SWNOVELXO Chapter 1:
Chapter 1: Proposing Marriage at Home:
In front of Duke Wei’s mansion, a middle-aged man with a composed demeanor patted the shoulder of a dazed young man standing beside him.
“Don’t be nervous. This is an important moment for you. Keep your composure and leave a good impression on Duke Wei.” He said gently.
“Yes, Uncle,” Qin Shu responded after a pause, though disbelief lingered in his eyes. His thoughts were far from the situation at hand.
He vividly recalled his recent encounter during a trip to the wilderness, where he had crossed paths with a large, fierce-looking cat.
The distinctive “王” symbol on its forehead made it unmistakable—a tiger.
The beast had bared its teeth and claws, preparing to attack. But Qin Shu had faced it confidently, armed with a sharpened stick and a technique he’d learned online.
When the tiger lunged, he executed a sliding tackle with his makeshift weapon…
The rest of the memory blurred into chaos.
The outcome? Far less glamorous than anticipated. Before Qin Shu lost consciousness, he managed a silent curse directed at the netizen who had suggested such a method to fend off big cats.
When he regained consciousness, everything around him had changed. It wasn’t the afterlife he had imagined. Instead, it was an entirely different world, and his mind now brimmed with unfamiliar memories.
Qin Shu quickly pieced things together. He had transmigrated into a cultivation world where strength determined status.
The cultivation realms here ranged from Body Refining to Agility, Origin Foundation
Profound Insight, True Source, Soul Cutting, and finally, Sky Refining. Each major realm was further divided into nine smaller levels.
His current body’s cultivation talent was extraordinary. He had reached the 9th stage Agility Realm, just one step away from the Origin Foundation Realm—a level far beyond the average talent of his peers. Even more, he was a hereditary marquis of the Great Liang Empire, with an esteemed lineage and a distinguished status.
Compared to his ordinary life in the modern world, this new identity was leagues ahead.
The middle-aged man by his side was Xia Zehai, his uncle. A powerful cultivator at the peak of the True Source Realm, Xia Zehai was a force to be reckoned with. In the Great Liang Empire, only those at the 6th stage Soul Cutting Realm surpassed him. Such individuals were exceedingly rare, solidifying Xia Zehai’s position as one of the most influential figures in the empire.
Xia Zehai also held a prestigious role as the head of the Capital Patrol Battalion, tasked with safeguarding the entire city. Without children of his own, he had always treated Qin Shu as his son, managing every aspect of his life with care.
Today, Xia Zehai had brought Qin Shu to Duke Wei’s mansion to propose marriage. The arrangement had already been agreed upon in principle, and this visit was merely a formality. If successful, Qin Shu would gain a wife with unmatched beauty, status, and influence.
Qin Shu’s heart soared with joy. This development was a dream come true! If he had known that a sliding tackle could lead to such fortune, he might have sought out a tiger sooner.
Xia Zehai, however, remained serious as he repeated his earlier advice. “Though Duke Wei is semi-retired, he remains a highly respected cultivator in our empire. His eldest daughter, Li Yunxin, has remarkable spiritual talent, is intelligent, and carries the royal bloodline through her mother. Marrying her will bring immense benefits, so you must present yourself well.”
“I understand,” Qin Shu replied earnestly. The marriage was political, but the advantages were undeniable. Only a fool would refuse such an opportunity.
Based on his memories, Li Yunxin was a renowned beauty—one of the four most celebrated women in Capital. However, Qin Shu thought he should judge her beauty himself rather than rely solely on hearsay.
Xia Zehai continued, “Yunxin has been engaged before, but the marriage hasn’t been formalized. Don’t worry about it.”
“What?” Qin Shu froze. Was he about to steal someone’s fiancée?
He felt an odd sense of irony. He had transmigrated, only to become a classic villain!
Tentatively, he asked, “Did her engagement get called off?”
His memories from novels painted a vivid picture: A male protagonist engaged to a beautiful and talented woman, only to face humiliation when the engagement was annulled. Fueled by anger, the protagonist would then rise to greatness, leaving villains like Qin Shu in ruins.
“No, the engagement hasn’t been annulled,” Xia Zehai clarified.
Qin Shu exhaled in relief. At least he wasn’t breaking off an engagement. That would be far worse.
“Who is her fiancé?” he asked.
