Explosive Ammunition

He married the daughter of the Lancaster family purely for revenge. He expected her to be obedient and submissive, not to resist or show emotions—a perfect pawn in his plan for vengeance. However, when his gaze locked onto the third daughter of the Lancaster family, the one who barged into the living room was her—disheveled and stained with blood. She seemed ordinary, but beneath the surface, she hid an unknown sharpness. "Do you love me?" he asked coldly. "You're crazy!" she rolled her eyes in disdain. In that moment, he smiled with satisfaction, believing he had everything under control. But she fought back. Marrying him was merely one step in her own plan. Four years later, with the Lancaster family completely destroyed, she threw the divorce papers in his face, smiling like the final victor: "Albert Wilson, have you finished using me? Thank you for making me think I once loved you. Now, never see me again, even in death." Just as she turned to leave in triumph, she accidentally walked into a gang's arms deal, and an explosion forever separated her from him. It was only when he found the two-month pregnancy test result among her belongings that he realized he had lost the only salvation of his life.

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like if your dick exploded? Or if voodoo or black magic actually worked? Axel got a crash course in both after leaving a one-star review for a trashy smut novel where the hapless author-san offed a minor villain. Little did he know that this particular author had some serious power. Suddenly, Axel found himself in the body of the very villain he was lamenting, right at the moment when everything was about to spiral into chaos. Now, with a second chance at life (and a brand-new set of problems), Axel must navigate the wild world of villainy—complete with explosive consequences and dark magic—if he wants to rewrite his story before it ends in disaster.

In a world where magical portals and dangerous beasts keep appearing, humanity has organized ranks for heroes, from Rank F to Rank S. The strongest fight for fame and fortune, but there's one problem: while the world is teeming with S-ranked prodigies, one Rank F hero, Rin Park, seems to always end up saving the day—accidentally. On the surface, Rin is your typical F-ranked hero, barely passing the entrance exam and assigned to a tiny town with little to no action. But unbeknownst to everyone, Rin has a peculiar gift: he attracts bad luck. If there's a powerful enemy, they will somehow end up stumbling upon Rin, often resulting in a chaotic, explosive battle where Rin emerges victorious… by sheer accident.

After an explosion, You XiaoMo finds that he is now a probationary disciple of the TianXin sect. However, he is one with dubious potential, so just when he starts to adapt to his newW circumstances, he receives a piece of bad news. If he is unable to produce the required result after halfa year to become an official disciple of the TianXin sect, he would be driven out of the sect. While You XiaoMo is going all out to make medicines and earn money, he runs into Ling Xiao. To his horror, he later discovers that Ling Xiao is really someone cloaked in human skin.

The world as we know it changes when the explosion of twin stars sends a mysterious life force to Earth, triggering rapid mutations across all forms of life. Animals transform into monstrous beings, plants grow wild and untamed, and humanity faces an unprecedented challenge to survive. Our story follows N'Darian Voss, a young man from a lineage of warriors, whose life of discipline and rigorous training becomes his greatest weapon in this unforgiving new world. Scientists had received subtle warnings of this impending catastrophe, but their preparations fell short of the reality that unfolded. As chaos engulfs the planet, N'Darian must push beyond his limits, navigating a world where survival depends on strength, willpower, and the ability to adapt.

[Eine explosive und spannende Geschichte, die vom Chefredakteur selbst sehr empfohlen wird. Ein göttliches Buch, das man gelesen haben muss, Sie werden es bereuen, es nicht gelesen zu haben]. In den Augen der anderen mochte er wie ein wertloser Narr erscheinen, aber er wurde als Meister der Einschätzung, als Wunderheiler, als charmanter Zauberer, als Herr des Drachenpalastes, als unbesiegbarer Kriegsgott verehrt... Mit einer Hand, die goldene Nadeln gegen den Tod selbst schwang, und einer anderen, die ein Langschwert schwang und die Völker zwang, sich zu unterwerfen, besaß er unvergleichliche Fähigkeiten. Sein göttlicher Blick überblickte den Himmel und die Erde, während sein dämonischer Blick die Schleier von Yin und Yang durchdrang. Er war unübertroffen auf der ganzen Welt!

