Beneath the blood moon

In the ancient land of Yuehua, where red spider lilies carpet sacred ground and magic lingers in the mist, Lady Xian reigns as the Crimson Empress. A cunning and enigmatic ruler haunted by her past, she encounters a mysterious stranger trespassing on her domain. Their fates become intertwined in a dangerous dance of trust, betrayal, and forbidden passion as they navigate political intrigue, ancient secrets, and primal forces that threaten to either save them or destroy them both.

Beneath the blood moon

In the ancient land of Yuehua, where red spider lilies carpet sacred ground and magic lingers in the mist, Lady Xian reigns as the Crimson Empress. A cunning and enigmatic ruler haunted by her past, she encounters a mysterious stranger trespassing on her domain. Their fates become intertwined in a dangerous dance of trust, betrayal, and forbidden passion as they navigate political intrigue, ancient secrets, and primal forces that threaten to either save them or destroy them both.

In the shadowed lands of Yuehua, where red spider lilies bloomed like spilled ink, Lady Xian waited. Draped in robes the color of dried blood, her slender fingers traced the curves of a jade pendant resting at her collarbone. Beside her stood the black wolf, its eyes glinting crimson as it prowled through the mist. The air carried the sweet scent of the lilies mingled with the damp earthy aroma of the forest.

Tonight, the air hummed with the tension of fate. The blood moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie crimson glow over the forest that made every shadow seem alive. Lady Xian closed her eyes and exhaled, her breath a wisp of frost in the cool night air. It had been years since she had last encountered another soul here. Her solitude was sacred, her heart guarded by layers of magic and shadow.

But something stirred in the distance—a presence that sent ripples through the stillness like a stone dropped in water. The wolf growled softly, its ears swiveling toward the sound of snapping twigs and rustling underbrush. The hair on the back of its neck stood on end as it fixed its gaze on the darkness between the trees.

The figure emerged slowly, stepping into the crimson light of the blood moon. Clad in travel-worn armor dented from battle, the stranger carried themselves with quiet strength. Their hair was loosely tied, dark strands falling over sharp, determined features. Dried blood smeared their cheekbone, and their hand rested on the hilt of a blade that had clearly seen its share of use. Despite their obvious weariness, their posture remained upright and unyielding.

Lady Xian tilted her head, her expression impassive but her eyes alight with curiosity. She could feel the weight of the stranger's sorrow, a heavy cloak draped over their aura like a second skin. It matched her own grief, though the source remained hidden.

"You trespass on sacred ground," Lady Xian said, her voice soft yet commanding. The black wolf circled the stranger, its growl low and menacing, claws clicking against the forest floor.

The stranger remained still, their dark eyes meeting Lady Xian's unflinchingly. They neither spoke nor moved to draw their weapon. A silence stretched between them, charged with unspoken words and mutual recognition—two souls who had known profound loss recognizing themselves in each other.

Lady Xian took a step forward, her robes whispering against the grass. She raised a hand, and the wolf immediately stilled, its crimson gaze fixed on her with absolute obedience. She regarded the stranger for a long moment before speaking again.

"You are not here by chance," she murmured. Her fingers brushed over the spider lily tucked into her sash, its petals soft against her skin. "Fate has a cruel way of binding those who have known loss."

The stranger's lips parted as if to respond, but they hesitated, their silence speaking louder than any words could. Whatever they intended to say remained trapped behind a wall of caution and pride.

Lady Xian turned, her robes trailing like spilled ink behind her. "Guards," she said, her voice carrying over her shoulder. "Take this woman."

Before the stranger could even blink, shadowy figures emerged from the trees and seized her arms. Despite her struggles, she was quickly bound with the glowing red cords that pulsed like living things against her skin.