Chapter Four:Blood Beneath the Moon

The opening ceremony ended with cheers that echoed across Heaven’s Peak.

Disciples gathered in groups, laughing and exchanging stories, while elders discussed tomorrow’s tournament.

Only Shen Yichen stood alone beneath the plum blossoms.

“You always look as though you’re attending a funeral.”

A familiar voice broke the silence.

Shen didn’t need to turn around.

“You’ve been following me.”

Gu Yan appeared beside him, holding two cups of warm plum wine.

“I prefer ‘walking in the same direction.’”

“I don’t drink.”

“That’s disappointing.”

Gu Yan shrugged and drank both cups himself.

For a moment, neither spoke.

The evening breeze carried the scent of plum blossoms between them.

“So…” Gu Yan finally asked. “Have you always been this serious?”

“It keeps me out of trouble.”

Gu Yan laughed.

“I think trouble likes you anyway.”

Before Shen could answer—

BOOM!

A deafening explosion echoed from the Hall of Unity.

Smoke rose into the night sky.

The peaceful assembly erupted into chaos.

“Assassins!”

“Protect the elders!”

“Seal the gates!”

Martial artists rushed toward the hall, swords flashing beneath the moonlight.

Shen and Gu exchanged one look.

Without another word, both sprinted toward the explosion.

Inside the hall…

Broken pillars lay scattered across the floor.

The smell of blood filled the air.

At the center of the room knelt Elder Liang, one of the Eight Legendary Masters.

A sword pierced his chest.

His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

He was dead.

Silence fell.

Then someone shouted—

“There!”

A disciple pointed toward Shen.

Lying beside Elder Liang’s body was the jade tassel from Shen Yichen’s sword.

Another voice cried out.

“And look!”

Near the shattered window lay a crimson wolf token—the symbol of Gu Yan’s clan.

The crowd froze.

The Sect Leader of Iron Mountain drew his blade.

“Shen Yichen.”

“Gu Yan.”

“Explain yourselves.”

Neither of them moved.

Neither had ever seen those objects before.

Gu Yan’s smile faded for the first time.

“…We’ve been framed.”

Shen looked at the bloodstained floor.

The evidence was too perfect.

Too obvious.

Someone had planned this.

Outside, hidden among the shadows of the rooftops, a masked figure watched the confusion below.

“They’ve taken the bait.”

He turned and disappeared into the darkness.

By dawn…

The entire martial world would believe that the Azure Cloud Clan’s greatest disciple and the Crimson Wolf Clan’s heir had murdered one of Jianghu’s greatest heroes.

And once that belief spread…

War would be impossible to stop.

From here on, Shen Yichen and Gu Yan are no longer just rivals—they’re the only two people who know they didn’t commit the murder, forcing them onto the same path. That’s where the adventure, mystery, and slow-burn relationship truly begin.

Author: Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing to spend your time with my story. The fact that you’ve picked up this book means more to me than I can express.

This is my very first novel, and every page was written with hope, heart, and a love for storytelling. Knowing that you’ve taken this journey with me is an incredible gift.

Whether this book makes you smile, think, cry, or simply escape for a little while, I’m deeply grateful that you’ve given it a place in your hands and your time in your life.

Thank you for reading, and welcome to my very first adventure.

With gratitude,

Cyndi out

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