Xuan Liang sat cross-legged in his army tent, the air thick with the scent of incense, the powerful aura of his cultivation filling the space, a testament to his recent attainment of the sage realm. With each breath he drew in the boundless energy of the universe, channeling it with precision and finesse.
At twenty-six, Xuan Liang possessed a flawless masculine beauty that turned heads wherever he went. His sharp intellect and quick wit had earned him a reputation as a cunning strategist, while his prowess on the battlefield had propelled him to become the youngest general in the empire's history.
As he basked in the afterglow of his recent triumph at the northern border, Xuan Liang's thoughts turned to his impending return to the capital. His father, a high ranking general of the Empire, awaited his report, eager to hear of his son's latest conquest.
But amidst the glory of his military achievements, there loomed a shadow of duty and obligation. His father had informed him of the arranged marriage to the son of Advisor Rong—a decision made to honor a longstanding life debt owed by Xuan Liang's grandfather to the Rong family.
Though Xuan Liang harbored no objections to the marriage, viewing it as a necessary formality to uphold his family's honor, his curiosity was piqued. He knew little of the Rong family and their background, and he was not one to enter into any arrangement blindly.
With a decisive flick of his wrist, Xuan Liang summoned his most trusted shadow, Su Yan, a master of espionage and reconnaissance who had served him faithfully for years. With a silent nod, he tasked Su Yan with gathering information about the Rong family before the bridal carriage returned to their home in the Capital after its three days' journey.
Su Yan bowed low, his features obscured by the shadows, before slipping away into the night like a ghost.
Xuan Liang couldn't help but wonder about the enigmatic figure who would soon become his betrothed. What manner of man was Li Rong, and what qualities did he possess?Yet, beneath the facade of curiosity lurked a sense of apprehension. Xuan Liang had heard whispers of Li Rong's reputation within the Rong family—a young man marked by arrogance and entitlement, his privileged upbringing overshadowed by familial discord and betrayal. The tales of Li Rong's past painted a portrait of a man with a turbulent history, one whose character and motivations remained shrouded in mystery.
And then there was the underlying sense of wariness, a nagging voice at the back of Xuan Liang's mind that urged caution in the face of the unknown. Despite his unwavering confidence in his own abilities, Xuan Liang knew better than to underestimate the complexities of human nature, especially when it came to matters of the heart and alliances forged through necessity rather than choice.
As he awaited Su Yan's return with his reconnaissance, Xuan Liang resolved to approach his impending marriage with vigilance. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would meet them head-on, drawing upon his innate cunning and strategic acumen to navigate the treacherous waters of court intrigue and familial obligation.
For General Xuan Liang, the path forward was clear: to tread cautiously, yet boldly, into the unknown, and to seize control of his destiny with unwavering resolve.