This is a game of deities. This is a fallen world. This is an endless voyage. Amidst the ruins of a shattered reality, a race known as "humans" dares to stake their existence on the faint glimmer of hope. "I shall return unto you the trials we once endured," proclaims a man of benevolent smile as he stands atop the pinnacle of the world. With fluttering banners, he gazes upon the radiant tapestry of the cosmos. He points a single finger toward the distant stars. Boom! A thunderous explosion shatters the silence, echoing across the desolate landscape.

When all nine Stars were opened completely, it would be equivalent to having nine Dantian. (Most unique point to the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art.) This is a Yang (阳) cultivation method, specific to males. Once he managed to completely condense his FengFu Star, he would be able to store an extremely large amount of spiritual energy. Then he could attempt to agglomerate his blood vessels and enter the Blood Condensation stage, thus becoming a true martial artist. As the FengFu Star grew larger, his physical body also changed with it and became stronger. The FengFu Star was just like a spring nourishing his whole body. His current transformation made him greatly different from his old self. Each Star requires ‘nine transformations’ to become perfect.” The other most peculiar aspect of the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art was that while ordinary cultivators had to cross only nine Heavenstages for each cultivation realm, Long Chen has to go through thirteen Heavenstages to enter the next realm. Besides, after the ninth Heavenstage, each increase allowed his power to explosively multiply.

"City of Two Worlds" In the divided city of Blizzel, where the elite live above in gleaming towers and the desperate struggle for survival below in the Techno Canyon, the gap between the two worlds grows ever wider. At the heart of it all is the Energy Tower — the city’s lifeblood, an ancient and powerful structure that keeps the lights on, but also hides dark secrets about its true purpose. Elián, a young engineer from the lower city, is haunted by the death of his sister, Ana, who died in a factory explosion covered up by the government. With no answers, Elián seeks justice, determined to uncover the truth behind the system that failed her and countless others. As the city begins to tremble under the weight of its own corruption, Elián’s path crosses with Oleg, the charismatic leader of the underground rebel group "RadioTapok." Oleg’s songs, filled with hidden messages of resistance, fuel the fires of rebellion in the lower city. Together with his newfound allies, Elián discovers that the Energy Tower is not just a source of power, but a weapon — a ticking time bomb waiting to tear the city apart. On the other side of the divide, Laena, a brilliant but conflicted scientist from the upper city, is also drawn to the tower’s dark secrets. As she uncovers the true nature of her family’s involvement in the tower’s creation, she is forced to question everything she has ever known about her world. As Elián, Laena, and Oleg forge uneasy alliances, the city begins to unravel. With betrayal, secrets, and the clash of two worlds, the struggle for control of Blizzel becomes a battle not just for survival, but for the future of the entire city. Will they be able to stop the impending disaster before it’s too late? Or will their efforts be crushed under the weight of the powers that control Blizzel? In this city of shadows and light, no one is safe, and nothing is as it seems.

In a world where magic isn’t just a tool but the very fabric of existence, young Poll Nightvale is about to flip the script—and maybe the universe—on its head. Don’t let his unassuming name fool you. Poll is no background character. Behind that innocent, wide-eyed look lies a sneaky bastard with manipulation skills sharp enough to sell ice to a frost giant. Combine that with badass scientific know-how, and you’ve got someone who can outwit a council of wizards and build a mana-powered doomsday device before breakfast. When Poll awakens to his dormant mana powers, he quickly learns that magic isn’t all sparkles and fun. It’s unruly, chaotic, and dangerously addictive—kind of like him. But instead of sticking to the traditional methods, Poll decides to chart his own course, blending arcane arts with cutting-edge science to create something entirely new. Of course, this path is littered with explosive experiments, accidental genius, and more than a few plans that sound insane… until they work. Things take a dark turn when Poll stumbles upon mana corruption, a sinister force that twists and warps everything it touches. This isn’t just a challenge—it’s a world-ending catastrophe in the making. But does Poll panic? Nope. He smirks, rolls up his sleeves, and gets to work. Armed with his sharp mind, dubious charm, and a team of loyal (and occasionally exasperated) companions, he sets out to tackle the impossible. At his side are his fiercely protective mother, Seraphina; his stoic, sword-wielding father, Eryndor; and his chaotic crew of allies—Lira, the fire-obsessed wizard who believes “more flames” is always the answer; Kaida, the silent assassin who lets her blade do the talking; and Elowen, the gentle shield mage with untapped power and unshakable resolve. Together, they face a world where allies can’t always be trusted, enemies lurk in the shadows, and Poll’s questionable plans are often their best hope. As Poll grapples with the forces of mana and his own chaotic ambitions, he learns that being a hero isn’t about playing by the rules. It’s about bending them, breaking them, and occasionally rewriting them entirely. Because when the stakes are this high, and the odds this slim, you need someone who can think outside the box—and maybe set it on fire for good measure. Join Poll Nightvale on a journey of explosive discovery, cunning schemes, and chaotic brilliance as he forges his destiny, one sneaky move at a time. In a world teetering on the edge of destruction, he’s not just a beacon of hope—he’s the unpredictable spark that sets everything into motion.

