Chapter Two
I stood outside my estate, looking at Aihan Min.
She was completely shrouded in shadow — her eyes voids without light, her skin pale as moonstone. Even her attire was black, as though darkness itself had woven it for her. Her lips, stained the same deep shade, curved into a calm and unreadable expression.
Then I looked to my eldest daughter.
The eldest of all the countless children I had sired across eternity.
She stood quietly beside her mother, bearing herself with the same composure. Though she resembled Aihan more closely, traces of my own presence lingered within her — in her gaze, in the way she carried herself, in the stillness that surrounded her like a second skin.
Aihan spoke first.
"It's been a long time, Ren. I thought I would come and find you myself — I waited long enough for you to return." A brief pause. "Our daughter came with me. She wished to finally meet her father."
Her gaze returned to me, steady and unyielding.
"Are you going to keep hiding behind that helm? She deserves to see what her father looks like."
I did not answer with words.
Instead, I removed my helm.
My thick, long white hair fell freely down my back. My crimson-black eyes burned softly as I looked at them both.
My daughter stared at me in silence, her gaze filled with curiosity rather than fear. She studied my face carefully, as though engraving every detail into memory. Then she spoke.
"My name is Heiyue."
Her voice was calm and steady — carrying neither hesitation nor doubt.
"I am your daughter."
There was no accusation in her tone. No anger. Only quiet certainty. Beside her, Aihan watched with an unreadable expression, as though waiting to see how I would respond.
"Prepare separate rooms for them both." I turned toward the estate. "Follow me."
They fell into step behind me without a word. I could feel their gazes on my back the entire way.
When we reached the prepared chambers I stopped and turned to face them.
"It is good to finally see you both," I said quietly.
Heiyue looked at me for a long moment before she spoke again.
"I have read about you. Everything I could find." Her voice remained steady, but something behind her eyes shifted — something younger, something that had been waiting a long time. "I wanted to know who you were before I met you. So that when I finally stood in front of you, I would not be a stranger to my own father's history."
I looked at her in silence.
"And what did you conclude?"
"That you are someone worth knowing." A pause. "I hope I am not wrong."
"You are not," I said. "And I hope the same of you."
Something in her expression softened — barely, briefly — before composure returned. Beside her, Aihan said nothing, but the faint curve at the corner of her lips told me enough.
I turned to the household staff who had gathered nearby.
"See that they are well taken care of. She is the mother of my eldest child — treat her with the respect she deserves."
They bowed immediately, voices overlapping.
"Yes, Eternal Imperial Majesty."
I gave a final glance to Aihan and to Heiyue before turning away, leaving them in capable hands.
I returned to my throne, a glass of wine in hand — a vintage from the year of my birth, 2002. The taste was familiar. Grounding. Even after all this time.
Nick approached, bowing respectfully.
"Eternal Emperor Ren. They have adjusted quickly to the estate. Your eldest daughter is currently in the library — reading about your accomplishments throughout history."
He hesitated before continuing.
"What should I address her mother as?"
I took another slow sip before answering.
"Eternal Imperial Majesty. As you do with my other wives."
Nick bowed his head. "Understood." A brief pause. "There is one more matter. You are expected in the Eternal Council chamber. The other royal families are already assembled."
"Very well."
Space folded around me.
When reality settled I was seated upon the throne of the Eternal Council. The great chamber stretched endlessly in all directions, and one by one the gazes of the assembled royal families turned toward me.
Luna Miles spoke first. A werewolf by nature, she wore full armour without her helm — her eyes sharp and direct as always.
"When do you intend for us to travel to Mìngjiè Xiānlù? The cultivation world."
All eyes turned to me, waiting.
I leaned back slightly before replying.
"Soon, hopefully. But if not, it does not matter for now. We still have our duties to uphold — as the Thirteen Eternal Royal Families, as rulers of the Eternal Empire. And of Earth itself."
The chamber remained silent. The weight of my words settled over them. No one questioned me.
