1 Prologue

𝐇𝐞𝐲, 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐱𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞. 𝐓𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐈'𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝟏. 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭!

"H...HELP...!!"

"Aaargghh, you won't get away with this,"

The sound of chaos echoed through the halls of the Hao Clan's ancestral home as cries for help rang out. The imperial guards had infiltrated their ranks, and their once-peaceful abode had become a battlefield. Disciples fought for their lives against the ruthless invaders, but the odds were stacked against them.

As the clash of steel and the screams of the wounded filled the air, it became clear that the Hao Clan was facing a fight for survival. They had never faced a threat like this before, and with their backs against the wall, they had no choice but to fight with everything they had. But would it be enough to repel the imperial guards and save their clan from destruction? Only time would tell.

"Defend the clan!"

The disciples tried to retaliate, grabbing whatever weapons they could find to defend themselves. But their efforts were in vain, as the imperial guards were heavily armed and trained to kill. With each passing moment, more and more disciples fell, cut down without mercy. The air was thick with the scent of blood and death, and the sounds of clashing steel and screams echoed throughout the halls.

Panic and confusion reigned supreme, with disciples and clan members running for their lives in all directions. Some tried to band together to make a stand, but were quickly overpowered by the relentless imperial guards. The once proud and united clan was now torn apart, with loyalty and trust shattered.

The battle raged on, with no end in sight. The Haos were outnumbered and outmatched, and their resistance was slowly but surely being crushed. It was a dark and chaotic scene, with the future of the Hao Clan hanging in the balance.

General Cui Guozhi strode forward, his eyes blazing with determination. He surveyed the chaos before him, and raised his voice so that all could hear him.

"Men!" he bellowed. "Listen to me! Our mission is to encircle the Hao Territory and to not let anyone leave this place. We will show no mercy to those who resist us. This is the emperor's will, and we must carry it out with all the strength and power at our disposal."

The imperial guards stiffened to attention, their eyes fixed on the general.

"We will show no pity, no compassion," he continued. "We are the sword of the emperor, and we will strike down any who dare to defy his rule. The Hao Clan has been guilty of betraying the empire, and it is time for them to pay the price."

"Surround the territory and make sure that no one gets out," he ordered, his voice ringing with authority. "I want reports of all movements, all resistance. We will not rest until the Hao Clan is crushed and their rebellion is snuffed out for good."

The imperial guards nodded, their expressions grim. They knew what was at stake, and they were ready to carry out their general's orders. With a roar of determination, they surged forward, surrounding the Hao Territory and closing in for the final showdown.

As the chaos raged on below, an old man suddenly appeared in the sky. His regal appearance commanded attention, and the imperial guards turned their gaze upward in surprise. It was Hao Chanming, the eldest and most respected member of the Hao Clan.

His face was serious as he hovered in the air, his eyes fixed on General Cui Guozhi.

"General Cui," he called out, his voice filled with authority. "What wrong have we done for you to besiege my people like this? What could possibly justify this attack on the innocent?"

General Cui scowled, but he could not deny the power and wisdom in Hao Chanming's gaze. "Your clan has been accused of treason," he answered gruffly. "We are here to bring an end to your sedition and to restore order to the land."

Hao Chanming's eyebrows furrowed. "Treason? That is a grave accusation. We have always been loyal to the empire. Why would we turn against the empire that feed us?"

As the two men spoke, more elders of the Hao Clan appeared, their clothes swaying with the energy they were releasing. Their faces were wrinkled with age, but they were filled with wisdom and power. They surrounded General Cui, their eyes fixed on him as they demanded an explanation for this attack on their clan.

General Cui Guozhi stepped forward, his broad sword raised high. His eyes blazed with fury as he stared down Hao Chanming, the respected elder of the Hao Clan.

"Don't act like you're the patron of kindness, Chanming," he snarled. "We have evidence that you have colluded with the enemy of the empire to kill the crowned prince."

Hao Chanming's expression was one of disbelief. "Preposterous," he replied. "I have always been loyal to the empire. Perhaps you are worried about that thing that I discovered?"

General Cui's eyes narrowed, and he lunged forward, brandishing his sword. "You cannot sway the belief of people using your sweet lies," he growled. "Admit your sins and we will let your people live."

His sword flashed through the air, but Hao Chanming was ready. He dodged to the side, evading the deadly blade. "You will not stop me from speaking the truth," he countered, his voice ringing with authority.

General Cui was agitated, his sword arm shaking as he tried to stop Hao Chanming from saying another word. He was determined to silence the elder, no matter the cost.

Hao Chanming reached down, a halberd grew from the ground, the weapon passed down from generations to generations of clan head. He brandished it with a flourish, the blade gleaming in the sunlight.

"I will not sit idly by while seeing those hidden forces from the empire slowly eat the foundation like termites," he declared. "I will defend my clan and my people with my life."

General Cui's expression hardened, but he spoke softly, his words meant only for Chanming's ears. "You are too late, Chanming," he said. "The empire has already belonged to us."

The two warriors clashed in a whirlwind of steel, their weapons clanging against each other in a dazzling display of martial prowess. General Cui swung his broad sword with deadly precision, but Hao Chanming was quick, parrying each blow with his halberd.

Cui thrusted forward, trying to skewer Chanming with his sword, but the elder deftly dodged to the side. Chanming countered with a swift slash of his halberd, the blade whistling through the air as it cut towards the general.

