Shameless One

After the Great War, the three champions parted ways, each establishing their own kingdom, blessed by the gods. Yet the Eternal Dynasty of An stood apart, its governance unlike the rigid structures of the Divine Kingdom of Lordrixis. In An, the Emperor ruled with absolute authority, supported by a hierarchy of nobles whose titles passed through bloodlines.

But what set the Dynasty apart was its meritocratic promise. Unlike its counterparts, the Dynasty did not lock its citizens into social classes based on their awakened powers. Here, everyone had the opportunity to study the formidable Arts—martial, spiritual, or channelling—and to rise within the imperial court. These Arts required discipline, patience, and repeated cultivation to unlock their true potential. The road to greatness was open, but it demanded immense sacrifice.

And so, the Eternal Dynasty became the mightiest of the three factions, perhaps stronger than the others combined. But this strength came at a cost. The history of An was riddled with tales of ambition turned to ruin, where too much hope led only to despair. Yet the people of An clung to that hope, striving to outdo one another in a relentless pursuit of power. They never paused to consider the youth and vitality squandered in the chase.

Over time, this ambition twisted the minds of men. Those who achieved power did not bring prosperity; they brought revenge, endless suffering, and cruelty.

No one understood this bitter truth more deeply than Liu Anzhi, the third emperor of the Eternal Dynasty. From the golden seat of his throne, he had tried, countless times, to stem the tides of destruction that ambition brought. But each time, his efforts were met with failure.

Now, in the stillness of the night, Liu Anzhi sat alone on his massive, gilded throne, gazing across the Great Hall. It was a sight he had beheld many, many times, but the hall's beauty never ceased to impress him. The walls were adorned with elegant calligraphy, penned by the hand of Liu Yu himself, glowing softly with divine energy. The gold filigree lining the walls and ceiling gleamed even in the dim light, and the ten towering red pillars, coiled with golden dragons, stood as steadfast sentinels of the empire's grandeur. Each step leading to the emperor's throne bore its own unique design, rich in symbolism and craftsmanship.

But tonight, the grandeur of the hall offered no comfort.

Though the court was silent, the six men standing below the throne exerted an unbearable pressure. They stood in two rows, three on either side, waiting for the emperor to speak, but none dared rush him.

Liu Anzhi, his youthful face lined with weariness, looked down upon the men with tired eyes. They were the Six Dignitaries, the highest officials in the empire, and the true powers behind the throne. Each carried their own ambitions and agendas, leaving the emperor—the ruler of the Dynasty—isolated and powerless.

The first in the left row was Prime Minister Yang Jiuzhou, his expression unchanged—a bitter yet optimistic smile etched into his features. He had long since taken control of the civil ministers, many of whom were more loyal to him than the emperor himself.

Opposite Yang was Zhu Wuyan, the Black Serpent, the Central Commander of the Army. His fierce eyes were filled with determination and cruelty, a man who had never hesitated to bend the world to his will. Though ruthless, nobody could lead an army better than him.

Next to Yang was the effete yet dangerously influential Zhang Rang, head of the Ten Eunuchs. Despite his lowly position, Eunuch Zhang wielded significant power over the civil parliament. Yet, unlike the others, his methods were widely despised. He ruled through manipulation, blackmail, and deceit—qualities that set him apart even among the other disloyal dignitaries.

Opposing Zhang was the fiery Chen Liang, Firemaster of the Five Elementalists of An. His appearance matched his title, with red hair and eyes that seemed to burn with intensity. Though the Five Elementalists were created to serve the emperor with unwavering loyalty, even they had grown weary of the endless intrigues that plagued the court.

The remaining two dignitaries were enigmas.

In the Civil Official's place stood a man who, at first glance, seemed strikingly ordinary—almost unnervingly so. Amid the grandeur and intensity of the court, his presence felt like an anomaly. He blended in with such seamless mediocrity that it was difficult to recall his face, as if he was deliberately sculpted to leave no trace in the memory. Yet, the stillness surrounding him hinted at something far deeper. A calm, celestial energy emanated from him, creating a quiet, almost sacred atmosphere that marked him as anything but ordinary.

