The Mastermind Behind the Scenes Is Actually Me

Border town of the Empire of Stede, slave market.

Dawn.

Liu Ru was drifting in a haze between sleep and wakefulness when suddenly a bucket of icy water, shards of ice mingled within, was poured over her head. The cold liquid pierced every wound on her body, igniting a searing pain that spread instantly.

“Ah!” she couldn’t suppress a hoarse moan.

“See, I told you she’s alive! Thirteen or fourteen years old, a blossoming young lady. Take her home as a maid—five silver crowns, you’ll never regret it, never be cheated!” An oily, enthusiastic voice buzzed at her ear.

Liu Ru tried to open her eyes. The swelling around her right eye allowed only a narrow slit.

Winter sunlight warmed her skin, illuminating the scene before her.

She was standing on a wooden platform, a heavy iron collar chained to her neck, the chain locked to a pillar at the platform’s edge. Looking around, she saw other men and women similarly bound.

Who am I?

Why am I here?

She pressed her dry, cracked lips together and tried to recall everything that had happened. In a flash, countless memories of blood and fire surged into her mind, filling her with rage. Without thinking, she lunged at the slave trader with the whip, the clatter of her chain echoing behind her.

The trader, busy hawking his rare merchandise, never expected danger from behind. Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around his waist, and pain shot through his neck. Instinctively, he lunged forward, barely escaping, and when he turned around, he saw his commodity—Liu Ru—struggling tow