In southern Dai Dynasty, there were four prominent landmarks namely Mount Zai Zuo, Long Chun and Jiang Zhou provinces, as well as Bao Dong island.
The mountainous terrain of Mount Zai Zuo, situated adjacent to Mount Chong An which served as the epicenter of numerous wars between the armies of Dai Dynasty, led by the esteemed General Jiang Xue Lei, and the formidable legions of the Shibeibu Empire. The challenging terrain and strategic positioning of the mountains made it a focal point for most military confrontations, as both sides vied for dominance in those crucial battlegrounds.
Nestled in the heart of upper Long Chun, the industrial region hummed with the rhythmic sounds of machinery and the bustling activity of workers. In the midst of this industrial expanse lay the small town of Shan Dong, a place with a rich heritage in sports, martial arts and athletics and where Master Zhang was born in the family of mostly students, teachers, masters and apprentices.
Bao Dong, a significant port island, was Xue Lei's birthplace, holding deep historical importance. Nevertheless, during a period of unrest characterized by enemy infiltrations from Shibeibu and collaboration with traitorous Dai soldiers and officials, his entire family made the decision to move to the neighbouring Jiang Zhou.
His five-storey oriental home, known as Jiang Manor, was a symphony of architecture and nature, nestled amidst picturesque hills, forests, lakes, and waterfalls. The exterior provided a serene retreat from the chaos of the battlefield. The residence harmoniously blended with its natural surroundings, creating a haven of peace and tranquillity for the whole family.
The layout of the residence was thoughtfully designed to cater to the diverse needs of its occupants.
The ground floor served as a living and dining grand hall as well as kitchen for the family to host various celebrations and gatherings, such as New Year's Eve, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
The second floor was reserved for the quarters of household staff, ensuring their comfort and privacy while they attended to their duties.
The third was dedicated to family meetings, with separate spaces for men and women to convene and discuss matters of importance, both individually and collectively.
The fourth housed the main conference room and study chambers, where General Xue Lei, his father, and brothers would hold discussions on national affairs and military strategy, away from the prying eyes of the capital's military and Royal Imperial Circle.
Finally, the top featured private rooms for family members to rest and recharge, complete with a balcony that offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, providing a peaceful retreat for individuals, couples, or the entire family to relax and enjoy quality time together.
Another feature that stood out was underground basement beneath the manor which served as multifunctional space for armoury, safety shelters and storerooms.
As Jiang Xue Niang celebrated her 80th birthday, the whole living and dining grand hall was transformed into a lively and colourful celebration venue.
Vibrant banners, holograms, and paintings festooned the corridors, while the air was filled with the melodious strains of traditional Oriental Dai music. Guests, from far and wide, converged here to join in the festivities.
An elegant spread of food and thoughtful gifts graced the main dining table, further enhancing the joyful atmosphere. At the same time, altar offerings to Goddess Eternity and other divine beings added a spiritual dimension to the occasion, making it a truly special day to remember.
"Happy 80th birthday, grandma! May you live longer and healthier!" Everyone bowed and greeted Jiang Xue Niang to celebrate this remarkable milestone as she gracefully descended the stairs with her daughters. The air was filled with warmth and congratulatory sentiments from all present of all ages, from eldest to youngest, tendered their respects and heartfelt tributes to the revered matriarch.
The gesture of bowing and offering birthday greetings was not just a polite custom, but a genuine display of admiration and well wishes. Every guest and even servants demonstrated humility by lowering their heads, signifying their respect for the elderly matriarch who had achieved the remarkable age and still looked healthy.
Then everyone settled into the soft cushions in the large and stylish grand hall which combined and functioned as both living and dining spaces.
At this moment, Qing Er, the youngest and only granddaughter of matriarch's eldest daughter Xue Zhen, came running into the grand living hall. All the other grandchildren were males. After hanging out with her female like-minded friends, she barely made it on time.
"Grandma!" Qing Er gracefully bowed to her most loved one who had showered her with care and affection since childhood. "May your birthday be filled with joy and blessings!"
"Sweet girl!" Xue Niang reciprocated the greeting with a warm smile. "Is there a special wish in your mind? Share it with grandma, and I'll see to it that it comes true."
In a heartwarming display of generosity, despite being the central figure of celebration and the one entitled to make a wish, Jiang Xue Niang, in her advanced years, continued to embody magnanimity. For she already considered her good health to be the greatest blessing and gift. So instead of making hers, she chose to fulfil others' wishes. Especially her youngest grandchild and only granddaughter, Qing Er.
"Grandma," Qing Er stood up, her eyes sparkling with determination and a radiant smile on her face. "When I grow up, I want to follow the footsteps of my father and brothers. I want to be on the battlefield, defending our kingdom and kill all our enemies."
Xue Niang praised her granddaughter's ambition, although she understood that Qing Er was still young and idealistic about the harsh realities of war. "That's commendable, my dear. When your father returns, I'll talk to him about your wish to join the battlefield and kill all our enemies."
"Grandma, you promised! You can't go back on your word!" Qing Er insisted, unwavering in her desire.
Xue Zhen, Qing Er's mother and Xue Niang's eldest daughter, chimed in, "Ok, when your father returns, I'll speak to him too. We'll make sure you have the opportunity to join him and your brothers in defending our kingdom and kill all our enemies."
Demonstrating her readiness, Qing Er stood up and performed a series of basic arm blocks and punches learnt from Dai Academy. Her earnestness brought smiles to the faces of Xue Niang, Xue Zhen and others, who found more charm in her spirited personality than in her display of martial skill, understanding that she still had much to learn and experience in life as teenager.
At that moment, one of the servants, Shi Jun, entered with an announcement: "Madam Jiang, Master Zhang has arrived!"
