good!! i read the book from beginning to end. the beginning was weird until you figuried it out.
no more updates?
Oh god...I just about to read...when you guys scream UPDATE...don’t want end up frustrated...
I loved!!!!
Okay, so this whole Shen family situation is giving me major whiplash and I am HERE for it. Let's talk about Shen Shaoyu first because—girl. This man is walking around projecting his dead sister onto every young woman he meets and I am simultaneously touched and deeply concerned for everyone involved. He sees Xu Shuyao for literally five seconds, she says 'Huzhou,' and his whole face falls. Then he lies to her about being lost. A man who 'rarely lied' but doesn't hesitate to deceive a stranger because she reminds him of his sister. That's not just sad, that's a whole psychological profile right there. The text says he'd been searching for years and the servant describes him falling into a 'lifeless trance' whenever his lost sister comes to mind. He was FIVE when she was taken. Five. And now he's an adult carrying around this guilt like it's his fault. No wonder he's so emotionally constipated. But then—Xiao Mo. Oh, Xiao Mo. The man literally walks to the DOORWAY of Songhe Hall, hears voices inside, and instead of just walking in, he delegates the task to Xu Shuyao because apparently he can't handle seeing her again. 'The emperor has summoned me to the palace—I'll return tonight.' MA'AM. The emperor did not summon you. You saw her face and short-circuited. And that smile—'half-smile, half-mockery'—what is that even? Is he mocking her? Himself? The entire situation? And Shen Jingshu, sweet tragic Shen Jingshu, who is basically a placeholder daughter wearing a placeholder betrothal, coming home crying because Xiao Mo snubbed her at the wedding. She says 'If he won't marry me, then I won't marry him' but we ALL know she's already accepted this fate. She's been living someone else's life since she was fourteen. The way these three people are orbiting each other—Shaoyu chasing a ghost, Jingshu playing a role, Xiao Mo running from something he can't name—it's giving me chills. Who's going to crack first?
It's a perfect fit for fans of psychological, dark adult novels featuring a twisted, unhinged male lead. As is often the case with such stories, the female lead tends to be submissive and innocent. The plot is engaging, the pacing is good, and it doesn’t drag. Perhaps the only downside is that it’s not fully translated yet.
Given the genre and tags, you shouldn’t expect a cute, romantic love story. The male lead doesn’t transform into a good guy through the power of love, and it’s definitely a toxic, terrible relationship that any girl should run away from.
The feedback was quite positive overall. I noticed some readers complaining along the lines of, "Oh my god, the main character (MC) can't just treat a traumatized girl like that. It's so inhumane." But come on, it’s a harem-seeking novel with a villain as the MC; of course, he’s going to manipulate everyone. Duh.
Still, there are some really good romance scenes, especially those involving ChiQian. They stand out as the best. However, there are plot holes, like a girl he just met giving herself to him or something similar.
The novel is quite good up until around chapter 1270. After that, the author basically says, "Screw everything I’ve built; I’m going to write filler and make a completely new novel with a new enemy, without any of the previous girls." Honestly, if it weren’t for that, it would have been a pretty good novel.
Everyone in this novel seems as dim-witted as bricks, and the world is completely nonsensical. The plot revolves around setting up cartoonishly evil villains who underestimate the main character (MC). However, the issue is that the MC is portrayed as the highest-ranking member of the adventure guild, so famous that every important person panics at the thought of offending him. Yet, despite his fame, no one actually knows him. It’s as if no one recognizes their country’s president because he occasionally uses a pseudonym.
The villains are all flat, dull, and boring stereotypes who act like big shots just to set themselves up for a fall. Even though the MC does nothing, anyone who dares to be rude to him gets an entire chapter dedicated to how crossing him ruins their lives. A clerk at a shop is rude to him, and we get a chapter about how the clerk gets fired, can’t find work, ends up drunk and homeless, and is eventually used as a human experiment. A girl who bullied one of the characters in his entourage ends up dying as a junkie prostitute. There’s no subtlety; friends of the MC receive every imaginable blessing, while anyone else faces utter ruin. It’s as if being rude to this guy triggers the universe to intervene and destroy their lives for him.
The MC himself is as dull as a bag of rocks. He’s rich, overpowered, and 40+ chapters in, he hasn’t done anything interesting. He’s only performed one action, and it wasn’t even a satisfying moment of dominance. Instead, we keep hearing about how great he is from people in other places, while those who directly interact with him treat him like garbage.
The novel incorporates a slice-of-life aspect, with a seamless narrative flow and well-rounded supporting characters. The world-building is commendable, and the unique settings pique my interest. However, the main character's overpowered nature might border on being a Mary Sue due to a lack of depth, like flaws or vulnerabilities. The male lead is charming, often comical in his confusion, and demonstrates unwavering dedication, showering the protagonist with extraordinary assistance, even challenging moral boundaries.
The romance develops gradually without feeling forced, as seen in a scene where the AI male lead determines rewards after a battle, prioritizing the MC's wellbeing. In contrast, another character seeks only a recovery potion.
If you prefer action-packed stories with constant conflict, this might not be your cup of tea. But what compelled me to write this review is the supporting character, Chief-in-Staff "laoshi," who touched my heart. I feel同情 for them.
At around 90 chapters, the story is engaging but hasn't quite reached the captivating level. There's potential for improvement, though I struggle to articulate it beyond that. Overall, I find the story interesting and original, but it falls short of being truly enthralling. A rating of 4/5 seems appropriate, considering its strengths and areas for growth.
I'm really not the demon god lackeys?
Typically, I tend to shy away from web novels with a dominant and controlling [System] element. A [Status] feature in isekai stories might be acceptable occasionally, but not one that completely governs the protagonist's actions. The constant focus on mission completion rather than freely experiencing life in a new world feels constraining, akin to being a puppet controlled by the world or a higher power. In otome isekai genres, I particularly dislike instances where the female lead (FL) is forced to adhere to specific behaviors or is overly anxious about negative outcomes, which suggests a lack of mental well-being.
However, this particular novel surprised me with its handling of this aspect. Although the MC's actions are occasionally influenced by the [System] quests, she displays a rebellious streak that allows her to challenge these constraints at times, and she forms genuine connections with the characters she encounters.
The storytelling is exceptional, with a well-paced structure that emphasizes the significance of each arc, making each adventure feel substantial. Every plot point keeps the reader engaged, and the main characters undergo significant growth, making them compelling protagonists to root for.
If you're looking for a heavy romance, this might not be the right choice. Given the current story progression (up to chapter 90), romantic developments for the FL are likely to unfold later in the narrative. So, consider this a tale of the FL's journey to fix the world, and you'll enjoy an exciting journey indeed!
this is one of the few good fanfics
good for jojo fans and marvel enjoyers