Shadows of the Underworld

by Angel Chua

Chu Qiao grows increasingly aware of the threats surrounding her. She receives cryptic messages from spies within the underworld, warning her of the coming danger. Viper, always by her side, continues to guide her, revealing more about her mother's role as the leader of the Wind and Cloud Decree, a secret organization of spies.

3. PART 1 AFTER THE FROZEN LAKE

PART 1. AFTER THE FROZEN LAKE

Chapter 1

A life in the snowy spring of water

---

Snow falls slowly. Harsh winds blow through the immensity of all-white, a never-ending haze. A human figure, deeply frozen, struggles to keep up with the cold, nearly reduced to a lifeless body. Shallow breaths force tired muscles, and the heart pumps in pain. Lips have turned blue, and the palms are deeply wrinkled. Is there any better way to fight hypothermia? Can you think of another way to survive, to escape this situation? How does it end?

No matter what it takes, no one dares to let go—not Yuwen Yue.

With a scream of life, she lets it out, rejecting death but resigning to the pain.

No! She can't die—Yuwen Yue must live!

But reality extinguishes any hope in the moment.

The frost in Chu Qiao's body cuts like a thousand knives. It traps heat beneath her skin while her prime energy spreads throughout her body. She feels it radiating from her back, as if it burns like hell. Is she losing her senses, or is this real?

She is truly losing, losing Yuwen Yue forever.

Fire and cold tear her body apart. Too much power. She won't be as lucky as she was the first time she encountered the snow jade dog. Her spirit is strong, but her body is weak.

A super-luminous light bursts from within the icy lake, overwhelming Yuwen Yue. It's a flashback in time, a dance of memories. She is certain she saved the weakened Fourth Young Master from the snow jade dog's opposing power.

In a burst of light, a powerful vibration fills the air.

It holds Yuwen Yue back from sinking into the deepest abyss of the lake.

Suspended in a dreamlike state, between life and death, Yuwen Yue watches Chu Qiao as if entangled in a memory from another realm—a realm unseen by anyone, belonging neither to Yanbei nor Wei.

Yuwen Yue utters a name: "Xinger…"

But the voice is lost, unheard. He looks at Chu Qiao's face, feeling a strange sensation. Her body appears the same, except for the dazzling light radiating from her face.

Shining like a phoenix, glowing in bright light, she becomes blinding.

Like a divine goddess, Chu Qiao looks serene.

Yuwen Yue struggles to recognize whether this figure before him is the woman he knows or someone else entirely.

A halo of yellow light emerges, pure and bright.

A small figure floats gracefully in the air, encircled by slow-moving white clouds. The clouds spin and rise, hovering in the air. Her droopy eyes are closed as she sits in a Zen position at the center of the spinning clouds, and she utters: "Go in peace, live well."

After hearing the voice, the blinding light overwhelms Yuwen Yue. He shields his eyes with his hands. In an instant, after the blast, Yuwen Yue disappears from the magnificent light.

Finland

Three days have passed since the tragedy at the icy lake. Yuwen Yue suddenly surfaces from beneath the ice, gasping for air. He finds himself breaking through the ice above him, floating on the surface of the frozen lake, trapped in a lagoon.

His thoughts run dry, but he must stay awake: "If I use all my strength to move, I might lose what little power I have left."

Instead, he lets himself float. Yuwen Yue remains still beneath the icy water. As if in a dream, his mind limits unnecessary movement, gathering all the heat in his body. It feels strange, and Yuwen Yue wonders where it is coming from. He stays still, allowing his body to float, drifting with the water.

In this state, Yuwen Yue begins to see a yellow light and a hazy human form. He hears words—ones he must not forget: "Go in peace, live well."

Those words continue to echo, awakening his senses, a source of inner strength. As he lingers in this state, he begins to whisper: "Xinger, Xinger, Xinger!" After the third call, Yuwen Yue opens his eyes.

Though it seems brief, it has been seven days since he began floating freely in the icy lake. He regains strength, able to move freely above the frozen lake. It connects to an open spring. He finds himself near the shore, breathing shallow but alive, with a promise of life ahead.

The spring forest is blanketed in snow. As the sun rises, the snow begins to melt.

Then the sun hides, and snow begins to fall again.

---

For the first time in what seems like ages, Yuwen Yue can move his hands and feet. With newfound strength, he crawls like a helpless child, struggling to reach the snowy surface. Finally, he rests his body on the snowy ground.

Yuwen Yue shivers as if the cold wilderness will never end. The snowfield feels even colder than the icy lake. Rubbing his hands together for warmth, Yuwen Yue notices a small panda playing nearby.

He thinks, "Where there's a little panda, there must be a bigger one around."

Yuwen Yue forces his still-shaky knees to stand and walk.

He thinks, "I have no time to check myself. For now, I must walk a few steps, better than engaging in a fight with an animal."

Yuwen Yue finds a perfect spot to rest his body. His clothes are worn out, but the bloodstains have been thoroughly washed away by the water. Tiny brown spots are visible on his chest, and his wound is still healing. Turning black, it seems destined to scar.

Yuwen Yue checks his head, shoulders, waist, hands, and feet. He notices his wounds are healing faster than normal.

After a physical check, Yuwen Yue remembers he must heal his spirit through meditation.

He squats down, leaning slightly against a fir tree. He chooses this spot because he believes fir trees symbolize hope, promise, and renewal. Amidst these long, dark winter nights, the tree is known to outlast many others. Meditating under this tree may help him find the determination and endurance to refresh himself and decide his next steps.

After an hour of meditation, Yuwen Yue feels well-rested. For the first time, he feels hunger. Yuwen Yue knows it's time to hunt for food. To survive the night, he must also build a shelter.

Inside Greenhills Courtyard, Yuwen Yue lived an extraordinary life, far from this impoverished existence. Yet, he was trained to survive in harsh conditions. Using only what is available, Yuwen Yue begins to create hunting tools and gathers firewood to stay warm at night. The small dagger hidden in his boot proves useful. From the driftwood of a fir tree, he crafts seven medium-sized spears, sharpening them carefully.

Though Yuwen Yue feels content, his expression remains grim. He cuts a small piece of fabric from his garment and tears a strip from his left boot, made of bearskin.

After shaping the fabric into a circle, he carefully sews it onto his forehead like a headband to keep warm and protect himself.

He knows this will be a long journey, and restoring his Qi flow will help prevent colds and illness.

With everything in place, Yuwen Yue heads out to hunt in the snowy forest.

Armed with seven spears, he must supply his body's needs. He carefully examines herbs and plants, smells and tastes them, finding edible mushrooms—his dinner for the night.

For water, the spring is sufficient, but he needs a container for his hunting trip.

He finds a bamboo tree, selects a heart-shaped leaf, and uses it as a funnel to filter water.

A deer suddenly appears before Yuwen Yue.

Its skin will make good shelter, and its lean meat is rich in nutrients. A bird also crosses his path.

He thinks the bird will supply his protein needs, and he can use the feathers to craft a bow and arrows.

Nothing will be wasted.

Everything must start small if he is to survive. Alone, Yuwen Yue knows he must do it all.

It is a total 360-degree change from his previous lifestyle, but he is grateful for the skills he learned from his nomadic ancestors. To him, it is no tragedy.

Can fate offer a second chance with a good outcome?

He doesn't worry about being alone anymore. All he knows is that there is no time to complain.

He must stay alive.

---

Chapter 2

Crepuscular light

---

Inside the frozen lake, Chu Qiao lost touch with Yuwen Yue and eventually lost herself as well.

As she weakened, her master grew stronger. This drove Chu Qiao to sacrifice more of herself to save her master. Behind her was an inexplicable and indescribable heat.

It felt as though every inch of her skin was being pinched, tearing her soul apart.

There was neither pain nor gain at the moment.

The only thing she could do was close her eyes and let the heat flow through her body while suspended in a void.

A trickling red fire slowly burned her back, disappearing and reappearing.

It was as if her body was being recalled through an ancient oracle inscription called Feng Yun Faling (the Wind and Cloud Decree).

At first glance, it looked like a flower, but inside it was full of ancient inscriptions and texts.

Chu Qiao's memories flashed before her, reminding her of who she was, what she had to do, and where she should go.

Yet, the only thing she could recall was her farewell to her younger self, hearing the name "Xinger, Xinger, Xinger!" echoing in her mind.

At the last call, she opened her eyes, and the light radiated brightly.

However, Chu Qiao found herself in an entirely different realm. In the blink of an eye, she was back at the frozen lake.

But what seemed like a split second felt like days, weeks, months, and even years.

In another scene, the Prince of Yan, Yan Xun, searched for Chu Qiao. He visited the icy lake to offer incense or burn snow papers—a blank paper sprinkled with disappearing powder that made the author's written message appear or vanish.

Losing both his best friend and the love of his life at the same time was an unforgivable pain, yet Prince Yan Xun managed it with a cold and merciless heart. He betrayed Chu Qiao, the love of his life.

Amid the battlefield, he also killed the heir to the Eyes of God.

There is no greater pain than witnessing three people make life-or-death decisions in a single moment.

In his desperation and madness, Yan Xun deemed himself unworthy of grief, focusing instead on giving pride to Yan State and its people.

He restored Yanbei from ashes to prosperity.

In the midst of his triumphs, Yan Xun succumbed to his darker side.

There were many wars and battles after the icy lake tragedy, and Yan Xun was behind them all.

However, he never personally engaged in any of these battles. Instead, he rode with his horses, ordering his armies to show no mercy to those who opposed him.

Though Yan Xun became strong, famous, and powerful, he was empty inside.

Fulfilling the prophecy of his name, Xiaolong (meaning the sleeping dragon of the North), the Prince managed to reclaim half of Yanbei's former glory.

Yet, the price for every victory was his own self-defeat, turning him self-serving, selfish, brutally distant, and cold.

---

Alone and naked, wrapped in a gold fabric, Chu Qiao curled into a fetal position.

Surrounded by ice, she was enveloped in an ear-piercing silence.

Though she didn't feel cold, her body radiated heat.

The snow melted beneath her, forming an oval-shaped cocoon in which her body lay.

This became her comfort zone, as her body coped with the unknown event. Even Chu Qiao was unable to control it.

The power was massive and magical. Like a sleeping beauty waiting for her prince to awaken her, Chu Qiao lay there, seemingly forever, unaware of the passage of time.

In her sleep, Chu Qiao dreamed of a journey. She descended to the underworld, passing through an endless desert filled with hopelessness and unbearable heat, yet none of it scorched her skin.

In her dream, she was dressed in a flowing white gown, made of the finest satin from Ximeng Continent.

As the wind blew, her dress flowed freely. Half of her face was covered with a cloak adorned with beautiful beads that draped across her forehead, tied to a long, light shawl around her neck.

Chu Qiao said, "Look at this endless desert, dunes, and sand everywhere. Is this all there is?"

She sat down in the middle of the desert, scooping sand into her hands and letting it trickle through her fingers like an hourglass. She repeated this over and over until she remembered the name "Xinger."

Chu Qiao tried to recall who Xinger was, and the name echoed continuously in her mind. Who was Yuwen Yue? What happened between them? She lingered in this state, unable to remember.

Flashbacks continued to flood her mind. She remembered her last battle with Yuwen Hao and the Liang state spy, Yin Xin. She remembered falling from a cliff.

Her body hit the water, her head slamming against a large stone underwater. Her body floated for days in the Yellow River.

Servants eventually found her unconscious body and locked her in a cage.

From then on, Chu Qiao lost her memories and could only remember her name.

Now, it was happening again, but with slightly different details.

After a long stretch of time, a sudden sandstorm came.

Chu Qiao used her long shawl to shield herself from the storm. For how long, she did not know.

She couldn't measure time; it seemed she was trapped.

Chu Qiao closed her eyes until the sandstorm passed.

When she opened her eyes, the storm was gone.

But still, in her dream, she found herself in another place.

"Where are the dunes and sand?"

Chu Qiao saw a swirling, hollow-like tube.

It sparkled along its sides, full of moving colors and magnificent lights. The only thing she knew was that she had to enter it, unafraid.

Stepping inside, her dress tore at the back, exposing a flower tattoo that burned her skin, turning into red flames.

Yet, she felt no pain.

Each step she took intensified the burning of the tattoo, as though someone was etching it into her back.

After taking seven steps, she was swallowed by the tube entirely.

Suddenly, Chu Qiao woke up, startled.

She looked down at herself, touched her back, and asked, "Where is my long white dress? Why am I here in this vast snow, wearing only a gold fabric? Where are the endless desert, sand, and dunes?"

