The blue sky above Heisong Forest gradually turned leaden, carrying winds of foreboding. Prince Chen Wu, eldest son of Emperor Wu Lie, sat ramrod straight atop his horse, his sharp eyes scanning the ranks behind him. Five wooden carts draped in black cloth were guarded by fifty fully armed soldiers surrounding them.
"Duanhun Valley lies ahead," said General Yun Bao, his voice heavy with authority. "In these conditions, it's no safe place to linger come nightfall and rain."
Chen Wu gazed at the darkening sky. "Nor is this," he replied. "We stop here. Pitch the tents. I want everyone rested before nightfall."
"With respect, Your Highness, this spot is too exposed. Rebel bands could strike from any direction."
Chen Wu's gaze sharpened. "I know. That's precisely why I'm here. If they're bold enough to show themselves, we'll demonstrate the might of the imperial army." His tone was ice-cold, brimming with the confidence of an undefeated warrior.
"Very well, Your Highness. As expected from Chenyang's emissary. We'll prepare the tents and tighten security."
Prince Chen Wu surveyed the surrounding pine forest. Threats lurked from every shadow, yet his resolve remained unshaken.
["This shipment is vital for the realm's future. I can entrust it to no one but you, my son."]
["Yes, Father! I'll guard it with my life."]
"The Poxiao Meng rebels surely know of this convoy. Come then, fifty of the palace's finest stand ready to annihilate you," he thought.
Night fell, torrential rain lashing amid howling winds that shook the pines. Campfires sputtered out one by one as sentries rotated watch, some soldiers sleeping beneath sodden tents.
A scream shattered the northern perimeter, followed by flaming arrows streaking through the trees. Warning horns blared through the downpour. Chen Wu seized his sword and burst from his tent. Lightning flashed, revealing his rain-slicked face twisted with fury.
Clashing steel, stones and arrows battering shields, black clad figures emerged from darkness, their blades glinting ominously.
Half awakened soldiers scrambled from tents. In the gloom, enemies were hard to spot, but the imperial guards proved their mettle.
Prince Chen Wu moved like lightning, eyes catching every flashing strike aimed his way. His sword flowed like river water; in one sweep, three attackers fell lifeless.
"Where are you? Show yourself whenever you're ready?" Chen Wu stood poised, hand firm on his hilt. Pouring rain deafened him, heart pounding as he awaited the rebel leader's strike.
"Brace yourselves! Protect the cargo!" General Yun Bao raised his sword high.
Sword clashes continued when tremors shook the ground beneath their feet. Distant rumbling grew; attackers and soldiers slowed their rhythm.
Crashing rocks and snapping trees halted all movement. The earth quaked violently, not a normal tremor, they knew.
From afar came thunderous pounding like giant footsteps. Trees toppled one after another, their cracking echoes chilling the air. A dark shadow surged through the mist.
Severed trunks hurtled from the fog, smashing the camp with brutal force. Head-sized boulders flew, splintering carts and tents in seconds. Chen Wu swung to parry, but assaults came from every angle. He scanned the writhing forest for the source, seeing only encroaching shadows.
From the darkness, massive shapes moved with impossible speed in countless numbers. Like a tidal wave, hundreds of soldiers' screams deafened all. General Yun Bao stared in shock as the shadows drew near, helpless but to shout.
Even Prince Chen Wu, famed for his martial prowess, stood powerless. One final lightning flash revealed his wide eyes, sword still at ready, but frozen in terror, unable to draw.
"Impossible... this... isn't human!"
"AAAGGHH!"
***
[Crack]
[Thud thud]
"Hiaaa!"
Morning light pierced the palace courtyard. Clacking wood and clashing shouts filled the air, rhythmic, swift, heavy. At the training ground's center, two young figures sparred, Third Prince Yan Xuan and a stern-faced girl with high ponytail, clad in navy training garb.
Her name was Mei Lin, granddaughter of Shifu Feng Wu, a war veteran now training noble children in the Chenyang palace.
Though merely a teacher's granddaughter, none dared belittle her. Her talent was extraordinary, even royal guards respected her skill.
"Hiaa!" A powerful overhead strike rained down as Prince Yan Xuan swung his wooden sword without hesitation.