[Empress + Multiple Female Protagonists + Funny + Diary + Exposure + Super Cool + Invincible + Super Explosive] Lin Feng traveled to the world of cultivators and lived for six thousand years. He used all kinds of identities to leave behind countless legends and some romantic encounters. Until one day, his diary was found. The world of cultivators was shocked to find that there was such a sixth brother in this world. After the diary was exposed, the secrets of this world were also revealed. [The Holy Virgin of Jade Lake is really good, hehehe!] [Who would have thought that the Empress of the Celestial Dynasty would have such a delicate and charming side?] 　 [Today, I found some secrets about this world.] [I'm tired of using the name Emperor Huang the Celestial Emperor. Tomorrow, I'll change my identity!] PS: Great Emperor is just a title, not a cultivation level. If you don't like it, don't criticize.

You know how it goes: regular guy, regular day, ~flying truck~. Not just speeding—flying. It wasn’t some freak accident, either. That truck came for me like God had finally decided, “Enough of this guy.” One moment, I’m a pancake; the next, I wake up in a magical fantasy world. Cool, right? Wrong. My parents? Too busy chasing some grand ambition to bother with little ol’ me. Instead, they dumped me on the world’s oldest nanny. She fed me soup, tucked me in, and hovered like I was still in diapers. Being the bright child I was, I thought, Why not ask for a younger, prettier nanny? Cue my dad giving me the business end of his parenting philosophy. Lesson learned: don’t sass the guy who holds the purse strings and a heavy belt. Still, it wasn’t all bad. Magic existed! I mastered Grade 1 spells in no time and discovered the joys of alchemy—aka, the legal loophole to making BOMBS. Life finally had some spark, pun fully intended. I was living my best fantasy life... until I spotted a familiar name. A school. A name that nagged at the corners of my mind. Wait. Isn’t this straight out of that novel I read once? But which novel?! I can’t remember squat about the plot—except one terrifying detail: I’m the villain. The doomed, laughably incompetent villain. Fine. If this world wants me to be the bad guy, I’ll do it my way. Who says villains can’t win? Heroes, take notes: I’m armed with alchemy, explosions, and a bone to pick with fate. This time, the villain’s rewriting the story. Watch me blow it all sky-high.

A story following a young hunter named Jay. He has grown up in a world where dungeons, monsters, and humans with leveling systems are a cultural norm. At the age of 20, he awakens a skill that allows him to steal the abilities of monsters. While others are stuck with a specific skill set, he continues to grow stronger after every battle. Follow Jay's journey as he learns more about his unique situation in a world that's grown blind to the real dangers of modern-day dungeon diving.  What to expect: -Weak To Strong Male MC -Fast Leveling + Rare Magical Items -Stats + Hidden Abilities + LitRPG System -Explosions, Monsters, & Epic Battles [Daily uploads, a minimum of 7 chapters per week.]

Aiden’s world is torn apart when a catastrophic explosion devastates his city, separating him from Lila, the love of his life. Awakening in the surreal Otherworld, he learns that this realm is a patchwork of destruction and despair, where the fragments of things lost in the real world converge. At its heart lies Yggdrasil, the great tree of life that connects all worlds and timelines, threatened by the corruption of the Core—a manifestation of imbalance, rot, and despair. Guided by Sylva, a luminous being tied to Yggdrasil, Aiden wields the quill-sword, a weapon shaped by his imagination. Tasked with restoring balance to the Otherworld and reuniting with Lila, Aiden joins forces with Rowan, a fiery and skilled warrior, and Kieran, a stoic and loyal protector. Together, they face the Core’s shadowy agents, powerful manifestations of fear and despair that seek to corrupt Yggdrasil’s roots and spread their influence across all worlds.

