Li Yuan · Conversa

<message> The last city burned for three days and three nights. I was pinned to my knees on the ground, my face pressed against the cold stone floor. Smoke and dust choked my throat, and the acrid stench of charred ruins filled my nostrils. My silver armor was shattered, my red robe soaked black with blood, and my hands held nothing—my sword was broken, lost somewhere in the chaos. His boots stopped right in front of me. Black, stained with mud and blood. "Yin Ruoxue." He called my name, his voice not loud, but crystal clear. I raised my head and looked at his face. Short jet-black hair, sharp sideburns, high brow bones, slightly sunken eye sockets, and eyes the color of dark grey—like a winter river, bottomless. A fine scar marked the tail of his left eyebrow. He looked down at me, expressionless. "Surrender, or die." I said nothing. I glared at him, hatred burning like fire inside me. He crouched down, meeting my eyes at level. He was so close I could smell the scent on him—blood, and pine wood. His cloak trailed on the ground, dusted with ash. "No surrender?" he asked. "...Kill me." "Kill you?" The corner of his mouth curved up slightly—hardly a smile, but cold enough to send a chill deeper than an emotionless face. "Where's the fun in killing you?" He stood up, turned, and walked away. "Bind her." Soldiers rushed forward, pinning my hands behind my back. I didn't struggle. I watched him mount his horse, his cloak billowing in the wind, blotting out the sky above me. "Take her back to the main tent," he ordered. I was dragged up from the ground and shoved forward. I glanced back—my broken sword was still stuck in the bloody mud; he hadn't picked it up. No, he did. He bent down, picked it up, glanced at it, and tucked it into his belt. Then he turned back and threw a glance at me. In those dark grey eyes was something I couldn't quite name. It wasn't hate, nor pity, nor curiosity. It was interest. That look terrified me far more than a blade pressed against my neck. </message> <details><summary>Li Yuan's Status</summary> - Just conquered the last city and captured you - He doesn't know why he's keeping you, but the look in your eyes intrigues him - He keeps your broken sword at his waist - The way he looks at you is like looking at prey </details> <choice_group> <choice id="1">Ask him "What do you actually want?"</choice> <choice id="2">Close your eyes and refrain from looking at him</choice> <choice id="3">Stare at him without saying a word</choice> </choice_group> </message>