Now, his Imperial Army was bound for the cumbersome homecoming ceremony in the palace. They would have to stay in the palace for quite some time, adhering to ceremonial protocols.
Despite owning the largest landmass, the current Emperor of the Newiton Empire was greedy for more land.
Fortunately, he was a monarch strong enough to encompass even the surrounding lands. He prioritized the people’s sentiment over the nobles’ whims, which is why Leodelt also played along.
Peace and the unshakeable influence of the stout Gwendhill family were his two objectives. For these, Leodelt moved as per the Emperor’s command.
“……”
The roar of the waterfall accompanied his brief contemplation.
Leodelt took a deep breath, continuing to ignore the throbbing pain in his thigh.
Having survived countless battlefields, how could he not have injuries? Of course, this injury was not due to an enemy’s prowess.
Some of Leodelt’s subordinates had noticed early but dared not speak out.
The Grand Duke, the Supreme Commander, had to be a flawless being.
For the morale of the Imperial Army and to remain a symbol of the Newiton Empire.
“……Tsk.”
In his haste to get the soldiers home quickly, the wound on his thigh deepened.
Such injuries were trivial, but the smell of blood was not pleasant.
“……”
Swish. Amidst the waterfall’s thunderous sound, Leodelt sensed movement.
“It’s late.”
A wry, humorless sneer crossed Leodelt’s lips.
He slowly turned away from the cliff’s edge.
“I was wondering when they would come.”
Simultaneously with Leodelt’s ominous muttering, the bushes around the waterfall began to shake. Shadows in the shape of people emerged from the foliage.
“The war is won, now they plan to get rid of the hound. His Majesty was right. Nobles never change.”
Leodelt’s tone was laced with self-mockery and contempt.
Armed shadows closed in on Leodelt, pushing him towards the edge of the cliff.
“Come.”
Leodelt quietly drew his sword, nodding his head.
Swoosh! Poison-tipped blades flew towards Leodelt’s vital points.
Ching! Ching!
Leodelt effortlessly deflected the blades, his sword slicing through the shadows’ bodies.
But the shadows didn’t disappear. Instead, they aggressively pursued him, exuding a murderous intent.
Leodelt’s brow furrowed at the relentless and intangible onslaught targeting his vitals.
“A mage is present.”
No matter how many he cut or stabbed, the end seemed elusive.
Dealing with the controlling mage was the priority.
“Unnecessarily.”
With a sweep of his sword, Leodelt shredded the shadows in one go, tilting his head. His emotionless teal eyes scanned beyond the shadows.
That’s when it happened.
“Commander!”
Imperial Army soldiers rushed to his aid. Their numbers dwindled quickly as the soldiers joined the fray.
“How dare they target our Commander!”
“May they receive divine punishment!”
The soldiers were those who owed their lives to Leodelt from various battlefields. They shouted in fury, protecting their Commander.
The waterfall engulfed all sounds.
“Whew, it’s all over!”
“This one was the last, Commander.”
The soldiers who dispatched the last shadow approached Leodelt, smiling broadly.
Leodelt looked around and spoke.
“Were you on reconnaissance?”
“Yes, we can’t let our guard down.”
The soldier chuckled.
“Anytime.”
That’s when the soldiers, now in close proximity to Leodelt, swung their swords at him.
“Aagh!”
Of course, Leodelt wouldn’t believe their amateurish act.
The problem was Leodelt’s vulnerability at that moment.
“Giggle, our Commander is wounded, isn’t he? The smell of blood is wafting this far.][Your loyal subordinates won’t be able to come to your aid. They’re probably in a melee right now.]”
“Even for a moment, aim for the thigh!”
Despite his shoulder being gashed, the soldiers relentlessly pressed on.
Then, Leodelt noticed the soldiers’ bodies bizarrely swelling.
“……!”
The mage controlling the shadows had turned the soldiers’ bodies into bombs.
Boom! As Leodelt attempted to evade the explosion, his body tilted, and the enemies didn’t miss this chance.
The soldiers clung to Leodelt, ruthlessly stabbing themselves into him.
“Foolish.”
Even amidst the pain of his abdomen being torn open, Leodelt showed no distress, just annoyance, as he swung his sword.
Thump. A soldier swung the hilt of his sword, hitting Leodelt’s forehead.
“For the Newiton Empire!!!!”
As blood streamed from the wound on his forehead, Leodelt frowned. The dying soldiers clung to him and leaped off the cliff with him.
Crack. Before being swept away by the waterfall, Leodelt planted his sword in the cliff, avoiding the fall.
The problem was the mage re-summoning the shadows from the cliff’s edge.
“……Are you finishing this?”
It was a determination not to let down their guard for a perfect finish.
Leodelt made a quick decision.
He pulled out his sword and fell into the waterfall below.
The blurry sky, violently churning waters.
And the impact on his entire body.
Death, which he had always desired, was within reach.
But as always, the gods did not welcome him.
Holding onto a faint consciousness, Leodelt survived the crisis.
His last memory was of a damp and dark cave.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
