The Great Hall of Solarice was filled with an uneasy tension as King Guangxi sat upon his throne, his piercing gold eyes glaring at his advisors. The crimson flames flickering around him betrayed his fiery temper.
"What are these pathetic results? How are we losing to a bunch of barbarian Mongols?" Guangxi roared, hurling a wine glass at his aide, Sai, who flinched nervously.
Sai cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice steady. "My Lord, we have achieved complete victory in Yunnan. I know this may not help, but there are some positives we've accomplished."
Guangxi's scowl deepened as he leaned forward, the flames around him growing stronger. "Do all my advisors think that way?" he asked in an authoritative tone.
The advisors collectively knelt, fear evident in their eyes. "No, my Lord. Our ignorance deserves death," they said in unison.
Sai continued, "My Lord, we genuinely thought Lady Se La would perish, but her strength and strategies far surpassed even their most skilled gaoji. And as you ordered, we cut her supplies and reduced her manpower."
Guangxi let out a heavy sigh. "Call that dark-haired witch in," he commanded the guards.
As Se La entered, whispers and gazes filled the hall, piercing her with contempt. She met Guangxi's gaze unflinchingly. "I greet you, my Lord. I have returned from Yunnan. So, may I get what you promised me?"
Guangxi's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Always so direct, one of the many things I detest about you," he said, eliciting snickers from the room.
Se La smirked. "My Lord, I know your hate quite well. Now, please try harder than taunts, pranks, and assassinations."
Sai stepped forward, outrage etching his features. "How dare you speak up to the majesty! I should just—"
He was cut off as a dark mist suddenly choked him, guards surrounding Se La. Guangxi glared at the guards, making them back off with a flick of his wrist, the flames around him growing stronger.
"Stop, or do you want to die?" he growled.
Se La released the mist, allowing Sai to gasp for air. "I think I would already be in hell by now, but we don't always get what we want, my Lord. So, now let's discuss."
Guangxi's expression shifted to a forced smile. "Yes, your reward," he said.
"Give me the governance of any state. That was the deal," Se La demanded, her eyes narrowing.
Guangxi, fearing a potential rebellion, quickly responded. "I will give you the governance of the northern Mongol region."
Se La's fury erupted, her dark energy pulsing violently as she glared at Guangxi, her golden eyes burning with the desire to kill.
Guangxi held up a hand, unfazed. "Now, now, I know you aren't that foolish, the famous Dark Witch."
Se La was surrounded by three of Guangxi's flame gaoji, but she forced herself to calm down. "My Lord, the Mongol region is one that isn't even in our territory yet. We have lost the war there."
Guangxi's grin widened. "We still have an army there and land under our control, don't we?" he said smugly.
Se La's expression softened, a hint of weariness crossing her features. "I have been in war since I was 15. It has been 10 years since I last saw a peaceful day."
Guangxi's face twitched with anger. "You should be grateful for even that. I have been too generous, and now my hound starts barking at the owner," he said, the hall filling with snickers and dirty gazes directed at Se La.
"Fine, your Majesty, as you wish," Se La replied, a smile playing on her lips, making Guangxi visibly uneasy.
She then leaves to go to her quarters, the room filled with snickers of the advisors.
As Se La lay in her bed, a mysterious figure suddenly lunged at her. Instinctively, Se La prepared to erect a barrier, but she quickly realized it was her nephew, Yuhan.
"Oh, my, you almost made me kill you, my little fox," Se La said, a hint of amusement in her voice as Yuhan hugged her tightly.
Yuhan's face was filled with glee. "Aunty, let's fight this time! My blue flames will burn you!"
Se La chuckled. "Oh, such bold words. Did you forget how I broke your arm already?"
Yuhan giggled. "That's ancient history now. Come on, let's go to the forest!"
Se La's expression turned somber. "Your father has banned you from meeting me, remember, my dear prince?"
Yuhan's grin only widened. "Well, that hasn't stopped me, has it?" he said, and the two shared a laugh as they made their way to the Goma Forest.
Once in the forest, Se La launched her attack first, but Yuhan met her head-on, challenging her with his azure flames. The two exchanged a flurry of elemental blasts, their powers clashing in a dazzling display. Se La's advanced ki control allowed her to overpower Yuhan, but the young prince managed to evade her attacks and hide in the forest.
"Now, now, my nephew, running away? Do you think I can't find you?" Se La called out, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Suddenly, Yuhan emerged, launching a barrage of azure ki arrows at a high speed, trying to overwhelm his aunt. He then covered his fist in his signature azure flame, lunging towards Se La, determined to end the fight.
Se La smiled as she easily nullified Yuhan's attacks, releasing a powerful shadow blast that rammed the young prince against the trees, leaving him unconscious.
As the night moon rose, Yuhan opened his eyes to see Se La beside him. "Aunty Se La, no fair! You played me," he pouted.
Se La gently patted his head. "You sure will become strong, my little dragon," she said, her voice uncharacteristically soft.
Confused, Yuhan asked, "What's wrong?"
Se La's gaze turned to the stars. "I will be going to a far-away land," she said.
"Can I come?" Yuhan pleaded.
Se La shook her head. "No, I will be going to a place filled with blood. You are the crown prince, my nephew." Her eyes held a somber expression as she continued, " it is my destiny."
Yuhan watched, perplexed, as Se La's gaze remained fixed on the night sky, the weight of her words leaving him with a growing sense of unease.