“Wait, Hee-hee, wait!” Tolly called out in a loud voice. Yet, what replied to him was a long silence. He got countless questions in his mind, his eyes even turning into question marks. With great disappointment, he was puzzled at what he should do next. Suddenly, with a twitch in his eyes, a status screen popped up before him. He rubbed his eyes a few times, but the screen was still there. And then he pinched his face. It hurt. It was not a dream. With a ‘Ding’, a short text message appeared on the screen, which read, [Quest: you can constantly drive your target crazy, and then you will receive your Wrath points commensurate to how angry your target is. Are you going to accept this mission or not?] Tolly was stunned. His lips curving into a happy smile, he finally saw something before him. He was glad that Hee-hee didn’t lie to him. After reading the message, two tabs flashed into his mind with Yes and No written on the screen. Very excited, Tolly never expected that his H
“Fabulous. Obviously, I’ve received a newbie package.” Tolly whispered to himself excitedly. Without any hesitation, he visualized a ‘yes’ in his mind, and instantly the ‘yes’ button was clicked on the screen. Suddenly, a giant Prize Wheel appeared on the screen. The Prize Wheel was divided into nine parts of different colors. A hand was placed in the center of it. All of a sudden, it started spinning like a whirling fan. Tolly watched intently with great anticipation. What kind of reward would he get? A nice artifact sword? A lovely pet animal? A drop-dead gorgeous girl would be better… Nevertheless, what he expected most would be the Six Sun Manual. Anyway, he didn’t want his bird to fly away. As he was craving the possibilities, the hand finally pointed to the green part of the Prize Wheel. And then five capitalized words appeared on the green part of the wheel: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. Tolly was left dumbstruck, even his eyes turned into signs of question marks.
While Tolly was still excited about his system, the stocky boy called Tim smashed at Tolly with his long, black staff.It was such a sudden attack that Tolly was not able to dodge it in time. When the long, thick staff landed on his hips, Tolly screamed in pain.The stocky boy got excited and said,“What do you think of my Howling Staff? Isn’t it nice?” said the stocky boy in an ironic voice while spreading a big grin over his face,“Now tell me the truth, how do you know my name?”“F-f-from your sister Jenny,” stuttered Tolly in pain, “she’s told me about it.”“How dare you call my sister Jenny?” said the stocky boy furiously, “you’re such a lowly bastard. It seems I have to give you more smashes.”When the stocky boy Tim smashed his staff at him again, Tolly immediately jumped away and managed to escape from it just in time.“Kneel down! I’ll spank your ass with my staff. How dare you dodge my smash? You’re making me hit the roof,” yelled the stocky boy.He started to smash again. Y
The stocky boy fell down to his knees. With the staff on the ground, he was totally left dumbstruck.“Hey, Tim,” said Tolly with a smug smile, “are you okay?”Looking at the proud smile on Tolly’s face, the stocky boy really wanted to smack him in the face, but he couldn’t.“Do as you’ve promised, my little master,” said Tolly, “Perhaps this might be the last time I call you this way,”With that, Tolly grinned from ear to ear, which made the stocky boy Tim almost hit the roof. He was not ready to admit his failure yet, so he planned to play dumb.“What did I promise you? I promised you nothing, I guess. You know, I have a weak memory,” said the stocky boy, starting to look into the sky.“All right then. It looks like I have to mention that to you. Call me brother-in-law when there’s no one else in sight. Please do it now, Tim!” said Tolly loudly.“Hemm,” the stocky boy grunted, “What if I don’t call you that?”“Then I’ll tell everyone you’re practicing Muting Staff, not Howling Staff,
It turned out that the strange patterns and pictures on the back of the map were cuneiform used in ancient Assyria or Persia back on Earth. Tolly recognized them at the first sight because he had used to study them for his digging job as a gold miner in his previous life. He had wished to dig out more treasures like antiques or something like that except for the gold in the cave, though he had never dug out any of them apart from broken pottery or dirty boots back on earth. He had regretted he had wasted too much of his time studying those picturesque characters. Yet, today he came to believe what his father had always said to him, “Learn more, Tolly, nothing is useless. One day when you want to do something, what you’ve learned will come to help you one way or another. You’re what you read or learn.” At the moment, he had to admit his father had always been a wise man. He started to read the first line of the cuneiform on the back of the map. It read: ‘Anyone who acquires the S
Tolly walked out of his house and started to go to see Fanta Lord. Yet, the Fanta Mansion was too big. He had no idea where he should head for. It seemed that he had to find someone else to help him. Interestingly, the stocky boy didn’t go very far. He wandered around Tolly’s house, still angry. [Dear Tolly, the owner of the Hidden Dragon System, you’ve earned another 50 Wrath points from Tim.] The text message suddenly popped out on the screen before Tolly’s eyes while Tolly was walking. He immediately realized that the stocky boy must be nearby. After walking across a long corridor, Tolly saw the stocky boy sitting on a bench in a small pavilion at the end of the corridor. “Hey, Tim, how are you doing?” asked Tolly in a loud voice, looking excited. The stocky boy raised his head. Upon seeing Tolly, he was almost hitting the roof. “Hemm,” said the stocky boy Tim, letting out a cold harrumph, “not good. I don’t want to see you at the moment. Just leave me alone.” A new text mes