Meet Ronan Ashbourne, the hot-headed future Alpha of the Ironclaw pack. He can’t control his explosive temper, nor does he want to. But when their rivals show up and try to ruin everything, Ronan goes all out and unleashes his full power to make sure they come out on top. Amidst the chaos, Sophia Rain from Bloodmoon pack struggles with her own insecurities and fears while caught in the crossfire. As Ronan’s path crosses with Sophia’s, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her despite his usual disdain for attachments. Meanwhile, at home, Ronan’s brother Matthew senses a strange connection brewing that could change everything. Could it be that she is both of their destined mate?

In the world of legends in the milky way where players reign supreme. The virtual battle grounds were set for an epic showdown. The spectators watched intensely as players prepared to face off their opponents. The air was electric with anticipation; this was more than just a mere match it was a battle for glory. And as the match started the atmosphere became tensed and the cheers and trash talk grew deafening. Xiao Yue gazed at her teammates with a burning desire for victory as they all nod. The teammates split up in different lanes as each one of them met their opponents and the battle begun. The air was filled with tension as the players unleashed their skills and abilities. Sounds of digital explosions and laser blasts could be heard. In this moment, the spectators held its breath as the match reached its climax. Would the star team achieve glory or would it be the other way round?

As Orson read the novel written by the girlfriend who had left him, he gently remarked on how terrible the story was. But then, noticing a foul smell coming from the kitchen, he went to investigate. He realized there was some kind of gas leak. Already furious about being dumped, Orson became even angrier at the state of his kitchen, and in his rage, he hit the light switch with a powerful punch. Naturally, the explosion that followed killed him instantly, and Orson passed into the afterlife. After spending some time in limbo, he found himself reincarnated in an unfamiliar world. However, he quickly realized he had been reborn inside the cliché-filled novel written by his ex-girlfriend. As if that wasn’t enough, he had ended up in the body of Neonidas, a useless duke who was also the fiancé of the story's villainess. ____ There may be a bit too much swearing and slang in the first chapters, but it gets less afterwards. There will be no yuri or ntr in Neonidas(MC) harem

[ Warning: Mature content R-18 ] Is death a new begining? For Max, it was. Max, a twenty-year-old virgin, got attacked by a bear in forest and died an untimely death. Fortunately for him... that wasn't the end to his story. In the next instant, he found himself transmigrated into the body of a noble's youngest son in a world full of Magic, wonders and... beautiful women. As if God was making up for his untimely death, he also got a system -The Lust System. "I can become stronger just by having sex?" Join the journey of Max and watch he have the time of his life and become the strongest mage the world had ever seen before. ______________________________ [Things to be noted] 1. From the title, you should've guessed it already but let me tell you the story will be filled with many sexual adventures. So... you are welcome to enjoy them..... 2. However... don't expect MC to have sexual relations with every woman he meets. I'll be focusing on the story, and would 'Try' not to blindly throw sex scenes left and right. 3. Most importantly, this is my first time writing so the the quality of first 50 or so may be a bit lacking (But it would cause you no problem if a few minor errors don't bother you). 4. It is a slow paced story. If you want everything to be explosive and fast, maybe this isn't for you. Important Note: If you enjoy the story then don't forget to vote your GTs, Power stones and also if you can, send some GIFTS too. This poor soul would appreciate it. Also check out My other work: [ Rise of the Strongest War God ] & [ My perverted devil system ] Happy reading~ ________________

After the world was destroyed by magical explosion called maylon which led to creation of monsters. The rest of the human civilization were given a chance to fix the world. 100 soldiers were selected to imbued with great magical powers to go around the world and find special magical artifacts that would help fix the world, fighting terrifying monsters and beasts along the way.

"At one point in the universe, in the year 1 of the cosmic calendar, everything was empty. After a while, the emptiness collided, creating black and white holes that moved apart for millions of years. Inside these holes, particles combined, forming the Supergalaxy 1. Due to the black hole's destructive nature, everything nearby was destroyed. Trillions of years passed until the black and white holes reunited. As the white hole approached the black hole, it disintegrated and merged with it, triggering the Supergalaxy 1 explosion, creating the galaxy. Within this galaxy lies a planet where our story begins, about nine elemental users with different goals, marking the beginning of our world."

