Journey to the Capital

The morning sun bathed the city in golden light as Li Xueyan tightened the straps on her travel bag. The streets were already bustling with merchants setting up stalls, children running barefoot, and the distant sound of temple bells ringing through the air.

She stood in a quiet alley near the inn where she had spent the night. Her sword, the Moonshadow Blade, was hidden beneath her cloak, and Hei Yue sat by her side, his tail swishing lazily.

Feng Zhiwei leaned against a wooden post, watching her with a knowing smirk. "Are you ready?"

Xueyan nodded. "The capital is three days from here if we travel fast."

The prince chuckled. "You think getting there is the hard part?"

She frowned. "Isn't it?"

Zhiwei shook his head. "The capital is filled with enemies. The Li family, the imperial guards, the Seven Great Sects… The moment they know you're alive, they'll come for you."

Xueyan's fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. "Let them come."

Zhiwei sighed. "You really are fearless."

Hei Yue let out a low growl. "She's stubborn."

Xueyan smirked. "That too."

Zhiwei pushed off the post and stretched. "Alright then. Let's move before someone recognizes me."

Xueyan raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be a forgotten prince?"

He smiled. "Some people have long memories."

With that, they set off toward the capital.

---

A Dangerous Road

The road was long, winding through forests, rivers, and small villages. They traveled quickly, stopping only when necessary.

By the second day, the peaceful scenery began to change.

The air grew heavy, the trees twisted unnaturally, and the ground was littered with strange claw marks.

Hei Yue's fur bristled. "Something is watching us."

Zhiwei placed a hand on his sword. "Not something. Many things."

Xueyan scanned the forest, her body tense. "What are they?"

Before anyone could answer, a loud howl echoed through the trees.

Then, glowing red eyes appeared in the shadows.

---

Attack of the Demon Beasts

The creatures stepped into the light.

They looked like wolves but were far too large, their bodies covered in dark scales instead of fur. Their eyes burned with an eerie red glow, and their long claws scraped against the dirt.

Hei Yue bared his teeth. "Demon beasts."

Xueyan had heard of them before—monsters created by dark energy, stronger and more vicious than normal animals.

One of the beasts lunged straight at her.

She reacted instantly, unsheathing her sword and slicing through the air. The Moonshadow Blade cut cleanly, but the beast dodged at the last second, its movements faster than she expected.

Zhiwei moved beside her, his expression calm as always. He didn't even draw his sword.

Instead, when a beast leaped toward him, he simply raised his hand—and with a single strike, sent it flying into a tree.

The creature didn't get back up.

Xueyan's eyes widened. "Barehanded?"

Zhiwei smirked. "You'll get used to it."

Hei Yue didn't wait for commands. He leaped into action, his form flickering like a shadow. His claws slashed through one of the beasts, and it collapsed with a painful cry.

But there were too many of them.

Xueyan dodged another attack, rolling across the dirt before jumping to her feet. "We need to end this fast."

Zhiwei sighed. "I was hoping we wouldn't attract attention, but—"

He suddenly vanished.

In the blink of an eye, he reappeared in the center of the pack. His hands moved in a blur, striking each beast in precise, lethal points.

One by one, they fell, unable to withstand his attacks.

Within moments, the battle was over.

Xueyan exhaled, wiping sweat from her brow. "That was… impressive."

Zhiwei stretched lazily. "That was nothing."

Hei Yue sat down, licking his paw. "More will come."

Zhiwei nodded. "We should move before anything worse shows up."

Xueyan glanced at the dead beasts around them and tightened her grip on her sword. If this was just a warning, what else was waiting for them ahead?

They had no time to waste.

---

The Capital in Sight

By the third day, the towering walls of the imperial city came into view.

Xueyan felt a strange mix of emotions as she stared at the massive gates. She was finally here.

This was the place where her family had betrayed her. Where her father had been murdered. Where the Li family sat on their stolen throne.

And where she would bring them down.

Zhiwei's voice was calm. "Once we enter, we won't be able to leave so easily. Are you ready for that?"

Xueyan took a deep breath.

"I've been ready since the day they tried to kill me."

Zhiwei smirked. "Then let's begin."

As they stepped toward the city gates, the path to revenge truly began.