The Hu Family estate stood as a majestic fortress, a testament to the family's wealth and legacy. Enclosed by high walls, it loomed over the city of Huaishi, surrounded by lush gardens and age-old trees. An imposing gate guarded the entrance, adorned with intricate carvings of legendary martial artists, their fierce expressions a reminder of the family's martial prowess.

Upon entering the estate, a grand courtyard greeted visitors with its meticulous arrangement of bonsai trees and blooming flowers. Stone paths crisscrossed through the courtyard, leading to various wings of the estate. At the center of it all stood an elegant water fountain, its soothing trickle echoing tranquility.

Deep within the estate, hidden from casual eyes, lay the training area of the Hu Family. It was a secluded sanctuary, surrounded by tall bamboo groves that shielded it from prying eyes. The training grounds were meticulously maintained, the ground level and firm, providing an ideal arena for martial arts practice.

At the heart of the training area stood a majestic pavilion where the family's martial arts scrolls were held inside. Elaborate tapestries adorned the walls, each depicting symbols of the types of books.

Outside of the pavilion and in front of it stood wooden dummies, each carved with remarkable precision, stood in rows, inviting practitioners to hone their striking techniques. A series of wooden posts lined the outskirts of the training area, where warriors could practice their forms and movements with unparalleled focus. Nearby were weapons of all varieties for the clan members to practice with.

“You! Play with me.” Young Master Cheng pointed at her before giving an order.

“No. I’m busy.” Hu, Huyeong punched her little fists on the training dummy despite the ache and pain.

Huyeong possessed a slender frame and an average height, standing just slightly taller than some of her fellow clan members. Her tanned skin bore the consequences of her frequent training and determination to push herself beyond her limits. The warm hue reflected the countless hours she spent honing her skills under the scorching sun, a testament to her unwavering commitment.

Yet, it was her eyes that often captivated those who met her gaze. Grey irises, like stormy skies, hid a depth of willpower and fire beneath their downcast demeanor. They held a quiet intensity, a spark of defiance that refused to be extinguished. Her shaggy, shoulder-length black hair framed her face in a rebellious fashion. Unwilling to conform to the traditional styles of her family, she wore it in a high ponytail, secured by a simple yet sturdy metal band acting as a hair tie. A single unruly strand often escaped the confines of the ponytail, adding an endearing touch of untamed spirit to her appearance.

Huyeong's outfit spoke volumes about her bold personality. She wore a set of red robes, a symbol of her belonging to the prestigious Hu Family. The robes were held tightly together with a wrapped cloth bearing the clan's symbol on it. The fabric, though traditional in appearance, seemed to carry her own personal touch, a reminder of her individuality amidst the rigid customs of her family.

Golden sandals adorned her feet. Along her arms, she wore wrapped bandages, not merely for appearance but for protection. They shielded her skin and muscles during intense training.

“No?” Hu Cheng seemed confused. “What do you mean no?” He questioned her.

“I am busy.” She enunciated each word so that the idiot could understand her easier.

Hu Huyeong struck with the wooden training dummy with a nice flow of attacks. It was strange to Hu Cheng’s eyes, though. Whatever martial art she was practicing wasn’t something produced by the Hu Clan! He should know. He was the next head of the family. But more importantly, this girl told him no!

“Play with me now or else.” Hu Cheng balled his fist, used to getting his way one way or another.

“Go away, you stupid brat!” Hu Huyeong shouted while focusing on her training.

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“You dare!?” Hu Cheng’s high-pitched voice shrieked as he ran up to Hu Huyeong with his fist balled up.

Huyeong was knocked down by Cheng’s surprise attack. Her clothes got covered in dirt, and pain ached her head. She turned around in furious anger to see Cheng sneering victoriously at her. Getting up, he started to speak, “A stupid ugly girl like you should listen to me, or you get hurt.”

Huyeong responded to his words with a punch across the face that knocked Cheng on his butt. She glared at him as he cuffed his cheek. He looked at her and then felt his cheek before bawling out in ugly tears. “Don’t mess with me again, idiot. Or I’ll beat you up worse!” Huyeong pointed at him before fleeing the scene of the crime.

