In the far southeast of the New World lies another empire.

Cǎihóng Dìguó (彩虹帝国 lit. Rainbow Empire) was once a peaceful empire during The Xing (星) Dynasty. Philosophy, Magic and Science flourished during the period while women were being slowly accepted as equal to men. Due to advanced agricultural practices that even superior to that of Nada's Kingdom, the Empire almost never suffered droughts. People were happy and nearly completely satisfied with life. However, everything went downhill as the people of the Empire became more and more carefree and decadent. Then, the unexpected happen. A general by the name of Zǐ Gui (子癸) secretly amassed an army and led a coup d'etat against Emperor Cǎi Pi (彩賁帝). With the help of a certain Lady Dájǐ (妲己夫人), General Zi Gui succeeded in murdering Emperor Cǎi Pi and ascending as Emperor

Tiě (铁賁帝).

Since then, Cǎihóng Dìguó became an oppressive state.

It transformed from a benevolent state to a militaristic one. Soldiers were esteemed at the expense of the peasants and the merchants. Abuses became rampant as "might makes right" becomes the rule and culture of the state. Yet, Emperor Tiě was never satisfied. He

went forth to every direction, invading relentlessly several neighboring countries with frenzy and rage as he enslaved those he conquered. When he discovered the existence of Nada Kingdom in the north, the Emperor sent an envoy and demanded unconditional surrender. However, King Alfonso VIII was unfazed and instead challenged Emperor Tiě. Because of this, Cǎihóng Dìguó sent expeditionary fleets towards the north but the treacherous and stormy Sea of Panthalassa has prevented the fleet fromachieving any progress. However, a new archipelago appeared in the midst of the two warring countries...

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Huáng Mĕilì (黄 美丽) sat silently as she contemplated her fate.

Slowly combing her jet-black hair, Meili reminisced her life before the war. She never thought her life would go from idyllic to tragic.

Prior to the fall of Xing Dynasty, Lady Mĕilì was a woman of many trades. At weekdays, she spent her time as a school teacher. At weekends, Mĕilì played the èrhú as a professional musician. At nights, Mĕilì serve as an accountant to various family businesses. Perseverant and hardworking, she was the breadwinner of the family. She had many suitors but she all turned them down as she only cares for her family's welfare. She happily worked like a slave despite being a daughter of a Court Official. For her, earning money is a hobby. However, her life was turned upside down soon after the rise of a new Dynasty.

She was chosen to become one of Emperor Tie's concubines. While both virtuous and intelligent, the Emperor took interest of her beauty and charm. He treated her as one of his harem's prize jewels. Mĕilì at first was reluctant to become a mere courtesan to a usurping autocrat. However, she had no choice. Her father is loyal to the previous Dynasty. He should have been killed if it were not for her begging for his life. The Iron Emperor relented, but the monarch required her mind, body and soul in exchange for the life of her old man. No sooner, she was led into the Emperor's collection of concubines. Her body became a living sacrifice to satisfy the lust of the tyrant, becoming a mere toy in the presence of the Emperor.Nonetheless, her mind did not break. If given any chance, she will escape from her predicament and save her family. She must. She surely will.

Finishing adorning herself, she went out of her room. With slow but dignified steps, Mĕilìtraversed the corridors of the concubines' quarters. Suddenly, a sly laughter escaped from the lips of a familiar figure standing near the doorway.

"It seems His Majesty haschosen you to entertain him tonight. I wonder why he likes you. You look pathetic in every way."

"That does not concern you, Lady Dájǐ," Lady Mĕilì monotonouslyreplied, "After all, we are only His Majesty's Concubines."

"That is where you are wrong, Lady Mĕilì. You are only a concubine. I am far something else. Nonetheless, I wish you good luck tonight. Have fun pleasing His Majesty. Fufufufufu..."

Lady Dájǐ then slowly walked away from Lady Mĕilì's presence. However, she suddenly stopped and turned halfway towards Lady Mĕilì.

"By the way, Here's a tip. His Majesty likes being slowly licked from his toes upward to his inner thighs and then finally to his...."

Lady Mĕilì glared daggers towards Lady Dájǐ as the latter burst into a flirty laughter.

"You can thank me later, Lady Mĕilì. Enjoy being an Imperial whore. Fufufufu..."

Lady Dájǐ then continued to walk her way as Lady Mĕilì went towards the Emperor's bedchamber.

"Father, forgive me. I rather make my life a living Dìyù than letting you die in that traitorous general's hands. Oh father, if only I can see and touch you again! How I missed you so much!"

*********

"What is this strange tidings I have heard, General Cáo?" Emperor Tiě inquired as he sat on the Dragon Throne.

"Your Majesty," General Cáo replied as he knelt down in front of the Emperor, "our Imperial Fleet has finally pierced the Shroud of Panthalassa. However, the sea and its islands have changed since the great storm."

"Changed?" Emperor placed his thumb beneath his chin as he assessed the situation, "What do you mean, General Cáo?"

"Your Majesty, the Lost Isles have vanished. However, it is replaced by an unknown group of islands. Perhaps, a large archipelago. Furthermore, our scouts have detected strange fishing boats not far from these islands. We have captured one of them and confiscated their equipment."

General Cáo

Guǎng (操 廣), the legendary "Flying Great General of Caihong" and the "Slayer of Ten Thousand Men", then ordered his subordinates to bring the fishermen as well as their fishing equipment in front of the the Monarch.

"Kneel before the Emperor. I say, kneel!" One of the Imperial Warriors struck one of the fishermen with the butt end of his ji (戟, lit. polearm), forcing him to stumble in front of the Emperor.

