003

The moon hung low in the sky, it's silver glow barely piercing through the dense mist that shrouded the abandoned temple. Shadows danced in the corners and on the crumbling stone walls as a group of men dressed in all black knelt before their master.

At the center of the gathering (if it could be called that) stood Huo Jin Chen, his back to the men but his silhouette sharp against the one dim lantern light.

Huo Jin Chen was a striking man. Tall and lean, with sharp angular features that seemed to have been curved from ice. His eyes however were the most unnerving, - a piercing, almost unnatural shade of amber that seemed to see through a man's soul.

A lone flame, isolated but fierce.

He wore black robes trimmed with crimson, the fabric making small whispers as he moved. There was a grace to him, almost feline in nature but also a danger. The kind of danger that preceded a lathal and d**dly attack (strike).

One of the man standing in the back stepped forward, bowing low. "The target has been located, Master Huo. He will attend the banquet tomorrow evening at the provincial governor's estate."

"Good." Huo Jin Chen said, his voice smooth but chilling, like silk sliding over a blade. He then turned towards the men, pacing slowing from the right to the left.

"Ensure the governor is otherwise occupied. I want no interruptions when the time comes. And as for the target...". He then paused his pacing, straightened his posture and smiled his predatory smile.

"Make it look like an accident. But make it painful. Family, friends and enemies should know and remember."

The men in black nodded, murmuring their assent before disappearing into the shadows, leaving behind Huo Jin Chen alone in the temple. He made his way over to the broken wall looking out at the mountains, his gaze distant but sure.

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A history forged in shadows... And The path to revenge

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Huo Jin Chen's story was one born of rejection and cruelty. He was the son of a courtesan and a count, conceived in the backroom of a pleasure h**se during one of his father's many drunken nights.

His mother, a woman of exceptional beauty but little means had believed the counts promises of a "...better life.." and "...new beginnings..".

Months later after after confirming her pregnancy, she begged the count stop acknowledge "...his son..", to give him even a small sliver of legitimacy.

But the count refused claiming, "...that he has no such thing as a bas***d son." Before tossing a bag of silver and concluding with, "...do something nice with it. The boy may need it." Before leaving without so much as a backward glance.

Thus began the life of an outcast. For the first year after his birth, Huo Jin Chen had no name. His mother hated him and love him. Screaming, yelling then crying and shouting. She tried, really she did to provide but every rejection, every scorn look and glance dug at her already broken heart.

At 4 Huo Jin Chen's mother got in trouble with the some loan sharks. Forcing them to flee they're home and join the traveling circus. Where both he and his mother stayed.

The Ringmaster "Master Xing" had taken a liking to Huo Jin Chen's mother and "...took care of them.." for a time. Then when Huo Jin Chen was 8 his mother unfortunately succumbed to illness, leaving him utterly alone.

It was then that Huo Jin Chen understood true loneliness. For the circus was a chaotic World of performers, freaks and outcasts. With the circus being a prison and not the sanctuary he had thought it was.

It was also during this time that the Ringmaster's true face came out.

"Smile for the crowd, boy." The Ring master would bark, his breath reeking of alcohol. "No one wants to see a sulking brat."

But that was just the beginning, because as he grow older the abuse increased. First harsh words here and there. A few then plenty of physical beatings. Withholding food, sleep and even sanitation needs. Locking him in a trunk or closet, screaming and yelling at him. Mocking him on his "illegitimate birth" and those "...all so pretty but exotic amber eyes."

But the breaking point came one night when the Ring master had pushed too far. After months, months of being the "favorite one" Huo Jin Chen was done. Something inside him snapped and in it's place a cold, calculated rage that begged, urged someone, anyone to just try.

By dawn, the Ring master as well as "his special clients" and circus aids were all dead. Bodies battered and broken. The survivors just remember the screams that echoed into the night. Horrible, painful screams that made them pray and plead.

