Contents
Chapter Ten: Iron Demon
Overview
Locked in a cell after killing Yang Guang, Zetian wrestles with despair but is galvanized by a dream of her sister to survive. A Hundun attack forces her deployment with Li Shimin, the feared Iron Demon. Confronting him on the bridge, she believes his confession of patricide and resolves to seize control. They are bound into the Vermilion Bird, setting up a lethal linkage test.
Summary
In solitary confinement after killing Yang Guang, Wu Zetian counts meals to mark time, wrestles with suicidal thoughts, and realizes the system pairs powerful girls with even stronger boys to prevent male overload. She understands her next sortie with Li Shimin, whose spirit pressure is legendary, is meant to execute her.
Zetian fixates on how media and the Sages may erase her feat, briefly thinks of Gao Yizhi, and is haunted by the bloodstains of past girls in her cell. In a dream, her sister Ruyi warns that death is no escape and urges Zetian to be the enemy’s nightmare, rekindling Zetian’s resolve to live and fight.
Hundun sirens wail; soldiers haul Zetian to the Vermilion Bird. On the fog-shrouded docking bridge, she confronts a shackled, muzzled Li Shimin, noting his scars, cropped hair, and intense gaze. When Zetian asks if his family deserved their fate, Li Shimin silently affirms; she declares she believes him, shedding much of her fear.
In the cockpit, the army locks Li Shimin into the yang seat and Zetian into the yin seat. Feeling his heat and strength close around her, Zetian whispers for him to defy the rules and let her take control to free them both. The canopy seals and the linkage needles drive into her spine, launching their deadly connection.
Who Appears
- Wu ZetianProtagonist; imprisoned, contemplates suicide, inspired by a dream of Ruyi to fight, confronts Li Shimin, and enters the Vermilion Bird determined to seize control.
- Li ShiminThe Iron Demon; muzzled, scarred, and leashed. Admits killing his family, prepares to link with Zetian in the Vermilion Bird.
- Ruyi (Big Sister)Appears in Zetian’s dream, urging her not to give up and to become the enemy’s nightmare.
- Soldiers/GuardsEscort and restrain Zetian and Li Shimin, prepare the linkage, and oversee deployment amid a Hundun attack.