In the war against the tyrant Chang Zhou, the two brothers played a pivotal role in securing victory. Whenever Chang Hu and Chang Xue unleashed their wrath on the battlefield, the scene was soon littered with corpses—soldiers from the Chang Zhou army and the Song tribesmen—slain by the hundreds, if not thousands.
However, their legendary deeds could not be publicly celebrated, for their family was under a decree of execution extending seven generations. They were condemned by association with the tyrant Chang Zhou's regime. Though Chang Hu and Chang Xue bore no part in their father's crimes, they were still forced to shoulder his burden.
Back then, their father had bowed until his forehead was raw and bloody, begging Minister Li Gaosan for mercy on his sons' behalf. The sight of an old, defenseless man, his forehead smeared with blood and dirt as he wept for the lives of his sons, evoked pity in all who witnessed it. Yet none of it stirred the slightest compassion in Li Gaosan.
When the brothers learned of their father's imprisonment, they rushed to Minister Li's residence to rescue him. Even the most elite of the minister's guards were no match for them; one after another fell effortlessly to the brothers' blades.
Impressed by their prowess, Li Gaosan spared the Chang family from execution—on one condition: the brothers would enter his service.
With no other choice, Chang Hu and Chang Xue agreed, for the sake of their lives and their father's. Satisfied, Li Gaosan secretly relocated the entire Chang family to a remote valley and bestowed upon them a new name: the Shadow Wolves.
From that day forward, Chang Hu and Chang Xue became Li Gaosan's assassins. Whenever their name was whispered, it was clear that Minister Li was in dire straits
"Do not be reckless, Chang Xue," Chang Hu warned. "The fact that Minister Li has summoned us means that this imperial consort is no ordinary woman—certainly not someone he can easily handle on his own."
"A weak, defenseless woman has Minister Li so troubled that he needs to call us in? I'd laugh myself toothless at the thought," Chang Xue replied with mocking scorn.
Chang Hu's expression turned grim as he lectured his younger brother.
"How could a fool like you ever understand? A single woman can bring an entire city to ruin overnight. Countless great men have lost their lives to women throughout history. Never underestimate someone just because she appears to be an ordinary woman. If you do, the one who dies might not be her—but you."
Still brimming with confidence, Chang Xue responded,
"That won't happen to me, Brother Chang Hu. You need not worry."
Chang Hu only shook his head, weary of his brother's cocky bravado. He said nothing more and turned his gaze back toward the procession of carriages, silently awaiting the signal to strike.