In a rash moment of her youth, Li Zhaoyun committed a terrible mistake that not even ten thousand reincarnations can fix. As a result, she was able to learn how tall the heavens and earth are as well as how many dangers there are in a lifetime.

    The night is a period that always gives one a gloomy, ghastly feeling, making people unable to fully cherish its endless beauty. However, it is not the darkness that covers every organism under its black layers that makes people naturally avoid it but whatever happens behind the thick layer of fog.

    On a certain night, countless footsteps rashly echoed into the chilly night sky, leaving swish swashing sounds behind in the dangerous bamboo forest. After hearing it, a woman hastily emerged from the bamboo grove, one hand holding a branch drenched in blood, the other, holding on to a small child.

    This person's expression was as white as snow, sweat drenching her entire body. Her raggy inner clothes were drenched in a sight of red blossoms, making her look exactly like a female demon who enjoys harming others. Just from the intense smell of blood and the form as rigid as ice is enough for people to acknowledge that their wounds are not light.

    The child within her hold, hugs her sleeves tightly, "Niang*."

*Niang (娘) - mother*

    When the woman heard the calls of the child, she gently stroked her head, comforting her, " Do not be afraid, niang is here."

    When the child heard this, the yatou* immediately shakes her head, hands tightening her hold of the sleeve, " I am not scared. Is niang alright?"

*Yatou (丫头) - girl, can be use as a term of endearment or insult*

    " I am fine, we're almost there, try to hold out for a bit more."

    The little yatou nods her head, arms wrapped tightly around the women's neck. Her eyes stared intensely at the back like someone was going to jump out from the groves.

    Even though the little yatou looked a bit pitiful, no one can dare lie about the perceptiveness of her eyes, a worldly contrast to her current appearance. With just a light glance, it is enough to know that she is not of a common background. To summarize, her eyes are like a tiger's, no prey would dare to act under nose unless they want to bring danger to their home.

Suddenly, another person came out of the grove. This time, it was of the appearance of an older man, dressed not as proper as the others but the clothes were still of lavish materials, hinting that he is from a large clan. Even if he is from such a clan, just by looking at the situation, one would understand his own nature.

Before the woman can react, an arrow shoots through the air towards her, hitting the woman's back. Having just witnessed that, the small child screamed out but got blocked by her niang's hand over her mouth. The little child's hands were covered in blood, clothes turning a dark crimson.

" Where do you want to go, beauty? I have yet to be finished with you, even if you grow wings, you will never escape from me!"

The woman looked at the old man's face, unable to resist a teasing smile from appearing on her lips, spitting out a disdainful comment. " Yang Zhucheng, I can not believe you can lower yourself to this extent."

When the old man heard the scornful comment, his facial expression darken. He originally wanted to bring the woman back to become his consort but changed his mind after the insult. " Unruly woman! Let laozun* educate you in the stead of your zhangfu*!"

*Laozun (老尊) - old honorable, a term to address oneself in place of I*

*Zhangfu (丈夫) - husband*

Hearing his unbelievable words, the woman glared at him, " Educate me? You have the capability?"

Taking in the woman's words, Yang Zhucheng stroked his beard as he replied, " Why do I not have any capability? What does your clan have that is worthy of the people's worship? Maybe from following the demonic ways!"

Initially, the woman's face was snow whitebut after hearing his words, her expression farken several tones. " Stop talking! You do not have the right to speak ill of my clan!"

" At least, Zhongjian Yangshi can return to the right path unl–"

Before the old man could finish, the woman was quick to interrupt him, " Yang Zhucheng, you shameless person!"

" Clearly a noble woman of great lineage, who's fame reaches the end of the sky but does not know any better. You see, such a person should die with a non-intact body!"

Hearing those words from the old men, the yatou peaked up from behind her niang, pointing her finger towards him. " You!"

The old man raises his eyebrows at the yatou's yelling. His eyes brightened up with disgusting interest as he thought of a way to convince the beauty.

The old man approached them, staring intently at the child as a smile appear on his lips. In a blink, the distance between them shortened immensely. " Or... I capture your child, command people to spread rumors about how Da Xiaojie* of Honglin Lishi has already followed the demonic ways to strengthen the reputation of her clan despite her young age. And after having enough fun and decided to run away. I'm afraid that this lifetime, the cold will not live peacefully!"