So many questions, yet no answers.

Suddenly, she felt the coldness of the snow around her, and she wrapped herself tightly in her Jin Bu.

Not far away, she saw a beautiful girl wearing tight black clothing.

Her chest was adorned with titanium light chains like a breastplate. She wore a red satin mask on her face, her hair in a side ponytail, and her lips were painted a dark, hellish color. Her face was angelic, and at her waist hung a long whip.

On her head was a large, woven hat made of rattan, with an indigo scarf hanging above it.

Chu Qiao felt a strange familiarity with the girl's attire, and suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her head. She touched her forehead, worried. The girl noticed and ran to her. Too late, Chu Qiao realized her palms were burned.

The girl sat beside Chu Qiao but didn't touch her. Chu Qiao was unaware that she was emitting a steamy aura, as if she were a volcano about to erupt. The girl said, "Mimi Gongzhu (Secret Princess), you must learn to control your powers. I am the Viper, do you remember?"

Another sharp pain hit Chu Qiao's head. Each time it happened, memories flashed before her, but almost in an instant, they vanished. The Viper asked, "Can you walk?"

"I've kept you in this place since I took you out of the frozen lake. It's been many weeks since then."

Chu Qiao felt strange about her surroundings, but at the same time, she felt as though she had known this girl for a long time.

"Mimi Gongzhu, are you alright? We can't stay here longer; dangerous animals roam this ravine at night. We need to move," the Viper urged.

Chu Qiao asked, "Do you have something safe for me to wear?"

Viper quickly grabbed a bag and handed Chu Qiao an expensive white silk dress. She also gave her a woven hat made of rattan, along with a thin indigo scarf embroidered with gold plum blossoms.

Viper helped Chu Qiao put on the dress and wrapped the indigo scarf around her neck. Finally, to conceal her, she draped the Jin Bu over Chu Qiao's delicate frame, exposing only her beautiful face.

This was the first time Chu Qiao had stood on her feet since the icy lake tragedy.

---

Viper and Chu Qiao embarked on a long snowy journey, heading east toward Chu Jing Palace. Chu Qiao remained silent throughout the journey.

Questions filled her mind, but her lips were sealed.

She would speak only when they reached their destination, where Viper was taking her.

Viper looked at Chu Qiao with pity, thinking, "She really has lost her memories."

It saddened her, too, that Chu Qiao couldn't remember their childhood together.

Viper had grown up in Chu Palace, where her father served as an elite officer in the Chu army.

She had been handpicked by King Chu Teng Gao to become the personal attendant and bodyguard of the Secret Princess.

When the Wei Empire attacked the Chu Jing Empire, Viper had been sent on a mission to search for the Secret Princess.

It was her duty to escort the Secret Princess and restore their lost empire.

When Chu Qiao was six years old, she was nearly killed.

One of her royal sisters rushed in front of the Wei executioner and sacrificed her life in exchange for Chu Qiao's.

Deceiving the Wei executioners, she told them that Chu Qiao was not the Secret Princess, but a decoy meant to mislead them.

Chu Qiao's sister was both furious and cunning, but not enough to outwit the enemy.

The executioner looked at her sister with anger.

But the royal sister continued mocking him, saying, "You've caught the wrong one. I am the Secret Princess. She's just a fake."

Suddenly, Chu Qiao bit the hand of the executioner and ran to hide.

Unbeknownst to her, her royal sister had sacrificed her life while little Viper remained by her side.

The two children hid well.

Viper suddenly placed her hand over Chu Qiao's mouth.

A sharp sound pierced the air.

The two pairs of eyes couldn't believe what they saw.

The sword's cut had been swift.

Chu Qiao watched as her sister's head fell, blood dripping to the floor.

She bit Viper's hand and cried silently.

It was the first time Chu Qiao had witnessed the death of a family member.

---

"Viper, are we there yet?" Chu Qiao finally broke the silence.

"Almost! Mimi Gongzhu, please be patient. We took the longest but safest route for your protection," Viper replied.

"Tell me, what is the meaning of this indigo scarf with plum blossoms? Why do you wear a plain one while mine is embroidered?" Chu Qiao asked, curious.

"This isn't the right time to explain, but I'll tell you once we reach those walls," Viper said firmly.

"Does it have to do with my last name, Chu?" Chu Qiao pressed, unable to let the matter go.

Viper stopped and looked at Chu Qiao, saying, "Are you sure you want to know now?"

"This indigo scarf is your only identification as a true descendant of the Chu royal family. The Hing Ba Na (which means happiness to wish and to accept) on your back is a power you've had since birth. The Hing Ba Na appears and disappears based on your wishes. It comes with rewards and consequences."

"Rewards and consequences at the same time?"

"The Hing Ba Na on my back?" Chu Qiao was utterly confused, and Viper seemed uncomfortable continuing.

"The flower tattoo on your back is the key to unlocking…" Viper stopped suddenly, sensing something or someone following them.

She picked up a bluish feather from the ground.

She already knew who the sharp spy trailing them might be.

Viper shouted at Chu Qiao, "Run! Run! I'll explain everything when we get there. Please hurry!"

Chu Qiao, bow in hand, ran quickly behind Viper.

To avoid leaving traces, Viper suddenly sat down and began to meditate.

Chu Qiao scoffed, saying, "I thought we were being chased. Why are you sitting there, as if you're ready to surrender?"

Viper ignored Chu Qiao's mocking tone. She assumed a meditative position and called upon the Dong Feng (East Wind) to sweep away their footprints and conceal their trail.

Chu Qiao, bewildered, couldn't order Viper to stop.

A strong wind blew by, swirling around them, erasing all traces of their path.

No sign of them remained.

---

Chapter 3

Ruins of the past came to life again

---

It was twilight when the two shadows reached their destination.

Chu Qiao's face was filled with dismay; she did not appreciate what she saw.

They passed by a small village and found people who were sick. Living in poverty, they had no food, no water, and no shelter.

Beggars approached Chu Qiao and touched her, but their hands felt electrified, causing them sharp pain.

The beggars cried out, but Chu Qiao did not care. She gently touched one of the beggars and looked them in the eye.

With eye contact, suddenly, the beggar transformed into an evil witch.

It was too late to realize it had been a disguise—a frail old woman cloaked in dirt and rags.

The old woman said, "She cannot enter unless she passes the test."

Viper took out her long whip, positioning herself, ready to fight and protect Mimi Gongzhu.

Chu Qiao suddenly suspected an ambush. She looked sharply at Viper, eyes filled with fury, and wanted to ask, "Who dares disguise this haggard old woman as a beggar to attack me?"

The old woman kicked Viper, displaying strength equal to ten men.

Viper got up, casting a fierce look, and used her whip, demonstrating her shadowless martial arts.

It seemed the old woman was unbeatable and knew how to counter Viper, even in a shadowless fight.

Chu Qiao looked confused when suddenly Viper was almost struck on the head.

Chu Qiao's killer instincts awoke. She blocked the old woman's punches by grabbing her hand and looked her straight in the eye.

The old woman felt as though her hands were burning. She could not release herself; her hands were glued to Chu Qiao's grip.

The old woman's hands turned red, and Chu Qiao had no intention of letting go.

She unleashed the Wind and Cloud Decree powers. The old woman, in agony, was forced to sprinkle dust powder to distract Chu Qiao.

Chu Qiao reacted swiftly, using her indigo scarf to catch the powder, saving her eyes from its attack.

The old woman conceded, offering a key to Chu Qiao. However, it was a trick meant to deceive her. Still, Chu Qiao held tight. The old woman begged, but Chu Qiao, unmoved, twisted her hand. Though the old woman possessed the strength of ten men, Chu Qiao's power was invincible.

Viper shouted, "Enough! Don't provoke her! If she loses control of her power, everyone within three meters will die!"

The old woman, heeding Viper's warning, accepted defeat and stepped aside. "Alright, you may pass."

Chu Qiao calmly released her arm.

The old woman pulled her cloak over her head and walked past them as if nothing had happened, disappearing without a trace.

"Who the hell is she?" Chu Qiao asked Viper.

"She is the Skyshadow Master, the gatekeeper of Chu Jing Palace," Viper replied.

Chu Qiao creased her brow, looking both angry and impressed.

"Where is Chu Jing Palace?" Chu Qiao asked again.

"Mimi Gongzhu, do you have the key to unlock the secret door?" Viper asked.

No… Chu Qiao thought, was it the key from the old woman's wrist?

"This way, Mimi Go—"

Suddenly, Chu Qiao cut her off and placed two fingers on Viper's lips, just like when they were children, smiling at each other.

"Where is the key?" Viper asked again.

"I don't know. Was I supposed to get the key from the old woman? I wasn't sure if she was testing me again, so I didn't bother to take it."

"Look at your wrist," Viper replied.

Chu Qiao was stunned to find a gold key on her wrist.

"Here it is," Chu Qiao said, handing the key to Viper.

They used it to unlock the secret door, one keyhole in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the door.

When the door opened, an uphill labyrinth of green tea bushes appeared before them. It seemed unfamiliar to Chu Qiao, but not to Viper.

Chu Qiao experienced random flashbacks.

A sharp pain struck her head. She leaned against the door for a moment, then continued walking.

Viper used her whip to clear the path, as wild vines clung to their hands and feet whenever they touched or stepped on them.

As darkness enveloped them, Viper's whip glowed, illuminating their way.

The labyrinth was full of obstacles, but Viper knew the secret pathways to avoid and evade the traps. One wrong step could kill them both.

"Do not touch anything unless I tell you to," Viper instructed Chu Qiao.

"I'm not touching anything," Chu Qiao replied.

After several hours of winding through treacherous paths, Chu Qiao memorized the secret routes as she followed Viper.

This included dodging mounted traps, swinging on ropes to cross gaps, crawling on the ground, and walking sideways to avoid bottomless pits.

"We're here," Viper said as they arrived at a stone-walled dungeon. Despite its scorched, cracked ground, the air was fragrant, with tiny purple flowers thriving in the crevices. Chu Qiao suspected the flowers emitted the scent. But she grew dizzy and yawned, about to collapse. The fragrance seemed to poison her, slowly draining her life. Viper caught her just in time.

"Mimi, use your scarf to protect yourself." Viper doubled her mask, using her indigo scarf beneath her thin red mask to cover her nose and mouth.

The plum blossoms embroidered on her scarf were infused with plum blossom oil, which saved her from the poison. She let Chu Qiao sniff the scarf. "Plum blossoms are a friend in winter, a gift from the heavens," Viper said.

Chu Qiao recovered and stood up. She was astonished by this entirely new world, so different from Green Hills Courtyard, Wei, or Yanbei. She slowly remembered parts of her past—Xinger, her deadly trip to Jile Pavilion where she killed Yuwen Xi, and the stratagems in the Eyes of God at Green Hills Courtyard. However, her memories were fragmented.

By the time they reached Chu Jing Palace's inner courtyard through the secret door, night had fallen, and the moonlight was vast and bright. Chu Qiao could barely contain her emotions. Everything seemed new, yet familiar. Viper caught her attention before she could speak.

"This is the ruins of Chu Jing Palace," Viper said, coughing. "We still have much to do tomorrow. I'll walk you to your room."

Viper noticed the secret tears in Chu Qiao's eyes. "Mimi, is something bothering you? You seem burdened with sadness."

"I don't know," Chu Qiao replied, unable to keep secrets from Viper. She let her tears flow. She felt as if she owned the room, sneaking into her own territory. Chu Qiao felt like a stranger in familiar surroundings but didn't tell Viper she was beginning to remember the past, though it remained blurry. She recalled her mother, Luo He, riding a black horse while she screamed, "Mom! Mom!" But Luo He only said, "Don't forget what I've told you," smiling sadly as she rode away.

Viper was busy preparing the royal mattress when a sudden cold wind blew around them. Only two people could summon weather through martial arts: Viper and the warrior who followed the Prince of Yanbei, the future king awaiting his coronation. Before she could react, Viper cracked her whip and struck the window.

Chu Qiao saw someone lurking and called out, "Zhong Yu!"

Zhong Yu didn't reveal her face at once, hiding behind her light orange scarf. She walked toward them as bluish feathers fell onto the secret princess's diamond hall.

The room was called the Diamond Hall because its ceiling, made of clear glass and rough-cut diamonds, made the moon and stars appear ten times closer, like an instant telescope. There were many secret passages, most forgotten by their owner.

