Fury in the Forbidden city

Once, a family of esteemed officials dwelled in a tranquil Siheyuan. At that time, Xu Xuan's father and grandfather served as imperial court officials. However, one fateful day, they fell victim to a ruthless assassination. Amidst the carnage, only Ma Xuan survived, his world shattered into a million pieces.

Ma Xuan could never erase that harrowing evening from his memory. As the clock struck the late hours of the night, an eerie stillness blanketed the compound, broken only by a blood - curdling scream. Retainers shouted in panic, "Assassins! Assassins!" Brandishing their weapons, the assailants stormed in, charging through the halls and slaughtering anyone in their path. People fled in all directions, their cries echoing through the chaos - filled air. Desperate to save their son, Ma Xuan's parents hurriedly stuffed him into a wardrobe. "No matter what you hear, don't come out until it's safe," his mother whispered, her voice trembling, before they rushed out to face the danger. From his hiding place, Ma Xuan watched in horror as his parents were mercilessly cut down.

After the brutal killers finally left, a shaken Ma Xuan managed to escape. He found refuge with his grandmother, who lived in a far - off village. In that dimly lit village, his grandmother's humble thatched cottage became his sanctuary. The old woman, with her wrinkled hands and eyes forever damp with sorrow, taught him the basics of survival. During the day, as he toiled in the fields, the gruesome image of his parents' lifeless bodies haunted his every thought. At night, as the rest of the village slept, he lay awake, his mind consumed by thoughts of revenge, carefully crafting plans in the darkness.

As the years rolled by, Ma Xuan grew into a determined young man. Secretly, he began to study the art of combat, borrowing ancient martial arts scrolls from the local temple. Drawing upon the knowledge of literature and strategy passed down through his scholarly lineage, he armed himself with more than just physical strength; he honed his wits and strategic thinking. He was well aware that going up against the powerful court officials who had destroyed his family required a far more calculated approach than mere brute force.

Ma Xuan delved deeper into the affairs of the court and discovered just how deeply entrenched his enemies were. They had woven an intricate web of connections and alliances, bribing high - ranking officials and exerting control over key departments. But this only fueled his resolve. He hatched a daring plan to infiltrate the imperial system itself. He dedicated himself to preparing for the imperial examinations, pouring over countless texts and drawing on the knowledge he had painstakingly accumulated over the years.

On the day of the examinations, Ma Xuan's profound understanding of state affairs and his masterfully crafted essays set him apart. He passed with flying colors, earning himself a position as a low - level scribe in the imperial court. From his humble post, he meticulously observed the movements of his enemies, biding his time for the perfect moment to strike. He befriended discontented lower - level officials, slowly but surely forming a small yet loyal alliance.

Then, one day, Ma Xuan stumbled upon a major corruption scandal involving the very officials who had orchestrated his family's downfall. They had embezzled a vast amount of military funds, leaving the frontier troops ill - equipped and vulnerable. Recognizing this as his long - awaited opportunity, Ma Xuan risked everything to gather evidence. He secretly met with informants, piecing together the complex puzzle of their misdeeds.

As he neared his goal, danger lurked around every corner. His enemies caught wind of his investigation and sent a wave of assassins after him. But Ma Xuan was ready. With the help of his allies, he narrowly evaded their attacks time and time again. At a crucial court session, when all eyes were on the emperor, Ma Xuan stepped forward and presented the damning evidence.

The emperor's fury knew no bounds upon learning of the corruption. The once - powerful enemy officials were swiftly stripped of their power and thrown into prison. Standing before them in the cold, damp prison cells, Ma Xuan's eyes blazed with a cold, steely resolve. "You took everything from me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with a lifetime of pain and anger. "Now, it's time for you to face the consequences." And as he watched justice finally being served, Ma Xuan knew that he had avenged his family's tragic fate.