The Phoenix embraced the Sun

Make a change, pt. 3

As long as he could remember, the skies of the Nightless City had always been shrouded in bloody mist and black clouds with no stars to illuminate their days and nights with their beautiful glow. The soil and rocks split with a silent rattle, lava flowing through the cracks like the blood of a slumbering god. And from the depths of the volcano a thunderous howl of long-forgotten spirits echoed.

The Nightless City was the sanctuary of his bloodline. It was the place where their founder drew the energy from the depths that gave him the power and right to be called one of the strongest cultivators of his time. The flames that flowed in Wen Mao's veins never faded, as Eternal Flames did, burning evil and foes to the ground. It was the same flame that consumed the once terrifying Qiongqi, leaving only its ashes.

The same flame that flowed through his children's veins, his grandchildren's... descendants'.

The same flame that had corrupted the minds of the last leaders of the Great Sect.

The supposed harmony that reigned in the cultivation world began to crack as dark cultivators ceased to be outcasts among the 'Justice and Peace Keepers'.

The once former assassins from the Imperial Courtyard of the Western Kingdom had a hard time adapting among the countless clans, and an even harder time getting even a little bit of support from the Great Sects. Perhaps they would have been paid a little attention if they had mountains of gold coins or a few important artefacts. But the dark cultivators had neither of those things. Even the lands they received were unfruitful and dry. It was as if they were left to starve to death. For years, they tried to strengthen themselves by taking up any kind of work. As for their cultivation skills? Just mere mediocrities with no talents.

And then... they had risen to the point where they were now breathing on Wen's back. It was no wonder that the sect leaders had lost their minds, naively believing their advisors that if Weis were to join forces with any of the Great Sects, then the Wen Sect would be destroyed. There was truth in their words, but it was directed in the wrong direction.

Wen Ruohan was one of the few who did not fall for this foolish provocation. Although he paid a great price for it.

First, he was taken away from his mother, who did her best to protect her son from his father that lost his mind.

Then he was humiliated and beaten for years, for which he earned many scars and broken bones.

Because of his father's order, he was denied the opportunity for proper treatment. The healers provided first aid, but not enough so that Wen Ruohan would not suffer afterwards, counting the days until his inevitable death.

Worst of all, one of the concubines - not without his father's insistence - drugged him and spent the night with him, after which she conceived a child. The father's men instantly showered the maiden with attention, large luxurious chambers and riches, hinting that she must give birth to a son soon. And if she fails the first time, she will pull the same trick again.

Wen Ruohan had no allies and could not resist his father's order. He could not kill the girl who tried to break into his chambers every night. If that whore ran to complain to Leader Wen after the beating, the heir would have far more problems.

Besides, he didn't want to be like his father and harm his child.

The only joy he experienced was when he secretly held his son in his arms for the first time. His small hope that someday Wen Ruohan, unburdened by the torments of his existence, would greet the warm dawn. Wen Xu. The name he had bestowed.

A vow that Wen Ruohan had to rise to his feet at all costs, take blade in hand, and shower the Nightless City with blood. Those who had insulted him and his mother should be brought to their knees, made to beg for mercy and forgiveness. To place his father's head on a pike in front of the main gates as a showpiece for all who would ever attack Wen Ruohan, dare to invade his throne and dishonor him.