Chapter 01
*
In our family, every newborn is matched with a guardian beast by their parents.
Because I was born weak, my parents chose a powerful wolf guardian for me—hoping he could protect me.
But Liang Jun, my wolf guardian, was never content by my side. He was always sneaking off to my sister.
I turned a blind eye to it.
My sister, Sheng Lan, was destined to become the family head. Liang Jun could only benefit from training and experience by her side.
After all, he would one day be my husband.
Family tradition dictates that women marry their guardian beasts. Liang Jun was strong; my father had long intended for him to become my groom.
And Liang Jun never refused.
Since childhood, I believed I would be with him.
So I cherished and cared for him as my betrothed.
Until the day he was injured. When I brought him medicine, I overheard him talking to someone else.
“Why isn’t Sheng Yu here to tend your wounds? She’d be heartbroken to see you like this.”
Liang Jun replied with irritation.
“Don’t mention her.”
My heart ached. The other person pressed on.
“What, you want to change masters? The head has always intended for you to marry Sheng Yu.”
A long silence passed before Liang Jun spoke, his voice cold.
“On the coming-of-age ceremony, there’s a chance to change guardians.”
“When the time comes, I’ll become the most powerful guardian in the family.”
“The strongest guardian always marries the family head. Do you really think someone as sickly as Sheng Yu is worthy of me?”
The medicine bottle slipped from my hand and shattered on the ground.
Liang Jun burst out, sword drawn.
The blade pressed against my throat before he realized it was me.
His eyes widened in shock, then hardened with annoyance.
“What are you doing here?”
I looked up at him, my eyes red and brimming with tears.
Suddenly, the distance between us felt insurmountable.
I remembered all the times Liang Jun looked at Sheng Lan—his eyes bright, full of admiration.
But when he looked at me, it was always cold indifference.
No wonder he never showed me warmth or affection. He had always admired Sheng Lan.
He wanted to be her guardian all along.
The tower of love I had built in my heart collapsed.
I sat alone until sunrise, hating my frail body for the first time.
Sheng Lan and I are twins.
But I was born with a weak heart.
The family physician once said I wouldn’t live past twenty.
Guardian beasts are robust; if one is willing to share their lifespan, I could live a full life.
That was why my parents chose Liang Jun for me.
But if he wants to be Sheng Lan’s guardian, he’ll never share his life with me.
Footsteps sounded as Liang Jun returned at dawn, dew clinging to his clothes.
His back was stained with fresh blood.
I reached out with the medicine, but he slapped my hand away.
“What do you want?” he growled.
Tears fell as I held out the medicine again. “Your wound has reopened. Let me treat it.”
He scowled but silently removed his shirt.
I applied the ointment with gentle fingers.
Liang Jun loved training and sparring, often coming home injured.
Tending his wounds had always been our closest moments—tender and sweet.
But today, it felt final.
I’m fifteen now; Liang Jun has been with me for fifteen years.
He’s always protected me when I was in danger, even if he scowled the whole time.
I realized I truly loved him.
But I forgot—protecting me was just his duty.
There was never any love in it.
With Sheng Lan, Liang Jun was lively and engaged.
Once, when he was badly injured, Sheng Lan treated him immediately.
When I rushed over, I saw him lowering his head to her, seeking her comfort.
He never did that for me.
Every memory felt like a needle in my heart.
Tears fell again.
I laughed at myself.
If Liang Jun doesn’t care, why should I cry?
My heart ached, and I struggled to breathe.
I set the medicine on the table and whispered, “You can go now.”
Liang Jun frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”
My breath grew shallow, and darkness swallowed my vision. I collapsed.
“Sheng Yu! Sheng Yu!” Liang Jun’s panicked voice echoed.
A metallic taste filled my mouth—he’d cut his wrist and was feeding me his blood.
Guardian beast blood has powerful healing properties.
He’s always saved me like this before.
But this time, I turned my head away.
Liang Jun grabbed my face and forced me to drink. “Drink, Sheng Yu! Don’t be stubborn.”
I closed my eyes and let my tears fall.
When I woke, Sheng Lan and my parents were by my bed.
“Are you feeling better?” they asked anxiously.
Seeing them, I burst into tears.
Sheng Lan brought me medicine, her face stern.
She was angry—she knew my heart attack was because of Liang Jun.
“What happened? Sheng Yu’s heart hasn’t troubled her in so long,” my mother fretted.
“It’s because of that—” Sheng Lan began.
“I’ve been staying up too late,” I interrupted, giving her a pleading look.
She sighed but said nothing more.
After my parents left, Sheng Lan took my hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ll never accept Liang Jun. He was chosen for you.”
Just then, Liang Jun entered.
