CHAPTER 1

*GRIN!*

        *GRIN!*

               *GRIN!*

The third buzz of the alarm shattered the morning silence, jolting the figure from sleep. Slowly, she sat up on the creaky wooden bed, the faint scent of lavender rising from the pillows like a calming whisper against the harsh ring of reality. Blinking away the remnants of a fading dream, she reached out to silence the alarm, its relentless beeping still echoing in her ears.

The figure stared blankly at the ceiling, eyes tracing invisible patterns in the faint morning light leaking through the curtains. A low grumble escaped their lips — half annoyance, half exhaustion. For a moment, she considered the weight of the day ahead… then, with a sigh of surrender, she let gravity pull them back down onto the lavender-scented pillows. The alarm clock blinked silently now, its job done — though the world outside kept ticking forward.

“Urgh, I’m so tired,” she whispered in her usual sweet tone, the sound barely louder than the rustling sheets. Her voice, though laced with fatigue, still carried a softness that made even complaints sound gentle. She rolled onto her side, pulling the blanket up to her chin, eyes fluttering shut for just a moment more of peace. Outside, birds chirped cheerfully — a cruel contrast to her desire for five more minutes.

She sat up again, this time slower, more thoughtful. Her fingers toyed with the edge of the blanket as she exhaled deeply.

“I’m Princess Caixia of Zhangye,” she muttered to herself, “a Shaolin warrior… and a huntress.”

The titles sounded heavy on her tongue — proud, yes, but burdensome.

“But I’m still not a perfect lady,” she added with a frustrated frown. “Good thing I’m not getting married, but still… I need to be perfect, like the other princesses.”

Her gaze drifted toward the window, where sunlight spilled lazily into the room.

“Other princesses always rise early, even before the alarm,” she sighed. “But I’m different.”

She hugged her knees to her chest, the silence in the room pressing in around her — not unkind, but expectant. Then....

.

“Totally different!” Caixia clenched her fists tightly, knuckles whitening. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me…” Her voice cracked just a little, revealing the frustration buried beneath her usual calm. She looked away, biting her lip as if searching for an answer hidden deep inside.

She pulled the two lavender-scented pillows close, hugging them like old friends. Pointing at them with a mock-serious expression, she whispered, “Hey, sleep buddies... tell me — don’t I need a change? Am I even worthy of being a princess?”

Her voice trembled slightly as she added, “Is this how I’ll rule Zhangye in the near future? Tsk.”

She sighed, a mix of frustration and longing swirling in her eyes. The soft pillows offered silent comfort, but they couldn’t answer the questions that weighed heavy on her heart.

The pillows stared back, motionless and unresponsive. Growing impatient, she pounced on them, squeezing them tight until they shrank beneath her grasp.

“Answer me!” she demanded, her voice shaking with a mix of frustration and desperation. But of course, the only reply was the soft rustle of fabric and the faint scent of lavender.

*PHEW!* The pillows mumbled softly beneath her grip, as if whispering secrets she could only hear.

Suddenly, the sun rose, golden rays streaming through the louvered window and spilling warmth across Caixia’s room.

“What a sunny morning! Perfect for hunting!” she grinned, a spark of excitement lighting up her tired eyes. “Heh!”

With renewed energy, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, ready to face the day — no longer just the weary princess, but a warrior ready to prove herself.

She was halfway to the louvered window when sudden knocks echoed at the door.

“Come in,” she said softly, her usual sweet tone steady and calm.

The door creaked open, and two ladies dressed in plain pink lace stepped inside. They bowed politely, heads low.

“Good morning, Your Royal Majesty,” they greeted in unison, their voices respectful yet warm.

“Morning, cuties!” Caixia grinned, casting a quick glance at the sunlit window before turning back to them. “The morning seems bright, doesn’t it?” she whispered playfully.

They both nodded in agreement.

“It is, Princess Caixia!”

“A perfect day for hunting!” Yulan said with a cheerful smile.

“Absolutely,” Caixai returned the smile warmly.

“My princess,” Leilei added softly, “hunting on a sunny morning like this is always more exciting… you know!”

Caixai nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Very much correcto, cuties!”

“Yes, my princess!” They bowed gracefully before her.

“What other fun is there if not hunting?” she asked, pointing at them with a dramatic flair.

“None, my Princess!” They shook their heads politely in agreement.

“Good… well, I think you two will accompany me to the forest again. I’ll really need your assistance, cuties,” Caixai whispered .

“Anything for you, Princess Caixai,” Leilei replied softly, “but I suggest you have breakfast first, so the hunt can be more fun.”

