From the boundless expanses of Lake Chao to where it meets the army of the Chi Bi.... more>>

From the childhood promise sealed with a knot of hair to the 40-year old lingering dream of home in Jiangdong.

From a singular kite hovering in the sky, to the sound of the qin echoing over a hundred li, across the river lit by the scorching sunset...

East flows the mighty river, sweeping away the heroes of time past...

I dream of Gongjin in his day, with his new bride, the Lord Qiao's younger daughter, dashing and debonair.

Ah, this life is a dream, let me drink to the moon floating in the river... <<less

The notorious imperial court lackey and the meritorious military general were well-known for their mutual dislike, a pair of arch-enemies set in stone. Who could have foreseen the unexpected change in the winds of heaven: the general injured on the battlefield, both legs disabled, and even forced by the emperor to marry his nemesis. ... more>>

With one marriage edict, two people with mutual hostility are forced to marry and live under the same roof. Yet after these long days together, they come to the realization that this fellow is not truly devoid of any saving grace/unattainable and high out of reach. <<less

The Peng Society for Gentlemen — a secret friend-making club for the homos*xual men of the Great Xia Dynasty. Its services were designed to help its members along in their quest for their lifelong partners. Upon paying a monthly fee of fifty coins, members could get themselves listed in The Pengornisseur after providing a self-portrait, a mailing address, their age and hobbies, as well as a self-introduction. All members would receive a copy of the monthly publication, and they could communicate with one another in private using the information in The Pengornisseur.... more>>

Wu Xingzi, a bachelor about to turn forty, worked as the adviser to the magistrate in Qingcheng County.

Qingcheng County was a place with barely any resources. In other words, it was poor. In the list of counties of the Great Xia Dynasty, it had been ranked at the bottom for the past two hundred years.

Wu Xingzi felt that his life was hopeless: not only was he a homosexual, he was also a virg*n. Even his retirement fund was lacking. Worse still, his looks were… forgettable.

He might as well die.

Hence, Wu Xingzi decided to commit su*cide on his fortieth birthday. However, he was unwilling to remain a virg*n to death! And so, gritting his teeth, he joined the Peng Society for Gentlemen and received The Pengornisseur. It was very painful; after all, fifty coins were the sum of his daily expenditure for ten days! He would only pay it once, and he was determined to succeed on his first try. <<less

The empire has turned into the land of the undead due to a spell gone wrong. God summoned heroes from countless worlds to purify the... more>> empire and plant new hope. Lee Shin Woo, an ordinary earthling, was also summoned. As an undead, that is. <<less

The six prefectures of Zhongbo were offered to foreign enemies on a silver platter, and Shen Zechuan was taken into custody in the capital, reduced to a drowning dog* loathed and condemned by all. Xiao Chiye followed the scent of the furor and made his way over. But instead of setting others on him, he kicked Shen Zechuan with his very own leg, rendering the latter an invalid. Who would expect this invalid to turn around and bite him in a counterattack until he was all drenched in blood? That was the start of an epic feud between both men who tore at each other every time they come face-to-face with one another.... more>>

“Fate wants to bind me here for life, but this is not the path I choose. The yellow dust submerged my brothers deep under. I have no wish to bow in submission to an illusory fate. The imperial edict can’t save my troops, and the imperial court can’t fill the stomachs of my mounts. I’m no longer willing to lay down my life for this purpose. I want to surmount that mountain. I am going to fight for myself.”

Note : a 'drowning dog' is someone who is down and out, having lost favor or power. <<less

I, Meira, the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Rouga, visited the Neighboring Country Quell with some diplomats in order to mediate. There, I encountered the highly acclaimed General of the Quell Empire.... more>>

At that moment, I remembered everything.

The calm memories of those days…

…Yes, for the general of the enemy country was none other than my husband in my previous life.

—A comedy story with a similar setting. All their problems were taken care of by her husband. Whenever something trivial happened, he’d attend to it. <<less

After the Princess of Qi, Qing Shi died, there was a man who hadn’t truly lived since. That man gave up his entire life as... more>> a sacrifice for her death. No matter how relentless time can be, it will never wash away the memories of happiness, instead it will ingrain the painful memories much deeper still. <<less

Chen Quan Ran is a young general. Rather than return home and see his child wife, Mo Lan, he leads his army in battle for 10 years. ... more>>

Mo Lan is a gentle bred young lady who has not met her husband Chen Quan Ran since their wedding day ten years ago. Chen Quan Ran’s grandma loves Mo Lan so she feigns illness to lure him home.

Chen Quan Ran can be heartless toward anyone except his grandma who raised him. He returns home and he surprisingly falls in love with his wife who has a secret… <<less

When his world was shattered, he was left with nothing but despair... more>>

In the era of men and men, men can also get pregnant

Li Xiao married Cheng Mu, envy of other people because they are together just because of a good partner

But their world changed when there was no news from his stomach

Li Xiao was forced to have a relationship with his father-in-law in order to carry on the family lineage

It turns out that there are many things, not only together is wonderful…

The days of self-deception, whether or not the day is ended. <<less

A story about a general with insomnia, and a girl who is looking for husband to keep her tea house.

