It was raining heavily. Dark clouds covered the sky of Shen kingdom. Shen Yongzhi, the king of Shen stood in his balcony, watching the winds hit stronger. He wondered as lightning and thunder of such high intensity has never struck Shen land before. From his balcony he could see the palace gates. He saw it being opened and his general, riding his horse as fast as he could from afar in the rain.
"Your majesty!" his attendant Eunuch shouted.
The Shen king walked down towards the entrance of the room.
"What is it Song? Why do you look so disturbed" he asked?
"Your majesty, it's bad! The Shen stone has been struck by lightning and it has cracked. Eunuch Song said. Yongzhi's eyes grew wider in shock. He couldn't believe what he just heard.
"What!?" he shouted.
The king rushed outside, towards the garden where the Shen rock pillar stands. The rain completely drenched him. But he didn't seem to care. He ran as fast as possible. He found his youngest son and some guards near the pillar. He now fixed his eyes on the cracked pillar. "It is true. It has cracked. The first balance has cracked" he said.
His general came in and got down from his horse. He saw the cracked stone and was startled. He moved towards the king and said: "Your highness, the Ling King has accepted to marry princess Meili of the Ying kingdom as he is promised an army to defend the northern border from Rhalor army who has crossed the Heiling River."
The Shen king was shocked again. "It is happening" he said.
"What is happening father?" Ziyan, his youngest son asked.
"When the northern king crosses Heiling, When all the balance breaks, the demon master shall return to open the portal again and he will cause destruction if he is not stopped… Shanling, be alert!"
The last words of Goro. The prophecy of the spirit flame stone, THE LEGEND OF SHANLING
...…................
ONE DAY AGO.....
The gates of the majestic courtroom of the Ling kingdom opened. The young king, Weilong walked towards the courtroom. The officials and ministers of Ling waited patiently for the king. When he entered, they all bowed and said:
"Greetings your majesty."
Jiang Weilong, in his official attire, sat on the throne. He looked and his subjects and asked them to rise.
"Greetings. I have asked you all to come here out of the blue, to speak about an important decision" he said.
The officials where now keen to know what their king had to say.
"As you all might've already heard, Rhalor Atlan and his army have crossed the river of Heiling. For centuries, a lot of foreign powers tried to cross the deadly river. None of them succeeded. But now, someone has. If they have managed to do so it means that they are aiming to establish a reign in Shanling. He has also sent a war declaration to our men in the border. We cannot allow it. They are advancing towards the northern border. I have already sent my brother, Prince Ren to the borders to manage the situation. But as you all know, we can only control half of the Northern border. The rest of it is under the control of the Ying kingdom. I know! We haven't had any political involvement with them in years. But this time we have to. We need their army. So, I decided to talk to the Ying king. I sent him a letter requesting his help. They agreed to strengthen the security in the border along with our men. But…. In return, they have a demand. He wants me to marry his daughter." He spoke.
"Your majesty May I…"an official in red attire came forth.
"You may proceed minister Gu."
"Your highness, how can they set a demand? If the Rhalor army breaches the borders, their land will be under attack too…so they would naturally want our help" Gu said.
"That's the response I expected from them too. But according to the Ying king, they do not care about what happens to other kingdoms in Shanling. If they are attacked and can't fight back, they will pledge alliance to Rhalor. Afterall, we have isolated them for years" Weilong said.
"But your majesty, a marriage alliance with the Ying? Both Ying and Ling share the ground of Heishan. There have been interactions between them in Heishan town, and according to it the behavior of the Ying royal family is evil and arrogant and…you know why our ancestors refused to have ties with them…" Gu said.
"Yes! Indeed. This can't happen" the other officials started murmuring.
Weilong gave out a smirk. "Official Gu, we can't risk the future of our lands and people just because we want to hold on to rumors started by our ancestors…"
"Your majesty forgive me if I offend you, but even if they were rumors, the stories about evil cultivation, there could've been a valid reason behind spreading it as all the chiefs of the other clans, centuries ago, were the once who started it and was followed by our ancestors for many years" Gu said…
This did make Weilong think. "Whatever it is, right now instead of focusing on why and who started rumors let's focus on the future. Let's focus on keeping Rhalor Atlan away. I have decided to proceed with the marriage. As the king of Ling, I think it's the best decision. But, for the safety of Ling, I proposed to the Ying King that only 5 guards can accompany the princess into the Ling palace. Those of you who wants to trust me and protect Ling, please corporate with the decision. Court dismissed." Weilong said and walked outside the courtroom. He knew that no one was pleased but as a king he needs to prioritise the safety of people. He walked outside the courtroom complex to reach the central garden of the Palace complex.
