The Inner Odyssey - Chapter 14: The Sanctuary

On their wedding night, she gnashed her teeth, yelling, “Your Highness, that’s shameless!”

Set off by the flickering light of red candles, he curved the corner of his mouth into a wicked grin, “Actually, I can be more shameless…”

…

When they met for the first time, he was the young prince who lived in his day of brilliance, while she was the pampered princess of the adjacent state.

When they met again, he became the crippled underdog suffering from frustration, while she became the lackluster hostage stranded in an alien land.

In his mid-life, he was defeated in the fight and had his legs broken; his wife passed away and he didn’t have anything left except his father’s detestation… After constant blows took the edge off his spirit, all he wanted was nothing but serenity.

In her teen-age, her state perished and her home lost; she lapsed into an awkward situation after being abandoned and having her marriage annulled… As endless hardships isolated her from happiness, everything she wished for was no more than peace.

…

“Lu Zhishan, when I first met you, I didn’t think I’d marry you…too old,” after years passed by, one day, she lay on his laps mumbling, with a kind of hazy beauty on her boozy face, “and lame.”

“Mu Nanzhi, you have the wrong memory. At our first meeting, I’m neither old nor limp.”

“…When was that?”

“When people were celebrating your first birthday,” that man assumed all gentleness and joy crept on his eyes and brows, “On that day, you were ‘drawing lots’ in the rear hall. I also sneaked there to have a look. But, out of my expectation, you directly grabbed my true-love knot.”

…

How vivid the red love pea is embedded in the exquisitely carved dice,

Just as my feelings for you deep in my bones.

- Description from Novelupdates

Noah Black, a young man with an abusive father who had no opportunities in life, condemned to live a substandard life because of his father's mistakes.

Noah Black from the parallel universe, a marginalized, obese young man with social problems and a somewhat problematic but loving family, but who couldn't live long because of the mistakes he made.

When Noah 1's mind enters Noah 2's body with a Gamer System, the path to becoming the biggest superstar in this new world begins.

Is that body fat? I work out with the system and in a few days I have the perfect body!

Is my family poor? With my knowledge of my other world, I can make easy money!

Is this face ugly? With System I can look beautiful without plastic surgery!

Do I sing badly? In a few days, the System will transform my voice into the voice of an angel.

Do I act badly? In a few days, the System will make me an Oscar-worthy actor.

I can learn anything I want!

“Rising to the top was like a game, and now I have become the Final Boss of the entire world!” -Noah Black.

“You shouldn’t be so self-centered. You’re lucky that Mr. Mu wants to marry you. You have no right to turn him down!” Bei Shuo felt cold on the inside after hearing what her father said. Having gone missing when she was a child, Bei Shuo was found a month ago. Before she found her biological parents, she always thought she’d have a loving family. However, when she finally returned home, she realized they had adopted another girl long ago. After more than a decade, the girl had replaced her completely. Her parents, her brother, and her fiance…

The Bei family never showed her any form of affection. On the contrary, they wanted her to marry Mu Ci for their own benefit after she had just returned. Everyone in the city knew that Mu Ci wouldn’t live long. Besides, he had an aggressive personality. Anybody who offended him would suffer badly. Bei Shuo would probably end up dead without even knowing what caused it. Hence, when she married Mu Ci, everyone in Empire City waited for news of the horrible ending. To everyone’s surprise, she actually cured him, and he even ended up pampering her! At the same time, it was revealed that Bei Shuo was actually the disciple of a miracle doctor, a top-tier hacker, a champion racer, and the founder of an international fashion brand…

On top of that, wealthy tycoons, talented directors, and e-sports professionals all spoke fondly of her. “Everyone, please allow us to introduce our favorite junior!” The man who was rumored to be cold and violent pressed his head against Bei Shuo’s shoulder when he found out about her countless identities. “How many more identities do you have?” he asked with a pout. Bei Shuo ran her fingers through his hair and smiled. “There’s only one left, and it’s the most important one. I’m still Mrs. Mu!”

In a world where power is dictated by gangs, cities, and families ranked from Tier 1 to Tier 6, only the strongest survive. In the Tier 4 city of Blackridge, fifteen-year-old Elijah struggles to find his place. With his mother working tirelessly and his younger sister depending on him, he has always kept his head down.Determined to rise above the chaos, Elijah and his best friend Kai decide to create their own gang from nothing. But strength in this world isn’t given—it’s taken. The gangs that rule Blackridge won’t tolerate competition, and even the weakest gang has more resources, manpower, and experience than they do. With no money, no reputation, and no clear allies, they must navigate a brutal world of betrayals, violence, and ambition, where every decision could mean life or death.But Elijah is different. He possesses a mysterious system that offers him power—at a cost. As he slowly uncovers its secrets, he realizes that survival is not enough. To protect those he loves, he must become stronger than anyone else. He must climb the ranks, crush the opposition, and seize control of Blackridge’s underworld.But in a world ruled by kings, warlords, and ancient families, the price of power is steep. And when the past comes back to haunt him—when whispers of a forgotten night resurface—Elijah must confront not only his enemies but the truth about himself.In the gang world, the strong rise, the weak perish, and only the ruthless reign supreme.And Elijah? He plans to reign at the very top