“You didn’t see everything about Jenny, did you?” asked Fanta Lady again,“What do you mean by everything about my dear Miss, Fanta Lady?” asked Tolly, “of course not.”Only then did Fanta Lady realize that she had taken him wrong. Therefore, she heaved a deep sigh.“Okay, just tell us everything you saw last night,” said Fanta lady, her voice a little bit softer than before, “Yet, if you lie to us, I’ll soon find it out. At that time, I think you’ll be driven out of Fanta Mansion instantly.”“I swear everything I’d like to say is true, or else I will be struck by lightning again,” said Tolly quickly. He had already known what it would be like if he was struck by lightning, so he was not that afraid.He was going to tell the truth, of course. There was nothing special that he had to hide away from them except for his Hidden Dragon System.“You know, last night…” said Tolly.However, it was soon interrupted by the knock on the door.“Come in,” said Fanta Lord, “Is it Jenny?”“Yeah, fat
“Let’s make a bet, Tolly. If you can be alive ten days later, I’ll call you superman,” mocked Tim, still laughing, “I’ve heard Dr. Franklin says you will perish in ten days.” Tolly waved his hand. It looked like he was not willing to have a bet with Tim. “No?” said Tim with great disappointment, “I’ve known you have always been a coward.” “I mean I am not pleased with your bet. How about this? If I’m still alive ten days later, can you kneel down before me? Besides, I don’t need you to call me superman. You just need to call me elder brother in public. Of course, if you’re willing to call me brother-in-law in public, I’d be much more pleased.” “What kind of bet it is, Tolly!” fumed Fanta Lady with rage, “but anyway, since you’ll die soon, I’m not going to mess with you about this.” Quickly, Tolly got more Wrath points from Fanta Lady. It was 50 points. “No problem,” replied Tim quickly, “If you lose, I think there’s no need to give you any penalties because death is the capital s
As the ministers bickered like hens in a coop over the emperor's decree, the executioners were already tiptoeing out of the palace gates, blades glinting in the light. It was a race against time, for the prince's head was on the chopping block. Little did the executioners know, the prince was no ordinary mortal. Tolly had him under his protection. He suddenly asked General Addison, “Can you do me a favor?” “Of course, Your Highness”, said General Addison, ”I won’t allow these bastards to kill you no matter the cost.” “I’ve got a white feather in my pocket. Please take it out and burn it,” said Prince Hobart. “Okay, I’ll do it,” said General Addison. Without any delay, General Addison immediately got a white feather out of the pocket. Though not knowing what was the use of it, he realized it must be an important thing. Then he asked his men to bring him a torch. In a few seconds, the white feather was burnt into ashes. As Tolly rode on the horse with Princess Yana behind him, he
“Fate has brough us here to meet you, Princess Yana,” said General Logan Kline, determined to take Princess Yana back to the court,“Your Highness, by His Majesty’s order, I have come here to bring you back to the palace. Hundreds of officials have spoken on your behalf, and you need not worry.”“Don’t believe him,” said Tolly with a sneer, “Your father would not listen to those officials. Once you’re in the palace, you’ll be dangerous.”The princess’s eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and resignation.“I know very well that I cannot escape this great calamity,” she admitted, her voice filled with weariness, “I’m not afraid of death, but I am so tired from my journey that I can no longer walk. Would you be so kind as to let me ride on your horse?”General Logan Kline nodded without hesitation.“You may ride on my horse, Your Highness, and I will follow on foot,” he declared, his unwavering loyalty to the princess shining through his every word.Yet, once Princess Yana mounted the
“Okay, let’s go!” said Tolly.Before they started their journey, Tolly suddenly heard the clicking sounds in his bones. All the vital energy inside his body started to circulate. Tolly thought he probably broke through to a new level. With a flutter in his eyes, he quickly checked his status on the screen before his eyes.[Name: Hidden Dragon][Owner: Tolly Harmsworth][Level: 2 as a master-level cultivator][Talent for Cultivation: D level (Hidden Invincible Level)][Wrath Points: 3999][Exp Points: 2790][ Main Art: Lotus Technique, which can be hedged by the Six Sun Technique; Puppet Control Technique;][Current Guardians: Blue lightning bird, activated; Fire Phoenix, activated; Water Dragon, activated; Rock Roc, activated. ]He was glad to see that he was at level 2 as a master cultivator.“What are you looking at?” asked Princess Yana when she saw Tolly stare at something.“Nothing,” said Tolly with a smile, “let’s roll!”They quickly got out of the temple and decided to continue
