The midday sun loomed high above Hei An City, casting a golden glow over the quiet village just outside the city limits. It should have been a peaceful day, but the atmosphere was far from calm. Soldiers stood in grim silence, the once humble cottage now a scene of tragedy. A family murdered—parents and child silenced with ruthless precision.
At the heart of the gathering, Prince Long Wei stood still, his brows furrowed as he surveyed the carnage. Not long after, the Black Wolves Sect Leader arrived, flanked by two masked disciples. His black robe flowed like ink on the wind, and the cold glint of his eyes behind the mask betrayed no remorse.
The Third Prince, who had remained unusually quiet during the investigation, suddenly stepped forward. His voice was sharp and accusing.
"Sect Leader," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Were you aware of this incident? We have reason to believe this man—Shen Yi—was a middleman, helping your sect sell weapons to outsiders. Are you trying to tell us you didn't know he and his entire family were killed in cold blood?"
The Sect Leader did not flinch. "Every bad thing that happens in Hei An City shouldn't always point to me, Your Highness," he replied coolly. "I am also a human being. I cannot watch over every citizen like the stars watch the sky."
Before the Third Prince could respond, Long Wei interjected, his voice calm yet heavy with authority. "This isn't the time for blame. First, we care for the dead. Prepare their funeral properly. But know this—if the Black Wolves Sect is involved in this atrocity, I will not show mercy."
Without waiting for a response, Long Wei turned and walked away, his guards silently following.
The Sect Leader stood there for a moment, unmoving, and then turned to one of his disciples. "Follow them. Assist them in the investigation. And keep your ears open."
At Xiangwu City
Far to the south, beneath the misty cliffs and cascading waterfalls of Xiangwu, the Empress arrived in haste. Her golden carriage halted at the steps of the sect's sacred grounds, and she stepped out, veiled and flanked by her maids. Awaiting her at the stone gate was none other than the Sect Leader's daughter, dressed in a light silk robe of turquoise.
"Your Highness," she greeted respectfully. "Please, come with me. My father awaits you in his chamber."
The Empress, her face tense, nodded wordlessly and followed. They walked past training disciples, serene gardens, and flowing water streams until they arrived at the highest chamber overlooking the entire city.
Inside, the Sect Leader of Xiangwu stood near an ancient scroll rack. He turned and bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Your Highness," he said.
"Master," she greeted in return. "You sent a letter… one that could shake the very throne. I came as fast as I could. Tell me, is it true? Has Long Wei's twin truly appeared?"
The Sect Leader nodded slowly and gestured for her to sit. "Yes. When Long Wei was born, everyone knew he possessed immense Qi. But only you, the Emperor, and I knew the truth. He was born with a twin—one that held an unparalleled and volatile power. A power feared even by prophecy."
The Empress's voice was tight. "The prophecy said one of them must die."
"Yes," the Sect Leader confirmed. "A child of light… and a child of chaos. We agreed that the child with malevolent Qi must be killed to preserve balance."
The Empress closed her eyes. "The Emperor believes he was killed that day. We buried an empty cradle and covered the truth… even from Long Wei."
The Sect Leader's voice deepened. "I never felt certain. And now, I sense that same chaotic energy in Hei An. I believe the child survived. The twin lives… and he is close to meeting Long Wei."
The Empress's hands trembled in her lap. "How is that possible?"
"I do not know," the Sect Leader said, sipping his tea. "But what I do know… is that they must not meet. If they do, the energy within both will awaken. And the world will not be ready for what comes next."
She stood abruptly. "Then I must leave immediately. I must reach my son."
The Memory Long Wei Kept Hidden
Back in Hei An City, Prince Long Wei sat in quiet contemplation. The events of the past few days churned in his mind—especially what occurred after his explosive clash with the Sect Leader.
After the devastating blast that shook the heavens and leveled the tower, Long Wei had not simply fallen unconscious. He had been pulled into another realm.
He remembered floating—weightless, powerless—in a strange dimension of mist and silence. Ahead of him stood a lone figure with his back turned. When the man turned around, Long Wei froze.
The man looked exactly like him.
Not similar—identical. But his eyes… they were not like Long Wei's. They burned with a strange, stormy energy. His Qi felt corrupted, cold, and wild.
Long Wei had tried to speak, to ask who he was—but before a word left his lips, a tremendous force hurled him backward. When he awoke, he found himself by a riverbank, alone, soaked, and trembling.
He had not told anyone.
Not his elite guards. Not the Empress. Not even the Sect Leader.
For the first time, he feared something he didn't understand.
A Whisper in the Wind
Later that day, Long Wei made his way to a small tavern where his elite guards were continuing their investigation. The stone-paved streets of Hei An were buzzing with life, but undercurrents of tension were everywhere.
As he entered the tavern, Tian Feng approached. "Your Highness, the investigation continues, but… there's something strange. We haven't seen the Third Prince for hours."
Long Wei waved a hand dismissively. "He's probably sulking. Leave him be. Focus on the task."
The elite guards nodded, though unease lingered in their expressions.
Suddenly, a woman approached from across the tavern square.
Long Wei instantly recognized her.
It was the same woman from the performance at the first tavern—the one who danced like a fairy beneath the lamplight. The same one who stared at him afterward with curiosity… and something else. Something strange.
Today, she wore a light jade robe, her mouth and nose veiled by a silken scarf. Her eyes glimmered like moonlight.
One of the elite guards, clearly enchanted by her beauty, stepped forward, smiling. "Miss… may I help you?"
She didn't even glance at him. Her gaze remained locked on Long Wei.
"I would like to speak with Prince Long Wei," she said.
The elite guards exchanged looks. Tian Feng stepped back and looked to Long Wei.
Long Wei's expression didn't change, though his hand subtly shifted toward his sword.
"Why?" he asked.
The woman tilted her head slightly, eyes still calm. "Because you're not who you think you are."