The story revolves around Li Chongmao, the youngest prince of the Tang dynasty, who returns to the capital city of Chang'An after spending 7 years in the Chunyang Temple. He is escorted by Xie Yunliu, the Eldest Disciple of the temple. Upon their arrival, they encounter an assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, which they thwart.
Chongmao meets his siblings, including his sister Li Huawan, who is a tomboy and skilled in martial arts. The Crown Prince, Chongmao's brother, is suspicious of Chongmao's return and believes it may be a plot to replace him as the heir to the throne.
Meanwhile, Xie Yunliu is invited to the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, where he meets various characters, including Prince Linzi and Princess Li Huawan. The banquet is interrupted by an assassin who claims to be looking for Xie Yunliu.
Xie Yunliu agrees to meet the assassin, who turns out to be a skilled swordsman named Mu Sa. Mu Sa challenges Xie Yunliu to a duel, but they are interrupted before the fight can conclude. Xie Yunliu promises to meet Mu Sa again at the Fame Sword meeting, a prestigious martial arts competition.
The story sets the stage for Xie Yunliu's involvement in the complexities of the royal court and the martial arts world, as he navigates the intrigue and politics of the Tang dynasty.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
- The text is a transcript of a Chinese historical drama called "The Fate of Swordsman".
- The main character is Xie Yunliu, the eldest disciple of Chunyang Temple, who escorts Li Chongmao, the youngest prince of Tang dynasty, back to the capital.
- Xie Yunliu saves Li Huawan, the princess and sister of Li Chongmao, from an assassination attempt in the forest.
- Li Huawan and Li Longji, another prince, have a secret plan to use Xie Yunliu and Chunyang Temple to overthrow the crown prince Li Chongjun and Wu Sansi, a powerful duke who controls the court.
- Xie Yunliu kills an assassin who tries to kill Li Chongmao in the capital, and feels guilty about it.
- Xie Yunliu is invited to attend the crown prince's birthday banquet, where he meets Wu Sansi and Li Longji, who accuse each other of plotting against the royal family.
- Xie Yunliu is challenged by Mu Sa, a leader of Ming Sect, a rival faction of Chunyang Temple, who wants to test his sword skills before the Fame Sword meeting, a martial arts competition in Hangzhou.
- Xie Yunliu defeats Mu Sa and leaves for Hangzhou with his sword Scarlet Sky, which was given to him by Li Longji.