The stone door groaned as Huo Yuhao pushed it open, revealing the dim interior of the makeshift prison. The air inside was thick with the scent of damp earth and unwashed bodies, a far cry from the perfumed halls Weina had once graced as Heaven Dou's crown princess.
"Master, they're inside," Huo Yuhao said, stepping aside to let Jing Hongchen peer into the gloom.
Jing Hongchen's nose wrinkled involuntarily at the stale air. His eyes adjusted quickly to the low light, taking in the two huddled figures chained to opposite walls. Princess Weina's once-lustrous golden hair hung in greasy strands, her royal robes replaced by rough-spun prison garb. Beside her, Mu Xue sat stiff-backed despite her shackles, the proud set of her jaw the only remnant of her noble bearing.
"By the gods," Jing Hongchen murmured. The psychological toll was evident in every hollowed cheekbone, every twitch of their fingers against the cold stone floor.
Huo Yuhao strode forward, his boots echoing against the damp stones. The women flinched at his approach, their chains rattling as they pressed themselves harder against the wall.
"Miss Weina," Huo Yuhao said pleasantly, as if greeting her at some state function rather than in a dungeon. "Miss Mu Xue. How kind of you to join us today."
Weina's cracked lips parted, but no sound emerged. Mu Xue found her voice first. "What do you want now, monster?"
The smile never left Huo Yuhao's face as he produced a key from his pocket. The metallic click as he unlocked their shackles seemed unnaturally loud in the confined space. "Stand up," he commanded.
When they hesitated, Jing Hongchen cleared his throat from the doorway. The women's heads snapped toward the sound, their eyes widening as they recognized the distinctive robes of the Illustrious Virtue Hall's master.
"Ah, I see introductions are in order," Huo Yuhao said, stepping back to gesture toward his teacher. "Princess Weina, may I present Master Jing Hongchen, head of the Illustrious Virtue Hall and my esteemed teacher."
Weina found her voice then, though it emerged as little more than a rasp. "So the Sun Moon Empire openly consorts with evil soul masters now?"
Jing Hongchen's lips twitched. He exchanged an amused glance with Huo Yuhao before responding. "Your Highness flatters us with such dramatic accusations. Though I must say, your current predicament seems to have done little to curb that sharp tongue of yours."
He stepped forward, his shadow falling across the trembling princess. "Tell me, how does it feel to know your precious Heaven Dou Empire can do nothing to save you?"
Weina's breath came in short, panicked gasps. Mu Xue tried to interpose herself between them, but Huo Yuhao's hand on her shoulder held her fast.
"Enough games," Huo Yuhao said. "On your feet, both of you. We're going for a walk."
The journey through the winding dungeon corridors passed in terrified silence. Weina stumbled twice on the uneven stones, her legs weakened from months of confinement. Each time, Huo Yuhao waited patiently for her to regain her footing before prodding them onward.
When they reached the central chamber, Jing Hongchen produced two ornate bracelets from within his robes. The golden metal gleamed dully in the torchlight, intricate soul circuits etched into their surfaces.
"For your safety," he explained as he clasped them around the women's wrists. The moment the metal touched skin, the engravings flared crimson before fading back to gold.
Weina gasped as the bracelet tightened, her fingers flying to the unyielding metal. "What is this?"
"A precaution," Huo Yuhao said. He reached out to tilt her chin up, ignoring how she flinched from his touch. "We can't have our valuable guests harming themselves, now can we?"
Jing Hongchen moved to a nearby table where a map of the continent lay unfurled. "Your Highness may be interested to know that your father's forces have been making some... interesting maneuvers along our shared border these past weeks."
Weina's head snapped up. "You lie!"
"Do I?" Jing Hongchen traced a finger along the inked lines representing troop movements. "Three divisions relocated here, two more massing here. Quite the buildup for what your empire claims are mere training exercises."
Mu Xue made a strangled sound in her throat. "You're trying to provoke a war."
"Provoke?" Huo Yuhao laughed. "My dear Mu Xue, the war was inevitable from the moment your empire refused to acknowledge the new world order." He leaned in close enough that she could feel his breath against her ear. "We're simply ensuring it begins on our terms."
A heavy silence fell over the chamber. Somewhere in the distance, water dripped steadily against stone, marking the passage of time with relentless precision.
It was Jing Hongchen who finally broke the quiet. "Take them to the observation deck," he told Huo Yuhao. "Let them see what their empire will soon face."
The climb up the spiral staircase left both women breathless. When they emerged onto the windswept platform high above the Illustrious Virtue Hall complex, the view stole what little breath remained.
Spread out before them like some monstrous living tapestry were row upon row of soul tool artillery, their polished surfaces gleaming in the afternoon sun. Squads of engineers moved between them, making final adjustments to the terrifying machines.
But more horrifying still were the figures overseeing the work - rank upon rank of black-clad soldiers, their uniforms bearing the unmistakable insignia of the Sun Moon Empire's elite corps.
Weina's knees buckled. Only Huo Yuhao's grip on her arm kept her upright. "This... this isn't possible," she whispered.
"Oh, but it is," Huo Yuhao said. He swept an arm across the vista below. "Every soul tool you see here was designed under my supervision. Every soldier has trained for this moment." His fingers tightened around her arm. "When the time comes, your empire won't know what hit them."
Mu Xue found her voice first. "You're mad. The other empires will never stand for this!"
Jing Hongchen's chuckle sent ice water trickling down her spine. "By the time they realize what's happening, it will be too late." He turned to Huo Yuhao. "Take them back to their cells. I believe they've seen enough."
As Huo Yuhao led the shell-shocked women away, Jing Hongchen remained at the railing, watching as the war machine below continued its relentless preparations. The wind tugged at his robes as he murmured to himself, "The horn of war has sounded indeed."
(End of Chapter)
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