Because when the sun rose, higher into the sky, it was Huo Jin Chen that stood at the center of the camp. His amber eyes gleaming with a new but terrifying resolve.

"This circus is mine now." He declared his voice sharp and flat. "And I will never again bow to anyone again."

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With the circus under his control, Huo Jin Chen transformed it into something far more sinister. It became a front for his growing network of spies, assassin's and criminals, - a shadowy empire that constantly expanded its reach across the land.

At 14 he took over the circus and at 17 he returned "home".

One by one, he began to dismantle their lives.

His eldest half-brother, a once promising scholar was disgracedand publicly shamed for falsified cheat papers were found before the national grade exams. He a once proud teacher at one of the best private school in the area was exiled. Try as he may nothing came about anything. His titles and awards were stripped and his name forever tarnished.

His second brother that had headed out to the army to make a name for himself met a more gruesome fate. An ambush orchestrated by Jin Chen's men left him maimed and unable to fight. Let alone lift a finger.

The youngest son and Jin Chen's elder brother by 3 months, a (-former-) notorious womanizer was now a well known cut sleeve. It was a scandal so damming he, himself could not shield or get out off. And neither could his family shield him from the public outrage that followed.

As for his legitimate born "father and mother". Watching their worlds fall apart was something he made sure was slow. Like the sand in a sand turner. Grain by grain. Inch by inch. It was more meaningful, more insidious.

Watching them try and save their children then abandon them, turning on each other. Blaming one another for "faults" . Eroding the standing in society, starting whispers of Madam Huo's "special interests" or Master Huo "kin*s" was fun.

He made so they both would be recluse, shadows of the once proud Master and Madam Huo of the Huo Min City.

Huo Jin Chen remained in the shadows, pulling at their strings and watching the act playout. It was only when they were down and out did he appear. The "...saviour..." and the "...solution..". At 21 years old the name Huo Jin Chen was registered and appointed the Huo family heir and master.

No longer was he just boy, child, it, thing, scum, pretty boy, bast**d, co*k sleeve or any other name he had been called thus far. He was Huo Jin Chen, young lord huo and/or Master Huo.

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Back to present

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Back in the abandoned temple, Huo Jin Chen turned away from the moonlit mountains, his thoughts returning to the present. His plans were moving swiftly, each and every piece falling into place.

The man he was targeting was a political opponent as a paid favor as well a another step to his grand design. (A design that would see he in power, to have claim to it. That and the recognition and respect he has been denied for so so long.)

But even amiss the plotting, planning and schemes a deeper, darker part of himself whispered and mocked him. It sometimes sounded like the ring master, his mother and sometimes (-most times-) it's sounded like his special clients.

'Recognition isn't enough. It would never be enough.'

"No one will deny me again." He murmured, amber eyes glinting with cold hard determination. "Not my enemies. Not my family. No one."

The lantern flickered, casting shadows across his face but Huo Jin Chen didn't notice. He was already lost in the labyrinth of his ambitions and schemes. A man consumed by his own darkness.

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Later that evening...

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The provincial governor's estate was resplendent with silk banners and glowing lanterns, their warm liklght illuminating the grand Courtyard. Small golden figurines were displayed tastefully around the hall.

Nobles, officials and merchants mingled in their finest robes, their laughter and chatter filling the air. The banquet was a celebration of the governor's recent success in brokering a various trade agreements with the "Central Plains" - (3 Countries to the immediate south of the country also called the "Belt Countries" , countries not annexed during the war 10 years earlier) - but also the immediate implications on the political front. A stage where alliances were forged and rivalries sharpened.

Amongst the laughter and chatter, Huo Jin Chen arrived late, ensuring his entrance drwlew attention and a crowd. His robes were a deep midnight blue with embroidered small silver clouds. The understated elegance marking him as a man of importance without ostentation. A single jade pendent hung at his waist, glinting with every step he took.

"Master Huo." The governor greeted him with a broad smile, bowing low. "We are honored by your presence tonight."

