The empire's illegitimate son—Long Yeyan.

His mother had died when he was just a child. Poisoned, they whispered. Silenced, they knew. He was left behind in the cold corridors of the imperial palace, a child with no title, no protection. The concubines laughed behind fans. The princes mocked his clothes. The servants tossed leftovers at his door like he was a stray dog.

But he never cried.

Instead, he picked up a broken training sword behind the old barracks and taught himself. While the princes slept in silk, he stood barefoot in snow, slicing through air until his arms bled. And when others learned light magic from tutors, he walked into shadows, feeding on pain— until his royal mana awakened. But not pure. Dark. Dangerous. Feared.

And finally... respected.

The Emperor called him forward one day—no longer the boy with no name. Long Yeyan. The son of dragon blood. The true heir. He kneed before his father. But he never bowed.

Years passed. Now, he sat on the throne he once watched from afar. Rulers bowed to him. Nobles sent their daughters, all dressed in jewels, hoping to warm his bed. He accepted them, as duty demanded. But desire? He felt none.

Each month, Master Wen reminded him. "Your Majesty, the harem awaits. The empire needs an heir."

Tonight, he stood by the palace gates, robe drifting like shadow silk in the wind. He turned to Wen, eyes sharp like a drawn blade.

"If you want an heir, make one yourself."

And with a flick of his sleeve, he vanished.

He flew past the golden courtyards, beyond the walls soaked in silence, to the quiet edge of the inner pond.

The moon hung low. Lotus leaves swayed. And near the water’s edge... a woman stood in silence. Her silk robes shimmered faintly under moonlight. Hair pinned, posture graceful.

He paused, watching her back.

"Why are you here?" he asked coldly, voice smooth like glass. "The others wait in the palace. For me."

She didn’t move. Just stood there, admiring the still water. He narrowed his eyes.

"You're one of them, aren’t you? Sent here to please a man who feels nothing."

He stepped closer.