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A lone cloud rises from the mountains, its heart set on a thousand peaks. To the common people, all are but straw dogs. Across the vast mortal world, a desolate city cries out as its towers fall. With each new emperor comes a new court: who will be sacrificed in the struggle for power? For sixteen years he hid his strength and bided his time, until hardship gave way to triumph and he seized power. Beyond the throne and the nobles, the generals and ministers, who would have thought the Meng family would come to rule the realm? The victor becomes king, the defeated a bandit. She holds a sword gleaming with cold silver light to my throat. I remember how her eyes used to curve when she smiled, but now they hold no tenderness. Her voice sharp with rage, she says, “I’ll kill you to avenge the 136 lives of my Meng family.” I cling to life by a thread. So be it, kill me. When I chose power, my love was already lost. I smile and give a slight nod. “Susu, all I ask is that you bury me in the bamboo forest.” Tears well in my eyes, and her face slowly blurs from view. The sea stretches through my dreams, and your sorrow is mine as well. The south wind knows my heart, and carries my dreams to Xizhou.