The Emperor's Beast
Hui Gu
As a precarious puppet emperor, Xiao Yan only worries about filling his belly each day.
Until one day, he discovers a dim gemstone in an underground chamber.
Inside the gem resides a lich from another world.
With his mana exhausted and soul fractured, he is confined to his phylactery.
Yet even in this state, the occasional display of his dark powers is extraordinary.
To restore the Lich King's strength—and for self-preservation—the young emperor begins seeking sources of power for the lich.
One day, the lich finally gains the strength to take human form.
Pale skin, golden eyes, a countenance as cold as the mountain peaks—
The young emperor suddenly understands what love at first sight means.
*He is my dark one.*
Years later, the emperor steers the empire through crisis, reviving a crumbling dynasty,
Earning the people's submission and the favor of destiny, his reign indisputable.
Yet this once-diligent ruler, who toiled day and night on state affairs,
Now delegates governance to his capable, long-serving ministers.
Instead, he spends his days wandering with the lich,
Sipping tea, brewing wine, climbing towers,
Riding horses, dueling swords, sailing lakes and seas.
*What happened to becoming an immortalized sage-king?*
The lich glares discontent at the now-grown emperor.
With a smile, the formidable sovereign straightens the lich’s robes,
Then draws out a skeletal hand from the flowing sleeve,
Cradling the wrist as he murmurs, ***"You are eternal, while I have but a hundred years. Each day spent is one less."***
***"I cannot bear it."***
That night, the lich tears through the void, slaughtering the frost dragon that plagued the ice abyss for centuries.
By dawn, the imperial meal includes a stew, prepared by the lich himself.
Coolly, as always, he remarks: ***"Dragon heart. It fortifies the body, slows decay."***
***"You and I—more than a century."***
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Emperor (bottom) × Lich (top)
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New ancient-setting BL novel *"The Favored Minister"* now serializing:
Before turning one month old, Xie Yi was enthroned as emperor.
At twelve, he allied with court scholars and his uncle to wrest power from the regent empress dowager, securing his rule.
At fourteen, amid foreign invasion, he joined furious border generals to eliminate the warmongering regent.
By sixteen, he was the undisputed sovereign of the Nine Provinces.
Yet now, approaching thirty, Xie Yi finds life unbearably dull.
*Too long as emperor—no joy left. Perhaps time to die.*
Until he encounters the infamous wastrel Xu Chun in the capital.
The eighteen-year-old heir of Duke Xu’s manor is obsessed with finding a male lover—
Older, for gentleness;
Handsome, obviously;
Skilled in bed—*a good start is half the battle.*
After much searching, he picks the emperor in disguise.
To their surprise, the two click, crafting a life oddly sweet—
Until Xu Chun discovers…
The inscrutable Son of Heaven, enthroned in majesty,
Is the same man who told him bedtime stories and guided his calligraphy.
Panicked, he tucks tail and flees.