❝They say that, in Ilmar’s time of need, even its own cursed devils remembered their patriotic pride.❞

‘The Heart of the Reproach’ is a story of obsession and the lengths we would go to satisfy that fixation. Back in Ilmar, years after the events of City of Last Chances, the Hermit is revered as a guardian to the Reproach, holding the ghosts at bay. When this beloved returning character is approached by a boy with money, means and an intense obsession, we find ourselves once again in the middle of a deadly dance.

Mr. Tchaikovsky, I love you. I’m currently reading House of Open Hounds and I saw this being sold for free by Subterranean Press and just had to delve into it (I also really miss Ilmar) ALSO THAT ENDING?! MR. TCHAIKOVSKY, YOU CAN’T DROP SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND LEAVE US HANGING!! I CAN’T WAIT FOR BOOK FIVE!

❝They ask me what the ghosts are doing. They know, next time things kick off, it won’t start in the Gownhall or the Hammer District. It’ll start here. The boy comes back, clad in moon shadows, and there’ll be a girl with a fiery banner, and after them, all the ghosts. All the old things out on the streets. And who’ll be safe then, eh? Maybe not anyone, but not the Pals. They’re afraid of it. And they’re right to be. And they know it’ll go worse if they cause me harm, so they pay their respects and then they let me be.❞

this was funnier than i expected

Not a fanfic but a webnovel danmei that is not on the catalogue

—Old Wounds, New Growth by 诗无茶

this is somehow both sad and sweet. shen baoshan and li chishu were in the same high school but it is years later that they get together. still, the happiness they have now cannot replace the suffering li chishu experienced as a child. after multiple attempts, li chishu commits suicide. shen baoshan, grieving, falls asleeps and wakes up years in the past during their high school years when li chishu harboured feelings for him without ever confessing. shen baoshan is determined to help li chishu through the tough times, hoping the future he’d experienced doesn’t come to pass.

this was short and sweet. 3 stars.

❝My life may be insignificant, but as long as I can do something that improves this world, this nation, or even just this street, that would be enough.❞

I can’t believe it’s over😭😭😭 This series has given me many sleepless nights and tears hidden in my pillow. I wish we got to see more of Mo Xi and Gu Mang and I will hold onto the author’s promise to eventually come back and give us more fluffy scenes.

❝Gu Mang was not his stain, but the light in his heart that had never gone out.❞

I’ve seen people say the author was rushed into finishing this and you can definitely tell with this volume BUT I love this series so much, I’m willing to overlook it because the REVEALS!! This is basically Mo Xi finding out that he knows absolutely nothing.

Also the Chu family 😭💔

❝ “I’ll give you everything I promised you,” he said. “It’s only been eight years. We still have long lives ahead of us—how could I not want you?” ❞

The romance is ROMANCING, the plot is PLOTTING and the plot twists are PLOT TWISTING.

I never thought this series would have me in a chokehold but here we are.

In the silence of the hut, Mo Xi murmured, “Gu Mang. Wouldn’t it be nice if all I wanted was to have you? Things would be so much simpler if that were the case.” Gu Mang didn’t answer him. “But what I wanted was for you to come back.”

“This is the last time Gege can protect you. In the future, whether you advance or retreat, whether you forge ahead or set down your sword and retire—it’s all up to you.”

“Shixiong, I’m sorry, I’ve made you wait too long. I’ve come to take you home.”

I NEED SOMEONE TO SEDATE ME!