The full moon, a silent sentinel, cast its pale light across the valley as Cai Kang moved with the effortless grace of a practiced warrior. Her braid swayed, a dark ribbon against the moonlight, as she warmed up on the cliff's edge, the wide river a silver serpent far below.

Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the bushes. Her father. She dodged his ambush, a sheepish smile playing on her lips, then fought back with familiar ease until a misstep sent her tumbling from the precipice. A quick flip, and she landed on the water's surface, soles dry, glaring up at the unimpressed figure.

"I win," her father chuckled, his chiseled features framed by a low ponytail. He was a large man, his muscular body barely contained by casual dark robes.

"Dammit! That's cheating! You snuck up on me!" she yelled, her voice echoing from the river.

"We're martial artists. Fairness isn't a luxury," he replied, then his gaze sharpened. "You improved your chi, but you're too slow." He looked dissatisfied.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she muttered, walking back to shore. Just as she reached the bank, her father gracefully dropped from the cliff, landing on the water with barely a ripple. "I'm here to tell you we'll be leaving soon." His tone held no humor.

Cai Kang froze. "Already?" she asked, incredulous.

With a snap of his fingers, a colossal sea turtle emerged from the depths, its shell glinting. "Enough questions. Our next stop is Shanghai." He tossed her luggage at her. Irritated but compliant, Cai Kang pulled on her backpack, hopped onto the Jing, and sank into the water, the moonlight disappearing above her.