A dark night, thick clouds covering the sky, and the wind howling fiercely through the narrow forest path. A young maid clutched the infant tightly in her arms, glancing back in terror. The sounds of pursuing footsteps echoed through the trees, along with threatening shouts in the cold air.
"Be quiet, little one… we'll survive!" the maid whispered, her voice trembling, as she stumbled in the mud, the earth almost swallowing her feet.
But they were too close. Swords glimmered in the darkness, and arrows struck the trees around her. Her heart nearly shattered as she felt time slipping away.
Suddenly, a shadow moved between the trees—stronger and faster than any human. Before the swords could reach her, the mysterious warrior intercepted them, sacrificing himself to redirect the pursuers.
"Hurry… move!" the warrior said firmly, carefully holding the infant. The maid followed, leaping over natural obstacles and small streams until they reached the borders of Shu, where the warrior paused to catch his breath.
"Now… escape and preserve your lives," he whispered, pointing toward the path leading into the Kingdom of Wu. He did not reveal his identity or sect—there was no time.
With utmost speed, the maid reached the safety of Wu with the infant intact, beginning a new life full of mystery and danger, but with a small glimmer of hope for this child… the child who would one day become Ji Xin.
Chapter 1: The Royal Investigation Department
The blue sky peeked through scattered leaves as Yu Yan sat by the riverbank, staring at his reflection in the still water. He took a deep breath, as if trying to absorb every detail of the scene, then let his thoughts drift toward the coming days, toward his awaited destination. The voice of the guard startled him sharply from his reverie.
"Hurry, Yu Yan, time is running!"
He splashed water on his face, smiling to clear his mind, then turned to the guard. The caravan was already gathering its belongings, preparing for departure. Noblemen scolded their servants, and young girls fussed over their appearance, hoping luck would accompany them to the palace. Amidst all of this, Yu Yan carefully checked his belongings, ensuring none of his money had been stolen.
The next morning, the commander ordered everyone to speed up. He confirmed that they would reach Sichuan tomorrow.
The days of travel passed slowly, and darkness fell as the caravan neared the capital. At last, before a massive wall and a large gate, everyone stopped, waiting for the commander to announce the journey's end. This moment was long-awaited for Yu Yan, who took his last bite of food, carrying memories of his mother, and smiled quietly as he ate.
When they reached the city gate, the commander told him that his task was done. The soldiers entered quickly, while Yu Yan delayed in presenting his entry papers. The crowd at the gate had grown, each person carrying documents hoping to pass through.
When his turn came, he received the jade card identifying his purpose: the royal examination. After the soldiers inspected it, they gestured for him to move quickly.
Finally, he entered the capital, standing amid the bustling streets filled with people moving in every direction. Among merchants and shoppers, he marveled at the scene, nearly getting trampled by a cart owner. The young man muttered curses, but Yu Yan paid no attention, continuing forward, holding his bag carefully.
He approached a passerby who seemed knowledgeable and asked about the Royal Investigation Department. The man pointed, and Yu Yan followed the direction, eventually arriving at the gates of a magnificent palace. Above, a golden sign read: "Royal Investigation Department Headquarters."
Yu Yan felt a surge of excitement standing there, imagining what awaited him behind the gate. Yet the guard who emerged did not greet him as he had hoped. The guard took his invitation, glanced at it, and returned it, gesturing that he must come back in two hours.
Puzzled, Yu Yan retreated quietly.
He entered a nearby café and sat in a corner. He ordered food and tea, beginning to eat in peace. But the calm vanished when shouting came from the upper floor. He looked up to see a server facing an angry girl, yelling at her, while a young man tried to calm her.
Moments later, a man in fine robes approached and calmly guided the girl. On the upper floor, another person in white watched, then shouted, "Hong, what's this disturbance?"
The scene unfolded before Yu Yan, who didn't know how to act. Words were exchanged, and amidst the chaos, the guard ordered the girl out, threatening imprisonment. She dropped some coins as compensation, and the door closed behind her.
When the server asked Yu Yan to leave as well, he didn't resist. Taking his bag, he left the café, but not before noticing the girl picking up her coins, accompanied by the young man with two heavy bags. He exchanged greetings with them, but the girl averted her gaze.
After leaving, Yu Yan walked the capital streets, contemplating the future, while the hour approached for him to return. Though preoccupied with thought, his eyes explored small details around him: temples, shops, and crowded alleys alive with everyday sounds. The vast, noisy capital held a new light touching his heart with anticipation.
Returning to the Royal Investigation Department, Yu Yan found the gate open and stepped inside slowly. A man sat at a table, head resting on his hand in apparent boredom, with four guards standing ready. Yu Yan approached cautiously.
The man looked at him with disinterest, extending his hand. Yu Yan paused. "What is it?" he asked.
"Your invitation. Where is it? Hand it over," the man replied coldly.
Yu Yan complied, giving him the invitation. The man opened it slowly, inspecting its details, then glanced at Yu Yan: "Your card. Give it to me."
Yu Yan handed over his jade card. The man examined it, then returned it. He picked up a brush from a guard, wrote Yu Yan's name on a sheet, and gestured to another guard to give him a black jade piece with red markings. Handing it to Yu Yan, he said, "Take this. Tomorrow, wear your new attire with this piece; it will be used for the first test."
Yu Yan thanked him. The man gestured for him to leave, returning to rest his head on his hand. Yu Yan departed, accompanied by guards to an adjacent hall.
Inside, another man was focused on adjusting clothes on a cloth doll. He looked up as Yu Yan entered, examining him briefly. "Another newcomer?" he said with a faint smile. "Where are the women? Two years of this, and it only gets duller." He asked Yu Yan to give him the invitation, then retrieved a garment from a pile of clothes.
Yu Yan asked curiously, "Won't you take my measurements?"
The man turned slowly, chuckling softly, "Measurements? We're in the Royal Investigation Department. We know even your undergarments!" The guards chuckled, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere.
The guard signaled Yu Yan to leave. He held the garment, absorbing the experience. Outside, he noticed the young man and girl from the café.
The girl asked, "Aren't you the boy who got kicked out with us?"
The young man intervened, "Stop mocking. I'm Mei Xing, and this is my younger sister Mei Huo. Sorry for her rudeness."
Yu Yan smiled, "No problem. I'm Yu Yan, here from outside the capital for the exam."
Mei Xing asked, "So you have no place to stay here?"
Yu Yan replied reassuringly, "I have relatives here."
Mei Huo, curious, suggested, "Why not come with us? We'll visit Brother San; maybe he can give us tips for the exam."
Yu Yan agreed, following them to the "Qixing Inn." The new experience drew him deeper into this complex world, motivating him to become part of it, no matter the challenges awaiting him tomorrow.