Atop Tianping Mountain, clouds coiled like ancient dragons. The white path leading up to the peak was flooded with travelers, voices murmuring like a thousand brooks. As the day of the "Grand Martial Alliance Tribunal" drew near, righteous factions from across the realm arrived in succession. Sects from the north, south, and central plains — from secluded monasteries to famed sword schools — gathered under banners proclaiming justice, their intentions as opaque as the mountain mist.
The event's venue was the Grand Parade Ground of Tianping Manor, typically a military drill field. Today, however, it had been transformed into a stage for righteous indignation. Pavilions lined the edges of the arena, color-coded with flags fluttering — crimson for the Central Plains, indigo for the Northern Ice River Sect, and even the jade-green of the elusive Southern Sea Alliance. The core pavilions, once reserved for the most ancient clans like the Xiaoyao Manor and Ironblood Skyhowl Fort, had now been repositioned toward the periphery. Their influence, like morning dew, had quietly evaporated.
A new power had risen.
In the center, on a high crimson dais, sat a group clad in ornate imperial silks — not the robes of martial clans, but the regalia of the court. The man seated at the head was tall and expressionless, his features angular as if carved from iron. His name was Dugu Hongjian, envoy of the Imperial Court, bearing the golden dragon token of the Emperor himself. Though he claimed to be only a mediator, his every glance suggested a man already issuing silent decrees.
Beside him stood an elderly figure in a snow-white robe — white not from age, but from burial. Elder Du Gongfu, thought dead for over a year, now returned from the grave. His resurrection sent waves through the crowd. Some whispered of secret resurrection arts, others of puppetry or illusions. But none dared voice doubt aloud. The man's presence was indisputable.
He raised a hand, and the noisy field fell still.
"This assembly is held," he began, his voice clear as temple bells, "to judge the crimes of one Qin Ren, known as the 'Demon Scion.'"
A single name echoed across the field like thunder.
"Qin Ren — the renegade of Xiaoyao Manor, traitor of Heaven's Law, murderer of virtuous heroes. He has consorted with dark cults, slain over fifty righteous warriors, and defiled the sacred harmony of the Jianghu. For these crimes, he shall be denounced and sentenced in full view of all under Heaven."
On cue, a group of warriors dragged out several prisoners. Their clothes were torn, faces battered — men who had once followed Qin Ren but now knelt in chains.
"Confess!" barked a stern-faced magistrate.
One man, still defiant, spat blood and cried, "We were framed! We followed the young master to cleanse corruption! It's you—those in pavilions of silk and gold—who are the true demons!"
A whip cracked through the air. Blood painted the ground.
Above, Dugu Hongjian did not blink.
Elder Du Gongfu sighed. "Let the heavens be witness to this cleansing."
But as he raised the decree of condemnation, a single voice rang out from the back of the crowd:
"Who among you is without sin?"
All heads turned. From the outer fringe of the assembly, a girl stepped forth. She wore common traveler's robes, her long braid whipping in the wind. Yet her eyes shone like cold stars.
It was Qin Ni'er, sister of the accused.
Behind her, two other figures emerged from the shadows — Lianzhou Luo'er and Du Xiaoyan, their weapons drawn.
A moment later, a sharp explosion resounded from outside the mountain path. Smoke and flame rose — someone had detonated a diversion.
In the chaos, a masked figure darted through the confusion, heading straight toward the prisoners.
From the high platform, Dugu Hongjian narrowed his eyes. "So the fox has come to rescue his pups."
"Archers!" he ordered.
Yet before the arrows could fly, a voice thundered from the mountaintop:
"Enough!"
All eyes lifted.
There, standing on a lone pine tree bent in the wind, was a young man in tattered black — hair messy, eyes fierce, and in his hand, a peculiar black orb pulsing with silver runes.
"Qin Ren," someone whispered.
The Demon Scion had arrived.