Mei Lin's family lived in a modest courtyard house in the eastern quarter of Chang'an. Mei Lin was home, helping her mother with the evening meal. Her father, a renowned scholar, worked in his study. Suddenly, the door burst open, and masked bandits stormed in, wielding swords and torches.
Mei Lin's mother shielded her father, while Mei Lin grabbed a nearby candlestick, ready to defend her family. The bandits were after her father's valuable scrolls and texts. Mei Lin's mother tried to reason with them, but they were ruthless.
As the situation escalated, Mei Lin's father whispered something to her mother, who nodded subtly. Mei Lin noticed the exchange but didn't understand its significance.
The bandits began to overpower them. Mei Lin's mother pushed her toward the secret room hidden behind the bookshelf. "Go, Lin'er! Hide!"
Mei Lin hesitated, but her mother's firm voice and the sound of swords clashing propelled her into action. She slipped into the secret room just as the bandits were about to overwhelm her family...
As Mei Lin watched from the secret room, she frantically searched for anything that could aid her in saving her parents. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit space, but all she saw were old scrolls and dusty artifacts. The sounds of struggle and her mother's cries grew louder, and Mei Lin desperation turned to panic.
Just as she was about to rush out, a figure burst through the secret room window, taking her down. Before she could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth, and she was pinned beneath a muscular chest.
The attacker, a masked figure with piercing eyes, held her firmly.Mei Lin struggled, but the grip was unyielding. Suddenly, the figure released her and turned to face the main room.
Mei Lin saw her parents being held by the bandits. The masked figure charged into the fray, taking down the attackers with swift precision. Mei Lin eyes widened as the figure fought off the bandits, their movements fluid and deadly.
When the last bandit fell, the figure turned to Mei Lin parents. Her mother was injured, clutching her arm. The figure quickly assessed the situation and began tending to her mother's wound.
Mei Lin gaze met the figure's, and their eyes locked in a moment of mutual surprise. The figure's mask had slipped, revealing a striking face with piercing green eyes...