It seemed Viper and Zhong Yu had unresolved issues. Zhong Yu looked fiercely at Viper while Chu Qiao, happy to see her, couldn't understand the tension between them.

"A'Chu," Zhong Yu said, "the Prince of Yan searched for you everywhere and failed to find you. He refuses to be declared King of Yanbei until you are found. If you are dead, we'll show him your bones. But we cannot kill an innocent person just to present your likeness to him. And one more thing: the prince, once wise, has given in to his darker side, hungry for justice to avenge Yan. Now, let's go!"

Viper suddenly stood in front of Zhong Yu. "You can't take her. She is the Mimi Gongzhu, protected by Wu Dao Ya, who gave his life to exchange his position. He was meant to lead Yan's highest officials under the Yan King."

Zhong Yu was unconvinced. "I don't trust you, Viper."

"You must trust me this time!" Viper shouted.

"You never returned after the princess fell from the cliff. You didn't report to Wu Dao Ya. Now you've taken A'Chu, general of the Xiuli army. Prince Yan Xun is searching for her. We need to take her back to Yanbei," Zhong Yu said in a cold, steady voice.

"I don't have time to explain, Zhong Yu, but if you touch her, I'll have no choice but to cut ties with you forever and forget you as my sister!"

Silence filled the air…

---

Chapter 4

Towards the East winds

---

Spring takes over after the darkest winter in Yuwen Yue's life. While walking down a busy street, he bumped into a young man dressed in simple peasant clothes. Yuwen Yue took a quick glance and was reminded of someone from his past. In his early twenties, the young man looked both handsome and striking. He worked as a longshoreman at night and trained at the Shaolin temple during the day.

Though the young man appeared immature, he possessed a golden attitude. Often bullied, he was regularly involved in gang fights around the city. Despite being publicly beaten by gangsters, the young man rarely fought back. At the Shaolin temple, he lived by the temple's values, embracing the life of a humble monk by day, while at night he worked as a spy, engaging in espionage. He had sworn an oath to use his martial arts skills only when defending the innocent or in dire need for self-defense. Most of the time, he chose not to fight, resisting the urge to harm others. Instead, he would close his eyes, pray, and hum in peace. A simple man, he earned his living as a laborer, loading and unloading cargo ships, and donated part of his earnings to the poor. Beneath his outwardly conceited attitude, he was a noble young man with a good heart.

At an early age, Zuo Zong had been left at the Shaolin temple by his father, who was later killed at the Shangxi docks. His father, a foreigner, had come to China to visit the Luoyang Shaolin temple with his two sons, Zuo Shan and Zuo Zong, the elder brother. Tragically, his father was pursued by rival assassins, and Zuo Shan was captured by them. Zuo Zong's father was a renowned mercenary who had served feudal warlords in Japan, skilled in espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination. He had brought his sons to the temple for training, but his life was cut short by ruthless ninja assassins.

Believing Zuo Zong to be dead, the assassins spared the boy. Zuo Zong had tried to defend his father, but as a mere child, he was powerless. The assassins viewed him as insignificant, and his older brother, Zuo Shan, offered himself in exchange for Zuo Zong's life. Before being taken, Zuo Shan left his brother with a jade stone and said, "Do not be afraid, we shall meet again."

As Zuo Zong watched his brother disappear like mist, he was left holding his father's lifeless body. The boy passed out. When he woke, he was back at the Shaolin temple. The monks, having witnessed the tragic event, took him in and cared for him. He was still too young to protect himself.

Years passed, and the monks ensured that Zuo Zong mastered Kungfu. He became the future of the martial art, young, sharp, and precise in his abilities. He rose to become the youngest Kungfu Master at the Shaolin temple, admired by the elder monks for his skills. Zuo Zong had already completed many secret missions using his martial arts talents.

Since Yuwen Yue emerged from the icy lake and survived his own tragedy, he had kept his true identity hidden. Reinventing himself, he avoided returning to Wei or the Green Hills courtyard. He journeyed through deserts and ravines in the East, surviving day by day. He worked and spoke like a common servant, ensuring no one recognized him as the missing Master of the Eyes of God.

During his time in the desert, enduring harsh winds and countless sandstorms, Yuwen Yue's memories often returned to him. He never forgot and believed that one day, all paths would lead back to Xinger. If she was still alive, Yuwen Yue promised himself that he would return to her. And those who had torn them apart would face their reckoning.

Yuwen Yue remained handsome despite his rugged appearance, and his cold gaze could bring anyone to their knees. His princely stature exuded calm, like the still waters of early spring. He made sure not to draw attention or gain favors from others. Yuwen Yue worked, met his own needs, and was always capable of protecting himself.

At the end of each day, Yuwen Yue reminded himself to focus on the bigger picture.

He glanced at the address where he was to deliver a parcel—a square-shaped wooden box picked up and packed from a seafood restaurant. He worked part-time as a peddler. His current life was vastly different from his previous one. Where he once had servants, now he worked for himself. The only thing that hadn't changed was how people were still drawn to him. Fellow peddlers followed him around and often requested his courier services to deliver important items to the wealthy lords of the East.

"I found the place," Yuwen Yue whispered as he checked the address in his pocket.

He knocked on the door but noticed several women watching him, whispering among themselves. Yuwen Yue furrowed his brows and gave them a cold look.

A rugged man in his forties, with a robust build and a stern face, opened the door.

Yuwen Yue stepped inside to deliver the parcel.

The man took the parcel, but Yuwen Yue was left waiting for payment. No one came. He found this rude and clenched his fists, tempted to teach the man a lesson. Just as Yuwen Yue was about to leave, the man returned—this time with four other men. They dragged Yuwen Yue inside the lodge and locked him in a cell.

He didn't react quickly; Yuwen Yue was known to be slow in his childhood. He allowed them to drag him without resistance. Suddenly, he found himself in a cell full of haggard-looking men. Yuwen Yue stared at them sharply, like a blade, before closing his eyes to meditate on the situation.

He sensed every slight movement, thinking quickly and controlling his twitching palms. Either he would end up beaten, or these men would regret crossing him.

Suddenly, loud noises erupted outside the cell.

Drum rolls echoed, and dragging sounds filled the air.

The door near Yuwen Yue's cell was left slightly opened, and he saw a crowd gathered on the first floor, cheering.

On the balcony, money was being thrown on the ground. This place resembled a cockpit, but there was no cockfighting. Instead, several warriors in combat costumes, many of whom appeared to be foreigners, were preparing for battle.

Yuwen Yue noticed a man wearing a black mask, his face concealed, dressed as a ninja warrior. He had no sword at his waist, but he was driving the crowd wild.

Amidst the noise and the cheering crowd, Yuwen Yue smirked and whispered, "Everything is a giveaway."

The spectators placed their bets on the black-masked ninja, while a group of scruffy-looking young men collected them before the fight began.

This was a man-to-man fight, with no weapons allowed—just pure martial arts.

Yuwen Yue believed he had stumbled upon a secret fighting arena where warriors could earn money from paid bouts. And he might have been right.

The humbled master composed himself and recalled his principles.

Yuwen Yue was a master who followed the rules.

In his former life, as the Green Hills courtyard master of the Eyes of God, he had taught his slaves a strict code: "A slave obeys." If not, disobedient heads would roll. Whenever a crime was committed, someone had to pay for justice to be served.

Yuwen Yue thought to himself that he couldn't fight—not this time. It was the spring season. As he finished his self-reflection, a man approached and dragged him away.

True to what he had just witnessed, this was indeed a hidden place for savage fighters.

Yuwen Yue was forced to watch the current match.

For the first time, his blood stirred at the sight of such an exciting fight. His eyebrows creased, and rarely in the past—and even now—had he been so impressed by someone.

Today, however, he found himself captivated by what he was witnessing. The view from his position was remarkable.

The man in the black mask was executing a "Kata."

As Yuwen Yue observed the fighter's movements, memories of his past began to resurface. Although he couldn't see the man's face, the way he moved reminded Yuwen of someone close to him, someone from the Yuwen household.

"The Seventh Yue," Yuwen Yue almost shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the roaring crowd, their excitement reaching a fever pitch.

It seemed the black-masked ninja had many fans. His opponent, however, was a large, muscular man with a broken nose, thick eyebrows, and scars on his shoulders—clear signs this wasn't his first fight.

The contender's expression twisted with rage as he charged at the black-masked ninja, ready to end the match.

But the black-masked fighter, a crowd favorite, performed a dazzling move, suddenly appearing behind his opponent. In one swift motion, he snapped the man's arms and grabbed his legs, sending the contender crashing onto his back.

Amid the cheering crowd, the black-masked ninja made direct eye contact with Yuwen Yue. Both men locked eyes, and for a moment, the black-masked fighter seemed startled.

Yuwen Yue, deep in thought, could only see the resemblance to the Seventh Yue.

From the look of confusion in the black-masked ninja's eyes, it was clear he didn't recognize Yuwen Yue.

As the master's senses sharpened, Yuwen Yue began to consider something—he was ready to break his own rules.

---

Chapter 5

Ghost in the past

---

The fighting continues, and Yuwen Yue's cold eyes follow the black ninja's movements.

The black ninja exudes arrogance, and the crowd loves it, as though he's already won, even though the contender hasn't truly lost yet. After a few blows and the sound of the contender's body hitting the ground, Yuwen Yue looks and finds the large, muscled man sleeping like a baby in the middle of the fighting ring.

They drag his body outside and throw him out of the area.

The first fight is over, but the host announces another call, signaling that the final event is about to begin.

The host opens the stage for people to show their support. Money starts flying down to the ground.

Back in the room, the black ninja acts as if nothing has happened.

There are no wounds or broken bones.

Suddenly, a short man enters the room, throws some money on the floor, and asks him to return for the final match.

Due to Yuwen Yue's compelling presence, another man pushes him into the fighting ring, turning him into an instant fighter and contender.

He has no idea who he'll be fighting.

"He narrows his brows, thinking about the black-masked ninja from earlier, and the crowd shouts out the ninja's name."Yuwen Yue realizes the black-masked ninja will be his next opponent.

In an unexpected turn of events, Yuwen Yue is forced into the fight. Fate has led him to this moment.

If the seventh Yue doesn't recognize him, Yuwen Yue will have to defend himself, but he won't harm his former bodyguard.

Yuwen Yue looks torn, his head lowered as the black-masked ninja approaches with arrogance.

A strange air of revenge surrounds the master of disguise. Sensing this, Yuwen Yue begins to draw on his inner strength to counter the feeling.

In the dimly lit center of the fighting ring, Yuwen Yue stands motionless, casting the perfect shadow—eyes closed, unmoving.

The black ninja senses that this contender is unlike the others he has fought before.

He grows wary, narrowing his eyes, but resists letting curiosity distract him from his goal.

Neither wants to make the first move, but the black ninja grows irritated by Yuwen Yue's unnerving calm.

Swish…

The black ninja tests the waters, but Yuwen Yue doesn't respond.

Yuwen Yue evades the first strike aimed at his left shoulder.

Just like that, the crowd erupts, then falls silent, awestruck.

After the initial attack, bets begin to change.

More money is thrown to the ground, and the crowd grows twice as wild as before. The two fighters lock eyes. Yuwen Yue studies his former bodyguard, the one he lost in the icy lake.

It pierces his heart because the emotional wounds are still fresh, though not visible.

The black ninja senses that his opponent is protecting his left shoulder, where he struck earlier, but Yuwen Yue fends him off.

Yuwen Yue knows this young man is focusing on his left shoulder, and he mustn't get defensive, or else the black ninja will target the still-healing wound.

Yuwen Yue must shift from defense to offense, and so he does.

For the first time since the frozen lake incident, Yuwen Yue uses his Gongfu martial arts, but he doesn't reveal his full power.

The black-masked ninja is caught by surprise when his nose suddenly starts bleeding. He raises an eyebrow in disbelief—how could this be happening now? He wonders if such a minor injury might cost him the fight and his career.

Hoping for something to interrupt the fight, the black ninja doesn't want to continue for much longer, fearing that like water trapped in a dam, once released, it will be impossible to stop.

The crowd might not be able to contain it.

Yuwen Yue shifts his approach as another attack comes from the black ninja.

Yuwen Yue takes control of the fight, transitioning from attack to counter-attack, pushing himself into a moral gray area—breaking his rules, yet staying true to them.

Almost in the blink of an eye, Yuwen Yue's fluid movements leave the black ninja scratching his head.

The crowd roars with laughter, placing bets back and forth.

Amused as they are, Yuwen Yue remains calm, composed like water, though his thoughts linger on the seventh Yue.

