Fourteen Years Ago
The shadow assassins trained from beneath as Zhao Lianyu watched with ease. Every assassin moved with swift and cunning unpredictable steps.
Fire ran through torches around the field as the night began to grew old.
"Lai Jiangli!" Zhao Lianyu's voice rang out across the courtyard.
Jiangli stepped forward quickly, bowing in greeting. "Yes, Young Lord? Do you have orders for me?"
"You're my highest-ranking assassin right now," Lianyu said. "I expect you not to fail the task I'm about to give you."
Suddenly, a small child ran up and wrapped his arms around Lianyu's leg.
"Uncle Zhao, I can't do it anymore. My hands keep hurting," the boy whimpered.
Jiangli blinked in surprise with a smile. "Young Lord, it's kind of you to raise this little one. I'm sure he'll grow up strong and independent-just like you."
Lianyu gave a stiff, awkward laugh. "It's not that serious," he said, then turned to the boy.
"Jinxiao," he said, kneeling down, "sore hands are better than losing them in battle. Do you want that to happen to you?"
Jinxiao quickly shook his head, tears brimming in his eyes.
A voice called out from behind. "Young Lord, I apologize. He keeps running off during training."
Lianyu sighed. "Gu Hualin, discipline him however you see fit, beat him if you want. I don't have time to coddle him."
Then, crouching, he picked up the child in his arms and wiped his tears.
"You're lucky Hualin is nicer than me," Lianyu said quietly. "If you don't behave, I'll be the one to beat you."
He handed the child back to Huailin and turned once more to Jiangli.
"So, Young Lord," Jiangli asked, "what is this task?"
Lianyu turned and began walking. "I want you to go to the Heaven Sect in Guangzhen and study their martial arts and cultivation. I've already sent word-they're expecting you."
Jiangli furrowed his brows. "But Young Lord, the Golden Palace is vulnerable. The Magic Sect was destroyed two years ago. We've barely recovered-how can I leave now?"
"That's exactly why you must," Lianyu replied. "You're looking at this from the wrong angle."
"Then enlighten me, Young Lord."
Lianyu sighed, his eyes meeting Jiangli's. "If ever the day comes that someone might attack and steal the Jade Crystal from our land, then who will be there to save it? Our Sect is the only one protecting it now after the disbandment of the Magic Sect, people despises us now due to that hideous incident."
Jiangli stayed silent.
"You are our only hope in this. Study the Heaven Sect's Martial Arts and Cultivation, then come back here once your lesson with them is over." Lianyu said, gazing over the assassins below. "Meanwhile, I will teach them how to become better like you. I hope you get what I'm saying, Lai Jiangli."
After a pause, Jiangli bowed. "Then allow me to return to Zhongyin briefly tonight. I want to say farewell to my family."
Lianyu nodded. "Make it quick. I expect you in Guangzhen by tomorrow."
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That Evening - Zhongyin
Jiangli sat at the table with his family. Steam rose from the bowls, and laughter echoed-until he broke the silence.
"Xiayou..."
"Yes?" his wife replied, gently rocking their baby girl in her arms. "She cries whenever I set her down." Xiaoyou smiled, staring at her baby.
Jiangli smiled. "Our little Ā-Yu is growing fast." He glanced at their son. "Ā-Lin, when your sister grows up, protect her, okay?"
"Yes, Diē," Guanlin beamed.
Jiangli turned back to Xiayou, words catching in his throat. "Xiayou..." he started again.
Xiayou looked at him with her doe eyes with a warm smile.
"I've been ordered to go to Guangzhen."
Xiayou's smile faded instantly. "Guangzhen? That's too far from here. Why would you go there?"
"It's the Young Lord's orders. I'll be studying cultivation at the Heaven Sect, his reason seems fair, it's for our land anyway." Jiangli explained.
She slammed her hand on the table, startling baby Xinyu into tears.
"Niáng, why is Diē leaving us?" Guanlin cried, confused and afraid.
"Look at what you did." Xiayou hissed, "You could've told me this in private."
"I won't be gone for too long," Jiangli said softly. "And if danger ever comes to our land, I'll come back no matter what. You know I will."
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The Next Morning
Jiangli stood at the gate. His horse was saddled beside him as he held its reins.
Xiayou stepped out, holding baby Xinyu in her arms. Guanlin ran forward and hugged Jiangli's leg tightly.
"Diē, be safe. Come back soon, okay?"
Jiangli crouched and picked him up, tapping his nose. "Tell the bad guys to watch out for me, they should be the ones who needs to stay safe." he joked.
"Be careful," Xiayou said quietly.
Jiangli smiled, then mounted his horse. With his douli casting a shadow over his face and a mask that covered half his appearance, he rode off into the mist.
