"you are telling me to be the chief judge, of the upcoming 'Heng Guang' Tournament?" Rye Kai leaned forward at the table. She was speechless. The crown prince who she heard was following her for quite sometime now was inviting her, 'a nobody', well not exactly a no body, to be the chief judge of the greatest world tournament which is held every ten years. That didn't make any sense at all.
This tournament attracts people from all over the world to compete for the title of 'The Eternal Glory Holder', the title grants many benefits such as money, fame and power. The title can indirectly provide the winner's nation with special treatment from the other nations and empires.
The winners are respected all around the world no matter what kind of person they are, for they risked their lives to win. And there's only place for one 'Chief Judge' in the competition, whose decisions are absolute even if the other judges chose a different choice.
Mostly the elders with half a century of experience would be asked for that position. And the man in front of her was just giving her that position easily.
"After investigating you for some time now", said the crown prince in gentle and formal tone, "I came to be aware of your identity as the owner of 'Dragon Mercenaries"
Sometime? More like one and half year, Mai Lan said inwardly.
Rye Kai leaned back at her chair and sat up straight. This was even more shocking then his sudden invitation. Knowing the fact that she was the owner of the largest mercenary group in the world. Well she did have many identities over the years and this one of them.
It was a good think that he only found about that only.
"I am very honored to have met someone like you" he gave a slight bow to show his sincerity. Rye Kai started to have doubts for he was being too respectful for a crown prince. There must be something he knows about her.
"there must be something you know that I am not aware of your highness", she removed her thick mask and placed on it on the table.
"sister!", Mai Lan said abruptly but before she could say anything else, Rye Kai stopped her with the wave of her hand. Why did her sister open her mask if front of the prince without any warnings? It's dangerous for Rye Kia to show her face in public.
"please do tell, for only then can I trust you" she gave out a gentle smile as an assurance.
She removed her mask! does she want to know that badly? the crown prince was shocked, but he had to keep his cool, "I suppose I should ask you directly" he said looking at her eyes.
Rye Kai smirked and cocked her brow, "sure, go ahead", She lived for thousands of years and got used to all sorts of things, even if the heaven accuses her of being a demon. Oh, wait she is called the demon dragon anyway. So, just leave it!
Crown prince Liang noticed the sudden uninterest in her face.
But now he needed to know something, something which was in his mind for far too long. "it was you right? Near the river side during the massacre of the 'An' family twenty years ago?"
The crown prince was just twelve years old at the time, when he was hiding for his dear life along with two attendants, behind a giant cold rock near the river side. It was freezing that night. And the distant fire which engulfed the An mansion seems to have lit up the entire dark night as if it was day time.
"your highness please stay here" said the attendant on the left while covering him with white blanket, "they might kill you too"
Suddenly a woman's voice called from behind the rock, "come out, come out where ever you are!"
The attendants took out their swords and one of them said, "stay here no mate what happens your highness"
Both them left the Liang Qi Xiao to fight of that woman. In seconds all what he heard was their dying screams. He didn't hear anything after that. He finally got up and took a peek. And to his horror, the woman who had killed his attendants was still standing there as if waiting for him to come out.
She wore white winter cloak which was cover in red blood, blood of the people she had killed tonight. Her long sword dripped of blood.
The Crown prince couldn't forget that night, when he was almost killed. He searched for the woman for so long but didn't find anything about her. And one day he heard the same words 'come out, come out where ever you are', from this so-called Lady Kai, when he was just passing by. It wasn't just the same words but also the same tone and rhyme.
From that day on he was looking for her. It wasn't because he wanted to blame her or anything, because he found out why the An family was killed, they were planning treason against the Emperor.
"I am sorry, I think you got the wrong person", Lady Kai shrugged her shoulders, "twenty years ago I would be a child", she smiled.
Liang Qi Xiao sighed, "I know understand that its not you but please don't say that you were a child. You and your sister are", he looked at the madam, "immortals"
Rye kai's smile dropped after hearing that. She sighed and gave out an awkward smile, "well at least that's a bit surprising. Anyway, let's get back on the topic. Why do you need me? There must be something you were promised or something that you want."