"How come he doesn't recognize me?" Yuwen Yue wonders from a distance.

The black-masked ninja, unfamiliar with this type of fight, is ridiculed by the crowd. His ego is bruised, and anger begins to take over. Soon, he touches Yuwen Yue's arm without realizing why his opponent allowed him to get so close.

Yuwen Yue pulls off the black ninja's mask, revealing his face to the crowd.

There's a brief moment of shock—jaws drop, and the once noisy crowd falls silent.

Yuwen Yue stares, realizing the black-masked ninja resembles Yue Qi.

Yuwen Yue is somewhat surprised to find himself face to face with him. Yet the black-masked ninja quickly puts his mask back on, jumps onto a wooden post, climbs to the balcony, and escapes through a window.

Yuwen Yue, left alone in the fighting ring, ignores the money the crowd throws in celebration of their new champion.

Although he could use the money to survive, Yuwen Yue is only interested in receiving payment for his services and moving on.

Deep in thought, Yuwen Yue realizes that exposing the black ninja might have caused Yue Qi to recognize him. He wonders if the black ninja will return to him eventually—and if so, how?

The lodge keeper is ecstatic, having made more profit from this final fight than in the entire past year.

Yuwen Yue is thrown out of the place like a useless man after the fight ends. A small man throws him some of the hard-earned money, and Yuwen Yue has no choice but to pick it up, coin by coin, from the ground.

It's not much, but it will buy him food for a few weeks.

Though he won by default, the fight ended in a draw when the crowd's favorite disappeared after losing his mask.

Yuwen Yue never intended to expose him.

However, he needed to end the fight before it exhausted him.

Too much publicity could put him in danger.

Yuwen Yue realized that diverting attention from himself to the question, "Who's behind the mask?" was necessary.

As he had hoped, the fight turned into a spectacle for the crowd's amusement.

Even after the fight, while walking down the street, Yuwen Yue hears gossip spreading like wildfire.

Some people ask for the contender's name.

Yuwen Yue hurries, hoping to avoid attracting more attention.

Pulling his hood over his head, Yuwen Yue walks tall, much like a monk in a Gregorian chant procession.

By the time Yuwen Yue returns to his room, he's utterly exhausted. Stashing away the money he earned from the fight, he plans to buy a weapon for his journey into the unknown. Perhaps all roads will lead to Xinger.

Yuwen Yue finds peace when he thinks about Xinger. He keeps her alive in his thoughts and his heart.

A familiar bird in a rusty cage suddenly speaks like a person, calling out, "Xinger, Xinger..."

It's cut off when Yuwen Yue wrinkled his brow, and the bird stops.

Yes, it's the Yuwen parrot.

Flashing back to a time when Yuwen Yue was hunting in the forest, he recalls seeing hunters taking down a deer. Hungry and with only two spears left, Yuwen Yue couldn't find food.

His left arm, still injured, made hunting difficult.

A young boy and his father were camping nearby. Yuwen Yue watched them from a distance, nearly losing consciousness from starvation.

Thankfully, the father and son found him and helped him.

They took Yuwen Yue in, feeding him and healing his shoulder wound.

Yuwen Yue, too weak to speak, stayed with them for weeks, unable to explain his past.

One day, while walking through the market, Yuwen Yue passed by a bird vendor and heard a familiar sound—the word "Xinger" spoken by a bird.

Yuwen Yue, curious, sought out the source of the sound and discovered the Yuwen parrot.

Delighted to see the bird, Yuwen Yue almost forgot about the vendor, who pushed him away because he had no money.

Yuwen Yue realized that in this new place, he wasn't the master of the Yuwen household. He couldn't demand or take anything as he once could.

Here, nobody knew him, and nobody cared.

Determined to buy the bird, Yuwen Yue found work to earn money.

He returned to the bird vendor every week, paying little by little until he could finally take the bird home.

Yuwen Yue treated the bird like gold, unaware of its true value until this moment. The bird had become his only connection to Xinger, the one thing keeping him going.

When Yuwen Yue finally brought the bird home, he noticed that it had some wounds, signs that it had suffered since leaving the Yuwen household.

Yuwen Yue knew that chaos must have ensued after his departure. This bird was the only clue.

Though cold by nature, Yuwen Yue understood what his bird was going through.

The bird remained silent for days, but after receiving Yuwen Yue's care, it slowly returned to its lively self, chirping and teasing Yuwen Yue like before.

The bird's familiar antics sometimes annoyed him.

Exhausted, Yuwen Yue slept soundly, with the bird as his only companion. The bird, his alarm, guide, and constant companion, twinkled its eyes before resting.

Then, suddenly, the bird let out a loud, unexpected "quack!"

---

Chapter 6

An Unexpected Visitor

---

Yuwen Yue heard the sound but pretended to be asleep so the bird could calm itself.

Suddenly, a group of black-clad ninjas surrounded his room. Yuwen Yue sensed danger when the bird quacked repeatedly. Silently, he stood up, placed the bird in a safe spot, and closed his eyes to heighten his senses. He was unarmed. His sword had been lost during the icy lake tragedy, but he had managed to acquire some small, cold weapons, like a dagger, for close combat. He grabbed the handmade bow and arrow he had assembled, in case he decided to switch to an offensive strategy.

Since his last action at the frozen lake, Yuwen Yue hadn't practiced his Gongfu martial arts, but he remained confident—those skills were his for life. With sharp hearing, he recognized the footsteps as belonging to assassins. Although he heard no swords clashing, the sound of footsteps running across the roof was clear. He slowly donned his hood and prepared for an attack.

Yuwen Yue thought briefly of the father and son living below, wealthy merchants who ran the lodge. He resolved that, if he encountered an unknown entity tonight, he would not hesitate to protect the people who had saved his life and continued to help him.

Suddenly, the sound of tiles being dislodged from the roof reached his ears. He counted five distinct pairs of footsteps—five enemies to confront. He extinguished the candles in his room.

The moment one of the ninjas entered his room, Yuwen Yue swiftly grabbed him by the neck, strangled him with a rope, and slammed him against the rustic wooden wall. In the darkness, he couldn't see the ninja's face clearly. Yuwen Yue waited for the others to descend, but none came. The ninja then reversed Yuwen Yue's grip. The two engaged in a martial arts battle in the dark, both highly skilled. Eventually, Yuwen Yue lit a small fire with a matchstick from his pocket.

Neither combatant wanted to give up, and the fight continued until the bird suddenly called out the name "Xinger" three times. Both men froze.

When the ninja's attention was diverted to the bird, Yuwen Yue seized the moment. He captured the ninja, pinning him face-down as he tied his hands.

Yuwen Yue dusted his hands as if brushing off dirt—a gesture he had learned outside the Yuwen household, symbolizing a task completed.

Cold and composed, Yuwen Yue didn't bother to look at the ninja's face. He dragged the man onto the veranda and prepared to push him to another roof, but the ninja shouted, "You cast a shadow!"

"Huh?" Yuwen Yue looked him in the eye.

"I said, you cast a shadow!"

Yuwen Yue removed the ninja's mask and saw that the man was the young fighter he had encountered earlier in the arena.

"I just realized you're not the Seventh Yue! Now go—I made a mistake!"

Yuwen Yue dismissed him and turned back to his room when...

"Casting a shadow means you are a master who can either illuminate the lives of your followers or plunge them into darkness!"

Yuwen Yue was startled; he hadn't expected the young man, who resembled Yue Qi, to understand the code of expressions he and his servants followed.

Yuwen Yue responded: "A master casts light when they do good, but a shadow when they abuse their power. Slaves obey, but they also guide their masters—challenging them when they abuse power and supporting them when they do good."

The ninja met Yuwen Yue's eyes with a mocking gaze, refusing to kneel. Both men understood the weight of the words exchanged. The ninja said, "I will meet you again. Until then, you must wait for me," and disappeared.

Yuwen Yue was left alone, reflecting on the encounter. He hadn't expected anyone outside his bodyguard to know the code of expressions he had shared. He wasn't sure if this man had been sent by the Yuwen household or if he had been spying on him. For now, Yuwen Yue remained incapable of confronting his household, still recovering from injuries and unanswered questions—especially about his mother and Xinger.

Reflecting on the past, Yuwen Yue remembered how he had nearly died when he stormed Yuwen Huai's household. He had pushed through the traps and confronted the third concubine, who he had thought was dead, only to find her alive but disabled. She had been locked away for years, a prisoner of Yuwen's most dangerous schemes in Jile Pavilion.

In the present, Yuwen Yue finally accepted that the young man could not be Yue Qi, but possibly a doppelgänger. With no news from the Yuwen household and deliberately avoiding his bodyguards, Yuwen Yue doubted the ninja was connected to his family. He could only hope Yue Qi had survived the thousand arrows that had been fired at him. If not, perhaps that was why Yuwen Yue remained in hiding. Though tempted by his grief, Yuwen Yue chose to stay strong, refusing to dwell on that path. He believed Yue Qi was alive, and that his bodyguards would eventually find him—if not today, then soon.

The next day, Zuo Zong attended to his duties at the Shaolin Temple—sweeping floors, scrubbing walls, cooking in the kitchen. After completing his chores, he practiced meditation and Kungfu. Zuo Zong, unlike the other monks, was allowed to grow his hair since he was not part of the chanting warrior monks. He oversaw infiltration, espionage, and surveillance when the temple required his services.

During meditation, Zuo Zong saw Yuwen Yue in his vision. Unable to focus, Yuwen Yue's face kept appearing in his mind. He shifted his thoughts to his brother, Zuo Shan, but fragments of his past still brought Yuwen Yue to the forefront. Eventually, Zuo Zong stopped meditating. It felt as though the wind itself was urging him to meet Yuwen Yue. He agreed and hummed in peace, vowing to learn more about Yuwen Yue and the secret code known only to his father and Zuo Shan.

Zuo Zong, dressed in an orange Shaolin monk outfit with a long bead sash on his right shoulder and a high ponytail, looked dashing and charming. He was about to dismiss his thoughts when he was startled by a man sitting in a Buddha pose in the middle of the temple, fists resting on his knees, eyes closed. Zuo Zong was stunned, unable to move.

The man, dressed in a neat, powder-blue fighting costume with wide pants and V-shaped long sleeves, wore a black belt with a jade stone and black shoes laced up to his knees. His hair was tied at just the right height, just as it had been when Zuo Zong first saw him at the fight arena. His aura radiated like the sun, and the wind stirred the tea candles surrounding the temple, creating a divine and cleansing atmosphere. Zuo Zong's heart fluttered with excitement. The man's outfit did not match his god-like face, especially with his eyes closed. "Did a god come down today?" Zuo Zong wondered.

After his extended meditation, Yuwen Yue rose and went to the Buddhist altar to offer the money he had earned from his fight. He was searching for someone, knowing that the ninja had been meditating in front of the temple earlier. "Where is he?" Yuwen Yue thought to himself. He was sure he had found the ninja but now saw no trace of him.

Yuwen Yue had found a dark brown wooden beaded bracelet the night before. The beads on the bracelet indicated the level of martial arts mastery its owner had achieved. Yuwen Yue tucked it into his pocket, planning to return it to its owner if they crossed paths.

Yuwen Yue, once the master of the Eyes of God, was known for his sharpness. Once he set his sights on someone, it was impossible for them to escape. Bowing with clasped hands, he spoke respectfully to the monks sweeping the temple grounds. He asked them who the owner of the beaded bracelet was. One monk, noticing the bracelet, thought to himself, "This belongs to Master Zuo—how did this stranger come to possess it?"

Zuo Zong, hidden nearby, watched Yuwen Yue interact with the junior monks. He realized his bracelet had been missing since the previous night. Amused, he shook his head. Whoever had managed to take it had to be as skilled as he was. Yuwen Yue had retrieved it. The bracelet, which was nearly impossible to misplace, could reveal his identity and location if read correctly.

Zuo Zong understood that Yuwen Yue must be an elite master, hiding his true nature in plain sight. The way Yuwen Yue carried himself in the temple revealed his dignity, honor, and mastery. But Zuo Zong knew he had to retrieve the bracelet before the temple master discovered its loss, or he would face the punishment of a journey to the far icy mountains of Woolong.

Forced into action, Zuo Zong leaped from his hiding place behind a lion-headed statue and approached Yuwen Yue. This time, he adopted a humble presence. The junior monks bowed to him, showing utmost respect. Zuo Zong, with prayer beads in hand, bowed his head to Yuwen Yue. Yuwen Yue acknowledged him with a calm, cold nod. Their eyes met, narrow with intensity. Without waiting for an introduction, Zuo Zong, as a skilled spy, wanted to show his subordinates that he knew everything about the man before him.

