The Fall of the Clan The mansion of the Ye clan stood in the southeast of Kyoto, a towering and majestic estate. With a thriving population, every member of the clan held significant positions within the court, thus the Ye clan enjoyed great renown, hailed as the "foremost aristocratic family of Kyoto". Ye Qingxi, the youngest daughter of the Ye clan, though born into nobility, possessed a gentle temperament and was deeply cherished by the elders. Beneath this facade of prosperity and splendor, no one could anticipate the impending nightmare.
On that night, the Ye clan was hosting a grand banquet. Candlelight flickered, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments filled the air; everyone within the mansion was immersed in celebration. Qingxi wore a splendid gown, her face adorned with a faint smile, yet little did she know, this would be the last peaceful night of her life. As the banquet neared its end, a servant suddenly rushed in, his face pale, and uttered words that Qingxi found incredulous: "The court... has ordered the extermination of the entire Ye clan."
Time seemed to freeze in that moment; Qingxi's heart raced uncontrollably. The clamor of the banquet abruptly vanished as the elders of the clan exchanged shocked and enraged glances. However, footsteps outside were already approaching, mingled with the shouts of soldiers and the clash of swords, echoing from all directions. Qingxi realized that this night, the Ye clan was about to be annihilated.
Amidst the chaos, members of the Ye clan fell one by one, their blood staining the courtyard crimson. Qingxi was forcibly led out of the mansion by household servants, tears blurring her vision as she witnessed the brutal massacre. In the blaze, the mansion of the Ye clan gradually turned to ashes. In her heart, a flame of hatred ignited, vowing to avenge her family.
Escape and Redemption Qingxi was spirited away from Kyoto by loyal servants who risked their lives. They ventured into the wild outskirts, where she, exhausted and disheveled, bore the stains of blood and mud on her once elegant attire, her steps heavy. She had been a noble young lady of Kyoto, now reduced to fleeing alone in the darkness, haunted repeatedly by the destruction of her family like a nightmare. Hatred and pain intertwined in her chest, nearly suffocating her.
Their flight was not prolonged; soon, pursuers from the court caught up with them. Only a loyal servant remained by Qingxi's side, but he too fell beneath the blades in his attempt to protect her. Despairingly, Qingxi fled deep into the mountains, eventually collapsing in a bamboo grove due to loss of blood.
When Qingxi regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a rudimentary wooden hut, with ranges of mountains visible through the window. The one who saved her was an elderly man with snow-white hair, his gaze profound and his countenance stern. He was Chu Lao, a former renowned general of the previous dynasty who had secluded himself in the mountains for many years.
The Seed of Revenge Chu Lao did not inquire much about Qingxi's background; he simply informed her in a detached manner that she was now safe. Nor did Qingxi immediately reveal the hatred burning within her. She understood that for now, she needed to gather strength and wait for the right moment. Chu Lao seemed to perceive her determination and slowly began to teach her martial arts and strategy.
Under Chu Lao's tutelage, Qingxi transformed from the once gentle noblewoman into a cold and resilient avenger. Her eyes no longer revealed any emotion, frozen as ice. The first lesson Chu Lao imparted to her was patience. Revenge was not about immediate action but about waiting for the optimal moment. Qingxi's hatred burned like a wildfire, yet she knew that rushing into action would only lead to the same fate as her family.
She honed herself through rigorous training during the day and tests of strategy and intellect at night. Whenever she recalled the night of fire and lamentation, her resolve grew stronger. Though Chu Lao spoke sparingly, every word he uttered left a deep imprint on Qingxi's mind.
Days passed swiftly in restraint and training, and Ye Qingxi had gradually learned enough strategy and martial arts from Chu Lao. However, she understood that she couldn't confront the powerful court alone. She needed allies. Yet, in this world of intrigue, allies were often harder to discern than enemies.
One day, Chu Lao told Qingxi that her training was complete, and it was time to leave the mountains and enter a broader world. Qingxi took on the alias Su Jin, heeding Chu Lao's advice as she descended from the mountains to begin her revenge plan. She arrived at a bustling market near Kyoto, where all manner of characters gathered—some court spies, some fugitives.
In a tea house within the market, Su Jin encountered a seemingly ordinary young man. Their eyes met fleetingly, and she sensed a hint of mystery and sharpness in his gaze, as if he saw through her hidden secrets. Without many words, he handed her a piece of paper and hurriedly departed. Su Jin unfolded the note, which read: "Within the depths of the palace lies decay. To achieve vengeance, seek the Prince."
Su Jin's heart trembled; this mysterious man clearly knew her identity and goal. Without hesitation, she decided to follow this clue. Though unsure who this "Prince" might be, Su Jin felt it was a crucial turning point on her path of revenge.
Night fell, and Su Jin halted her steps at the location indicated on the note. It was a dilapidated temple, seemingly abandoned for years. Yet as she stepped through the temple gates, she found its interior brightly lit. A man dressed in luxurious robes stood before an altar, his stature imposing and dignified.
Turning slowly, he revealed a handsome yet stern countenance, his eyes deep and seemingly hiding endless secrets. He did not introduce himself but calmly remarked to Su Jin, "You are the last of the Ye clan." Su Jin's heart tightened, yet she displayed no emotion, calmly replying, "And who are you?"
Without a direct answer, the man turned to gaze at the temple's courtyard, saying softly, "I too am a victim of this decaying court. I know what you seek, and I can help you." It was then that Su Jin realized he was the rumored Prince opposing the court.
The Prince revealed to Su Jin that factions within the court had split, and the current power wielders not only targeted her family but also the royal family itself. Their interests intertwined in complex power struggles that threatened the entire country. The Prince intended to overthrow these power wielders and restore order to the nation. To achieve this goal, he needed Su Jin's strength, and she needed him to exact revenge on her enemies.
They forged a temporary alliance, each harboring different motivations. Yet at this moment, Su Jin understood that only by working with the Prince could she confront this formidable dark force.
After her initial meeting with the Prince, Su Jin decided to initiate her revenge plan. She knew the first step was to strike at those directly responsible for the massacre of the Ye clan, shaking the core of the court. Her first target was a minor official in Kyoto, who though low in rank, played a crucial role in framing the Ye clan.
Su Jin became a mysterious heroine in the martial world, utilizing the martial arts and strategies she had learned from Chu Lao to silently infiltrate the official's mansion. In the darkness of night, she moved like a ghost, effortlessly evading guards until she reached the official's study.
Inside the study, dim candlelight flickered as the official busied himself with documents, oblivious to the impending death creeping towards him. Su Jin quietly drew a dagger concealed in her sleeve, a glint of cold light in her eyes. Yet just as she was about to strike, images of her family's slaughter flashed in her mind, reigniting her fury for revenge. Without hesitation, she acted.
In an instant, blood sprayed, and the official collapsed in a pool of blood, his eyes filled with terror. Su Jin watched coldly, feeling no remorse. She knew this was only the beginning of her revenge; the road ahead would be even more brutal. Wiping the blood from her dagger, she turned and disappeared into the night.