“Hmph, my dumb big sister is in danger!” A mischievous grin spread across his face. “Hehehehe... this gives me the perfect excuse to finally use this treasure I’ve acquired but never bothered with!” He rummaged through his belongings, carefully selecting various items. “A bit of this... and this... and a dash of this.” Boom! The explosion of energy sent a ripple through the air as he laughed maniacally. “Hahaha! It's done! Now, all I need is a compatible host for it.” Years later... “Did I overdo it?” he wondered in awe, watching as his creation wreaked havoc, conquering world after world with ease, as though stealing candies from children. **** As you saw the synopsis, it will be :- Op Mc Harem World Travels And one side beating

Centuries ago this was a great planet, now it’s a husky shadow of it’s former beauty. Though the remnants of its former magic still linger it was destroyed by power hungry scientists. More tests to make more technology to go further, faster more this more that. Boom It all went up in flames, radiation spilled out into South America from the global power station in Brazil. The nuclear plant 15 times that of Chernobyl blew its top. The initial explosion flattened Brazil and the shockwaves were felt from the Florida keys. But the thing that truly ruined the world was the nuclear fallout. it rained down everywhere turning the world into a desolate wasteland deserts for miles and miles. Now you live in districts to survive, but what’s the good in just being a number. Why would you look forward to a future of infant nothing, can you run from that? Where would you go? Where have the people who have escaped gone? Is that a future? After the first five chapters all chapters are 1000+ words, so no itty bitty update chapters.

[Une histoire explosive et palpitante, vivement recommandée par le rédacteur en chef lui-même. Un livre divin incontournable, vous regretterez de ne pas l'avoir lu.] Aux yeux des autres, il pouvait sembler un sot sans valeur, mais il était vénéré comme le maître de l'évaluation, le guérisseur miraculeux, le sorcier charmant, le seigneur du Palais du Dragon, l'invincible dieu de la guerre... D'une main qui maniait des aiguilles dorées contre la mort elle-même, et de l'autre qui brandissait une épée longue, forçant les nations à se soumettre, il possédait une prouesse inégalée. Son regard divin scrutait les cieux et la terre, tandis que sa vue démoniaque perçait les voiles du yin et du yang. Il était sans égal dans le monde entier !

A quiet tapestry of interconnected lives, “Subtle Family Threads” follows an extended family dispersed across different cities, tied together by shared memories and simple acts of care. Without explosive secrets or grand legacies, these individuals navigate the ordinary twists of daily existence—an overlooked postcard in the mail, a phone call on a Sunday afternoon, the lingering scent of old recipe books—and discover the delicate strength of their ties.

Apocalypse、Rebirth、Explosive hoarding of supplies、Infinite space、Blackening Revenge of Bitch. The world has entered the Ice Age, and the end of the cold ice has arrived, with 95% of humanity on the planet dying! In his previous life, Jack was killed by someone he had helped because of his kindness. Reborn a month before the end of the Cold Ice Age, Jack awakened his spatial ability and began to crazily hoard supplies! Lack of supplies? He emptied a billion of dollar warehouse in a super mall! Are you living comfortably? He built a super safe house that was comparable to a fortress of the end! The end of the day is approaching, and others are frozen into dogs, willing to give up everything for a bite.

**Blurb:** In the heart of Little Italy, chaos reigns as Tommy Russo and Clara Voss take on the infamous Vitale crime family. With the rise of a mysterious figure known as The Bonesman—a relentless killing machine born from the ashes of The Collector—Tommy and Clara must navigate a surreal battleground of memes, madness, and mayhem. Armed with humor and fierce determination, they plunge into an explosive showdown that will change the city forever. Will they reclaim their streets, or will the darkness consume them? Join the wild ride through a world where every bullet fired is a brushstroke on the canvas of chaos, and laughter is the only weapon they have left! Written and Created by JARROD A. FREEMAN **#LittleItaly #TheBonesman #ChaosAndMemes #ActionAdventure #CrimeThriller #SurrealMoments #ViralShowdown #FightingForJustice #DareToLaugh #UrbanLegend #jarrodafreeman