“Yeah, Princess Caixai,” Yulan agreed, smiling warmly.

“Okay, cuties!” Caixai nodded, beaming with a bright smile.

****************

Dressed in her favorite sari, Caixai walked gracefully toward the throne where her parents, King Kuilang and Queen Mu , sat side by side.

She bowed elegantly before them, the quiver of arrows slung over her back resting lightly against her sari.

“Good morning, Father. Good morning, Mother,” she greeted softly.

King Kuilang smiled warmly. “Morning, peanut. How was your night?”

“Fine, Father. And yours?”

“Cool as ever,” he chuckled quietly.

Queen Mu's eyes twinkled as she regarded Sisou. “My princess, you look so picky this morning… where are you headed?”

“To hunt!” Caixai snapped, her eyes flickering toward the rising sun as a grin spread across her face. “It’s a sunny morning—perfect for hunting. The forest wildlife will be less active, making the hunt more thrilling and less tiring.”

Queen Muand King Kuilang exchanged uneasy glances.

“I’m the greatest hunter in Zhanyue State!” Caixai's voice rang out boldly, causing flabbergasting echoes to bounce through the palace halls.

Queen Mu leaned toward King Kuilang and whispered, “I think we have a crazy daughter. She never talks about men or marriage.”

King Kuilang looked at his beautiful daughter, a mix of concern in his eyes. “Come on, Caixai. You’re old enough for all this hunting and Shaolin life you lead… can’t you try changing?”

“Changing?” Caixai raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Well, I know you know the alarm wakes before me every day, and I *do* need a change about that, right?”

“No, not that,” Queen Mu said, her voice softer now. “Your father thought you were going to meet a prince because you dressed up so charmingly… I was thinking the same.”

“Meeting a prince?” Caixai suddenly frowned, her tone sharp. “Who does that? *Tsk!*”

“Caixai , you’re eighteen,” King Kuilang said, his voice calm but firm. “You’re old enough for marriage according to our customs. What are you waiting for? Does someone need to remind you that you're the most beautiful of all princesses? Men wouldn’t fail to fall in love with you.”

Queen Mu added gently, “Your perfect type—princesses like you—travel past kingdoms, find their soulmates, fall in love, and marry. But you… you keep hunting through the forest, giving your last breath to Shaolin training and wild games.

“Enough, Father! Enough, Mother!” Caixai snapped, her eyes blazing as she glared at them. In that moment, they no longer looked like rulers — just puppets perched on ornate stone chairs.

She turned her back on them, fuming. “I never wanted to be part of some marriage life…”

Then she glanced over her shoulder, voice low but firm, “Because it’s a futile idea — one we can’t even *see*.”

Again, she turned away, this time with a sharper tone. “And I *dare* to crush any masculine figure who comes my way!”

With that, Caixai stormed off, her footsteps echoing through the marble halls. Her parents exchanged stunned glances that silently said, *Damn, our baby’s hot.*

As she crossed the royal pavement, she bumped into Yulan and Leilei.

They quickly bowed. “My princess…”

“You look worried. Any problem?” Leilei asked, concern in her gentle voice.

Caixai flashed a fake smile. “I’m okay, cuties! C’mon, let’s fly to the forest!”

She swung onto her silver-balded horse, Xue, the creature whinnying as if it had been waiting all morning. Yulan and Leilei mounted their own horses right after her.

“Hyah!” Caixai called, whipping the reins. Xue trotted powerfully across the royal gate, galloping down the forest path with elegance and speed.

“Xue seems to be active today…” Yulan said, holding on tightly.

“Guess he had enough straws for breakfast,” Caixai smirked.

They all giggled light-heartedly as the wind swept through their hair, the forest drawing closer with each stride.

****************

Caixai and her maids had dismounted and stood silently on the clear coast of *Mo Zhu Forest*, one of Zhanyue's lush rainforests.

Their eyes wandered over the shrubby surroundings—tall, towering trees reaching into the sky, birds singing in layered melodies, and insects chirping in the undergrowth.

“What a cool aura,” Yulan whispered with delight, her eyes wide with wonder.

“But the air feels… moist, even with all this sun,” Leilei added, rubbing her arms lightly.

Yulan nodded slowly.

“There’s a little humidity here,” Caixai explained. “Mo Zhu is a rainforest. Thick canopy, trapped moisture.”

“No wonder!” both maids drawled in unison.

“Let’s walk deeper into the forest… be cautious,” Caixai whispered.