Every human has their Personal Jewel of power, when awakened it can either be an Elemental Jewel or Physical Jewel. They circle the right and left wrists like bracelets of power.... more>>

Heavenly Jewels are like the twins born, meaning when both Elemental and Physical Jewels are Awakened for the same person, the pair is known as Heavenly Jewels.

Those who have the Physical Jewels are known as Physical Jewel Masters, those with Elemental Jewels are Elemental Jewel Masters, and those who train with Heavenly Jewels are naturally called Heavenly Jewel Masters.

Heavenly Jewel Masters have a highest level of 12 pairs of jewels, as such their training progress is known as Heavenly Jewels 12 Changes.

Our MC here is an archer who has such a pair of Heavenly Jewels. <<less

In less than an instant the world as we knew it was at its end. ... more>>

That’s right. The Apocalypse. In a single blink Zombies appeared and mutated monsters began to rampage all throughout the world. Now it was the human species turn to fight for survival and planetary dominance!

On the same day that the world descends into chaos we meet Yue Zhong. Initially only hoping to get to his friends and escape to a refugee camp our protagonist sets out, inadvertently building a team along the way. After a series of fortuitous events and a few serious hunches our hero decides it’s time to do more than just survive!

Yue Zhong begins to form the foundations of an enormous survival plan… before he suddenly discovers that he has only gotten over the first hurdle…. Unbeknownst to Yue Zhong and company, the world outside of China is mostly a wasteland! Country sized swathes of nuclear radiation and an extreme shortage of supplies in the world after the nuclear explosions was quickly becoming the “norm”. Mutants, Evolved animals and what’s worse, intelligent out of control dinosaurs had quickly appeared and claimed their own sections of the planet. There were several innately powerful Evolved races which appeared that were more than 10 times stronger than humans, nearly all of them possessing bodies impenetrable by normal bullets. The fabled orcs’ were another of these Evolved races, the leader of which had in fact ens*aved many of the remaining human beings.

Unceremoniously exposed to such a cold and heartless new world, Yue Zhong is faced with a choice: Find a deep dark hole and hope it goes back to “normal”? Or overcome all obstacles and struggle towards Evolution!!! <<less

Marduk, the general of Kassite, has a beautiful son. Belshazzar. He has become Hierogami, a holy harlot meant to serve the soldiers of the Lion Army. Forced by his son’s reckless actions, Marduk must make a decision – let his men ravage his beloved only child or claim Belshazzar for himself, committing the ultimate sin.... more>>

The tale of Belshazzar, a son with forbidden desires, and Marduk, the father trying to honour his late wife and save them both. Whose wish will Goddess Millita fulfill?

*Part of the author’s “in*est Short Story” collection but released on its own. <<less

Bai Pingting has always been contrary to the saying, “A woman’s virtue is ignorance.” ... more>>

Although she serves the Marquess of Jing-An as a maid, she leads a life far richer than most women. Her plain appearance is not what defines her — but her intelligence, far beyond many wise men.

Although Chu Beijie was an enemy general, she still cannot help being attracted to this man, despite the many lies and conspiracies…but between love and loyalty, she must make a choice. She can only hope that man’s love for her isn’t as deep as she thought.

One is a soul who seemingly destroys peace while the other aspires to be the sword that saves. Between them, lies a mountain of hate…

Who of the two most cunning people on earth cast the trap and just who captured the other? <<less

What happens when one eats Death?... more>>

Personally, I don’t really know. What I do know is merely one thing.

I’m hungry.

Therefore, I’ll take the heads of these guys and deliver them to my superiors.

Surely, I’ll be able to eat delicious food.

Come, if preparations are in order, we depart. <<less

By the time Da Xuan was passed down to the seventh Emperor Xiao Wen, it had long since declined from its original state. After Emperor Xiao Wen’s passing, Emperor De Jia succeeded the throne. Ignorant yet arrogant, with harsh and demanding taxation—the citizens of Da Xuan had no way to survive, causing unceasing rebellions all over the country.... more>>

After ten years of his reign, Emperor De Jia met his demise. Subsequently, the Crown Prince Su Yuanan succeeded the throne. The title, Emperor De Xi, left its mark in history as the last emperor.

The Dynasty had reached an end, with no path for retreat.

There was limited information recorded in official history regarding this emperor; his five years of reign were both ludicrous and tyrannical. After the rebel army appeared, he was immediately defeated, captured with death by su*cide.

However…

There was such a woman, who stood amidst the whirlpool. She witnessed the rise and fall of a dynasty, the love and hate of this emperor.

What was righteous?

What was evil?

Who can say for sure?

