Chapter 72

Hua Ren’s arms trembled as he pushed himself off the ground, his legs barely holding under him. The room spun around him, his vision blurred by the haze of exhaustion and pain. He gritted his teeth, willing his body to stand, but his knees buckled, and he collapsed back onto the cold, uneven floor.

"Y-You did something to me." Hua Ren coughed, shuffling backwards. He knew that there was no way he would easily lose to the Emperor. They Emperor must have done something to him. Was it the incense? Was it the tea? Or was it when he was touched?

The Emperor’s silhouette loomed closer, framed by the dim light of the lanterns. His dark eyes glinting like shards of ice. "So what if I did?" He sneered, crouching before Hua Ren. He reached out, pinching Hua Ren's chin between his fingers.

Hua Ren jerked his head away, but the Emperor gripped his jaw hard, forcing their eyes to meet.