…

It didn’t take long for word to spread about what took place between Huyeong and Cheng. Cheng cried his heart out for anyone and everyone to hear before explaining what happened between them, in his opinion.

In the grand hall of the Hu Family estate, the air was thick with tension as Huyeong stood before the formidable assembly of clan members. Her father, Hu Yuan, the patriarch’s brother, sat to the right of the Patriarch, his stern expression mirroring the supposed gravity of the situation. Surrounding him were the clan elders, their eyes scrutinizing Huyeong with disapproval.

"What is the meaning of this?" Hu Yu's voice boomed, breaking the uneasy silence. "Explain yourself, Huyeong." He demanded.

Huyeong crossed her arms and stared eye-to-eye with the patriarch, her frustration visible on her face. She met the patriarch’s gaze with a mix of annoyance and confidence. "What am I explaining?" Huyeong asked.

“Why did you viciously attack my son unprovoked?!” Yu shouted while slamming his palm on the table.

“I did no such thing.” Huyeong stated her innocence. “He hit me first, and I retaliated.” She explained.

A murmur swept through the room, and Hu Cheng seated beside his father, screamed shrilly. "She's lying, Father! She attacked me out of jealousy and spite! I did nothing to provoke her! I just wanted to practice a little, and she attacked me without reason before I knew it!"

“Stop lying! You got mad that I didn’t want to play with a dumb brat like you.” Huyeong shouted at Cheng, raising her fist.

“You dare threaten my son right in front of me!? Yuan! What kind of improper shameful young lady are you raising?!” Hu Yu shouted at his brother.

“I will teach my daughter how to properly act as a lady and as a member of the Hu Clan’s branch family.” Hu Yuan calmly replied.

“If you don’t, I will! I don’t want to hear such disgraceful false rumors that a branch family’s child defeated my son. If I do, you can only blame yourself, brother.” Hu Yu promised.

“I did defeat him. He’s a weakling.” Huyeong spoke up.

“Oh!? Oh!?” Hu Yu couldn’t control his temper.

“Huyeong shut your mouth.” Hu Yuan threatened her.

Huyeong felt an overwhelming presence seem to suffocate her. She held her chest as her heart began to beat rapidly, and the air in her lungs seemed to be escaping without her control. The young child dropped to her knees, clutching her chest as she stared at her father. Confusion, doubt, and hurt were expressed in her eyes as everything went black. Her father didn’t stand up for her… They just believed that idiot’s lies…

“I will personally punish her myself, Clan Head. To ensure that something like this never happens again.” Hu Yuan bowed his head.

Hu Yu simply snorted as he left with Hu Cheng. The other elders followed suit. Leaving Hu Yuan alone with his unconscious daughter. He looked at her with a strange gaze before ordering a servant to grab her and take her home.

…

When Hu Huyeong awakened, she was trapped inside a dark room. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she knew she was hungry. Getting up from the floor, she started to feel around the room for a way to get out of this place. Rock, more rock, even more rock, metal! This thing was metal! Huyeong tried pushing it open but failed.

She began pounding on it with her fists. “Hello!? Can anyone hear me! I’m stuck in this place! Please help!” She cried out. The sound of the door pounding back startled her. Huyeong fell to her butt as she saw a pair of cold eyes staring down at her.

“Shut it, brat. You’re being punished for assaulting a member of the main family as a branch family member.” His deep voice represented the ruthlessness of his heart.

“He hit me first! Am I supposed to thank him and be grateful that he hit me for no reason? If someone hits me, I’m going to hit them back!” Huyeong explained herself, outraged at this craziness.

“A lowly branch family member dares to hit the main family? You should be grateful that you aren’t crippled or killed! The branch family is nothing more than the slaves of the main family. Know your place!” He commanded.

At his shout, he threw a plate of food through the small opening in the metal door. The plate shattered, and the food went all over the place. Huyeong could feel her rage at this unfairness more and more. Tears fell from her eyes as she huffed and puffed. Deep within her heart, she shouted out the name of a familiar presence that had been with her for as long as she could remember.

‘Fire God! Give me the strength!’ Huyeong demanded.

‘As you wish.’ An even deeper voice reverberated in her heart.

Huyeong felt a sharp pain in her head as images began to flash through her brain. She dropped face-first to the floor, unconscious.