"I see why the stranger came," Zuo Zong said, instructing the young monks, "Let me handle it."

The monks obeyed, leaving the two masters alone. Zuo Zong quickly initiated a fight, aiming to reclaim the beaded bracelet from Yuwen Yue's hand. Yuwen Yue, sharp after meditation, reacted swiftly. He tossed the bracelet into the air, and Zuo Zong deftly caught it. Impressed, Yuwen Yue batted at Zuo Zong's right palm, forcing him to toss the bracelet to his left hand. The two engaged in a back-and-forth struggle, mimicking each other's movements in a dusty whirlwind of flying kicks and jumps. Zuo Zong, growing angry, switched to defensive attacks, but Yuwen Yue continued playing with the sacred bracelet.

Their battle escalated across the temple grounds. At the edge of a cliff, Zuo Zong, balancing precariously on one foot, slipped and began to fall. Yuwen Yue, eyes closed, grabbed Zuo Zong's hand. In that dangerous moment, Yuwen Yue remained calm but knew he couldn't hold on for long. He quickly untied the laces from his shoes and expertly tied their hands together. Summoning all his strength, Yuwen Yue pulled Zuo Zong up from the cliff.

"Why did you save me?" Zuo Zong asked.

"Because you were about to die," Yuwen Yue replied coldly as he untied the rope and retied his shoes.

After finishing, Yuwen Yue handed the beaded bracelet to Zuo Zong. The cold wind blew between them as Yuwen Yue, without looking back, began to walk away.

Zuo Zong, surprised, almost called out his name but stopped himself. He didn't know anything about this mysterious man, but he knew it would be disrespectful not to express gratitude for saving his life. The random kindness Yuwen Yue had shown him today wasn't something that happened every day.

"Master!" Zuo Zong shouted after him.

Yuwen Yue, though he heard, did not turn around.

Zuo Zong bowed deeply, expressing his thanks. He owed his life to Yuwen Yue, a debt that could not be repaid, even with lifelong service. He bowed again, this time for returning the sacred bracelet to its rightful owner.

Meanwhile, a young monk who had questioned Yuwen Yue earlier watched the scene from a hidden spot. But Yuwen Yue had sensed his presence.

"You're not going to tell anyone what happened here today," Yuwen Yue warned, his grip tight around the young monk's neck.

"Yes, ma-master," the monk stammered in fear.

Yuwen Yue left, fully aware of Zuo Zong's gestures behind him, but pretended not to notice.

---

Chapter 7

Report from the West

---

Meanwhile, Princess Chun'er slowly rose from her royal bathtub, made of square wooden tiles. The water was lukewarm, and steam and foam filled the air. Attendants approached and handed her coverings. She glanced around, then walked out to get dressed. All her belongings were packed and ready for departure.

After her last battle with General Chu Qiao of the Xiuli army, one of the bloodiest conflicts between the Wei and Yanbei armies in the city of Hong Chuan, Chun'er was exiled by her own father. The punishment followed her attempted assassination of him after temporarily losing her sanity due to the death of the imperial concubine, Ning'er. Reduced to slave status for her treason against the Wei state, Chun'er endured a series of tragedies, including being raped on her journey to Yanbei. In her madness, she believed she was destined to become Yan Xun's bride, only to find herself heartbroken and desolate.

Chun'er also crossed paths with her brother, Prince Yuan Song, who disguised himself to assassinate Yan Xun. Though Yuan Song stabbed Yan Xun, the latter managed to turn his sword and decapitate the 13th prince.

That day, both princes fell, and Chun'er, not far from where they stood, rushed to her brother's side. It was a cruel twist of fate, as she lost both the men she loved, deepening her agony.

Chun'er also mourned the loss of her maidservants and her closest ally, Wei Shu Ye, who died defending her when she was locked in the West Temple, about to be poisoned. Wei Shu Ye, who had secretly loved her for years, confessed his feelings in his final moments before dying in her arms. From that moment, everything was taken from Chun'er, and she wept bitterly.

Royal princesses could not be executed, especially direct descendants of the emperor, so Chun'er was demoted to slave status. Only the Emperor could restore her title, either through forgiveness or marriage to another prince of royal blood. Until then, she was forbidden from entering the palace.

"I have nothing to return to," Chun'er said quietly.

She left her room dressed in a simple, flowing gown, not the usual ornate attire of a princess. Her jade hairpin, a symbol of royalty, had been removed, and her long, black hair hung loose, shining in the daylight.

Now more mature and beautiful than when she was a princess, Chun'er no longer appeared naive. She had hidden talents that were never nurtured during her time in the palace.

As she rode a white horse from Shen Jin Palace, she exuded strength and conviction. Having survived countless hardships, she was prepared for whatever lay ahead. The ex-princess was now ironclad.

Skilled in spear-throwing and archery, Chun'er could rely on her abilities for protection. She had also learned swordsmanship and political science, though her lack of experience outside the palace had limited her ability to apply these skills when they were most needed.

As the horse slowly moved away from the palace, Chun'er reflected on her happy childhood memories.

The Great Summer Emperor watched from a distance, his heart filled with despair. Though he was the emperor, he had become powerless under the law he had passed, which had now turned against his own daughter. Bound by his own justice system, he had to prove that even the royals were not exempt from punishment. His daughter was taken away from Shen Jin Palace, exiled as a consequence of the very laws he had enforced.

Chun'er was heading south of northwest Wei. Her journey would span a thousand miles, and she had been given provisions to last until she reached the place where she would serve her ten-year sentence. If the Emperor could not forgive her by then, her slave status would become permanent. The verdict was sealed and passed by her father on the 28th day of Spring, in the second month of the year. She would live alone, with no servants, in a secluded place far from the palace.

Prince Yuan Song, dressed in his usual princely attire, watched his sister go. His heart broke for the second time, the first being when he had to say goodbye to Xinger, whom he never saw again before receiving the news of her death with Yuwen Yue at the frozen lake.

The thought drove him mad, and he vowed to find Prince Yan Xun, who had killed them both.

All powers rested with the Great Summer Emperor, Yuan Song's father. Using the empire's resources, the Emperor provided Yuan Song with advanced technology to replace his decapitated arm. The empire funded research that led to the creation of various prosthetic designs for Yuan Song. He was officially crowned prince and the heir to the throne. Yuan Song spent the winter training, strengthening his body, and becoming physically fit.

Pretending to watch his sister leave, Yuan Song later sneaked out of the palace with a servant. A dark brown horse waited for him at the back gate. Disguised in a black hood, he followed Chun'er in secret, having instructed some servants to keep an eye on her. Having lost his mother and Xinger, he was determined not to lose his sister.

"Hee!" Yuan Song halted his horse.

"Where did she go?"

"She went this way, Prince," the palace guard replied.

Yuan Song, accompanied by his personal bodyguard, followed the trail.

As night fell, Chun'er traveled alone. Though her eyes reflected sadness, they held no fear. Sensing someone following her, she tightened her grip on her horse and stopped. She nocked an arrow to her bow, ready to shoot, when she saw a hooded man walking toward her in the dark.

"Show yourself!" Chun'er shouted, her horse growing anxious.

The man did not move. Chun'er aimed her bow, but he raised his hand, his head still lowered. With fierce determination, she released her arrow, but the man countered with a dagger.

Without hesitation, the man continued approaching. Chun'er nocked another arrow, this time aiming for his forehead. But when he removed his hood, her eyes widened in shock. She thought she had seen a ghost.

The man had a long, stitched scar along his neck, and his once-smirking face now bore a solemn expression. He knelt before her and said softly, "I beg you to come with me, Princess."

"Yuwen Huai!" she nearly shouted, her voice heavy with rejection.

"Yes, it is I. Some believed I was dead, but I have come to take you to safety. Wei Shu Ye asked me to secure your escape before he went to the temple, but you never came to the boat he prepared. I waited, but no one arrived. I was saddened to hear that he did not survive."

"I also hid your half-brother, the son of Lan'er, my half-sister. Please come with me, Princess. I can take you to a safe place. Given your condition and the long journey ahead, I fear for your safety."

"Lan'er? My father's latest concubine is your half-sister?"

"Yes, Princess. She is."

Chun'er's expression tightened, though she calmed herself. Yuwen Huai stood, pulling his hood back over his head. He extended his hand, waiting for her to accept, though he could not meet her gaze.

Yuwen Huai already knew of the imperial decree concerning Chun'er, having once been in charge of the royal court. After his battle with Chu Qiao, he had been presumed dead, but was rescued and healed by the Batuha family.

Yuwen Huai had long been infatuated with Chun'er, though she did not trust him due to his brutal methods in the royal court. Despite his harsh exterior, Yuwen Huai's feelings for her ran deep, even more so than Wei Shu Ye's.

Now, Chun'er faced a decision. Though she did not consider Yuwen Huai an enemy, his past made her wary. Nevertheless, he was her only option for safety.

"I will come with you on one condition," she said. "I must be allowed to live with my half-brother."

Yuwen Huai felt a surge of joy and, though cautious, Chun'er accepted his help.

Together, they set off on the road back to the Yuwen residence.

---

Chapter 8

Learning the ropes

---

Yuan Song got the news that his sister was taken by a group of blackguards in the woods, but the witness told him they did not harm her, and the princess voluntarily rode with them on her white horse.

"Did you see their faces?" Yuan Song's tone was somewhat low and intense.

"I saw their leader's side profile from a distance. He has a long scar on his left neck," said the witness.

Yuan Song thought: Who would have such boldness and courage to show interest in his sister? Suddenly, he had an inkling of who the witness was describing, and he was sure of it.

"Let's ride to the northwest. We have to pass by Juwei Street!" Yuan Song started to whip his horse back to the road.

His personal bodyguard followed him, and the advance party went ahead to secure the prince and find the whereabouts of the princess.

Prince Yuan Song was unlike before, no longer very dependent on Yuwen Yue's intelligence reports or strategies.

He still felt some softness and childishness every time he thought of his favorite comrade and big brother, Yuwen Yue, and he felt sad that he was not able to help him with the little power he held at the moment. He also remembered Xinger, whom he fancied and dreamed about a lot for his future.

Though Xinger was of slave status, he could not simply propose to her and make her the future crown princess who would rule Wei with him, the crown prince of Wei destined to become the next Emperor of Wei.

A prince could only marry someone of equal status, and slaves could become concubines of the palace but not equals to a prince.

For this reason, Yuan Song would rather endure the pain in his heart over his feelings for Xinger.

He could not bear to see Chu Qiao become only a concubine in his time, relegated to the bedchamber at night and dismissed early in the morning.

Yuan Song could only hope for a miracle: that his father would allow him to propose to Xinger and make her his crown princess. Unfortunately, Xinger was presumed dead, but no body was found with Yuwen Yue in the frozen lake.

Yuan Song arrived at Huang Chen City, passed by Juwei Street, and it was customary for servants to pay respects at Carpe Myrtle Square.

Yuan Song's bodyguard paid his respects while the prince continued on the road to the Red Hills Courtyard.

"Greetings to the 13th Prince of Wei, Yuan Song. How may we assist the prince at this time of the night?"

The Green Hills Courtyard was quickly informed about the surprise guest from the Yuwen household. Yuwen Gao was a little nervous, wondering what business Prince Yuan Song had visiting their premises at night, which posed many questions in his mind.

"I need to see Master Yuwen Gao."

Yuwen Gao was swiftly transferred to the Red Hills Courtyard in his wheelchair, accompanied by his servants.

While Yuan Song waited, Yuwen Gao called out and greeted him from behind.

"Our pleasure to serve you, 13th Prince of Wei."

Yuan Song turned around and saw Yuwen Gao. Yuwen Gao, in his usual casual appearance, looked a bit older than the last time Yuan Song had seen him.

"I come in secret. No one must know I came here today, or else heads will roll."

Yuwen Gao gave a hand signal, and his servants left.

"Yuwen Gao, do you know why I am here?"

"I can only guess, my prince, but the information just came in. Our spies saw Princess Chun'er heading towards Yuwen Huai's secluded residence in the Red Hills mountains. It is not under my jurisdiction, so I can only report what we have gathered."

"You will take me there."

Yuwen Gao looked at Yuan Song. It was forbidden to visit Yuwen Huai while he was in "floating" status, and strict policies were to be observed unless an imperial decree ordered it.

