A Different World - Chapter 1: Blood Vengeance

In the frigid wind of the twelfth lunar month, banners fluttered violently, suddenly pierced by flaming arrows. The fire consumed the dragon emblem on the flag, alarming the guards patrolling the city wall.

They looked up at the sound, only to see a storm of arrows descending like torrential rain. Amidst the distant clouds of dust, a voice commanded sharply, and troops with gleaming armor and weapons advanced toward the imperial capital.

The sound of merciless iron hooves trampling over the bodies of common folk echoed through the smoke and flames, filling the capital of Qingdu with cries for mercy and anguished screams.

The man at the forefront, sitting confidently on his tall horse, gazed triumphantly at the imperial palace at the heart of the capital. With a loud shout, he declared, “Follow me! Kill the tyrant!”

Inside the Wanhe Hall, the musicians struck bells and chimes, dancers swayed gracefully with long sleeves, and officials jointly toasted the high-seated figure. Yet, some exchanged furtive glances and quietly slipped away from the banquet.

“Your Majesty! The King of the South has raised…” A guard rushed to report but collapsed mid-sentence with a sword cleaving his back. Weakly, he groaned, “Rebellion…”

The discordant music in the hall reached its climax before a string snapped with a sharp twang, leaving behind only an eerie silence. All eyes turned to the door, which was kicked open, revealing the blood-stained Southern King, Xie Yuanrui, walking in with a blade.

Emperor Xie Yuantao, hiding behind his guards, stared at his brother in disbelief. “Southern King, you dare rebel?”

Xie Yuanrui raised his blade slowly, pointing it at Xie Yuantao, his eyes cold and ruthless. “Rebel? Brother, you lavishly celebrate the Ninth Prince’s birthday while ignoring the chaos ravaging the land. I bring the will of the people to ask you to abdicate.”

As his words fell, armed men stormed into the hall, surrounding it completely. The officials were too terrified to move; some even fell to their knees, begging for their lives.

Xie Yuantao shouted for his guards, but none came to his aid. With only his personal guards, he retreated, yet the rebel blades grew ever closer.

He held his breath, his gaze fixed on the sword aimed at him, shielding the young Ninth Prince behind him.

The ground beneath them trembled slightly, and snow fell from the crimson walls, shaken by an overwhelming force. A piercing “clang” split the air, ripping through frost and snow with a sharp wind, embedding itself in the neck of a rebel leader, pinning him to the wall.

The Ninth Prince stared blankly at the lifeless rebel hanging on the wall, then turned with lingering fear to the archer. Among the reinforcements, a young man wielding a blackwood longbow locked his sharp gaze on the battlefield.

The boy drew another arrow, aiming at the Southern King hiding amidst the rebels, but Xie Yuanrui dodged just in time.

“General of the Nation’s Army here to defend the Emperor! Capture the traitors!”

Hearing his father’s command, the young archer stowed his bow and joined the soldiers in drawing their swords to face the enemy.

The reinforcements charged with ferocity, but Xie Yuanrui showed no sign of fear, already considering the throne his.

General Lu Hancang, sensing a trap, turned to see more rebels advancing from the rear. Their leader held a banner inscribed with “Jian” and “Yue.”

“How can these be Jianzhou and Yuezhou troops?” Shocked, Lu Hancang cut down another rebel and hurried to the Emperor’s side, confirming his safety. “Your Majesty, I will send someone to escort you and the Ninth Prince away.”

Emperor Xie Yuantao, noticing the banners in the distance, was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He pushed the Ninth Prince toward Lu Hancang, entrusting him with a heavy heart. “General Lu, as the sovereign, I will live and die with the Great Qi. Take the Ninth Prince with you.”

Lu Yuanting, gripping his sword, pierced through another rebel, flinging the body aside before retreating cautiously toward his father. “Father, the rebels keep increasing. Our forces might not hold until the cavalry arrives.”

The Emperor had bestowed upon Lu Hancang the title of “General of the Nation,” calling him “the pillar of the kingdom.” The Lu family had sworn their lives to loyalty and protection, unyielding until the pillar crumbled and the stone shattered.

Lu Hancang gazed intently at the young Ninth Prince, then turned to his son, making the most solemn and daring decision of his life.

“Yuanting, remember, no matter what, protect the Ninth Prince!”

Those words echoed repeatedly in Lu Yuanting’s mind as he clenched his brows in anguish, riding south with the Ninth Prince and the remaining guards.

To cover their escape from Qingdu, Vice General Lin sacrificed himself as a decoy, falling under the rebels’ blades. The imperial guards suffered heavy casualties.

“Where are we going?” The Ninth Prince clung tightly to Lu Yuanting’s robes, fearful of falling off the horse, occasionally glancing back.

Lu Yuanting replied gravely, “Changping.”

Before their departure, the Emperor had instructed him to seek help from the Prince of Changping, whose territory was not far from Qingdu. Perhaps they could still return in time to aid the Emperor.

Their horses galloped relentlessly through the snow, traveling a full day and night without rest, finally arriving at the Changping Prince’s residence.

