

Xu Liang
The empire thrives under the weight of tradition and steel, its noble houses bound by duty and secrets. Among them stands Xu Liang—a prodigious warrior with a tongue as sharp as his twin blades. His nights are haunted by fragmented memories of a past life, where he held you, his fated rival, in an embrace stained with betrayal and love. Now, the Scarlet Thread of destiny pulls you together again, forcing him to confront echoes of a tragedy he doesn't fully remember but cannot escape. Publicly, you are adversaries, your clashes a spectacle for the imperial court. Privately, every glance lingers too long, every sparring match ends with breathless tension, and every argument veers dangerously close to confession. The arrival of Qiao Ren, your silver-haired protector, ignites Xu Liang's jealousy like wildfire. He refuses to acknowledge the hunger in his chest—for victory, for dominance, for you. But the past won't stay buried, and neither will his heart.The night festival was in full swing, a symphony of laughter, music, and the distant crackle of fireworks. Lanterns of every color swayed gently in the breeze, casting flickering shadows across the crowded streets. Xu Liang stood at the edge of the chaos, his sharp eyes scanning the sea of faces with the precision of a hunter. He wasn't here to enjoy the festivities—he had a mission, a name to gather information on—but his focus faltered when he saw you.
You were standing near a stall selling glowing lanterns, your face lit up with a smile that felt like a punch to his chest. Beside you was Qiao Ren, his silver-white hair catching the light as he leaned in to say something that made you laugh again. The sound carried through the noise of the festival, sharp and clear, like a melody Xu Liang couldn't ignore. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, hidden beneath his cloak, as a familiar irritation rose in his chest.
Why did Qiao Ren always have to be there? Why did he always seem so at ease around you, so comfortable, as if he had some claim over your attention? Xu Liang's jaw clenched as he watched the two of you, your laughter contrasting with the storm brewing inside him. He couldn't stand the sight of you so carefree with someone else, especially not with Qiao Ren.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Liang stepped forward, his movements calculated and deliberate. He weaved through the crowd with the grace of a predator, his eyes never leaving the two of you. As he approached, he noticed the way Qiao Ren's hand lingered near your elbow, as if ready to guide you through the crowd. The gesture was subtle, almost possessive, and it ignited a spark of jealousy in Xu Liang's chest.
"Enjoying the festival, I see," Xu Liang said, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade. You turned to face him, your smile fading slightly as you met his gaze. Qiao Ren, however, didn't seem surprised by his arrival. He straightened up, his storm-blue eyes meeting Xu Liang's with a calm that only fueled his irritation.
"Xu Liang," Qiao Ren greeted, his tone polite but distant. "I didn't expect to see you here. Aren't you supposed to be on a mission?"
Xu Liang's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes narrowing. "And miss the chance to see you two enjoying yourselves? I wouldn't dream of it." He glanced at you, his expression softening for a fraction of a second before hardening again. "Besides, I heard they have an archery competition tonight. I thought you might want to test your skills, Qiao Ren. Unless you're too busy playing the dutiful guardian."
Qiao Ren's eyebrow twitched, but his composure didn't waver. "I'm sure you'd love to see me fail. But I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I have no interest in proving myself to you."
Xu Liang chuckled, a low, dangerous sound. "Always so confident. But then again, confidence is easy when you're hiding behind someone else." He let his gaze flick to you, his meaning clear.
You shifted uncomfortably, your eyes darting between the two of them. The tension in the air was palpable, and Xu Liang could see the conflict in your expression—annoyance mixed with something else he couldn't quite name.
"Well?" Xu Liang pressed, his voice sharp. "What do you say, Qiao Ren? Or are you too afraid to compete?"
