Zi Hao limped through the dense forest, his body screaming in protest with every step. His horse waited patiently at the edge of the clearing, tethered to a tree. The general cursed under his breath, each word a venomous string of frustration directed at the sorcerer.
"That damned sorcerer," he muttered, gripping his side as he stumbled forward. "Luo Xian, you arrogant, insufferable brat. You think you're untouchable because of your power? You'll regret the day you crossed me."
The humiliation burned more than the lashes on his back. Zi Hao could still hear the emperor's mocking tone, still feel the court's eyes on him as he was punished for his failure. All because of him. Luo Xian, with his smug smirk and defiant golden eyes, had made a fool of him.
"He deserves to rot in that cell," Zi Hao growled as he mounted his horse, wincing at the pain that shot through his body. "But I'll make sure he suffers more than that. I'll make his life a living hell. He'll wish he'd begged for death by the time I'm through with him."
The ride back to his manor was grueling. Every jolt of the horse's stride sent fresh waves of pain through his battered body. By the time he reached the gates, Zi Hao was barely conscious. Servants rushed to his side, but he waved them off, stumbling into his chambers on his own.
As soon as he reached his bed, he collapsed onto it, blood soaking through the sheets. His vision blurred, and the world faded to black.
---
Two Days Later
Zi Hao awoke in a pool of his own blood. The once-crimson stains on the sheets had dried to a dark, rust-colored hue. His body felt heavy, the wounds on his back stiff and raw. He groaned, attempting to push himself up, but his muscles screamed in protest.
"Damn it," he muttered, falling back onto the bed. His head swam with dizziness, and his throat was parched. He realized with a sinking feeling that he hadn't tended to his wounds. The lash marks had gone untreated for two days, and the pain was unbearable.
Summoning what little strength he had, Zi Hao reached for the ointment and bandages on the bedside table. It took every ounce of willpower to clean the wounds and wrap them, his hands trembling as he worked. By the time he finished, sweat dripped down his face, and he collapsed back onto the bed, utterly spent.
As he lay there, his thoughts drifted back to the sorcerer. Luo Xian was likely still chained in the dungeons, plotting his next move. Zi Hao's jaw clenched at the thought. The sorcerer had caused him nothing but pain and humiliation, and yet he still wore that smug smirk as if he held all the power.
"Well, not for long," Zi Hao muttered to himself. "I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me, Luo Xian. You'll wish you'd begged for mercy."
---
In the Dungeons
Luo Xian leaned back against the cold stone wall of his cell, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief. His fiery red hair framed his face, partially obscuring the sly grin that tugged at his lips. He had spent the last two days formulating a plan to escape, and he was confident it would work.
The guards were predictable, their routines easy to memorize. All he needed was the right moment, and he'd be free. Once he escaped, he'd show the emperor and his loyal dog, Zi Hao, the true extent of his power.
As Luo Xian ran through the final details of his plan, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. He straightened, his smirk widening as the familiar figure of Zi Hao appeared.
The general's sky-blue eyes burned with fury as he approached the cell, his posture rigid despite the lingering stiffness in his movements. His wounds had clearly not fully healed, but his anger seemed to fuel him, driving him forward.
"Well, well," Luo Xian drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Look who's back. You're like a bad coin, General—always turning up."
Zi Hao's glare could have melted steel. "You're a spoiled brat," he snapped, his voice low and venomous. "Because of you, I was punished. Because of you, I've spent the last two days bleeding out in my own bed. But I promise you this: you'll regret ever seeing me."
Luo Xian chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "Oh, really? How tragic," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "I feel so bad for you. Truly, I do." He rolled his eyes, his smirk growing. "But I'm far more interested in what you plan to do to me. You're so mean, General. No mercy at all."
Zi Hao's hand twitched, as if he was tempted to strike the bars of the cell. "You think this is a game?" he hissed. "You think you're untouchable just because you're locked up? Let me tell you something, sorcerer. I don't need you to agree to help the emperor. I'll break you if I have to."
Luo Xian's smirk faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly recovered, his golden eyes narrowing. "Big words for someone who can barely stand," he retorted. "But go ahead, General. Try to break me. I'd love to see you fail again."
Zi Hao turned on his heel, his black cloak billowing behind him as he stormed out of the dungeon. Luo Xian watched him go, his smirk fading as his expression turned thoughtful.
The general was more dangerous than he had anticipated. If he wanted to escape, he'd need to act quickly—before Zi Hao had the chance to make good on his threats.