His true name remained unknown. To the court and the empire, he was simply referred to as "the Perceiver."

The Perceiver's origins were shrouded in mystery, with no records of his existence prior to his arrival at the Imperial Palace. He had appeared out of nowhere, like a shadow from the past that suddenly gained form. Emperor Liu Anzhi had encountered him in his youth, and after that meeting, the emperor underwent a profound transformation. His vigour of youth seemed to evaporate overnight, replaced by a somber wisdom and an intellect that belied his age. Many whispered that the Perceiver had stolen the emperor's youth, replacing it with the burdens of foresight and deep contemplation.

Opposite this enigmatic figure stood a figure equally mysterious, yet in an entirely different way. Dressed in a tight-fitting black suit, his face hidden beneath a wide conical hat, its curtain falling over him like a shroud, was Huan—the most feared man in the Eternal Dynasty.

Huan was not just the strongest warrior of the empire; he was a living legend. His mastery of the three arts—martial, spiritual, and channelling—was unparalleled. While most individuals dedicated their lives to mastering a single discipline, Huan had achieved the impossible. He had conquered all three, elevating himself to a level where few dared even to stand in his shadow. Some whispered that he was stronger than the Three Champions themselves, perhaps the most powerful warrior in existence.

Yet, despite his unparalleled strength, Huan had never spoken a single word. No one, not even the emperor, had ever heard his voice. His silence, coupled with his unapproachable aura, only deepened the mystery surrounding him. His face, concealed beneath the curtain of his hat, was the subject of endless speculation. Some said he hid unimaginable ugliness; others claimed he possessed a beauty too overwhelming for mortal eyes. But none were brave—or foolish—enough to ask him.

Finally, Liu Anzhi broke the silence, his voice heavy with resignation.

"Yang, have you confirmed the veracity of the message?" His words carried the weight of endless fatigue.

Yang Jiuzhou bowed deeply. "My lord, it has been verified."

Zhu Wuyan stepped forward, his voice booming across the hall. "Then why do we hesitate? My lord, give me the command, and I will crush the Starflame Community beneath the Serpent Army. Their insolence cannot go unchecked."

Huan, without a word, shook his head. His silent disapproval was enough to give Liu Anzhi pause.

"If I may," Chen Liang spoke with calm authority, "the Reimbursement Temple poses a far greater threat than the Starflame Community. They openly preach revolution, sowing discord throughout the realm."

Eunuch Zhang, his voice soft yet insidious, interjected, "It would be unwise to provoke any of the Great Fives at this moment. With the Bog rising in strength, we cannot afford to waste resources on internal squabbles. Unlike the fools in Lordrixis, we understand the true threat that Antonio Valdis poses."

Yang, ever the diplomat, offered a gentle correction. "Do not blame Lordrixis alone. It was Alfred Eldran's disgraceful act that led to their current predicament."

Zhu Wuyan, unperturbed, scoffed loudly. "I don't care if it's Lordrixis or the Bog. If they challenge us, I'll send them all back to where they came from." His voice was so thunderous that Zhang winced and covered his ears.

Liu Anzhi observed the bickering below, numb to it all.

Over, over and over again, Liu Anzhi had gotten used to it, perhaps more than he would like to.

The methods, though varied, always ended in the same conclusion. The emperor, despite his title, had long since run out of ideas. He knew what would happen, but knowing was never enough.

And then, the Perceiver spoke, his voice smooth and reassuring.

"Do not worry, Liu Anzhi," he said softly, it seemed as if the others had not caught his words except for the emperor himself. 

"We still have time."

"Perhaps nothing else, but time is on our side."

The emperor looked down at his own hands, then at the Perceiver, then at the others, before finally gazing upward to the golden ceiling.

"Isn't that what torments me the most?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, as he fought back his tears.