Lush, verdant greenery surrounds the area, with ancient trees standing tall, their leaves whispering softly in the breeze. A series of winding stone paths lead visitors through a variety of vibrant flower beds, each carefully arranged to bloom in a spectrum of colors throughout the year.
At the heart of the garden, in a secluded clearing, stands a Pillar Rock, a monolithic structure of dark stone, carved with the words:
'The Second Balance: May the Soul be protected'. It's the Ling Pillar Rock.
It is said have been there for years, placed by Goro, the immortal hero of legends who found the land of Shanling. All Ling Kings take their oath here.
There is a balcony on one side of the garden. If one climbs the stairs to reach the top, will be welcomed with a view of the entire Ling palace, and the different courtyards, gardens, pavilions. There is a set of stairs on the other side of the balcony which will lead one to the exit of the garden. Weilong climbed the stairs and reached the top platform and treated his eyes to the beautiful view of Ling kingdom. Beside him stood his bodyguard and Eunuch Hong, the chief Eunuch.
"Your majesty, Dowager empress has requested for your presence. Should I let her in?", he asked.
Weilong agreed and the grand dowager, a lady in her late sixties, dressed in royal luxury, with prayer beads in her hands walked in.
"Your highness, please reconsider this decision. It's not too late yet. For centuries, according to the will of the ancestors of Ling and Shen, no one has taken brides or formed any kind of alliance with the Ying clan" she said as she placed both of her hands on the shoulders of Weilong. Her worried eyes looked into his.
"I respect you, my beloved grandmother. But I can't change my decision. It's final" Weilong said.
"My child, there is a reason why our ancestors didn't want to associate with the Ying clan, and you know it" she said.
"Because they actively engage in black magic and make sacrifices to demons and practice evil cultivation? Do you want me to keep believing these rumors and let go of this alliance that will benefit Ling? Grandmother, it's time to let go of ancient baseless rumors and traditions and bring about change" Weilong said.
"How can you forget the fact that our lives changed, after your father, the former king encountered the royal family of Ying in the Heishan town. Your mother, your brother and your father all died mysteriously." she stuttered
"We don't have to associate it with the rumors surrounding Ying. It was just fate! Grandmother, I won't change my decision, the wedding will happen next week. Now, if you please allow me, I have important official matters to attend to" Weilong replied and stormed down the stairs, exiting the garden.
Meanwhile in Shen Kingdom at present time.
"Years ago, I promised Rongyi that I would always protect the former king's family from the Ying. That was her last wish. Now again, the Ying is trying to enter the Ling Kingdom" Yongzhi said.
"But Your highness why always the Ling Kingdom. Forgive me, I am not well versed in the Legends surrounding Shanling" asked General Wen, a strong built man in his fifties.
"Because of its current location and its relation to Goro's prophecy. It is believed that the current place where the Ling palace stands was where the soul fort was. It had a collection of texts, scrolls, and information about ancient mysteries, cultivation techniques. When the demon master took control of Shanling centuries ago, he used the fort as a place to conjure evil beings from within the spirit flame stone. It is also the same place from where Goro took the stone back from the demon master and cursed him. His soul was separated from his body, his powers were separated from his soul and trapped in a temporary prison set by Goro, somewhere only he knows. He said that his powers could not hold the demon master trapped for years. When the demon master's soul is set free, he will be reborn. But he won't have his powers. His powers are trapped inside the stone which again is hidden somewhere only Goro knows. But he did leave a scroll explaining his prophecy inside the soul fort which he made to disappear. To alert the clans he predicted that after the rebirth happens, in course of time the balances will start to break and the soul fort will only reappear after the balance in Ling breaks. This will also unleash the negative energies trapped in there. So, inorder to have more access to the soul fort, the Ying clan believes that the Demon master will be reborn in Ling Kingdom. Even if not, the Ying clan wants to help their demon master, so they would try to take control of things in Ling like what happened 15 years ago and what's happening now, the marriage alliance." Yongzhi sighed.
