chapter1-blood upon the snow

The once-pristine Baihong Valley was a graveyard of broken bodies and shattered dreams. Snow, once untouched and white, was now stained deep red, pooling beneath fallen disciples. The scent of burning wood and fresh blood filled the air, clinging to the icy wind that cut through the battlefield.

At the heart of the carnage stood Xu Lian, her long black hair loose and wild, streaked with blood and ash. Her white robes—the pride of Baihong Valley—were ruined, torn at the sleeves, soaked in crimson. Her grip on her sword was tight, knuckles pale, as she stood among the corpses of those she once called family.

And in front of her, Yan Rui.

Draped in black robes embroidered with silver, Yan Rui stood as if the destruction around her meant nothing. Her sword, dark as a starless night, dripped with fresh blood. Some of it was her own, but most of it belonged to the fallen. A cold breeze lifted her long, raven-black hair, revealing the sharp angles of her face—pale, unreadable, and void of remorse.

Xu Lian's breath was ragged. Her heart ached, burned with an agony she had no words for.

"You killed my master." Her voice was low, dangerous.

Yan Rui said nothing.

The silence stretched between them, thick as the storm clouds gathering overhead.

Then, from the shadows, another voice spoke.

"She butchered him, Xu Lian," a Baihong Valley disciple—Luo Qian—spat from the side, clutching a wound on his side. His eyes burned with grief, his robes torn and tattered. "I saw it. Yan Rui cut down Elder Yi without hesitation, just like the rest of them."

A murmur of agreement swept through the surviving Baihong Valley disciples, their eyes filled with hatred, with grief.

Xu Lian's fingers tightened around her sword. Her master, the man who had raised her, the only person who had believed in her, was dead. And the woman standing before her—Yan Rui, the one person she once thought untouchable—had taken him away.

"…Why?" Her voice cracked, just slightly.

Yan Rui tilted her head, unreadable as always.

"Does it matter?"

Xu Lian's breath caught.

Does it matter?

A sharp laugh escaped Luo Qian. "You hear that? She doesn't even deny it!" His gaze snapped to Xu Lian. "Are you really hesitating? She's from Yexiao Palace—this was always going to happen! She's the enemy. Cut her down!"

More voices rose in agreement.

"Kill her!"

"She's a murderer!"

"She deserves to die!"

Xu Lian felt something inside her fracture.

She had known Yan Rui for years, had fought beside her, had trusted her in ways she never trusted anyone else. But now, as she stood there, as she said nothing—not a single word of defense—what was she supposed to believe?

"Xu Lian," Yan Rui said softly, almost mockingly. "Are you going to let their words decide for you?"

A flash of heat burned in her chest.

"I don't need their words," Xu Lian hissed. "I only need the truth. And you refuse to give it to me."

Without another breath, she lunged.

Yan Rui moved instantly, blocking the strike with swift precision. The force of their clash sent a shockwave through the battlefield, kicking up ash and bloodstained snow.

Xu Lian attacked with ferocity, her blade a blur of silver as she struck again and again, forcing Yan Rui back. Each swing carried the weight of betrayal, of grief, of fury that burned so hot it numbed the pain.

Yan Rui dodged, parried, countered—but she did not retreat.

Her blade moved with lethal grace, each strike calculated, precise, aiming not to kill but to control. Yet, despite her skill, there was something hesitant in the way she moved—as if she wasn't fighting to end this.

But Xu Lian was.

Steel met steel in a clash so violent that sparks erupted between them.

Xu Lian spun, feinted, then slashed upward, slicing a deep cut across Yan Rui's shoulder. Blood splattered against the snow.

Yan Rui inhaled sharply, but instead of pain, she smiled.

"You've gotten stronger," she murmured.

Xu Lian didn't respond.

She didn't need to.

She attacked again—faster, crueler.

Yan Rui's smirk faded as she barely dodged another strike. Then, without warning, she countered.

In a single swift motion, she disarmed Xu Lian, her blade striking against her opponent's with just the right force, sending the sword flying.

Xu Lian barely had time to react before Yan Rui closed the distance, pinning her against a bloodstained boulder.

Their faces were inches apart, breath mingling in the cold night air.

Yan Rui's dark eyes searched hers, something unreadable flickering within them. Then, she whispered, just loud enough for Xu Lian to hear—

"You'll regret this."

Before Xu Lian could react, Yan Rui released her and vanished into the storm.

The battle was over.

But the war between them had only just begun.