The Royal court of Hua rarely saw their ruling emperor in action. Mostly, it was their emperor's younger brother who held the court and passed all the orders. 

Everyone knew that when the emperor appeared instead of his brother then things were serious. 

Various eyes focused on the kneeling body in the center of the court. Even with all those eyes you would not be able to find any thread of sympathy. After all, the kneeling person was a traitor, someone who had killed far too many people. 

"Tell me, what should we do with you? 4 years, 6 wars and thousands lost. All because of your inability to stay in your place" If the emperor had raised his voice it would have been justificable. 

But instead, all one could see was cold indifference. That coldness had bled into his words and actions as well. No one had actually wanted the emperor Xiao Fai to show up. Instead, his younger brother Xiao Lan would be much more appreciated. 

But no one had the courage to word this out loud at all. One look at the kneeling person would be enough to discourage any such thoughts from their mind. 

After all, hadn't Fu Hua been the slave of Xiao Lan? He had been an ungrateful dog who had but the hand that fed him. Xiao Lan had to be a saint, to take in a slave and free him. The same slave would go on to become one of the highest court ministers before his ultimate fall. 

This was not the first time something like this had happened and it would not likely be the last time. And the imperial family was not forgiving in the least. By betraying them Fu Hua had as good as sealed his fate. 

"You repeat that all as if you care. We're those words forced into your mouth by your brother? Or have your ministers guided you to make speak like that" The blow Fu Hua got for his words was expected. After all, no one insulted the emperor in his own court and got away with it.

His eyes said it all, he knew he was going to die and he was not afraid. Hadn't that been something he had been prepared for when he took this path? Now that it had come to this, he could not say he was surprised. 

"It's true that I don't particularly care for the common folks. But this is not about that issue at all. The issue is my brother and what you did to him. Also, this" The emperor waved his hand, calling in the servant who had stood with a tray at his side. As soon as the signal was received, she stepped forward with the covered tray. 

Fu Hua watched it all with an impassive eye, his interest weaning already. There was nothing they could present to gather his interest anyway. 

And also, he knew the decree and what it entitles. Xiao Lan had visited him one last time after he had been caught. It had been made clear to him what would happen to him in the future - his death. 

Whatever tricks anyone played now would not change this fact at all. 

However, the same could not be said once the cloth was picked up from the tray. The small stone that laid on the bare silver had corroded into a charcoal black already. 

The present people in the inner court flinched, not expecting such a scene at all. The stone was secreting poison lethal enough to even corrode silver. There was no way it was natural at all. 

"This is a demon art? Who would dare to try something like this" Fu Hua could not remain impassive any longer, his eyes wide in borderline fear. The practice of dark art was forbidden, outlawed because it had a huge cost. 

"Who would indeed. Your expression tells me that it was not your work. So someone else out there knows about these techniques as well. Anyway, back to you" Those soulless eyes moved back to Fu Hua, "Your execution date has been decided. It will happen in the next two days so be prepared" Fu Hua did not pay attention to those last words. 

His full attention had been taken over by the stone in front of him. That energy called to him, begged him to be used. It was a compelling charm powerful enough to break his focus on anything else. 

"Everyone out. The verdict has already been passed. Make sure your mouth does not spoil what we have discussed here today" The nobles bowed and left. There was no denying the soft voices that spoke of forbidden words. 

"Make a night guard follow them all the time. Should they speak of something that is not their business, kill them immediately" The nobles were unaware of the danger they had landed themselves into. The emperor did not care much for them at all but they were necessary to run the country. 

However, they were not irreplaceable at all. Sooner or later they would all die anyway, so if Xiao Fei got rid of them no one would point fingers at all. 

"As for you. Don't think you'll get to run away from this mess you have created. You will pay for everything you have done and more" This slave had already done enough damage and now it was time for him to repay. 

Xiao Fai would make sure the other repaid every extra breath the other took. 

"What are you looemperor to gain by doing this? You are not someone who would do this out of the goodness of his heart. Surely the meaning behind showing me this stone was nothing good" Even when he was about to die, Fu Hua could not trust this person. After all, this man was far more cunning than he let on initially. 

He had the throne and did not even have to work to maintain it at all. Furthermore, despite his shortcomings he had retained this throne for more than 8 years already. One would be foolish to think of this person as harmless. 

And now this person was looemperor at him like he was a bug. 

Two days passed in silence and rumors made their home in the emperordom of Hua. The former ‘Guardian of Hua’ was to be executed to the first ray of sun in the public square. Even the skies seemed to crack open on that day, the rain falling full force.

The sky seemed to weep for a lost warrior who had served it’s nation but people on the earth had a different opinion. After all, who did not know of Fu Hua’s betrayal? The servant who climbed up the stairs only to fall down.

The heavy downpour did not allow many people the luxury of witnessing the execution but the blade did come down to serve the head from that body. Those who came bore witness to the death of a traitor.

There were nobles, common people and even slaves. Everyone rejoiced and everyone mourned this loss. But everyone also discussed those who did not come to witness this death.

The emperor’s younger brother was one. Xiao Lan could not be blamed, his grief was felt and shared by everyone.

The royal empress was the other, her body heavily pregnant with the next emperor. She was frail and could not move much nowadays.

The third was the imperial mother, her reasons unknown. Her only appearance in the last few days had been to a shop and nothing else after that.

And so an era closed with the death of a traitor and the new dawn broke apart. The peace had descended at last, the demons had been laid to rest with the society coming to it’s right order.

However every ray of light brings with it many shadows and the fire that burns leaves sparks behind. Ash can try to cover them, to extinguish their heat but even a small wind can help those sparks ignite once again into a giant fire.

And so they festered and grew, looking for an opportunity to come back full force.

That day the emperor received his first case of dark magic in his empire. The first of many to come and the first of many that would plague the entire empire. Irritated, the emperor made a decision that day.

“Who was asking for this case? Noble Lee? Give him the tools he needs and that prisoner too. Threaten him to keep his mouth shut and solve this case if he wants to live any longer. And under no circumstance is he allowed to harm the dog I give him, understood?” the emperor did not look at his aid when he made his decision.

His mind was elsewhere, lost in the paradise he was planning and his newest conquest. It would be a good surprise for his brother if he took his love as his own, wouldn't it? A way to show who was really in charge.

Beneath him the servant trampled and left. Now he had a message to deliver.