The night sky over the capital shimmered with stars, but even the heavens dimmed compared to the Moonlight Banquet—a gathering reserved for the elite cultivators, nobles, and hidden powers of the Empire. It was held once a year at the Floating Orchid Pavilion, a palace that hovered above a lake of liquid qi.
Only those who shaped the Empire's future were invited.
And this year, for the first time in its history… the name "Priyanshu Yadav" was written in gold upon the guest list.
Priyanshu sat in his dark chamber, the invitation glowing softly in his hand. He twirled it between his fingers, a knowing smirk dancing on his lips.
"The banquet is where alliances are made, enemies exchange smiles, and secrets bleed in whispers," the System noted.
[Quest Issued: "Mask of the Villain"]Objective: Attend the Moonlight Banquet without revealing your full strength. Win the favor of at least 3 major factions.Rewards: +500 Karma Points (divided based on alignment), [Cloak of the Eternal Schemer], and 2% Empire Control.
Bonus Objective: Seduce a lady of noble status. (Reward: Harem Slot Unlocked.)
"System, you're mixing national intrigue with dating simulators again," Priyanshu chuckled.
[System Response: A true villain knows when to use charm instead of the blade.]
Elsewhere, Lady Xiuying of the Snow Jade Clan sat before her spirit mirror, brushing her moonlight-white hair. Her attendant bowed.
"My lady, the guest list is confirmed. Prince Priyanshu will be present."
Xiuying's cold eyes sparkled briefly. "The one they call the Forgotten Prince?"
"They say he awakened recently and crushed the Southern Bandit Sect in a single day. Some claim he wields a forbidden domain—Create and Destroy."
Xiuying smiled faintly. "Interesting."
At the same time, the Black Lotus Mistress—a woman cloaked in shadows—licked her lips as she read the list.
"The child returns… How delightful."
On the night of the banquet, the Floating Orchid Pavilion pulsed with light. Floating lanterns lit the air, music from ancient zithers swirled around, and immortals in brocade robes strolled on qi-formed bridges.
Priyanshu arrived wearing black silk robes trimmed in obsidian thread. His mask was silver, with lotus patterns etched along the jawline. Every step he took felt light, calculated, noble.
As he entered, hundreds turned.
Some whispered.
Some narrowed their eyes.
Others smiled—especially the ladies.
But none dared underestimate him.
"So that's the ghost prince?"
"He doesn't look dangerous."
"That's the point, fool. That's exactly what makes him dangerous."
As the banquet commenced, Priyanshu moved like a phantom among them—never staying too long, never speaking too much. Yet somehow, in every corner, his presence lingered.
He clinked cups with an elder from the Golden Lotus Sect.
He traded jokes with the fiery heiress of the Vermillion Blade Clan.
He complimented Lady Xiuying's poetry, earning a curious gaze from her icy eyes.
[System Alert: Favorability increased – Lady Xiuying: +20][Seduction Progress: 20%]
[System Alert: Faction Influence Earned – 3 Major Factions Recognized You as "Neutral Rook"][Empire Control Increased: +2.5%]
By the end of the night, Priyanshu stood at the edge of the pavilion, overlooking the lake below. The moon reflected in his eyes.
He didn't need to dominate them tonight.
He only needed them to notice.
"Let them underestimate the rook," he murmured. "By the time they realize, it'll already be checkmate."