"How can we stop this from happening then?" General Wen asked.
"If you want to stop a Ying from potentially being the new queen of Ling and getting more access to the whereabouts of the stone, maybe you should try swapping the bride" a voice sounded from behind the long curtains in the room.
"Xiuying! You were eavesdropping?" Yongzhi said, looking at the woman who came out. Xiuying, his one and only daughter, is a beloved princess. She has always shown interest in participating in swordfights, archery and combat. She has travelled with her uncle, Prince Jing of Shen to the valleys of Heishan, where she trained under his guidance and also with the tribes of Heishan.
"I'm sorry father, I couldn't help it. I really want to help. How about I take the place of the princess and go to Ling. This will prevent them from getting to the scroll. As the legend also says that Goro left the scroll because he wanted other clans to find the stone and protect it before the demon master does" she said.
"But you are my only daughter. How can I send you for such a dangerous mission? Moreover, you are the princess of Shen, your wedding day is not just my dream, but also the dream of all the people of Shen, who adores you. How can you marry a man who doesn't even know your true identity?" the Shen King asked.
"Father is right. You can't take up this mission. We can look for other ways or do we really have to? Why can't we not meddle and let the Ling king deal with this on his own?" Xiangyu, the crown prince of Shen and the first born of Shen king said.
"Xiangyu, this does not concern just the Ling kingdom but the entire land of Shanling and even the world. If the demon master returns and takes complete control of the spirit flame stone, all of us will be doomed!" Shen king said.
"Father, but... is it real? these myths? How do you know for sure that the Ying is really after Ling Weilong? " Xiangyu asked.
"Xiangyu, years ago I received a letter from your aunt, my beloved sister Rongyi before she died" Shen king said and walked towards his table and took out an old letter he hid under his tablecloth and handed it over to Xiangyu.
"See for yourself."
Xiangyu received the letter and opened it. The paper had already turned brown as it is old. He read it and it said:
'My beloved brother, I am writing to you to inform you about great danger. I might not even be alive when you read this. My husband, the king of Ling had an encounter with the Ying clan. Soon, the queen mysteriously died, I'm sure you have heard. The king when he returned did not seem to be himself. I, first thought that it must be out of grief but as I observed him more, it was very strange. A woman claiming to be a healer from Heishan mountain used to visit the palace to treat the king. She seemed suspicious. Once, as I visited the king, by chance I heard her talking to the King. She was somehow controlling him. She was talking to her ally. She said that after the ritual, the King will be sacrificed just like the queen so that when all the rock pillars breaks, the demon master can take over the body of the crown prince. I tried to warn the royal family about her but no one believed it and discarded it as just superstitions. Just one day later, the king was found hanging in his chambers. It was not suicide, he was killed. I fell ill suddenly, and I am getting weaker day by day. Brother, I don't think I will survive, but when the time comes the Ying woman will comeback for the crown prince. If that happens, brother please save Shanling, please save the crown prince.'
Xiangyu could not believe what he just read.
"The prophecy said that when the northern king attacks, the rocks will break one by one. Rhalor Atlan is trying to breach the northern border and now the Shen pillar is broken, you have seen it yourself. Do you still not believe?" Shen king said.
"I'm confused! If Ling Weilong is the demon master reborn wouldn't be already be enough to get access to the soul fourt" Xiangyu asked.
"The demon master will only get back his powers and memories of his past life when the third balance is broken. As of now, we can't also be sure if it's Weilong. And details of who and how to protect the stone when it appears again will only be revealed in the scroll, they are just trying to make way for the demon master. They tried to take control of the former Ying King but failed , now they will try again. " Yongzhi said.
"We must stop the Ying from entering the palace of Ling. We must protect the King. Father there is no other way. Moreover, the Ling king has ordered that only 5 guards will enter the kingdom with Ying Meili. We can stop them on their way to Ling and I will take her place" Xiuying said.
Her father looked at her dearly....
"Xiuying get ready to say farewell to your mother...." he said and turned his face away.