Bai Ye is the protagonist of a torment-the-lead novel, the quintessential beautiful, powerful, and tragic hero, a classic overpowered protagonist.
In the story, he struggles to survive at the very bottom of a remote planet. No matter how miserable his circumstances become, no matter whether he is betrayed, humiliated, or bullied, Bai Ye remains unshaken. He simply strides indifferently over the thorns and through the depths of despair, coldly and efficiently eliminating every obstacle in his way.
Cruel, calm, taciturn, restrained, mad, and powerful.
As the comments section erupts in celebration at the ending, Bai Ye sits alone upon the supreme throne that is his by right.
*
When he wakes again, Bai Ye has been reborn in another world.
His body is uncommonly weak and powerless, and just then someone quietly approaches.
At the critical moment, Bai Ye closes his eyes and pretends to sleep, as if unaware that the other person is right beside him. By instinct, he calculates a plan to kill with a single strike, but, to his surprise, what descends is not a lethal blade, but a soft, warm feather.
The thing brushing his cheek is light and fluffy, a completely new sensation.
"Cheep?"
A young chirp, carrying a strange note of concern, reaches his ears.
Bai Ye slowly opens his eyes. A little bird, white as snow and soft as a puff of cotton, radiating warmth, presses close without fear. Its bright, sly eyes peer at him curiously.
"You're so cold. You feel chilly, cheep!"
"Are you a great demon? I heard only great demons can transform, cheep!"
"I don't have a great demon. Could you be mine?"
The fluffy white bird tilts its head and waits for an answer, looking obedient, dignified, and so polite as it asks to be adopted.
Bai Ye watches the bird, trying to look composed, for a long moment. At last, he says lightly, "All right."
*
Wu Jin is a rare white three-legged Golden Crow chick who has never seen another of his kind since hatching.
He doesn't know that he is a cannon-fodder villain, destined to turn evil and become the protagonist's stepping stone.
After Wu Jin finds his great demon, he resolves to act like a sensible, obedient, well-behaved chick who won't be rejected!
The vain, beauty-loving little Golden Crow is jealous and petty, but has no idea how terrible his acting is. Every day, he tries his best to put on an act and behave.
Little Golden Crow: Cheep~
Day one of what he thinks is showing his true colors: melancholy little bird.jpg
Day two of what he thinks is showing his true colors: sneaky bird.jpg
Day three of what he thinks is showing his true colors: puzzled little bird.jpg
The abandonment Wu Jin expected never comes. His great demon continues to calmly smooth his feathers as usual, until he is so comfortable he curls into a ball and falls asleep.
Day n of showing his true colors: little bird spreads its wings! Getting bolder by the day.jpg
*
The Demon Emperor's Rebellion is a classic power-progression wish-fulfillment story. The male lead has everything go his way as he cuts down his enemies, ultimately becoming the Demon Emperor. Along the way, his buddies give him equipment, cannon fodder gives him experience, and every character exists to fawn over him and pave his way.
After being reborn, the male lead rubs his hands together, ready to climb to the top once more, then suddenly realizes:
Where's my demon buddy who keeps his identity hidden?
Where's my demon cannon fodder for me to face-slap and level up against?
Where's all the rare treasures that were supposed to fall into my lap?
Who are all these absurdly powerful new characters? Author, are you there? Help!
Reader's Guide:
1. Mutual healing between a beautiful, powerful, tragic hero from a torment-the-lead novel and a cannon-fodder bird pretending to be well-behaved.
2. The demon clan setting includes plenty of original worldbuilding. This is not a serious cultivation novel.
3. The beautiful, powerful, tragic hero and the little bird fall in love after the bird comes of age.
A self-indulgent labor of love. The blurb has been screenshotted.
2024-04-12
Theme: Unwavering courage and love are what last forever.