"The honor is mine, Governor Wei." Huo Jin Chen replied smoothly, his tone measured and polite. His eyes, however, scanned the room, assessing and dismissing the faces of the guests and attendees.

His target, Minister Qiu, stood near the central pavilion, laughing with a group of officials.

Watching him, Huo Jin Chen's lips curled ever so slightly. The stage had been set.

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As the night progresses, Huo Jin Chen moved and worked the crowd with practiced ease. His charm effortless, his words, actions and gestures precise and calculated. He greeted the rich and influential guests, exchanged pleasantries with the governor's advisors and even shared a toast with Minister Qui himself.

Later on as the night wore on Minister Qui and Huo Jin Chen 'chatted'.

"You've been absent from these gatherings as of late, Master Huo." Minister Qui remarked, his tone amiable but probing.

"Matters of business have kept me occupied." Huo Jin Chen replied, his smile never faltering. "But I couldn't miss an opportunity to celebrate the Governor's achievements."

Minister Qui chuckled, raising his cup of wine. "A man of duty. I admire that."

Their conversation was brief, but it served Huo Jin Chen's purpose. By the time the banquet had ended and the guests began to disperse, no one would question his presence. He had been seen, spoken to and acknowledged by nearly everyone in attendance.

As the guests retired, Huo Jin Chen returned to his place, - the shadows. His secret guards, already in place, moved with silent efficency. The "plan" was executed flawlessly.

Minister Qui was to be found dead in his chambers the following morning. His face twisted in agony. The cause of death a poison, - a subtle, almost undetectable toxin that mimicked natural illness.

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The Governor's estate was in chaos. News of Minister Qui's death spreading like wildfire, and by dawn, had the officials and nobles locked in frantic like discussions.

"Who could have done this?" One official demanded, pacing the length of the small halm they were in. "Minister Qui was a well-respected, key figure in the emperors court."

"Well-respected, yes-" Another replied with a pointed look towards the first one. "-but also ambitious. He had more enemies than friends."

"Do you think it was political?" Someone else whispered.

"It must be." A scholar interjected, stroking his beard. "No mere bandit or disgruntled servant could have pulled this off. This is the work of someone with power and resources."

Some spoke of divine punishment, others spoke of a secret assa**in operating under the emperor's orders.

Theories abounded, each more outlandish than the next. Some blamed rival fractions within the courts, others pointed to foreign actors and spies. Some still even went as far as to suggest the Governor, himself was the one who had orchestrated the murder to eliminate a "potential rival."

By mid morning, rumors began to spread beyond the estate, teahouses and marketplaces.

But in some small circles of power, more sinister theories emerged.

"Have you heard of the name Huo Jin Chen?" A superior official in the records department asked in a hushed voice.

"The bas**rd son of Count Huo? What about him?" Replied the junior official. His tone confused as he only asked his boss on his opinion regarding the minister.

"The are rumors, nothing confirmed or even solid that suggested he's building a network of spies and assa**ins, and that his the man to look for if you ever needed "help". It's how he got to be Master Huo in under 5 years."

"But that's not possible. I heard he was granted the title only after he aided them with the financial hole the 2nd and 3rd Huo sons got them in. He spent a considerable amount cleaning up the family name." Replied another official his tone dubious but firm, as it was what was known at least publicly.

"That's right Master. It's ridiculous to think that Huo Jin Chen could do it. He is after all a merchant not a kingmaker." Replied the first junior.

"And didn't you also say he was at the banquet himself. Left just after midnight right? Minister Qui was fine for the rest of the night. I even saw him later on." Replied the second junior officer.

Scoffing at the two naive men, their superior leaned in closer, his tone heavy but firm. "Precisely. After all waht is a better alibi than being in plain sight?"

The two junior officers shared a look with their expression darkening slightly.

"I just want you to be prepared. Huo Jin Chen has been registered on the examination attendance list and will sooner or later make a move here. Keep your eyes open and be ready." The superior finished off leaning back and easing his posture.