The first bell of dawn echoed through the Seven Peaks.

White mist rolled over the mountains like an endless sea, hiding the cliffs below. Ancient pine trees swayed gently in the morning breeze as dozens of disciples climbed the stone steps toward the training grounds, their white robes flowing like clouds.

High above them stood the Azure Cloud Clan.

For nearly three hundred years, it had been known as the guardian of righteousness in Jianghu.

Its disciples upheld justice.

Its elders protected peace.

Its swords never left their sheaths without reason.

At the center of the training grounds, a young man in white stood alone.

His long black hair was tied neatly with a silver ribbon, and the embroidered cranes on his robes shimmered beneath the morning sun. In his hand rested a jade-white sword.

Without a word, he raised the blade.

One step.

One breath.

One strike.

The wind fell silent.

A single maple leaf drifted toward him. Before it touched the ground, the blade flashed.

The leaf split cleanly into two perfect halves.

The watching disciples gasped.

“Senior Brother Shen’s swordsmanship has become even more refined.”

“They say no disciple of our generation can match him.”

“I heard the Sect Leader has already chosen him to represent Azure Cloud at the Grand Martial Assembly.”

Shen Yichen slowly lowered his sword.

His expression remained calm, untouched by praise or envy.

To him, a sword was not meant to earn admiration.

It was meant to protect.

A slow clap echoed across the courtyard.

The disciples immediately bowed.

“Sect Leader.”

An elderly man dressed in flowing blue robes stepped forward. His silver hair was tied behind him, yet his eyes remained as sharp as an unsheathed blade.

“Shen Yichen.”

“This disciple is here.”

“The time has come.”

The old man handed him a golden invitation sealed with the emblem of the Five Great Clans.

“The Grand Martial Assembly begins in seven days.”

“You shall represent Azure Cloud.”

The disciples erupted into whispers.

Every five years, the greatest clans of Jianghu gathered beneath Heaven’s Peak.

Some came seeking glory.

Some sought alliances.

Others came carrying hidden ambitions.

The Sect Leader’s expression darkened.

“There is one person I wish for you to avoid.”

He unrolled an old portrait.

A young man dressed in black stood beneath blooming plum blossoms, smiling as though the world belonged to him.

His robes were embroidered with crimson wolves.

His eyes sparkled with mischief.

His name was written in elegant brushstrokes beneath the portrait.

Gu Yan.

“The heir of the Crimson Wolf Clan.”

Shen studied the painting quietly.

“They say he laughs in the face of danger.”

“They say he never follows the rules.”

“They also say…”

The Sect Leader paused.

“…that wherever Gu Yan goes, trouble follows.”

Shen rolled the portrait closed.

“I understand, Master.”

Far beyond the mountains…

In a bustling town filled with merchants, storytellers, and wandering martial artists…

Someone burst into laughter.

“Your wine is terrible!”

A black-robed youth sprinted across the rooftops with a stolen wine jar tucked beneath one arm.

The furious innkeeper pointed after him.

“Catch that brat!”

Gu Yan only laughed louder.

“If you can!”

He leaped effortlessly from roof to roof before disappearing into the sea of lanterns.

No one noticed the hooded figure watching from a nearby alley.

The stranger smiled faintly.

“The pieces are finally moving.”

Above the crowded streets, dark clouds slowly gathered over Jianghu.

Neither Shen Yichen nor Gu Yan knew that before the next full moon…

their lives would become forever entwined.

The streets of Plum Blossom Town were never quiet.

Vendors shouted over one another, children chased paper kites through the market, and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifted through the spring air.

High above the crowd, someone lay lazily on the curved roof of an old teahouse.

One leg hung over the edge.

A wine gourd rested beside him.

The young man closed one eye as he watched the busy street below.

“So noisy…”

He sighed dramatically before taking another sip of wine.

“Young Master!”

A panicked voice echoed from below.

Three men dressed in black and crimson pushed through the crowd.

“There you are!”

The young man smiled without moving.

“I’ve been here the whole time.”

“You disappeared for three days!”

“I was enjoying the scenery.”

“You skipped every meeting!”

“I was enjoying the scenery.”

“You stole Elder Zhao’s horse!”

“…It liked me.”

The three disciples stared at him in disbelief.

One rubbed his forehead.

“Our Clan Leader is going to kill you.”

Gu Yan finally sat up, laughing.

“If Father wanted me dead, he would’ve done it years ago.”

Before anyone could reply, a frightened scream rang through the marketplace.

A horse, startled by a broken cart, charged wildly through the crowd.

People scattered.

A little girl froze in the middle of the street.

“Run!” someone shouted.

She couldn’t.

Everything happened in a heartbeat.

Gu Yan’s smile disappeared.

Without hesitation, he leaped from the rooftop.

His black robes fluttered behind him like the wings of a raven.

Before the horse reached the child—

He caught her.

With one arm around the little girl, he twisted through the air and landed safely on a market stall.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

The little girl clung to his sleeve.

“…Thank you, Gege.”

Gu Yan smiled warmly.