They nodded, and the group moved forward, their footsteps crunching lightly on dried leaves.

Suddenly—*thud... rustle... thud!*

Caixai's ears twitched. Her hand shot up, stopping the group.

“I think there’s a game on the way,” she whispered, glancing back at them. “Shhh.”

Her maids froze, nodding.

With swift precision, Caixai nocked an arrow onto her bowstring, every muscle in her body sharp and alert. Her eyes scanned the trees, her ears tuned to every shift in the breeze.

Yulan and Leilei stepped lightly behind her, following her lead—silent, steady, and ready for whatever was rustling through the wild.

The footsteps were getting closer.

And closer.

And closer.

Then—silence.

They had stopped. Just behind a thick grassy cache, a few steps ahead.

Caixai eyes narrowed. She turned to Yulan and Leilei. “You both have to stay here. I think... something dangerous is out there.”

Yulan reached for her arm, concern etching her voice. “My princess, stay back. You want to risk your life for this?”

Caixai grinned, fearless. “I know, cuties. But I’ve *been* risking my life. Don’t try to stop an expert huntress like me... it’s only a game.”

Reluctantly, Yulan nodded and stepped back, letting go.

Caixai crept forward, each step light and calculated. She approached the cache, bow still armed... but there was nothing. No figure. No creature. Just whispering leaves and swaying grass.

Then—*whoosh!*

A chill grazed her cheek as something sped past her like wind with weight.

She froze. Eyes wide. Heart pounding.

“It can’t be an animal,” she whispered, her voice laced with doubt. “Or... can it?”

Her grip tightened on her bow as she took a deep breath.

“*Show yourself before me!*” she shouted, gathering every ounce of her courage. Her voice was bold—but a glint of moisture shimmered in her eyes.

…But there was only silence.

Still. Watching. Waiting.

“I said, *show yourself!*” Caixai shouted louder, her voice echoing through the trees. “You dare not hide before the greatest huntress of Fangyi... *Show yourself!*”

But again… silence.

Only the rustling leaves answered her.

Caixai exhaled sharply, lowering her bow slightly. “Maybe it was just my imagination.”

She turned toward Yulan and Leilei, waving a hand. “Hey, there’s nothing here.”

The maids nodded, still tense, eyes scanning the forest edge.

Sisou huffed, breaking the silence. “Tsk, I think it was just my—”

*“Behind you!”*

The scream tore from Yulan and Leilei in unison.

Caixai spun, muscles coiling, ready to strike with a swift Shaolin crane punch—

But she was a second too late.

A masked figure lunged from the shadows, grabbing her arm and yanking her with unnatural force.

She tumbled, rolling across the soft, damp humus floor, her quiver rattling behind her as she hit the ground.

Leaves scattered. Her bow slid from her hand.

The figure stood over her—tall, cloaked, and silent. The mask glinted with carved symbols. No face. No words. Just presence.

“A masked human?” Caixai muttered in shock.

She struggled against his grip, trying to wriggle free—but he was far stronger than she expected.

“Let go of me!” she yelled, thrashing. But the figure didn’t flinch. He was like stone—deaf to her cries.

Then, it hit her. She remembered Master Jiang's last lesson—*the final technique* he taught before awarding her the red Shaolin sash.

"Only use this when you're truly trapped."

Caixai took a deep breath, calming her pulse. In a flash, she shifted her weight, summoned her strength, and launched upward with explosive force—breaking free.

Her hand sliced through the air and yanked off his mask.

And there he was.

Time slowed.

Topaz siren eyes.

A perfectly sculpted jawline.

Pinkish, soft lips.

Long, silky black hair—just like hers.

His expression: fierce, unreadable... and breathtaking.

Caixai froze, her Shaolin fist hovering mid-air. For a moment, she questioned if he was even real.

Then—snap!

He grabbed his mask, fixed it back on his face with swift precision… and without a word, struck her hard.

Caixai flew backward, crashing into the forest floor with a heavy thud.

Before the masked figure could seize her again, Yulan and Leilei came charging through the clearing.

He halted.

His head tilted slightly. Then—*whoosh!* He vanished into the trees like smoke.

The maids rushed to Caixai, who lay dazed and barely conscious.

“My princess!” they cried, kneeling beside her.

With dim eyes, Sisou murmured, “I’m okay...”

“What happened?” Leilei asked, eyes wide.

“The freak… tried taking me. Good thing you two showed up on time.” She coughed, struggling to sit up. “He hit me hard. I just feel weak… We need to go back home, cuties.”

