Journey to the Capital

The night passed quickly. Li Xueyan barely slept. Her mind was full of questions. Why had the Emperor summoned her? Was it a trap? Or was it something bigger?

By dawn, she was ready.

Jin Hu adjusted his sword belt. "Are you sure about this?"

Lan Xi crossed her arms. "The palace is dangerous. If your uncle has power there, you might not come back."

Elder Mei nodded. "You must be careful. The Imperial Court is a battlefield of its own. Not all fights are fought with swords."

Xueyan took a deep breath. "I know. But if I want revenge, I can't hide forever. This is my chance to learn what my enemies are planning."

Zhiwei watched her quietly, his face unreadable. "Then let's go."

---

The Road Through the Mountains

The group rode on horseback, leaving the ruins behind. The road to the capital was long, passing through forests, rivers, and steep mountain paths.

Xueyan's thoughts wandered as she rode. She had spent so much time fighting in the shadows, training to survive. Now, she was stepping into the heart of the empire itself.

The sun was high when they reached a narrow mountain pass. The cliffs rose steeply on both sides, making it a perfect place for an ambush.

Zhiwei pulled his horse to a stop. "Something isn't right."

Jin Hu frowned. "You feel it too?"

Before Xueyan could ask what they meant, arrows whistled through the air.

"Ambush!" Lan Xi shouted.

Everyone moved fast. Xueyan rolled off her horse, dodging an arrow aimed at her chest. Zhiwei caught one in midair with his bare hand, his eyes sharp.

A group of masked men jumped down from the cliffs, surrounding them. Their weapons gleamed in the sunlight.

"Hand over the girl," one of them ordered. "And we might let you live."

Xueyan tightened her grip on her sword. "Who sent you?"

The leader smirked. "Dead people don't need answers."

Jin Hu cracked his knuckles. "Then let's make them the dead ones."

---

The Battle in the Pass

The fight exploded into chaos.

Jin Hu charged, his fists glowing with energy. One punch sent an enemy flying into the rocks. Lan Xi moved like a shadow, her daggers flashing.

Xueyan blocked an attack, countering with a quick slash. Her opponent barely had time to react before she struck again, cutting him down.

Zhiwei stood still, watching. One of the masked men rushed at him, but before he could swing his blade, Zhiwei vanished. In the blink of an eye, he was behind him.

A single strike.

The enemy collapsed, unconscious.

The remaining attackers hesitated. They had expected an easy fight. Instead, they were being crushed.

"Retreat!" their leader shouted.

They fled into the trees.

Xueyan wiped sweat from her brow. "They knew we were coming."

Zhiwei nodded. "Which means someone in the palace doesn't want you to arrive."

Elder Mei frowned. "Be careful, Xueyan. The closer you get to the capital, the more enemies you will find."

Xueyan sheathed her sword. "Then I'll just have to be stronger than them."

---

Arriving at the Capital

By nightfall, they reached the capital gates. The city was massive, its walls stretching high into the sky. Lanterns lit up the streets, and the air was filled with the scent of food, incense, and the sound of merchants shouting.

Guards stood at the entrance, checking travelers.

One of them stepped forward. "State your business."

Xueyan held up the Emperor's letter. "I was summoned."

The guard's eyes widened. He quickly bowed and signaled for them to enter.

Jin Hu whistled. "Looks like you're important now."

Xueyan ignored him, her eyes scanning the streets. Somewhere in this city, her enemies were watching.

Lan Xi leaned closer. "Where do we go first?"

Zhiwei spoke calmly. "We need information. The palace is dangerous. We should know what we're walking into before you go inside."

Xueyan nodded. "Then let's find an informant."

---

Secrets in the Shadows

The group moved through the city, keeping to the quieter streets. Zhiwei led them to a small tea house near the river. It looked ordinary, but Xueyan could feel the tension in the air.

Inside, people sat drinking, but their eyes were sharp. They were not simple customers.

A man in a dark robe sat at the back, sipping his tea. His face was hidden by a hood, but Xueyan could feel his gaze on her.

Zhiwei walked up to him and sat down. "We're looking for answers."

The man chuckled. "And answers come with a price."

Zhiwei tossed a small pouch onto the table. The clink of silver filled the air.

The informant smiled. "Ask your questions."

Xueyan leaned forward. "Who in the palace sent the assassins after me?"

The man took a slow sip of tea before answering.

"There are many who fear your return, but the one who moves against you the most is Prime Minister Li Jiang."

Xueyan's grip on her sword tightened.

Her uncle.

The man continued. "He controls much of the court and has spies everywhere. If you enter the palace, you will be stepping into his trap."

Lan Xi frowned. "Then why would the Emperor summon her?"

The informant smirked. "That… is the real question, isn't it?"

Xueyan sat back, her mind racing.

Her uncle wanted her dead. The Emperor had summoned her.

Were they working together? Or was there something else at play?

Zhiwei stood up. "We'll find out soon enough."

The informant gave a final warning. "Be careful. In the capital, swords are not the only weapons. A smile can kill just as easily as a blade."

Xueyan nodded. "Then I'll be ready for both."

Tomorrow, she would enter the palace.

And she would uncover the truth.