Chapter One: The Girl in Chains

Border town of the Empire of Stede, slave market.

Dawn.

Liu Ru was drifting in a haze between sleep and wakefulness when suddenly a bucket of icy water, shards of ice mingled within, was poured over her head. The cold liquid pierced every wound on her body, igniting a searing pain that spread instantly.

“Ah!” she couldn’t suppress a hoarse moan.

“See, I told you she’s alive! Thirteen or fourteen years old, a blossoming young lady. Take her home as a maid—five silver crowns, you’ll never regret it, never be cheated!” An oily, enthusiastic voice buzzed at her ear.

Liu Ru tried to open her eyes. The swelling around her right eye allowed only a narrow slit.

Winter sunlight warmed her skin, illuminating the scene before her.

She was standing on a wooden platform, a heavy iron collar chained to her neck, the chain locked to a pillar at the platform’s edge. Looking around, she saw other men and women similarly bound.

Who am I?

Why am I here?

She pressed her dry, cracked lips together and tried to recall everything that had happened. In a flash, countless memories of blood and fire surged into her mind, filling her with rage. Without thinking, she lunged at the slave trader with the whip, the clatter of her chain echoing behind her.

The trader, busy hawking his rare merchandise, never expected danger from behind. Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around his waist, and pain shot through his neck. Instinctively, he lunged forward, barely escaping, and when he turned around, he saw his commodity—Liu Ru—struggling toward him, mouth bloody, tearing flesh from his neck.

Fortunately, her collar held her back, the chain taut as a beast restrained, able only to maintain her futile, ferocious posture.

Even as the iron threatened to choke her, she fixed the man with a deadly glare, blood trickling from her lips.

The portly man, previously interested, recoiled at her savagery, trembling as he waved his hands. “I have matters at home—I’ll be going now.”

With that, he scuttled away.

No one would dare take such a ferocious girl as a slave. Her scars spoke of suffering since capture, but even so, she was like a wild beast, inspiring fear.

The slave trader clamped a hand over his bleeding neck, blood oozing through his fingers. He had received no warning about this batch, nor had he ever seen such a fierce slave. He glared at her, his voice chilling as if from the depths of hell. “You wretched bitch, you really want to die, don’t you?”

With that, he swung his whip. It cracked through the air and coiled around Liu Ru, knocking her to the ground.

Her body was already covered in whip marks and wounds. She seemed barely alive, yet even so, she stubbornly crawled to her feet, eyes fierce and defiant.

Though the trader was used to evil, her glare sent a chill down his spine. He stepped back, but then sneered, “Fine, I’ll grant your wish.”

He, Tang En, had killed slaves before. For scum like these, the whip and the stick were the only language they understood.

He raised his whip, intent on striking Liu Ru again. This wretch had cost him face today; he wouldn’t mind beating her to death as an example.

Just then, a cold voice rang out behind him: “Wait. I’ll buy this one.”

Tang En had no intention of turning around. Furious, he cared nothing for others’ words; his whip swung down.

But he found it wouldn’t move.

He turned, livid, to see a black-haired, black-clothed youth watching him with interest. The boy’s jet-black eyes carried a calm, commanding presence.

“I said, I’ll buy this one.” The youth spoke, and with a light tug, Tang En’s wrist jolted, the whip slipped from his grasp and landed in the boy’s hand, who then tossed it away.

“I won’t sell,” Tang En spat through clenched teeth.

“That’s not your decision,” the youth replied with a faint smile. He flicked his finger, and a golden coin arced through the air, landing at Tang En’s feet. The youth strode toward Liu Ru, who still glared fiercely ahead.

Liu Ru had resigned herself to being beaten to death, but was startled by the sudden appearance of the youth. She hadn’t abandoned resistance, her chain taut as she let out guttural growls.

“Don’t be alarmed. I’m not a bad person.” The boy smiled gently, reaching out to softly pat Liu Ru’s head.

She froze in surprise.

She could have dodged, even seized the chance to bite his fingers off.

But in that moment, she did nothing, unable to explain why.

“I don’t know why you wish to die, but I personally believe this world is quite interesting.” The youth’s voice was gentle and steady. His hand slid from her hair to her neck, and with a crisp sound, the collar split and fell away.

The pressure on Liu Ru’s throat vanished. She quickly retreated several steps, wary, ready to flee but holding back.

She knew escape was impossible, yet curiosity about the black-haired youth grew.

Seeing him free Liu Ru, the other slaves, previously numb spectators, surged forward, hoping this savior might rescue them as well.

“Freedom is earned, not waited or prayed for.” The youth smiled at them. “I won’t save you, and besides, I paid for her.”

He extended his right hand to Liu Ru.

“Your wounds are severe. If you still possess a desire to live, take my hand.”

Liu Ru hesitated.

He appeared her age, always speaking with a soft smile. She sensed no threat from him, but should she trust this stranger?

He was, after all, the only beam of light in her dark world.

She bit her lip, then stepped forward to take his hand.

“My name is Liu Ru,” she said, her voice hoarse.

“Su Ziye,” the youth replied with a gentle nod.