"let's say that is the case for I was promised something from the emperor but" he paused as looked at her, "but the rest is just gut feeling"
"bad excuse dear prince" said Lady Kai, "but I didn't know you are the type of person who'd follow gut feeling"
The prince did not say anything. He maybe crown prince who should be making decisions through rationality but he has always relied on the guts. And they were never wrong.
"what will I get from this, your highness?" she looked at him curiously because she has to work really hard for this role, "I can't do favors for free"
"off course, what is it that you want?"
"well lets see…" she closed her eyes as if she was thinking hard, "I will take...the five winners of the competition"
"you want five winners?"
"Yes," Rye Kai responded lazily, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You see, I'm short-handed right now, and I prefer having strong individuals as my subordinates. This competition will provide exactly that." She cast a sweeping glance around the room before continuing. "There are eleven winners and only gains the title of 'Eternal Glory Holder.' The rest, known as 'Jade Holders,' are equally capable."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "Besides, the last tournament was postponed for a decade due to the War of the Devils. This makes it a once-in-twenty-years event. That fact alone will draw strong contenders from all over the world."
"I see you know what you want—and your information," Crown Prince Liang Qi Xiao scoffed, impressed. He had always known she was extraordinary, but her foresight left him in awe.
"I've lived a long life," Rye Kai chuckled lightly. "And the Dragon Mercenary Guild is also an information network."
"I understand," the prince replied thoughtfully. "But I can't force individuals to work for you."
"Of course not!" Rye Kai agreed, her excitement evident. "It's better to let them choose. I'll take whoever chooses me."
"Then the deal is done," Liang Qi Xiao declared, feeling a surge of triumph. Recruiting someone as formidable as her as a chief judge was an accomplishment beyond measure. He was certain the Emperor would be overjoyed. As for the disgruntled elder candidates, they were not his concern—his father could handle them.
In the back of his mind, he still searched for the memory of the woman from that night. Her face remained a mystery, erased from his mind as if she had never existed. He had hoped to see her again, but that now felt like a distant fantasy. Yet, in Rye Kai, he had found someone even more powerful.
"I'll arrange a meeting with the Emperor," he said, his face lighting up. "When would you like it to be held?"
"A meeting with the Emperor should not be delayed, Your Highness," Rye Kai responded with a mix of authority and grace. "An Emperor is the ruler and leader of a nation. No matter who you are—even a foreigner or someone as powerful as I am—you must show respect. Rulers must respect each other."
"Such wise words, my lord," Prince Liang said, genuinely surprised. It was the first time he had heard such a phrase. She was someone not to be underestimated. "I shall keep that in mind."
Rye Kai gave a slight nod, her expression serene yet commanding.
"I will arrange the meeting for tomorrow morning," Liang Qi Xiao said.
"That is for the best," she agreed, her eyes glinting with purpose. "I will be there on time."
As Rye Kai left the room with her sister following behind, her presence lingered like a shadow, an unspoken promise of power and intrigue. Prince Liang Qi Xiao watched her retreating figure, his mind racing. Every word she spoke carried weight, every move carefully calculated. He had dealt with many formidable figures in court, but none quite like her. She was an enigma, a force both commanding and captivating.
The prince summoned his attendant, who appeared at the door almost instantly. "Prepare for tomorrow's meeting," Liang ordered. "Ensure everything is perfect. The Emperor must see the significance of this alliance."
The attendant bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Highness."
As the attendant left, Liang Qi Xiao paced the room, contemplating the upcoming meeting. He knew the Emperor would be cautious—perhaps even skeptical—of someone as powerful as Lady Kai. Yet, she held a key that could change everything: the tournament, the future warriors it would produce, and the potential alliances it could forge. He needed her on his side, and more importantly, he needed the Emperor to see that.
