Hao was not pleased at all lately. His training was more intense than ever, and the expectations on him doubled since he was named Heir of the Clan. Doubly so since his big sis developed her Aura. Not to mention her arranged marriage. He really didn't like that. And now she ran away. Hao was starting to think he really would have preferred if his father gave her the seat of Heir and married him off.

He crouched in the training dojo, his fists clenched at his sides, looking at the broken wood of the punching bag in front of him. He had just finished his latest session of intense training, and he felt exhausted, both physically and mentally. Not only that, but he missed the days when life was simpler, when he was allowed to just be a kid. The responsibility of the heir had weighed heavily on him ever since his father bestowed that title upon him, and the recent chaos had only added to his stress. He had spent most of his days training, trying to keep his mind off the burden that seemed to be crushing him from all sides.

Grandpa Tai stood in the doorway, observing him.

"It's not easy," he said knowingly.

Hao shook, surprised. He turned to face his grandpa.

"No, it's not. How did she do it all these years?" Hao grumbled.

"That's a good question. And one you should ask her when you find her," Grandfather replied with a grin. He had always been impressed with his granddaughter's determination and resilience, even when she was just a little girl. She had been through so much in her short life, and he admired her strength and courage.

Hao nodded and let out a heavy sigh. He had been training non-stop since his father passed him the title of Heir. The pressure to prove himself had been immense, and the added responsibility of taking over the clan when the time came was overwhelming. But he knew that he had to be ready, no matter how difficult it was.

"I just hope she's okay," he muttered to himself. He had always looked up to his older sister. She was strong, independent, and had a disposition that made her stand out from the rest. He respected her so deeply, and he wanted to be just like her one day.

Long Ju was filling her mouth with dumplings. Some would say she was not having such a bad time in this mad, large world. They were wrong. It was a severe understatement.

Long Ju was living the good life. These were good days. She never felt more free. She slept where she wanted and did whatever she desired, ate all the food she wanted. Even the fatty and juicy ones she had to avoid for her training and 'because she was a girl'. The money for now wasn't a problem, she sold almost all of her baggage. Her Clan wasn't that big, but it wasn't small either. Still, it was crazy to think even some random trinkets from her room could fetch such a high price. Not to mention, her silk elegant clothes were way more impractical than she thought. And they were easy to sell. She much preferred the comfy ones she was wearing now, although she looked like a roaming warrior of the Jianghu. She didn't even leave the city. Silver City was the core of the Long Clan's territory, but it was also a massive city where hundreds of thousands of people lived. It was also the only place where she could exert her meagre influence. She was young, and she lost most of her faction's loyalty when Hao was declared the Heir, but she still had some people. The first thing she did was contact them and sell her stuff through their channels, not only to get some funds but also to lead astray any investigation. She knew her Clan and the Azure Wind Sect were going to chase her and, catch her, eventually. Her plan was genius in its simplicity: she was going to run away and hide until the Azure Wind Sect gave up. At some point, they'd have to realise too much time had passed since their deal with the Long Clan, and the dishonour of chasing the bride would surpass the dishonour of losing the bride. It was a gamble. A risky one, after all, she was slapping in the face one of the greatest sects on the continent and her own Clan. She wasn't even sure she could avoid them for enough time, let alone know how to face the consequences. It was a possibility for her to be exiled from the Clan. That was her biggest fear, even greater than being captured. Sure, she was angry with her father right now, but it was still her family. Her mother, her brother, her grandfather. She knew they were all worried sick.

As she finished her dumplings, Long Ju stretched her arms above her head and let out a content sigh. It was a simple life, but it was more than enough for her. She was happy to be on her own, away from the restrictions and expectations of her home. She felt like she could truly be herself now, without having to worry about what others thought of her. For now, she was content with her life as it was. She had a sword on her hip, a small amount of money in her pocket, and the entire world at her feet.

With her stomach full and her clothes comfortable, she decided to explore the city some more. She walked the streets and watched vendors selling their goods. There were so many different things to see and experience! She wandered from street to street, looking at the various shops and restaurants. She even found a street performer who was juggling and performing tricks with various objects. It was so amazing to see! She decided to try and juggle some things herself, but it turned out easier said than done. She was definitely not as skilled as him, but it was still a fun experience. After a while, she felt tired, and her feet were aching from walking so much, but it was an amazing day, and she couldn't wait to do it all again tomorrow. With a smile on her face, she started walking back towards her inn.

"Young Lady Ju, I presume?"

Long Ju was taken by surprise. A strange and unknown person was standing in her room. He was dressed in black robes and his face was masked. The young man's tone was polite, yet she detected some nervousness.

"Who are you?" Long Ju asked, her voice cold and intimidating. "And how did you get into my room?"

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The masked man stood there, silent for a moment, seemingly amused by her tone. Then he replied, "I apologize for intruding, but I have something important to discuss with you. May I have a moment of your time, Young Lady Ju?"

"Sure, I have time to listen to what you have to say. Please, have a seat." Long Ju said while pointing to one of the chairs in her room. She was curious to know who this masked person was, and what was so important that he needed to talk to her. If he was there to catch her and bring her back to the Clan, there was no need for him to say anything. Furthermore, she needed to buy time, and the stranger was sitting in the perfect position. Long Ju almost smiled. She felt people always underestimated her too much.

