The moment Jin Ge stepped inside the Harmony Courtyard's main hall, the sharp blade of a spear greeted his chest. It pierced deep into his heart, the tip exiting through his back. The sudden pain caused him to gasp for breath. But instead of screaming like before, he just frowned at the spear that had struck his chest and ruined his new robe. It still hurt, but not as much as the fact that nothing could kill him.

"I wanted to see it for myself," an amused male voice said. "But damn, you really are a monster."

Standing before him was a man a few years older than him, perhaps in his late twenties. He had a maniacal grin on his face as he looked at where the half of his spear disappeared. His eyes, like the rest of rukki, revealed what kind of beast he was. They were vibrant yellow, and instead of round pupils, he had slit, vertical ones like those of a snake.

Jin Ge recognized him, but this was the first time the rukki had acknowledged his presence since Taijin brought him to this place. His name was Lijie. He was a serpent and one of the generals of Crimson Claws who were deemed to be the strongest rukki in existence.

"Fuck you," Jin Ge snarled. He pulled the spear out of his chest, grimacing as he did so, and glared at the rukki in front of him.

Before he could throw the spear across the courtyard, Lijie had already seized it from his grasp as if he had predicted what he would do. A rukki servant handed a handkerchief to him to wipe the blood off his weapon.

"You're one intriguing human," Lijie said, still grinning like a madman. "It would be wonderful if you could tell us what exactly made you like that." He looked into his eyes and spoke in a slower voice. "Or what exactly you are."

Taijin tilted his head, looking at them like a curious puppy. "I'm sure I said to greet him nicely." He shook his head. "I didn't gather you here to kill each other."

Lijie looked at him. "I thought that one's a prisoner until Marshal Shuren decides what to do with him. Are you sure it's wise to let him out?" He gave the handkerchief back to the servant. The once-pure white fabric had turned dark red. There was still a spatter of blood on the blade of his spear, but he no longer seemed to mind it.

"Well," Taijin said, his lips curling up into a sneaky smile. "The prisoner has a change of heart, it seems, and I believe he'd be more useful if he were not shackled and confined."

Lijie scoffed. "Isn't the reason he was thrown into the dungeon in the first place because he's fucking useless? You brought that kid here hoping to impress Marshal Shuren, but all he did was fucking die." He turned to face Jin Ge, his eyes boring into his. He no longer wore that crazy grin of his. "So, yeah, fucking useless."

Jin Ge balled his fists and looked into his eyes, refusing to show the slightest hint of fear. "I'm not a fucking kid." As a twenty-two year old man, it was really offensive to be dubbed a kid, especially by his enemies.

As if what he said was in any way funny, Lijie let out a roaring laughter. "I don't care if you're a grown man or what, for us you're just a kid. Just so you know, we're way older than you—even older than your dead father."

Jin Ge's eyes widened in rage. But before he could smash his fist into Lijie's face, a silky voice belonging to a woman interrupted any further action.

"Alright, that's enough."

Sitting elegantly at a table was a beautiful woman drinking tea, her golden eyes on the cup she held. Unlike other rukki, this woman did not even bother to hide her beastly features. A pair of white fox ears adorned her head, and her tail was as soft and white as a cloud. Her long, silver hair was tied into a half ponytail. Jin Ge had never seen her before, but with just one look, he was convinced that this rukki was one of the generals of Crimson Claws, not to mention that she was occupying one of the four tables set up in the main hall. Even though she looked as young as him, that was probably not the case.

She set down her cup and stood, her movements as graceful and elegant as the court ladies back in the palace. "Taijin, would you be so kind as to introduce me to your guest?" Although her words were addressed to someone else, her eyes and smile were directed at Jin Ge.

Taijin smiled. "Jin Ge, who you are looking at now is the prettiest woman you'll ever see."

The fox-woman giggled softly. "You never disappoint, Taijin." She returned her gaze to Jin Ge and started toward him with deliberate steps.

Jin Ge watched her approach, as if in trance. Every movement she made exuded grace and confidence. It almost reminded him of her.

For some reason, the fox woman had faded from the scene. Instead, it was Xiuying who was in front of him, walking closer. His breath hitched at each step she took. And then, her mouth curved into that familiar, beautiful smile of hers. He clenched his hands into fists as his chest tightened to the point of pain.

"Ying–"

"My name is Mei Lien."

A velvety voice snapped him out of the illusion he made. He blinked and found himself looking at the fox-woman, his betrothed nowhere to be seen. Mie Lien looked up at him through long lashes, a sweet smile on her face.

"And you're Jin Ge, right?"

Jin Ge remained silent, his expression as cold as it had always been since he was denied the death he was meant to have. But Mei Lien wasn't bothered in the slightest. She took another step closer, closing the distance between them. She began wiping the blood from his chest with a white cloth, gently and teasingly.

"If I had known you'd be this handsome, I would have taken you out of the dungeon long ago." Mei Lien's smile deepened. "I would have given you pleasure to erase all your suffering."

Taijin sighed. "Leave that one, Mei Lien. He's got a fiancée."

Mei Lien acted as if she hadn't heard him. She dropped the handkerchief to the floor and placed her hand gently on Jin Ge's chest. To his annoyance. Her fingertips started tracing over his bloodstained chest—the stab wound had already healed, with not even a scar—and slowly they traveled downward. Jin Ge grabbed her wrist, stopping further movement. Mei Lien looked up at him in surprise.

"Get your filthy hands off me," Jin Ge hissed, his grip tightening on her wrist.

"Alright," Mei Lien said, all traces of gentleness gone. "Let go of me first."

Jin Ge gave her a look of flat hatred and disgust and let go of her hand quickly, as if she were venom he never wanted to touch or be near again.

