The storm had finally arrived. Su Jin and the forces of the martial world had run out of patience, while the imperial court's suppression of them grew ever more ruthless. In this complex power struggle, Su Jin knew she had no way out.
Feng Yunjian, his face filled with resolve, approached Su Jin again. "The imperial court has dispatched an army to crush the martial world. We can no longer sit and wait. It's either fight back or be destroyed," he declared with the unwavering determination typical of a martial hero.
Su Jin realized that the situation had reached a point where action was unavoidable. She quickly strategized with Feng Yunjian, and they decided to strike before the imperial army could fully assemble. Leading the various martial clans, they would launch a surprise attack on the mansion of the imperial ministers.
The prominent figures of the martial world began to gather—Qinglong Guild, Black Tiger Hall, and other major forces decided to fight to the death, setting their sights on the capital. Su Jin, the key figure in this operation, was tasked with contacting informants within the imperial court to launch an internal attack. Everyone knew this would be a life-or-death battle, but each person's heart was burning with the fire of vengeance.
As night fell, the capital was shrouded in a tense silence. The elite forces of the martial world had stealthily infiltrated the city, while the imperial ministers remained absorbed in their own power struggles, oblivious to the danger closing in.
Su Jin and Feng Yunjian stood side by side atop the city wall, gazing down at the brightly lit capital. Her heart swirled with a mix of the thrill of vengeance and the anxiety of the looming endgame. This battle would determine the success or failure of her long journey for revenge.
Feng Yunjian drew his sword, his gaze resolute. "Tonight, we will show this city the strength of the martial world."
A trumpet blared through the night sky, signaling the start of the ambush. Qinglong Guild's assassins moved like shadows, silently infiltrating the ministers' mansions, their blades flashing in the darkness, blood splattering. At the same time, the warriors of Black Tiger Hall launched a frontal assault on the imperial garrison, throwing the city into chaos.
Leading an elite squad, Su Jin set her sights on one of the key ministers—someone directly involved in the massacre of the Ye family. Her sword gleamed coldly in her hand, her heart consumed by hatred. She had waited too long for this moment.
Though heavily guarded, the minister's mansion quickly crumbled under the martial world's fierce onslaught. With her swift and deadly moves, Su Jin breached the last line of defense and entered the minister's chamber. Her eyes were filled only with hatred, while the minister's face was full of terror and confusion.
"Who are you? Why are you here to kill me?" he stammered, his eyes darting around, searching for a way to escape.
"I am the last of the Ye family, and today, I am here to take your life," Su Jin coldly replied.
The minister's eyes widened in shock, as though he wanted to say something, but Su Jin gave him no chance. Her sword came down, ending his life. Blood splattered across the floor, and Su Jin felt no pity in her heart. Her enemy was dead, but the anger within her still burned fiercely.
The night in the capital was filled with the clash of blades and swords as the martial forces engaged in fierce street battles with the imperial troops. Though Su Jin's mission had succeeded, she knew the fight was far from over.
Just as she and Feng Yunjian were planning their next moves against other key figures in the court, an unexpected turn of events disrupted their plans. Imperial reinforcements had arrived earlier than expected, surrounding the martial forces' encampment. Meanwhile, infighting among the ministers further complicated the situation.
Feng Yunjian rushed into Su Jin's room, his expression grave. "The reinforcements are here. We must retreat."
Without a word, Su Jin quickly gathered her things, ready to escape. However, as she stepped out of the door, she was met with betrayal. Dozens of imperial soldiers had already laid in ambush, their spears pointed at her.
"Feng Yunjian, you..." Su Jin looked at the once-allied warrior in disbelief, now standing on the opposite side, with no trace of guilt in his eyes.
"I had no choice," Feng Yunjian said coldly. "The imperial court is too powerful. In the end, the martial world cannot stand against it. To save more lives, I had to compromise."
Furious, Su Jin understood that she was trapped. She quickly made her decision, drawing her sword and cutting her way out. Though gravely injured, she managed to escape the capital by sheer luck.
Wounded, Su Jin fled into the mountains, temporarily shaking off her pursuers. Lying in a cave, her injuries throbbed painfully, but her mind kept replaying the events of the failed battle. She had believed that with the strength of the martial world, she could exact her revenge. But Feng Yunjian's betrayal had made her realize that in this power-hungry world, no alliance could be trusted.
"In the end, I'm alone," she whispered to herself, a determined glint in her eyes.
Despite the betrayal and the treacherous path of revenge, Su Jin did not give up. She knew that as long as she lived, the fire of vengeance would not be extinguished. She began to heal in the cave, rethinking her plans. She would rely on no one, facing all her enemies alone.
While Su Jin was healing, the conflict between the martial world and the imperial court intensified, and the ministers' infighting only worsened. Though the court's power appeared formidable, it was riddled with internal strife. At this time, Su Jin received unexpected news—the prince had not abandoned her.
Through secret channels, the prince sent Su Jin a letter, expressing his willingness to continue helping her seek revenge. He claimed to have a new plan in place that could topple the corrupt ministers in one decisive strike.
Su Jin was skeptical of the prince's promises, but she knew she had no other choice at the moment. She decided to accept his proposal, temporarily reuniting with him to further her path of vengeance.
A few days later, Su Jin reappeared in the martial world. Her reputation had not faded; in fact, her actions in the capital had made her even more famous. She secretly met with the prince, and they began to plan a larger scheme. This time, she was fighting for more than just her family's revenge—she aimed to bring down the entire corrupt imperial court.