Hearing Sheng Lan, he knelt. “I accept my punishment.”
It was his duty to protect me. My heart attack was his failure.
Family rules dictated thirty lashes.
I shook my head. “He saved me. Let it go this time.”
But Liang Jun insisted. “I accept my punishment.”
Sheng Lan took the whip and gave him thirty lashes.
Throughout, Liang Jun stared at me, his eyes intense.
I didn’t understand his look, so I turned away.
He must hate me for making him suffer again.
Every time I fell ill, Liang Jun was punished.
Once, while tending his wounds, he pushed me away. “It’s your fault! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be whipped!”
I apologized over and over. After that, I tried harder to stay healthy, and he was punished less.
I thought I could make it until our wedding.
I closed my eyes, exhausted.
Liang Jun staggered to his feet.
“Liang Jun, pack your things and move to the side hall.”
He had always slept in the outer chamber to protect me, separated only by a curtain.
Now, I didn’t want him near me.
Liang Jun’s eyes widened. “Don’t regret this,” he hissed.
After he left, Sheng Lan sighed. “Sheng Yu, why do you care so much about a lowly beast?”
I shook my head.
Beasts may be lowly, but love makes them noble.
I gave him my heart; he meant too much for me to let go so easily.
After Liang Jun left, I looked around my room.
Everywhere, there were traces of him.
Flowers I’d picked for him, talismans I’d sewn, little trinkets I’d given to make him smile.
He left them all behind.
He didn’t want my love.
So I wouldn’t want him either.
We fell into a cold war.
He ignored me; I didn’t know what to say.
Every time I wanted to speak, I stopped myself.
Soon, the family’s autumn hunt arrived.
Sheng Lan and I rode with our father to the hunting grounds.
The hunt tested the family’s skills in archery and horsemanship.
This year’s prize was the “Ten Thousand Years Pill”—said to bring the dead back to life.
As the family head, my father had only two daughters.
With my weak heart, I was only there for show.
All the pressure was on Sheng Lan.
Our cousins eyed the family leadership, and tensions were rising.
Sheng Lan was always the best, winning every year.
But this year, our cousin Sheng Feng’s son, Sheng Lie, had a new snake guardian—venomous and dangerous.
Father warned us to be careful.
Sheng Lan nodded, determined.
Before the hunt, she smiled at me. “Sheng Yu, wait for me to win the pill for you.”
I cheered her on.
As I looked down, I saw Liang Jun’s gaze fixed on Sheng Lan’s back—full of longing.
When he noticed me, he scowled and turned away.
My heart ached, but I told myself: when the time comes, I’ll choose a new guardian.
Father taught us to support each other. Sheng Lan always protected me.
I wouldn’t let a beast come between us.
But I didn’t know Liang Jun would betray us.
In the hunting grounds, Liang Jun seemed distracted.
Sheng Lan and her bear guardian charged ahead, bagging nearly thirty prey by noon.
With the outer grounds emptied, Liang Jun suggested, “Let’s go deeper. There’s more game inside.”
Sheng Lan agreed.
The inner grounds were dangerous, but last year, Sheng Lan hunted a snow deer there and won.
I felt uneasy. “Sister…”
Sheng Lan patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
We pressed on.
Suddenly, Sheng Lan shouted, “White tiger!”
A flash of white darted past.
She spurred her horse, her bear guardian transforming to give chase.
If we caught it, victory was assured.
Liang Jun transformed, and I climbed onto his back.
We raced after Sheng Lan.
Soon, we saw her and the bear battling the tiger.
I leaped off, drawing my whip and striking the beast.
The tiger roared and turned on me.
Sheng Lan seized the moment, driving her spear into its neck.
Blood splattered her face.
The tiger charged again, but the bear blocked it.
They fought fiercely; Sheng Lan was a master with the spear.
I fired three tranquilizer darts, and the tiger collapsed.
Sheng Lan checked its pulse. “It’s alive! Sheng Yu, you’re amazing!”
I smiled, proud.
Though weak, I was trained in ranged combat and poison.
I was no weakling.
I looked at Liang Jun. He stared at the tiger, frowning.
He’d always been eager to impress Sheng Lan. Why was he acting strange?
Soon, I had my answer.
“Well done, ladies!” a voice called.
Sheng Lie and his group appeared.
They’d done this before—tried to steal Sheng Lan’s prey.
Last year, he’d lost badly.
I studied him, focusing on the white snake coiled around his wrist.
It looked familiar—like the little snake that often visited my courtyard.
This was the snake Father had warned us about.
Sheng Lie smirked. “Thanks for the tiger. I’ll take it now.”
Sheng Lan’s face darkened. “You dare? I caught it—it’s mine!”
She hurled her spear at his feet.
