JustJae

Following his father's murder, Wu Ling's mother returned to the life of a courtesan, disguising her young son as a girl to take refuge in the Bamboo Silk House, a women's only sect dedicated to the arts. Now, as his powers awaken, he'll find himself torn between protecting his family and the goals of powerful cultivators who see him as a means to an end. 

"Wu Ling, I've accepted a marriage proposal on your behalf," the bewitching Hall Master of the Bamboo Silk House declared. "When you enter the Inner Sect, you'll enter under the name 'Hua Qianhu', fiancee of a young lord of the Liang family." 

"Hall Master, that's impossible!" Wu Ling protested. "Even if you ignore my relationship with Meifeng, I might have dressed well enough to hide as a mortal woman but I could never..."

"So you truly didn't realize what you were doing," the Hall Master said, a dark smile on her lips. "Little Ling, you're a natural-born Shapeshifter. I'll teach you what you need to know," she said, her features shifting until she looked like a mirror image of the stunned Wu Ling. "As long as you follow my arrangements and learn my techniques, it isn't impossible for you to reunite with Meifeng..." 

"But you should consider Young Lord Liang carefully," the Hall Master added. "His affection for you is genuine. Perhaps, one day, you'll even feel the same for him..."

Unparalleled Artist: Unlikely Hero

<p>The following morning, Liang Xiong arrived early at the gates of the Bamboo Silk House. Unlike his previous visits, this time he wore not only his deep purple sect robes, but had belted a coat of polished mail over his robes. At his hip hung a quiver filled with dark arrows and from his waist a gleaming campaign bead hung, proclaiming his status as a victorious battle-leader to those who were familiar with the traditions of the Purple Thunder War Hall. </p>

<p>A taller, more scholarly man walked next to him, his feet falling exactly in time with Liang Xiong's steady steps as the two men approached the gates. Bo Gau was distinct in the group of men for not wearing a coat of mail but his rich purple robes were adorned with twin flame outlines signifying his status as an Alchemy Novice. </p>

A Small Warband