Waking up, I found I had gained over two hundred more [tickets/votes], which was more than I had anticipated. I checked the backend and saw many people were still tipping. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for everyone's support.
Then, regarding the "Three Kings Battle" arc—many people claim it's tormenting the protagonist. Fine, I admit the atmosphere is heavy, but tormenting the protagonist? I have nothing left but a wry smile.
What constitutes tormenting the protagonist? Is it when the main character faces danger? When he can't beat the enemy? When he gets injured? When the girls are besieged? Life has its peaks and valleys, and a story must have its troughs and crests; that is what makes a genuine narrative. In a war involving thousands of combatants on both sides, is it realistic to expect our side to suffer zero casualties? Even fairy tales don't operate like that.
That the girls remain unharmed is a given, but even I admit that such a certainty borders on excessive wish fulfillment.
Moving on to the pace: fifty thousand characters in two days—that is the result of my diligent labor. No matter how oppressive or frustrating the plot gets, I believe I have earned the right to ask for support because of the effort I’ve expended. I sacrificed countless hours of rest and sleep to write these chapters, and I feel I can confidently request your support.
Of course, whether you choose to vote is entirely up to you. I haven't held a knife to anyone’s throat demanding votes, nor have I threatened to stop updating if I don't receive them. This is a voluntary arrangement, and I believe mutual understanding is crucial. Even if absolutely no one votes, I will still deliver the surge updates I planned. I was merely venting a little frustration, but the moment I aired this grievance, someone took offense, and the review section saw sarcasm and personal attacks... I can only chuckle.
Actually, I already secured the genre award. Once I hit five hundred [tickets/votes], that one thousand yuan bonus was already in the bag. Any more now won’t result in an additional prize.
From the 29th until now, my computer hasn't been turned off. I’ve slept less than ten hours total, not even taking time for a proper shower or hair wash. I’ve been striving to dedicate every available moment to writing. If this were purely about money, I wouldn't need to push myself like this. Since the bonus is secured, why not take a good rest or save up chapters for next month? Early next month also offers double [ticket/vote] periods; exploding chapters then would be far more advantageous for me. Doing this now offers zero tangible benefit.
But... shouldn't life be about more than just money? Besides financial gain, there are other things worth striving and fighting for. I have a small ideal I want to chase. Therefore, for the next 22 hours, I will not rest. I will continue to push out updates, for that tiny ideal of mine, and for those readers who saved their pocket money or even meal expenses to tip me and help me reach the 'Meng' status.
This month is the last month of 2011. Since uploading this book in April, nearly eight months have passed. I dare say I have been diligently writing every single day, striving to present the best possible story. Right now, I just want to see the limits of my own endurance, what heights this novel can ascend to, and how much support I can ultimately garner from my readers. I want to earn my own recognition!
Due to a minor unforeseen issue, a section of my stored manuscript was cut off. I only have six thousand characters of cohesive saved work left, which I just posted. Everything from this point on must be freshly written. I don't know how much I can produce in the next 22 hours, but I will fight until the final second of this month, so I ask that you support me until that very last second as well.
Please!
I sincerely thank every friend who has voted, subscribed, or recommended my book.
P.S.: A special thanks to the individual who resorted to personal attacks. You are a wonderful person. I guarantee your situation will not be bleak. I send you my heartfelt blessings—may your lover turn out to be the father you lost many years ago, and may you both remain together, side-by-side, every single day and night into old age... Blessings to you both! RO
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