Chapter 1 – Year 27 of Emperor Taijin, the 27th of the Jin Dynasty
The imperial palace of Ginyan shone like a jewel at the heart of the capital. Within its golden halls, the empire gathered to witness a momentous occasion.
All the ministers wore their ceremonial red robes, adorned with golden dragon emblems stitched on their belts—a symbol reserved only for the highest officials of the capital. Among them, only those of the first and second ranks bore the dragon-emblazoned belt.
Emperor Taijin, wearing his golden-yellow robe embroidered with a magnificent dragon and two jade pieces hanging from a prominent belt, entered the hall. With every step, the jade chimed softly. Behind him, his loyal eunuch, Ka, followed closely, ready to whisper advice to the emperor's ear.
Taijin had ascended to the throne as a child. Though 27 years had passed since his reign began, he had exercised direct power for only fifteen years. For the first twelve years, his uncle acted as regent.
As the emperor approached the throne, a high-ranking minister stepped forward, bowing deeply, holding a gilded placard that displayed his rank.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince will soon celebrate his eighth birthday. I propose that all dukes be invited and a ceremony be held to honor the ancestors, ensuring His Highness a long life."
The ministers raised their own placards in unison, voicing approval: "We approve."
Ka whispered something into the emperor's ear, bringing a faint smile to Taijin's face. He then nodded and spoke a short command. Ka bowed and left briefly, returning with a table, ink, and paper. The emperor carefully wrote the decree and stamped it with the imperial seal.
Ka carried the decree, holding it high for everyone to see. The ministers bowed deeply to receive the proclamation.
Suddenly, a soldier burst into the hall, pushing the door with force. The emperor rose from his throne, alarmed.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion? Where is Commander Sung?"
"Your Majesty, I beg you to listen," the soldier stammered. "I know I deserve death, but please hear me."
The emperor's face turned pale as the soldier revealed the unimaginable: the emperor's uncle, the Duke of Ginyan, had led a rebellion. Even Commander Sung of the Imperial Guard had joined him. Only a handful of loyal soldiers remained to protect the emperor.
Panic spread through the hall. Ministers and Ka helped the emperor to his feet, pleading for him to escape. They rushed toward the eastern palace, hoping the Crown Prince's troops could delay the rebels. Yet even the eastern palace had fallen, along with the imperial harem.
Through secret passages known only to three people, the emperor, Ka, and the Crown Prince made their way into the nearby forest. Waiting for them were three horses, brought by a young boy roughly the Crown Prince's age.
The emperor asked about the three people who knew the secret passage. Ka explained the truth: one was himself, another the emperor's illegitimate son who had prepared the horses, and the third was the Crown Prince.
With Ka's assistance, the emperor mounted his horse. The illegitimate son mounted lightly, impressing the emperor with his agility. The Crown Prince, stubborn as ever, initially refused to ride with the boy, but relented after polite insistence. Together, they set off into the night.
As they traveled, the emperor explained that no matter how fiercely the dukes of the ten provinces rebelled, the Duke of Sichuan—brother of the empress—remained loyal. Their path would take them east toward the border of the provinces, avoiding roads controlled by rebels. The Crown Prince's knowledge of secret routes far exceeded what anyone could expect at his age.
Finally, they reached Taikuan Kingdom under the cover of night. Exhausted, they rested while the Crown Prince ensured the horses were tended and a simple meal prepared. Ka, filled with gratitude, realized that their survival—despite the chaos—was thanks to the Crown Prince's foresight and mercy.
The emperor, weak but determined, knew that as long as the Crown Prince lived, the legacy of the Jin Empire—its glory spanning four centuries—would endure, even in exile.
And so, the young prince, unaware of the full weight of his destiny, began a journey that would shake the Five Kingdoms, testing his loyalty, courage, and heart