The Dilemma of Duty and the Masked Warrior
The evening sky was ablaze with the colors of sunset, a mix of gold and crimson that seemed to mirror the storm in Xiang's heart. She wandered aimlessly, her hands clasped together in anxiety, when Wen Shia approached her. His voice was calm, yet firm, as he spoke words that would only deepen her confusion.
"Xiang, promise me one thing," he said, his gaze steady. "Never do something that you'll regret later. If a decision brings true happiness to your heart, then and only then should you pursue it. Otherwise, let it go."
With that, he walked away, leaving Xiang to wrestle with his advice. She already carried the heavy burden of worry, but now, Wen Shia's words added a new layer of uncertainty. She whispered to herself, "Do I really have another choice? If I try to help someone else, I'll go against my uncle's wishes. Can I bear to upset him? What should I do?"
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, Xiang's heart sank with it. The weight of her dilemma was unbearable, and she felt completely lost.
Elsewhere, Wen Shia was facing a conflict of his own. He had learned of an order from the king: a small village was to be attacked at dawn. The command troubled him deeply. Protecting innocent lives was part of his nature, but if he intervened directly, the king would discover his true identity. This risked exposing his heavenly origin and bringing untold consequences.
After much thought, Wen Shia devised a plan. He would send a masked warrior to fight in his place, someone who would appear to be an ordinary villager with extraordinary skill. This way, he could safeguard the innocent without drawing suspicion.
He sought the help of Heavenly God and sent a message: "Find a man whose height and build resemble mine. He must be loyal, brave, and able to wear a mask to disguise his identity. He will protect the villagers and fight in my stead."
Heavenly God listened to Wen Shia's request and smiled knowingly. "A clever plan," the deity said to himself, "but I have a better idea." He decided not to share the full details with Wen Shia. "When the time comes," he said cryptically, "you will understand."
The night passed in tense preparation. The following morning, as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, the king summoned his commanders. He appointed Prince Xiang as the lead commander, with Wen Shia and Xiang as generals under him.
The prince, however, hesitated. "I do not believe in open warfare like this," he said quietly, his voice steady but resolute. His reluctance puzzled Wen Shia, but she chose not to comment.
Later, as they were preparing to leave for the attack, Wen Shia noticed something peculiar about the prince. Turning to a soldier, he asked, "Why does the prince always wear a mask, even in front of the king?"
The soldier hesitated before speaking in a low voice. "It's not something people like to talk about, but I'll tell you. The prince was once very handsome, but an unfortunate incident left a scar on his face. He hides behind the mask because he doesn't want anyone to see the disfigurement. He's not fond of politics or power either. He's an artist at heart, always sketching or painting when he can. If it were up to him, he'd leave the throne and pursue art. But the king insists he stays.
"Some people say he's kind and misunderstood, while others believe he's pretending and secretly harbors ill intentions. No one really knows what's true. Everyone has their own version of who the prince is."
Wen Shia listened carefully, finding the story intriguing but choosing not to dwell on it. The prince's face seemed familiar, but she decided to focus on the task ahead.
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The small battalion marched toward the village. Apart from the prince, Wen Shia, and Xiang, only a handful of soldiers accompanied them. The mission was simple in the king's eyes—crush the villagers quickly and efficiently. However, for Wen Shia and Xiang, the journey ahead was fraught with moral and emotional dilemmas that would soon test their resolve.
As the sun climbed higher, illuminating the path ahead, all three prepared for the battle that awaited them, each burdened with their own secrets and struggles.