-------
Two Days Later - At the Base of Guangzhen Mountain
Clouds drifted through the sky as doves flew overhead. Lai Jiangli stood beneath the mountain, staring up at the great hall nestled high above.
"Heaven Sect does indeed looks heavenly"
He dismounted from his horse and began walking on the steep side of the mountain.
Making it to the entrance, a man stood silently beside a temple gate quietly, as of waiting for someone.
"May I ask who you are, Mister?" the man said, bowing politely.
Jiangli removed his mask and douli. "Lai Jiangli of the Shadow Sect of Luoyu, under the Zhao Clan in the Golden Palace."
The man motioned his hands to the gate, stepping aside. "Then you may proceed to enter."
Jiangli frowned inconfusion but walked through th temple.
On the other side, the man bowed again, but this time, deeply. "Master Lai-it truly is you."
Jiangli raised an eyebrow. "You're making me confused... I already introduced myself earlier didn't I."
"That temple you crossed just now has a protective barrier. Only those truly invited may cross without consequence. You passed without it, meaning you are really invited."
"Why do you even have this?" Jiangli asked, confused.
"It's to protect the sect from.unknown people. People who are only invited can enter the palace." The man explained. "Please follow me."
As they walked to the top, Jiangli asked, "Who is your Sect Leader?"
"You've never been here before, have you?" the man asked. Jiangli shook his head in response.
"Our Sect and Clan Leader is one person, Jin Weixing."
Minutes later, they arrived at the summit. The palace loomed with white pillars and marble steps, surrounded by sky filled with clouds and silence.
"I could've just fled up here if it was this high up." Jiangli groaned.
Jiangli wandered his eyes around the summit, mesmerized by the heavenly palace.
"This is why they call it Heaven Sect..." Jiangli whispered.
"Please, Master Lai, allow me to care for your horse. You may enter the palace, Lord Jin is alreadg waiting inside for you."
With a nod, Jiangli handed over the reins and stepped forward. He climbed the marble stairs as if it was his first time seeing such a polished place.
The main hall was vast, its silence pierced only by his footsteps, his eyes wandered aroung the pillard, the windows, fhe curtains-until a voice emerged from the shadows.
"Lai Jiangli of Shadow Sect... welcome to Heaven Sect."
Jiangli turned. "Clan Leader Jin," he bowed.
"Kind of your master to send you here," Jin Weixing chuckled. "It's rare that assassins seek cultivation in our Clan."
"I trust my master's decision. If he trusts you, then I trust you too, Clan Leader Jin. Please-teach me everything."
"If I didn't agree to that then how could you enter the temple barrier?" Weixing asked, his voice cunning.
Jiangli rose up. "So that means you will teach me?"
"If I didn't agree then how come you're here. You crossed the barrier. That's all the permission you need," Weixing as he walked, then pausing suddenly. "Now, let's begin."
Without warning, Weixing lunged forward, his white sword flashing with the light as it fllee towards Jiangli.
Jiangli sidestepped backwards, drawing his own sword to block just in time. "Clan Leader-"
The two metal sword made a loud clang that echoed around the palace.
Weixing shot into the air, releasing dove-beaked darts from under his sleeves. Jiangli cut them down in one by one mid-air with ease-but the real threat came next.
Jin released his sword, letting it fly on its own as if it is it's own owner.
Jiangli's eyes widened, he drew his sword, barely blocked the incoming blade. "What martial art is this?!" he asked, struggling by the strong force of the blade.
Weixing didn't answer, but instead the sword flew back into Weixing's hand, descending into the geound.
Without another warning, he launched forwards again in a zigzag position, his sword dangled from all direction.
Just before he could come closer, Jiangli released a talisman from his two fingers in the air, slapping it onto the ground. A shadow circle opened beneath him feet and he sank into it, the blade almost cutting through his head.
Weixing slid down, then suddenly, two shadow assassins emerged from the shadow circle, leaping towards Weixing.
Weixing released his sword again as it fought with the outher shadow, while he fought barehanded with the other shadow.
Both of them struggled with the fight until Weixing's palm glowed in white light, then he struck the shadow with a palm blast, sending it flying to the ground.
The two shadows merged back into Jiangli-now wounded and kneeling.
"Clan Leader... your power is incredible..." he said, clutching his chest.
Weixing stepped forward. "You're quite strong as well. Shadow Sect has not grown weak after all." He replied. "Zhumeng!"
A young man rushed inside the hall.
"Take this man to his quarters. He's our guest." Weixing ordered.
"Yes, Clan Leader Jin," Zhumeng bowed and helped Jiangli up off the ground.
"Wait," Jin called again. "Zhumeng, give him better robes. I don't like that black color in his, especially not in this place."
"Yes, Young Lord," Zhumeng replied, escorting Jiangli out the main hall.