It looked like the black cat's sharp claws loomed closer to Tolly's body. His heart was racing, but he didn't lose his composure. In a flash, he executed the Shadowy Lotus Move, saving Princess Yana from the cat's attack just in the nick of time. The black cat was stunned, its voice shaking with disbelief. "How do you know the Shadowy Lotus Move? It's an ancient art that has been lost for over a thousand years. Who are you?" it demanded. Tolly's lips curled into a sneer. He "My name is not something I care to share with a beast like you," retorted Tolly, his lips curling into a sneer, still holding the Princess in his arms. But as he caught a whiff of her alluring scent, it quickly turned him on. He had to put her down to avoid any embarrassment. "Go hide behind the statue," Tolly whispered to Princess Yana, his eyes locked on the witch in front of him. "I'll deal with this monster." “Hey, I’m not a monster,” said the cat in a furious voice. Instantly, the black’s anger boil ov
"You taught the people the ways of decency and honor," Princess Yana whispered reverently. "I am a descendant of the rose Dynasty, but my father, Emperor William, has brought shame to our name with his heinous crimes. I have fled his tyranny and seek refuge in your sacred temple for the night. If you protect me until dawn, I vow to rebuild this temple and enshrine your statue in gold."Tolly also followed suit. He knelt down before the statue and kowtowed three times. Instantly, he had flutters in his eyes.With a ding, he got a new notification on the screen before his eyes.[Detected a new secret manual here inside the temple. Would you like to get it?]Tolly was very excited because he did not expect that this was another unknowable place where a great secret manual was hidden.Without any thinking, he had a ‘yes’ notion in his mind and posed a question in his mind,“Where is the secret manual? How do I find it?”[Just under the cushion you're kneeling on.]It looked like his syste
Once alone, General Addison summoned his trusted general to discuss the situation. “General Paul Bailey and Logan Kline have come with the emperor’s official tally, demanding 4,000 flying horsemen to pursue the princes,” revealed General Adddison, “But we can’t spare our strongest warriors for this task. Select only the weakest, the elderly, and the injured. Let Geneal Paul Bailey and Longan Kline take them tomorrow.” The next morning, Geneal Paul Bailey and Longan Kline arrived to find their men looking as feeble as a mouse caught in a trap. The sorry sight of the stumbling and floundering army was enough to make them shake their heads in disbelief. But the Carlson brothers were already on their way, having traveled for two days with the young princes. Benji Frost knew they had come too far to turn back now, and they needed to take action. "Brother, we're in a bit of a pickle," he said to his brother Blair Frost . "We've got to spend some money to get out of this mess. But sellin
“You’re spot on, Minister Ross Russel,” nodded General Addison in agreement.The rest of the officials remained tight-lipped as the prince and the princess wept profusely. Benji Frost and Blair Frost ushed through the throngs of people with great fervor.“Emperor William is a malicious despot. By ordering the execution of his own children, he’s attempting to sever his own ancestral lineage, and by murdering his wife, he’s defied all ethical codes. We’ll escort the prince and the princess to their maternal grandfather Bill Washington and raise an army to depose him. This is nothing short of a rebellion.”Benji Frost hoisted Prince Hobart onto his shoulders and Blair Frost took charge of Princess Yana. They made their escape from the capital through the southern gate. Tolly, in disguise of Cloud River, was happy that he had two more helpers, though they did not decide to go to Fanta city yet.‘Perhaps I can go to see Bill Washington together with them first and then see what I can do th
“That monster has already taken his own wife's life, and now he seeks to spill the blood of his own flesh and blood. You're not safe here, my dear prince and princess. Seek refuge in the Fragrant Palace with Concubine Yvonne until a powerful minister can plead your case before the emperor. Only then will you be out of harm's way," she advised them, hoping to offer them a glimmer of hope in these dark times.“Go with me,” said Cloud River, “I think the Fragrant Palace is not safe, either. You know, the emperor has gone crazy!”Yet, they did not take his advice. Instead, the prince and the princess knelt down before Concubine Harper."Oh, gracious Lady! Your kindness knows no bounds. My mother lies here, exposed to the elements, and we are forever in your debt if you could provide her with a coffin," Prince Hobart exclaimed, his voice quivering with emotion.The concubine nodded solemnly, her eyes gleaming with tears. "You had best make haste and leave this place as soon as possible,"
As Concubine Harper approached the imposing gate of the West Palace, she was accosted by a rugged-looking man who seemed to have sprung from nowhere."Who goes there?" she demanded, readying herself for any trouble. But the man, none other than Tolly in the disguise of Cloud River, seemed unperturbed by her hostility."Lead me to Empress Guma, I’m her friend. " he said urgently, "I gave her a gift a few days ago- White Feather. But it appears that it’s been burned away. Something horrible must have happened to her. I fear the worst."“You’re right,” said Concubine Harper in surprise, “Come with me. I hope you can help her out.”As they rushed to the scene, they found Empress Guma lying on the ground, her once-vibrant clothes now soaked in crimson blood. Cloud River let out a mournful cry."Forgive me, Your Majesty. I should have come sooner," he wailed.But Empress Guma, still clinging to life, managed a faint smile."Don't blame yourself, Mr. Cloud River. It's all my fault. I shoul