Douluo:Heaven’s Rejected Monarch

The streets of Glorybound City were always busy, even at night. Merchants packed up their stalls, taverns filled with drunken laughter, and street performers gathered whatever little coin they could from late-night crowds.

Fang Yuan moved through the bustling roads, his small figure weaving between people with ease. His family never liked him wandering too far from the estate, but he hated being cooped up. The city felt alive, full of movement, full of stories.

That's why he didn't notice them at first.

A group of three men had been watching him for a while. He was dressed in fine clothes, not too flashy, but expensive enough to show he came from money. Unlike the other noble brats, he didn't have bodyguards trailing behind him. Just a lone rich kid out past dark.

An easy target.

Fang Yuan turned down a quieter street, away from the noise. That's when he heard footsteps behind him. Slow, deliberate. He didn't react right away. Maybe it was nothing. Then a hand clamped down on his shoulder.

"Oi, kid," a rough voice muttered, reeking of alcohol. "What's a little noble like you doin' out here alone?"

Fang Yuan twisted his body, breaking free from the man's grip, and took a step back. Three men stood before him, dirty and worn, their clothes patched in places. Their eyes, however, were sharp. Predators. They weren't just drunks or beggars. They were hunters.

His instincts flared. He clenched his fists. This wasn't a friendly conversation.

Another man, taller and broader than the rest, grinned. "Relax, kid. We just wanna talk."

His hand reached out, fast as a whip.

Fang Yuan dodged, just barely, his small frame moving on instinct. But before he could react, something slammed into his back; one of them had circled behind him. He stumbled forward, off balance.

A fist crashed into his stomach.

The air rushed out of his lungs.

He coughed, his body doubling over. Pain shot through his ribs, but he forced himself to stand. He could fight. His eyes burned as he launched forward, his fist aiming straight for the big guy's gut. He wasn't weak. He was stronger than other kids his age.

But strength didn't matter.

Not when it was three against one.

Someone grabbed his arm, twisting it back painfully. Another hit him across the face. His vision blurred.

Then the beating truly began.

They didn't just want to hurt him. They wanted everything he had. Rough hands searched his pockets, pulling out silver and gold coins.

"Look at that," one of them whistled. "Kid's loaded."

The biggest man crouched down, gripping Fang Yuan's chin and forcing him to look up.

"Where's the rest of it?"

Blood dripped from Fang Yuan's lip. He glared, refusing to answer.

The man's expression darkened.

A fist crashed into Fang Yuan's ribs. He choked, struggling for air.

"I asked you a question."

Silence.

Another blow to the stomach.

Fang Yuan's body convulsed. He could barely breathe, his vision swimming.

"Shame," the man muttered, ripping off the jade pendant hanging from Fang Yuan's neck. "This looks expensive."

His eyes widened. That was his mother's pendant.

Rage flared in his chest, but his body wouldn't move. He was too beaten, too weak.

His vision faded. The last thing he heard was the sound of their laughter as they walked away, leaving him in the dirt.

The night air was cold. His body felt numb.

He tried to move, but his limbs wouldn't respond. Blood pooled beneath him, seeping into the cracks of the alleyway. His vision flickered.

Am I… going to die here?

His fingers twitched. He didn't want to die. He didn't want it to end like this.

He was Fang Yuan. He was meant for more.

His chest tightened, his soul crying out, refusing to fade.

And then—

A golden light descended from the sky.

It came slowly, like a falling star, drifting through the alley.

The moment it touched him, everything changed.