Hoping to find respite, Lu Yuanting suddenly heard strange noises outside the room. He gestured for the Ninth Prince to stay silent, pressing his ear to the door. His heart sank as he realized what was happening. Grabbing the prince, he prepared to flee through the window.

The Ninth Prince, puzzled, asked, “What’s wrong?”

“All the guards you left outside have been killed. It seems the Prince of Changping has also turned traitor.” Lu Yuanting cast a suspicious glance at the Ninth Prince, unable to ponder the reasons behind the rebellion of so many princes. Without delay, he fled the residence with the prince.

The Prince of Changping heard movement inside the room and burst in, only to see the two escaping through the window. He immediately commanded, “Pursue them! Leave no survivors!”

Exhausted and wounded, Lu Yuanting pushed the Ninth Prince over the courtyard wall just as he sensed enemies closing in behind him.

As the wind howled, his sword clashed with the enemies’ blades, the sharp sound grating on the ears. Despite his youth, Lu Yuanting maneuvered skillfully, retaliating fiercely against his opponents.

The guards, stunned by his remarkable martial prowess, found their hands trembling from the impact. But Lu Yuanting wasn’t unscathed; his wounds bled steadily. Taking advantage of a brief opening, he climbed onto the wall, pulling the Ninth Prince with him, and fled quickly.

From Qingdu to Changping, all their escorts had perished. In the freezing wilderness, with pursuers close behind, the two were forced to the edge of a canyon.

Protecting the Ninth Prince, Lu Yuanting glanced over the cliff. Though not high, the bottom teemed with unknown dangers. Jumping down seemed the only chance for survival.

But what if something went wrong? What would become of the Ninth Prince?

Gripping Lu Yuanting’s coat tightly, the prince, despite his youth, understood there was no retreat. Resolutely, he said, “Young General Lu, Ning Zhen trusts you.”

“Alright, I’ll get you out of here.” With those words, Lu Yuanting cradled the prince and leapt off the cliff.

Seeing them jump without hesitation, the pursuers were momentarily stunned. Turning to their lord, they asked, “Your Highness, should we follow?”

The Prince of Changping sneered. “This cliff may not be high, but the bottom is infested with venomous creatures. Search carefully. Bring them back alive or dead.”

Years ago, the southern kingdom had gifted these peculiar creatures to the court. Losing interest after two years, the prince had them discarded, only for them to thrive in the canyon. Wild and feral, they had become a deadly spectacle. The chances of the pair surviving were slim.

Hiding in the shadows, a few young monks overheard the conversation. Alarmed, they decided to secretly follow the search party, hoping to find Lu Yuanting and the Ninth Prince first.

Pain jolted Lu Yuanting awake as he clutched his chest, coughing weakly. Struggling to stand, he began searching for the prince. They had hit something during their fall, so the Ninth Prince should be nearby.

The dim canyon floor was treacherous. Protecting his wound, Lu Yuanting staggered forward, finally finding the unconscious prince a few meters away.

“Your Highness, wake up,” he called softly, but the response was not from the Ninth Prince.

Deep within the cliff’s base, a sudden noise erupted. Lu Yuanting stiffened and turned his head, only to be met by a chilling breeze that felt like the breath of a living creature.

The sound of a serpent’s belly scraping against the gravel echoed around him. Its forked tongue flicked out, carrying an unmistakable air of irritation at the trespasser’s intrusion.

The clicking noises of scorpions and the skittering of venomous insects grew denser in the corners of the darkness, closing in on the fresh prey.

Realizing the peril, Lu Yuanting immediately hoisted the unconscious Ninth Prince onto his back and fled toward another direction. Every step he took sent a searing pain through his chest, the broken ribs threatening to pierce his lungs.

But he dared not look back. He had to escape with the Ninth Prince.

Swinging his sword, he struck away the venomous creatures crawling toward him. He sliced through the snake that had coiled around his leg, his resolve to survive unwavering.

“Brother Lu! Brother Lu!” A voice called from afar.

Recognizing the young monks from Kongshan Monastery, Lu Yuanting shouted weakly for help, “Over here…”

The monks hurried over, lighting torches to dispel the venomous snakes and insects. One of them took the unconscious Ninth Prince from Lu Yuanting’s back, while another supported him as they moved toward the cave’s exit.

Explaining as they walked, the monks said, “Our master heard of the upheaval in Jingdu and sent us to assist. After descending the mountain, we learned you were in Changping and followed you here. We knocked out the guards searching for you from the prince’s manor, but they’ll wake soon. We need to leave quickly!”

Lu Yuanting weakly nodded. He had been trained at Kongshan Monastery, and at this point, he trusted no one but his master.

The monks stealthily carried the injured pair out of the gorge and hurried back to Kongshan Monastery, carefully watching for pursuers along the way.

Back at the monastery, senior monks moved in and out of the guest chamber, tending to the two severely injured young men. The younger monks waited anxiously outside, too afraid to ask too many questions.