*Da Xiaojie (大小姐) - eldest lady*

    As she heard that, the furen* bit her lips enough to draw blood. She hugged the child closer to her body, trying to cover the existence of the child away from the old man. " Even a child can't escape from you! You are dressed like an animal*"

*Furen (夫人) - term of address to a married woman*

*Dressed like an animal (衣冠禽兽) - an idiom, describing an immoral and despicable person.*

    The child cowered in fear within her niang's holds, shivering in fear. Her eyes brimmed with liquid yet to fall. " Niang."

    Suddenly, the woman's arms relax, no longer holding the child. Li furen stands up while looking at his sickening appearance. " Li An, run."

    The child shakes her head, hugging her niang's thigh. " I'm not going. I'm not going."

    Yang Zhucheng smiles, " Stupid yatou."

    Li furen pushed Li An away with all her might, eyes glaring at her, wanting her to follow her wishes. " Gun*"

*Gun (滚) - Get lost, in a rude manner*

    Hearing that, Li An can only look up at her, shakingly bringing herself to stand up. 

" Beauty, what do you want to do?"

Seeing the child standing up, Li furen turned back to face Zhu Yangcheng. " If you want to bring me back, then die with me!" Li furen immediately rushed towards him.

Yang Zhucheng quickly stepped back to dodge, almost getting hit by the branch. After that, he aimed a punch at the bloody wound.

Li An panicked, letting out a scream, " Niang!" 

" Why are you still here? Gun!"

The old man let out a long sigh, " Unexpectedly, the infamous Li furen has this kind of ending." He bent down, fingers petting Li furen's jade-like face slowly moving towards her smooth black hair. Before he can go elsewhere, something hard yet round hit his head. " Despicable yatou! Wait for me, beauty. Once I finish dealing with that yatou, I will come back for you."

Upon hearing that, Li An panicked, body shaking to the extent of dropping the rock. She falls down to the ground miserably as her legs can no longer support her weight. " Don't come over here! Don't come over! Don't come over!"

Li furen shakingly extend out her hand, " An...er*."

*Er (儿) - by adding er behind the name, it becomes a term of endearment, especially for parents to call their kids*

Li An, at the moment, still could not stand up, eyes intensely staring at the possessed-like smile of Yang Zhucheng. " Don't come here! I said, don't come here!"

Yang Zhucheng continues to approach her, lips curling into a horrendous smile, " I want to see how capable the Da Xiaojie of Honglin Lishi is!"

" Don't come over! Don't come over! AHhh!"

At that point, Li Zhaoyun's eyes sprung open, body jumping out of bed. She immediately placed her hand over her chest, feeling her heartbeat. Once she had found it, she let out a long exhale before wiping the sweat on her forehead off. Although her entire body is sweating profusely, Li Zhaoyun felt as cold as ice."

" Another dream."

    From the age of six, Li Zhaoyun has been dreaming the same exact nightmare of an event she cannot remember. Just as she opens her eyes, her consciousness returning to reality, it was as if she did not just went through a night of being paralized in bed, unable to escape the illusion. Her memory of the nightmare would be forgotten, making her unable to remember anything. Even years later, she was still unable to remember what had happened.

    Li Zhaoyun shakily pushed herself out of bed, legs barely able to support her body. Looking around her round, she realized that it was still dark, only being illuminated by a single candle, creating a hazy light. "It's still choushi*."

*Choushi (丑时) - two hours period between 1AM and 3 AM*

    After changing her robes, Li Zhaoyun reached over the table to grab a long yet slim white fabric with spider lilies, the motif of Honglin Lishi sewn on them and tie it around her hair tightly. After putting on another layer, Li Zhaoyun step out of her room towards Huaji Tai.

Huaji Tai is the place for all of Honglin Lishi's disciples to cultivate their sword play. Huaji talks about the use of youthful times to focus on cultivation, and not worry about the mortal world. Tai talks about the sword-fights between disciples to increase one's potential.

Standing in front of the gate, Li Zhaoyun glanced at the sign and smiled. Although it is still dark, Huaji Tai has always calmly welcomed her.

Huaji Tai remains unchangeable four seasons, tirelessly watching over Honglin and Luohua Fort. Truly the only place that survived after the Yi Xian Battle.

She quietly stopped up the familiar steps and directly entered Huaji Tai.

A few years have passed yet this place remains the same.

Suddenly, Li Zhaoyun stopped in her tracks, looking at her surroundings.

Strange, why did I sense a commotion?

