As the bitter moon fades and poppy flowers wither, the holiday moon takes its place. Plum blossoms, companions of winter, appear under the budding moon, while the breath of spring promises peach blossoms, bringing joy and life's bliss.
Yuwen Yue grew up under the care of his great-grandmother, surrounded by aristocratic traditions. His surrogate mother, a servant who was both respectful and shrewd, also influenced him deeply. Her martial skills, especially in Cloud Hands (tai chi), were passed down to Yuwen Yue, making him as valued in the Yuwen household as Yuwen Huai.
He quickly learned from his mother, who was not only clever but also skilled in Cloud Hands (tai chi), her own martial art.
It is the first fighting art that Yuwen Yue learned where he was able to master the body's vital energy, harmonize it using the wind, listening to its passing presence is a conscious effort.
Every day, Yuwen Yue and his surrogate mother would journey to the highest peak of the Green Hills courtyard to practice. With the wind as their guide, he honed his Cloud Hands technique, refining his posture, breathing, and awareness, whether in movement or stillness.
"Yue'er, always remember the five principles of Cloud Hands," the woman said, facing the cloudy horizon at the top of the cliff. "Sink in—relax. Our bodies belong to the earth—stand upright. Balance on your legs—distribute your weight. Keep your eyes, nose, and navel aligned—maintain a flexible waist. And remember, a beautiful woman's hand—lead with your wrist, the first of the 'nine gates.'"
As she spoke, she stood on one leg, her hands at her sides with fingers pointing downward, eyes closed. The wind swayed her hair, creating an exquisite scene in Yuwen Yue's eyes.
Yuwen Yue followed the woman's movements exactly, finding peace in the wind. They stood together for an hour before she gracefully changed her posture.
Yuwen Yue never forgot the principles she taught him, especially the balance of Yin and Yang. She would often draw a circle with a wave-like line through the center, explaining that this ancient symbol represented the self, with light (Yang) and dark (Yin) sides. She told him that understanding light and shadow could help him trace his past and lead others if he ever became a master of the Eyes of God.
The woman frequently gazed at a small carved jade pendant, one she had purchased from a jeweler on the day they met Yuwen Hao's maidservant. That day, she had been about to leave her six sons at an orphanage to search for their father, but fate took them in a different direction.
Their father had gone abroad nearly five years earlier and hadn't returned. She had seven sons, but her husband had taken their youngest, Zuo Shan, who was only two years old at the time. She often thought of Zuo Shan, including him when she bought seven jade pendants—one for each of her sons. She had also bought a matching pendant for her husband and given it to him before he left, as a promise that they would one day reunite.
The six sons had already mastered Tai Chi, having learned from their mother daily before they joined the Yuwen household. Yuwen Hao renamed them: Yue Xian (1st Yue), Yue Di (2nd Yue), Yue Sa (3rd Yue), Yue Si (4th Yue), Yue Wu (5th Yue), and Yue Lui (6th Yue). They were then sent to the Yuwen swordsmanship center, a university-like institution overseen by Yuwen Gao, the head sword master, responsible for training the empire's greatest sword masters.
Yuwen Gao taught the basics of Chinese Jian swordsmanship, helping students master the ancient style. Yuwen Yue first experienced swordsmanship at age seven when his father, Yuwen Hao, crafted a wooden sword resembling the Po Yue Jian for him.
Yuwen Hao became Yuwen Yue's personal sword master. The most challenging part was horseback riding, and Yuwen Yue enjoyed watching his father's skilled techniques. After careful training, Yuwen Hao decided it was time for Yuwen Yue to receive his true sword.
"Yue'er, my son, it's time for you to receive the blade meant for you. Hand me the wooden sword."
"Here it is, Father," Yuwen Yue replied, kneeling with open palms as he presented the wooden sword.
Taking the wooden sword, Yuwen Hao handed Yuwen Yue the Po Yue Jian and prepared to explain its origins. Although Yuwen Yue knew some truths about his past, they were often distorted.
To protect his son's reputation, Yuwen Hao created an illusion for the other Yuwen families, convincing them that Yuwen Yue was truly his son.
"This sword was never unsheathed. Your mother gave it to me and asked that I give it to you when the time is right."
Surprised and overjoyed, Yuwen Yue knelt in silence, unable to hide his happiness.
When Yuwen Yue turned ten, Yuwen Hao revealed the Po Yue Jian sword, bringing immense joy to his son. Though often cold and distant, Yuwen Hao surprised Yuwen Yue with gifts he knew he would treasure. He trained Yuwen Yue to become a master, preparing him for the responsibilities of being the heir to the Eyes of God.