"If this is the 13th Prince's wish, I will be dead by tomorrow morning," said the old man.

Yuan Song whispered to him: "Then cooperate with me. Assign someone to do the surveillance for me and report my sister's condition every day without the palace's knowledge. I will surely restore you to your former position and reward you."

Yuwen Gao thought for a moment, but it seemed he understood the prince's intentions.

Yuwen Gao agreed and asked for a secret token of authority in exchange for the covert service of reporting on the princess.

"You will report to me daily," Yuan Song said, leaving his royal jade sign with Yuwen Gao.

Yuwen Gao accepted it and assigned a servant to provide surveillance and report to the 13th Prince of Wei. Yuwen Gao saw Prince Yuan Song in a different light, saying: "The little prince is going to be a great king for Wei's future."

---

Chun'er and Yuwen Huai arrived at his residence deep into the night. Chun'er, very tired, fell asleep as soon as she dismounted her horse. Unused to this lifestyle without servants, she sat on the wooden stairs.

When Yuwen Huai finished putting the horse in the paddock, he found Chun'er sweetly sleeping on the wooden floor. Yuwen Huai smirked and smiled—a combination of his usual and unusual behavior. He approached the princess and saw her angelic face.

Yuwen Huai didn't know what to do, but his actions seemed spontaneous. He held Chun'er like a baby and carried her to her room.

The attendants were already asleep by this time, and Yuwen Huai had never been this close to Princess Chun'er before. Though he often held parties at the Red Hills Courtyard just to catch a glimpse of her, Chun'er rarely attended them.

Most of the time, Chun'er declined his invitations, and he was left to enjoy the company of his brother Yuan Song, Yan Xun, Wei Shu Ye, Wei Shu You, and his cousin Yuwen Yue, who was always a latecomer.

Yuwen Huai had never been this close to the woman he loved, and he wasn't afraid to find himself in this situation.

What he feared was his status and the princess. Would the emperor allow him to propose to her? And if she rejected him, they would never be together. His heart melted like soft cotton candy at that moment, and he also felt sad because the princess no longer had the childish face he first loved.

She had matured and grown bolder. He remembered how she had defended herself and was ready to kill anyone when he pointed an arrow at her earlier. Yuwen Huai couldn't help but cherish the moment. After some time, he took a quilt blanket and covered her.

The princess continued sleeping like a baby, while the overjoyed Yuwen Huai stayed by her side all night, unable to sleep. Was this sweetness overload?

The next day, Yuwen Huai slept all day in his room. Chun'er woke early and walked around. The maidservants, excited to see her, greeted her warmly.

"Where is your master?" she asked.

One of the maidservants answered, "Princess, I saw the master go into his room, and he hasn't come out since."

Chun'er thought about the previous night and could only remember sitting on the stairs.

"I see, thank you."

Another servant approached and said, "Before the master retired, he instructed us to prepare a hearty breakfast for you and to take you to your little brother."

Chun'er was pleased that Yuwen Huai was fulfilling her conditions on the first day of her stay at his residence.

"Very well. Let me have breakfast with my little brother, Hao'er."

The servants prepared breakfast and brought Hao'er, Yuwen Huai's nephew.

Yuwen Huai had hidden the fact that the little prince was alive, telling his half-sister that his son was dead. He had sent an empty wooden box with a toy inside to Lan'er's servant, but no body had been found.

Lan'er's servant had testified that he saw Hao'er locked in the wooden box by Yuwen Huai.

Yuwen Huai did this to his sister because Lan'er had forgotten their deal. She insulted him, even though it was he who had placed her in the palace, which led to her becoming the emperor's latest favorite concubine.

Yuwen Huai had done all of this to get the attention of Princess Chun'er, hoping Lan'er would elevate his status with the emperor. Instead, Lan'er became indifferent to him and did not help Yuwen Huai form a relationship with Princess Chun'er or her father, the Great Summer Emperor.

Princess Chun'er spent the day playing with her little nephew, Hao'er. When he became tired, she asked the servants to take him back to his room.

Chun'er noticed that Yuwen Huai had not left his room since morning, and by nightfall, as the sun set, she had dinner alone, indifferent to his absence.

When she was about to retire to her room, she was surprised to find beautiful dresses—not in the princess style—but she was astonished at how Yuwen Huai had planned and prepared everything.

Out of pity, her heart ached. She knew Yuwen Huai had fancied her for a long time, but everyone, including Yuwen Huai, knew where her heart truly lay.

As she reminisced about their childhood, her heart was pierced with pain, especially when Yan Xun came to mind. She had truly loved Yan Xun, but now she was angry enough to want to kill him.

"I don't want to end my perfect day with these haunting thoughts…"

Chun'er selected a nightdress but stumbled upon Yuwen Huai's hoodie beside her wooden couch bed. She paused, realizing that Yuwen Huai might have stayed up all night guarding her, which explained why he hadn't left his room all day. She felt something stir in her heart and was afraid of it.

She dismissed her thoughts about Yuwen Huai and kept a cold face. But she took the hoodie and hid it under her bed, pretending she didn't know about the sweet thing Yuwen Huai had done.

Her heart wandered.

Their rooms were opposite each other. Yuwen Huai had intentionally stayed inside his room all day, knowing that he might not be able to control himself with Princess Chun'er so close.

Yuwen Huai's behavior had changed noticeably. He was no longer his usual ruffian self, and a softer side of him was beginning to emerge.

It was a reflection of his desire to protect the princess at all costs, now that he had no other duties. His only goal was to make her happy during her stay at his residence.

With their rooms so close, Yuwen Huai tried to listen to Chun'er on the other side of the wall, while Chun'er tried to shake off thoughts of Yuwen Huai's slowly unfolding good character.

They were facing each other, but neither could fully understand the other's feelings.

Yuwen Huai tried to sleep, but he couldn't.

"I'm like a crazy fool," he whispered to himself.

Yuwen Huai couldn't eat or drink, his happiness too overwhelming. But he didn't want to scare the princess, so he stayed in his dark, lonely room, trying to control his emotions and remain composed and cool in front of Chun'er.

When it came to Chun'er, Yuwen Huai's cunning abilities were disarmed. No one could understand why.

Yuwen Huai was an excellent events coordinator, planner, trendsetter, and master of diplomacy, able to work with different political factions due to his charismatic charm.

However, Yuwen Huai had lived in the shadow of his father, Yuwen Xi.

He cursed this role every day, but no one noticed except for his loyal followers and servants. One rainy day, Yuwen Huai finally let it out.

He was so angry with the role his father had forced upon him that he wanted to kill Zhu Shun with his bare hands at that moment.

He had to serve his grandmaster, who happened to be his father, which earned him the title of the vilest, most ruffian villain in the Yuwen household.

Anyone involved with him was either locked up in a dungeon or thrown into the Jile Pavilion.

This former way of life began to change after he was on the brink of death, which led him to live in his own residence, far from the empire and its politics.

Thanks to Princess Zama of the Batuja family, who helped him recover, Yuwen Huai had no reason to harm anyone anymore—except for Prince Yan Xun, whom he hated most of all. Yuwen Huai believed that justice should be served for Princess Chun'er.

When he was granted furlough from his office of supreme court justice, he retreated to this secluded part of the empire, where he cared for his nephew, who reminded him of the princess every day.

Yuwen Huai wasn't a dreamer like Yuan Song.

Yuwen Huai focused on practical plans and actions, which made him the most fearsome master and earned the emperor's trust as supreme court justice for the western empire.

Now, living a laid-back life without national duties, his goodness occasionally resurfaced.

His cunning abilities rested while he enjoyed these sweet moments with Princess Chun'er, even though she was no longer a royal. Yuwen Huai never thought of diminishing the ex-princess's value.

Yuwen Huai believed that one day, Chun'er would see him in a different light.

---

Chapter 9

Future King of the West

---

Yuan Song woke up early in his bed, his first concern of the day being the report expected from the Yuwen household.

While waiting, Yuan Song read some interesting facts about ancient dynasties and browsed through some Analects of his ancestors. He laughed out loud, cried while reading the classic Wei empire diaries, and wrote about the things he wanted to do when he became king.

This was his typical daily schedule.

In the afternoon, he followed his routine of royal hunting twice a week, royal sparring to enhance his martial arts and strengthen his arms, royal bodybuilding to prepare himself physically as Wei's future king, and royal wuxia swordsmanship.

The prince also adopted other arts like fencing and chess. In the absence of Yuwen Yue, Yuan Song studied how to handle the Eyes of God, secretly exercising his authority over it with the help of his trusted subject, Princess Chun'er.

He was learning in secret, using his father's resources, as this was the only way he could utilize them.

At night, he wrote in his diary, noting the events of the day, his thoughts about Xinger, and his dreams and plans for their future, wondering if she was still alive—since no body had been found.

Yuan Song, with a cold expression, called his servant: "Have any reports arrived from the Vision Lab yet?"

The prince had even created new code names known only to him and his trusted servants, which referred to his father's subjects, critical resources like the empire's military camps, and key personalities he would work with in the future.

The Eyes of God had been renamed the Vision Lab, allowing him to work on his own terms without having to explain everything to his father, thereby protecting his own interests.

In his small ways, he was slowly transitioning into a wise and intelligent ruler, determined not to repeat his father's mistakes. The prince made this promise to himself, chanting it daily.

He vowed to be more capable and involved in every decision when his time came. But when it came to Yanbei, he planned to be brutal, remembering what happened to his sister, his severed arm, and what Prince Yan Xun had done to his Xinger and to his elder brother, Yuwen Yue—memories that haunted him even in his sleep.

"Anything yet?" Yuan Song asked coldly, this time with a stern, impatient expression.

Suddenly, an unexpected visitor arrived unannounced.

"How is my little brother doing?"

Yuan Song, surprised, quickly cleared the items from his table in front of his brother, Yuan Che.

"Nothing, just doing the usual." He offered a bland statement with a childish grin to his brother, who had traveled back to the palace from the Xiaoqi camp.

"Looks like I've interrupted a busy prince, haven't I?"

The 7th Prince, Yuan Che, had rushed to the palace to deliver breaking news from Yanbei.

Yuan Song deflected: "And if I am busy here, what brings my handsome brother to the palace without prior notice?"

Once again, Yuan Song flashed his signature smile, exposing his two front teeth, which melted his brother's heart.

"I came here to deliver important news."

Yuan Song, still grinning, asked: "What could be more important than military strength for our empire, my dear brother?"

"I came to report to the Emperor about Prince Yan Xun and the Princess of Liang State."

Suddenly, Yuan Song's bright expression darkened with anger.

He asked: "What's new about Yanbei in the North and Liang State in the South?"

"It's important that we discuss this with the Emperor. We'll meet you in the Glass Hall," Yuan Che said, calling for an emergency royal conference.

"Sure, I'll come."

Yuan Che left the room but noticed the drastic change in his brother's look upon hearing the name of Prince Yan Xun. He saw how Yuan Song's expression shifted to one of deep seriousness and rage, as if just hearing the name made him want to kill.

Left alone in his room, Yuan Song clenched his left hand into a fist as if preparing to punch a wall, but instead, he slammed his fist onto the royal table.

Yuan Song stood up and went to his secret room, where maps, hidden fortresses, the Wei Valve, Shen Jin Gong rules, strategic locations like military camps, armories, supply storage, blueprints for the renovation of the Eyes of God, Jile Pavilion, and other vital resources and battle points were displayed.

He could rely only on himself in the absence of Yuwen Yue and with his brother Yuan Che busy at the Xiaoqi camp.

Yuan Song was furious and wanted to crush Yanbei.

As for the Liang State Prince, Yuan Song might not be able to avoid including him, even though they were once useful allies. Currently, the Crown Prince of Liang was in a treaty with Yanbei to help their economic growth and rebuild the ruins suppressed by the Wei Empire.

Liang State was known as a strategic ally that supported whoever favored them, but they withdrew quickly when they felt they were becoming the main player, shifting allegiances.

Whoever gained Liang's support would grow stronger economically, but not militarily.

Liang State never involved its military forces to reinforce allies, withdrawing treaties when asked to commit troops. Trade and economic relations were the only benefits one could expect from them.

All heads bowed as the Emperor entered the Glass Hall.

The maidservants lined up neatly, dressed in their palace uniforms, ready to serve once the Emperor sat on his throne in front of his royal sons, the 7th Prince Yuan Che and the 13th Crown Prince Yuan Song.

The three were positioned like a triad, Yuan Song on the right and Yuan Che on the left.

