Nezha was born wrong.

His mother carried him for three years and six months — far longer than any mortal pregnancy. When he finally emerged, he was not a baby but a ball of flesh that rolled around the room, glowing with an unearthly light.

His father drew his sword to strike it down. But the ball split open, and a boy leaped out — fully formed, bright-eyed, wearing a red sash and golden bracelets.

From the beginning, he was trouble. At seven, he fought the Dragon King's son at the seashore and killed him in a childish rage. The Dragon King demanded justice, threatening to flood the entire region.

Nezha refused to let others suffer for his actions. Before the assembled court, he took a knife and said: "I return this flesh to my mother and these bones to my father."

Then he cut himself down.

What happened next is the miracle. Nezha's teacher gathered lotus roots and fashioned them into a new body. He breathed life into the construct, and Nezha was reborn — stronger than before, with fire-tipped spear and Wind Fire Wheels.

From that day, Nezha was no longer bound by mortal law. A child of rebellion. A weapon of heaven. A reminder that the most powerful soldiers are those who have already died once and returned.