The moon hung high above the mount Jinghu, as the night had already fallen over— cloaking it in a heavy, watchful silence. At the far end of the Lin clan's inner courtyard, the matriarch Lin's private chambers— a room made of dark, lacquered wood, dominated by a massive map of the Tianlong Dynasty— glowed with the muted amber light. The paper lanterns swayed faintly under the mountain wind, and the fragrance of ink and candle wax mingled in the still air.
"What's the meaning of this—" Matriarch Lin's hands held a thin scroll of rice paper, her knuckles already turning white.
"This is the third report this week…." her voice was cold. "All our agents stationed at the westerns are gone. All of them— how—how this is even possible?"
Elder Qian— A weathered old man with a deep-set eyes of a lifelong commander— bowed low, his face grim beneath the candlelight.
" The situation's getting worse, sect leader…. Just within 2 months, almost all of our assets were cut down. All 12 of our intelligence assets in the Gansu province have gone silent….This— this is really—" he was speechless at the damage done during such a tiny period of time. Their years of strategies, plans and hard work were in ruins just in two months.
"I received similar reports…" Yuehan found her voice in the silent chaos. "From the Yellow River Basin and the foothills of the Kunlun range. Also the outposts along Jiu Hua and Iron wind….disappeared without a trace. The few who tried to return were found dead—throats slit, but no traces of battle qi….. It's rather— strange."
"So…in the end, our entire Network in the West….has been systematically— dismantled." Matriarch Lin's voice was razor sharp.
"Looks like the Han clan…" Elder Qian murmured as a deep sigh escaped his lips. "They've finally begun cleansing the west. Our greatest fear has finally become true….."
"Explain this," the Matriarch commanded, her voice dangerously quiet as she tapped the scroll. "Sixteen years… sixteen years, commander— 16 years of tacit understanding…. General Han has known of our network all these years. Yet he has tolerated it. Why this— butchery? Why now?"
The old man hesitated, but finally when his voice came it was paper thin.
"Sect leader….even I have no doubt that general Han's a righteous and an honorable man. Yet years ago, when the empress fell, we all knew that this day would come. After all Long Xiao Yang1 is still the matriarch of the west…. Do you think—"
" Impossible!.." the Matriarch hissed, her gaze fixed on the old man In front of her. "Remember who you're talking about…. A true dragon would never do this kind of treachery…"
" Pardon my ill thoughts… sect leader. But—" Elder Qian shifted, his fear a palpable thing in the air. "The Hans are a clan of lions. They've always been the true power in the West. We already had heard whispers of their children… all of them warriors. And then there's this legend of the Phantom General…" He trailed off, the name itself felt like a heavy weight.
"The tactics described in this report… the 'no prisoner taken' method… it matches the signature of the one who annihilated the Black Fang demon clan five years ago."
" This doesn't explain a single thing, commander—"
" An apex predator, wouldn't attack another unless-- they are threatened…." Yuehan's voice cut through the tension, cool and clear. Both matriarch and the elder Qing looked at her in unison.
" What're your thoughts…. Lotus general…"
" About two months ago, I received an secret Intel stating that the youngest daughter of general Han… was murdered..."
An unnerving dread spread through out the entire chamber.
"The death of Han XiaoHua— their timing is--- impeccable. I don't think these events are a coincidence"
" So you mean, the Han clan might suspect that our clan… lead this infidelity?.." matriarch Lin questioned as her grim complexion deepened.
" it's not only us who lose their loyalties during this time— general…. How can you be so confident about this…" elder Qing said, his voice questing the junior.
"I didn't said it's us… elder…" Yuehan continued. " I saying that the death of the youngest Han girl must have to do something with them clearing out their region."
"A child's death, however tragic, does not warrant an undeclared war!" Elder Qian protested. " General Han know this more than anyone. A warrior MUST be capable of separating feelings from duty…."
"According to the law…. Their movements doesn't declare a war. Clearing out spies isn't against the order." Matriarch Lin uttered silently.
"This is retribution— sect leader…. If the youngest Han girl was slain, then the Phantom General wouldn't remain silent. It's more like they're sending a message. A formal show of force to display their displeasure…."
"They aren't eliminating our spies just to send a message— commander" Yuehan's voice was clear as day.
" If you're hunting something inside your enemy's walls— the best way to go incognito is to cut down their eye and ears. They're eliminating our eyes and ears cause they don't want us to see what's coming…."
"More over.." Yuehan's brows furrowed slightly. " if that general's on move… that means the west is preparing for a war. But—would General Han permit his underlings to act without sanction?"
Elder Qing let out a soft, almost inaudible scoff. Yuehan's eyes narrowed. " Underlings…? Permission…? Lotus general— there're loads of things you need to know about the Han clan…. "
"There's a high probability that the Phantom General is one of…General Han's children, Yuehan" matriarch Lin finally spoke, her voice thick with acquiesce.
"If one of their siblings was murdered by an agent with ties to us, they would not see it as a political matter. They would see it as a blood debt…. This is a normal human reaction."
"The Phantom General commands the west, young mistress… His words are law beyond the Imperial reach now. Even General Han defers to his decisions now. All this.. when not even the emperor wouldn't dare defy general Han…." Elder Qing said touching his beard.
