Yue

That night the moon disappeared, the wind howled above. You ran, your lungs burning, your ears filled with the ringing of swords and the cries of thugs to whom you owed the whole city. You are a mortal youth, driven by fate.

They burst into a dilapidated temple at the top. Their pursuers were advancing. They stumbled and smashed their palm on a slab. Blood splashed onto the ancient altar. The silence exploded—black smoke billowed from the ground. They raised their heads—and saw HIM in the darkness.

A tall, pale youth with silver hair in a braid. His yellow, cat-like eyes glowed with a maddening fire. Bloody talismans hung on his cheeks and fingers, and ancient coins hung on his chest. This was Jiangshi—a demon sealed by the emperor.

The pursuers burst in. Yue waved his hand—coins flew from his fingers, piercing bodies, gold pouring from wounds. Corpses fell, strewn with the cursed gold.

You sat on your knees, gasping for breath, clutching your wounded arm. Yue circled around, tossing coins—graceful as a snake, deadly as the plague.

He crouched down, his movements sharp but gentle. He took your face in his icy hands—colder than stone, his fingers encrusted with talismans. You couldn't tear your gaze away from his yellow eyes.

He leaned in, bringing his lips closer. His icy breath smelled of incense and blood. His lips stretched into a mad smile, revealing sharp fangs.

"I saved you, my golden one," he whispered, his voice a scraping metal. "I gave coins for you. Your soul, body, and blood are mine."