I died in an explosion—a betrayal engineered by the man I trusted most. But instead of the end, I woke up in a new body. A noblewoman’s body. Evelina, disgraced and hated, accused of poisoning the Crown Prince of a kingdom where werewolves rule the land. And worse? The man whose life I supposedly tried to end is now my fated mate. Damian, the Crown Prince, is as cold as the moonlight that binds us, his piercing silver eyes filled with distrust every time they land on me. He doesn’t believe my innocence, and frankly, I don’t care. My only priority is survival in this dangerous, medieval world—and figuring out why fate decided to shove me into the life of a traitor. But the longer I’m near Damian, the harder it is to ignore the pull between us—the undeniable heat of the mate bond that makes his touch electric and his presence intoxicating. Enemies lurk in the shadows, including the woman who thinks she should be his Luna. Court intrigue spirals out of control, and the person behind Evelina’s betrayal might be closer than I realize. Damian’s trust is my only shield, but when the truth of my transmigration comes to light, I’m not sure even that will be enough to save me. Because in this world, it’s not love that conquers all—it’s power. And mine might not be enough.

At the dawn of existence, before the universe as we know it came to life, there was only silence. From this silence shadow was born, birthed from the stillness of the outer void. Then came the will of the Creator to bring life into the void. And with a burst of energy shaped Earth and humanity through what we now call the Primordial Eruption, birthing planets and painting existence with infinite possibilities. Alongside this explosion of creation, chaos was born. Light carried life to Earth but chaos seeped into its foundation and twisting the essence of life. For each time the world succumbed to chaos, it turned into a ruined world and regressed to a new dimension yet chaos began tearing them apart one by one. Shadow, the primordial guardian of silence sought to destroy chaos and purge its corruption from existence, but with it means to all dimensions of the earth itself. The Creator cast shadow into a deep slumber beneath the veil of illusion where it could no longer harm chaos and the life intertwined with it. — To restore balance, the mysterious organization Altiris, send participants into these ruined worlds to reignite life and repair the fractures of existence. Meanwhile, the demon realm had to maintained the balance within the Abyss of Illusion to prevent shadow from awaken. Kira, one of the participant that was trapped from a LARP events held by Altiris, finds herself struggling to manage her once given shadow power. Guided by a demon beast named Maerion, her path leads her to Demon King which might hold the key to her survival. Will they find a way to maintain harmony between shadow and chaos?

In a future marked by collapse and reorganization, Norsthania rises as a powerful, unified nation born from the ruins of the former United States, Canada, and Mexico. Divided into five sectors, each controlling a crucial part of humanity’s fate, the nation seems unstoppable. However, for Staniel Santos Neo Sky, a young man born in the floating city of Stan, the grandeur of his nation crumbles in an instant. Trapped in a life of poverty and pain, Staniel struggles to keep his family’s shop afloat after the tragic death of his mother in an explosion at the quantum energy plant. As his city of technological wonders falls apart, the echoes of a far greater darkness are heard on the horizon. Dark halos begin to appear in the sky, harbingers of an unknown threat. One day, the city is ravaged by a monstrous, colossal creature, whose attack drags Staniel into the abyss of despair. Alone and broken, Staniel faces the grim reality that his home no longer exists. His father is lost, and the city, drenched in blood and destruction, becomes a field of ruins. But from the tragedy rises an iron will: Staniel swears vengeance against the monsters that have destroyed his life. Marked by loss, he joins Norsthania's forces, determined to confront the darkness that threatens to consume all that remains. In a world on the brink of collapse, Staniel will discover that true strength isn’t found in the stars or the technology that builds his nation, but in the resilience of the human heart—capable of enduring, fighting, and rebirthing even in the deepest darkness. His destiny will be forged in the fire of war, facing enemies beyond his imagination, as he fights for the only thing left to him: the memory of his people and the echo of hope.

In a world where ancient secrets and royal intrigue collide, a forbidden love is rekindled. Princess Ning, hidden from birth, discovers her true identity and a centuries-old curse that threatens to destroy her. When she meets Ren Zhetian, her sworn enemy's reincarnation, their explosive encounters ignite a dangerous passion. Can they break the curse and shatter their families' dark legacies, or will their love succumb to the devastating fate that has haunted them for centuries? A tale of reincarnation, forbidden love, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of modern royalty and ancient Chinese mystique.