In the dim, oppressive solitude of his cell, Hua Ren sat cross-legged on the floor, his eyes closed in deep meditation but the peace was shattered as the heavy door of the cell creaked open, and the clatter of boots echoed in the confined space. Hua Ren’s eyes snapped open as the guards roughly threw a man into the cell, his body landing with a thud on the hard ground.
“This is a solitary cell,” Hua Ren said, his gaze piercing. “Get him out.”
The lead guard looked at Hua Ren with pure disgust. “I don’t take orders from a traitor,” he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. “We just thought you’d be bored all alone in here, so we brought you some amusement. Have fun.”
Laughing cruelly, the guards turned and left, the sound of the door slamming shut behind them echoing through the cell. Hua Ren’s gaze fell on the man now sprawled on the floor, wondering during just how the man was supposed to 'amuse' him.
The man was undeniably handsome, with a rugged, masculine charm—tousled blonde hair, charming green eyes that gleamed with a calculating intent, and a body sculpted with sturdy perfection.
He could tell that the man was an Alpha but he didn't seem like a fighter and Hua Ren had no interest in sparring with weak people. He just took one look, his expression unreadable, then closed his eyes again and resumed his meditation, as if the man wasn’t even there. He figured he would just ignore him.
The man, sensing no reaction from the General, narrowed his eyes and sat properly. He was taken from a famous flower house, chosen from dozens of pretty men by the Emperor himself and given strict orders. His mission was to seduce the Ivory Warlord and sleep with him. If he succeeds, his debts would be paid, he'd be free from the flower house forever and could live as a normal Alpha.
With a sultry smirk, he began to release his pheromones, thick and potent, expecting them to seep into Hua Ren’s senses and cloud his mind with desire, as he has always done to his clients. He had seen all sorts of people in the flower house so the General's taste didn't discourage him in any way. In fact, many of the rich high-end people of the society indulged in such acts. Alphas bedding Alphas. Betas bedding Alphas and even Omegas with Omegas. Some had the hobby of keeping sex slaves while others were into much darker things.
It was very common for him as he had also layed under many Alphas so he wasn't surprised when he was ordered to sleep with the Ivory Warlord. He even came prepared and was ready to give a performance of a lifetime. He would make sure the Ivory Warlord enjoys him so much that he'd want him over and over again. This way, he would have both the Emperor and Warlord's favour. He felt that if he succeeds, he would never be poor till he leaves the world.
Unfortunately for him, Hua Ren could not perceive pheromones so he remained completely oblivious to the man’s efforts, his focus unwavering, his breathing steady.
Minutes passed by and the man’s frustration grew. Didn't the Emperor say that the Ivory Warlord liked to bed Alphas? Why wasn’t he reacting? He then thought of something and smiled. Maybe the Ivory Warlord liked the rough kind of play. It was a good thing he was skilled in that aspect too.
He stood up and moved forward, placing a hand on the Ivory Warlord's chest. He tried to push him back but he was shocked to find that the Ivory Warlord did not budge. Not even an inch!
He let out a string of curses in his mind as he got excited. The Ivory Warlord was so strong! If the Warlord pins him down later to do this and that, he would have to beg for mercy. He liked being dominated so he felt he was a good fit for the Ivory Warlord.
Hua Ren frowned, feeling the unwelcome touch of a hand pressing against his chest, the fingers tracing a slow, deliberate path downward. His body tensed, but he did not move, wanting to know what the man was up to. Just as the intruding hand was about to reach his groin, his eyes snapped open, cold and sharp. In a flash, he grabbed the man’s wrist and, without hesitation, twisted it until the fingers cracked with a sickening snap.
The man screamed in agony, his voice ricocheting off the walls of the cell. Hua Ren detested noise so he silenced him with a swift, precise blow to the head, knocking him out cold. Without another word, Hua Ren shoved the unconscious man off the bed, his body hitting the floor with a dull thud.
He snorted. Just what the hell was the man thinking? His body was for the Emperor alone. No one else was allowed to touch him like that. He returned to his position and resumed his meditation, the cell once again filled with silence.
Over the next few days, the same thing happened twice and the poor men the Emperor sent were carried back unconscious, their limbs broken.
Seeing this, the Emperor stopped sending more men and finally decided on Hua Ren’s punishment. As Hua Ren could not be controlled, there was only one thing to do.
The grand Celestial Hall of Heavenly Justice was silent, the air thick with tension. Hua Ren was dressed in snow white robes, his veil covering half his face as usual. Kneeling before the Emperor, his wrists were bound in iron shackles, the cold metal biting into his pale skin.
The hall was filled with high-ranking officials, military officers, and the last two Generals, Yin Mei; the Whispering Blade and Zhen Shu; the Iron Strategist. Their expressions were grim as they awaited the Emperor’s verdict. The charges against Hua Ren were severe: the killing of a General of the Kingdom; Hei Long the Beserker, the murder of over a dozen soldiers, and colluding with the Rebels to harm the Emperor. All punishable by death.
The Emperor sat on his elevated throne, his expression a mask of calm authority. His imperial black and golden robes shimmered under the light of the torches, the golden dragon embroidered on his chest symbolizing his absolute power.
He gazed down at Hua Ren, his dark eyes unreadable, as one of his ministers stepped forward to read the charges aloud, the accusations echoing through the vast chamber.
“General Hua Ren,” the minister intoned, “you stand accused of treason against the Celestial Kingdom. You have been found guilty of murdering General Hei Long the Berserker, and over a dozen loyal soldiers of the Kingdom. Furthermore, you have been accused of colluding with the Rebels to harm His Majesty, the Emperor. These crimes are unforgivable, and the punishment for such treachery is death!"
Hua Ren kept his gaze lowered, his expression stoic, but inside, his heart pounded in fear. Death? They were going to kill him? Didn't the Emperor say he was going to investigate?