The Young General Takes His Foster Father, a Real Eunuch

[Famous at a Young Age / High Ponytail / Dashing Young General × Twisted, Dark, Scheming Eunuch]

That year, warfires blazed across the border. A hundred thousand enemy cavalrymen pressed against the frontier, and the entire court sat in fearful silence.

Only the young general Song Tang, who had just turned eighteen, stepped out of the ranks and asked the emperor for permission: "Give me three thousand soldiers, and I'll take the enemy general's head."

"Aren't you afraid?"

"No. My sword will point toward the enemy forces..."

The young general showed no fear. His eyes were clear, and when he smiled, his little canine teeth peeked out. His words rang with confidence: "I'll defend the land that raised me, and win a chance at survival for its countless people."

*

Later, news of victory reached the capital.

Song Tang had truly torn through the enemy lines with three thousand soldiers, carving a bloody path across the frontier.

The day he returned in triumph, the streets were packed with people.

Dressed in blazing red, Song Tang rode through the main street, his high ponytail flying in the wind. He was handsome, with star-bright eyes and a spirit that soared to the heavens. He was so radiant that no one could look away. He was the very image of the line: "Silver saddle flashing on a white horse, swift as a shooting star."

The townspeople knelt to thank Song Tang for saving their lives, while women throughout the city scattered flower petals for him.

The emperor summoned Song Tang to the palace. "General Song is undefeated in battle. Is there a woman you have your heart set on? I can arrange a marriage for you."

Song Tang only smiled and said nothing.

He failed to notice that beside the throne, the Ninth Thousand Year, whose power overshadowed the court, was watching him with a dark, twisted gaze, his eyes steeped in poisonous jealousy.

*

That night, Song Tang's adoptive father, the Ninth Thousand Year, visited the general's residence.

No one knew that inside, as candlelight flickered, the feared Ninth Thousand Year was running his fingertips over the back of Song Tang's neck.

The Ninth Thousand Year spoke in a hoarse, shrill voice, like a venomous snake hissing: "I burned every memorial impeaching you. I paved your way with blood. And now you want to marry? Do you resent that I lack the parts to give you a happy sex life?!"

Song Tang's smile shone like the morning sun. Even with his throat held in a chokehold, he tilted his head back and chuckled.

"There's no need for you to be so cruel, Father. Anyone who could hurt me hasn't been born yet."

The bright young man had sparkling eyes when he smiled, and his whole being was as fresh and beautiful as the rising morning sun. He leaned in and planted a light kiss on the Ninth Thousand Year's cheek, making the usually ruthless man lose his composure.

The young man smiled sweetly, acting as if he were teasing him affectionately.

"Father, I'm only ever on top."

Theme: Remember the lofty ambitions you held as a young man, when you vowed to be the finest in the world.