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"Malooy mo sa amoa. Palihog ayaw mi patayi. Ginahulat na mi sa amo pamilya!" (Have mercy on us. Please don't kill us. Our family is waiting for us!)

"What is he saying?" Emperor Tiě asked without changing his expression.

"It seems he is using a foreign language. Some words seem to be similar to that the Kingdom of Nada uses, but most of them are unrecognizable."

"Hmph..." Emperor smirked as he relished the fear and anguish of the fisherman, but something caught his attention. "What's that, General Cáo?"

"A strange artifice that makes their sailless boats travel on its own. It makes most of our ships look slow by comparison and uses some kind of oil as fuel. If these fishermen were not so busy hauling their fish, they could have escaped us. Nonetheless, our craftsmen are currentlystudying its components and their possible use for the Empire."

"Good. As for the fishermen..."

"Your Majesty, may I ask you to spare them for me?" Lady Dájǐ suddenly barged in from the shadows of the Imperial Court.

"Lady Dájǐ. If I am not so fond of you, I would immediately order your execution for insolence."

"Forgive me for my insolence, Oh Heaven-born," Lady Dájǐ bowed down in humility as she recognized her mistake.

"I forgive you," the Emperor then turned towards his soldiers, "release the fishermen."

"Salamat kaayo sa imong kalooy..." (Thank you very much for your mercy)

Lady Dájǐ then bowed and thanked the Emperor. She then beckoned the fishermen to follow her as she led them outside.

As the concubine left, General Cáo turned to the Emperor.

"You Majesty, may I speak with you concerning Lady Dájǐ?"

"Go ahead, General Cáo."

"I hope this will not offend Your Majesty, but I believe Lady Dájǐ is being insolent to Your Majesty."

"I thank you for your loyalty and concern, General Cáo. However, you must understand how precious she is to me. Thus, I order you to serve and defend her as you serve and defend me."

"It shall be done, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, blood-curdling screams echoed into the night. TheImperial Warriors recognized the voices as those of the captured fishermen. This only mean one thing: the Fox Fairy has devoured them.

General Cáo turned towards the Emperor. The Monarch's expression remained strangely calm and cold.

"General Cáo, you already know what you have to do."

"Yes, Your Majesty," General Cáo answered and bowed at the Emperor. He then ordered his men to follow him as the soldiers left the presence of the Autocrat.

As he went his way, General Cáo remained silent. He deeply pondered for the Emperor's well being. During his earlier days, Emperor Tiě was an outstanding and loyal general whom General Cáo admired most. However, everything changed when Lady Dájǐ entered into the scene. Since then, Emperor Tiě became unsatisfied and bitter. At first, he was just a man who wished for change. He gradually became more and more radical until he finally usurped the ImperialThrone and murdered the previous Emperor. He cursed the day Lady Dájǐ appeared, hating her without any reservation or second thoughts. Nonetheless, General Cáo is determined to obey and serve the Emperor. Until his last breath leaves him, General Cáo will continue to fight for the man whom he views as his only friend and brother.

************

Emperor Tiě entered into the Imperial bedchamber. It was a busy day for him. Managing the whole Empire is no easy task. Unlike the Philippines whose state powers were divided among the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, the Emperor is supreme over all the affairs of the Empire. He has the responsibility as the ruler of his dominion. While the Emperor has ministers to whom he may delegate some of his governmental powers, he remains the final authority.

After spending most of his energy dealing with the affairs of his empire, Emperor Tiě slowly headed to his bed as he was greeted by one of his concubines.

"Good evening, Your Majesty," Lady Mĕilì spoke as she prepared to offer her body to the ruler.

"Good evening, Lady Mĕilì," the Emperor replied monotonously, as if he was not interested in Lady Mĕilì at all.

"You look tired, Your Majesty. How may I serve you tonight?" Lady Mĕilì approached and bowed to the Emperor. As an imperial concubine, she knows her duties and obligations. However, there is something strange about the Emperor.

Suddenly, the Emperor clutched his chest as if he was having a heart attack. "N..no..! I..!"

"Your Majesty, are you..?"

The Emperor looked towards Lady Mĕilì. His pupils changed from that of a human to that of a predatory animal. Veinsprotruded through his skin as bestial lust overcame his senses. He then quickly pounced his prey as he shredded his concubine's clothes to a hundred pieces.

Lady Mĕilì never had a chance to react nor any choice to resist as the royal beast ravaged her delicate body until he was completely satisfied. No sooner, the Emperor's lust subsided as he panted like an overworked slave. He then sat at the edge of his bed with regret in his eyes. He never wanted to treat his concubine like this.

"I am sorry, I..." The Emperor tried to apologize but Lady Mĕilì embraced him.

"It's alright if it's you, Your Majesty."

Tears began to fall from Emperor Tiě's eyes as Lady Mĕilì placed his head over her bare breasts while brushing his hair as if trying to pacify a distraught child. Lady Mĕilì knew that this is the persona of the real Emperor, not the monster almost everyone hates. The concubine recognized the sudden change of the Emperor's behavior as a symptom of a fell contract that he may have entered into with a demon, perhaps with the Fox Spirit Lady Dájǐ.

No sooner the Emperor fell into deep sleep, still wrapped in the arms of his concubine. Lady Mĕilì bittersweetly smiled at the sleeping Emperor as she spoke, "Is this the price of saving the Empire from an invasion by the Saqin Tribe, Your Majesty? Perhaps it is true that the path to Dìyù is paved with good intentions."