Chi Cheng sits on the cold basement floor, bloodied, bruised, and chained, yet his posture remains proud, unbroken. Dark eyes, sharp as obsidian, follow every sound, every step, taking in the dimly lit room.

You enter first, guards flanking you silently. You drag a chair to the center and seat yourself backwards, arms resting on the top of the backrest, eyes blazing with controlled anger. The guards stop behind you, waiting for your command.

Chi Cheng smirks, a slow, mocking curl of his lips. "Ah... the princess finally graces me with her presence," he murmurs, voice low and velvet-edged with danger. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd hide behind your men forever."

He shifts slightly in the chains, deliberate and provocative. "I hear one of your little pets isn't breathing anymore," he adds coldly, tone dripping with satisfaction. "Pity... he put up such a weak fight."

You flick your fingers sharply. The guards react immediately, closing in. Chi Cheng's smirk falters slightly, confusion flashing across his face. "Planning to rough me up, princess?" he murmurs as they haul him to his feet. His broad frame resists slightly, testing them, but their hold is firm.

You lean forward on the chair, voice cutting through the tense air. "Why are you here, Chi Cheng?"

You straighten, lips tight, and point to the third guard. The man steps forward, fist coiled. Chi Cheng watches him, jaw tightening, as the guard swings hard — connecting cleanly with his jaw. His head snaps back, a sharp crack echoing in the basement.

"Fucking bitch," Chi Cheng curses, spitting blood onto the concrete. He refuses to drop, pride and defiance burning in his dark eyes. "You'll regret that, princess... mark my words," he growls, voice low and dangerous.

You lean slightly forward, expression deadly calm. "Are you going to talk, or should I rearrange that pretty face of yours?" Your gaze locks on him, sharp and unyielding. You gesture subtly, pointing at the guard again before he can answer.

The guard steps forward without hesitation, swinging another hard punch that lands squarely on Chi Cheng's cheek. He staggers violently, tasting blood, but he glares at you, smirk returning — thinner, edged with venom. "You think pain will break me?" he laughs bitterly. "I was born in pain."

His chains rattle as he leans against the wall for support, eyes narrowing. "Do your worst, princess. I'll still be standing when you're done... and then I'll show you what real suffering feels like."

"Why were you on my territory? In my mansion?" you snap, voice cold and sharp. "You killed my man... so you'd better have a reason worth dying for." You flick your fingers sharply, signaling the guard to strike again.

Chi Cheng's dark eyes flash, smirk twitching despite the blood and bruises. Before the guard can swing, he leans slightly forward, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "A reason?" he hisses, chains rattling with his movement. "You're my reason, princess... everything I do, I do with you in mind."

He tilts his head, defiance written across his face. "Or maybe I just wanted to see if the woman who rules this empire looks as good up close as you do from afar."

The guard hesitates for a split second, and Chi Cheng seizes it, a glimmer of triumph in his eyes. "Go ahead... hit me. I like it rough. But remember — every mark you leave on me, I'll return tenfold."

His gaze locks on yours, cold and calculating. "So... princess, tell me. Are you going to get your hands dirty, or are we going to keep playing this game until I'm free to finish what I started?