THE DEAD LOVE

The Dead LOVE" - Chapter 1: Cold Blood and a Decree* --- *Chapter 1: Cold Blood and a Decree* Once upon a time, in the *Sun Wun Dynasty*, there was a general named *Shi Xoun*. They called him _The Cold Blood Killer_. He was sent south to execute a rebel prince. The prince laughed when he heard who was coming. “Three thousand men,” the prince ordered. “Put them on the front line.” Shi Xoun arrived alone. He drew his sword once. Three thousand men fell. No one knew why. No one knew that Shi Xoun was a *First Rank True Master* of martial arts. He kept it secret. Let them fear the blade, not the man. He returned to the capital with the rebel prince’s head wrapped in silk. For this, the *Empress Dowager* rewarded him with mountains of gold and silver, titles, and land. But the Empress Dowager was young. Only 28. Beautiful, cruel, and far too clever. And she was watching him. --- On his way home, fate intervened. In a dusty road outside the capital, Shi Xoun came face to face with her. *Xun Chan*. His childhood sweetheart. They stared at each other for a long time. Years of silence between them. Until a runaway cart came hurtling toward her. Instinct took over. Shi Xoun moved. He pulled her out of the way, his arms around her for the first time in a decade. That night, he went to the palace. He requested an imperial decree. One that would bind him and Xun Chan together forever. The Empress Dowager smiled when she heard. “A trap,” she thought. “I’ll give him the marriage. And I’ll use the girl to kill him.” What she did not know was that the real General Shi Xoun was already dead. The man standing before her was a *time traveler*. A man with a *system*. A cheat code in human skin. --- Dawn. A messenger arrived at the General’s estate, shouting at the gates. “General! The Queen Mother summons you! It is urgent!” *Silver*, one of Shi Xoun’s men, entered his chambers. “Master,” Silver said. “They call for you.” Shi Xoun sat up. “Then dress me.” At the palace gates, the guards announced him. Inside the throne hall, the young Empress Dowager waited. “Daisy,” she said to her puppet. “Bring the imperial decree.” Daisy knelt and presented the golden scroll. The Empress Dowager’s voice filled the hall. “General, I am sending you north. 30,000 enemy soldiers wait for you. And in the dungeon, 1,000,000 puppets. Use them. If they speak of peace, then unite the kingdom. The choice is yours.” She paused. “Oh, and the Princess of the Mumbai Kingdom wishes to propose marriage. To unite our nations.” Shi Xoun’s expression didn’t change. “Understood, Your Majesty,” he said. “When I return victorious.” He turned to leave. “General,” the Empress Dowager called out, sweet as poison. “I have not forgotten your childhood sweetheart. I will arrange that marriage as well.” Shi Xoun did not look back. --- Months later, he returned. Victorious. The northern kingdoms were united. The Empress Dowager met him at the gates herself. In the throne hall, she had Daisy read the new decree. “From this day, I name you *Lord Champion*. One million men under your command. Ten million in gold, silver, and jewels. A marquess estate. And two marriages: one to the Princess of Mumbai, and one to Xun Chan.” The court bowed. The Empress Dowager smiled. “General, if you need anything, tell me.” Shi Xoun bowed low. Then he left, holding a decree that tied him to two women, one throne, and a trap he was meant to die in. He didn’t. Because dead men don’t follow rules. And this general had a system. *End of Chapter 1* ---