“A young man from the Ye family,” Xia Zehai replied. “The engagement was arranged before their birth, but the Ye family has fallen on hard times. The boy has mediocre talent and isn’t suited for cultivation or scholarly pursuits. Duke Wei intends to honor the promise by having his younger, less accomplished daughter marry him instead.”
Qin Shu’s heart sank. This wasn’t an annulment—it was a replacement! The kind of plot where a brilliant heroine avoids marrying an unworthy fiancé by substituting a family member. Such developments always led to the protagonist feeling insulted and vowing revenge.
Everything about this screamed trouble. A struggling family, a mediocre fiancé, and a last name like “Ye”—these were prime ingredients for a protagonist blessed with extraordinary luck. And now Qin Shu had unwittingly stepped into the villain’s role.
Despair settled over him. He had transmigrated from being mauled by a tiger to becoming cannon fodder for the protagonist’s rise.
Just as his thoughts spiraled, a crisp sound echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Transcendent-Level Villain System Activated.]
[Activation Successful…]
[The host can get rewards as long as he behaves like a villain or suppresses the Son of Fortune.]
Qin Shu was stunned.
It’s here—it’s finally here!
The infamous “system” that every transmigrator dreams of had appeared. If this cheat system was reliable, it was uncertain who the ultimate winner would be!
Confidence surged within Qin Shu. His earlier nervousness faded away, and he regained his composure. Looking at his uncle, he firmly said, “Uncle, I understand.”
Xia Zehai hummed in approval. His attention shifted to the towering figure stepping out of the mansion. “The Duke has come out. Let’s go.”
“Alright,” Qin Shu replied.
The two men approached and greeted him respectfully, “My Lord.”
Duke Wei, despite showing signs of age, had a strong and imposing presence. His face lit up with a warm smile as he spoke. “General Xia, Young Marquis, you’re here. I’ve been waiting for you both.”
Xia Zehai chuckled lightly. “Waiting for so long? We just arrived.”
“That’s good,” Duke Wei said, maintaining a cordial tone. His politeness reflected the respect he held for Xia Zehai, whose position as commander of the patrol battalion responsible for Capital’s safety was one of great significance. It demanded not just immense strength but also unwavering trust from the emperor.
Duke Wei’s eyes landed on Qin Shu. Nodding approvingly, he remarked, “General Xia wasn’t exaggerating. The Young Marquis is indeed a promising talent.”
Qin Shu sighed inwardly.
This wasn’t some clichéd protagonist scenario where he’d face humiliation or challenges right off the bat. His marriage to Li Yunxin was already 90% successful.
With a modest tone, Qin Shu replied, “Compared to you, Duke Wei, I still fall short. You are a heroic figure on the battlefield, unmatched in grandeur.”
“Hahaha!” Duke Wei’s laughter boomed, clearly pleased by the compliment. He gestured invitingly. “Come, don’t just stand here. I’ve prepared food and wine for you. Let’s talk over the meal.”
Xia Zehai responded, “Very well, after you, Duke Wei.”
The group entered the mansion, passing through a beautifully designed courtyard corridor before arriving at a spacious room prepared for their meeting.
Inside, Duke Wei’s wife and his two daughters were already waiting. As the men entered, they greeted them with a polite bow.
“Commander Xia, Marquis of Qin,” they said in unison.
At this moment, Qin Shu’s system beeped. A glance at the notification confirmed it—Li Yunhuan, the younger daughter, was indeed marked as a heroine blessed by Luck.
Qin Shu returned their greeting and took a closer look at the two sisters.
The eldest daughter, Li Yunxin, was graceful and elegant. She had a fresh, refined beauty, a slender figure, and a calm, confident demeanor. She bowed with poise and studied Qin Shu with a curious gaze.
The younger daughter, Li Yunhuan, had delicate and exquisite features. Her eyebrows bore a striking resemblance to her elder sister’s, sharing about 70% similarity. Despite her petite and dainty frame, her curves were already noticeable. She exuded the lively energy of youth, though her timid and self-conscious expression hinted at a lack of confidence.
Qin Shu’s mind raced. Both sisters were stunning—far more captivating than any actress he’d seen in TV dramas.
Suddenly, a daring thought crossed his mind…
Two beauties, one household… Was fate offering him a chance for an unexpected twist?