Princess Anhua's Oath

After Emperor Yao's passing, his son by Lady Yu, Prince Jing, ascended the throne of Haojing. Yet his reign was brief—slain in battle against a Xiongnu chieftain. With no heir, the crown passed to his younger brother, Prince Liang, a boy of tender years.

Bai Qi, the Iron Vowed Regent, ruled in his stead, his governance as steady as the Great Wall against barbarian tides.

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When Liang came of age, Bai Qi sought brides worthy of the imperial line. News reached him: the King of Qi would hold a "Lute Choosing" for his three daughters—Princess Anhua, Princess Ying, and Princess Lan—whose beauty was sung of from Chu to Yan.

Princes and warlords gathered at Luoyang, their armor polished like jade, their ambitions sharper than Dao blades. When Bai Qi arrived, murmurs spread:

"Does the old tiger break his vow? See how he strides among us, though his hair is white as winter snow!"

The princesses averted their eyes—all but Anhua, who glimpsed Salva, Lord of Shu, and silently pledged her heart.

Bai Qi let the insults fall like autumn leaves—until a Prince of Wei spat: "A eunuch of war has no place in a bridal contest!"

Then, the storm broke.

Single-handed, Bai Qi disarmed every challenger—his spear a whirlwind, his footwork echoing the Bagua steps. He swept the princesses into his chariot, their silken sleeves fluttering like captive phoenixes.

Yet on the road home, Lord Shu intercepted them, his face a mask of fury. "Anhua is mine by heart's decree!"

Their duel shook the valleys, but Bai Qi's arrows pinned Shu's banner to the earth. Spared only by Anhua's tears, Shu fled, his pride in tatters.

The Scorned Phoenix

At court, Anhua laughed coldly at Bai Qi:

"Regent, you who quote the Classic of Rites, know this: I pledged myself to Shu. By what right do you force me to your prince?"

Bound by honor, Bai Qi sent her back to Shu with gifts—but the humiliated lord rebuffed her:

"You were taken like spoils of war. I will not wed tainted silk."

Prince Liang, too, refused: "A queen's heart must belong to the throne alone."

Desperate, Anhua turned to Bai Qi: "You tore me from my fate. Now you must wed me."

His reply was steel: "My vow is unbroken. I am sword and shield to this dynasty—never its consort."

For six years, Anhua languished in the palace, her love curdling to venom. She sought champions—but who would face the "Unbreakable Spear of Zhou"?

The Curse of the Eternal Lotus

In despair, Anhua climbed Mount Tai and prayed to Guanyin. The goddess gifted her a garland of golden lotuses, whispering:

"He who wears this shall be Bai Qi's doom."

Yet no warrior dared take it—not even Duke Mu of Qin, who hung the garland at his gates like a cursed relic.

Guided by monks, Anhua sought the Hermit of Kunlun—a scarred sage who loathed kings. Moved by her rage, he challenged Bai Qi.

Their battle lasted seven days and nights:

The Hermit's taiji saber clashed with Bai Qi's halberd, sparks lighting the plains like falling stars.

Rivers split where their blades met.

But in the end, even the Hermit knelt, gasping: "No man can slay him. Only heaven may decide."

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Anhua built a pyre of sandalwood. As flames licked her robes, she screamed:

"Let me return as his executioner!"

The Jade Emperor heard. Years later, Duke Mu's wife bore a daughter who clutched the golden garland at birth—a child named Xianniang.

Cast into the wilderness for her omen, Xianniang trained under Daoist immortals, her body reforged by alchemy into that of a warrior.

The Fall of the Unbreakable

At Red Cliffs, Xianniang rode as General Zhao Yun's charioteer. Bai Qi, recognizing her spirit, lowered his spear:

"I do not fight one who was once a woman."

An arrow pierced his chest—but Bai Qi smiled, counting the shafts:

"This... is Zhao Yun's strike. My time is done."

As he fell, the heavens wept blood-red rain.