashing all down the front of Nox's already ruined shirt. The cold liquid soaked through instantly. Laughter erupted around the room. It was loud, clear, and mocking. Nox slowly looked up. His eyes landed on Ms. Joy, who was watching the whole thing. She had seen Mark deliberately pour the juice on him. He raised his hand, a small, tired gesture. “Ms. Joy,” he said, his voice flat. “He just poured juice on me. Are you just going to ignore it? Again?.” Ms. Joy looked at him, then at Mark, who was now theatrically wiping his hands. A small smile played on her lips. Then she chuckled. Just a little airy laugh.“Oh, Nox, don't be so dramatic. Boys will be boys, right Mark?” Mark puffed out his chest. “Yeah, Ms. Joy. He's just sensitive.” The class laughed even harder at that. Ms. Joy joined in, her laughter ringing out with theirs. Hearing them all, hearing her laugh, something in him finally snapped. It wasn't a loud break, more like a quiet, final click. He realized it then, with a cold, hard clarity. No one was coming to save him. No teachers, no police, no parents he never had. No one cared. If he wanted this to stop, he would have to be the one to stop it. He was the only one who could.His face remained blank, but his mind was suddenly very clear. He reached down slowly, his hand going into his worn-out school bag. The laughter died down a little as a few students noticed his deliberate movement, a strange stillness about him. He pulled out a gun.The classroom went silent. Utterly, completely silent. Mark's smirk vanished, replaced by wide, terrified eyes. Even Ms. Joy stopped laughing, her face paling. “What… Nox, what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice suddenly shaky. He didn't answer. He looked around at their faces, one by one. Fear. He saw fear now. Good. He was ready. He was going to make them all pay. He was going to end it, all of it.Just as he was about to raise the gun properly, a bright blue screen appeared right in front of his face. It was translucent, and only he seemed to see it. [Congratulations! You have met the requirements!] [1st Player Chosen!] [You have won the System!]