Snow fell silently over the Imperial Palace.
It was the first snowfall of winter, soft enough to conceal bloodstains, cold enough to freeze the cries of the dying.
Within the towering crimson walls, celebration filled every corner of the palace.
Lanterns swayed beneath the eaves, musicians played cheerful melodies, and ministers raised cups of jade wine to toast the empire’s newest ruler.
Today was the first anniversary of Emperor Ji Chen’s ascension.
The empire rejoiced.
Only one place remained untouched by the festivities.
The Cold Palace.
Hidden behind layers of iron gates, where sunlight rarely reached, the forgotten prison was colder than the deepest mountain cave.
Frost crept across stone walls like white veins, and the air smelled of damp earth and rusted chains.
A lone figure knelt in the center of the cell.
His white robes, once embroidered with silver cranes, were stained with dried blood and dirt.
Long black hair, usually tied neatly with a jade crown, hung loose over his shoulders, tangled and dull.
His wrists were bound by heavy spirit-sealing chains.
They had once belonged to a notorious demon cultivator.
Now they restrained the man who had once been known throughout the cultivation world as the Heaven’s Chosen of Qingyun Sect.
Lin Xue.
He slowly lifted his head.
Even after months of imprisonment, his features remained breathtaking—clear eyes, pale skin, and a calm elegance that suffering had failed to erase.
Outside the cell, footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Measured.
Unhurried.
A eunuch appeared, followed by several palace guards clad in black armor.
The old eunuch looked at Lin Xue with undisguised pity.
“Young Master Lin.”
His voice was soft.
“His Majesty has sent you wine.”
The guards placed a small wooden table before him.
Upon it rested a single porcelain cup.
The wine shimmered like liquid amber.
Lin Xue stared at it.
He did not need to ask what it contained.
Poison.
In every dynasty, victorious emperors preferred elegant executions.
A cup of wine.
A length of white silk.
A sharpened dagger.
How merciful.
The old eunuch lowered his eyes.
“His Majesty says…
the Shen Clan conspired with foreign cultivators to overthrow the throne.”
Lin Xue’s expression remained unchanged.
“Their punishment has already been carried out.”
Silence.
Then—
“…Three generations.”
The words were barely audible.
“None survived.”
For the first time, something broke inside Lin Xue.
His fingers trembled.
Not from fear.
From regret.
His grandfather…
His parents…
His younger sister who had just turned fifteen…
Every servant who had grown up beside him…
Gone.
Because of him.
He closed his eyes.
How laughable.
Five years ago, when the Heavenly Oracle declared that the Crown Prince Ji Chen was his fated dao partner, the entire empire celebrated.
A union blessed by Heaven itself.
He believed it without question.
He entered the palace.
Became Ji Chen’s strategist.
Helped him win over powerful sects.
Negotiated alliances.
Uncovered traitors.
Led countless campaigns against rebellious nobles.
Every step Ji Chen took toward the Dragon Throne…
Lin Xue had cleared the path.
He ignored every warning.
Every suspicious glance.
Every whispered rumor.
Even when Ji Chen distanced himself after becoming emperor, Lin Xue convinced himself the burdens of ruling were simply too great.
Love, he thought, required patience.
Instead…
He had handed Ji Chen the empire.
And once the throne was secure—
He became disposable.
The old eunuch placed the porcelain cup into Lin Xue’s hands.
“It will not hurt for long.”
Lin Xue smiled faintly.
“So this is how my story ends.”
No anger.
No tears.
Only endless exhaustion.
He raised the cup.
The wine was warm.
Almost comforting.
He drank every drop.
Moments passed.
Then pain exploded through his meridians.
It was as though countless blades were carving through his spiritual veins.
Blood spilled from the corner of his lips.
His vision blurred.
He collapsed onto the frozen floor.
Footsteps echoed once more.
Different this time.
Not slow.
Not composed.
Fast.
Urgent.
Then—
Boom!
The prison gates shook violently.
A second strike.
The ancient iron doors burst apart.
Palace guards screamed.
Steel clashed against steel.
Someone was forcing their way inside.
“Protect His Majesty!”
“Stop him!”
“Kill the traitor!”
Another deafening explosion.
The corridor filled with crimson spiritual light.
Bodies crashed against stone walls.
Lin Xue could barely keep his eyes open.
Through the haze, he saw a tall figure dressed in black robes embroidered with golden wolves.
His sword dripped with blood.
His long hair had come loose, fluttering wildly behind him.
His breathing was ragged.
As though he had fought through an entire army.
The guards looked at him with absolute terror.
“The Ghost King…”
“Prince Mo Yuan…”
“So…
it was him…”
Lin Xue had only met the empire’s infamous exiled prince a handful of times.
A man feared by the court.
Accused of practicing forbidden cultivation.
A prince abandoned by his own family.
Yet…
Why was he here?
Mo Yuan’s eyes swept across the prison until they landed on Lin Xue.
For a heartbeat—
The world stopped.
Those cold, unreadable eyes shattered.
Panic.
Grief.
Disbelief.
He crossed the room in an instant, dropping to his knees.
“Lin Xue.”
His voice shook.
It was the first time anyone had spoken Lin Xue’s name with such desperation.
Mo Yuan pulled him gently into his arms.
Warm.
Even through the bitter cold.
Lin Xue could taste blood with every breath.
“…Your Highness…”
Mo Yuan pressed trembling fingers against his lips, trying to stop the blood that would not stop flowing.
“You drank it?”
“I was…
too late…”
His usually steady hands were shaking uncontrollably.
Lin Xue blinked slowly.
He had never imagined…
That the last person beside him…
Would be the prince the entire empire feared.
Mo Yuan lowered his forehead until it rested against Lin Xue’s.
His voice was almost a whisper.
“I should have come sooner.”
Lin Xue tried to speak.
No sound came out.
His body was growing colder.
His heartbeat slower.
Mo Yuan closed his eyes.
A single tear slipped down his cheek.
“I loved you…”
The confession was barely audible.
“…In this life…”
“…and I will love you in the next.”
Lin Xue’s pupils widened.
Loved…
him?
Before he could understand those words…
Darkness swallowed everything.
…
A bell rang.
Clear.
Ancient.
Echoing through heaven and earth.
Lin Xue suddenly inhaled sharply.
His eyes flew open.
Warm sunlight poured through carved wooden windows.
The scent of sandalwood drifted through the room.
Outside, birds sang beneath blooming plum trees.
He stared blankly at the familiar ceiling.
Impossible.
He slowly raised his hand.
No chains.
No wounds.
No blood.
Only smooth, unscarred skin.
A knock came at the door.
“Young Master Lin?”
A maid’s cheerful voice called from outside.
“The Heavenly Envoy has arrived.”
“His Majesty has summoned all noble families to the Hall of Heavenly Decree.”
“They say…”
She laughed excitedly.
“Today Heaven will announce your fated dao partner.”
The porcelain teacup slipped from Lin Xue’s fingers.
It shattered against the floor.
His breathing stopped.
He knew this day.
He remembered every moment.
Because today…
Was the day everything had begun.
End of Chapter 1