A beautiful melody spread across the garden, drifting through the evening air and captivating the hearts of everyone within its reach.

  From the orange hue of the sky, it was clear that the sun was about to set. Instead of making their way home, the birds and squirrels remained still, as though rooted in place. Enraptured by the song, their gazes were fixed on a young woman seated in the centre of the garden.

  Beside her sat a little girl who bore a striking resemblance to the woman. She watched eagerly, a wide grin stretching across her face, as jade-like fingers danced gracefully over the zither’s strings. Her heartbeat quickened as the melody swelled toward its crescendo—

  And suddenly, it stopped.

  "Wha..."

  As if waking from a dream, confusion clouded her face as she looked up at her mother. The woman smiled faintly and flicked her daughter’s forehead.

  "Ow!"

  "You should be taking notes instead of spacing out Ying'er."

  The mother of the then thirteen-year-old Chen Yinying, Chen Xueyi watched her daughter rub her forehead with a pout.

  "If you really want to learn the Dao of Music Mastery, you have to be serious. Don't take this lightly, Ying'er."

  "I'm not!" Yinying protested, affronted. But under her mother’s stern gaze, her defiance quickly melted into a sheepish smile.

  "I can't help it, Mother. You're too good that I always get lost in your songs. Hehe!"

  Chen Xueyi sighed and was about to chide her daughter when a young woman arrived in front of them.

  "Sect Master! There is a man outside our gates. He is badly injured and is begging for shelter. The man didn't look to be from any of the known sects or clans in the area."

  "What are you waiting for? Let him in and treat his wounds first."

  Chen Xueyi got up and quickly went to oversee the matter. Their Joyous Harmony Sect wasn't a stranger to lone cultivators. From the young masters of top sects and clans to obscure lone cultivators, all are welcome here provided they follow the righteous path.

  I also met him in the same way. He was limping on his right foot and had to lean on me. How angry I was back then when Sect Master ordered me to nurse him. It's funny how things turn out.

  She lightly touched a pearl necklace adorning her white neck. It was a gift from her late husband, symbolising their love and union.

  The Joyous Harmony sect was a dual cultivation sect. The men and women are free to approach and partake in dual cultivation with anyone they want, provided there was mutual consent from both sides.

  But things change when a man and woman fall in love and decide to marry. Contrary to outside opinion, marriage is encouraged and even celebrated in the sect. In the Joyous Harmony sect, finding true love is the greatest happiness the world could offer.

  As per the sect's traditions, the man gifts the woman a necklace and in return, the woman gives him a thumb ring. From then on, other members are forbidden to casually approach them for dual cultivation.

  I wish you were here with your daughter, with me.

  Shaking her head free from her memories, she went to the infirmary to greet the visitor. The man was grimacing in pain while his chest was being bandaged. After introducing herself as the sect master, she chatted with the man to learn his story.

  He told her that he was a demonic beast hunter. After a successful hunt, he was ambushed by some robbers. All his belongings were looted but he managed to escape with his life.

  "Sect master, I beg of you, let me stay here till I recover. I promise you that I won't forget this. I was taught to repay my debts ten times as much."

  "Friend, you should focus on recovering first." With that she left the place with her daughter following after her.

  "Mother, why did you help that stranger? He didn't have anything to offer."

  Chen Yinying hurried her little feet to walk by her mother's side. Whenever outside cultivators visit the sect to stay and partake in activities, they usually bring in rich gifts.

  "Ying'er, do you remember the oath?"

  Instead of answering her, her mother asked a different question. She instantly knew what her mother was referring to. Every member of the Joyous Harmony sect recites this oath upon entering the sect.

  "Surrounded by plum blossoms blooming in joy,

  Under the heavens preserving life through shared harmony,

  I walk steadily on the tranquil path towards eternity."

  Chen Yinying said this with a firm voice without making any mistakes. She had long since memorised it. Her mother patted her head in approval.

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  "This oath embodies the essence of the Dao we pursue in this sect. Unlike others who chase after wealth, fame, or power, we only cultivate for longevity- for a long peaceful life full of love and joy. That is our path.

  "You are right- perhaps that man will never be able to repay us. But still, your mother believes happiness comes to good people. One good deed begets another. If you offer kindness, I'm sure it will return to you someday. So, my daughter, if you can, always help people in need."

  Chen Yinying pondered for a moment before snorting. "I'm thirteen now, Mother. Don't treat me like a little girl anymore."

  Chen Xueyi sighed at her daughter not believing in her. She's too young to understand the matters of karma.

  "Go get your zither. It's time for another lesson."

  ***

  "Ying'er focus. There is an important meeting going on."

  Chen Xueyi whispered to her daughter sitting beside her. Hearing her, she rubbed her bleary eyes to cast off the drowsiness.

  It had been an hour after midnight when she was rudely shaken awake by her mother. One of the elders had called for an emergency meeting.

  In this room, all of them were of considerable age except the thirteen-year-old Yinying, but ever since appointed as the heir, she followed her mother during work to gain experience.

  In the Joyous Harmony sect, the position of Sect Master isn't hereditary but ever since her awakening ceremony, she had been unanimously appointed as the heir.

  Once everybody assembled, the elder who convened the meeting started speaking.

