It was the dead of winter, and the biting wind chilled to the bone."Hyah!"A heavy carriage rumbled down the street, its wheels crushing the thick snow and ice. Hitting a sudden dip in the road, the carriage jolted, splashing freezing slush all over a passing pedestrian.The man gasped from the sudden icy shock. He shot a glare at the carriage swaggering through the streets but didn't dare utter a word of complaint, silently brushing the dirty slush from his thick cotton coat.A few steps further down the road.Several ragged corpses lay sprawled in a ditch by the corner. They were beggars who hadn't survived the bitter winter night. They had been lying there for hours, yet no one spared them a second glance."What a world..."The passerby sighed, rubbing his raw, red hands together as he hurried home.And to think, this was the capital of the Grand Origin Dynasty!Right at the feet of the Emperor himself!...Following the snow-covered streets further in, the crowds gradually thinne

In the side room.Little Yan held her martial arts stance, regulating her breathing in a steady rhythm. Yet, an inexplicable restlessness suddenly washed over her, accompanied by an indescribable discomfort creeping across her skin.A Martial Cultivator's instinctual perception made her abruptly snap her eyes open. She stared fixedly at the bedroom window and the door. Her body remained perfectly still in her stance, but she was already prepared to fight for her life!That’s right.She was secretly learning martial arts.Chu Yun had no status or importance in Duke Sovereign's Estate. He was frail and sickly. If he were to drop dead one day, a maid like her would most likely be kicked out of the estate.Being kicked out wouldn't actually be the end of the world.It was just... she harbored a deep, burning grudge. Scenes from her past replayed in her mind every single night. Every waking moment, she wanted to kill that monster. But she was only a maid, and the maid of the utterly insign

After breakfast, Chu Yun followed his inherited memories and rummaged through a chest. He dug out some loose silver from the bottom. Weighing it in his hand, he estimated there was about twenty-three or twenty-four taels.For a young master of Duke Sovereign's Estate, this paltry amount was downright pathetic—not even enough for a single trip to the brothels. But to an ordinary family, it would cover living expenses for several years.Stowing the silver away, Chu Yun stepped out into the courtyard.His lone manservant, Shen Ye, was outside sweeping the snow. The moment he saw Chu Yun, he dropped his broom, pasted on a smile, and offered a respectful bow. "Second Master, good morning to you!"Chu Yun walked forward a few steps and asked directly, "Do you know Little Jade?"Shen Ye looked surprised, but replied anyway. "Little Jade? You mean the maid belonging to the Third Young Master over in the South Courtyard? What makes you ask about her all of a sudden, Second Master?"Chu Yun did

Inside the room.Chu Yun deactivated his Spirit Vision and retracted his gaze. He shut his eyes tightly, feeling a faint stinging sensation, and furrowed his brows slightly.Beside him, Shen Ye cast a careful glance at Chu Yun. Assuming his master was furious, he didn't dare utter a single word.Soon enough.The sting in Chu Yun's eyes began to fade.Without a doubt, that girl was a Martial Cultivator—and a very strong one at that.Seventh Tier?Or maybe Sixth?!Her vibrant Crimson Vigor far surpassed Little Yan's. Even with his twice-upgraded Spirit Vision, forcibly trying to track her had actually hurt his eyes.This world was not a peaceful place. In fact, it was highly turbulent. But whether they were greenwood outlaws or martial arts masters, as long as they were human, they had to obey the rules set by the biggest fist.And here in the Imperial Capital, the biggest 'fist' was the Imperial Court.A wandering heroine...Heh.As if there were any real heroines in a world like this.