The masked person nodded and took the seat, staring intently at her. "Young Lady, I understand that you may be wondering why I'm here. Rest assured, I am not here to harm you or apprehend you, but rather to help you." The masked person spoke in a soft, calming voice. "I have been sent by an anonymous benefactor to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Long Ju's eyes narrowed. "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?" she repeated, her voice full of suspicion. "And what kind of opportunity is that?"

The masked man leaned forward, his eyes flickering with a hint of excitement. "A chance to leave everything behind and start a new life. Your current situation is not ideal, is it not? Surrounded by people who constantly underestimate you and treat you like a pawn in their political games?" The man's tone was calm, but the intensity in his voice was hard to miss. Long Ju remained silent, her expression unreadable.

"Our benefactor has taken notice of your struggles, and they believe you deserve a chance to reclaim your destiny. We offer you a way out, out of the stifling environment you are forced to live in. A new life, where you can pursue your dreams without the restrictions of tradition and family expectations. A life where you are truly free to be yourself. We are offering you a chance to take back control of your life and make your own choices." The man paused for a moment, watching her for her reaction.

Long Ju was speechless. A 'mysterious' benefactor? A new life? She was young, but not clueless. It was obvious she was being approached by some kind of secret organisation with nefarious goals. The masked young man didn't have any identifiable symbols on him. She tried to think about what organisation it might be. Maybe the Hao clan, the Demon cult, some dubious sect from the Unorthodox Path, or even someone completely unknown to her. She showed a curious facade, but inside she was sneering. Whatever her problems and history might be, she was a righteous warrior of the Long Clan, part of the Martial Alliance.

The man could sense her hesitation and concern. He placed a small silver box on the table, sliding it towards her. "Inside this box lies everything you need to start a new life, from money to papers that will allow you to cross any border with ease. Everything you need to start a new life and never look back," he mentioned with a confident yet kind smile. "We believe in your potential, and we want to give you a second chance at life." Long Ju remained silent for a few moments, her mind in a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. She wasn't at all interested in his proposal, but the items in the box were very appetizing. She had to adjust her plans a little and find a way to obtain the box. She put a hand under her chin thoughtfully.

The man nodded, understanding her scepticism. "I understand your hesitation, but I can assure you that this is a legitimate offer. The items in the box are just a preview of what our benefactor has to offer. It's their way of letting you know that they are serious and can provide everything needed to start your new life." He paused, then added, "Of course, no one is forcing you to accept this opportunity. But know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take back control of your life, a chance to be free."

"Could I check the items? The offer seems valid, but it just sounds too good to be true," Long Ju said in a calm tone. She just needed to get her hands on the box.

The masked man hesitated for a moment, but then agreed. "Of course, you may have a look. This is just a taste, a small glimpse of what we can offer you." He opened the box, revealing an assortment of neatly packed items. Inside the box, Long Ju noticed several documents, including a few identity tokens and travel permits, a large sum of money, and a map with a destination marked.

"What is the area marked on the map?" She asked, intrigued.

The masked man leaned forward and pointed to a location on the map. "This is where you will find your new life. A place where you can start from scratch, away from the eyes of everyone. A fresh start, free from the shackles of your past." The masked man's words rang with sincerity, but Long Ju couldn't help feeling sceptical. Everything seemed too convenient, she was still suspicious about the true intentions of this unknown benefactor. Anyway, she could feel the man tense up with each question. She wanted to ask how they could gather so much information about her and forge documents and identities. It was barely five days since she ran from home. The speed and efficiency of this organisation were honestly terrifying.

"Well, your offer is tempting, I'm not going to lie," Long Ju closed the box, "but I'm afraid you made a slight miscalculation."

She saw the young man becoming alert. But it was too late.

"You're not talking to some scared girl. I'm Long Ju, and I'm a warrior. Remember that."

Flames engulfed the walls and floor of the room. She grabbed the box, and the Aura she had stealthily moved and compressed to the soles of her feet was let free in one go. In a fraction of a second, she was bolting through the air while her room at the inn exploded with a loud deflagration. The inn was merely a front, the perfect place to place such a trap. Auntie Hunag wasn't going to be happy about her safe house blowing up, though.

Even if most expert Aura users could easily survive, a nice gunpowder explosion at the right time was at least enough to stop them for a while. She hoped the young man's injuries weren't too serious. He was almost definitely an enemy, but there was also the possibility he was telling the truth. While still in the air, she thought it would have been nice if she had mastered the Windwalk technique. The landing was going to be painful, without it.

With a thud, she hit the ground. A groan escaped her lips.

The masked man watched in horror as Long Ju escaped through the window, leaving him and the inn in ruins. He tried to follow her with his Aura, but the sudden outburst overwhelmed him. The explosion had knocked him off guard, and he had been unable to prevent her escape. As he lay on the ground, injured and helpless, he wondered what mistakes he had made. How had he failed to anticipate this? He had thought she was just a stupid little girl who had run away from home. He cursed under his breath.