Mei Lin sidestepped gracefully, planting her foot. Yan Xuan stumbled, losing balance. "Woahhh!"
"Mind your flanks, Your Highness!" Mei Lin called, slashing sideways.
Yan Xuan tried to block but was too slow. Wood smacked his arm and shoulder. He staggered, nearly falling.
"Ugghh, I'll make you pay!" Before Yan Xuan could counter, Mei Lin spun low. A sweeping kick toppled him flat.
"Uaghhh!"
[Thud]
Shifu Feng Wu, watching from the arena's edge, sighed. "Calm your mind, Prince. Let your body follow instinct, not anger," he said flatly.
"Ugh!" Yan Xuan bit his lip, cheeks burning with shame. Distant noble youths stifled laughs at the spectacle.
Then three bronze trumpet blasts echoed from the corridor. "The Emperor arrives! Kneel!" a eunuch cried. All dropped to their knees, including Yan Xuan and Mei Lin. The Emperor paused, his piercing gaze falling upon them.
Emperor Wu Lie passed with Grand Advisor Zhao, his golden robes sweeping the marble floor. He halted before the training arena.
His eyes settled on his son, weak, exhausted, sprawled on the ground after yet another defeat by Mei Lin. Wu Lie's brows furrowed.
"Chenyang's Third Prince... bested by a mere girl," he murmured, barely audible.
Advisor Zhao bowed deeper, whispering, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has just turned eighteen. He'll find his strength and path soon enough."
"My firstborn Chen Wu excels in martial arts and swordsmanship. My second, Lie Yan, masters strategy and warfare. Yet my third son lacks both, what can he offer the realm?" Emperor Wu Lie sighed heavily, thick with disappointment.
"The Third Prince shines in the arts, Your Majesty. His brushwork rivals the masters," Zhao offered consolingly.
"Hmph. Such skills serve neither security nor prosperity." He turned sharply, robes billowing, striding away. Only his icy glare lingered, sharp as a blade.
Yan Xuan bowed low, sweat mingling with shame scorching his face.
Mei Lin retrieved the wooden sword and bowed. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I meant no ...."
"Enough," Yan Xuan cut her off curtly, voice hoarse. "Training's over."
In the palace library's deepest corner, noon light filtered softly through tall wooden framed windows. Ancient bookshelves towered silently, carrying scents of paper and calming ink.
There stood Jin Feng, son of Emperor Wu Lie's consort, by a window with a graceful young woman.
Her name was Qin Rou, daughter of a Ministry of Rites official.
Her features were delicate, eyes anxious, fingers twisting her sleeve's hem.
"Jin Feng... what if someone sees us?" she whispered, glancing toward the shelves' end.
Jin Feng smiled calmly, too calmly. He pressed his lips to her neck, one arm gripping her waist firmly.
"This library stands empty at this hour," he murmured low. "None dare enter without leave. You're worrying needlessly."
Qin Rou swallowed hard, heart racing. She knew the rumors of Jin Feng's influence despite his low status. "Still... this is the palace."
Jin Feng shifted, lips hovering before hers. "Precisely because it's the palace," he breathed. "No one suspects the safest place."
Qin Rou fell silent, swallowing again. His confidence convinced her the rumors rang true.
As Jin Feng claimed her lips, she didn't pull away. Warm, soft, her breath mingled with his. Moments later, he gazed deep into her eyes.
"There's one spot in the basement, door hidden among stones," he said casually. "Locked, long unused."
Qin Rou stiffened. "That's forbidden," she said quickly. "My father warned it's off limits. No one may enter."
Jin Feng chuckled softly, amused. "Prohibitions are mere words to those without keys."
His gaze held meaning as he smiled at her. "And you... have one, don't you?"
Qin Rou shook her head faintly, withdrawing her hand. "No... I don't."
Jin Feng leaned closer, voice gentle yet pressing. "You know exactly where it lies."
But Qin Rou shook her head again, stepping back half a pace. "I... won't."
Jin Feng's smile faded, replaced by a thin curve. He raised both hands in mock surrender.
"Very well," he said lightly. "If you're unwilling, so be it."
