The Crimson Lotus Sect slept beneath a sky filled with countless stars.
Moonlight spilled over the endless lotus lake, turning each blossom into a silver flame dancing upon the water.
The halls that had bustled with celebration only hours before now stood silent.
Lanterns swayed gently beneath the cool night breeze.
Only the chirping of crickets disturbed the peace.
...
Deep inside the Moon Blossom Pavilion, however—
A small figure tossed restlessly beneath embroidered silk blankets.
Princess Shin.
Tiny beads of sweat covered her forehead.
Her breathing became uneven.
"No..."
She whispered weakly.
"No..."
Darkness.
Nothing but darkness.
The little girl stood alone within an endless sea of crimson flowers.
Every lotus around her was stained with blood.
A gentle woman dressed in flowing white robes stood several meters away.
Long silver hair danced in the wind.
Her face remained hidden beneath a veil of light.
"...Mother?"
Shin's voice trembled.
The woman slowly raised a hand.
"My little lotus..."
Before Shin could run toward her—
Chains.
Thousands of black chains erupted from beneath the ground.
They wrapped around the woman's wrists.
Her ankles.
Her waist.
Even her neck.
"No!"
Shin screamed.
She ran.
As fast as her little legs could carry her.
"Mother!"
The woman smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry..."
"I couldn't stay with you..."
The chains dragged her backward.
Further.
Further.
Shin reached out desperately.
"Please!"
"Don't leave again!"
The woman's fingertips brushed against Shin's for only a heartbeat...
...before she disappeared into the darkness.
A deafening roar echoed across the crimson field.
The sky split open.
An enormous pair of golden eyes stared down at Shin from the heavens.
Ancient.
Cold.
Merciless.
Then—
Everything exploded into blinding white light.
"NO!!"
Shin bolted upright.
Her scream echoed throughout the pavilion.
She gasped desperately for air.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
Her tiny body shook violently.
"No..."
"No..."
"You promised..."
The servants outside rushed toward the room.
Before they could enter—
Another door slid open.
Shinzi.
His usually neat hair had come loose.
He wore only a simple black robe hastily thrown over his shoulders.
His expression instantly changed upon seeing his sister.
"Shin."
She looked up.
For a brief second...
She wasn't looking at her brother.
She was looking for someone else.
"...Mother?"
The word escaped her lips so softly that Shinzi barely heard it.
His heart clenched.
The next moment—
Shin threw herself into his arms.
She buried her face against his chest.
Her little hands clutched his robes so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Brother..."
"She left again..."
Shinzi gently wrapped both arms around her.
"I know."
"I couldn't reach her."
"I know."
"She always leaves."
His voice remained calm.
Even though his own heart ached.
He slowly stroked her hair the way he had done since they were children.
"It's only a dream."
She shook her head violently.
"It's always the same."
"She smiles..."
"...then disappears."
"Why?"
Her voice broke.
"Why didn't Mother want me?"
Shinzi closed his eyes.
There was no answer he could give.
Because...
He had asked himself that same question countless times.
Their mother had vanished shortly after Shin's birth.
Not dead.
Not murdered.
Simply...
Gone.
Without explanation.
Even their father never spoke of her.
Shinzi lowered his forehead against his sister's.
"You were never abandoned."
"You don't know that..."
"I do."
"How?"
"Because..."
He smiled gently.
"...if Mother truly didn't love you..."
"...she would never have smiled at you in your dreams."
Shin looked at him through tear-filled eyes.
"You think so?"
"I know so."
Her trembling gradually eased.
Several minutes passed.
The room finally became quiet again.
Shin had stopped crying.
But something else was wrong.
Shinzi frowned.
"You're burning up."
He placed the back of his hand against her forehead.
It felt as though she were standing beneath the summer sun.
"So hot..."
Almost immediately, one of the servants hurried inside.
"Your Highness!"
"The physician—"
"No."
Shinzi shook his head.
"Bring cold water."
"And medicinal herbs."
"Hurry."
"Yes!"
The servants rushed away.
Shin leaned weakly against him.
"I'm sorry..."
"You have nothing to apologize for."
"I woke you again."
"I wasn't sleeping."
She gave him a doubtful look.
"You were."
He laughed softly.
"Fine."
"You caught me."
Despite the fever, Shin managed a tiny smile.
Within minutes, cool cloths were placed upon her forehead.
Shinzi refused to leave.
He remained seated beside her bed, gently replacing the cloth whenever it grew warm.
Outside...
The moon climbed higher.
Hours slipped away.
Eventually...
Shin's breathing became peaceful once more.
Still...
Shinzi stayed.
Watching over her.
As he always had.
At that very moment...
Footsteps echoed through the quiet corridor.
Xuan Dao.
Unable to sleep, he wandered through the palace gardens with a flask of warm tea in one hand.
As he passed the Moon Blossom Pavilion...
He noticed a faint light beneath the door.
Curious, he glanced through the slightly open screen.
Inside...
He saw Shinzi sitting beside his sleeping sister.
One hand gently resting upon her forehead.
His expression carried neither the authority of a young master...
Nor the confidence of a gifted swordsman.
Only...
The quiet worry of an older brother.
Xuan Dao smiled to himself.
"This child..."
"He carries far more responsibility than most adults."
His gaze shifted toward the sleeping Shin.
Even in sleep...
Faint crimson spiritual energy flickered around her fingertips before disappearing.
So subtle...
That even ordinary cultivators would never notice.
But Xuan Dao wasn't ordinary.
His smile slowly faded.
"That aura..."
"It couldn't be..."
He watched silently for another moment.
Then...
Without making a sound...
He turned and continued walking into the night.
He said nothing to anyone.
But for the first time since arriving at Crimson Lotus...
The legendary master began wondering...
Who exactly was Princess Shin?