As usual, the Emperor began the royal conference: "Yuan Che, we have only this time of day. What news brought you here?"

"I come to inform the Emperor that Liang and Yanbei will be strengthening their ties through a marriage proposal between Prince Yan Xun and Princess Xiao Yu," Yuan Che said in a low and formal tone.

Yuan Song locked his brows while the Great Summer Emperor raised his brow. Seeing the Emperor's expression, the maidservants brought him a calming tea, which they also served to both royal sons as they waited for the Emperor's reaction.

"I couldn't be happier to wish them a happy life together!" the Emperor said, downplaying the news with a joke. "After all, Yan Xun is a low-hanging fruit. It's about time he gets married and stops fantasizing about his dead 'wild kitten.'"

The Emperor took a slow sip of his tea and stared blankly at the empty tea cup, waiting for his sons' responses.

Yuan Song suddenly said, "This cannot happen. If we allow this marriage, these two will crush Wei."

Yuan Che looked at Yuan Song. "I can only assume that Yan Xun wants to declare himself King of Yanbei. By making the Princess of Liang his queen, he would vastly influence Liang. Though she is Prince Xiao Ce's half-sister, Princess Xiao Yu is the head of Liang's elite spies and can strategically provide intelligence to Yan Xun."

Yuan Song replied, "I have a plan."

"Yuan Che, why don't you interfere and sabotage their proposal? After all, you are the most eligible bachelor. Why not show interest in Princess Xiao Yu, become Yan Xun's rival, and woo her? Make her believe in love, and we'll take care of the rest."

The Emperor suddenly clapped his hands, laughing. Instead of a formal reaction, he appeared more like a father than their ruler, amused by Yuan Song's "easier said than done" plan.

Yuan Che couldn't help but laugh too. "Instead of nominating me, why don't you step up? Are you still writing in your diary about your ghost love?"

Yuan Song, irritated, shot an annoyed look at his brother.

The Emperor, somewhat surprised, asked, "Who could this lucky girl in the diary be, and why would she be a ghost? Is she dead?" The Emperor was left clueless.

"Who said she's a ghost? She's alive!" Yuan Song retorted childishly, sneering.

Yuan Che replied, "If she's alive, you should marry her!"

The Seventh Prince laughed out loud, teasing Yuan Song, "Maybe I'll sneak into your diary and read all about her."

The Emperor, watching his sons, suddenly remembered his daughter Princess Chun'er, and his heart ached with the memory of his estranged child.

"I would be happy to meet her. Just don't fall in love with a ghost—she won't be able to bear children for the Wei Empire," the Emperor joked, bursting into laughter.

"She's not a ghost, Your Highness!" Yuan Song replied, pouting with irritation and childish anger.

The three of them shared a light moment, and the royal conference turned into a rare father-son conversation.

The next morning, Yuan Che left the palace for the Xiaoqi camp, leaving a short note for Yuan Song:

---

Little Brother, 13th Prince of Wei:

For me to approve your request, here are three conditions you must meet before we proceed:

Reveal the name of your 'ghost love.' Introduce her to me. Propose to her in front of me.

Yuan Che, chuckling to himself, felt like a teenager as he wrote the note.

His guards exchanged puzzled looks, as if to say, "What happened to our boss? Did someone die?"

Yuan Song received the second report from the Yuwen household, delivered via paper snow. To his frustration, the paper was blank. He was furious and wanted to visit the grandmaster of the Eyes of God to confront him.

But Yuan Song decided to solve the challenge himself—how to read a blank paper snow, something he had no experience with until now. He knew his father likely understood how, as he often received such reports from the Yuwen household.

Yuan Song snuck into the Emperor's office, finding various jade seals in different colors.

The heaviest one was used for what?

He noticed a pitch-black ink, a small blade, and a miniature bonsai tree garden with a tiny spring of boiling water. Nearby, there was a small container of powdered dust.

Yuan Song had never gone this far in discovering palace secrets—secrets his father had never told him.

He was about to touch the bonsai tree when he heard his father's footsteps. He quickly hid behind a golden palace post as the Emperor entered, sat down, and picked up a document.

The Emperor took the small blade and dipped it into the boiling water of the miniature bonsai garden. He then took a tiny bowl, added some pitch-black ink, and cut a small wound on his wrist.

When the wound bled, the Emperor let three drops of blood fall into the ink. He then washed his wound in the boiling water, wiped it with a clean cloth, and anointed it with a substance from a small Celadon canister.

The Emperor stirred the black ink, took the heaviest jade seal, dipped it into the ink, and stamped the document.

Yuan Song's eyes widened in awe, marveling at the delicate process his father had executed with such finesse.

He wondered what the seals meant and why his father would use his own blood in the process.

"Imperial messenger, deliver this imperial decree. Let it be done according to the blood of my ancestors and for the sake of future generations," the Emperor said.

The imperial messenger, bowing, accepted the decree, astonished by the rare black seal. It had not been used since the previous emperors.

Yuan Song pondered the meaning of the black seal.

"Could this be my father's secret decree in response to the alliance between Yanbei and Liang?" he wondered.

Yuan Song knew he had to uncover the dark side of the Wei Empire on his own. One thing was certain: the crown prince suspected it had something to do with Shen Jin Gong or the ashes of Cheng Guang Temple.

The Emperor left the imperial office, putting everything back in its proper place.

Yuan Song slipped out of the office and walked outside, appearing casual, but his mind raced as he wondered about the meaning of the black seal.

---

Chapter 10

Sleeping Dragon of the North

---

Yan Xun, on his usual routine of offering incense and burning paper snow to appease the dead, laid it down by the snowy lake where the ice and snow melted. It became a beautiful lake as the grassy land resurfaced.

The lake was located in Yanbei's winter snow mountains, and he had to journey a thousand miles to celebrate the death anniversary of A'Chu and Yuwen Yue.

Spring was over, and it was almost summer.

Yan Xun, looking more handsome, radiant, and full of life, rode on his white horse alone, feeling the summer breeze. He remembered the times with A'Chu when he used his wedding day to escape Chang'an and when he vowed to avenge his family's death using the Xuili Army, which had betrayed Yanbei and handed them over to Wei.

Later, the Hong Chuan City was opened for slaughter.

Reuniting with his father's loyal generals, Cheng Yuan, who held the remnants of Yanbei's armies, and A'Jing, another general's son who had survived the wars inside Yanbei, was necessary to rebuild Yanbei from ashes.

A'Jing became an excellent chef who supplied Yan Xun with food while he was detained in the Oriole Courtyard. Yan Xun had recovered after being poisoned by food from Princess Chuner's basket. From then on, Yan Xun never trusted any food from the Wei royal kitchen or even from his closest friends, except for the food secretly sent by A'Jing.

This allowed Yan Xun to eat with ease and survive poison attacks from anyone in the Wei household.

At the time Yan Xun was poisoned, Zhong Yu instructed A'Chu to bring Chansu, a drug extracted from the skins of frogs.

This Chansu, another poison, was used to suppress the poison in Yan Xun's body. The process involved applying an acupuncture needle to his wrist to slow his pulse and prevent the poison from spreading to his heart.

A'Chu took this task and was seriously wounded. Although she was severely beaten by the Oriole guards, she did not mind as long as she could save Yanbei's nearly half-dead prince, who had survived hundreds of assassination attempts by the Zhao and Wei households, and others who plotted to kill him daily at the Royal Oriole Courtyard.

The emperor had strategically placed him in Chang'an city, buying all the surrounding businesses to make it seem like an ordinary city.

But this was not the case. He had sown thistles and thorns around the courtyard, hoping that within three years, in this prison-like façade, Prince Yan Xun would die—not by his hand, but by some coincidental mishap.

Zhong Yu and A'Chu proved to be Yan Xun's only trusted servants at the time. Zhong Yu's talents included detecting poisons, having extensive knowledge of medicine, and proficiency with many types of weapons. She also possessed a unique ability to attract animals to do her bidding.

Zhong Yu had numerous connections and unknown followers, making her a formidable opponent.

Moreover, she practiced powerful sky feather martial arts, allowing her to summon weather and predict the stars. A'Chu, who was close to Yan Xun's heart, was also dear to him.

They had shared hardships while detained in Wei's Garrison prison. A'Chu was skilled in espionage, innovation, infiltration, and sabotage and became Yan Xun's lethal military strategist.

Prince Yan Xun was on his way to the Xui Xui Mountains and then to the Longji Mountains to visit Wu Dao Ya for the first time. After four years of overwhelming wars, tragedies, and the deaths of his entire family—his parents, Yan Shicheng and Yan Bai Cheng, who committed suicide to save him—he was determined to speak to Wu Dao Ya.

Since arriving in Yanbei, all he wanted was to talk to Wu Dao Ya. He often summoned him, but usually received no response.

Wu Dao Ya was the soul of Yanbei. Without his father's first counselor, Prince Yan Xun's power in Yanbei would be unlikely to flourish. Even if Yanbei's military strength were restored, differing interests would make it difficult to unite without Wu Dao Ya.

Yan Xun stopped at the old gate, a vacation spot he used to visit with his brothers and father in his youth.

The Yan family had camped here whenever the emperor allowed the young crown prince to join his royal family for fun.

It was where Yan Xun learned survival strategies, riding prime warhorses, enjoyed bonfires, heard ancestral stories, and much more from his father, Yan Shicheng.

Yan Xun recalled those days fondly as he touched the old items in the house, as if hearing the voices and sounds from his happy childhood.

He also remembered crossing several bodies of water with his father and traveling over hills and through black forests to reach Liang state, which his mother often visited during the cold season, as Yanbei was covered with frost in winter.

After a brief stop at Xui Xui Mountain, he rode toward the Longji Mountains, where Wu Dao Ya resided.

After another day of travel, he reached Wu Dao Ya's residence and met the native people of Yanbei. Prince Yan Xun was easily recognized by the indigenous people.

It was a small village of farmers and local fighters with extraordinary powers, yet they were humbly dressed in canvas and sackcloth-like materials. They wore hats made of dried grass and had long beards like old men. The young women carried baskets on their backs, picking wildflowers to sell along the Silk Road.

"Yan Shi Zi," Wu Dao Ya greeted him from a distance. Yan Xun waved back, parked his horse in a nearby paddock, and walked closer to Wu Dao Ya, feeling at ease and looking tall and handsome.

Wu Dao Ya bowed to the prince, and Yan Xun nodded, mimicking the gesture. Wu Dao Ya pointed to where the prince should sit. He was always prepared, even when Yan Xun made unannounced visits.

"What can I do for our prince?" Wu Dao Ya asked with a sad smile.

"Mr. Wu, it's been a year since I asked you to come, and you didn't," Yan Xun said, his face calm as he drank the small cup of wine Wu Dao Ya had prepared.

"It's been a year, and you still burn paper snow and offer incense to the dead," said Wu Dao Ya.

"For the peace of my family, the Xuili general, the Xuili armies, and Yuwen Yue," Yan Xun said with deep, slow sorrow in his voice.

"If she were alive, what would you do?" Wu Dao Ya asked as he began fine-tuning his flute.

"I've searched for her, but no body was found. I still believe she's alive but may not have come back to me because of my greedy heart. I was too consumed with anger and gave in to my dark side," Yan Xun said, his voice tinged with regret.

"If she returned as a different person, would you recognize her?" Wu Dao Ya understood the heaviness in Yan Xun's heart.

"I believe I would always recognize A'Chu. We were very close for three years until she died at the lake…" Yan Xun's eyes were fixed far off, gazing at the Longji Mountains.

Yan Xun continued, "I always thought we had mutual feelings. I always felt we shared a bond deeper than friendship. I felt her loyalty and dedication to me, but I messed it all up."

Yan Xun felt regretful. If only he could turn back time, knowing that she would die so early, he would have done things differently.

Wu Dao Ya began playing a sad song on his flute. Yan Xun closed his eyes and listened to the harmony of the flute and nature.

After a few minutes, Wu Dao Ya finished the unknown melody and opened his eyes. Yan Xun followed suit, turning his gaze to Wu Dao Ya.

"Yan Xun, if you see her again, you may not be able to approach her as before," Wu Dao Ya warned.

Yan Xun's curious eyes seemed to suspect that Wu Dao Ya knew something about A'Chu. "Do you know something about A'Chu?" Yan Xun asked.

Wu Dao Ya inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly. "Before Yanbei, there was Chu Jing."

"You mean Chu Jing of the Eastern Territories?" Yan Xun raised his brows.

"I was a general in Chu Jing before serving Yanbei as your counselor," Wu Dao Ya revealed, but only a small part of the truth.

