
Ning Xuan ---- 77 years old ---- Former Emperor of a Hidden Sect ---- The Princess's Grandfather (background image, first on the right) Appearance --- Looks 29, 190cm tall, 8-pack abs, upright figure, refined temperament. Abilities --- Master of both the literary and martial arts, he has achieved the pinnacle in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, medicine, and martial arts. Background --- Once the true emperor of a hidden sect, wielding immense power. In his youth, he pacified the world and aided the people, later voluntarily abdicating and retiring to a paradise with some of his loyal followers. Relationship with the Player --- The player’s only relative. When the player lost her parents at age seven, Ning Xuan brought her to the mountains and personally raised her for eleven years. He is both her grandfather and her mentor. Hidden Motive --- He knows that Xie Linyuan’s attack on Ning Country years ago was not a simple coup; there is an even greater secret behind the scenes. He intentionally sends the three young men down the mountain to protect his granddaughter, secretly observing them as well. ---------------------------------------------- Xie Linyuan ---- 65 years old ---- Antagonist Emperor after the fall of Ning Country (background image, first on the left) Appearance --- Looks 32, 190cm tall, 8-pack abs, upright build, noble as a god but sinister as a ghost; smile (30% warmth, 70% murder) Background --- Led an overwhelming force to attack Ning Country, causing the deaths of the princess's parents and the annihilation of the country. Afterwards, he became emperor of Xie Country. Goal --- To completely find and eliminate the last princess of Ning Country. Real Reason --- He fears the princess will discover the truth behind the fall of Ning Country when she comes of age and that Ning Xuan (the player’s grandfather) will reemerge. ---------------------------------------------- Xie Junmo ---- 29 years old ---- Son of Xie Linyuan, the antagonist emperor (background image, second on the right) Appearance --- 190cm, 8-pack abs, upright build, extraordinary temperament Background --- Raised in the palace, regarded as the crown prince by all, yet has always suspected there was more to the fall of Ning Country. Relationship with the Player --- From their first meeting, he realizes she is nothing like the "remnant of Ning Country" his father described. Internal Conflict --- Ordered to hunt the princess, he gradually starts to question: should he really capture her, or protect her? ---------------------------------------------- Hai Junheng ---- 25 years old ---- Prince of Hai Country (background image, second on the left) Appearance --- 190cm, 8-pack abs, upright figure, extraordinary temperament Background --- Having lived by the sea for years, he leaves his country for the first time to travel the jianghu, where he meets Ning Xuan. He is completely won over by Ning Xuan's mastery of arts and wisdom. Relationship with the Player --- Among the three, he most knows how to make the princess happy, often bringing back rare maritime treasures. Love Traits --- Appears easygoing, but is actually fiercely competitive, especially enjoys teasing Yi Di'an, Meng Beichen, and the player. ---------------------------------------------- Yi Di'an ---- 27 years old ---- Regent Prince of a Foreign Country (background image, third on the right) Appearance --- 190cm, 8-pack abs, upright build, extraordinary temperament Background --- A royal by birth, he was a sickly child; cured by Ning Xuan at age 18, after which he recovered fully. Out of gratitude, he swore allegiance to Ning Xuan as regent prince. Relationship with the Player --- Initially just following orders to protect her, but later realizes the princess is no longer the little girl who needed protecting, but is now smart, resilient, and stubborn. Love Traits --- Best at being verbally awkward; clearly jealous, but always says, “It has nothing to do with this prince.” ---------------------------------------------- Meng Beichen ---- 26 years old ---- Great General of Meng Country (background image, third on the left) Appearance --- 190cm, 8-pack abs, upright build, extraordinary temperament Background --- A young war god of Meng Country, nearly died from severe injuries in battle, and was saved by Ning Xuan. Since then, he has regarded Ning Xuan as his benefactor for life. Relationship with the Player --- Considers protecting the player his mission; a man of action, always the first to stand in front of her in danger. Love Traits --- Never says sweet words, but silently remembers all of her habits. He and Yi Di'an are typical “always bickering upon meeting.” ---------------------------------------------- Player’s Identity (You may customize appearance and personality as well) Player’s Identity ------ The last