“Next time, don’t stand in the middle of the road.”

He gently set her down before brushing the dust from his sleeves.

One of his disciples frowned.

“If people saw that…”

“They’ll think the Crimson Wolf Clan has a heart?”

Gu Yan laughed.

“What a terrible reputation to ruin.”

The disciples couldn’t help smiling.

Rumors called their young master reckless.

Arrogant.

Unpredictable.

But only those closest to him knew the truth.

Whenever someone was in danger…

Gu Yan always moved first.

That evening, a messenger hawk landed on his shoulder.

A single scroll was tied to its leg.

He unrolled it.

The Grand Martial Assembly begins in seven days.

His smile widened.

“So…”

“The famous Jade Sword will be there.”

One of the disciples blinked.

“You’ve heard of Shen Yichen?”

“Heard of him?”

Gu Yan looked toward the distant mountains where Azure Cloud Clan stood hidden among the clouds.

“They say he’s never smiled.”

“They say he follows every rule.”

“They say he’s impossible to provoke.”

Gu Yan chuckled.

“…Now I really want to meet him.”

Far away, beneath the same evening sky…

Shen Yichen quietly packed his sword for the journey ahead.

Neither of them knew…

that fate had already begun weaving their paths together.

Seven Days After

The Grand Martial Assembly had finally begun.

Martial artists from every corner of Jianghu gathered beneath Heaven’s Peak.

White banners bearing the symbols of the Five Great Clans fluttered in the mountain wind.

Azure Cloud Clan (青云门)

Symbol: White Crane

Color: Sky Blue

Reputation: The most righteous sword clan.

Leader:

Shen Qinghe (52)

Known as The Heavenly Sword.

⸻

Crimson Wolf Clan (赤狼谷)

Symbol: Red Wolf

Color: Crimson

Reputation: Called “evil” by the martial world, though they simply refuse to obey anyone.

Leader:

Gu Feng (48)

Known as The Wolf King.

⸻

Jade Lotus Pavilion

A clan famous for medicine and poison.

Leader:

Madam Su Lian

No one knows whether she saves lives or takes them.

⸻

Golden Phoenix Manor

The richest family in Jianghu.

They control weapons, silk, inns, and information.

Leader:

Young Master Jin Yao

He smiles at everyone…

which is exactly why no one trusts him.

⸻

Iron Mountain Fortress

The strongest martial artists.

Their disciples fight with spears and heavy blades.

Leader:

General Han Wei

Heroes.

Wanderers.

Merchants.

Even the Imperial Court had sent officials to witness the gathering.

Shen Yichen walked through the stone gates with the disciples of Azure Cloud Clan.

His white robes drew respectful glances from every direction.

“The Jade Sword…”

“So that’s Shen Yichen.”

“They say he hasn’t lost a duel in five years.”

Shen ignored the whispers.

He had come to represent his clan—not to seek admiration.

Suddenly—

A loud crash echoed across the courtyard.

Everyone turned.

A young man in black landed effortlessly on the roof of a pavilion, holding a wine gourd in one hand and an apple in the other.

His long black hair danced wildly in the wind.

The crimson wolf embroidered across his robes caught the sunlight.

He looked around lazily before grinning.

“So many serious faces.”

“Did someone die already?”

The crowd fell silent.

One elder frowned.

“Gu Yan.”

“You’ve arrived late.”

Gu Yan shrugged.

“I arrived.”

“That’s what matters.”

Several disciples muttered under their breath.

“How disrespectful…”

“He really is as arrogant as they say.”

Gu Yan simply laughed.

His eyes wandered through the crowd…

…until they stopped.

A young man dressed entirely in white stood beneath a blooming plum tree.

Calm.

Elegant.

As still as moonlight reflected on water.

Their eyes met.

For a single moment…

The noisy courtyard seemed to disappear.

Gu Yan smiled first.

“So.”

“You’re Shen Yichen.”

Shen inclined his head politely.

“And you must be Gu Yan.”

“I expected someone colder.”

“I expected someone quieter.”

Gu Yan laughed.

“I can be quiet.”

He leaned closer with a mischievous smile.

“…When I’m asleep.”

Even Shen’s disciples struggled to hide their annoyance.

“What nerve!”

“How dare he tease Senior Brother!”

Shen remained expressionless.

“You speak more than the rumors suggested.”

“And you smile less.”

For the first time in years…

Someone had answered Gu Yan without fear.

His grin widened.

“I like you.”

The entire courtyard froze.

Even the elders stared.

Shen blinked once.

“You have known me for less than a minute.”

Gu Yan chuckled.

“I didn’t say I loved you.”

“I said I liked you.”

“There’s a difference.”

Before Shen could respond, the great bronze bell rang across Heaven’s Peak.

Dong—!

The Assembly had officially begun.

None of them noticed the masked figure watching from the highest pavilion.

Hidden beneath dark robes, the stranger smiled.

“Good…”

“The two pieces have finally met.”

Far above the gathering, storm clouds slowly covered the sun.

The game had begun.