"Who the hell was that? " Leilei whined, like she could go into the thin air and hunt the image, then bring him tied before Caixai.

" I have no idea Cuties, let's go home. I'm weak..."

“Okay, my princess,” Yulan said gently.

With their arms around her, they helped her to her feet.

Caixai's gaze lingered on the direction he’d disappeared.

“I’ll deal with him…” she whispered, voice low and cold. “When next we meet… by coincidence.”

As they led her away, the wind stirred the trees once more, whispering through the branches like an omen.

But far behind them — hidden in the thick shadows of the forest — the masked figure stood perfectly still, watching.

He touched the spot where her gaze had pierced through him… then clenched his fist.

“Next time, Princess…” he muttered, voice like ice, “you won’t leave on your feet.”

And with that, he vanished into the forest’s depths — unseen, but very much still hunting.

*Two weeks later...*

Caixai had been sick for days—silent, pale, and still. She lay in her bed day in, day out, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, haunted by that moment in the forest.

*How could a mere human bring me down like that?*

Her mind replayed the scene over and over.

“He won’t escape my hunt for him… soon,” she would mutter, drawling with weak determination.

Leilei and Yulan would sit by her side, gently pacifying her.

“Please rest, my princess. Revenge can wait,” Yulan would whisper.

“He may have strength, but you have wisdom and spirit,” Leilei added softly.

Outside her chamber, King Kuilang had commanded one thousand of Zhanyue's finest soldiers to sweep Mo Zhu forest in search of the masked stranger. For days, they returned empty-handed. No trace. No footsteps. No sightings. Nothing but the lingering mystery.

Finally, on the day Sisou regained her strength enough to stand, King Kuilang entered her chamber. He looked at her long and hard, then pointed a firm finger.

“Maybe now,” he said, voice calm but stern, “you understand that you’re too old to be chasing danger through wild forests. It's time you acted mature.”

He paused.

“*Get married!"

Then, King Kuilang left the room, his robes sweeping behind him in silence.

Caixai stood alone in the quiet. She exhaled deeply and reached under her bed, pulling out her quiver of arrows. She held them close.

“Well,” she muttered, brushing her fingers over the smooth shafts, “I can’t afford to stop hunting. It’s part of me… and no one can take that away.”

She touched her temple, her thoughts cloudy but fierce.

“God of Zhanyue knows what would happen,” she whispered darkly, “if any masculine image dares come my way ” Her fists clenched tightly.

The door creaked open gently. Yulan and Leilei stepped inside, their footsteps soft, respectful. They bowed low before her.

“My princess, how are you doing?” Leilei asked gently.

Caixai grinned, a bit of color returning to her cheeks. “Very much fine. I think the ointment and herbs worked perfectly.”

“We’re glad to hear that, Princess Caixai,” they said in unison, relief in their eyes. Caixai nodded, but her expression turned serious.

“But it was my fault…” she admitted. “I couldn’t even defend myself from his hit.”

“No, my princess,” Yulan said quickly. “*We* owe *you* punishment—for not detecting the trespasser in time. We failed to protect you.”

“No, cuties,” Caixai said softly. “If it weren’t for your intervention, maybe I’d have been taken… or worse.” She clenched her fist tightly. “As for *him*, I’ll do everything to find him—climb mountains, cross oceans, search every forest in Fangyi if I have to.”

“My princess,” Leilei said gently, “let bygones be bygones. We’re just grateful you’re safe.”

Caixai scoffed and looked away. “It would be a *shame* to tell Master Jiang that a human knocked me down.” She spat to the side. “Ptoeey!"

“No, my princess,” Yulan said firmly. “We all saw how you fought. You did your best.”

“‘Possible best,’ you say? *Tsk!*” Caixai shook her head, frustration flickering in her eyes. “I don’t even know what happened… I just—” She hesitated, then muttered, “I was looking into his eyes. Like they were… bottomless pits. Like they were pulling me in, and I couldn’t get out.”

“Bottomless pits?” Yulan whispered, her brow raised.

“Huh? *Distracted?*” Leilei murmured.

The two maids glanced at each other, their eyes sparkling with silent understanding.

*Our princess… in love?*

*The great Caixai? Distracted?*

They didn’t dare say it out loud—but their eyes said everything.

Meanwhile, Caixai stared up at the ceiling, her expression softening. “He’s handsome… and charming,” she said dreamily. “I can’t forget that fierce, killing look. It’s… unforgettable.”