Yuehan folded her arms over her chest, her voice calm yet measured.
"If this's connected to Han Xiao Hua's death, and the Phantom General is truly a child of the west…who is hunting for the one responsible now—then we may already be watched. The Hans are silent, but that silence hides fangs. A spy could already be within our walls."
The Matriarch nodded grimly. "I agree. Double the patrols. I want every new disciple's background scrutinized again. It's time we test our disciples' loyalty—"
Suddenly, Yuehan's head snapped up, her gaze fixed on the heavy cedar beams of the ceiling. The flame of the candle on the table guttered, dancing wildly for a second before steadying. A sudden, visceral chill traced its way down her spine.
" What is it..?" matriarch Lin asked, her own senses on high alert.
Yuehan's gaze swept the shadows. "…A draft," she said, her voice tight. "It's nothing." But her body remained coiled, her warrior's instinct screamed that they were not alone.
" Speaking of spies… sect leader—" elder Qing's voice cut through the void like a sword through silk. " I've been informed about new activities along the eastern perimeters as well…"
Matriarch Lin's head snapped in his direction. " Is that about that duel wielder..?"
"Yes, sect leader…" elder Qing said, his voice tightening. "Words spread like wildfire…about this person cutting through the local bandit sects. It's said that they wield the dance of eclipse1 sword art."
Yuehan's eyes flashed with surprise. "The Dance of Eclipse? That style vanished decades ago…. I've never seen anyone with that level of martial arts either…How come—"
" It's hard but— not impossible Yuehan…." Matriarch Lin said quietly. " someone who can balance yin and yang within their own meridians can survive its full form. Takes years to master it. But the biggest threat is— they could face an entire battalions alone….."
"By any chance—" The matriarch's expression darkened. "This person 's working with the Han clan, they're no ordinary threat. There's no duel-wielder among our disciples, nor in the Lin ranks at present. To face them would be difficult… perhaps fatal."
Yuehan's jaw tightened. A threat even her grandmother is afraid of….
"Then let me be the one to meet him, Grandmother….."
Matriarch Lin's sharp eye snapped towards her. "Do not mistake recklessness for courage, my child… You've never faced the Dance of Eclipse—its movements are unpredictable. One wrong breath and you'll find your arms severed before you even strike—"
"Even so," Yuehan said, her tone firm, eyes burning. "If this duel-wielder threatens the Lin clan, then I'll stop him. No matter the risk…"
The old commander shifted uneasily. But matriarch Lin's eye soften. The matriarch studied her granddaughter for a long moment before she reply.
"Very well…..But you must not act until I command it."
" Yes—sect leader…"
Elder Qing sighed and stepped back. "Whatever their motive is— the Han clan's movement has unsettled our networks. I recommend we halt all outer- border communications for now, lest more blood be spilled….."
Matriarch Lin nodded, then motioned for dismissal. The old man bowed deeply and left, the echo of his steps fading down the corridor.
Yet Yuehan lingered. Her gaze was drawn towards the flickering candle flame.
"Grandmother," she said quietly, "if the Phantom General is truly a son of Han, given the reputation— he must be truly formidable"
A faint smile curved the matriarch's lips. " Formidable indeed… But—even the fiercest lions hide their claws when they must…."
Yuehan tilted her head slightly, sensing a deeper meaning — before her grandmother added, almost idly " A son— on the other hand…. Mmm….That's— quite debatable…"
" Grandmother— wha-what do you mean..?" Yuehan was puzzled.
" Ohh…. Nothing important… by the way Yuehan—" matriarch Lin questioned. "What do you think of that new girl…err… what's her name again…..oh— Lian Zhiqiu.."
The young general blinked, caught off guard. " Lian ZhiQiu…. That— that merchant's daughter…?"
" Ah yes.. that one.." matriarch Lin's eyes inspected the flicker of change in Yuehan's composure.
Yuehan hesitated. Her mind flickered back to the lecture hall — that calm, graceful figure seated at the back, her purple-white robes flowing like mist. The faint pressure in the air when their eyes met. Her cheeks warmed even before she could stop it.
"She—is a…ehm…a—a worthy opponent," Yuehan said, her voice neutral.
Matriarch Lin's smirk deepened ever so slightly. " an opponent or an equal…?"
" Perhaps… perhaps both— d-do you want me to keep an eye on her, grandmother…?"
"No need," the matriarch replied, turning back to her scrolls. "Some people reveal themselves, if you give them room to breathe. More over it's been a long time since I've seen a young woman with that kind of raw talent. Perhaps… she will be good for you."
" good—for me..?"
"You need an equal to sharpen your wits more. To remind you that the world's larger than Mount Jinghu," she continued. " I thought perhaps… she could be a good friend. Or a…. good partner... maybe…."
Author's note:
1. LONG XIAO YANG IS MADAM HAN'S MAIDEN NAME, THE ONE BEFORE SHE MARRIED GENERAL HAN FROM THE WEST. AFTER THE MARRIAGE SHE BECAME HAN XIAO YANG, OR MADAM HAN— THE MATRIARCH OF HAN OF THE WEST.