Sheng Lie jumped back, furious.
Because I was born weak, my parents chose a powerful wolf guardian for me—hoping he could protect me.
But Liang Jun, my wolf guardian, was never content by my side. He was always sneaking off to my sister.
I turned a blind eye to it.
My sister, Sheng Lan, was destined to become the family head. Liang Jun could only benefit from training and experience by her side.
After all, he would one day be my husband.
Family tradition dictates that women marry their guardian beasts. Liang Jun was strong; my father had long intended for him to become my groom.
And Liang Jun never refused.
Since childhood, I believed I would be with him.
So I cherished and cared for him as my betrothed.
Until the day he was injured. When I brought him medicine, I overheard him talking to someone else.
“Why isn’t Sheng Yu here to tend your wounds? She’d be heartbroken to see you like this.”
Liang Jun replied with irritation.
“Don’t mention her.”
My heart ached. The other person pressed on.
“What, you want to change masters? The head has always intended for you to marry Sheng Yu.”
A long silence passed before Liang Jun spoke, his voice cold.
“On the coming-of-age ceremony, there’s a chance to change guardians.”
“When the time comes, I’ll become the most powerful guardian in the family.”
“The strongest guardian always marries the family head. Do you really think someone as sickly as Sheng Yu is worthy of me?”
The medicine bottle slipped from my hand and shattered on the ground.
Liang Jun burst out, sword drawn.
The blade pressed against my throat before he realized it was me.
His eyes widened in shock, then hardened with annoyance.
“What are you doing here?”
I looked up at him, my eyes red and brimming with tears.
Suddenly, the distance between us felt insurmountable.
I remembered all the times Liang Jun looked at Sheng Lan—his eyes bright, full of admiration.
But when he looked at me, it was always cold indifference.
No wonder he never showed me warmth or affection. He had always admired Sheng Lan.
He wanted to be her guardian all along.
The tower of love I had built in my heart collapsed.
I sat alone until sunrise, hating my frail body for the first time.
Sheng Lan and I are twins.
But I was born with a weak heart.
The family physician once said I wouldn’t live past twenty.
Guardian beasts are robust; if one is willing to share their lifespan, I could live a full life.
That was why my parents chose Liang Jun for me.
But if he wants to be Sheng Lan’s guardian, he’ll never share his life with me.
Footsteps sounded as Liang Jun returned at dawn, dew clinging to his clothes.
His back was stained with fresh blood.
I reached out with the medicine, but he slapped my hand away.
“What do you want?” he growled.
Tears fell as I held out the medicine again. “Your wound has reopened. Let me treat it.”
He scowled but silently removed his shirt.
I applied the ointment with gentle fingers.
Liang Jun loved training and sparring, often coming home injured.
Tending his wounds had always been our closest moments—tender and sweet.
But today, it felt final.
I’m fifteen now; Liang Jun has been with me for fifteen years.
He’s always protected me when I was in danger, even if he scowled the whole time.
I realized I truly loved him.
But I forgot—protecting me was just his duty.
There was never any love in it.
With Sheng Lan, Liang Jun was lively and engaged.
Once, when he was badly injured, Sheng Lan treated him immediately.
When I rushed over, I saw him lowering his head to her, seeking her comfort.
He never did that for me.
Every memory felt like a needle in my heart.
Tears fell again.
I laughed at myself.
If Liang Jun doesn’t care, why should I cry?
My heart ached, and I struggled to breathe.
I set the medicine on the table and whispered, “You can go now.”
Liang Jun frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”
My breath grew shallow, and darkness swallowed my vision. I collapsed.
“Sheng Yu! Sheng Yu!” Liang Jun’s panicked voice echoed.
A metallic taste filled my mouth—he’d cut his wrist and was feeding me his blood.
Guardian beast blood has powerful healing properties.
He’s always saved me like this before.
But this time, I turned my head away.
Liang Jun grabbed my face and forced me to drink. “Drink, Sheng Yu! Don’t be stubborn.”
I closed my eyes and let my tears fall.
When I woke, Sheng Lan and my parents were by my bed.
“Are you feeling better?” they asked anxiously.
Seeing them, I burst into tears.
Sheng Lan brought me medicine, her face stern.
She was angry—she knew my heart attack was because of Liang Jun.
“What happened? Sheng Yu’s heart hasn’t troubled her in so long,” my mother fretted.
“It’s because of that—” Sheng Lan began.
“I’ve been staying up too late,” I interrupted, giving her a pleading look.
She sighed but said nothing more.
After my parents left, Sheng Lan took my hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ll never accept Liang Jun. He was chosen for you.”
Just then, Liang Jun entered.
Hearing Sheng Lan, he knelt. “I accept my punishment.”
