CHAPTER 1. THE FIRST Encounter
"The Blood Moon chose the night. Fate chose the two men.”»
The Great Liang Empire glittered beneath thousands of crimson lanterns.
Tonight was the Festival of the Blood Moon, celebrated only once every twenty years. Nobles danced in silk robes, music echoed through the imperial streets, and people prayed that the scarlet moon would bless the kingdom with peace.
But hidden above the palace rooftops…
Death had already arrived.
His name was Shen Lian.
At twenty-three, he was the most feared assassin of the Scarlet Pavilion. His crimson robes disappeared into the shadows, and the silver mask covering half his face reflected the moonlight like a blade.
His mission was simple.
Assassinate Crown Prince Xie Wuchen.
Shen Lian leaped across the jade rooftops without making a sound. One palace guard noticed movement and reached for his sword.
A silver needle struck his neck.
The guard collapsed instantly.
“Forgive me,” Shen Lian whispered before vanishing into the darkness.
---
Deep inside the Hall of Eternal Snow, silence ruled.
Unlike the joyful festival outside, this palace was empty.
Crown Prince Xie Wuchen stood beside an open window wearing elegant black robes embroidered with golden dragons. His long silver hair rested over one shoulder as he calmly poured tea into a jade cup.
He looked toward the crimson moon.
Without turning around, he spoke.
«“You’ve been watching me for exactly seven minutes.”»
Shen Lian froze.
No one had ever sensed his presence.
Slowly, he drew his sword.
The blade shimmered beneath the Blood Moon.
In one breathtaking movement, Shen Lian dropped from the ceiling.
Clang!
Steel collided.
Instead of stepping away, Xie Wuchen caught Shen Lian’s wrist with unbelievable speed. The assassin’s blade stopped only an inch from the prince’s throat.
Their eyes met.
Amber.
Golden.
The room became unbearably quiet.
Xie Wuchen smiled faintly.
«“So the Scarlet Pavilion finally sent its finest.”»
Shen Lian pushed harder.
His hand… trembled.
The prince leaned closer until their breaths almost touched.
His voice became a dangerous whisper.
«“If you truly wanted me dead… why is your hand shaking?”»
For the first time in his life, Shen Lian couldn’t answer.
Angry at himself, he kicked the prince backward and shattered the palace window with his elbow.
Glass rained across the marble floor.
He disappeared into the night.
---
Guards flooded into the hall.
“Your Highness!”
“Seal the palace!”
Xie Wuchen raised one hand.
The commander stopped immediately.
The prince touched the tiny cut on his neck where Shen Lian’s blade had grazed him. A single drop of blood stained his fingertip.
He looked toward the crimson moon and smiled.
«“Don’t kill him.”»
The commander stared in disbelief.
“…Your Highness?”
«“Bring him to me alive.”»
---
Meanwhile, Shen Lian stood alone on the highest palace roof, breathing harder than he wished.
He looked down at his own trembling hand.
«“Why couldn’t I kill him…?”»
Above the empire, the Blood Moon burned brighter than ever.
Neither of them knew it yet.
Tonight wasn’t the end of an assassination—
It was the beginning of a love story written in crimson.
To be containe......
