During this era of Imperial China, the nation had just driven the ruthless Mongols out of its domain. Decades of bloodshed seemed to finally be at an end, and the Son of Heaven once again began guiding his people out of chaos. Yet, despite the establishment of a new regime, threats still loomed from within. Remnants of the invaders and heretics lurked in the shadows, seeking to dismantle what the people had fought so hard to restore.

To address these hidden dangers without inciting unrest, the secret branch known as “Tzong Ming” was established. This division consists of five elite imperial guards, trained from youth with a singular purpose: to protect the emperor. Having lived and trained together for most of their lives, the five share a bond of loyalty as unwavering to one another as to their ruler. They receive their orders directly from the emperor, bypassing intermediaries, and are entrusted with the authority to execute their missions without question.

Operating in secrecy, their swift and precise actions have earned them a reputation for both reliability within the empire and instilling fear in its enemies. The phrase **沧溟** ("Tzong Ming"), which translates to "the vast ocean," symbolizes their nature—calm and serene on the surface, yet possessing immeasurable strength and an undercurrent of danger.

Each member of Tzong Ming brings unique abilities and distinct personalities to the team, making them masters of adaptability in any situation. Their names are inspired by the mythical creatures of ancient Chinese lore, chosen to represent their specialized roles and strike fear into their adversaries at the mere mention of their titles.