Heavenly,  RealmVoidland Heavens.In the water mirror, the entire process of the Celestial Generals capturing Shuiyang was clearly visible

On the luxurious divine throne, a slender, fair hand leisurely played with a white lotus lantern staff.

Long Xia Kingdom, a desolate and barren desert was ravaged by fierce winds, and the scorching sun mercilessly burned this purgatory land.

For miles around, there was only the figure of a woman. Her clothes were tattered, her body marked with shocking wounds, and crimson blood had dried on her skin.

Dragging her frail body, the woman staggered through the desert with difficulty.

Her footprints were deep and far; she did not know how long she had been walking. Her lips were chapped and cracked, her mouth parched, yearning for water.

Until she could no longer lift her feet, her vision blurred, and she collapsed onto the scorching sand.

In her faint state, the woman saw a fiery figure approaching. A pair of hands lifted her chin.

“Save me! I can’t die yet!” the woman pleaded weakly.

Shuiyang saw guilt in her eyes, deep and profound guilt.

“Tell me, what keeps you holding on?”

Shuiyang’s pupils emitted a faint golden glow, and in the woman’s eyes, she saw a person.

A little girl…

Five years ago, in Long Xia Kingdom, Zhou City.

A group of young girls were locked in a prison cart, which moved through the streets surrounded by fierce and menacing soldiers.

At that time, Luo Wanchun was huddled in the prison cart, very scared. A small hand reached out to her, holding a not-so-fine piece of candy. Luo Wanchun looked up and saw Zhuohua¹’s smile, as brilliant and radiant as her name suggested.

“Eat it. If you have some candy, you won’t be so scared,” Zhuohua comforted Luo Wanchun.

Luo Wanchun then cautiously took the candy from Zhuohua’s hand, her wary eyes fixed on her. Only after confirming that Zhuohua meant no harm did she eat the candy.

“My name is Zhuohua, I’m fourteen. How about you?”

Zhuohua chatted with Luo Wanchun.

Luo Wanchun, timid like a little rabbit, softly replied, “I’m Luo Wanchun, thirteen.”

“Then I’m a year older than you. From now on, think of me as your older sister.”

Seeing this warm and cheerful big sister, Luo Wanchun felt comforted and gradually opened her heart to Zhuohua.

“Okay, from now on, you’re my older sister.”

In that moment, they looked at each other and smiled, no longer feeling so scared and anxious.

The girls were taken to a luxurious mansion. After walking through corridor after long corridor, they arrived at a small courtyard where an old momo² appeared and assigned them their rooms.

In the days that followed, they wore beautiful clothes and had food to fill their stomachs — their days seemed content.

The momo taught them manners and etiquette while also instructing them in martial arts.

Zhuohua and Luo Wanchun became like true sisters, inseparable every day.

This did not escape the momo’s watchful eyes.

Half a year flew by.

One day, the momo gathered the girls together and handed them over to a stern, rough-looking guard.

He made the girls draw lots. Those who drew “Martial” stood in one line, and those who drew “Literary” in another.

Luo Wanchun drew “Literary,” while Zhuohua drew “Martial.”

The guard explained that those who drew “Literary” would specialize in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and etiquette.

Those who drew “Martial” would learn all kinds of weapons.

Luo Wanchun was unhappy with her “Literary” lot, as she disliked rules and preferred the simplicity and directness of martial arts.

Zhuohua, understanding her, secretly switched their lots, changing their groups.

They thought no one noticed, but their actions did not escape the guard’s keen eyes.

“From then on, Zhuohua studied literature while Luo Wanchun practiced martial arts.”

Despite living separately, their bond remained strong. They would often sneak out to see each other or steal snacks together.

Another year passed.

Zhuohua had grown into a graceful young lady, poised and elegant in her every move.

Luo Wanchun had become a master swordsman, her skills unmatched.

Both had become the top of their respective groups.

Luo Wanchun became an assassin.

It was on her first mission that she learned the place they lived in was the most powerful in Zhou City — the Nether Sect.

That day was also the first time she killed someone.

From that moment on, Luo Wanchun’s path as an assassin became increasingly smooth.

Until that fateful night on the fifteenth of August. Luo Wanchun was planning to sneak away and find Zhuohua to share some stolen treats.

Little did she expect to witness such a heart-wrenching scene.

Zhuohua had been taken to the most mysterious and forbidden place in the Nether Sect – the Drunken Breeze Pavilion.

Luo Wanchun heard Zhuohua’s agonizing screams from inside. Without a second thought, she rushed to storm in, but was stopped by a guard.

Drawing her sword, she swiftly killed the guard, only to attract more adversaries.

The sounds of Zhuohua’s despairing cries drove Luo Wanchun into a frenzied state.

Under the scarlet glow of that night’s full moon, a relentless battle ensued.

None of the assassins were a match for Luo Wanchun. In the chaos, she shattered the doors of the Drunken Breeze Pavilion and saw an old man violating Zhuohua.

Tears streamed down Zhuohua’s face as she struggled in anguish, but the old man showed no mercy.

Fueled by rage, Luo Wanchun attempted to charge in and kill the old man, but she was pulled away and kicked aside. She found herself facing a courtyard full of guards and assassins, including former sisters-in-arms. This time, she showed no restraint. She screamed and roared, cutting through each of them with a single strike, like a Devil wading through a sea of blood and corpses.

Inside the Drunken Breeze Pavilion, Zhuohua’s cries did not cease.

Luo Wanchun demanded answers. She questioned everyone.

She questioned the heavens.

She questioned fate.

Why?!!

Why had it come to this?

Until a voice from the crowd revealed the truth.

“Zhuohua was the best among the ‘Literary’ group. From the moment you drew your lots, her fate was sealed. You are an assassin; she was chosen to entertain the Sect Leader!”

It was as if the sky had caved in on Luo Wanchun. Her ears buzzed, her face drained of all color.

So, she had been the one who doomed Zhuohua.

Zhuohua was suffering in her place.

The one who should have drawn “Literary” was her…

The one who should be inside was her…

Cold tears streamed down Luo Wanchun’s face, falling to the ground like shards of ice.

She stood frozen, trembling, her body losing all warmth and feeling. She was numb, tortured by anguish.

Suddenly, someone struck Luo Wanchun unconscious, putting an end to the chaos.

Footnote:

1. Zhuohua(灼华): Refers to intense brilliance or radiance.
2. Momo(嬷嬷): An older woman, usually responsible for teaching girls manners and etiquette.