WE ARE ONE OF THIS GENERATION

Black Shadow Foundation, Hidden Headquarters, Night

In the dimly lit halls of the Black Shadow Foundation, Zhong Xinling kneels before Liu Weilong, the enigmatic leader of the organization. Beside him stands Liu Lan, his son and a mirror image of his twin sister, Liu Xiatian.

Liu Weilong: (sternly) "Xinling, your loyalty to the Foundation has never wavered. Now, I entrust you with a mission of utmost importance."

Zhong Xinling: (bowing) "I live to serve, Master. What is your command?"

Liu Weilong: (coldly) "Eliminate Lin Xuxu. Her existence threatens our plans for dominion. She is clever, skilled, and too close to uncovering truths that must remain hidden."

Liu Lan: (smirking) "She won't be easy prey, Xinling. Are you prepared for the challenge?"

Zhong Xinling: (calmly) "Lin Xuxu may be formidable, but no one escapes the shadow's blade."

Liu Weilong: (nodding) "Good. Do not fail me, Xinling. The fate of the Foundation rests on your success."

As the meeting concludes, Zhong Xinling's mind races—not with fear, but with the weight of the choices ahead.

Northern Kingdom, Crown Prince Zhou Xin's Residence, Morning

In the grand halls of the Northern Kingdom, Crown Prince Zhou Xin receives a report from his loyal subordinate, Li Qi Qiu.

Li Qi Qiu: (bowing) "Your Highness, I bring good news. Prince Zhou Sheng and Princess Zhou Xiaolu have safely reached Daling City."

Crown Prince Zhou Xin: (smiling) "Excellent. Their journey has been perilous, but they are safe now. This is a relief."

Li Qi Qiu: "Shall I send word to Daling City, Your Highness?"

Crown Prince Zhou Xin: (nodding) "Yes. Ensure they know they have my full support. And remind them to be vigilant—these are dangerous times, and every step we take must be calculated."

Li Qi Qiu bows deeply before leaving, and Zhou Xin turns to gaze out of the window.

Crown Prince Zhou Xin: (to himself) "The pieces are moving. Let us hope the board remains in our favor."

Danyang City, Morning

The streets of Danyang City were bustling with merchants and townsfolk, a stark contrast to the desolation the team had witnessed in Xianyong. The city exuded life, but beneath the vibrant surface, tension simmered.

Wu Feng: (relieved) "Finally, a proper city. I was starting to forget what civilization looked like."

Lin Bai Yu: (teasing) "Don't get too comfortable, Wu Feng. Trouble follows us like a shadow."

Deng Min Chi: (serious) "She's right. Stay vigilant. We don't know what awaits us here."

The team checks into a modest hotel near the city center. The innkeeper greets them warmly, but his eyes linger a little too long on Lin Xuxu, betraying an undercurrent of suspicion.

Inn Lounge, Afternoon

While resting in the inn, the group encounters Zhong Xinling, a familiar face and an old friend of Deng Min Chi.

Deng Min Chi: (smiling) "Xinling! What brings you to Danyang? It's been too long."

Zhong Xinling: (smirking) "Min Chi, fate always has a way of bringing us together. I'm here on business—nothing too exciting."

The two exchange pleasantries, but Zhong Xinling's sharp gaze flickers briefly to Lin Xuxu, the target of his secret mission. He hides his intentions behind a polite facade.

Meanwhile, Lin Bai Yu finds herself captivated by Zhong Xinling. His quiet strength and enigmatic aura spark an unexpected infatuation.

Lin Bai Yu: (to herself) "Who is he? There's something… different about him."

However, Zhong Xinling pays her little attention, his focus unwaveringly on his hidden objective.

Magistrate's Office, Evening

Later that evening, chaos erupts at the Magistrate's Office. An unknown assailant, armed with a weapon bearing the insignia of the Kingdom of Chan, attacks the guards and disappears into the night.

The team is summoned to investigate.

Deng Min Chi: (examining the scene) "No bodies, no clues… just this weapon. It's almost as if the attack was staged to send a message."

Lin Xuxu: (calmly) "A weapon left behind so obviously—it's meant to mislead us. But whose hand truly wields the blade?"

Wu Feng: (frowning) "The design on the weapon… it's from the border. Someone is trying to implicate the Kingdom of Chan."

Lin Bai Yu: (determined) "Then we need to uncover the truth before this sparks something worse.

Inn, Late Night

Back at the Inn, Deng Min Chi pens a letter to his cousins, Prince Zhou Sheng and Princess Zhou Xiaolu, in Daling City, detailing the weapon and requesting their help in investigating its origin.

Deng Min Chi: (to Wu Feng) "This weapon is the key. If my cousins can trace its maker or owner, we might find the trail we need."

Wu Feng: (nodding) "I'll make sure the message reaches them without delay."

As the night deepens, the team prepares for the challenges ahead, unaware of the dark forces gathering around them.

To be continue...