The story of a cult master, his lover and their deaths.
Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting's story.

Ruan Tangling has been single for 24 years without encountering any romantic opportunities. ... more>>

One day, while she was out buying flour, she was unexpectedly kidnapped by Ji Weiming, the Crown Prince of Xihuai, Great Ji.

All the girls in the capital knew that the Crown Prince was handsome, and whenever he went out, he would be surrounded by intentionally falling girls.

Ruan Tangling became the envy of all as the Crown Prince's wife. However, being the Crown Prince's wife wasn't an easy job.

Not only did she have to pretend to be affectionate with Ji Weiming, but she also had to act as his personal bodyguard!

Even her father, who relied on her, became subservient to him.

But since she had the best man in the world by her side, she couldn't let such a great opportunity slip away... <<less

Wen Liunian is Cangmang City’s newly appointed prefect.... more>>

The common people banged on their gongs and drums, thinking the lord official will be like before, a big, strong man built like an iron tower, but no one expected it to be a skinny and weak bookworm that walked out of the coach.

Lord Wen looked around, furrowed his brows and exclaimed, “This place really is poor.”

The people heard and their hearts shattered all over the ground, we don’t want that either, but on the mountains outside of the city there are bandits.

——

The Bandit’s Strategy is the third book in Yu Xiao Lan Shan’s Jianghu/Strategy series. Each book is standalone, but there are character cameos and mentions that don’t disrupt the flow of the main story of each book.

1st book: Everywhere in Jianghu is Wonderful
2nd book: Everywhere in Jianghu are Tycoons
3rd book: The Bandit's Strategy
4th book: The Emperor's Strategy
5th book: Return Together <<less

A young master of the wealthy Jinling House. A normal rebellious military official that retired from Chengdu. Two men with very different backgrounds each have... more>> a plan for their new life. Due to an unexpected turn of events, both meet at a small town in Jiangnan, and start living under the same roof. As a result, their new beautiful life has turned into a daily routine... <<less

During their sophomore year, the entire college was abuzz with the news that the two most attractive individuals on campus were now a couple. What surprised everyone even more was that they were both of the same gender, both Omegas.... more>>

One was the enigmatic and intimidating Liang Yan, while the other was the dreamy heartthrob that many yearned for, Ji Qiu.

In response, the Alpha population across the campus was in an uproar —”Damn! What the hell?”

Then, one day, a curious bystander noticed that Liang Yan’s belly seemed to be slightly rounded.

#Campus Chronicles: Love That Defies Convention -Those unconventional emotions were bound to end in tragedy!#

#Liang Yan’s Pregnancy: Was It a Result of Alpha’s Coercion or Omega’s Indulgence?#

#Who betrayed whom?!#

Time passed, and people witnessed Liang Yan, despite his pregnancy, confronting Ji Qiu in a corner of the campus field and giving him a thorough beating. Surprisingly, Ji Qiu didn’t fight back or retort!

But what no one heard was…

Ji Qiu looking pitiful: “Wuwuwu, Wife, I won’t pretend to be an Omega anymore!”

Liang Yan rolling up his sleeves: “I will beat you up no matter what day it is!*”

Drama queen Alpha in pursuit X the elegant Omega in high demand.

One-Line Synopsis: Don’t know how to act like an Omega? Let me teach you.

* 打你不挑日子 (dǎ nǐ bù tiāo rìzi) is a Chinese internet slang phrase that literally translates to “I won’t choose a specific day to beat you up.” It is often used humorously or playfully to imply that someone is ready to take action or confront someone without any hesitation or delay. <<less

On the outskirts of the Pleasure City of Midas lies the Ceres special autonomous area, commonly known as the slums. Gang leader Riki, looking for an easy pocket to pick in the nightlife districts, gets caught red-handed…by none other than one of the highest-ranking, golden-haired android elites ruling from the capital Tanagura: the “Blondy” Iason Mink!
By all rights, a Blondy standing at the pinnacle of aristocracy and a slummer should have never crossed paths—their chance encounter marks the beginning of a love twisted by obsession, soon spiraling into a karmic chain of events...... more>>

⬇️ //// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////
⬇️ //// About the English translation ////
⬇️ //// Current translation status ////
⬇️ //// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

//// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////

Originally serialized in the bimonthly magazine Shosetsu June (小説ジュネ) spanning six chapters from December 1986 to October 1987, the novel was released with minor revisions into a hardcover edition in 1990.
This first version of the story received a two-episode/OVA anime adaptation in 1992 and 1994.

Between the years 2001 and 2007, the original story was greatly expanded upon and released in six paperback volumes. After a change of Japanese publisher, two more volumes were released between 2009 and 2010, completing the series (the six aforementioned volumes were released as volumes 1-4 in the newest Japanese edition).
This second version of the story was meant to be adapted into a twelve-episode OVA anime—initially planned to release in 2010—but was postponed to 2012, only to be discontinued after the fourth episode’s release.

//// About the English translation ////

The English paperback expanded edition is made up of eight volumes: the six first volumes (Seibido/Crystal edition) + the two later volumes (#7 and #8 in English, but #5 and #6 in the newest Tokuma/Chara edition).
The change in Japanese publisher led to a change in translator for the English edition between vol1 to 6 and vol7 to 8: it is highly recommended to read the fan translations of #7 and #8 as opposed to reading the licensed edition, due to the massive loss in translation (expect a 50% word count difference between the two).

//// Current translation status of the different editions of the novel (as of April 20th, 2024) ////

. Shosetsu June edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation.
. 1990 hardcover edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation. An older fan translation had 4/6 chapters translated but the project was dropped.
. 2000’s expanded edition, English licensed: fully translated, complete.

//// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

– The Shosetsu June story was adapted into a drama cassette and a drama CD (Dark Erogenous).
– The expanded story was adapted into three drama CDs (Destiny, Nightmare, Resonance)
– A prequel called Midnight Illusion was serialized in Shosetsu June between December 1992 and April 1993, and released as a hardcover in 1996. 3/6 chapters have been fan-translated into English.
– The 5 side stories have all been fan-translated into English (Kizu/Wound, File-0, Cal’s Sighs, Musk, Illusion Night) and are based on the expanded version of the novel.

Look up online “Ai no Kusabi Master List LiveJournal” to find the links to all the material listed above and more.

[This page was updated as per an anon’s request, all credit goes to the AnK community where credit is due.] <<less

Our two leads of vastly different personalities have to battle through misunderstandings, the uncertainties of growing up as well as the greatest barrier that is... more>> the unspoken expectations they have of each other. Would their love remain resolute in trying circumstances or would it mellow with time? There is a saying the first cut is the deepest; will that be the case here? <<less

This blog is a record of battle as dictated by a man with a fujoshi girlfriend. Okay, that was a lie. I’m not fighting at... more>> all. The war is purely one-sided. Each day I am dragged further and further into the world of otaku. I cannot be held responsible for any damages incurred by reading this blog and falling into the same predicament. There is much otaku talk contained within, so please follow your directions carefully, and do not exceed your recommended dosage. <<less