TCOTAC C1

The first month of the seventh year of the Genyuan era in the Great Ha Kingdom. The once-a-year Gaenyeol Festival had arrived.

A bitter winter north wind raged fiercely. The icy gale felt like it was cutting into skin.

The sky hung heavy and leaden, and white wisps of breath rose above the arena.

The imperial family members were all wrapped in thick fox-fur cloaks and had marten-fur caps pressed low on their heads. The chill seeped in even beneath their extravagant garments embroidered with gold thread.

Sitting in small groups on all sides of the arena, the princes and imperial descendants exchanged non-stop greetings. The jade pendants and accessories clinked against one another, producing clear, melodious sounds.

The Emperor of Great Ha, Emperor Genyuan, was already entering his fifties. Beneath his imperial robe, silver frost had settled upon his temples.

Yet the sharp gleam in his eyes remained undiminished.

Right at that moment, the high-pitched voice of the chief eunuch echoed across the entire arena.

“His Highness, Prince Seong of the Cheonran Kingdom, arrives!”

The noisy chatter instantly subsided. Every gaze turned to a single spot.

Emperor Genyuan was the first to leap up from his Dragon Throne. The hem of his imperial robes fluttered in the wind.

Smiling broadly, he welcomed the guest alongside the princes and imperial descendants. His face bore a look of genuine, heartfelt welcome.

“For Your Highness Prince Seong of the Cheonran Kingdom to come in person to our Great Ha Kingdom to celebrate the Gaenyeol Festival with us fills Us with boundlessness joy. On behalf of the people of Great Ha, We welcome Prince Seong.”

Jangson Anri, who had come from the Cheonran Kingdom.

He slowly walked onto the viewing platform. Every single step was calm and composed.

Perhaps owing to the climate difference between the two kingdoms situated north and south, he wore a fox-fur coat on the outside, but his inner garments were entirely of the Cheonran style.

A white robe adorned with silver ornaments fluttered in the wind.

He was at the young age of twenty-five.

Yet an elegance transcending his years exuded from his stature. His black hair was neatly bound with a jade crown, and beneath eyebrows straight as swords, a pair of deep, clear eyes shone.

A prominent bridge of the nose and thin lips. His expression looked cold, yet somehow gentle.

He was restrained yet at ease. He looked just like a sword immortal descended from the celestial realm.

Seeing the Emperor of Great Ha treat him with such utmost respect, Jangson Anri curled his lips into a faint smile. It was polite, yet held a subtle distance.

He raised his hand slightly in midair as if to support the Emperor up.

His hand was slender and long, every joint of his fingers refined and elegant.

“Your Imperial Majesty treats this humble prince with such extreme hospitality that I feel truly unworthy. Though I am a man of Cheonran, Your Majesty is the ruler and I am a subject. There is no need for Your Majesty to extend such full protocol.”

His voice was clear and tranquil. It was like a serene lake.

Without a single ripple.

“The Cheonran Kingdom is the strongest nation in the Ten Directions Continent. That our Great Ha Kingdom has maintained an alliance with yours for many years is all thanks to you, Prince Seong. How could We, as the sovereign of a state, not accord you proper etiquette? Why should We strictly abide by the distinction of ruler and subject?”

Emperor Genyuan did not lose his smile. However, deep within his eyes, a flicker of vigilance flashed past.

He gestured for the guards and eunuchs to clear the path and turned to the side.

“Our country is located in the north, so the winter winds are harsh. The north wind blows cold on this viewing platform. Those who have come from your esteemed kingdom may not be used to it. Please take your seat first, Prince Seong.”

“Very well.”

Jangson Anri retained his calm smile as he headed toward the seat of the guest of honor. Behind him, the Cheonran attendants quietly took their places.

Every one of them bore the demeanor of a martial artist.

Emperor Genyuan walked alongside him, explaining the events of the Gaenyeol Festival. The conversation between the two was smooth, but an invisible tension flowed beneath the surface.

Behind them, low whispers passed among the young princes and imperial descendants. They covered their mouths with their hands, talking in secret.

