Impressions Upon Listing: Lend Me a Knife to Illuminate the Entire World

The curtain finally rises. Ning Xiu begins to touch upon the truth of this world, and this book is finally about to be launched.

My mood is complicated. I recall that at the end of my previous book, Horror Myth, in the letter addressed to my readers, I once wrote, “Those who are unprepared are preparing for failure,” to admonish myself.

Therefore, when opening the book, I had asked myself repeatedly whether I was truly prepared this time.

Before the launch, I had thought about many things and prepared for many things.

What should be written this time? Another martial arts time-travel novel? Yet I was truly afraid. However, the book Martial Dao Expert can be said to be the one closest to success among the many books I have written over the years. If the Jiangnan incident had not appeared later, I absolutely believe I could have obtained the quality badge. But even a work like Half Hero Biography, which is sufficient to be godlike, was blocked. What else can I say? What can I speak of?

Creating a new genre and forging a path of my own? I asked myself whether I possessed that ability. No.

The only thing I can do is to carve out another branch within the path opened by my predecessors and write what belongs to me.

Thus, this book has gained wuxia elements.

After all, deep in my bones I yearn for the jianghu life of fine wine, beautiful women, and sword songs.

At the same time, the book also carries a strong sense of unyieldingness and struggle.

I have been in this circle for many years. To some it is merely the starting quality badge, yet to me it remains an existence still within reach yet forever out of grasp.

I labor at the most down-to-earth work while chasing the most unrealistic dream.

The story is plain, without the slightest twist or turn, nothing more than the fact that the dream has not been realized.

I have written for so many years and failed so many times.

Day after day, a blunt knife named Time cuts at my flesh.

No one consoles me, for my failures are so unnoticeable that even no one knows I once fought.

Many have lost their illusions since then, changed their directions, and come to understand themselves.

They have left this circle.

Whenever I wake from midnight dreams, I too keep asking myself why it is always I who fails, why I can never succeed.

Who should I blame?

Am I lazy? Yes, I am quite lazy, yet I have never poured such effort into anything as into writing. After work, I abandon all entertainment, give up socializing, and even lay aside rest. When I once sought employment, I never managed anything like this; nothing in my life has been so exhausting.

Or perhaps I am merely foolish, inept, unworthy.

Many who once wrote together either left or have already achieved success. Compared to them, I truly lack talent.

The most heart-wrenching truth is that the words I produce in five or six hours are not as good as what others write in a single hour.

Yet this time I refuse to acknowledge defeat, nor do I wish to retreat.

Because of you.

Many friends who followed me from Martial Dao Expert remain, along with the new readers who have joined the book.

I thank you for your companionship all this way.

I thank my editor Qilin, who has always provided me with great assistance and remains willing to believe in me with strong recommendations, though my updates have been negligent. I am deeply sorry.

I thank every supporter of this book. Thank you for every reward, every recommendation ticket, every comment, every click. This is my salute.

Finally, this book is officially launching tomorrow on May 1.

In this dark and turbid world, Ning Xiu can swing his blade to sever it.

Now I ask all of you to lend me a blade as well, to illuminate my world.

I beg for first orders!

San Yue Hua

Written at 1:20 a.m. on April 30, 2018