In addition to swordsmanship, Yuwen Yue learned various martial arts, including wushu and gongfu, and developed a passion for Chi Kung. These skills became vital for him, both with and without weapons.
Yuwen Hao had a collection of extraordinary weapons from his past assassin and demolition jobs, stored in the arsenal of the Eyes of God. Yuwen Yue had the opportunity to study these weapons and occasionally train with them alongside his father, further honing his skills.
The Eyes of God houses an extensive collection of martial arts weapons, including:
Bo and Staff: Various types such as Straight Staffs, Tapered Staffs, Toothpick Bo, Long Poles, Three Section Staffs, and Two Section Staffs.
Broadswords: This includes Wushu Broadswords, Traditional Broadswords, Wood Broadswords, Combat Steel Broadswords, Double Broadswords, Double Butterfly Swords, Miao Dao, and Tai Chi Broadswords.
Cases and Racks: For storage, including staff carriers and Tai Chi sword racks.
Wushu Weapons: Such as Wushu Swords, Whip Chains, Wushu Staffs, Spears, Wushu Daggers, and other lightweight weapons.
Custom Fitted Spears: Including Long Spears and Combat Spears.
Double Weapons: Such as Double Butterfly Swords, Double Broadswords, Deer Horn Knives, Double Daggers, and Sun & Moon Rings.
Dragon Long Poles: Including Teak Long Poles.
Escrima Sticks & Batons: Various types like Rattan Sticks, Waxwood Sticks, Graphite Sticks, Nightsticks, Police Batons, and Hardwood Escrima Sticks.
Fantasy Knives and Daggers: Including Replica Weapons and Master Cutlery Weapons.
Flexible Weapons: Such as Chain Whips, Sectional Staffs, Rope Darts, Meteors, Hammers, and Nunchaku.
Hidden Weapons: Including Telescopic Batons, Push Daggers, Telescopic Nunchaku, and Hidden Knives.
Other Martial Art Weapons: Such as Kama, Sai, Tonfa, Ninjutsu Equipment, and Japanese Swords.
Kendo Weapons & Equipment: Including Shinai, Bokkan, Shoto, and Tatami Mats.
Long Weapons: Such as Spears.
Combat Steel Weapons: Including Combat Steel Swords and Long Weapons.
Throwing Weapons: Such as Shuriken, Ninja Stars, Throwing Knives, Steel Cards, and Rope Darts.
Traditional Weapons: Including Traditional Swords and Long Weapons.
Master Kits: Such as Weapon Master Kits, Sword Kits, Spear Kits, and Double Weapon Kits.
Custom and Exotic Weapons: Including Damascus Swords and Custom-made Swords.
Weapon Accessories: Such as Weapon Flags, Broadsword Flags, Sword Tassels, Spear Tassels, Sword Cleaning Kits, and Three Section Staff Swivels.
Kung Fu Fans: Such as Tai Chi Fans and Steel Fans.
Antique Weapons: Including Antique Swords and Antique Kwan Dao.
Chin Na Training Tools: Such as Chin Na Bags, Training Stones, Dragon Claw Rings, Brass Forearm Rings, and Baoding Balls.
Miscellaneous Items: Including wooden dummies (compact and wall-mounted), sparring gear (for arms, legs, head, and chest), and weapon apparel and accessories like belts, shoes, headbands, patches, training pants, and uniforms.
Suddenly, Yuwen Hao brought his son to a large storeroom and opened the firelights by a switch triggering mechanism. On the walls as high as the three-story floor, Yuwen Yue's eyes suddenly widely opened, saw many range of cold weapons such as bow and arrows.
Yuwen Hao, a lover of cold armaments, he earned the title of the Grand Master Archer of the Wei empire.
It is here where he treasured most of his classic Bows (such as Yuan Mongol bow, Qianlong Manchu Hunting bows, Qing Conquest bow, Ming Chinese bows, Scorpius Bamboo bows, LiaoQiangs spearman bows, Mariner bows, takedown bows, Ming Moonbows, Han Wing bows, Qing dragon bows,Cinnabar bows, and his father's favorite the Kai Yuan bow Chinese: 开元弓),Cross Bows(such as Repeating crossbows, Hunting crossbows, Trigger crossbows, Artillery Crossbows), Arrows(such as fire, light arrows)and at the middle of the room is a block trapezoidal bar as tall as his waist and where a shiny rectangular wooden box engraved with 宇文浩 (Yuwen Hao) with an arrow called "bing arrow" (ice arrow) finally introduced to Yuwen Yue.