"I told you," Taijin said with a shrug. "That one's a faithful lover."

Lijie snorted. He was now sitting at the second table in the left row, pouring himself some wine. "Assuming that the fiancée in question would still want him." He lifted the cup to his lips and emptied its content.

A sudden pang hit Jin Ge in the chest. He didn't know why such a thought would pain him when the relationship between him and Xiuying was nothing more than a memory, something from the past he sought to bury alongside his old self. He shouldn't care whether Xiuying's feelings remained the same or not, particularly after what happened that day. He shouldn't care when the only reason he wanted to see her again was to remind her of her mistake.

Mei Lien frowned in disappointment as she rubbed at her right wrist. "Engaged or not, no one has dared to refuse me before since Wuji." Her gaze traveled over Jin Ge. "What a shame. He has such perfect features. It would have been more fun if I could at least play with him." Then her mouth curved into a sly smile, her gold eyes glittering. "I guess I'll try my luck next time." With that, she turned on her heels and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Taijin asked.

"To find someone else to play with," Mei Lien answered without glancing back.

"Her Ladyship is here!" someone announced.

Mei Lien stopped in her tracks as the door slid open. A woman entered the main hall and stood in the doorway, full of poise and authority. She was tall, about the same height as Jin Ge, and was dressed in a black robe with golden embroidery. Her long raven-black hair was tied up high on her head, clasped with golden metal headwear. Strapped to her waist was a sword with strange markings carved on its silver sheath.

With her chin held high and back straight, she swept her gaze around the room until her eyes fell on Jin Ge. She studied him for a few seconds, her expression never changing, before proceeding deeper into the room. Her footsteps seemed to echo in the large room, reminding Jin Ge of the sound of a gong. She took the highest seat in the room, crossed her legs, and rested one cheek on her fist. Everything she did she maintained a stately demeanor all throughout.

Jin Ge had never seen this woman before, but judging by the way she carried herself and how her very presence influenced everything around her, she must be the head of this manor, the one who ruled over rukki and was called Marshal Shuren. But what confused him was her lack of beastly features. There were no strange ears or tails, nor are there any other physical aspects that would identify her as a rukki. Even her eyes looked exactly like human ones.

"You really dared to request an audience? Are you crazy?" Lijie hissed at Taijin, who chose to ignore him.

"Taijin," Shuren called in a calm yet firm voice.

"Yes, Your Ladyship," Taijin responded, his voice low and respectful.

Jin Ge looked at him. Taijin's head was lowered in a bow and his hands were clasped in front of him, as did everyone else. It honestly surprised Jin Ge. It was the first time he saw the wolfman without his typical mischief.

"This is the Crown Prince?" Shuren asked, her eyes on Jin Ge.

"Yes, Your Ladyship," Taijin answered. When he flicked a glance at Jin Ge, his eyes suddenly went round. He quickly regained his composure and spoke in a polite tone. "This subject apologizes for failing to teach the guest proper etiquette." He then raised his hand and forced Jin Ge into a bow. He hissed, "Bow if you don't want to return to the dungeon."

Jin Ge gritted his teeth and shot him a glare, but did as told. Even if it means disgracing himself. Now that he had a goal in mind, he wouldn't wish to be chained and imprisoned again in that cold place.

"Hmm," Shuren murmured as she stared at him, her eyes as cold and sharp as a blade. Her gaze shifted to Taijin. "How can you make sure that he will not try to escape and kill himself again?"

"I understand Your Ladyship's doubt, but this subject can assure Your Ladyship that such a predicament will not happen again."

Shuren studied him critically. "If his behavior fails to prove your claim, you will be sent to the dungeon together."

"This subject understands."

"Your Ladyship, may I speak?" Lijie asked.

"Speak away."

"That human is the Crown Prince of the Great Yu," Lijie continued. "The only descendant of the Yuan Clan from the Imperial Bloodline. Since it is known that he wasn't among those killed in the tragedy that occurred in the Imperial Palace three years ago, he is now being looked for. From what we've gathered, a decree has been issued to search for the missing Crown Prince."

"Lijie is right, Your Ladyship," Mei Lien agreed. "I don't think it's wise to let him loose for now. Perhaps it can be arranged to lock him up in my room." She flashed Jin Ge a teasing smile.

Shuren smiled, and something about it sent a chill through Jin Ge. "We're not the ones who should be worrying about that." She uncrossed her legs, rose from her seat, and walked toward Jin Ge. Then, she took his face in her hand. Her touch was surprisingly gentle, contrasting with the dangerous look in her eyes. "Do you blame us for what happened that day?"

Jin Ge met her gaze with the same coldness.

"Just to inform you, we're not the ones responsible for that." Shuren never once blinked.

Jin Ge's stomach twisted with bitter anger. He still remembered everything that had happened, every second of it. How could he forget those rukki as they slaughtered the soldiers of Moon Knight? Their animalistic eyes, as well as their inhuman strength, were unmistakable.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Shuren cut him off as if she had read his thoughts.

"We've been played, too. My warriors were mobilized without my knowledge. When I heard about what happened, it was already too late. Hundreds of my men were burned to ashes, all of them a participant in the attack I was not informed of. Burned by a Blue Fire—only a high ranked dragon is capable of that." Her grip on his face tightened. "Do you understand what I'm saying? Someone else is behind it. And from what I've heard, a stranger is slowly gaining power over your empire."

An amused, dangerous little smile formed on her mouth. She released his face and walked back towards her seat. "It is true that your people are looking for you," Shuren said as she rested her cheek on one fist. "But if you think it is wise to return to your home, then I suggest that you think again. They're not searching for you to fill the vacant throne. They're searching for you to confirm your death."

She paused, trying to read his expression. "But since you can't die, then you'll be labeled a monster unworthy of the throne."