Amid the layers of magnificent jade walls stood Lord Shen—a tyrant, ruthless, merciless, apathetic, and devoid of sympathy. His heart was blinded by vengeance and fury, his gaze sharp as a sword tempered thousands of times for perfect precision.

He sat on his throne, coated in gold. The cool metal of the armrests bit into his palms as he tapped his shoulder impatiently, the scent of sandalwood incense hanging heavy in the air. His mind remained disordered after the dream—a vision where his life ended at the hands of a mysterious figure.

No... No, no! This isn't possible, is it? Perhaps it's just my imagination. I can't die... I WON'T DIE! thought Lord Shen, frowning intensely, veins bulging on his forehead like angry worms beneath his pale skin.

After a long wait that stretched his patience thin, the royal soothsayer finally arrived, the rustle of his silk robes echoing through the silent hall as he carried his complex set of tools. "M-my apologies for my lateness, y-your majesty!" The old man bowed immediately, his voice trembling like leaves in a storm under Lord Shen's piercing gaze that seemed to strip away one's very soul.

"Hurry up and do your ritual before I grow bored and execute you on the spot," hissed Lord Shen, folding his arms tightly across his chest. His robe clung to his muscular frame, revealing the powerful build beneath the luxurious fabric.

The soothsayer was struck silent with fear, only able to nod vigorously. He began his ritual to interpret the dream that had haunted Lord Shen's mind for weeks, the sound of bone dice clicking against the wooden table the only noise in the vast throne room.

A piece of paper bearing Lord Shen's name was torn and placed into a golden bowl, followed by a strand of the ruler's hair. Finally, the soothsayer scattered magical powder that suddenly ignited everything within the golden bowl, sending black smoke curling toward the high ceiling.

The black smoke swirled and spread throughout the palace, and in an instant, it formed an illusion. A village girl appeared, standing triumphant over his corpse. "Y-your majesty... T-this is the girl who has haunted your mind recently..." stammered the royal soothsayer, pointing at the girl's face with a shaking finger.

Enraged, Lord Shen slammed his fist down on the table, sending jade carvings crashing to the floor. "How dare a mere village girl even dream of setting foot on my BODY?!" he shouted, spittle flying from his lips. Driven by anger hot as dragon's fire, he grabbed the soothsayer by his collar, lifting the old man off his feet. "You... YOU!! FIND THIS GIRL IMMEDIATELY!! BRING HER BEFORE ME!!" Lord Shen roared, his voice echoing through the palace.

The terrified old man stumbled backward when released and quickly fled. "Y-yes, your majesty!" the soothsayer stammered, his sandals slipping on the smooth marble floor as he hurried out to the village, knowing his life depended on finding this mysterious girl.

After three days of torturous waiting that tested his already frayed nerves, the soothsayer and the royal guards returned at last, bringing with them a girl bound in ropes, her face covered by a coarse sack. Seeing this, Lord Shen felt a slight satisfaction warm his cold heart. The girl was brought before Lord Shen's throne, where he sat waiting like a coiled serpent.

"Uncover her face," Lord Shen commanded, his voice cold as winter ice. With a wave of his hand, he directed the guards to remove the sack covering the girl's face. "So, you're the one spoken of by that old soothsayer, huh?" Lord Shen stared at her with a fierce, penetrating gaze that sought to read her very soul.