The Flame of Love

Chapter 1

In the martial world, if one were to name its most renowned figure, Ren Hen, the enigmatic master of Lihuo City, would undoubtedly top the list. He was the kind of man who seemed to have stepped out of legend: breathtakingly beautiful yet chillingly dangerous. His face, a paradox of devilish charm and ethereal elegance, had the power to ensnare both men and women alike, leaving them spellbound. Yet beneath the captivating exterior lay a ruthless soul—a warrior of unmatched skill, a ruler whose methods were as unyielding as they were effective. He ruled with precision and terror, his name both feared and revered across the land.

The origins of Lihuo City were less glamorous. What now stood as a sprawling fortress of intrigue and power had once been an imperial palace built by a fallen dynasty. Constructed amidst the scenic splendor of Huangshan, the palace came at a gruesome cost: over a hundred laborers worked to death to satisfy a late emperor's vanity. Yet no sooner was the grand palace completed than the dynasty crumbled, leaving it abandoned and forgotten.

The palace was rediscovered by Qiu Sha, a wounded rogue, during a time of chaos and unrest. Finding the palace devoid of guards, he claimed it as his own. He gathered outcasts and fugitives to create a haven for the exiled and the unwanted. Over the years, the population swelled, transforming the palace into Lihuo City—a bustling stronghold for those with nowhere else to go.

Ren Hen's inheritance of the city marked a turning point. Unlike his predecessors, he sought order amid the chaos, reforming the city's laws. Murder was forbidden, and criminals were no longer accepted without question. Trade routes were quietly established, linking Lihuo City to the outside world. What had once been a lawless den of thieves evolved into a formidable yet enigmatic city, no longer dismissed as merely a "den of villains."

Not long after Ren Hen assumed leadership, the righteous sects of the martial world—Wudang, Shaolin, and others—joined forces under the pretext of eradicating evil. Over three hundred warriors marched into Lihuo City, intending to purge it. None returned. The city's legend grew even darker, its allure and fear spreading across the land. Some civilians, desperate for safety, even migrated there, finding solace under Ren Hen's unyielding rule.

The battle left the righteous sects weakened, while Lihuo City's fame soared, earning its title as the "First City of the Martial World."

"Is that... noodles? Or steamed rice?" Lian'er murmured, her voice thick with grogginess as she stirred from slumber. A tantalizing aroma pulled her from the embrace of sleep, coaxing her eyes open.

She froze. The room around her was utterly foreign. Instead of her familiar bedroom, she found herself surrounded by rustic decor: a brass mirror, wooden doors, paper-paned windows. A plate of delicately arranged pastries sat on a nearby table, their fragrance tempting and unfamiliar.

This can't be real, she thought, her mind racing. The last thing she remembered was the fire—an all-consuming blaze that had surrounded her. And yet here she was, alive, unscathed. Confusion gave way to disbelief as she caught sight of her hands. They were pale and smooth, a far cry from her usual calloused fingers.

Stumbling toward the brass mirror, her breath hitched at the reflection staring back at her. The girl in the mirror was exquisite: phoenix-shaped eyes framed by dark lashes, a delicate nose, lips the color of ripe cherries. Her features were refined, ethereal—a stark contrast to the face she knew as her own.

"This isn't me," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Panic set in as she pinched her cheek, hard. Pain flared, sharp and immediate. Not a dream.

Her thoughts spiraled. Could this be one of those absurd reincarnation plots she'd read about in novels? Was she truly in someone else's body? And if so, who had she become?

Her musings were interrupted by a loud clamor outside the room. Two young men, dressed as servants, burst in. The sight of her reflection in the mirror sent them screaming down the hall.

"Ghost!" they yelled, their voices trembling with fear.

Lian'er groaned. So much for easing into things. With a resigned sigh, she straightened her back. Time for Plan A: play dumb and pretend to have lost her memory.

A commotion grew outside as footsteps neared. Soon, a group of people gathered at the doorway. At their head was a man with mismatched eyes—one blue, one green—whose trembling voice broke the silence.

"Y-young miss, are you well?" he asked, his voice quivering.

"I'm fine, thank you," Lian'er replied, forcing a smile. "And you are?"

Before the man could respond, another voice cut through the air, cold and commanding. "What's going on here?"

The crowd parted for two men. One was tall and imposing, his every movement exuding authority. The other was devastatingly handsome, with sharp features and a pair of mesmerizing eyes that carried an air of danger. His presence was so overwhelming that Lian'er felt her knees weaken.

"Teach me to handle this kind of voltage," she muttered under her breath, avoiding his gaze.

The taller man—the one addressed as the "Right Hand"—dismissed the others with a flick of his wrist. "Leave us."

Lian'er had little time to gather her thoughts before two guards flanked her. Their hands were iron shackles on her arms, dragging her toward the door.

"Wait! I'm not a ghost! You're making a mistake!" she protested, her fingers clawing at the doorway in a desperate attempt to resist.

Ren Hen's voice, cold and emotionless, cut through the commotion. "Put her in the dungeon. Ensure she stays there."

Lian'er's protests fell on deaf ears as the guards hauled her away. For a moment, her panic gave way to defiance. She twisted around, her voice ringing with desperation.

"Wait! Aren't you even curious about how I came back to life?" she called out. "I could be... valuable for experiments!"

Ren Hen paused, his sharp gaze meeting hers. For a brief moment, she thought she caught a flicker of intrigue. Then, with a wave of his hand, he dismissed her fate once more.

As she was dragged away, Lian'er muttered under her breath, "Well, that went well. Looks like I'm going to need Plan B... whatever that is."