[Nanqin] Chapter 1 - The One in a Thousand Years

Located on the border of the Western Desolation, the Bodhisattva Temple is a prison for the five regions East Que, West Desert, South River, North County, and Central Capital. 

Based on the Annals of Cloud States, this place had been the site of the struggle for the five regions over thousands of years, where much blood was shed. Later, a young monk was seen in the bloody battlefield. He was walking in the massive dust storms, chanting sutras for the dead people. Wherever he went, the swords were dropped, and the battles were stopped. On his arrival at the center of the battlefield, the light shone throughout the land of Cloud States. Those people seem to have disappeared, and at the same time, the master of Cloud States sent word that someone had become a Bodhisattva. Since then, the Bodhisattva Temple has been built to imprison the worst criminals from the five regions, in the name of compassion for all sentient beings. 

Thousands of years after its built, the Bodhisattva Temple is known to very few people. It is the source of fear in the hearts of many people. They would rather die than step into the Bodhisattva Temple. 

Today, however, this prison has a group of visitors who should never be here.

A glorious carriage stopped outside the Bodhisattva Temple. From the carriage came down two people. A middle-aged man in turquoise armor with palm-sized green dragons intertwined on both shoulder armors. He is clearly the general of the Green Dragon Army. The woman on his side, dressed in a light green skirt, has black hair and a pair of charming eyes. Her noble temperament implied that her identity is not simple.

As the two dismounted from the carriage, the doors of the Bodhisattva Temple were opened, and the Bodhisattva Temple's warden immediately led the two into the notorious prison.

The woman's eyes were full of shock after she entered the prison. In front of her eyes, it was a gigantic mountain city with enormous buildings. In a serious voice, the general beside her asked: "Warden, where is he?" 　　

The warden, looked no more than forty years old, folded his hands and saluted, "Before you came, I have arranged the meeting. Please come with me."

"Yiyi, watch your words when you see that guy later." The general followed the warden and whispered the woman followed him.

The woman responded softly, with hesitance in her voice, ''Uncle, can he really save my father? "

Nowadays, the relationship between the five regions of Cloud States is becoming increasingly tense. In North County, the only person who can save your father at this moment is him.” The general said.

 Liu Yiyi frowned. She came from a prestigious clan in North County. In order to save her father, she has begged the Green Dragon Army in North County to save him. The Green Dragon Army sent a troop of elite soldiers, but they disappeared without a trace. Liu Yiyi could not imagine any person could turn the tide. At least, the person should not be a prisoner in the Bodhisattva Temple.

At that moment, Yiyi Liu somewhat regretted coming here.

The general felt her mood. He looked at Liu Yiyi and said with a soft tone: “Yiyi, I understand your concern. Did you ever read the Annals of Cloud States?” 

For people living in Cloud States, the only channel to learn news from all five regions is the Annals of Cloud States, which record all major events in Cloud States. With all events and sources of information verified, the Annals of Cloud States are authoritative and every record in it is taken seriously.

The answer so obvious, the general continued before Liu Yiyi could reply, "A year ago, the Chapter of East Que recorded a tragic that a vassal family were almost exterminated. Soon afterwards many clans were investigating for the truth, all investigation results confirmed the same truth: it was true, and it was done by a single person."

Liu Yiyi's eyes light up: "Of course I know it. That man was … Oh, do you mean?" Yiyi could not finish her words. Her eyes were filled with shock. 

The general nod firmly, "The East Que Royal Family has always been overbearing and indulged the vassals. One of the vassals committed a great crime. They were pursued by the man for over a thousand miles and then ... " the general raised his right palm and quickly cut down. 

Liu Yiyi's eyes emitted glow: ''How could the royal family let him alive? " 

"Do you know how much effort and cost the emperor and other vassal families in the Central Capital spent to save his life? If not for this, how could the God of War be imprisoned here? If he cannot do it, I am afraid no one else can save your father this time. " The general finished with a deep sigh. 

Although the warden was walking ahead, and even though the two were talking so softly, he could still hear them clearly with his keen hearing. A smile touched the corners of his mouth. There was no one else who knew the man better than he does. The man, Zhang Nanqin, was nothing but the legend of the legends in thousand-years history of the Bodhisattva Temple.

Arriving to a loft, the warden nocked the door softly, and then gently opened the door. Followed were the general and Liu Yiyi.

For the first time and the only time in many years afterwards, Liu Yiyi saw the man who used to only existed in the Annals of Cloud States.