Chapter 34 – The Serpent's Fang
The Festival of Lights bathed the city in a soft, ethereal glow. Thousands of lanterns floated upward, painting the night sky with flickering stars. On the palace balcony, Yanyue watched the spectacle, her heart heavy beneath the veneer of calm. This night was meant to symbolize hope and unity, yet shadows stretched long across the empire's fragile peace.
Beneath the surface, the palace hummed with tension. Every smile concealed a secret; every handshake might hide a dagger. The traitor slithered unseen in the halls—a serpent poised to strike.
Lord Jian, Yanyue's closest advisor, sat in his chamber surrounded by maps and scrolls. To the court, he was the embodiment of loyalty: wise, measured, steadfast. But beneath his calm facade lurked a heart poisoned by fear and ambition.
His fingers traced the lines on a map, marking key points of weakness in the palace's defenses—information carefully passed to the rebel faction through secret channels.
Jian's motives were tangled. Years ago, his family had suffered under the empire's harsh justice, a debt he believed unrepayable. Fear of losing his standing, combined with simmering resentment, twisted his loyalty into something deadly.
He justified his betrayal as a necessary evil—believing the rebellion could bring a new order, one that might spare his loved ones from further suffering. But as his duplicity deepened, the line between justification and treachery blurred beyond recognition.
Across the palace, Lin Xue paced silently in the shadows. Her instincts had screamed danger for weeks, every subtle shift in the court's currents pointing toward an unseen poison. Though the festival's lights dazzled, she sensed the serpent's presence near.
She had begun a covert investigation, tracing whispers and intercepting secret messages. It was a perilous game; discovery meant death. Yet Lin Xue pressed on, determined to uncover the traitor before the serpent struck its fang.
In a clandestine meeting with Zhao, Lin Xue shared her suspicions.
"There is a mole, someone within your closest circle," she said quietly. "They have been feeding the rebels intelligence—weakening our defenses and preparing for an attack."
Zhao's jaw clenched. "I will not allow this betrayal to stand. But we must be careful—one wrong move could destroy what little trust remains."
The festival reached its zenith, the palace alive with music, dance, and celebration. Yet beneath the joyous facade, the wheels of conspiracy turned relentlessly.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the revelry.
Chaos erupted as a cloaked figure lunged toward Yanyue, dagger gleaming under the lantern light. The assassin moved swiftly, deadly in intent.
Yanyue's hand flew to the dagger at her side, but the attacker was upon her in an instant. A blur of motion—Lin Xue appeared, intercepting the strike with a sharp kick that sent the assailant sprawling.
Guards rushed forward, seizing the would-be assassin. As the crowd recoiled in shock, Yanyue's eyes met Lin Xue's, a silent vow passing between them: the serpent had revealed itself.
In the days that followed, Lin Xue's investigation intensified. Through careful questioning and covert surveillance, pieces began to fall into place. Secret correspondences, hidden meetings, and unexplained absences all pointed toward Lord Jian.
Confronted with the evidence, Jian's facade cracked. In a tense council meeting, Yanyue faced him directly.
"Your betrayal endangers us all," she said, voice steady but fierce. "Why?"
Jian's eyes darkened. "Because I seek a future where my family is safe. The empire's current path leads only to ruin."
Yanyue's gaze was unyielding. "There is no safety in treachery. You have chosen the serpent's fang—and it will be your downfall."
Jian was stripped of his title and imprisoned, but the damage had been done. The rebellion's plans were partially revealed, yet the scars of betrayal lingered.
As peace slowly returned, Yanyue stood once more beneath the lantern-lit sky. The festival had survived, but the empire remained fragile. The serpent's fang had struck deep—but the Phoenix would rise anew, stronger and wiser.
Cliffhanger:
An assassination attempt rocks the Festival — and the traitor's identity is finally revealed.