In a simple room where faint sunlight filters through a small window,
we see Shadow One—bare‑chested, his torso scarred, half his face burned, his hair very short and dark. Beside him, Branch Lady sits on a chair, leaning her face against Shadow One’s bed, asleep.

Shadow One gently strokes her hair, smiling, and thinks to himself:
(Was what I saw yesterday a nightmare—or an illusion? …And who was that man, truly?)

Suddenly, Twang awakens and sees Shadow One sitting on the bed, smiling. A soft smile appears on her face as she hugs him, tears in her eyes:
“Oh… I’m so sorry, brother Ning. I shouldn’t have sent you on that foolish mission while you’re unwell.”

Shadow One pats her head and asks,
“What happened?”

Twang, wiping away her tears, replies:
“Well, a guard found you collapsed by the gate of the Red Hall—your body was covered in blood from nose and mouth. It must be that your illness is worsening.”

Ning answers with a warm smile:
“Yes. I suppose I should take a few days to rest.”

Thinking quietly, Shadow One considers:
(It seems Twang believes my illness is to blame—that’s good. At least she won’t attempt to approach that monster again. We really must stay away from him.)

Twang interrupts his thought:
“Oh, I almost forgot—I’m leaving tomorrow for the Valley of Evil, specifically to Love Tower, to return Lady Saha to the Lady of the Tower. Things are becoming dangerous for her down south.”

Ning replies:
“Ah, Lady of the Tower—I remember her well.”

Twenty years earlier
Valley of Evil

“We lived in shame, poverty, and hunger—my sister Twang and I. The Valley of Evil: the worst land in the world, full of fugitives, criminals, and madmen. Brothels and slavery were everywhere. We were alone, defenseless.

I had to steal daily—stale bread, rotten tubers—to feed my sister. And because of my illness, sometimes I lay bedridden for days, leaving her to starve. Sometimes all we had to drink was the urine from horses… or ourselves.

We endured illness and unbearable pain just to survive. I fought every day to feed and protect us—especially against slave traders and pimps who eyed my sister.

We would return to a ruined wall we called home—bloodcaked with mine and others’. My body ached, I was cold, hungry, despairing. At times I even pressed a knife to my throat to end it all. But when I thought of my sister... I pulled back. I promised myself—for her smile someday.

Years later, at twenty, I was already a known third-tier fighter in the back alleys of the Valley of Evil. Then everything changed—the building of Love Tower, and Lady Desire starting to expand power south after fleeing the Middle Plains.

I saw my chance. All I had was my body—I’d become a slave or anything, as long as my sister escaped this filth.

When I reached Love Tower, the guards refused me. One day, in the central market, Lady Desire passed by in her luxurious carriage. I envied her comfort… suddenly a strong‑auraed guard exited and attempted to forcibly take my sister. I tried to stop him and was thrown aside. Then he coldly informed me: Lady Desire was impressed by Twang and wanted her to work in the Tower’s upper levels.

In that moment I saw my sister’s isolated future. I rose—and fell, rose—and fell—over and over—until that guard grew tired of tossing me aside.

Suddenly, the carriage door opened, and out stepped a woman of unparalleled beauty—black hair streaked with violet, violet eyes, a mesmerizing figure. Even her strength was evident—ranked 64th among the world’s top 100 at that time.

She stepped forward; the guard bowed instantly. In a raised, haughty voice, she asked:
“Why all this effort, man? Isn’t she just someone you can sell me for 20,000 nyang?”

I stood firm, determination in my eyes:
“Even if you gave me the authority of the Empire and the Court combined, I’d refuse.”

She fell silent, then smiled:
“I see envy in your eyes. But believe me, boy—you possess far more than I do.”

She continued:
“What do you say—join my Tower, boy, you and your sister—not as servants or concubines, but in key roles to expand Love Tower’s influence?”

My eyes widened—this was my chance. I agreed immediately.

In time, my fighting skills grew, and Twang’s talents in leadership emerged. Now she is the Lady of the city, one of the ten prominent women south of Love Tower—and I have become Shadow One, commander of Love Tower’s south fighting force.”

Back to the present, at “Three Heads Tavern” beneath the Three Heads Inn:
Van sits calmly, observing his tea, unfazed.

Hao descends the stairs, yawning:
“Oh, my lord, you’re up early. I heard noise last night—were you training or...?”

Van replies:
“No, I was just swatting away some bugs.”

Hao sits down and orders a large cut of meat, a cup of tea, and two chickens for himself. Van asks:
“And now—where shall we head?”

Hao, chewing, says:
“Next stop—probably the Middle Plains.”

Van, surprised:
“The Middle Plains? I thought we were heading east?”

Hao swallows, then explains:
“For several reasons. First—it’s the judicial district of the Third and Fourth Judges. If the Sixth Judge travels east, other powers may suspect the Court is aligning with Eastern forces—or plotting against them. Politically delicate.

Second—my family. I haven’t seen them in three years, and my brother’s wedding is next week. At least I’ll be there. And this is a good opportunity for you, Lord Judge, to explore the greatest hub of martial arts and swordsmanship in the Middle Plains—namely, the Morim Alliance, and in particular, the Namjong family, the greatest in the Middle Plains.”

Van, curious:
“The greatest family? Do you say that from fact—or just because you’re from that family?”

Hao sighs:
“Ha ha, of course you’d question it, Lord Van—you’ve never stepped beyond the Court’s gates. But for your knowledge: my father, Lord of the Namjong family, is among the pillars of the Morim Alliance—and he ranks eleventh among the world’s top one hundred strongest humans.”

Van looks at his tea and asks:
“And what’s so impressive about that?”

Hao’s voice softens, and a small tear appears as he clenches his fist:
(I forgot… this bastard of the Ten greats wouldn’t see the greatness of ranking eleventh.)

Van takes a sip of tea and says calmly:
“To be honest, I’m a bit excited to see the Middle Plains and the Morim Alliance. I feel I’ll discover something great.”