Bloodshed under the Full Moon

Dashing to the cottage in the bamboo woods, Min Xia kept reminding herself of the mission delegated by Ministers Chau and Ma.  She entered the cottage where she had been living for 7 years since she started her martial arts training at 12 years old. She then took out the all-black outfit and got herself changed. Taking 2 swords and a dagger with her, she veiled her face with a black mask.

Min Xia was one of the few female warriors in Central China in the Xin Dynasty. She had been trained by Master Zhi, the founder of Zhuolin School of Martial Arts. This school specializes in using swords as weapons. The swords used were ultra light so that they allow the fighters to be more agile and flexible in movement.

Rushing out of the woods, Min Xia headed to the Royal Court. She was given a mission by the loyal ministers of the King who had just left the State for a diplomatic foreign visit to another country. Right after the King left, General Li Wu led his rebel army to the Royal Court attempting to kill Prince Hua, the only son of the King who was only 14 years old, and to overthrow the Kingdom.

The elite troops of the King were accompanying him in another country, while the general army was under the control of General Li Wu. Therefore, only the court guards were staying to protect Prince Hua, who were absolutely no match for the rebel army. Knowing this evil plot, Ministers Chau and Ma wanted to send their own troops to fight. But the chance of winning was slim because the rebel army was more sizable and powerful. After careful consideration, they decided to send Min Xia to secretly save the Prince as she could work alone and work fast.

When Min Xia approached the Court, she saw a stream of blood flowing from inside. Stepping inside the main entrance, there was a sea of dead bodies stacking over each other. Most of them were court guards. Min Xia took a glance at the whole square filled with dead bodies. Then she raised her head to look at the full moon which was about to hide behind the clouds, so the square was getting dimmer and dimmer. She held her breath and dashed to the direction of Prince Hua‘s palace. Instead of running, she used levitation skills which enabled her to fly over the walls so she could travel much faster. 

Wall after wall, Min Xia saw more and more bodies of the guards on the ground. After passing five walls, Min Xia arrived at the Imperial Garden which linked to Prince Hua‘s palace. Below her were the palace guards defending the fierce attack of the rebel army.

“I have to be quick. After the army breaks this line they will get to the Prince.” Min Xia squatted on the wall top and thought.

Just when Min Xia was about to levitate away, the moonlight shone on her when the clouds dispersed. She then heard someone shouting.

“Look! Someone is up there!“ One solider from the rebel army screamed.

In a split second, a troop of archers pull the bows at Min Xia. She immediately jumped to the tree next to the wall to escape the arrows shot. With the bright moonlight shining over the place, it was not wise to levitate forward as she‘ll likely be shot by the archers. She then jumped down to the ground behind the wall. When she landed there were 5 swords coming to her from different directions. She swiftly squatted down and escaped the attacks from 5 enemies. She then took out her 2 swords to strike towards them and they all fell down. Another crowd of soldiers then immediately came forward to her. But with strong martial arts skill, she beat all of the attackers easily. At that time, the court guards approached to fight the remaining rebel army. Seeing that the guards outnumbered the rebel soldiers in the Garden, Min Xia knew the rebel troops could not advance further. She then turned around and dashed to the palace of Prince‘s Hua to save him.

Climbed up the staircase, Min Xia reached the huge terrace of the palace. There was a decent pavilion on the terrace. When Min Xia ran into the pavilion, she saw a brush pen, a patch of ink and a piece of paper on the table. She read the words on the paper:

”Eat with chopsticks made by silver,

Drink with goblet studded with gems,

Nothing makes my feet go shiver,

My royal destiny is firm.

Under the same old moonlight,

Nothing seems to be alright.

Without the chance to rule the roost,

How to beat the traitors’ ambush?

Now all I can do is to wait,

For someone who is strong and brave….“

“It‘s a poem, but I think it’s not yet finished.“ Min Xia was pondering.

Then she spotted the shiny wet ink on the paper and figured out that this poem was just written a short while ago as the ink was not even dried.

“It‘s Prince Hua! He’s just taken by someone while he‘s writing the poem! He should not be far away.“ Min Xia was trying to solve the puzzle.

Min Xia sneaked inside the bedroom. Just when she stepped through the door, she felt a gust of wind blowing to her neck. A sword was spearing her! She lowered her head to escape the strike and took out her 2 swords to attack. But her opponent was too fast and Min Xia just struck the air. When she stood still, she saw her opponent‘s face. He was a thin man aged around mid-40s. He was no ordinary soldier, but a martial arts master called Master Wang who's fighting ability power was way above Min Xia’s. She saw him battling Master Zhi before and it was a tie.

Behind Master Wang was a lad who was wearing a yellow silky gown which was filled with embroideries. No doubt he was Prince Hua.

With no time to think, Min Xia could only try to fight hard. She used her most powerful strike: “Double-Blade Drill” when she spun her flat body in the air and pointed out the 2 swords to form a powerful drill. However, Master Wang used his “qi” power (internal air) to defend! To Min Xia‘s surprise, the qi of Master Wang was even stronger than the powerful swords! Min Xia was bounced back by the force of qi to the wall behind her and she fell down. Before she could get herself up, Master Wang jumped to her front and kicked her 2 arms to make her drop her swords.  

Min Xia was very helpless as she was injured by the qi and had also lost her weapons. She kept squatting down for a while before slowly standing up.  

“Let me finish you.” Master Wang smirked and slowly walked close to Min Xia attempting to strangle her. 

Prince Hua was looking at them desperately. He knew that Min Xia was no match for Master Wang and he could only wait to die. Witnessing Min Xia panting when Master Wang put his hand around her neck, Prince Hua saw Master Wang‘s body was suddenly frozen while his eyes were fixed! Then he saw blood flowing down from Master Wang’s body! Shortly, the Master fell backward and landed on the ground. Prince Hua stepped closer and saw a dagger stabbed deeply into his heart.

Then Prince Hua came to understand that Min Xia had hidden her dagger in her shoes and after she lost her 2 swords, she took the dagger out secretly before she stood up. She then waited for Master Wang to come close and stabbed into his heart!

“Prince Hua! I‘ll get you out!“ Min Xia grabbed the arm of the Prince and rushed out.

Although Min Xia was injured by the qi of Master Wang, she could still levitate smoothly while carrying Prince Hua on her back.

Very soon they left the Royal Court and Min Xia brought Prince Hua to Ministers Chau and Ma, where the Prince could get protection from the troops of the Ministers. They were all safe! All they needed to do was to wait for the King and his elite troops to return and fight back General Li Wu, the traitor.