Chapter 1

I am deeply grateful to be able to post on 17K again. The new book ranking period has ended, and I want to say something.

I clearly remember it was May 1, 2010, on a street stall in Qingdao. I, who had graduated from university for less than a year, was drinking beer and chatting with a few friends. We started talking about playing games with roommates, then moved on to online game novels. Without realizing it, we began discussing the most awesome giant god, Lostleaf, in online game novels, and that's how I learned about 17K Novel Network.

After drinking a bit more, I started boasting, saying that if others can write, I can too! Even if I can't write well, it won't be too bad, right?

Of course, my friends didn't believe that little me could write a book, because I studied interior design in college and after graduation, I spent my days on construction sites with workers, doing hard and dirty work. At that time, I was still a young and tender guy, clearly not fitting in with that line of work.

Because of that night of a few skewers and two rounds of beer, I actually registered an account and, without any preparation, started writing a book called "Living in an Office Full of Beautiful Women" (the title was given by my editor, Afu, hehe, quite eye-catching, right?). That was my absolute debut, and I just started writing without thinking about anything—what is a plot, what is a climax, what is conflict and excitement. I had no idea at all...

(Interlude: I remember very clearly that during the new book period, there were the legendary "Official Journey" by Meng Ruhong and "Flirtatious Student" by Weitianxia. Later, our relationship became very good, and Mengmeng became a god but remained down-to-earth, with no airs at all. Old Wei and I also had a great relationship. I remember it was around May 1, 2011, when Old Wei, a rich guy, drove with his wife and family to Qingdao. I, a poor guy, was so happy that I rushed to the seaside pier to meet him. I also met Old Wei's kind and generous wife.)

During the first new book period, I saw how well Mengmeng and Old Wei were doing, and I boasted to my friends that I would definitely write a book of at least 100,000 words. By the end of May, I had written nearly 200,000 words. I was so excited, boasting to everyone. But being a first-time writer, after writing so many words, I was completely stumped and didn't know how to continue.

But at that moment, Old Wei's "Flirtatious Student" and a batch of other books that had been on the new book list for a period all left the new book ranking. I suddenly found myself at the top of the new book list, which was absolutely shocking! I swear, I was really excited and showed off to many people. However, everyone's evaluation was: "Your writing isn't that great, with so many typos, and it's far from what others can do!"

But this didn't dampen my enthusiasm. I continued writing and, after going on sale, I consistently maintained a top ten subscription rate. I even wrote over a million words, which was astronomical to me at the time. This experience was something I never thought I could persist through, as I really didn't want to continue by the end.

I also started a second book, "Impostor Genius." Afu and Yingzi both told me that the topic was niche, but I didn't listen and just wrote it. During the new book period, it did well and made it to the top three. After going on sale, I maintained a top ten subscription rate, but I felt I hadn't improved at all and that everything was just luck.

What I didn't expect was that at the end of 2010, Afu actually told me I could attend the author's annual meeting. I was so excited for several nights. It meant I could meet legendary figures like Headmaster and Yezi, as well as superstars like Mengmeng and Old Wei. Of course, I was even more excited to meet the legendary editors!

This was an experience 17K brought me that I never thought I could have.

"Impostor Genius" was written with low enthusiasm and, due to some personal issues, I ended it at about a million words. I didn't write for about a month because of those issues.

Later, because Afu kept asking me to revise my new book, I directly moved to another website to post... Now, I realize that Afu was doing it for my own good, as he was responsible and wanted me to improve. He asked me to revise because he thought I had potential. Unfortunately, I didn't understand at the time.

As a result, I betrayed 17K, left my editor and brothers. At that time, I felt like I was betraying 17K, which was the home that got me into this circle. Although it wasn't the biggest or strongest, it was the warmest in my heart.

After leaving 17K, I went through many things. Later, due to a special event, I left Qingdao and returned to my hometown, Qufu. Then I started a year-long series of blind dates and got married in mid-2013.

After getting married, I realized how hard it is to be a wanderer away from home. I finally discovered that 17K's editors were the most responsible, but I didn't dare to return because I was afraid that a writer who had betrayed the website wouldn't be valued. I even considered ending my career as a web novelist and just working a 9-to-5 job.

But in June or July, I saw a message from Boss Xue calling for authors to return home. I immediately sent an email to Boss Xue saying I wanted to come back. He welcomed me back. Then I eagerly found Afu, who was overjoyed to hear that I wanted to return and start a new book.

Then, "Devilish Soldier King" was finally ready to be posted after more than twenty days of his guidance and revisions!

On July 26, Shao Fu said to post the book, and I eagerly uploaded this new book. The following days were tough, as no one would read a new book from a new author after being away from 17K for a while.

When my word count reached a certain number, the website arranged for a recommendation. On August 5, "Devilish Soldier King" finally entered the new book ranking, but I knew I still had a long way to go and needed to work harder.

Then, on August 14, "Devilish Soldier King" entered the top five of the new book ranking. I knew my efforts hadn't been in vain, and I had lived up to the website and editors' trust and recommendations... Later, it entered the top three, then the second place... Finally, on September 1, when "Wu Hun" left, it reached the top of the new book ranking!

This position had been away for two years, and this feeling made me regain my confidence. Although "Devilish Soldier King" had only been posted for sixty days, I experienced many things during these two months—troubles and surprises. The biggest surprise was that I would be a father by early next year, the biggest shock was my grandmother's sudden illness, the biggest tragedy was the power outage in the neighborhood that forced me to wander and update, and the biggest joy was my brother's wedding... But nothing stopped me from writing.

I don't know what day it was, but I suddenly found myself on the homepage click ranking. To be among the gods! I was, of course, very excited!

Later, I even entered the top ten of the click ranking, standing shoulder to shoulder with those gods I could only look up to.

What excited me the most was that on September 23, I reached an even higher position on the click ranking, third place! This was something I never dared to dream of! "Devilish Soldier King" could actually have the same click rate as Yezi's "Slashing Dragon," and when I knew nothing about writing, Yezi was my idol. I used to talk about Yezi's dominance with Brother Rui in our rented apartment.

But looking up at the giants, Six Brother and Old Shi, they were far ahead of us. I still remember the first author's annual meeting, where Six Brother led me and Old Wei around the hot springs, looking for beautiful women. At that time, I didn't dare to talk to the gods, but Six Brother was very enthusiastic and humble...

"Devilish Soldier King" has reached this point today, and I am truly grateful to 17K for giving me the chance to return, to the editors like Afu who stayed up late to guide me, and to my brothers who helped me with various chapter recommendations after I returned. You made me realize that I am not fighting alone!

Finally, I am most grateful to the readers who have been with "Devilish Soldier King." The success of this book depends not only on my updates but also on your support. Without your support, I would have no motivation to write. I mean this sincerely! Thank you, thank you, and thank you again.

I am from Qufu, the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, so I am very formal here. I want to thank all those who have helped and supported me, and I will bow three times and kowtow nine times. Hehe!

I didn't expect to ramble so much... Hey, maybe no one will read it, but if you do, please give it a thumbs up. I don't earn much, but I have been able to persist in this circle for three years, which I find very hard. Ha, I can't help it; I just love this.

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