Prologue
The crimson moon trembled and hid itself away behind the dark, sullen clouds. The shaking of nearby branches seems like distant reverie fading into the dark silent night. A gust of wind whirled and whipped its untold misery followed by the quiet creaking of a broken window and the swinging of an ill-used door. The small hut in the woods rocked and stayed still. Yet all those were seemingly lost on the man standing by the house, awaiting his prey with the quiet patience of a hunter. The haunting features leaked his fiery. The engaging face was calm and controlled. But his thoughts drifted to happier times, happier places…
The sound of approaching footsteps penetrated the stillness of the night. All of a sudden, flares of red sprang up around the man. He jerked sideways with one hand on his saber defensively, but judging by the torch-holders’ expressions, he could tell that they were waiting for something. A dense fog disrupted his vision. Blinking, he looked up again. This time, he was left breathless. In the midst of the fog stood a lady so stunning that she seems unreal. He gripped his saber tighter at the same time speaking in a clear voice “ What important event is happening here to bring the Aqua Killer <<水灵杀手>> of the ice and snow palace《〈冰雪隐宫〉〉 here today?
She smiled coldly and said in a soft, menacing voice “ We’re here for the long-lost swordplay. It’s been lost to the palace for 200 years, until rumors has it that you recently acquired it. I came to see if it is true.”
“There is no swordplay,” he said calmly, “ it’s the dying words of the late legendary founder of the palace. You’ll be wise not to listen to those rumors.”
“No tricks.” She warned. “It’s all over the pugilistic world that for anyone who possessed the dying words, two unknown sources of power known as <<天涯海角>>, as well as the five elements: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth <<金木水火土>> can become the most powerful individual in the pugilistic world. Your son’s name is Duan Tian Ya 《〈断天涯〉〉. I have long suspected that there’s a connection.”
“Of all the components of the legend, <<天涯>> and <<海角>> play the greatest part. How can such a minor character like my son be worthy of such a role?”
“You underestimated yourself. As for whether your son is really part of the legend…” she stretched out her pale hands, “ you’ll never live to see the day!”
With a swift motion, she made a slit on the man’s neck. He fell to the ground instantly. She smiled with satisfaction as he looked up in agony. She stepped inside the hut. The man gasped as she returned with a bundle. He looked at son one last time, and his eyes closed forever. One of the assets searched for the book of the dying words on the motionless body. She came back with a sealed book.
She looked up “Madam, the book is sealed.”
“Hmmmm…” she mused, “so the legend is true. All the elements are needed for the book to show its magic. Take the book and the boy.” She ordered. She closed her eyes and disappeared into the night.