Leilei raised a brow. “Wait… so you’re saying he’s *handsome*…”

“…but you’ll *kill* him?” Yulan finished, blinking in disbelief.

Caixai stood tall, arms crossed. “Exactly.”

“But you were smiling just now—like… dreamily,” Leilei muttered.

“Dreamily?” Caixai scoffed. “I was plotting his downfall.”

Yulan stifled a giggle. “Sure, my princess… plotting, with a blush on your cheeks?”

Caixai gasped, touching her face. “*Blush?* I don’t blush!”

“You *did*,” both maids said together.

Caixai turned away dramatically. “Tsk! I’m going to the training yard. Enough of this nonsense.”

As she marched off, the maids whispered behind her.

“She’s *totally* in love.”

“Yup. Head over heels.”

They grinned.

****************

  "Father, I want to personally go in search of that trespasser..."Caixai snapped, before King Kuilang, dressed in black tux and quavers of arrow at her back and a sheated sword hung into the slight cache in her dress.

   Yulan drew Leilei's attention," Pssst!"

Leilei glanced at her.

   Then, Yulan whispered into Leilei's ear, "It seems like our Princess was never interested in him. Who knows how handsome he may be,well...?"

    "I heard the princess said : fierce, killing look...that means he might be a hot, cute guy, oh."Leilei said,in a snap.

 Yulan rolled her eyes,"Well, I'm not interested yet. He's a trespasser and he needs to be punished!"

    "I never was interested in a trespasser too... just trying to get a clue and imagination of his look." Leilei murmured.

    They both sighed, watching the dramatic action between Caixai and her father.

King Kuilang stood tall, folding his arms across his chest as his eyes narrowed. “Caixai, this isn’t about weapons. This is about *wisdom*.”

“But I *have* wisdom!” she snapped. “And instincts! I’ve trained more than half the soldiers in this palace—why can’t you trust me with one hunt?”

“You’re not chasing a wild animal,” he said sternly. “This is a man. A *dangerous* one. And I’m not risking my only daughter’s life over pride.”

Caixai scoffed, “Pride? No, Father. *Honor.*”

There was silence.

Then she stepped back, voice low but firm, “If I don’t hunt him, I’ll never forgive myself. I’ll never regain my strength as a warrior—or as your daughter.”

King Kuilang stared at her for a long moment… then turned away with a heavy sigh. “ Really?” King Kuilang chuckled, sardonically"You are always stubborn. You just recovered from illness some hours earlier and you wanna go looking for someone who you don't even know!"

    "Father..." Caixai stared at her father, craving the wish of him having the same thought as hers.

Her old man thundered,  "If our thousands of soldiers couldn't find him,then who are you to go look for him ?" King Kuilang drawled, "C'mon, girl. It's better you go rest. We don't want the villagers to be worried about you getting ill again, over a hit."

       "I'll find him!"Caixai snapped, looking so mean at her father,"It was such a shame and humour that I couldn't even defend myself. Why won't I find him? At least, I'm now more cautious than before."

   "Caixai, no..."

  "I'll find him and kill him and bring his corpse to this palace. After all, I'm a Shaolin expert and I'm strong right from when I was little." Caixai snapped and walked away.

King Kuilang clenched his jaw as he watched her go, her back straight, steps fierce, her sword and arrows clinking softly as she stormed out.

“She’s still that stubborn flame,” he muttered under his breath.

Queen Mu stepped in quietly behind him, arms folded. “She gets it from you,” she said.

He glanced sideways. “And that obsession with justice?”

“She gets it from me,” Queen Mu replied calmly.

They both stood in silence for a moment, staring in the direction Caixai had gone.

“She’s going to find him,” Mu said softly.

“She might even fall for him,” King Kuilang replied.

“Or kill him.”

“Or both.”

****************

 At Mohzu forest...

     Caixai fiercely rode her horse around 50 good times but couldn't perceive any presence of lively *thing*

 She sat under a tall acacia tree with beautiful shades, gulping from the water bottle. She sighed, staring at Xue.

   "Lil bro, do you think we'd find that freak today? I want to kill him. He depleted my fame in Shaolin, I want him to die." Caixai said.

Xue let out a soft neigh, as if disapproving her rage.

Caixai huffed. “Don’t give me that look. I *have* to find him. I have to prove to Father, to Shaolin, to myself… that I’m not weak.”

She stood up, wiping sweat from her brow. The air was thick, but her spirit hadn’t dimmed. She scanned the forest — the tall trees, the shadows. She rolled her eyes,"So he isn't even in the forest. Or did he ran off when he noticed that I was coming to hunt him?"She whispered, biting her finger,"Won't he be somewhere or some miles away from here? He must be afraid! Afraid of my revenge, and now he's running!"