  "I have grave news for all of you. You know the person we had allowed shelter, my disciple recognised him. He is the notorious criminal called the Blood Hound."

  Silence fell like a blade

  The Blood Hound was born in a righteous clan before falling on the demonic path. It was said that he had massacred his whole family. Chasing after each and every relative relentlessly, not even letting a single one escape. Since then his name was frequently associated with many other crimes in the Jiang region.

  "Are you sure?" Another one asked, desperately hoping that he was wrong.

  "One of the frequent partners of my disciple is a young man in the Demon Destroying Pavillion. He had once shown her a list of wanted criminals. From their she recognised him."

  "So what should we do?"

  Everyone's eyes turned to sect master. Chen Xueyi spoke up, giving her thoughts.

  "Having met him, I believe he isn't planning on causing any trouble here. Most likely he was looking for a place to hide and recover. He would leave in a few days."

  "Then that's wonderful. Let's just forget about this matter. We should not stir the hornets nest."

  "How can you say that? We are a part of the righteous alliance of the Jiang region. Are you willing to let such a dangerous criminal roam free?"

  Then started a huge debate with some elders calling for apprehending the Blood Hound while many others wanted to keep away and not get involved.

  "Silence!" Chen Xiyue spoke loudly shutting down the commotion. "I've made my decision. I'm going to inform the Demon Destroying Pavilion. They can deal with him as they see fit."

  "But Sect Master, we shouldn't involve ourselves with matters regarding the demonic path."

  "Are you listening to yourselves? We are a part of the Jiang region. If the Blood Hound cause some future trouble here, how can we look ourselves in the mirror? Every drop of blood shed by him would be on our hands because of our cowardice. I cannot in good conscience allow this."

  Harshly rebuked by the sect master, all opposing elders stopped their dissent. Chen Yinying looked at her mother in awe. She seldom got to see her mother act as the leader.

  "Mother, you're so amazing."

  Even in this serious meeting, hearing her daughter's whisper a smile couldn't help but form on her face.

  ***

  The next day, three members of the Demon Destroying Pavillion arrived. Catching him off guard, they easily apprehended the Blood Hound without much commotion.

  Chen Yinying watched her mother exchange pleasantries with the leader while the Blood Hound was dragged away in chains.

  "YOU BITCH! YOU WILL REGRET BETRAYING ME!"

  Mustering all his strength, the Blood Hound barely managed to turn around and glared hatefully at the mother and daughter. His eyes chilled her soul and Yinying hid behind her mother in fear.

  "YOU MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE O-"

  He was hit hard on the back of his head and collapsed mid speech. The leader snorted at him in disdain before turning to them.

  "Don't worry about him. All of the dogs of the demonic path bark loudly when their death is near. I'm grateful of you, sect master. If everyone was brave like you, it would make the job of the Demon Destroying Pavilion easier."

  "As a sect in the Jiang region, it is our duty to keep our region free from the demonic path."

  The leader nodded in approval before leaving with the Blood Hound. A few days later, they got the news that the Blood Hound was publicly executed. But still before sleeping, his final words echoed in Yinying's ears.

  There is no need to be afraid, Yinying. The man is dead, stop acting like a kid.

  Yinying hid under the blankets and closed her eyes, hoping for peaceful dreams.

  ***

  Time continued its march and soon half a year had passed. Chen Yinying continued to progress in the Dao of music mastery and getting accustomed to duties of the heir. With her busy schedule, she had no time to dwell on a forgotten criminal from her past.

  One night, she was awakened by a huge explosion. She immediately sat up and felt the walls rumbling.

  "What's happening?"

  There was another loud explosion in the distance. Following the noise, Chen Yinying went outside to the courtyard. There was a crowd gathered there.

  With terrified expressions on their faces, their eyes were focused on the five figures floating outside the gate.

  "Taking so long to break such a paltry array. Shall I lend you a hand?"

  "Shut up and sit back. Just two blows would be enough."

  They talked loudly among themselves not caring who heard them. Yinying's eyes widened as a giant crimson fist materialised out of nowhere, flying towards them.

  The disciples cried in fear and started to run when the fist stop in mid air as if it struck an invisible wall.

  BOOM- a loud noise erupted from the clash, thundering across the courtyard.

  "Everybody, stay calm!"

  The loud voice of sect master cut through the panic and despair. All them watched as the sect master arrived leading the elders.

  "Sect master, protection array is working but I don't think it can hold them off for too long."

  "Did you inform the Demon Destroying Pavilion?"

  "Yes, sect master. Help is on the way."

  Another loud noise erupted followed by the sound similar to shattering glass. "Oh no! The formation has broken. We should-"

  Thud.

  Everyone went silent as a figure landed in front of them. He was wearing black robes but the striking thing about was that his body was covered in white bandages. From his hands to his face, not a silver of his skin was shown.

  "Core Formation..."

  A small whisper from one of the elders shook everyone present to their core.

  Under the falling moonlight, his black eyes swept across the crowd before falling on Chen Xiyue. The bandages on his mouth shifted a little. She couldn't see but Chen Xiyue was sure that the man was sneering at her.

  "Sect master," he said coldly. "I taught my little brother to repay his debts ten times as much. Since he is not here because of you... I've come in his place to collect."

  Thud.

  His four comrades landed beside him. The nightmare had begun.