The sword in Yaoguang's hand hummed with cold light as it tore through the demon's midsection. A shriek pierced the forest, sharp enough to startle birds into flight. Shadows writhed, clawed limbs thrashing, but it was too late. One final strike cleaved its form in half, dark mist curling around her blade like dying breath.
She exhaled calmly, barely out of breath.
"Another lowborn spirit," she murmured, sheathing her blade.
The silver embroidery on her dark robes shimmered faintly in the moonlight—the uniform of Tianhui Zong, Zuling's most feared exorcist sect. And she, Yaoguang, stood at its peak.
Leader of the sect.
Zuling's strongest exorcist.
One who did not bow, not even to emperors.
"Senior Sister!" a voice called out breathlessly behind her.
She turned, eyes narrowing slightly as her junior disciple stumbled through the trees. He paused to catch his breath. "Master is calling for you. He said it was urgent."
She stilled.
Her father.
"I have a bad feeling about this," she muttered.
---
The sect hall was quiet when she entered, save for the sound of wind brushing through wooden beams. Her father—Master Yaoshi—sat waiting, a small smile curling at the corners of his lips. Too calm. Too polite.
Something was wrong.
"Sit, child," he said.
She did. Slowly. Cautiously.
"Do you know of the Prophecy of Zuling?"
Yaoguang nodded. "Everyone in the kingdom knows it."
The prophecy of Zuling... the twin fate of light and darkness.
" One child shall awaken as the Mingzu — and a hundred generations shall fall.
If the Light of Zuling does not rise, the mortal realm shall shatter.
If his heart is not turned, the Nine Springs shall rise to the surface.
If her light does not shine, the Lord of Shadows shall rule the world.
If their love breaks, calamity shall awaken;
If her tears fall, the veil between worlds shall break.
Only if spirit and spirit unite, shall both fall not into ruin."
She frowned. "But why are you asking me this?"
Master Yaoshi leaned forward. "Do you know who the Mingzu is?"
Yaoguang blinked. "There are rumors... that the current emperor is the Mingzu who will bring doom. But why are you asking me this?"
Her voice tightened with irritation.
He ignored the tone. "As he is rumored to be the Mingzu, many fear him. Many who despise him have cursed him."
"So? There are dozens of exorcists. Lifting curses isn't even my specialty."
He nodded. "Yes, but we can't send just anyone. If the rumors about the emperor being cursed spread, it could tear the empire apart."
She narrowed her eyes. "So you want me to lift his curse. And if anything goes wrong, I become the scapegoat? How noble. Maybe you should go instead. After all, you're already at death's door."
She stood.
But his next words froze her mid-step.
"I'm sorry."
She turned just in time to feel a hand clamp over her mouth. A sharp herbal scent filled her nose. Paralysis spread fast, vision swimming.
Her last thought before unconsciousness took her was a curse so old it cracked through her clenched teeth.
---
The next morning, the carriage rocked gently as it made its way toward the capital.
Yaoguang stirred.
She blinked, then scowled.
A wedding dress?
She looked down at the red silk and silver phoenix embroidery.
"I'm supposed to lift the emperor's curse," she muttered under her breath, "so why the hell am I in this f**king wedding dress?"