At Prince Lu Bai's residence, a storm brewed behind his calm demeanor. Though he wore a face of patience and serenity, his heart was restless with worry. Word had reached him that the royal decree had been issued—Li Wei was ordered to lead the army against Bei Shui. Lu Bai's mind churned, thinking not of armies, nor of politics, but of Mo Shan Shan. She was not just in danger—she stood at the center of it all.
Pacing his quiet study, Lu Bai suddenly paused, his gaze distant. Then, like a spark cutting through fog, he remembered something—someone.
"Her maid," he whispered. "From childhood."
She had been a loyal companion to Mo Shan Shan in their early years, spirited and agile even as a child. The two were inseparable until chaos tore them apart. Lu Bai had heard, through scattered whispers, that the girl had survived, and was now a martial arts expert in a neighboring city.
He summoned his most trusted personal guard. "Take this letter," Lu Bai said, sliding a sealed parchment across the table. "Find the girl who once served Mo Shan Shan. Her name is Jian Mei. She may be the last thread that ties to Shan Shan's forgotten strength."
The guard bowed and vanished into the wind.
In the Neighboring City of Yanling
The air was thick with tension at the edge of Yanling's marketplace. Inside a rugged tavern known for harboring bandits and fugitives, a group of armed criminals drank and laughed too loudly. Their eyes were sharp, constantly scanning. They were being hunted—and they knew it.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
A woman walked in, cloaked in a robe that barely masked her toned form. A sword rested confidently against her back. Her presence was like steel—unspoken and sharp. Her name was Jian Mei, once a maid, now a leader of a formidable martial sect known as the Crimson Veil.
Without a word, she moved toward the table of criminals. They noticed her—and knew instantly who she was.
The tavern erupted into chaos.
Swords clashed. Furniture splintered. Jian Mei moved like lightning—fluid and exact, her blade dancing with precision. Just as the last bandit lunged, a second sword intercepted from behind.
Lu Bai's personal guard had arrived.
Together, they subdued the attackers and escaped through the back alley. Hidden between two stone walls, the guard handed her the letter and the sealed token of Mo Shan Shan's family crest. Jian Mei's eyes widened.
"She's alive?" her voice cracked.
"Yes," the guard nodded. "And she needs you."
Within the hour, Jian Mei mounted her steed. Behind her, a dozen of her strongest martial brothers and sisters followed in silence. Their journey: to Bei Shui.
Meanwhile, in Bei Shui
Within the city walls, preparation was in full swing. The air of dread hung over the cobbled streets, but it was met with equal resolve. Citizens were ordered to stay indoors. Granaries were restocked. Wells were checked. Blacksmiths worked through the night, forging armor and sharpening blades. The scent of burning iron and herbal medicines filled the air.
In the heart of it all stood Mo Shan Shan, now in Northern garb, sleeves rolled, helping load food crates. Her eyes were firm, but her thoughts flickered with worry.
Li Wei.
Lu Bai.
What future did this war hold?
Inside the command chamber, General Liang met with Mo Shan Shan and his captains. "The king will make his move," he warned. "And I fear, he already knows you returned to Lu Bai's residence."
Mo Shan Shan's face tightened.
"The king won't act on Lu Bai," Li Wei said calmly. "But he will increase surveillance around him. Mo Shan Shan is his only concern now."
She didn't speak. She simply nodded and waited. A silence spread among them, heavy and foreboding.
At the Capital Border
Three armies met like rivers converging before a storm. Li Wei's cavalry stood tall, disciplined, his standard flapping in the wind. Opposite him rode Prince Han and Prince Xin, their glances sharp and calculating.
"You're in command," Xin said coldly. "We trust personal feelings won't cloud your judgment."
Li Wei's reply was just as clipped. "I trust you won't overstep your orders."
Together, the three armies—thousands strong—began their march toward Bei Shui.
The Third Day – At the Gates of War
From atop Bei Shui's city wall, Mo Shan Shan heard it—the thrum of war drums, their echoes trembling through the stone beneath her feet.
The Capital Army had arrived.
From the distance, she could see flags—the royal insignia waving defiantly. And beneath them… Li Wei.
Soldiers below beat the emergency drums. Civilians shuttered homes. Archers mounted the towers. The city braced.
General Liang stood beside her.
"Don't descend," he said gently. "Just watch. The people need to see their hope above them."
Below, the Capital Army halted.
Prince Han rode forward, shouting across the field. "Bei Shui, surrender peacefully, and no blood need be spilled!"
General Liang didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Mo Shan Shan.
"Lady Mo Shan. What do we say?"
She didn't hesitate.
She lifted a flag high above the wall—its colors bold.
"No," she said. "We do not surrender."
The battlefield held its breath.
Li Wei saw the flag… and closed his eyes. He knew this would be the answer.
The silence shattered.
War had begun.