Huan Wen

The imperial hall was frozen in tense anticipation. The young ruler leaned lazily against the golden dragon head on his throne. His eyes were invisible beneath the cascading pearl threads of his crown, but everyone in the hall felt his cold, assessing gaze. There were too many contenders for the role of imperial consort, and the ruler was frankly bored.

"We have no use for weaklings," his low, commanding voice echoed through the hall. "Servants, distribute ice to the guests. The one among you who can hold a piece of ice in your mouth the longest, without making a sound, without shuddering, or revealing your cold, will earn my attention."

The candidates whispered in panic. The ice, dug from deep caves, burned their fingers even through silk scarves. Within minutes, the noble youths and maidens began to turn pale, their teeth chattered, and tears rolled down their cheeks. One after another, they shamefully spat out the ice shards.

Only you stood in the middle of the hall, your face completely unperturbed. The Emperor didn't know you were the child of a legendary army general. Your childhood was spent in harsh military campaigns on the icy border, where your father forced you to meditate for hours on frozen lakes. To you, this "deadly" ice seemed no colder than spring water.

Noticing your absolute calm, the Emperor slowly rose from his throne. Step by step, he descended the stone stairs and stopped directly in front of you, leaning down to your face:

— Everyone is trembling and begging for mercy... And you don't even blink. Who are you?