The moon hung low in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the small village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests. In one modest home, the warmth of family love enveloped Li Wei as he sat around a flickering fire with his parents and younger sister, Mei. The air was filled with laughter and the comforting aroma of a simple family dinner.

As they shared stories of the day, unaware of the impending tragedy, a distant rustle in the night signaled the arrival of a group of shadowy figures – the bandits who would shatter their peaceful existence.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the splintering of the wooden door. The bandits stormed in, their faces hidden beneath dark cloaks. Panic seized the room as Li Wei's family realized the imminent danger. His father, a sturdy and determined man, urged them to flee while he held the intruders at bay.

Wei's mother, heavy with child, clutched Mei close, fear etched across her face. The bandits, ruthless and merciless, descended upon them like a storm of malevolence. In the chaos that ensued, Li Wei, despite his young age, found himself torn between the instinct to protect his family and the overwhelming fear that gripped his heart.

"Go, Wei! Take Mei and run!" his father shouted, his eyes aflame with a mix of determination and sorrow.

Tears welled up in Wei's eyes as he clutched Mei's hand, the urgency of escape propelling them towards the back door. The night air was cold and unforgiving as they fled into the darkness. The distant screams and clashes of steel behind them fueled Wei's determination to ensure his family's safety.

But fate was unkind that night. As they reached the edge of the village, a shadow emerged from the darkness, blocking their escape. It was a bandit, cruelly grinning as he anticipated the fear in their eyes.

Li Wei, his heart pounding, positioned himself between the bandit and his family. "Leave us alone!" he cried, his voice trembling but defiant.

The bandit, amused by the young boy's courage, swung his weapon without hesitation. Wei, driven by desperation, tried to shield Mei from the impending danger. The blow landed, but not on him – it struck his pregnant mother who had stepped forward to shield them both.

Time seemed to slow as Wei's world shattered. His mother fell to the ground, a gasp escaping her lips. Mei screamed in terror, and Wei, a mixture of grief and rage consuming him, turned towards the bandit with eyes ablaze.

The bandit, realizing the gravity of his actions, hesitated for a moment, but the darkness in his heart prevailed. More bandits joined the macabre dance, and in the midst of the chaos, Wei was left alone, cradling his dying mother and comforting his terrified sister.

It was a night that etched itself into the depths of Wei's soul, leaving scars that would fuel his journey for years to come. As the bandits plundered and destroyed, they unknowingly forged a path for the vengeance-seeking young man who would later confront the shadows that had torn his family apart.