"This arrow is one of the most powerful weapons in the entire empire," Yuwen Hao explained. "It's a cruel, cold weapon that only a Master of the Eyes of God is authorized to use. The arrow is infused with snow ice and delicately processed."
"Yue'er this arrow is specially made to freeze the subject as it is infused with snow ice and its component is delicately processed.
Within a year, we only produce three arrows during the winter months of the bitter moon, holiday moon and the budding moon.
He opened the lid of the wooden box, revealing a half-shaft arrow. Its shaft was made from a clear, glass-like material, while the arrowhead was literally made of snow ice.
"Three bing arrows per year? Father, that's hardly enough if you face hundreds of enemies," Yuwen Yue said, gently touching the snow ice arrow.
"Yes, it's true," Yuwen Hao replied. "These arrows are the coldest of all cold weapons. They can only be stored during the winter months and lose their effectiveness in summer and autumn. Each arrow is only viable for three specific purposes, as they only last in the air under certain conditions."
He continued, "This is the Arrow of Bitter Moon, crafted from snow ice and infused with the light of the bitter moon. It's designed to freeze the enemy and kill them slowly over time, earning its reputation for the bitterness that gradually consumes the soul."
"The victim may survive, but the pain is deep and unforgettable. Once struck by this arrow, the bitterness will linger in their heart, a constant reminder of their suffering."
Also, the victim of the bing arrow remains unnoticed, making it difficult for their servants to trace the wounds. As the arrow melts, it creates an invisible scar that penetrates the skin.
It's believed this type of arrow was used to capture and freeze Yan Xun during his first escape attempt from Chang'an City with Chu Qiao, before his entire Yan family was executed. Yuwen Gao's servant released the arrow from its bolt because Yuwen Gao doubted whether Yuwen Yue would follow orders to capture Yan Xun for the Wei Empire's Shen Jin Gong.
Yuwen Gao had the authority to use the arrow and authorized his servant to do so on behalf of a disabled Master. At that time, Yuwen Yue was the interim master of the Eyes of God, but his full powers were yet to be recognized, awaiting the emperor's seal.
This is where Yan Xun started to sow seeds of bitterness to Yuwen Yue because he did not possibly think that Yuwen Yue would harm him. After it, Yan Xun had a hard time understanding people and succumb to its dark side of bitterness. Who revealed it to Yan Xun? Who else but the former spy of sacrifice – Xinger.
Another powerful cold weapon is the Arrow of Holiday Moon. Crafted from snow ice and infused with the light of the holiday moon, this arrow is designed to freeze an enemy and obliterate their entire perimeter.
Its power is unmatched; when released, the arrow is accompanied by the Hunting Wind, ensuring that once it melts, the enemy's defenses are destroyed before they can react.
True to its name, this arrow earns a notorious reputation: the enemy's camp may need a holiday to rebuild their defenses, as this small arrow performs a perfect demolition job using minimal resources.
The last of the three powerful arrows is the Arrow of Budding Moon. Crafted from snow ice and infused with the light of the budding moon, this arrow is designed to target specific enemies and forestall their future plans.
Among the bing arrows, it is the softest cold weapon, yet the coldest of them all. It shatters the dreams of the enemy and disrupts their schemes.
Despite being the smallest of the snow ice arrows, containing only the arrowhead and an almost invisible shaft, its power surpasses that of a weapon capable of destroying an entire army camp. It is believed that this is the arrow Yuwen Yue used to counter Yuwen Huai's classic arrow, with only its needle-like tip unnoticeably landing in Chu Qiao's hair. This forced an end to the royal hunting of the maids, leaving only one maid alive: Xinger.
"Never forget what I told you. In the future, you may need these arrows to protect the Eyes of God and yourself if danger arises," Yuwen Hao advised.
"Father, what happens to those caught by the Arrows of Budding Moon?" Yuwen Yue asked.
"It is said that they recover, but it's difficult. Because of this, they often set up their own failures for the future." Yuwen Hao felt pleased that his son was asking important questions, especially since the third arrow was the hardest to create. Finding the perfect budding moon in winter was no easy task.
"Thank you, Father, for your wisdom." Yuwen Yue bowed his head respectfully before he was dismissed.
As night fell, Yuwen Yue returned to his Xuan Hall. He bowed when he saw the lady sitting in his seat.
"Grandmom, did you wait for me here all day?" he asked, his eyes heavy with sleep.
"No, I just arrived and thought I would wait for a little while. I came to give you this book; it was the last copy, and I hope you enjoy reading it," she said.
"Thank you, Grandmom. I will definitely read it."
The beautiful lady donned her red silk hood and gracefully exited the Xuan Hall, meeting her servants outside.