Cui was relentless, his sword flashing in a blur of motion as he tried to find an opening in Chanming's defense. But the elder was one step ahead, his halberd striking out with lightning speed to parry each blow.

The two warriors were evenly matched, their weapons ringing out in a symphony of destruction as they battled on. But slowly, Chanming began to gain the upper hand.

He landed a series of powerful blows with his halberd, the force of each strike causing Cui to stumble backwards. The general was no slouch, but he was struggling to keep up with the elder's quick reflexes and precise strikes.

Finally, with a flourish of his halberd, Chanming landed a devastating blow that sent Cui's sword flying from his hand. The general stumbled back, his expression one of shock and disbelief as he realized he was defeated.

However this is a short lived victory. Hao Chanming was caught off guard and Xu Chen made an underhanded attack using his strings. Hao Chanming's chest has been pierced by the strings.

The elders of the Hao clan who were celebrating a moment ago were flabbergasted upon seeing the gruesome state of their patriarch. He was being dragged in the street by Xu Chen, who was laughing maniacally, and was being whipped by the strings. As Chanming's chest bled, he knew that he was in a critical state and there was no way out for him.

Xu Chen, with a smirk on his face, taunted Chanming, "Oh look, the great Hao Chanming has finally fallen. Your precious clan will soon crumble without you."

As he was being dragged, Chanming gasped, "You may have won this battle, but the war is far from over."

Xu Chen sneered, "You really think anyone from your clan has the strength to stand up against me? They are all weak, just like you."

Despite the pain, Chanming managed to reply, "My sons and grandsons will rise to the challenge. They will protect our clan and bring down the likes of you."

Xu Chen laughed mockingly, "Your foolish optimism will be your downfall. They are nothing compared to me."

But Chanming remained defiant, "You will see, Xu Chen. The Hao Clan will endure and the empire will see the true face of tyranny and oppression that you and your forces represent."

Xu Chen, growing tired of Chanming's resistance, lifted his string, ready to deliver the final blow. But just before he could, Hao Tengyang appeared and shouted, "Stop! You will not lay a hand on our patriarch!"

Hao Tengyang was the first to react. "Patriarch! Hang in there, I'll save you!" he shouted, drawing his weapon.

However, Hao Chanming shouted, "STOP! Tengyang, protect my sons and grandsons. That is my final request," Hao Chanming weakly smiled and said, "Thank you, Tengyang. You have always been my most loyal and trusted servant. Protect my family and keep them safe, for the future of the Hao clan rests on their shoulders."

Xu Chen, who was still holding Hao Chanming captive, sneered and said, "It's a little too late for that, Chanming. Your time has come and your clan will soon be nothing but a distant memory."

Hao Tengyang's eyes burned with determination as he advanced towards Xu Chen. "You won't get away with this," he growled.

"Ha! What can you do against me?" Xu Chen taunted, still holding Hao Chanming captive with his strings.

Tears streaming down his face, Hao Tengyang replied, "Patriarch, I won't let you die in vain. I'll...."

Before Hao Tengyang could act, the strings transformed into a giant ax that fell down on the head of their patriarch. Hao Tengyang was stunned, but he remembered the request of his patriarch and immediately ran to where Hao Jiming and Hao Shunyuan were. On his way, he saw the kids including Hao SiYi and Juanxiu, not fully comprehending what was happening. He scooped the two carry them on his shoulder and ran with all his might.

….

Hao Tengyang sat in silence, reflecting on the events that had just transpired. He felt a deep sense of disappointment in himself for being forced to hide while his friends and family perished outside. As a warrior, he was trained to fight and protect, but with the patriarch's final request weighing heavily on his mind, he felt helpless and trapped.

On one corner of the hiding place, Siyi, Juanxiu, Bohai, and Shaoqing play like nothing grim was happening outside. This is the future that the patriarch told him to protect.

As the wails outside subsided and the only sounds left were the sobs of the handful of survivors, Hao Tengyang's heart ached for those who had lost their lives. The once bustling streets were now littered with lifeless bodies, the eyes of the fallen void of any emotion. The survivors were eerily quiet, as if they had lost the ability to even shed a tear.

Hao Tengyang knew that he needed to honor the patriarch's final request and protect the remaining members of the Hao clan. He made a vow to himself that he would not let their deaths be in vain and that he would one day avenge them.

As the sun rose, Xu Chen sat on the corpse of the Hao clan's patriarch and elders, surveying the carnage with a satisfied smirk. In his hand, he held an imperial edict, its red seal glinting in the sunlight. The once lively streets were now silent, save for the occasional gust of wind that blew through the streets, sending debris and leaves scattered about.

Xu Chen let out a triumphant laugh, a sound that echoed throughout the desolate city. He held the edict high in the air, letting the wind catch it, before speaking in a loud and commanding voice.

"By the authority of the imperial court, it is declared that the Hao Clan is guilty of colluding with the enemy of the empire, resulting in the death of the crowned prince. The patriarch, Hao Chanming, before his death has admitted his sins and accepted the punishment of banishment to the Forgotten Valley for all eternity.

Let it be known that the Hao Clan is stripped of all titles, privileges, and assets. Their name will be struck from all historical records, and they shall never be remembered again.

This imperial edict serves as a warning to all those who would dare to threaten the stability and peace of the empire. The emperor's justice shall not be hindered, and those who betray the empire will face the same fate.

Signed and sealed, by the hand of Xu Chen, the Emperor's loyal servant."