“Why is His Majesty extending such lavish hospitality to Prince Seong of Cheonran? Jangson Anri is a prince, but he isn’t the Crown Prince, is he? He was merely granted a title early because of his military exploits.”

A young prince asked with a puzzled look. The older man sitting beside him shook his head and answered in a low tone.

“You don’t know the situation in Cheonran. That Prince Seong is not the Crown Prince, but even the Crown Prince takes three steps back to pay respect to him.”

“Really?”

The eyes of several imperial descendants widened.

“He is deeply beloved by the people, and his prestige and military achievements far surpass those of the Crown Prince. Originally, he was the top candidate for the main palace. Yet, for years, he hasn’t returned to the imperial capital and has been guarding the Western Desert border instead.”

“Did the Emperor not summon him repeatedly?”

“Even so, he didn’t comply. In effect, he stepped aside from the battle for the Crown Prince position on his own.”

One prince rested his chin on his hand, looking at Jangson Anri seated far away.

“Could it be… that he doesn’t want to become the Crown Prince?”

“What prince would refuse the position of Crown Prince?”

Another imperial descendant listening nearby chimed in.

“Still. His military achievements are outstanding and his prestige is high, yet he ignored the Emperor’s summons and stayed on the border for a long time. Even during the struggle for the crown, he didn’t return to the imperial capital. It’s clear he has no interest in the throne.”

“That makes sense. But he holds the tiger tally and controls a military force of a million strong—who would dare look down on him? That would be suicidal.”

Their gaze directed once more toward Prince Seong. Jangson Anri was still conversing with Emperor Genyuan with an unruffled expression.

His motionless appearance was as steady as a mountain.

“Seeing His Majesty pay such respects, could he believe that the destiny of the Cheonran Kingdom lies in his hands?”

“His Majesty’s eyes are always accurate. Because no one knows what plans Jangson Anri might have.”

An older prince spoke cautiously.

“I heard Prince Seong has a relaxed and unrestrained nature. Except when he goes to war, he mostly devotes his time to cultivation.”

“Still, he was the head disciple of Mount Cheonhyeon in his youth. His martial arts must undoubtedly be extraordinary.”

“He descended the mountain at thirteen, and was granted a princely title before twenty, wasn’t he? They say he’s the first in the history of the Ten Directions Continent.”

Exclamations of admiration leaked out from here and there.

“On the surface, he looks like a humble gentleman, but he’s a figure who must absolute never be underestimated.”

While the youths secretly appraised Prince Seong, Emperor Genyuan and Prince Seong were already seated on the other side. The guest of honor seat was positioned to overlook the entire arena at a glance.

“It has been several years since Your Highness Prince Seong went to the Western Desert. You have rarely come to Great Ha Kingdom, so as luck would have it, today coincides with the Gaenyeol Festival’s Beast-Fighting Competition. Let us watch it together.”

Emperor Genyuan struck up a conversation with a smile. A court maid served warm tea.

The faint fragrance of tea spread through the air.

Jangson Anri didn’t even twitch his elegant brows. He slowly turned his head to survey the inside of the arena.

In the center of the arena was a space enclosed by massive iron cages. High iron railings surrounded all four sides, and dark red bloodstains—perhaps remnants of previous matches—blotted the ground.

Jangson Anri briefly scanned the ferocious wild beasts trapped inside the arena.

Black Panthers, Mad Wolves, Iron-Armored Bears… All were fierce beasts capable of tearing a human to pieces in an instant.

Their eyes gleamed red, as if starved for blood. Low, rumbling roars echoed across the entire arena.

His deep, clear eyes shone. No emotion could be read from them.

Not far away, inside another cage, dozens of young men and women were trapped.

From men and women in their thirties and forties to children barely ten years old, their ages varied widely. All were draped in rags, standing with pale faces.

Some were trembling violently, while others looked into the air with vacant eyes, as if they had already given up.

The cold wind seeped through the iron bars. The clothes of the condemned prisoners fluttered in the gale.

Emperor Genyuan followed Jangson Anri’s gaze toward the prisoners and opened his mouth. A ostentatious tone was mixed in his voice.