However, before Li Zhaoyun can lift up her feet, a servant has come in front of her. " Li xiaojie, Li Zongzhu* wants to meet you."

*Zongzhu (宗主) - head of clan*

Hearing that, Li Zhaoyun glanced at her, " Gumu* wants to meet me?"

*Gumu (姑母) - father's married sister*

" Yes."

" Why is gumu calling me at this time?"

    She continues to stare at the little yatou, making her entire body shiver. " Nubi* don't know."

*Nubi (女婢) - maidservants or female slaves, can be use as a term of address instead of "I" when talking to a person of higher authority*

    Li Zhaoyun closes her eyes before opening them, letting out a sigh. " Good*, wait a bit for me."

*Hao (好) - Good/ Fine/Alright, can be answered with a similar meaning to Yes, accepting the proposal*

*******

Upon another mountain, a game of go has been abandoned. The pieces, half has already been carefully positioned on the board while the rest has yet to appear, swayed along with the wind. Sitting on each side are two middle aged people who were intently staring at the board. The one who holds the white pieces is a woman, with jade-like skin, hair as dark as the night yet still made people admire her upon hearing her name. She wore a crimson robe.

" Li Zongzhu, Da Xiaojie is waiting outside."

Li Yanxia looked at the door and nodded, " Let her come in."

" Yes," the servant answered before quickly leaving the room.

" These past two years have gone by in a blink of an eye. Guanyu, how do you think Yun-er is doing?" Li Yanxia looks at the person who's facing towards the valley, looking at the scenery of Honglin.

" I am not sure."

" Yun-er is the one and only daughter of you, Li Guanyu. How do you not know how she is doing?"

Before he can talk back, the servant reenters. " Li Zongzhu, Li Da Xiaojie have arrived."

" Go."

" Yes."

Before coming here, Li Zhaoyun returned to her room to change into a more proper robe. She stepped into the room before making a bow. " Li An greets gumu, fuqin*"

*Fuqin (父亲) - father*

Li Yanxia smiled, coming to help her stand up. " In the two years we haven't met, Yun-er has matured." Li Guanyu nods his head, slowly approaching Li Yanxia and Li Zhaoyun. " Li An thank gumu," Li Zhaoyun answered before looking in the direction of Li Guanyu. " Li An greets fuqin."

Like the last time, Li Guanyu did not answer.

Seeing that, Li Yanxia closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh. " I won't interfere with your own matters but today I have called the both of you about political matters, not reconnecting the both of you."

    Recognizing the tense atmosphere, Li Zhaoyun asked, " Gumu, what have you called Li An today for?"

    Back to the topic, Li Yanxia answered, " Have you ever heard of Qinghe Nieshi?"

    Li Zhaoyun furrows her eyebrow, Qinghe Nishi? Why does this name sound familiar?

    While thinking, she mindlessly asked. " Gumu, are you talking about the central continent's Qinghe Nieshi?"

    Li Yanxia nods her head, " Yes, the head of Qinghe Nieshi will be visiting Honglin."

    Visiting Honglin? Honglin Lishi, over the years, has not made any contact with those in the central continent so why is this happening?

    " The reason you have called Li An is also related to this matter?"

    While Li Yanxia nodded her head, Li Guanyu glanced at her with an unreadable expression.

    After hearing it, Li Zhaoyun can't restrain herself, mindlessly standing there. What do you want Li An to do? " Gumu, why do the people of Qinghe Nieshi want to come visit Honglin?"

    Li Yanxia does not answer, suddenly glance over to look at Li Guanyu. Noticing something out of the ordinary, Li Zhaoyun continues to stare at the two seniors, trying to find any clues. " Our Honglin Lishi has long not enter the political scene, especially of the central continent's. However, currently... such a ch–"

    Unable to finish, she flinched at Li Guanyu's glance, putting her head down, not daring to continue speaking. Even though he is also wearing the crimson robes of Honglin Lishi, she feels coldness seeping to her core at his stare.

    Seeing Li Zhaoyun's change in posture, Li Yanxia could only shake her head and continue, " Yun-er, do you still remember the reason why I let you leave?"

    She immediately nods as Li Yanxia changes the topic, " Yes. Gumu wants Li An to observe the changes outside of Honglin."

    Li Yanxia smiles, " And..."

    Li Zhaoyun glanced up, looking into Li Yanxia's eyes and gently answered, " You want Li An..."