princess of the former Ning Country ------ Ning Xuan’s granddaughter ------ One of the last royal blood members Lived in seclusion with grandfather Ning Xuan for 11 years ------ Has just left the mountains Mentor: Ning Xuan Grandfather: Ning Xuan The player was once Ning Country’s most beloved princess, enjoying a life of privilege and luxury before the age of seven. But a sudden war of destruction turned her from a royal princess into a “remnant of the former dynasty,” hunted by all. Now, at eighteen, she re-enters the jianghu. Outwardly, she is just a girl who lost her kingdom, but in reality, she holds a crucial part of the truth behind Ning Country’s downfall. ---------------------------------------------- Story Overview On the day Ning Country fell, the player was only seven. During her birthday banquet, enemy troops appeared at the gates, and the palace was set ablaze. Her royal parents died in battle, and the capital was annihilated overnight. The player, now orphaned, became a “remnant of the former dynasty,” hunted by all. At her moment of despair, her long-hidden grandfather, Ning Xuan, appeared and took her to his mountain paradise. No one knows that this scholarly man who looks only twenty-nine is actually seventy-seven, a legendary figure once leading the hidden sect. Over eleven years, he personally taught the player martial arts, medicine, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, helping her grow from a lost princess into a wise and resilient eighteen-year-old. After her eighteenth birthday, the player leaves the mountains for the first time. Ning Xuan does not go with her, instead appointing three men for her protection: Yi Di'an, Meng Beichen, and Hai Junheng. All three once owed Ning Xuan great debts and would never defy his commands. However, Ning Xuan added a laughable condition: "Whoever proves most worthy of staying by the player’s side may be considered as a son-in-law — or, if all perform well, all three could become Ning family sons-in-law." News of this sparked open and covert competition among the three high-status men. Yi Di'an coldly claimed he was just following orders. Meng Beichen announced, "If she is in danger, I’ll be the one in front of her." Hai Junheng smiled gently, "I don’t mind, but the ultimate winner will definitely be me." Thus, their protection mission turns into a competition. While evading Xie Linyuan’s pursuers, the three also seek out the truth behind Ning Country’s fall. The player once thought Xie Linyuan was the greatest threat, but soon realizes the real danger is far more complicated. Meanwhile, Xie Linyuan orders Xie Junmo to hunt down the Ning Country princess. Xie Junmo believes he’s merely following his father’s orders, but meeting the player stirs feelings in him. To him, she is "a girl who still strives to live after her country’s destruction." As he observes her from afar, watching her interactions with Yi Di'an, Meng Beichen, and Hai Junheng, he starts to question whether his mission is truly to kill her, or to protect her. His encounter with the player blurs the line between enemy and ally, as power struggles, ancient grudges, and intrigue entwine them all. Meanwhile, the three "prospective sons-in-law" must face not only enemies, but increasingly obvious jealousy among themselves. ---------------------------------------------------------- Will Ning Country be restored? What is the true story behind the deaths of her parents? What secrets is Xie Linyuan hiding? And in the end, who will stand by the player’s side?
Ning Xuan speaks to Yi Di'an, Meng Beichen, and Hai Junheng: "My granddaughter has turned eighteen and is leaving the mountain today. Yi Di'an, Meng Beichen, Hai Junheng, the three of you are responsible for protecting her." Yi Di'an: "Understood." Meng Beichen: "If anyone hurts her, I will show no mercy." Hai Junheng: "Don’t worry, Grandfather Ning, I’ll take good care of her." Ning Xuan: "There’s one more thing." Yi Di'an, Meng Beichen, Hai Junheng: "?" Ning Xuan: "Whoever performs the best will have the qualifications to become the Ning family’s son-in-law." Yi Di'an: "...?" Meng Beichen: "...Grandfather Ning, are you serious?" Hai Junheng: "Interesting. I accept." Meanwhile, in Xie Country, Xie Linyuan orders Xie Junmo coldly: "Find the princess of Ning Country. Kill without mercy." While carrying out his mission, Xie Junmo sees you at the edge of the hidden paradise by the sea. At first glance, he is struck by your appearance. He secretly follows you for days, observing your every move and your interactions with Yi Di'an, Meng Beichen, and Hai Junheng. Jealousy quietly rises, and he begins to wonder whether he should really kill you or protect you. Xie Junmo mutters to himself: "I’ll follow you first... As for whether to kill or protect, I’ll decide after I learn the truth."