With a respectful bow, Shi Jun stepped aside to make way for another man, clad entirely in grey robes, to enter the grand hall. The color of his hair and beard mirrored the grey attire, a clear sign of the passing years, though he was still younger than Madam Jiang, showcasing a lifetime of experience etched into his wrinkled features.
Upon seeing her, Master Zhang too made a bow and greeted her, "Happy 80th birthday, Madam Jiang."
Then he got up and presented his four carbon-paper wrapped gifts to her, which was received by another of her servants Bei Lo who in turn put them on the dining table already filled with gifts from other guests.
That servant then beckoned him to take a seat facing Madam Jiang which he obliged.
"Master Zhang, thank you for your blessings and gifts," Madam Jiang expressed her gratitude. "Though it is not convenient for you to make all the way from Shang Dong to here."
"Please don't mention it." Master Zhang held up his hand to restrain her modesty. "Xue Lei is one of my best students. Due to our close ties, I have always regarded him and you as family."
"No. More than that." Xue Niang corrected him. "It is because of you and your training that my sons and grandchildren become what they are today. Well-trained soldiers and warriors willing to fight and protect our kingdom."
"Did Xue Lei send you any gifts?" He asked.
"The fact that he had defended our kingdom and drove our enemies away from conquest was the greatest gift I could ever ask for. As well as your gifts of healthy food ingredients and herbs that helped me stay in good health."
Master Zhang laughed a little before saying, "Please don't mention that again. Today's your birthday and given our relations to Xue Lei, I am just doing my part as his teacher and friend."
At this point, Shi Jun again entered the grand hall and announced, "Kang Jie has arrived!"
Feeling completely fatigued and with heavy heart having travelled from Dai Capital City to Qing Tao Hills and then further to Jiang Zhou on foot, Kang Jie had not eaten nor slept well for days.
But no matter how long the journey and how bad his situation was in wild forests, plain terrains, glass meadows and more hills to get over, he had to press on to his former commander's home and deliver the news to his family. For this was his second priority on mind after burying his comrade Zhan Bao as first.
When he finally reached the gate entrance, he sighed with great relief though he no longer had any strength left to even stand properly and had to be helped up by one of the servants just to the doorway.
Upon seeing Madam Jiang and his former commander's mother, he got down to his knees saying, "Old Madam Jiang, please forgive me!"
"Please get up!" Madam Jiang responded. "You look weak and troubled. Tell me what's wrong."
"No, I can't." Kang Jie shook his head with tears welling in his eyes. "In fact, I don't even know how to tell you."
"Is it about my son Xue Lei?" His commander's mother enquired; her face began looking anxious.
Kang Jie nodded his head.
"Is it because he lost the battle?" Her anxiety deepened as she asked.
Again, he nodded.
"Where is he now? Is he still alive? Even if he is not, I want to see his body!" Madam Jiang began to get exasperated in her tone and way of asking.
"General Xue Lei's still alive for now." He answered slowly and sadly. "Our battalion had been ambushed and wiped out in the last war, leaving just me, Xue Lei and Zhan Bao as only survivors.
By right now, we should be captured and killed as well. But for reasons unknown, their ruler was in great mood and decided to free us with rations even though his men robbed us of everything else.
With just food rations to survive upon and venturing through the dark enemy terrains, we barely made it back.
Then the Majesty sent a hover carriage but only to fetch him and not us back to palace. We thought by returning here, our nightmare would be over. But right after they left, we were ambushed by another ten Dai troopers whom we barely overcame. The whole arrangement had been a setup.
Knowing this to be a trap to silence us, I and Zhan Bao attempted to rescue our commander. We almost succeeded. Problem is our commander refused to return with us and determined to face the consequences alone.
Zhan Bao took his own life hoping to change his mind but failed. Then I and the commander went our ways. After burying Zhan Bao, I came all the way here from Capital City."
Upon finishing what he had to say, Kang Jie was unable to endure anymore and collapsed.
"Quick, bring him to rest in my bedroom!" Madam Jiang instructed her servants Bei Luo and Shi Jun who complied by carrying him upstairs to her room.
Upon their departure, she turned and approached the altar with a heavy heart before crying out, "Heavenly Gods, our Jiang family has always been loyal and patriotic to our kingdom and you in blessings. What've we done to deserve such punishment? What kind of justice is this?"
"Grandma, it must be the fault of that muddle-headed Emperor and his Imperial Courts." her granddaughter Qing Er suddenly interrupted.
Only to be told off by her.
"Silence! Don't you dare speak ill of our Majesty!" Xue Niang reprimanded her.
Then turning to Master Zhang, she confided openly due to sudden turn of events. "Our Jiang family used to have equal number of sons as daughters. But with most of them either perished or still fighting the war against Shibeibu Empire, I'm in dilemma as to who I should send to rescue my son."
"Grandma, you can send me." Qing Er again suggested despite being restrained by her mother Xue Zhen. "I'm more than ready to fight them."
"Enough of this!" She again rebuked her granddaughter, given the gravity of her son's life now at stake.
"None of you should go." Master Zhang advised. "Your sons are all away in battle while Qing Er is still young and inexperienced. Let me go instead."
"But you are our distinguished guest here. How can I entrust such a dangerous mission to you?" She expressed her concerns and guilt in having to entrust her son's life to an outsider, even Master Zhang, though he was the one who taught her son everything he knew.
"No, not at all." Her son's mentor assured her. "Xue Lei is my disciple and also my godson. Now that he's in danger, it is my responsibility to save him."
"But Master Zhang, you are not getting young anymore. The journey is going to be long, perilous and tough. You need someone to accompany you. Preferably a younger guy."
Pausing for a while over her words, Master Zhang rose and responded: "Yes, I have someone in mind."