      "ᕼᗩᕼᗩᕼᗩᕼᗩ!"she guffawed loudly, "I'll find him. C'mon Xue, let's go find the freak."

Caixaimounted on Xue and lightly whipped him as always,"Hyah!"

      Xue ran off Mohzu forest,down into Mohzu's outskirt which got rocky mountains and sloppy hills covered with scanty,dried shrubs all around.

      "He must be few miles away from us. I can feel it,Xue!"

          Xue neighed, delightedly.

"Let's keep going further... I'd find him."

They sped past many mountains and hills with clump of thick shrubs and the sun was slowly setting from the west side.

Xue was getting tired.

"Keep striving,Xue. He's closer."

Then Caixai suddenly felt the aura of something speed past them with great wind.

"What was that?"Caixai looked around for a while, after she halted the horse."I think it's him"she whispered, pulling out her pairs of arrow on the string.

Her eyes was too active now. She mounted off the horse and watched around. She heard rustles of leaves from afar and thuds of footsteps.

She gripped her arrow tighter,"Get ready, Caixai. And don't get distracted of his damn look. You are only here to prove that you can deal with him, not to fall in love." She said."Infact, why would I fall in love? Isn't that crazy? Tsk!"

The thuds of footsteps seems to be approaching towards her and her spine slowly went chilled.,"Get ready to hunt him, Caixai!"She whispered to herself.

One.

Two.

Three...

And alas, a little rabbit jumped out, even before her eyes!

Caixai blinked, stunned.

“…A rabbit?” she muttered, lowering her arrow in disbelief.

The tiny creature twitched its nose and scurried off into the bushes.

Caixai sighed deeply, her expression turning flat. “All that tension… for a rabbit?”

Xue neighed behind her, almost mockingly.

She turned to the horse with a glare. “Don’t laugh, Xue. That could’ve been him!”

Damn! Caixai hitted her head.She fell beside Xue, in anger.

"Why wasn't it him? I want to kill him!' She yelled,"Where is him?" Her voice echoed.

She glanced at Xue,"Father would laugh at me if I eventually come back alone with you. He'd be expecting a lifeless image ridden by you. Tsk! Now, it's all nonsense. I couldn't even sight him!"

Xue neighed.

"So where could he be? In the mountains? In the seas? Where on earth would he be?"

Caixai sighed and rolled her eyes,"Well, I'm tired. "She snapped her fingers at Xue,"Back to home, boy."

From the cliff above, the masked figure watched her turn away, her voice still echoing faintly through the quiet valley.

“…So quick to give up,” he murmured under his breath, the wind teasing strands of his long black hair.

He took one silent step back, fading into the shadows of the trees as Xue began trotting off with Caixai on his back.

But just before he vanished completely, he whispered to the wind,

“Zhangyue's flame… you’ll see me again.”

The wind stirred gently behind Caixai—as if carrying his words—but she didn’t look back.

 "So my princess, did you find the trespasser?" King Kuilang asked, while the royal family of three dined,"And hope you tore him apart?

     Caixai really wanted to avoid the question, but she had to reply her father. She hesitated for a while before replying,"He ran away" she munched the mukbang cheese piled up in her mouth.

    "You see? Stubbornness! You couldn't even catch him, you saw him ran away and you freezed!"Her father snapped,"Tsk!'

     Queen Mu had been silently watching her husband and Caixai.Queen Mu gently set down her cup of tea, her voice calm but firm. “Kuilang, must you always scold her at every turn?”

King Kuilang huffed. “She went after a criminal and came back empty-handed.”

“She went alone,” the queen said. “And she came back alive. That should matter too.”

Caixai glanced at her mother with a faint smile—thankful, but still stung.

“I didn’t freeze,” she muttered. “He didn’t show up. I was ready. He just… disappeared.”

King Kuilang sighed and picked at his plate. “Then perhaps it’s time you let go of this chase.”

Caixai clenched her fork. “Or perhaps… it’s just beginning.”

The queen and king exchanged a glance.

Caixai whispered to herself,"I didn't even saw him...I think the rabbit was actually him! Haha!"

   "And you were lucky he didn't tried killing you!"King Kuilang pointed at Caixai,"You keep calling yourself a Shaolin warrior but I never saw that in you."