“They are all condemned prisoners. Among the punishments of our Great Ha Kingdom, there are decapitation, slow slicing, dismemberment by chariots, strangulation with white silk, and poisoned wine. However, the most severe punishment is something else entirely.”

Emperor Genyuan pointed toward the arena.

The tip of his finger slowly aimed at the death-row prisoners inside the cage.

“It is to fight those fierce beasts in the Gaenyeol Festival’s beast arena.”

Jangson Anri raised a brow slightly. At that moment, a subtle shift occurred in his eyes.

However, it lasted for only a split second, quickly returning to tranquility.

“Oh. I heard that your esteemed nation’s beast arena was prepared for condemned prisoners, but seeing it in person is quite surprising.”

His voice remained calm as ever. He lifted his teacup and took a slow sip.

Emperor Genyuan failed to read the true intention embedded in Jangson Anri’s words. Only his clear, tranquil voice reached his ears.

Was it approval, or criticism? It sounded like a mere neutral observation.

Did he approve of this punishment, or did he not? Emperor Genyuan had no way of knowing.

Jangson Anri’s face was as placid as a quiet lake.

Even if the two nations had formed an alliance, neither had the right to interfere with the holiday customs of the other. Jangson Anri spoke no further.

He lifted his teacup once more to sip his tea. Emperor Genyuan did not pursue the topic any further either.

A subtle silence lingered for a moment.

Afterward, the two discussed the alliance between their countries. Trade routes, border defense, mutual support… On the surface, it was a harmonious conversation.

Jangson Anri maintained a serene smile from start to finish. A gentleman’s composure was steeped into his every word and action.

When speaking, he was articulate; when listening, he was quiet. It was flawless diplomatic etiquette.

Emperor Genyuan was inwardly astonished by every single word Prince Seong spoke. The more they conversed, the less he could fathom the depths of this young Prince Seong.

‘At such a young age. How can a youth of barely twenty-five be so composed?’

There wasn’t a single flaw in his speech or actions. It was impossible to find a weak point easily.

Even to the few testing questions Emperor Genyuan subtly threw out, Jangson Anri responded perfectly. He was unthreatening yet resolute, modest yet dignified.

Young and capable, yet humble and calm. Even while holding the vast military power of a nation, he remained gentle and serene.

What lay hidden behind that ease?

Prince Seong was like a quietly sleeping fierce tiger. When asleep, one could not measure how dangerous he might be.

However, once he opened his eyes and pounced, no opponent could possibly withstand him. Was he not the very man who had guarded the Western Desert border for years and emerged victorious in countless battles?

‘This man is far too dangerous.’

Emperor Genyuan judged so in his heart. It might be fortunate for Great Ha Kingdom that Cheonran Kingdom had not made this man the Crown Prince.

It was right at that moment.

“Let the Beast-Fighting Competition begin!”

The roaring shout of a general echoed across the grounds. The entire arena instantly fell solemn.

The heavy sound of dragging iron chains was heard. Screeech— The cage doors confining the wild beasts opened one by one.

The rusted iron gates creaked as if screaming.

The wild beasts opened their blood-stained mouths. Exposing their vicious fangs, they took step after step toward the iron cage where the death-row prisoners were confined.

The sound of claws scraping against the ground was sharp. The low growls of the beasts made the air vibrate.

The cage doors holding the prisoners opened as well.

Terrified, the condemned prisoners curled their bodies tightly, wailing in despair.

Screams and pleas mingled together.

Some fell to their knees and kowtowed, while others tried to shrink back. However, from behind, the soldiers’ spears shoved them into the arena.

The stench of blood drifted in on the wind. It was a cold, metallic smell.

Cheers erupted from the spectator stands. Some leaned forward with excited expressions.

As if enjoying a festival.

Jangson Anri slowly sipped the clear tea from his cup. He watched the scene with cold eyes.

Still, no emotion showed on his face. It was as if all of this had nothing to do with him.

However, the index finger of his right hand tapped lightly against the handle of the teacup. Once, twice.

It was a steady rhythm.

Then, suddenly, his gaze shifted.

A young woman trapped inside a cage.

Unlike the other death-row prisoners, she was not crying. Nor was she trembling.

She was merely standing there, quietly.