[Ding~] New Mission Received: Emperor Jing commands you to proceed immediately to the Southern Marches to secretly receive the Celestial Seer. Bandits infest the roads. Exercise extreme caution, or you'll bite the dust before you know it.
[Ding~] New Mission Received: Master Xu's Special Task: Use Southern Marches venomous vermin to secretly manipulate the target. Substantial rewards upon completion.
[Ding~] New Mission Received: The Emperor commands you to secretly investigate the tomb of the previous dynasty's princess and uncover its connection to the Heaven's Pardon Bearer. Rumors say the ghostly maiden there is devastatingly alluring and yearns to 'cultivate together' with a man of robust Yang essence.
[Ding~] New Mission Received: Investigate the old Emperor's death. Continue secretly aiding Prince Zhu Zigui of Huai. Ensure your identity remains concealed.
"...!"
Throughout Huai Palace, the ten other Players received their directives almost simultaneously. Some needed to deepen their cover, others to act decisively, even venturing far beyond the palace walls. Ren Ye, by lifting the Sovereign's Blade, had irrevocably accelerated the unfolding game.
...
Back within the Hall of Tranquil Thought, Ren Ye stood behind the Prince's chair, the heavy blade now in his grasp. The chamber had fallen silent, the strange phenomena vanishing as quickly as they had appeared.
Did I just get a legendary weapon... this easily? Elation surged through him. He gazed at the sword, eyes blazing. I knew it! I AM the chosen one! The protagonist!
[Congratulations, Heaven's Pardon Bearer. The Sovereign's Blade senses your unique aura and willingly accepts you as its master. However, the Blade's Spirit is missing. You must find it to restore the Blade to its former glory. For now, it is merely sharper than ordinary steel.]
"Seriously?! No special powers? What was all that racket for then?" Ren Ye's excitement deflated instantly, replaced by annoyance. "All that fuss, and it's barely better than a kitchen cleaver?"
So, to get the real power, I need to find this 'Spirit'? Fine. That can wait. Right now, let's see where that passage leads. He turned his attention to the dark opening in the wall, a sense of unease prickling his skin.
Feeling a distinct lack of bravery, he turned to Blockhead. "My loyal general! Go. Down you go."
Blockhead blinked his simple eyes, hesitation plain on his face.
"What? You expect me to scout ahead?"
"Not at all, Your Highness." Blockhead scratched his head. "I'll go. I'd even die for you. But... could you please not make me tend the warhorses? Truth be told... the idea frightens me somewhat!"
This guy really doesn't get sarcasm, Ren Ye thought, mentally facepalming. "Go down. Do well, and I promise... you'll only get female horses."
"Truly, Your Highness?" Blockhead's eyes lit up like lanterns.
"...Yes."
"At your command!" Blockhead's fear vanished, replaced by pure zeal. He practically launched himself into the dark passageway.
Ren Ye waited, the heavy Blade cradled in his arms. Soon, Blockhead's excited shout echoed up: "Your Highness! We're rich! There's treasure down here! Gold, jewels! No traps!"
"Wait here."
Instead of rushing down, Ren Ye exited the main hall into the corridor. "Lotus!"
"Your Highness?" Lotus approached, her smile soft, eyes demurely downcast.
"Turn around," he ordered.
Lotus gave him a curious look but obeyed, turning her back. A familiar masculine scent filled her nostrils. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird, cheeks flushing crimson. She had been intimate with Zhu Zigui before and knew his... peculiar appetites. His urges could strike anywhere, anytime, regardless of witnesses.
Surely... he wouldn't... not here? She tensed as she felt him step close, his hand lightly touching her back. She braced herself, head bowed in mortification.
TUG! A sharp pain stung her scalp.
"Huh? Your Highness... what are you...?" Lotus stood frozen.
Ren Ye swiftly plucked a small lock of her hair, then strode back into the hall. "Dismissed."
Lotus turned, utterly bewildered, touching the spot on her head. He... pulled out my hair? What new... fetish is this?!
Inside, Ren Ye carefully twisted a few strands together and tied them taut across the frames of every door and window – a simple alarm in case someone tried to sneak in while he was below.
Why not use his own hair? Perhaps the cumbersome royal headdress made it difficult. Or maybe... he just didn't want to pull his own.
Satisfied with his makeshift security, Ren Ye finally descended into the passage, lighting torches mounted on the damp stone walls with a flint striker.
...
The flickering torchlight pushed back the gloom as Ren Ye followed the winding steps down seven or eight meters into a small chamber. The room, barely twenty paces across, was crammed floor-to-ceiling with shelves arranged in two rows, leaving only a narrow aisle down the middle. It resembled a clandestine archive. The shelves groaned under the weight of valuables: glittering gold and jewels, ancient scrolls and paintings, alongside weapons and bound dossiers.
Navigating the cramped space, Ren Ye found Blockhead standing before a heavy iron door set into the far wall. "Your Highness! Look! Another door!"
Another door? Inside a hidden vault?
Ren Ye moved closer. The door was ancient and imposing, its surface etched with faded, indistinct patterns like murals. A strip of yellow talismanic paper, marked with crimson symbols, was pasted firmly over the latch. As he neared, an unnatural chill seeped from the door's edges, raising goosebumps on his neck.
"Feels... wrong," Blockhead muttered, his usually robust Yang energy seemingly dampened. "Like it opens onto the underworld."
Cautiously, Ren Ye edged forward, intending to peer through the slim gap.
Sssssssss... The torch flames guttered wildly. The chilling draft intensified, making the talisman flutter. Ren Ye swallowed hard, leaned in, and squinted one eye towards the crack...
BANG!!!!
A tremendous impact shook the iron door from the other side, as if struck by a colossal fist.
Ren Ye stumbled back three paces, heart hammering against his ribs. Blockhead merely flinched before instantly positioning himself protectively in front of his Prince.
CLANK... DRAG... CLANK... The chilling sound of heavy chains scraping over stone echoed from beyond the door.
Woooooooo... A mournful wail seemed to ride the unnatural wind.
"Shit!" Cold sweat beaded on Ren Ye's forehead. He grabbed Blockhead's arm. "Don't approach it!"
[You have discovered a Sealed Chamber. Legend whispers that three different night-watch eunuchs, each during the Hour of the Rat, claimed to see a figure hanging from the main hall's rafters above... a crimson silk noose tight around its neck, its body swaying gently in the candlelight...]
[You currently lack the means to open this chamber. Perhaps the Sovereign's Blade, reunited with its Spirit, could break these seals.]
The Gate's icy voice cut through the dread. Relieved this was part of the task, not random horror, Ren Ye exhaled. "Blockhead, ignore the door for now. Focus on finding the Edict."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Wiping sweat from his brow, Ren Ye turned back towards the archive shelves. As he did, his pupils constricted to pinpricks.
Less than half a pace away, a face materialized from the gloom.
It was ancient, unnaturally pale, framed by lank, greasy hair. Blood wept from vacant eyesockets. Purple lips were twisted in a silent scream. The gender was indistinct, but the raw, venomous hatred burning in its gaze was unmistakable. It stared directly into Ren Ye's soul.
Pure, primal terror seized him. Every hair on his body stood on end. Ice flooded his veins.
CRACK!
Every single torch in the chamber snuffed out simultaneously, plunging them into utter blackness.
"UNFILIAL SPAWN! GIVE ME BACK MY LIFE! GIVE ME BACK MY SOUL!!!"
The shriek tore through the darkness, raw and deafening.