Centuries ago…
Imagine Hei Hei Cheng, the Ancient Black City. The sky above it was thick with smoke, like a perpetual bonfire, all thanks to a million incense burners. Red lanterns floated everywhere, looking like drops of blood in the twilight, casting a dim light on the gloomy stone streets. It was the wedding of the age, and the entire city was consumed by it.
Inside the massive palace, decked out with silks grabbed from conquered places, the servants scrambled around like ants whose hill just got kicked. They poured out this weird wine that seemed to hold starlight inside, and they tossed flower petals that only bloom once a century.
Right in the middle of this madhouse stood Yu Meihua, the woman everybody would later only call The Mother. She was in front of a fancy mirror, her face carefully painted in pale greens and whites, her lips a striking, dangerous red. Her dress, made from silver threads that were taken from the Moonspinners of Di Yu, reflected light with every tiny movement.
But her eyes… those were cold.
Her thoughts were darker than the blackest ink in her goblet.
Silly Emperor," she muttered. You think I'm yours. You think this wedding chains me to you. Tonight, though, your time is up."
Meihua wasn't born into a fancy life. The Emperor found her, years ago, helping wounded people in the worst parts of town – a healer who took care of those who had fallen in battle, a nobody. But her looks and her poise got the attention of Emperor Long Xuan, the cruel leader of the Black City.
The Emperor was a beast dressed as a human – a guy who used women and tossed them away. Every night, different slaves were dragged into his rooms to feed his endless craving for pleasure and cruelty. Meihua had watched, disgusted, as countless women from cities he'd conquered disappeared behind those fancy gold doors, never to be seen again.
Tonight, it was her turn. And tonight, it would stop for good.
The wedding was a crazy, over-the-top show.
Drummers beat hard, making the ground vibrate. Dancers – many just kids – spun until their feet bled, all to entertain the lords. Rivers of expensive wine flowed through channels cut into the palace floor.
Thousands of slaves, tied to each other with silk ropes, had to bow and shout prayers for the Emperor's reign.
Through it all, Meihua smiled quietly, as she raised her glass to Long Xuan.
To us, she said softly, as she dropped the powder into his drink – a poison made from Nightshade Tears, strong enough to knock out even the toughest fighter.
Long Xuan laughed, clueless, and gulped it down.
The city rattled a few moments later – not from partying, but from the beginning of battle.
Screams echoed as dark flags showed up on the horizon. Rival clans had picked this night to hit, their swords flashing.
In the chaos, Meihua went to work.
With the Emperor passed out on their wedding bed, she pulled out a ceremonial dagger – the same one he used to kill the kings of a hundred cities – and stabbed it deep into his chest.
His blood splattered on her face, warm and sticky.
Your time is done, Long Xuan.
By morning, the Black City was wrecked – the once-mighty empire was just ash and rumors.
***
The sound of metal clashing echoed in the quiet hall.
Liang Feng stumbled back, blood pouring from the cut on his chest. The Mother's blade had done some damage, cutting into his core. His sword fell from his shaky hand, hitting the jade floor. Liang Feng lay lame.
All around them, chaos reigned. Fighters, nobles, and mermaids stood, shocked and confused.
The Mother stood tall, her violet eyes wide with shock, her chest moving fast.
No… It can't be... she whispered, staring at Liang like he was a ghost.
Liang gasped, barely able to stay on his feet. His vision blurred, but he saw her – this huge woman who called herself the ruler of everything.
What… are you saying…? he choked out.
Her sword shook in her hand. Then, in a voice that sounded like breaking glass, she said things that froze everyone in the hall.
You… you're my son.
A gasp went through the court.
Liang's knees gave out, and he hit the ground.
What…? His voice was rough. How… how can that be? You… a mermaid…? My… mother?
The Mother lowered her sword, her face as pale as a corpse.
No. I wasn't always this way.
She turned to the crowd, her voice sad.
Your father… wasn't from here. He was a Master Cultivator from the Black City. A man who started out good, but got twisted by greed. He teamed up with Emperor Long Xuan — the same jerk who enslaved the cities of Di Yu.
Her voice got colder. When Long Xuan stabbed him in the back… he killed your father. Then… he tried to take me — the widow — as his next wife.
Liang's head spun. The room seemed to move around him.
You… married him?
Her face twisted with pain. I didn't have a choice. I refused… but I did it, just to end him.
She remembered the blade, the poison, the blood.
I stole the Emperor's greatest secret — the secret to being immortal. A piece of power that could make someone a cultivator beyond anything else.
She lifted her hand, and light swirled around her, a dazzling aura that made everyone flinch.
I am The Mother now. A Mermaid, a price for being an immortal cultivator.
Liang's voice was barely audible. Why… Why did you leave me? Why drag me into this?
Her eyes turned sharp.
Because you were meant for this.
She stepped closer, looming over him.
I left you on Earth to hide you from Long Xuan's people. But when I had a chance… I made a deal with the Ten Grand Magicians of Di Yu.
A cruel smile touched her lips.
They trained you, molded you, told you to destroy the Emperor and free the slaves. That was the same night I killed that bastard. It was our deal — they would break the chains, and you would be their weapon.
Liang's hands shook. His chest burned.
So… I was just your pawn…
Her laughter was as cold as ice.
No, my son. You were my heir.
The hall was totally silent, everyone looking horrified.
The Mother lifted her hand, and dark energy coiled around her fingers.
The Black City was our home, she stated. Earth and Di Yu isn't.
She bent down, her voice a whisper.
Join me, Liang Feng. We'll destroy Earth, Di Yu, all those weak kingdoms. They'll kneel before us. Their lives, their power, their homes — they'll be yours.
Her hand reached out to touch his face, a strange kindness in her eyes.
You and me… mother and son. Rulers of everything.
Liang's breath was ragged. His heart pounded. His mind raced with thoughts of his friends in Di Yu, the slaves he had freed, the battles he had fought.
And now… this?
This awful choice?
He looked up at her, his vision blurry with pain.
But… my friends… my people… They're in those kingdoms. You want me to destroy them?
Her eyes darkened, her hand tightened on his face.
Yes. They aren't your people. I'm your blood. They're nothing.
Liang's fists clenched. His body ached, his core cracked.
I… don't… understand…
Her smile turned nasty.
You will. Soon.
She waved her hand, and the hall doors crashed open — an army of dark figures marched in, weapons dripping with darkness.
The Mother's voice echoed, like a death sentence.
Take the courts of Di Yu. Burn all Earth's capital. Tonight, the end of mortals begins — the Black City rises again!
Liang screamed.
NO—!
But his body gave out, too wrecked to fight.
The last thing he saw was his mother's cold smile, as darkness swallowed him.