Fate's Enmity

Chapter 2

The forest was peaceful, the only sound coming from the river nearby. Lianhua Xiang stood at the water's edge, her sword raised and focused on the droplets glimmering in the sunlight. She was trying to master a new spell called Liújiàn. With one clean slice, she could create a water shield, and with another move, turn it into a powerful attack.

"Almost there, Lianhua," Sheng Li said, watching closely. "Just keep your balance."

Lianhua nodded but was distracted. She couldn't stop thinking about the upcoming marriage of Prince Tianlong Zhao. Whoever he chose could change everything for her family. If the Wu family got their way and one of their members married him, they would receive the jade and the power that came with it. Lianhua knew she had to protect her family and their chance at immortality.

With determination, she sliced through a droplet. A shimmering wall of water rose in front of her. She felt a surge of power and pointed her sword. The water shot forward, crashing into a tree with a loud crack. "Perfect," Sheng Li said, but Lianhua hardly heard him. She was too focused on stopping the Wu family.

Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice. "Impressive, but a bit much for cutting trees, don't you think?"

Lianhua turned, tightening her grip on her sword. Weizhe Wu stood there, looking amused, with Zixuan Fang by his side.

"What do you want, Weizhe?" Lianhua snapped. "Are you here to watch me train or just to make yourself feel clever correcting my mistakes?"

Weizhe shrugged, still smiling. "Yeah, I'm clever. Just passing through. It's not my fault you're training in the forest. Though," he added, "I'm sure there are less violent ways to do it."

Lianhua's anger flared. "You wouldn't know violence if it stared you in the face," she said, her voice sharp. "You're too busy thinking you're better than everyone else with your wise words and no action."

Zixuan rolled his eyes. "Here we go again," he muttered to Sheng Li.

Sheng Li smirked. "Right? Someone needs to tell her to chill."

Zixuan chuckled. "Maybe you should tell her to shove it."

Weizhe raised a hand to stop Zixuan. "I'm not here to fight, Lianhua. Not everything can be solved with a sword."

"Maybe not," she said, raising her blade, "but this one can."

They both knew what she meant. If Weiyun Wu or anyone from his family married the prince, it would mean disaster for the Xiangs. Lianhua couldn't let that happen.

Without thinking, she cast Liújiàn. Water rose in front of her, forming a shield. But her anger made her lose control. She pointed her sword at Weizhe, and the water surged forward, hitting him hard and knocking him down.

He groaned, clutching his side where the water had struck.

"Lianhua!" Sheng Li shouted, stepping forward. "You didn't mean—"

But Lianhua stood still, her heart racing. She hadn't meant to use that much power, but now, seeing Weizhe hurt, a part of her didn't feel sorry. "Next time," she said coldly, "stay out of my way."

Weizhe looked up at her, confused and in pain. "You... don't have to do this," he said, trying to get up.

Lianhua turned her back on him. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family," she said quietly before sheathing her sword and walking away.