  Caixai glanced at her father in dismay. "What?" She looked at her chopsticks and squeezed them in her hands tightly, fuming in anger. Her stomach was already filled with anger, depression, anxiety and a crave to kill the forest trespasser.

Queen Mu noticed the tension crackling in Caixai's fists. “My daughter,” she said softly, “don’t let your fury eat you more than his hit ever did.”

But Caixai didn’t speak. Her eyes burned at her father like twin torches. “He made me look weak,” she muttered through clenched teeth. “Me. The Shaolin expert. And you sit there mocking me?”

King Kuilang leaned back, crossing his arms. “I’m not mocking. I’m reminding you that obsession blinds warriors. And it gets them killed.”

Caixai dropped her chopsticks with a sharp clatter. “Then let me die chasing him. That’s better than sitting here being mocked by my own blood.”

Silence swept over the royal table.

Then Queen Mu said gently, “Perhaps… he isn’t just in your way. Perhaps he was meant to be part of your path.”

Caixai eyes flicked to her mother—confused. “Meant to?”

  She looked away and whispered,"Only God of Zhanyue knows what would eventually happen to that trespasser,if I can find him! I'll kill him and feed his body to the hungry vultures in the forest! Who does he think he's?A Shaolin warrior?Or a Martial art God? Tsk! I'll still try finding him.The game's not over, after all! "

Caixai frowned at the sauteed rice before her,

"He's just made me small before the palace and the people of Zhanyue State... I wish I can find him "

     "My dear, you are not eating. You don't like the sauteed rice and soysauce?" Queen Mu asked Caixai.

    Caixai looked up at her mother,"The food's okay."

   "Then eat!" Her father snapped.

Caixai poked at the rice with her chopsticks, then dropped them with a quiet sigh. “I’m not hungry,” she muttered.

King Kuilang banged his fist lightly on the table. “You’re letting one trespasser ruin your strength, your appetite, your peace?”

“He *didn’t* ruin me!” Sisou flared. “He caught me off guard—just once. That doesn’t mean I’m weak.”

Queen Mu laid a gentle hand over Caixai's. “Then prove it with calmness, not with noise.”

Caixai stood abruptly. “Noise?” she echoed, eyes burning.  She glanced at her father,"I think I'm done eating, father! I need some rest!"

She said and left to her room hastily, slamming the door loudly. She collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling, fists clenched at her sides.

“Why does it feel like I lost?” she whispered to herself.

The image of the masked stranger flashed in her mind—those fierce eyes, that sudden strength, the way he disappeared like wind. Her jaw tightened.

“I should’ve struck first. I hesitated… because of *his* face?” she scoffed. “Tsk! Never again.”

She rolled onto her side, dragging a pillow close and hugging it tightly. “I’ll find you… masked freak. And when I do, I won’t freeze.”

"God of Zhanyue why can't I just get that freak and punish him? I need to screw him up. Father thinks I'm weak. I want to make him remember that I once won the Shaolin competition award and no born by a woman can pull me down,as far as I live!' Caixai thought aloud.

   She sighed and slipped from the bed to the window. She outlooked the town of Zhanyue filled with people . "Zhanyue is just a big place. I need to visit our people..."

She pressed her fingers to the cool window frame, eyes scanning the lively streets of Zhanyue—merchants calling out, children laughing, guards patrolling. All normal. All peaceful. And yet, inside her, a storm brewed.

****************

Dressed in a flowing amber silk gown embroidered with golden threads of Fangyi’s crest, Princess Caixai walked with solemn grace down the dusty stone path of the village square. Her presence alone silenced the bustling crowd. Traders paused mid-sale. Women held their children still. Men lowered their gazes in reverence.

“Her Royal Highness approaches,” an elder murmured.

Children broke into delighted grins, rushing forward with shy giggles.

“Princess Caixai! Princess Caixai!”

She stopped, smiling faintly as she laid her hand on a child’s head in blessing. The villagers bowed low.

Raising her chin, Caixai spoke, her voice clear like the chime of bronze bells.

“It gladdens my heart to see the prosperity of Fangyi growing stronger each moon. But remember—prosperity is not a gift. It is earned through toil, unity, and the honour of our fathers before us.”

“Aye, Princess!” the villagers replied in unison.

She continued, her tone sharpening with purpose.

“Let the markets remain clean, the hearths warm, and the hearts loyal. Should a stranger pass our borders—masked, wandering, unknown—he must be brought to the palace. We cannot risk another breach.”

 "Aye , princess Caixai!"

"And..."

Someone suddenly ran towards her, breathing heavily liked he narrowly escaped the physical force of death "My princess,my princess!"