He stepped back, eyeing her with an inscrutable half-smile. "I never force anyone."
Qin Rou exhaled in relief, yet a chill crept down her spine as Jin Feng turned. That smile remained, serene, composed, betraying no disappointment.
Past the corridor's end, Jin Feng spotted Yan Xuan from afar, walking the hall clutching his shoulder, trailed by two eunuchs. "Heh, looks like he's sulking," he murmured with a smile.
That afternoon, in the prince's private bath chamber, sandalwood herb scent filled the air. Eunuch Lao Wang bowed low. "Your Highness, these herbs from Consort Bao's wing will soothe your bruises. And two maids to tend your wounds."
"Word of my defeat spread that fast," Yan Xuan muttered, head bowed in embarrassment.
Two young maids gently bathed him, rubbing salve on shoulder and back bruises. They worked silently, bowing occasionally.
One eyed the cut on his arm worriedly. "Your Highness, perhaps refrain from training for a while..."
"Speak no more of it," Yan Xuan cut her off flatly. He stared into the stone basin's water, reflecting his weary, hollow, helpless face.
"Infuriating. I train from dawn daily, landed blows several times, yet he passes at my most humiliating moment," he thought.
"But why feel shame? No matter my efforts, he'll only see my failings." The wound in Yan Xuan's heart widened from his father's scorn.
"Your Highness, try this herbal honey tea. The honey will ease you and speed healing." One maid offered a cup.
"Mm, smells good." One sip calmed his nerves.
The maids' gentle touches shifted his thoughts. Soft strokes across his chest, fragrant herbs, warm water enveloping him. Yan Xuan leaned back, eyes closing.
Occasionally, he cracked his eyes at the maids' figures. He knew not when it began, but his heart raced beholding their necks' curves and other feminine swells.
Nearly every night, he painted women in varied poses. Now something stirred within him at such sights.
The maids averted their eyes upon noticing Yan Xuan's arousal beneath the water. Yet their soft massages continued. In such moments, they could only bow their heads.
"Ow! You're pressing too hard!" Yan Xuan flinched, yanking his arm.
"Oh, forgive me, Your Highness!" The maid bowed in terror.
The sliding door suddenly rapped. "Hey, Yan Xuan, you done yet?" Jin Feng stood outside, fishing rods over his shoulder.
"Come in," Yan Xuan called.
"What's with that face?" Jin Feng laughed lightly. "Bee sting from the woods again?"
The maids bowed fearfully, but Jin Feng waved dismissively, owning the room. He dropped the rods and bowed mockingly. "Or beaten by that little girl again?" he teased with a grin.
Yan Xuan fell silent.
"She's a woman," he said finally. "How could I strike full force?"
"Ah, of course, of course," Jin Feng replied with feigned awe. "How noble. If only your father saw the wisdom in that excuse."
Yan Xuan glared sharply, but Jin Feng laughed heartily. "Easy now, I didn't come to mock. I'm here to fish. Perfect weather this afternoon. Bei He Lake's stocked with monsters. Hurry out once done. Don't baby those bruises."
Yan Xuan turned away. "Hmph, I don't want to go. I need rest."
"Naturally you do," Jin Feng grinned. "A prince beaten by a girl needs ages to recover his pride."
Yan Xuan whipped around, face flushed with rage. "Shut it, you noisy bastard!" The maids beside him startled silently in fear.
"Haha, hey hey, my bad. Sorry, went too far joking." He clapped Yan Xuan's shoulder with a friendly yet false smile. "Don't be mad, cousin. Just cheering you up. Come fish with me, and I'll show you something you've never seen before."
"No," Yan Xuan snapped curtly.
"Hey, but you don't even know what yet?" Jin Feng leaned in, whispering.
"I know already, some weird thing that won't interest me like before."
"Haha... no no, this time I'm serious. You'll regret passing. Something guaranteed unseen in your whole life."
Yan Xuan eyed him suspiciously. "Something fascinating I've never witnessed?" Yan Xuan startled, gaze sharpening on his kin.
Jin Feng chuckled softly and stepped out, leaving the door half-open. "I'll wait at the lake if you want to find out."
***