Luoyang, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, was aglow with the early evening lights.
Although the Great Zhou Dynasty was now waning and teetering on the brink, this ancient dynasty naturally had its deep-rooted heritage; the external chaos did not affect this ancient city that had stood firm on the mainland for over three hundred years.
Night had fallen, yet the streets of Luoyang remained brightly lit, crowded with throngs of people in a disorderly bustle.
Among the bustling crowd were those carried in sedan chairs, horse riders, porters with shoulder poles, donkey cart drivers, and wheelbarrow pushers—truly a city that never slept.
In the heart of this prosperous capital stood the imposing imperial palace, wrapped tightly within layers of protection.
Beside the imperial city rose a tall tower, taller than any building within the city walls, making even the grand imperial city seem dim in comparison.
This towering structure stood a hundred feet high, as if one could reach out and pluck the stars from the sky. It was called the Star-Gazing Tower.
No one in the Great Zhou considered this an overstep, for the mysterious and eternal Imperial Mentor of the nation was stationed here.
Under the night sky, a swift horse galloped along the capital’s main avenue toward the Star-Gazing Tower.
Atop the tower sat a woman cross-legged.
Her hair was a cascade of white, flowing down to the ground, and a pure white silk cloth was wrapped around her eyes, concealing them completely.
She wore simple, pristine white robes. Despite her white eyebrows and hair, her face remained youthful, with a delicate nose and rosy lips; though her eyes were covered, it was clear she was breathtakingly beautiful.
To be able to sit alone atop the Star-Gazing Tower was no small matter; her identity was beyond question—she was the Imperial Mentor of Great Zhou.
She sat quietly on the tower, waiting for Shao Yinhua’s arrival.
Half a month ago, the dragon vein beneath the imperial city churned violently. The already weakened vein wailed incessantly. She knew something had changed in Peng City, but when she tried to divine the details, all became hazy—nothing could be ascertained.
Only one person in this world could hide heavenly secrets and elude her calculations.
She knew it was her long-time rival in the game of fate, Xuanjizi, who had made his move in Peng City.
A little Daoist girl, resembling a disciple, climbed to the tower’s top and greeted her with a respectful bow.
“Imperial Mentor, Shao Yinhua of the Six Doors requests an audience.”
“Let her come up.”
Though the Star-Gazing Tower was tall, a magical formation allowed one to fly directly to the top. Soon, Shao Yinhua stood before the Imperial Mentor.
Shao Yinhua, usually arrogant and imperious in others’ eyes, was now on her knees, forehead pressed against the hard quartz floor, trembling like a frightened beast.
“I am guilty!”
The Imperial Mentor faced away, not even turning her head.
“I already know about Peng City. This time dealing with the Luo Sect should have been foolproof. Who is this wild card?”
At the mention of her enemy’s name, Shao Yinhua’s eyes turned bloodshot, and she gritted her teeth.
“It’s a boy around seventeen or eighteen named Ling Xiaodong. Nobody knows where he suddenly appeared from. His martial prowess is godlike; I am no match for a single strike from him. Even Wuyazi suffered at his hands.”
“What does he look like? No need to say it aloud; just think of him in your mind.”
The Imperial Mentor slowly turned her head. Though her eyes remained covered, her gaze was pinpoint accurate.
After a long pause, she spoke calmly, “Alright, I understand. You may leave.”
“Imperial Mentor, this youth is extremely dangerous and must be eliminated!”
Seeing her calm demeanor, Shao Yinhua hurriedly urged, for the Imperial Mentor was her only hope for vengeance.
But the Imperial Mentor ignored her.
“I said you may go.”
“Yes!”
Shao Yinhua could only turn away, unwillingly departing.
On the silent rooftop of the Star-Gazing Tower, the Imperial Mentor bowed her head in deep thought for a long time before suddenly smiling faintly.
She lifted her head toward the distant west; beneath the silk covering her eyes, it seemed as if she was seeing scenes thousands of miles away.
