The guards marched Liu Wuxie toward the castle. Its blazing lights cut through the night while singing and revelry spilled into the air.0

Stepping inside felt like entering another world—a paradise in stark contrast to the desolate Anlu Star. Pavilions lined the courtyard, their elegance underscored by the faint creak of wooden beams.0

Following a path paved with smooth blue slabs, they entered the main hall. Scantily clad women danced seductively before a man in his fifties seated at the head. He had a small goatee and a beauty nestled in his arms, holding a cup of wine to his lips as if serving an emperor.0

Liu An stepped inside alone, leaving Liu Wuxie outside under...0