Yan Xun could hardly believe he was speaking to a legend of the Eastern Empire, a former general of the lost Chu Kingdom that had been cruelly executed by the Western Empire. The kingdom had been declared extinct after its brutal fall at the hands of Shen Jin, the Emperor of the Big Summer Dynasty, which Yan Xun's father, Yan Shicheng, had served loyally for four generations.

"Tell me, Mr. Wu, does my Yan family or A'Chu have anything to do with these lost empires?" Yan Xun pressed for more, his voice deep as the lakes near the Longji Mountains.

Wu Dao Ya replied, "Yan Xun, we cannot go back in time, but if A'Chu is alive, you will know."

Yan Xun was left puzzled, unable to grasp Wu Dao Ya's cryptic confession. "If I'm not worthy of knowing what happened in the past, and if I cannot change it, then whatever happens now, if I see her again, I won't let her go as I did at the icy lake. I want to change the present."

"I'm sure you will, if only…" Wu Dao Ya replied tersely.

"Mr. Wu, can you help me learn more about the lost Kingdom of Chu?" Yan Xun asked, drinking his wine and looking at Wu Dao Ya.

"You will come to know everything in due time. Patience is a virtue," Wu Dao Ya responded.

Yan Xun nodded, listening to Wu Dao Ya's advice, much like he had listened to his father's counsel in the past.

"Well, I must ride back to the plains of Yanbei the day after tomorrow. The world (Yan Shi Zi's military codename) will change, and I hope that when I return, it will be the right time for you to tell me more." Yan Xun prepared to leave and bid his farewell to Wu Dao Ya.

Wu Dao Ya waved his hands and bowed to the handsome prince of Yanbei.

Suddenly, a little girl, about eight years old, emerged from Wu Dao Ya's small cottage and asked, "Mr. Wu, who was that handsome man?"

"You will meet him soon, but for now, let's practice your wushu again," Wu Dao Ya replied.

Yan Xun rode down the mountains alone, passing springs, black forests, and misty plains. He rode like a king without an army, carrying hope and thoughts of the lost Chu Kingdom.

His suspicions had been correct when they were captured and detained at the royal garrison in Wei. He had asked how she was related to the exterminated noble families of the east, where Chu Qiao finally revealed her true name, and he gave her the nickname A'Chu.

After two days of travel, Yan Xun arrived at Yanbei at nightfall. His servants greeted him, and he acknowledged them before heading straight to his royal quarters. Though A'Jing was now one of Yanbei's generals, he still cooked special dishes for the prince. He brought food and drink, but Yan Xun was too tired to do anything and rested.

The next day, after a year of restrained grief, Yan Xun woke up with a bright face for the first time in four years. Back to his princely duties, he went straight to his repository tent, a structure like a library where most of the salvaged documents and records from the ashes of Yanbei were kept. A'Jing arrived and greeted his master.

A'Jing was a bit surprised to see scrolls scattered across the carpet. "The world, let me help you. Are you looking for something in particular?" A'Jing, dressed in his Yanbei uniform, showed a mature face and spoke in a low voice.

"I'm looking for the secret accounts we retrieved years ago from the Xian Yang business group that Mr. Wu formed after my father was executed. I need the summary of events and their details to review and strengthen Yanbei's financial capacity," Yan Xun explained, busy searching through the documents.

A'Jing recited the summary to Yan Xun, as he knew it well. His life had been in danger during the retrieval of those accounts, a task later completed by A'Chu. While Yan Xun busied himself with cleaning up the messy table, he listened carefully to every word A'Jing said.

A'Jing was the sole witness and survivor who could accurately recount the events from the beginning to the tragic end for the citizens of Bei Shou. Bei Shou, located in the northern part of Yanbei, had been brutally attacked under the orders of the Shen Jin Emperor of Wei, showing no mercy to its inhabitants. When Yan Xun returned to Yanbei, Bei Shou City was lost. No remains of its people were found, and with them, Yan Xun's heart was lost as well.

Some citizens fled, but many died from famine and plague. It was during this time that Lui Xi, passing through a humble village, learned that his parents had also perished.

Lui Xi also witnessed the cruelty of the emperor toward the city and saw the famine ravaging the land. He predicted that without aid, everyone would die. In the absence of Yanbei's leaders and government officials, Lui Xi, along with others, became refugees and migrated to Liang state.

Some citizens fled to enemy lands, close to the border of Chang'an. A'Jing's thoughts took him back to the dark times in Yanbei, and he paused in his story, at which point Yan Xun continued.

Lui Xi returned to Liang state, sold some of his properties, and sent provisions to Bei Shuo city to supply food and medicine, enough to sustain the dying citizens of Yanbei. These provisions were distributed to the poor, and some even reached "the world" (Yan Shi Zi) while he was in the Oriole Courtyard, surviving numerous assassination attempts.

Mr. Wu was informed of Lui Xi's selfless acts, done with no expectation of return. While Yan Xun was imprisoned in the Oriole Courtyard, Mr. Wu took care of Yanbei, ensuring that what remained was preserved.

In secret, he met with Lui Xi and later organized the Xian Yang business group, establishing Lui Xi as its leader. Under Mr. Wu's strategic guidance, the group returned to Liang state and flourished, becoming the leading force in trade and commerce.

Xian Yang city sat at a prime location for trade between Western Wei and Southern Liang, making it ideal for buying stocks and reselling goods and services to both states. The group's success eliminated any suspicion that its owners hailed from Yanbei.

As A'Jing finished this part of the story, he added more about Feng Mian.

Yan Xun, who had been sunny earlier, grew gloomy and remained silent as he listened to A'Jing.

Feng Mian, Yan Xun's most trusted and loyal servant, had grown up alongside Yan Xun. Younger than Yan Xun, Feng Mian was considered more of a younger brother than a mere servant.

Feng Mian held deep respect and affection for Yan Xun. When Yan Xun was imprisoned, Feng Mian cried for many days, enduring the painful separation. His brotherly love and loyalty to the Yan family drove him to secretly collaborate with Lui Xi, supporting Yan Xun while the prince was held captive in the Oriole Courtyard.

It was later discovered by Wei Shu Ye, though it was not exposed due to his involvement in Xian Yang City's business dealings, where the Wei family's fortune was at stake, along with their companies and the chamber of commerce.

Feng Mian, working with Lui Xi, became the number one figure in the trade industry and the wealthiest man in the city. Even the Wei Guang family couldn't compete with the brilliant strategies devised by Mr. Wu.

Feng Mian eventually changed his name to Lord Feng, allowing him to travel freely without fear for his life.

What Lord Feng feared most was the prince of Yanbei, the one who had bought his freedom by spilling blood in Chang'an city. Lord Feng was forever indebted to Yan Xun.

Feng Mian was Yan Xun's loyal servant throughout his life. His death fortified the walls of Hong Chuan City, where he saved Chu Qiao as the Xuili Army advanced. Chu Qiao was about to enter the gates of the city when Cheng Yuan, one of Yanbei's brutal generals, planned an ambush.

Feng Mian shouted from the top of the wall to warn Chu Qiao. Someone pushed him from the wall, and he fell. Chu Qiao cried but couldn't approach him because the archers were ready to aim. Despite still being in his teenage years, Feng Mian was killed by a spear thrown by one of Cheng Yuan's lieutenants. It was a sad day, and Chu Qiao was powerless to save him. Feng Mian's final words to her were, "Finally, I got to see you, Ms. Beauty. Promise me you will take care of the prince."

At that time, Yan Xun was on the battlefront and couldn't reinforce Chu Qiao because Wei Shu Ye had tricked them, leaving Yanbei open to attack and Hong Chuan vulnerable. Zhong Yu advised Yan Xun to return to Yanbei, but Yan Xun refused, willing to sacrifice Hong Chuan City as a distraction in exchange for conquering Chang'an.

Whichever path Yan Xun chose, he was destined to lose either a loyal comrade or a precious servant—another price he had to pay to expand Yanbei's borders and establish his power as ruler.

Feng Mian had been a valuable ally, especially during Yan Xun's three years of captivity. He had worked behind the scenes to supply the prince with whatever material goods he needed.

After the annihilation of the Yan family, Feng Mian sought revenge by expanding their wealth.

Feng Mian did not respond to Yan Xun's informal invitation to meet after his return to Yanbei. This was to protect the prince and their businesses at the time.

Yan Xun eventually visited Feng Mian, who bowed to him and recounted the events that had transpired.

Feng Mian even joked with A'Jing, who called him Mr. Feng Si, or Lord Feng, about his fashion, saying, "I fear you'll accuse me of extravagance, but I dress this way with purpose. If I had known the prince would be coming along, I would have borrowed the garments of a servant."

Looking back, after several surprise visits to notable families in Yanbei, Yan Xun had awakened his father's old allies. He offered them positions if they joined him, but those who refused met their end through General Cheng Yuan.

Upon the unveiling of the new sign at The Palace of Master Yan, Yan Xun gifted Feng Mian a cold dagger called the Dragon Bird, once owned by Bai Qi, a ruthless general from Yanbei's warring period.

Cheng Yuan had fed the blade with blood.

Yan Xun warned him, "Whoever owns it and uses it will release the hidden demon within."

In the battle of Hong Chuan City, Deputy General He Xiao fought to defend his hometown, where his family lived, and suffered great losses. Many of his cavalry were killed, while some were injured or retired. Chu Qiao, their general, was severely injured, marking one of Yanbei's most significant losses after Bei Shuo City.

The aftermath of the battle claimed the lives of many poor, trusted servants, as well as Western royals and nobles.

Another grand event occurred when the seal was stolen from the Wei Emperor to use his armies—a crime punishable by death. Princess Yuan Chun (Chun'Er) was sentenced to death by drinking poisoned wine.

Wei Shu Ye, who had conspired with Chun'Er, was also discharged from his position as the master of Wei Valve. The tragedy also resulted in the death of the emperor's beloved imperial concubine, Ning'Er, the mother of Yuan Song and Chun'Er. She took her own life in front of the emperor, trying to stop the execution of the princess.

In the end, the Wei Emperor was forced to issue an imperial decree, appointing his beloved crown prince, Yuan Song, to take over the title of Duke of Yanbei and to fight Yan Xun, while Yuan Chun'Er was locked away in the secluded West Temple.

This battle created a rift between Chu Qiao and Yan Xun. Chu Qiao began to grow independent of Yan Xun's commands and sought to protect the Xuili Army from becoming collateral damage in Yan Xun's quest for revenge against their betrayal in opening the slaughter of Yanbei's people.

The battle evened the score and settled it with blood. As a result, the Xuili Army no longer owed anything to Yan Xun and was free to choose its next leader and general. They unanimously chose Chu Qiao.

The Xuili Army swore an oath to follow, obey, and protect General Chu Qiao, both before and after the battle at Hong Chuan City. However, after the icy lake tragedy, where they fought alongside other Yanbei soldiers, they lost their general once again.

In her final battle, Chu Qiao was rescued by both Yuwen Yue and Yan Xun. Yuwen Yue, wearing a black mask, used his crossbow to counter Chun'Er's sword, which was poised to strike Chu Qiao's head. He pushed her out of harm's way.

Yuwen Yue, his tearless eyes filled with pain as though his heart had been stabbed a hundred times, looked at Xinger.

He embraced her and carried her away from the battlefield. He placed her safely outside the fray, just as Yan Xun arrived, nearly too late, to reinforce Hong Chuan.

Yan Xun saw his injured general and wept. He carried her back to Yanbei's headquarters to care for her.

Yuwen Yue watched as Yan Xun gently moved Chu Qiao, but he remained silent, unable to act or speak, for fear of revealing his double identity and the conflict between his personal and military interests.

At that time, Yan Xun had just completed a seven-day siege in Chang'an and arrived in time to scare away Wei Shu Ye and Princess Chun'Er, forcing them to retreat.

Yet despite the victory, the mood was gloomy, as if the last hope for peace had been taken away from the Xuili Army once again.

The current situation was even more painful than the first time, when the Wei soldiers opened the gates of Hong Chuan.

Now, after the icy lake tragedy, the Xuili Army had been forced to fight their own comrades. They killed more Yanbei soldiers than Wei soldiers, who had tricked the Xuili Army into this betrayal.

Since then, the once-renowned "Firefox" watchdogs of Yanbei became known as disgraced traitors to their people. Despite having paid their debts in full, their history and reputation continued to haunt them. Even though no body was found, He Xiao continued searching for the lost General Chu and had not yet replaced her.