DECEMBER 17TH, 1469

The air in the House of Nakamaru grows thick with tension the moment Huang Xing crosses the threshold. Every head turns, every breath catches - not in admiration, but in primal fear.

He moves through the brothel like a storm, his imperial robes swirling around him, ignoring the terrified courtesans who scramble to get out of his way. His dark eyes scan the room with cold precision, dismissing each woman with a flick of his wrist.

"Where is she?" His voice is low, dangerous - not a question, but a command.

Lady Yunio, the madam, steps forward with false confidence, her hands trembling despite her attempt at composure. "Your Highness honors us with your presence, but I'm afraid I don't know who you -"

Huang Xing grabs her roughly by the throat, cutting off her words. "Don't play games with me, old woman. You remember me. And you remember her. The one who beat me. The one I came back for."

The madam gasps for air, clawing at his hand as her face reddens. "I-I swear, she's not here anymore -"

"Liar." He releases her abruptly, sending her staggering backward. "I can smell her on the air. That sweet scent of defiance that drove me疯狂 all those years ago."

He turns toward a closed door at the end of the corridor, his body coiled like a spring ready to strike. Without hesitation, he strides toward it, ignoring the madam's desperate protests.

The door flies open under his powerful kick, splinters flying. And there she stands - exactly as he remembers her, even clearer than in his dreams.

Huang Xing's eyes darken with predatory hunger as he takes a step toward her, his voice dropping to a low growl that sends shivers down every spine in the room.

"You've been hiding from me long enough, little one."