The streets of Longhe City shimmered beneath the soft glow of countless lanterns, their golden light reflecting off polished stone roads. The annual Festival of Fate had begun, filling the air with the rich aroma of roasted duck, the delicate melody of flute music, and the joyous laughter of festival-goers. Sweet rice cakes and fragrant incense added their scents to the vibrant night, a reminder of the city's deep-rooted traditions and unshakable superstitions.
Zhao Min stood at the edge of the bustling crowd, arms crossed over his chest, his dark blue robes blending seamlessly into the night's shadows. He was not here to celebrate. His father, General Zhao Ren, had assigned him to oversee the festival's security. Longhe was a city of power and politics, and with tensions simmering among the noble families, any disruption tonight could shatter the fragile peace. His instincts told him trouble was inevitable.
His sharp gaze scanned the crowd, sweeping over masked performers, silk-draped nobles, and merchants peddling their wares. He paid special attention to the Temple of Heavenly Balance, where the Imperial Jade Seal a sacred relic symbolizing the Emperor's divine authority was being displayed for the public to witness. It was a prize that would tempt thieves, assassins, or worse.
Then he saw her.
A woman in crimson silk stood beneath an archway adorned with lanterns, her golden hairpins gleaming like tiny suns. Unlike the other festival-goers, who were swept up in revelry, she moved with an almost predatory grace. Her gaze was sharp, scanning the crowd as if she were searching for something or someone. There was something about her posture, a poised stillness, that unsettled him.
Zhao Min's brows furrowed. Who was she?
Before he could dwell further, a piercing scream shattered the night.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as heads turned in alarm. Zhao Min's attention snapped toward the disturbance. A masked figure darted through the throng, clutching something that gleamed under the lantern light. The sea of festival-goers parted like water, revealing the thief sprinting toward the alleyways.
Then he saw the object in the thief's grasp, and his stomach dropped.
The Imperial Jade Seal had been stolen.
Without hesitation, Zhao Min lunged into pursuit but before he could take more than two steps, someone else moved.
The woman in crimson.
She surged forward with startling speed, her silk robes billowing like a crimson flame. Her agility was almost inhuman, her movements too fluid, too precise. She was no ordinary noblewoman. Was she a rival thief, looking to claim the seal for herself? Or something else entirely?
Zhao Min tore after them, weaving through the chaotic crowd, dodging startled festival goers and overturned stalls. The scent of spiced wine and burning incense blurred together as he ran, his focus narrowing on the chase. Ahead, the thief vaulted over a fruit cart, sending apples scattering. The woman followed without hesitation, clearing the obstacle with practiced ease.
They dashed through the labyrinthine streets of Longhe, past silk shops and tea houses, across wooden bridges arching over koi-filled canals. The thief, nimble and desperate, scaled a stack of barrels, aiming for the rooftops. But the woman was faster.
She leaped, catching the thief mid-climb, and they tumbled onto the roof tiles in a flurry of silk and shadows. The sound of their struggle was muffled by the distant hum of festival music.
Zhao Min reached them just as the thief let out a strangled gasp. The woman had him pinned, twisting his wrist until his fingers slackened. The seal tumbled from his grasp, catching the moonlight before landing softly in the woman's outstretched palm.
Zhao Min drew his sword, stepping closer. "Who are you?"
The woman smirked, not the least bit intimidated. "You're quick, but not quick enough."
With a flick of her wrist, she shoved the thief aside, her grip tightening around the relic. The festival lights illuminated her face, sharp features, piercing eyes, and a confidence that set her apart from any noblewoman he had ever encountered.
"Hand it over," Zhao Min ordered.
"Not yet." Her fingers curled possessively around the seal. "You should thank me first."
"For what?" he scoffed.
"For catching the thief," she said smoothly. "You were too slow."
Zhao Min bristled, but before he could argue, shouts rang out below. Guards were flooding the streets, their lanterns bobbing as they searched for the stolen artifact. The woman glanced down, assessing the situation.
"You can fight me for it," she said, tilting her head, "or you can trust me."
Zhao Min's grip tightened on his sword. "Trust you? You just stole an imperial relic."
She chuckled, unbothered. "Wrong. I'm after something far more important than a trinket." Her gaze locked onto his, unwavering. "Meet me at the Temple of Heavenly Balance if you want the truth."
And with that, she leaped from the rooftop, disappearing into the shadows below.
Zhao Min cursed under his breath, sheathing his sword.
This night had changed everything.
And somehow, he knew it was only the beginning.