Mozhou Road.
In Yongsu Prefecture, in a dense forest where a nameless stream south of Dinghuai County Town intertwined with the Five Divine Rivers, locals would often come to gather dry firewood. But for the past two days, torrential rains had flooded the lower-lying areas, so no one came anymore.
But deep within the forest, under a gloomy sky, a faint light flickered. As one drew closer, sounds of laughter could be heard mixing with the rain, punctuated by the occasional crisp clang of colliding weapons.
Deep in the woods, there was a clearing with a packed-earth floor. In its center stood a brazier about twenty feet tall, where a great fire blazed, defying the downpour and casting a crimson glow on the surroundings.
Hundreds of people had gathered around the clearing. Dressed in all manner of attire and armed with various weapons, they all watched with excitement as two figures battled beside the massive brazier.