It was his duty to protect me. My heart attack was his failure.
Family rules dictated thirty lashes.
I shook my head. “He saved me. Let it go this time.”
But Liang Jun insisted. “I accept my punishment.”
Sheng Lan took the whip and gave him thirty lashes.
Throughout, Liang Jun stared at me, his eyes intense.
I didn’t understand his look, so I turned away.
He must hate me for making him suffer again.
Every time I fell ill, Liang Jun was punished.
Once, while tending his wounds, he pushed me away. “It’s your fault! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be whipped!”
I apologized over and over. After that, I tried harder to stay healthy, and he was punished less.
I thought I could make it until our wedding.
I closed my eyes, exhausted.
Liang Jun staggered to his feet.
“Liang Jun, pack your things and move to the side hall.”
He had always slept in the outer chamber to protect me, separated only by a curtain.
Now, I didn’t want him near me.
Liang Jun’s eyes widened. “Don’t regret this,” he hissed.
After he left, Sheng Lan sighed. “Sheng Yu, why do you care so much about a lowly beast?”
I shook my head.
Beasts may be lowly, but love makes them noble.
I gave him my heart; he meant too much for me to let go so easily.
After Liang Jun left, I looked around my room.
Everywhere, there were traces of him.
Flowers I’d picked for him, talismans I’d sewn, little trinkets I’d given to make him smile.
He left them all behind.
He didn’t want my love.
So I wouldn’t want him either.
We fell into a cold war.
He ignored me; I didn’t know what to say.
Every time I wanted to speak, I stopped myself.
Soon, the family’s autumn hunt arrived.
Sheng Lan and I rode with our father to the hunting grounds.
The hunt tested the family’s skills in archery and horsemanship.
This year’s prize was the “Ten Thousand Years Pill”—said to bring the dead back to life.
As the family head, my father had only two daughters.
With my weak heart, I was only there for show.
All the pressure was on Sheng Lan.
Our cousins eyed the family leadership, and tensions were rising.
Sheng Lan was always the best, winning every year.
But this year, our cousin Sheng Feng’s son, Sheng Lie, had a new snake guardian—venomous and dangerous.
Father warned us to be careful.
Sheng Lan nodded, determined.
Before the hunt, she smiled at me. “Sheng Yu, wait for me to win the pill for you.”
I cheered her on.
As I looked down, I saw Liang Jun’s gaze fixed on Sheng Lan’s back—full of longing.
When he noticed me, he scowled and turned away.
My heart ached, but I told myself: when the time comes, I’ll choose a new guardian.
Father taught us to support each other. Sheng Lan always protected me.
I wouldn’t let a beast come between us.
But I didn’t know Liang Jun would betray us.
In the hunting grounds, Liang Jun seemed distracted.
Sheng Lan and her bear guardian charged ahead, bagging nearly thirty prey by noon.
With the outer grounds emptied, Liang Jun suggested, “Let’s go deeper. There’s more game inside.”
Sheng Lan agreed.
The inner grounds were dangerous, but last year, Sheng Lan hunted a snow deer there and won.
I felt uneasy. “Sister…”
Sheng Lan patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
We pressed on.
Suddenly, Sheng Lan shouted, “White tiger!”
A flash of white darted past.
She spurred her horse, her bear guardian transforming to give chase.
If we caught it, victory was assured.
Liang Jun transformed, and I climbed onto his back.
We raced after Sheng Lan.
Soon, we saw her and the bear battling the tiger.
I leaped off, drawing my whip and striking the beast.
The tiger roared and turned on me.
Sheng Lan seized the moment, driving her spear into its neck.
Blood splattered her face.
The tiger charged again, but the bear blocked it.
They fought fiercely; Sheng Lan was a master with the spear.
I fired three tranquilizer darts, and the tiger collapsed.
Sheng Lan checked its pulse. “It’s alive! Sheng Yu, you’re amazing!”
I smiled, proud.
Though weak, I was trained in ranged combat and poison.
I was no weakling.
I looked at Liang Jun. He stared at the tiger, frowning.
He’d always been eager to impress Sheng Lan. Why was he acting strange?
Soon, I had my answer.
“Well done, ladies!” a voice called.
Sheng Lie and his group appeared.
They’d done this before—tried to steal Sheng Lan’s prey.
Last year, he’d lost badly.
I studied him, focusing on the white snake coiled around his wrist.
It looked familiar—like the little snake that often visited my courtyard.
This was the snake Father had warned us about.
Sheng Lie smirked. “Thanks for the tiger. I’ll take it now.”
Sheng Lan’s face darkened. “You dare? I caught it—it’s mine!”
She hurled her spear at his feet.
Sheng Lie jumped back, furious.