We spoke at length on various matters until the council was nearly concluded. It was then that Lucis raised one final point.
"The Chibana family's eldest daughter — the newest of our generals, she who leads the Rebellion Legion — Yuki Chibana, has been chosen by her family to marry you."
"Is that so. When does the Chibana family intend for the marriage to take place?"
"They said as soon as possible. No exact date has been set. But I believe the eldest daughter is coming to the estate today — to get to know you."
We addressed the remaining matters and when it was concluded we all departed.
I sat with my eyes closed, waiting.
She arrived before long.
Yuki Chibana entered wearing a slit dress that revealed her long legs, a white animal pelt draped across her shoulders. Her hair was pitch black — save for a single snow-white streak running across the right side. She carried herself with a cold, composed aura, and when her eyes found mine she held my gaze without hesitation.
The Chibana family. The wealthiest family of the land once known as Japan, now bearing an entirely different name under the empire. And this woman — their eldest daughter, their heir — had risen through our armies to become a general. That was not given. That was earned.
She studied the estate around her, and I could read the thought behind her eyes clearly enough. So this is the home of one of the Thirteen Eternal Royal Families. And my family wishes me to marry him — the most feared emperor in the history of existence.
She would become my seventh wife. And it was long past time I made things right with Aihan as well — a marriage I should have seen to long ago.
To the outside world I was known only as the descendant of the Black Dragon Emperor. The Chibana family were among the few who knew the truth.
She spoke first, her voice measured and clear.
"Yuki Chibana. General of the Rebellion Legion. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Black Dragon Emperor."
"Your family has served this empire with great loyalty since its very beginning."
"Yes, Black Dragon Emperor. And for that loyalty, my grandfather wishes to ask you to take my hand in marriage."
"Did he give you a choice in this decision."
"Yes. He has always doted on me. I am the only child of his daughter — his only child — and I am heir to the family's legacy. That is why he wishes for this union."
"You have achieved a great deal, Yuki Chibana. To reach the rank of general and command a legion of our armies is no small thing."
"It is all I have ever known. Loyalty to your empire. I trained for it from a very young age."
"Then this will be your home now as well. It is a large estate — explore it as you wish. The household staff are at your disposal."
She inclined her head. "Thank you, Black Dragon Emperor, for welcoming me. I shall do my best as your wife. That is my promise to you."
"And I make the same promise in return. I shall do my best as your husband. I hope you do not come to regret your decision — marrying someone like me."
"I will never regret it. My mind is already made up."
I reached out to Mary telepathically. A moment later she appeared, composed as always.
"Mary — escort Yuki around the estate. Show her around her new home."
"Yes, Eternal Imperial Majesty. As you command."
I closed my eyes as they departed, allowing myself a brief rest.
They came back before long.
Mary addressed me first, as was her manner.
"As you commanded, I have shown her the entirety of the estate, Eternal Imperial Majesty. I shall take my leave until you call for me again."
"How was it, Yuki Chibana?"
"It was good, Black Dragon Emperor. As you said — it is a very large place. I am glad I was escorted. It would have felt like a maze otherwise."
"I am glad you found it welcoming." I looked at her steadily. "There is one more thing I wish to ask you. Will you accept my gift of true immortality? You would live as I live — and you would watch everyone you care for who is mortal pass from this world before you."
She did not hesitate.
"Yes, Black Dragon Emperor. I accept without reservation. I will have no regrets in this — I promise you that."
"I hope that is true. Because it requires great mental strength to endure what I have endured. I have lived longer than any measure of time that would feel real to you — long enough that even I might call it too long. And yet it is the choice I made, and I have never abandoned it."
She held my gaze without flinching.
"Then I will carry it the same way you have. Not as a burden — but as a choice I made with open eyes." A pause, quieter now. "I have watched people I cared for die already, Black Dragon Emperor. I am not as unprepared as you might think."
I studied her for a long moment.
She was not performing courage. She meant every word.
"Then welcome," I said. "Truly."
"It is true, Black Dragon Emperor. I am certain."