EXT. CELESTIAL CLOUD SECT – EASTERN GATE – MORNING
The enormous gates slowly open.
Dozens of elite disciples stand in perfect formation.
The atmosphere is solemn.
No one speaks.
The laughter from Yun Zhao's birthday celebration has long disappeared.
A cold mountain wind sweeps through the courtyard.
King Jin Tao stands at the top of the jade staircase.
Before him stand—
Xuan Dao.
Qiao Tian.
Yun Zhao.
And fifty elite disciples.
JIN TAO
The Heavenly Sword Sect has crossed every limit.
They no longer answer summons.
They ignore every warning.
Now...
They've begun stealing our people.
He looks toward Yun Zhao.
JIN TAO
This mission...
Is yours.
Yun Zhao kneels.
YUN ZHAO
I will bring every innocent girl home.
JIN TAO
Remember...
Justice first.
Revenge never.
YUN ZHAO
Yes, Father.
Jin Tao turns toward Qiao Tian.
JIN TAO
Young Master Qiao...
Though this matter does not concern Qingyuan...
You still chose to stand beside us.
For that...
Celestial Cloud owes you a debt.
QIAO TIAN
The suffering of innocent people concerns every righteous sect.
Xuan Dao smiles proudly.
XUAN DAO
That's my disciple.
Jin Tao nods.
JIN TAO
May the heavens protect your journey.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKY BRIDGE – DAY
A bridge of white stone stretches across the clouds.
Below...
Nothing but endless sky.
The group walks in silence.
YUN ZHAO
It's strange...
Yesterday this road was filled with music.
Today...
It feels like a funeral.
XUAN DAO
That's what happens when peace is interrupted.
Qiao Tian notices prayer ribbons tied along the bridge.
Hundreds of them flutter in the wind.
QIAO TIAN
Who tied these?
YUN ZHAO
The families.
He gently touches one ribbon.
YUN ZHAO
Each ribbon carries the name of a missing daughter.
Qiao Tian's gaze slowly follows the bridge.
There are far more ribbons than she expected.
QIAO TIAN
...
She says nothing.
But her grip on her sword tightens.
LATER...
The group reaches a mountain village.
The streets are nearly empty.
Doors remain shut.
Only a few elderly people remain outside.
A little girl, no older than seven, clutches a faded cloth doll.
She sees Yun Zhao.
Her eyes fill with hope.
LITTLE GIRL
Prince Yun...
Yun Zhao kneels before her.
YUN ZHAO
Hello.
LITTLE GIRL
Will you bring Sister back?
Silence.
The child's mother wipes away tears.
MOTHER
She was taken three nights ago...
She was only sixteen...
Qiao Tian quietly looks away.
LITTLE GIRL
You always keep your promises...
Right?
Yun Zhao gently places a hand on her head.
YUN ZHAO
Yes.
I promise.
I'll bring her home.
The little girl smiles.
As the group walks away...
Xuan Dao glances sideways.
XUAN DAO
You shouldn't make promises you can't keep.
YUN ZHAO
...
YUN ZHAO
That's exactly why I have to keep this one.
Xuan Dao smiles faintly.
XUAN DAO
Good answer.
EVENING
The group camps beside a waterfall.
Disciples prepare food.
Others sharpen their weapons.
The mood is quiet.
Yun Zhao sits alone, staring into the fire.
Qiao Tian walks over carrying two cups of tea.
She offers him one.
QIAO TIAN
Couldn't sleep?
YUN ZHAO
Not after what I saw today.
Qiao Tian sits beside him.
YUN ZHAO
When we were children...
Master always told us...
"The sword protects the weak."
He laughs bitterly.
YUN ZHAO
Yet those girls were taken while I celebrated my birthday.
QIAO TIAN
You didn't know.
YUN ZHAO
Shouldn't I have?
A long silence.
The fire crackles.
QIAO TIAN
Guilt can become another prison.
Don't let it stop you from doing what's right now.
Yun Zhao smiles.
YUN ZHAO
You always know what to say.
From behind a tree...
Xuan Dao overhears everything.
He chuckles quietly.
XUAN DAO
She's become wiser than her old master.
How troublesome.
Qiao Tian sighs.
QIAO TIAN
Master...
You weren't supposed to be listening.
XUAN DAO
Then speak less loudly.
The three laugh softly.
For a moment...
The burden feels lighter.
NEXT MORNING
The group reaches the border of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
The landscape changes instantly.
Dark cliffs surround the valley.
The once-green forest has withered.
Black banners flutter from towering gates.
The air feels unnaturally cold.
Not because of winter...
But because of the overwhelming spiritual pressure.
One disciple swallows nervously.
DISCIPLE
This place...
Doesn't feel like a righteous sect.
Xuan Dao's expression hardens.
XUAN DAO
Because it isn't.
The enormous gates slowly begin to open...
RUMBLE...
A cold wind rushes out.
Dozens of women dressed in identical white robes stand silently on either side of the entrance.
Their expressions are empty.
Their eyes lifeless.
As though all emotion has been drained from them.
Qiao Tian notices bruises hidden beneath one girl's sleeve.
She clenches her fist.
QIAO TIAN
(quietly)
What have they done to them...?
From deep within the palace...
The sound of slow footsteps echoes through the hall.
Tap...
Tap...
Tap...
The disciples instinctively grip their swords.
A calm female voice echoes from the darkness.
UNKNOWN WOMAN
It's been many years...
Since the Heavenly Sword Sect had honored guests.
A graceful silhouette appears at the end of the grand hall.
Long silver robes.
Flowing black hair.
An aura so beautiful...
Yet so unsettling...
No one speaks.
Only Xuan Dao narrows his eyes.
XUAN DAO
(under his breath)
...Mei Lin.
FADE TO BLACK.