With a stroke from the vermilion brush, the scribe could only follow the intentions of those in power. However, she felt that she could not allow him to follow in the footsteps of those who are already dust in history. <<less

Gu Nianzhi had no idea how to get the aloof and handsome Major General to fall in love with her.... more>>

His eyes were dark and serious. "...Seduce me. If you can do it, I’m yours."

Gu Nianzhi: "!!!" <<less

An unknown disciple from a small sect battling against the strongest in the cultivation world! The long journey working at cultivation, the realization of destiny, and the chance to reach the apex of the world.... more>>

Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. Zuo Mo is a zombie faced low level cultivator in a minor sect of a little world. Ever since he was picked up by the sect leader two years ago, he has no memories of his earlier life except a recurring nightmare. Navigating the rigid class structure and intricacies of the cultivation world, as one of the lowest possible of the lowest class, Zuo Mo’s dream is to earn money, and lots of it, through being a spiritual plant farmer. A chance occurrence reveals that someone powerful had changed Zuo’s features and erased his mind. The money grubbing zombie decides to set out on a journey of cultivation to find out answers. Fate colludes with chance, the drums of war are beating, the ghost of his past is coming… <<less

I thought I was the heroine. As long as I could capture the heart of my life-long meal ticket in the end, I could become his true love, get married, have kids afterwards. In the end, giving birth to a boy could be considered as the story’s ending, and it’s all happily ever after.... more>>

Anyways, aren’t all the old stories written like this!?
But, I never would’ve thought that I would be stuck at the first step.
Because, my meal ticket is……
——G-general, ah!!! _(:з」∠)_

This work has another name, “Goose Goose Goose.” (Not)
(T/N: in reference to the classic Tang poem, “Song for the Goose.”) <<less

After ten years on the battlefield, Teng Yun sees Xue Junliang protecting his country and conquering new territory, while he himself ends up with an arrow through his heart. When he wakes up, he becomes that man’s Ugly Empress.... more>>

This is about a Prince who is captured as prisoner and killed, then he is reborn as his enemy country’s ugly empress. With his black-bellied King of a husband, they love and hate each other. They use every possible method. Chickens fly and dogs jump, from imperial harem to imperial court there is no peace. In the end, they bring peace and stability to the country. <<less

You are the ruler, I am a subject, you want loyalty, I will give you loyalty.... more>>

You are the ruler, I am the subject, you want my sacrifice, I will sacrifice for you.

This lifetime, we’ll only be a ruler and his subject…… I cannot become the one who accompanies you to experience everything.

A deposed empress, a failure of a substitute. Charging into battle, he was the emperor, and she, his general. But within the intimacy of their military tent, he was her husband, and she, his wife.

But everything was star-crossed. For the one he loved the most, he would push her into hell again and again. <<less

After transmigrating into a beast world, Rong Mingshi discovered that the people of this world experienced widespread mania. For example, when their emotions were abnormally agitated, they would become destructive beasts. If their emotions were abnormally low, they would shrink into their young beast form.... more>>

There is a type of energy stone that can cure this but it must be hand-carved into the animal form corresponding to the beastman. The more realistic the shape, the better the healing effect and the higher the repeated utilization rate.

In his previous life, Rong Mingshi’s ancestors started as craftsmen who grew their business and became wealthy.

Then a small store suddenly popped up on the Star Network, selling several small sculptures made with superb skill. The effect of the energy stone to soothe emotions could be felt through the screen and stirred up a sensation in the entire empire. However, this store owner was super lazy… <<less

The heavens and earth change when the blood phoenix descends.... more>>

She is the chosen one of the blood phoenix, and she shoulders the blood debt of the entire royal clan. She renounces her fair facade with resolution and enthralls the world whilst clad in white, bestirring nations and dynasties with the flip of a hand.

He is an invincible war god and never shows mercy in his slaughter. His frozen heart is disturbed by her alone, and his tenderness reserved only for her.

Do we work together with one heart, or walk the separate paths of strangers? Do we clash against each other with weapons instead…

In this vast world, I compose music only with you, to astound eras to come. <<less

Eight hundred years ago, Xie Lian was the Crown Prince of the Xian Le kingdom. He was loved by his citizens and was considered the darling of the world. He ascended to the Heavens at a young age; however, due to unfortunate circumstances, was quickly banished back to the mortal realm. Years later, he ascends again–only to be banished again a few minutes after his ascension.... more>>

Now, eight hundred years later, Xie Lian ascends to the Heavens for the third time as the laughing stock among all three realms. On his first task as a god thrice ascended, he meets a mysterious ghost who rules over the ghosts and terrifies the Heavens, yet, unbeknownst to Xie Lian, this ghost king has been paying attention to him for a very, very long time. <<less

A man is stabbed by a robber on the run after pushing his coworker and his coworker’s new fiance out of the way. As he lays dying, bleeding on the ground, he hears a voice. This voice is strange and interprets his dying regret of being a virg*n by giving him the [Great Sage] unique skill! Is he being made fun of?!!... more>>

Piccoma Award 2021 <<less