In the Second Generation of the Trench, He Changed To the Ruanfan Script - Chapter 29:

Deep below the earth's surface, a mystifying subterranean seascape lurks, an archipelago bathed in inky blackness where suspense and horror hold court. Here lie strange islands and even stranger monsters, far beyond the realms of human imagination. In this domain, mankind is far from dominant; instead, madness and death rule supreme.

Pleading for mercy from the unknown creatures of the deep only leads to a slow, tortured existence. The trapped survivors gradually distort, losing what made them human, both physically and mentally, to the gloom as they remain trapped in this eternal obscurity. Their only hope? A perilous expedition into uncharted sea territories.

Fueled by determination, Charles embark on this daunting voyage aboard his steamship, aiming to reclaim humanity's past glory. Together with his crew, they sought a way out of this hidden sea world, a path back to the sunlit world above, where humans once stood tall.

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I read a few comments from Chinese readers that compared this novel with Lord of Mysteries because of similar elements: Lovecraftian, western fantasy, first industrial revolution, and steampunk. However, I have yet to finish reading Lord of Mysteries to do any actual comparison, but I do think those who have enjoyed that novel would enjoy this as well. Also, the author of LotM, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, also did a shout-out for this novel, so I guess he approves of it too?

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“Did you just marry the richest man in the country… by accident? How does that even happen?”Delphinia sighed dramatically. “I know, I’m such an overachiever. But it’s easy, really. Step one: drink too much. Step two: find the perfect man. Step three: say ‘I do’ before he realizes I’m a walking disaster.”“And the revenge?”She raised her glass. “Served cold, with a diamond bigger than my ex’s ego.”—After years trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage, Delphinia had one plan: leave her toxic past behind and never look back. But freedom isn’t as sweet as she’d hoped. With no family to turn to and no place to go, she crashes with her best friend…only to end up at a party where one too many drinks lead to one tiny (accidental) marriage to Evander Walton.Handsome, rich, and absolutely off-limits, Evander is everything Delphinia thought she’d never have. And he has just one condition if she wants to break things off: she’ll have to pay him back…for the huge diamond ring she barely remembers accepting. Broke and in no position to negotiate, she’s got no choice but to play along with her accidental husband and the lavish life that comes with him.Now she’s living in luxury, holding her head high, and plotting the sweetest revenge against the ex who tried to ruin her. Because if there’s one thing Delphinia knows, it’s that payback is best served in designer heels.

“M... Marissa! Are they my kids?” Rafael's eyes weren't moving away from the adorable kids' faces.“No, Rafael. They are not,” Marissa said with a fake smile, “They aren't yours. Remember?” she batted her lashes quite dramatically, “We were never married!”Marissa Aaron’s elder sister Valerie Aaron jilted her blind boyfriend on her wedding day and ran off. For face-saving, Merissa's family pleaded to her to marry Raphael Sinclair.The irony? She was not allowed to tell her blind husband that she was not Valerie but Merissa Aaron.On the day of Raphael's successful eye surgery, Marissa got to know that Valerie was back to take her rightful place as Sinclaire’s daughter-in-law.Marissa tried explaining to her husband that she was the one married to him, but he did not believe her. Instead of any more convincing, heartbroken Merissa decided to leave the city without telling him, her secret.Raphael Sinclair was the classic definition of drop-dead gorgeous and was the only heir of the Sinclair group of industries.What would he do when he came to know that all this time the woman who offered him, her love and her body was not Valerie but her younger sister Marissa Aaron?How would he react when he came to know that he was the father of the babies Marissa was carrying in her womb?Would he go after Marissa and win her back?And the million-dollar question!Would Marissa ever be able to forgive him and love him again?

Venshiro, a young ronin bound to the Black Vein Blade, is hunted by clans who would kill for the curse he carries. Every time he draws the sword, it takes something from him—his memories, his soul. But the blade remembers everything.And now, it wants more.