“Xuanjizi, to take away my little husband as your pawn—that truly was a brilliant move.”
Under the pale moonlight, her shadow stretched long. With a gentle flick of her delicate hand, the shadow wavered and stood upright, transforming into a woman with black hair and dark eyes.
This woman’s appearance was identical to the Imperial Mentor’s, except her hair was jet black and her eyes uncovered, sparkling with endless stars hidden within.
“Was this how I looked three hundred years ago?”
The Imperial Mentor reached out to gently stroke the shadow’s inky hair, her expression distant, as if lost in a very long-ago memory.
“Go, find my husband. Stay by his side and protect him. And check whether the sealing on his primordial energy is still intact.”
After speaking, she thought for a moment and added seriously, “No sneaking snacks!”
“Understood.”
The black-haired version of herself nodded and then leapt from the hundred-foot tower, facing westward.
*****
Far to the extreme north.
The desert winds and sandstorms seemed endless, and the northern city was always shrouded in dust.
Within a courtyard of the Northern Border Prince’s mansion, a young girl dressed in sleek black battle attire wielded a dark iron spear with fierce energy; each thrust was like a dragon’s strike.
Her eyebrows were well-defined, lips thin and cherry red, her nose straight and sharp. Her figure was slender and tall. Her long black hair was tied into a neat ponytail at the back, swaying gracefully with every spear movement. She looked heroic and valiant, no less than a man.
“Well done! Miss, you’re amazing!”
A maid beside her clapped enthusiastically. Seeing the black-clad girl pause, she quickly handed over a towel prepared in advance.
Zheng Si’er smiled faintly and took the towel, wiping the sweat from her brow.
“This is nothing yet. I’m still far behind Master.”
The maid encouraged her, “Miss, you are exceptionally talented and improving rapidly. Everyone believes your achievements will one day rival General Wenren!”
“Really?”
Zheng Si’er seemed to recall something, and her expression turned somewhat melancholic.
“No matter what, I’m afraid that in Master’s and Mother’s eyes, I will never measure up to my older brother.”
Si’er, Si’er—missing my son.
That was the meaning behind her name. Her mother had adopted her, likely as a replacement for the former heir.
While Zheng Si’er was still quietly saddened, a young woman clad in armor pushed open the door and entered.
Seeing the newcomer, Zheng Si’er and the maid bowed promptly.
“Master!”
“Greetings, General Wenren!”
The visitor was none other than Wenren Yiqing, the fierce tiger general of the northern borders and Zheng Si’er’s master.
A renowned female general under the Northern Border Prince, her mastery of the spear was peerless, described as “a flowing dragon’s throw that shakes heaven and earth,” and “a lone spear with nine consecutive strikes that pierce the entire national border.”
When she appeared in the north, the Hu tribes would drop their helmets and flee in panic at the sight of Wenren’s banner.
“Rise. Si’er, the Prince has a mission for you.”
“Please, Master, give your orders!”
Wenren Yiqing produced a scroll from her bosom and handed it to Zheng Si’er.
“This map was given to the Prince four years ago by a highly skilled Daoist, said to open in times of hardship to seek help.”
Wenren sighed deeply, her worry apparent.
“You know the situation. Not only are the Xiongnu stirring frequently in the north, but the capital in the south is also restless. Both sides wait for the Prince’s mansion to weaken and swallow it whole. This matter is crucial. Can you handle it?”
Zheng Si’er clasped her hands firmly and declared, “I will not disgrace your trust!”
“Good. Pack your things and set out. I have to return to the border to aid the defense, so I won’t see you off.”
With that, Wenren Yiqing turned and left without another glance at Zheng Si’er.
Zheng Si’er sighed softly; she was accustomed to her master’s swift and resolute nature.
Unfolding the scroll, she frowned slightly.
“Western Frontier, Cat Ear Mountain, Daoist Mingyue?”