"Do not let her get away; she has stolen the golden scale!"

Yun Ciao, pursued down the hills, races as fast as her injured body allows. Blood splatters from her chest, seeping into the stolen golden scale. A cliff materializes, and she finds herself cornered, guards closing in from all sides.

"Did you really think you could escape with the golden scale? What wishful thinking. Hand it over, and I'll allow you to stay in the Yun family as a maid," sneers the man in blue brocade robes, approaching with a smirk.

"You shameless old man! My parents treated you well, and this is how you repay them? Haven't you heard of Karma? I'd rather die a maid in my own mansion. Come and get the golden scale," Yun Ciao defiantly retorts, placing it in her mouth. Unbeknownst to her, the golden scale transforms into whirls within her body.

"Eating it and jumping down the cliff won't save you from humiliation. Once you die, I'll cut up your body to find the golden scale and feed your carcass to the dogs in the Yun family!"

Yun Ciao turns pale, locking eyes with the old man. "Remember your words and do not eat them up on the day of retribution!" she shouts before leaping off the cliff.

Regret consumes her as she falls, lamenting her misplaced trust in her family, her failure to see humanity's true colors, and her inability to stand up for herself. Closing her eyes, she accepts her impending death.

"I guess it's my turn to die, but if there is a next life, I'll forge my own path. Destiny won't have a hold on me. If the gods go against me, I'll overturn the heavens; if humans go against me, I'll kill them all!"

---

"This kind of trash is fighting over the crown prince with me? What a joke—a girl with no spiritual energy thinks she can be the crown princess?"

An ugly laugh reverberates as the lady in purple cloth kicks the helpless girl on the ground, covered in whip scars.

"If you want the crown prince, at least be alive for that! Ensure she's dead, and do as you please. Raze down the rundown building when you're done!"

The lady leaves, and bulky men surround the injured girl. The apparent leader steps forward, declaring, "I'll go first while the body's still warm."

As memories flood Yun Ciao's mind, tears cascade down her face. She's given a new life and won't let it go to waste.

"Don't worry; we'll be a little bit gentle!" the leader says.

Yun Ciao rises from the ground, her gaze murderous as she licks her lips, promising retribution. Ignoring the pain, she picks up a dagger and, like thunder, stabs the hearts of the four men in the room.

The room fell silent as the lifeless bodies of the assailants collapsed to the floor, Yun Ciao's eyes ablaze with newfound determination. She wipes the blood from the dagger on the tattered remains of her clothes and glances around the dilapidated room.

"Those who seek to harm me will face their own demise," she mutters, her voice carrying a chilling certainty. With an unwavering resolve, Yun Ciao steps over the fallen men, leaving the room with purpose.

As she steps out into the night, a cold wind sweeps through the rundown building, carrying echoes of her past and the promise of a different future. The lady in purple cloth, unaware of Yun Ciao's survival, revels in her perceived victory.

Yun Ciao, shrouded in the obscurity of the night, maneuvers through the labyrinthine streets. Adrenaline pulses through her veins, masking the bite of the chilly air against her wounds. Her determined gaze sweeps the dimly lit surroundings, seeking refuge from the physical and emotional storms that assail her.

Turning a corner, she discovers an inn with a flickering lantern, its sign, Golden Lotus Inn, swaying gently in the wind. It appears as a discreet sanctuary, hidden from prying eyes. The creaking door betrays her entrance as she slips inside.

Inside, the inn exudes a quiet antiquity with worn tapestries and aged furniture. A fireplace crackles, offering warmth that contrasts sharply with the cold exterior. The weary innkeeper, a plump man with a graying beard, glances up from behind the counter.

"Need a room for the night?" he grumbles, eyeing Yun Ciao's disheveled state.

"Yes, a room for the night. And some hot water, if you have it," she responds, her voice steady but wearied.

The innkeeper grunts in acknowledgment, handing her a key attached to a worn wooden block. "Room 203. Water's down the hall. Don't cause trouble, and don't bother the other guests."

Yun Ciao manages a faint smile of gratitude and ascends the creaky stairs to her assigned room. Unlocking the door, she steps into a haven that provides respite from the chaos outside. A flickering candle on the bedside table casts dancing shadows, creating an atmosphere of solitude.

With deliberate movements, Yun Ciao peels away the remnants of her torn clothes, revealing the bruises and whip scars that adorn her delicate skin. The golden scale, now an unassuming accessory, emits a subtle glow. She takes a deep breath, unaware of the latent power coursing through her veins, a stark contrast to her previous vulnerability.

The hot water in a chipped basin becomes a luxury as Yun Ciao cleanses her wounds, the warmth soothing the ache in her battered body. Thoughts of revenge linger, but for now, survival takes precedence. She wraps herself in a coarse, clean robe provided by the inn and collapses onto the simple bed, exhaustion finally catching up with her.

As she drifts into an uneasy slumber, fragmented memories and dreams blend. Visions of the cliff, the old man's sneer, and the lady in purple cloth meld with the present. Yun Ciao awakens with a start, her heart pounding, but she remains oblivious to the latent power of the golden scale.

Morning light filters through the tattered curtains, rousing Yun Ciao to a new day. Rising with a sense of purpose, she navigates the inn's common area bustling with activity. Locals gather for breakfast, their conversations a murmur of daily life.

Downstairs, Yun Ciao spots a weathered map on the inn's bulletin board. Her eyes trace the routes, and a decision solidifies. She must navigate the intricate web of alliances and betrayals in this unfamiliar world, unaware that the golden scale harbors a dormant force within her.

Leaving the Golden Lotus Inn behind, Yun Ciao steps into the sunlight, a newfound resolve etched across her features. The journey ahead is uncertain, and destiny may have dealt her a challenging hand, but she remains unaware of the extraordinary power that accompanies her every step.