Meanwhile, Rye Kai made her way through the corridors, her steps graceful yet purposeful. Her mind was already several steps ahead, considering the challenges that lay before her. The competition was not just about gathering strong subordinates; it was about setting the stage for something much larger. Something only, she could see.
"are you sure about that, sister?" Mai Lan asked worriedly as she walked alongside.
"when have I ever made a bad decision?" Rye Kai scoffed.
"well not always but you boast a lot about yourself in front of children which cause future problems, such as now" she made a smug face and looked at Rye Kai who had lost her words. "sister, he almost found out who you were. It was good thing I was there to hit him in the head that night"
"ahhh, well I erased his memories" she shrugged casually as if it wasn't any serious matter, "so he doesn't remember anything"
She stopped in her tracks, "how much did you erase that he remembers seeing a woman?" tone was filled with rage.
Rye Kai jumped on hearing that. It is true that she'd always brag about herself to the children because they would never remember anything. Well that's what she had thought. She doesn't even remember them but they somehow do remember her, unfortunately.
"don't worry everything will okay" Rye Kai cupped Mai Lan's face with both her hands, "nothing will happen as long I am here and no one dares to cross me, ya know"
"I am worried about the Prince not you", Mai Lan cocked her eye brow.
Rye Kai was confused, "why are you worried about him?"
"did you forget what you did with that girl who found out about you?" she rolled her eyes.
Rye thought for some time before answering, "oh you mean little Xiao"
"little? she went six feet under when she was one and half century old" Mai Lan frowned.
"you talk as if I killed her"
"well you made her your servant"
"She wanted to serve me, like, forever she said" Rye Kai argued back still cupping Mai Lan's face, "and she passed peacefully. Not my fault."
"you asked her to live like a Nun" she said with an angry voice, "she was single her entire life"
Ah I am getting scolded for banning someone from falling in love. It was a silly joke but Xiao took it seriously and lived like a virgin nun, till the day she had passed.
"don't worry this time I wont repeat the same mistake, I promise" this was the only thing that can free her from Mai Lan's nagging. After all she was genuinely concerned about others and not her only family.
Mai Lan was raised by Nana when she was absent most of the time, after her parents passed. One of the things which Rye Kai regrets was letting her little sister take after Nana.
"hm? You got that little sis?" Rye Kai smiled widely hopping her sister would agree. Mai Lan frowned at her sister and nodded. "good", she let go her face.
"by the way sister are you sure about what you said to the Crown prince?" she asked, falling into step beside Rye Kai.
"I am," Rye Kai replied, a slight smile playing v on her lips. "The prince is eager to please, and the Emperor will be too once he sees me."
Mai Lan frowned slightly. "why did you agree to that anyway?"
"can't say yet sweaty," Rye Kai assured her. "however, they have no choice. The war with the devils weakened their forces. They need strength, and I will give it to them."
"And in return?"
Rye Kai's eyes glinted. "In return, I gain what I need. Subordinates, influence, and... control."
The reason, she couldn't share with Mai Lan. The main story is about to begin soon and the male lead will appear at the competition. He will off course win the tittle 'Eternal Glory holder'. It was a great time to check out the male lead. She waited for so long for this moment. But who could have thought that the God was with her, giving her such big opportunity.
The female lead can wait for now, she thought, I only know that she was trapped in a tower or something like Rapunzel, due to her power of seeing the future. But she did not have the long golden hair. She sees the male lead in her foresights and does crazy things to lure him to save her.
The thought of seeing the male lead excited her even more.
Mai Lan nodded, understanding the unspoken words. "The Emperor won't underestimate you."
"He shouldn't," Rye Kai agreed, her voice soft but firm. "But it's not the Emperor I'm concerned about."
"Who then?"
Rye Kai's gaze drifted into the distance. "Liang Qi Xiao. He's clever, ambitious. But ambition can be dangerous."
"And if he tries to cross you?" Mai Lan asked.
Rye Kai's smile turned cold. "Then he'll learn why I'm not to be crossed."
The two women continued through the hallways, their figures disappearing into the shadows. Tomorrow's meeting would change many things—and Rye Kai was ready.