1 Prologue: Betrayal

A flash of light passed through the sky, as the clear, sunny day in the Crouching Tiger Kingdom Capital city abrubtly shifted its course, creating what could only be described as the worst possible weather.

As it began raining, dozens of powerful auras suddenly erupted from the city, with each figure staring at the now fleeting light, with endless fear and probably some admiration visible on their aged faces.

_____

In a dim, eerie room, stood a strong young man wearing expensive clothes, as he stared at the servant kneeling in front of him.

"Are you absolutely sure that he is dead? If I find out you lied to me, your whole family will be killed, you understand?" As he said these aggressive words, the young man licked his crimson red lips, sending a shiver down the servant's spine.

With his head lowered in shame, the servant hesitantly replied, "No, sir, my master thinks he is still alive, but his cultivation has been destroyed, so he cannot get his revenge regardless!"

"Bang"

With a slam of the young man's foot, the floor made of stone was instantly crushed, creating a deep depression where his foot stood.

"Are you a fool? Is that what you are? I WANT HIM DEAD!"

Suddenly, he brought his face closer to the servant, as he lightly wispered in his ear "Find him and kill him... otherwise... you know what will happen to you and your puny assassins organization"

_____

"How could he be dead? No, I don't believe this! Xue'er, you need to find him, or the treasure I gave him will be lost! I should have never given him anything... agh"

An old man pranced back and forth, with a pained expression. He had clearly lost something dear to him, yet strangely Xue'er, his only disciple, was simply speechless.

The so called treasure which the old man was going on about was not even worth considering in his eyes, yet he was acting as though he had lost part of himself! Shameless!

Although she thought that, she did not voice out her opinion, as she simply stated: "Whatever, geezer, I'll get the whole empire to look for him, ok?"

Hearing that, the old man slightly relaxed, as he replied, "perfect, that brings ease to my mind and heart"

_____

"Find him, and steal his treasures!"

"I want everyone to look for him, I don't believe he would have died so easily, but I want him dead"

"I need to discover where he went, or I cannot rest well knowing my best friend could be in danger!"

Such conversations occured throughout the Endless Sword Continent, and it would be a sleepless night for many, as there was news of the death of the crown prince Jian Long, who was supposed to take the throne of the Heavenly Dragon Empire the following day.

The Heavenly Dragon Empire was the strongest force in the continent, and the death of their most talented successor would cause great changes, as the fight for the throne would now recommence.

Today was the calm before the storm, while soon enough war would erupt between the different factions, and the result was still unknown.

_____

Near a small border town of Crouching Tiger Kingdom:

The sky lit up in flames, as a dot of light headed straight towards the dark, thick forest, slowly growing into the silhouette of a young man.

The man was injured, as his Daoist robes were crimson red from the blood he had spilled, and his body was covered from head to toe with deep gashes and cuts.

The man, and the flash of light that he brought with him, finally reached the forest, as his weak body crashed against a tree, instantly crushing it into bits.

His weak body was now lying on the leaf covered ground, with only a small crater to show the force of his landing.

A few yards away, a young girl gasped, as she witnessed this sight from the tree she had been climbing.

"I better bring him to the village, or he will die! But maybe he is a bad person, then I will die! My mother told me to never trust immortals, but this person seems in trouble! To save or not to save, agh I just don't know!"

The young girl began mumbling at the speed of the wind, as she tackled this dilemma, with a serious look on her eyes, as if this was a life or death choice for her.

Finally, after a few minutes of her going back and forth, she raised her fist in a heroic pose, and, as if that was her intention all along, stated, "I will always help a person in need, regardless of the risk, because that is what a good person ought to do!"

Unfortunately, no one was there to hear her inspiring speech, so she lowered her fist, and began to drag the young man towards the village.