The monastery abbot gazed at the critically wounded Lu Yuanting with a heavy heart. “The Ninth Prince is unharmed, save for a few superficial injuries, though he seems to have hit his head and remains unconscious. But Yuanting… alas!”

The abbot sighed. Lu Yuanting’s body was riddled with wounds, and the venom from the snakes and scorpions had seeped into his organs. He was clinging to life by a thread, with little hope for survival.

Master Wuxiang sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, his eyes closed. After a long, weary sigh, he finally spoke, “This is his fate. He cannot escape it.”

He had watched this disciple grow up, and his heart ached with sorrow. Yet, with the empire in turmoil, how could the Lu family remain untouched?

The serene monastery was suddenly disrupted by the urgent pounding of the main gates. Outside, the light of torches stretched down the mountainside, their bearers unmistakably unwelcome visitors.

Wuxiang slowly opened his eyes. With the help of a novice monk, he rose to his feet and stepped out of the guest chamber. Staring at the scene below, he said meaningfully, “We, too, have our fate to fulfill.”

Though his body was bent with age, his stance exuded an unyielding resolve.

The impatient soldiers broke through the gates and flooded into the monastery, searching every corner before gathering in the main hall.

There, all the monks sat cross-legged, calmly reciting sutras. They seemed unfazed by the soldiers’ intrusion, as though they had anticipated this moment.

The lead officer surveyed the hall and barked at the head monk, “Where are you hiding them?”

Wuxiang opened his eyes and spoke serenely, “Your presence here disrupts the peace of this sacred place.”

“I asked you a question! Where are the Ninth Prince and his companion? Hand them over, and I’ll spare your lives!” The officer pressed his sword to Wuxiang’s neck, the blade slicing through the skin to draw blood.

Still composed, Wuxiang fingered his prayer beads and replied, “The King of the South claims to rise for the people, yet his iron hooves trample countless lives. Where is the virtue in that? The Ninth Prince is but a child, yet he must be hunted to death. Where is the compassion in that? With such a ruler, this dynasty is doomed. I have drawn many divinations, all foretelling calamity. I urge you to turn back before it’s too late.”

“Spare me your nonsense!” the officer snapped. “If you don’t give them up, I’ll kill every last one of you!” He signaled his men to act.

The soldiers raised their blades, and the monks’ prayer beads scattered to the floor, stained with blood.

Wuxiang glanced at a bead rolling to his feet and fell silent.

The blades rose and fell again, painting the monastery red. None of the monks flinched, and none begged for mercy. They had foreseen the chaos to come. Staying in this world held no appeal to them, but preserving the royal bloodline meant that one day, the mists would clear, and justice would prevail.

“Report! Sir, there’s a fire in the rear mountain!” A soldier rushed in with news.

The officer stepped out of the blood-soaked hall and saw flames roaring from the monastery’s rear. He immediately ordered his men, “Search thoroughly. We need bodies, dead or alive.”

The soldiers poured water onto the flames and found two charred corpses in the ashes, matching the approximate ages of the Ninth Prince and the general’s son.

With a new emperor on the throne, everyone was eager to earn merit. The officer confirmed the discovery and ordered the remains to be packed and returned to Jingdu as proof.

None of them noticed two figures hidden in a crevice near the mountain’s rear.

Lu Yuanting clutched a letter left for him by his master, tears streaming as he watched Kongshan Monastery’s destruction unfold. Powerless to intervene, he trembled with rage.

“Brother, this is from the abbot. He said to take this jade token to Qingyun Temple in Lishou, where someone will assist you.”

“What does this mean? Where is Master? What are you going to do?”

“Brother, the abbot said you’d understand once you read the letter. May you have a safe journey, Brother.”

With trembling hands, Lu Yuanting opened the letter. Each word of the master’s parting message felt like a hammer blow to his heart.

> “The hatred of family and nation is vast; it cannot be contained in an empty mountain.

The imperial court is rife with turmoil; calamities abound for all.

My disciple, you are no caged phoenix; wield your sword to dispel the mist.

Hide your light like jade; one day, you shall ascend with dignity.

May your journey be safe. Amitabha.”

Leaning against a rock, Lu Yuanting gazed up at the cloud-covered moon, coughing up blood. Once the soldiers departed, he dragged the still-unconscious Ninth Prince down the mountain, his body battered and weak.

He turned back toward the capital, the home they had lost. One day, they would return.

The blood-soaked grudge—he would repay it in this lifetime.

—

Author’s Note:

The name Lu Yuanting (陆渊渟) is derived from “Chufei’s Lament”: “Majestic King Zhuang, deep and serene as a pool, lofty as a mountain.”

This novel is a blend of martial intrigue and a dramatic romance. It’s plot-driven, set in a fictional world, and told from the protagonist’s perspective with a happy ending (HE).

Protagonist: Ye Yin (Lu Yuanting)

Love interest: Ye Cichuan (Chang’an, Xie Ningzhen). The love interest is six years younger than the protagonist, and their romance begins after they are both adults (rest assured!).

Thank you for reading!