Cold wind howled through broken windows as Zhen Zenin opened his eyes.
Darkness. Hunger. Pain.
He coughed, tasting blood, his frail body barely able to move. Memories of a poor, bullied boy surfaced—but were pushed aside by something ancient.
Then… it hit him.
"I'm… alive?" he whispered. "No… I am Xiong Shen."
He sat up, eyes blazing faint red for a moment before fading. A wave of memories rushed in—betrayal, death, and now… this weak vessel.
"Pathetic," he muttered, clutching his chest. "But I will rise again."
Footsteps echoed outside.
His door slammed open. His sister, Zhen Mei, glared at him with disgust. "Still alive, worm? Don't expect food today."
Behind her, his mother watched coldly. "Should've died like your father. You shame our name."
Zenin said nothing. His fists clenched.
'Even my own blood spits on me…'
But deep within, the fire of an emperor smoldered.
"Liang… disciples… the heavens… all of you. I'll make the world kneel again."