Caixai widened her eyes before the villager,who looked worried,"What's the problem?"

   "My princess,some group of bandits are around. They're not far away from us. "The villager said.

"I want everyone into their houses!" Princess Caixai ordered.

  The villagers all ran into their cottage,in fear.

"My princess don't we need to call on our soldiers?"The villager asked, quivering in fear.

 Caixai smiled,"Get into your house. I'm more than a million soldiers!"

   The villager stared at her in awe, lips parted.

“Yes, my princess…” he murmured, before dashing into the nearest cottage.

The square, once lively, was now swallowed in silence. Only the distant rustling of leaves and the faint clinking of metal could be heard—the sound of the approaching bandits.

Caixai reached beneath her silk gown and drew her blade with a soft metallic hiss. The amber silk rippled around her like fire as the wind picked up.

She whispered to herself, “Let them come. Let them taste what it means to challenge Zhanyue's lioness.”

From the corner of her eye, she caught movement—twenty, no, thirty hefty figures creeping through the village’s east wall, dressed in leather and dirt, armed and smiling with arrogance.

One of them spotted her standing alone in the middle of the square and laughed, “Look! A royal flower all by herself?”

Another added, “Let’s pluck her.”

Caixai’s blade pointed downward, calm and steady.

“Come, then,” she said coolly, “and let your bones decorate our soil.”

   "How can a petite figure just confront us? " One of the bandits asked others ironically.

     They guffawed loudly.

"A beautiful lady with a stupid confidence!"One of them pointed at Caixai.

  "I'm Princess Caixai of Zhanyue State, and I own this province after my father, King Kuilang of Zhanyue State.And so, no stranger has the right to dare tresspass!"Caixai boldly said.

"What's she spitting out?"One of them asked the others.

They guffawed, again.

"It seems like you have gone bananas, you freaky little thing!" Another snapped at her.

"Well, let's see..."She whispered softly,"If I have really gone bananas!"She said, already in her favorite Shaolin stance.

The bandits glanced at each other and laughed,"What's she doing?"

"Abracadabra!" One pointed out, with his spade- like teeth which looked like what was used for the excavation of golds by their forefathers.

Caixai's eyes narrowed, her breath steady and calm as she shifted her weight, ready to strike.

Her hands moved with practiced precision, fingers poised like the deadly claws of a tiger.

The bandits’ laughter faltered as she suddenly sprang forward, swift as a striking snake.

Arrows whistled through the air, aimed with deadly accuracy — one bandit fell, clutching his shoulder.

The others scrambled, realizing this was no ordinary princess.

“Fight like a warrior, not a fool!” Caixai shouted, her voice slicing through the chaos like a blade.

The bandits hesitated, then charged — but Caixai was already a blur, her movements a flawless dance of power and grace.

She dodged their punches and hit mightily and confronted them again distinctly. Then one by one they ran before her but she knocked them down with the most powerful fist defense. Some laid helplessly and some ran away.

"Now I want the all of you to leave Zhanyue State without a plan of coming back!"She pointed at them.

"Okay, Princess Caixai of Zhanyue State!"They scampered away, without a lookback.

Caixai sighed,"Stupid folks everywhere!"

With time,most of her people left their cottages and everywhere was soon crowded.

They bowed before her, everyone giving off an attitude of honor and utmost respect to Caixai.

Caixai stood tall, chest rising and falling with steady breaths, her eyes scanning the crowd.

The villagers, filled with awe and relief, bowed deeply, whispering words of praise.

One elder stepped forward, voice trembling with gratitude, “Princess Caixai, you’ve saved us all.”

Caixai nodded, a fierce pride glowing in her eyes. “Zhangyue State will remain safe as long as I live.”

The sun dipped low, casting golden light over the peaceful town — a silent promise of protection from their warrior princess.

A teenager ran and knelt before her, yanking the hem of Caixai's dress"My princess, I wanna be like you!"

Caixai grinned."You'll be"

The little girl smiled,"Thank you, princess Caixai."

Caixai's grin softened as she watched the little girl run off, hope sparkling in her eyes.

She turned back to the crowd, her voice steady but filled with quiet resolve.

“There’s nothing better than making your people feel safe and at home... but sometimes, protecting them demands sacrifice. It drains your strength and tests your spirit. Yet, it’s worth it—because they are the future of Zhanyue.”

The villagers cheered, their faith in her renewed.

Caixai's heart tightened, knowing the battles ahead were far from over—but for now, she was their shield.