“When the Great Dao declines, wolves wear the robes of kings, and brothers sharpen their blades against one another.”
— Ancient Saying
The wind carried the scent of approaching rain.
Above the endless forests of the Eastern Wilderness, dark clouds swallowed the moon one layer at a time, as though Heaven itself wished to hide what was about to happen.
Nestled between towering mountains stood the Longfang Tribe.
For more than a century, its warriors had guarded this land with spear and bow.
Their walls were carved from ancient timber, their watchtowers overlooked the forests, and their banners had never bowed to another tribe.
Tonight…
The entire tribe celebrated.
Their chieftain’s first son had been born.
Bonfires illuminated the village.
Drums echoed through the mountains.
Warriors raised bowls of wine toward the heavens while children chased one another through the dancing flames.
For a brief moment…
The Longfang Tribe believed tomorrow would be brighter than yesterday.
Inside the chieftain’s hall, however, another sound drowned out the celebration.
The cry of a newborn child.
Lady Yue lay upon a bed covered in white wolf furs, her face pale from childbirth.
Sweat clung to her forehead, yet a gentle smile bloomed across her lips as she cradled the tiny child against her chest.
“Our son…”
she whispered.
“You’ve finally come home.”
The infant slowly opened his eyes.
They were calm.
Far too calm for a newborn.
Suddenly—
His world shattered.
Towering buildings pierced the clouds.
Crowded streets stretched beyond sight.
Winter winds cut through ragged clothes.
A lonely boy sat beneath the dim light of a public library, devouring books he could never afford.
History.
Military strategy.
Ancient philosophy.
Those books had been his teachers…
Because he had no one else.
Then…
Hunger.
Days without food.
Searching through piles of rubbish.
One final piece of stale bread.
A starving stray dog.
Two desperate lives fighting over the same meal.
Yellow eyes.
Bared fangs.
Pain.
Darkness.
…
“So…”
the infant thought.
“I really died.”
He wanted to sigh.
Instead…
Only the cry of a newborn escaped his lips.
The old midwife laughed.
“The young master has strong lungs.”
“The ancestors have truly blessed the tribe.”
Lady Yue gently kissed his forehead.
“My little dragon…”
Only Zhao Long knew the truth.
He was no miracle bestowed by Heaven.
He was a soul reborn.
His first instinct was neither fear nor excitement.
It was observation.
In his previous life, strength had belonged to others.
Knowledge had been his only weapon.
Perhaps…
It would become his greatest weapon once again.
Outside, another wave of laughter swept across the village.
No one noticed the darkness gathering beyond the trees.
Hundreds of riders waited in complete silence.
Black horses.
Black armor.
Black banners.
Even their torches remained unlit.
Only cold steel reflected the faint light of the hidden moon.
At their front sat a broad-shouldered warrior.
His face was weathered by countless battles.
His eyes carried neither hesitation nor mercy.
He looked toward the brightly lit village…
And smiled.
“Brother…”
he murmured.
“Forgive me.”
“But beneath Heaven…”
“…there can only be one Chieftain of the Longfang Tribe.”
Slowly…
He raised his hand.
A thousand archers drew their bowstrings.
The forest fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
His hand descended.
“Leave no one alive.”
TWANG!
The night exploded.
Flaming arrows descended like a storm of stars.
Watchtowers erupted into fire.
The joyful beat of celebration became desperate war drums.
Children screamed.
Warriors reached for their spears only to fall before they could fight.
Within moments…
A festival became a massacre.
Inside the hall—
The doors burst open.
A blood-soaked guard staggered inside.
“Chief!”
“The Second Lord has betrayed us!”
“They’ve opened the eastern gate—”
THUD!
A black-feathered arrow pierced his throat.
His words ended forever.
The chieftain slowly rose.
His expression remained calm.
He looked first at his wife.
Then at the child resting peacefully in her arms.
A faint smile crossed his face.
“If Heaven shows mercy…”
he said quietly,
“…our son will live.”
He lifted his spear.
Outside…
The sound of clashing steel shook the mountains.
Before the first light of dawn…
The Longfang Tribe would become history.
And a child named Zhao Long…
Would begin his journey toward becoming the Emperor of Emperors.
Author’s Note Welcome to The Emperor of Emperors.
This is a long-term dark wuxia epic about war, strategy, brotherhood, tragedy, political intrigue, and the rise of a slave who dares to challenge Heaven itself.
The story starts slowly because I want you to know the characters before the world changes forever.
Every major event is planned with long-term foreshadowing, and I hope you’ll enjoy Zhao Long’s journey.
Thank you for reading.
Your comments, reviews, and support mean a lot.