Chapter 15: The Serpent's Coil
The Lian Clan was never at rest. Like a great beast sprawled across the land, it demanded vigilance from every member within. Lian Zhen had already tasted blood and intrigue—his manipulation of Lian Ru had set whispers swirling across the inner halls. But whispers were only the beginning. To consolidate influence, he needed to tighten the coil of his system around those who underestimated him. And the System, as if amused by his growth, was ready to feed him his next challenge.
[System Prompt: Villain Quest Unlocked]
[Quest: Coil the Serpent]
[Objective: Instill fear in a figure of authority without ever raising your hand directly. Reward: 5,000 Villain Points + Unique Skill Upgrade]
Zhen's lips curled faintly as he read the hovering prompt. "Instill fear without lifting a hand? Subtle games again. Just like weaving silk over a blade."
His mind immediately flickered to the inner council of the Lian Clan. There were elders, long-seated in tradition, who mocked the younger generation, and one in particular: Elder Lian Wu, an arrogant, sharp-tongued man who had dismissed Zhen's potential before. Zhen recalled the sneer, the cold laugh—"A boy like you is fit to polish boots, not bear the Lian name."
It was decided. Lian Wu would be the prey.
The council meeting that week was routine. Elders gathered in the jade-pillared hall, voices echoing against stone walls as they discussed trade routes, cultivation resources, and the latest frictions with rival families. Lian Wu sat near the front, his robes a splash of crimson, his long beard stroked arrogantly as he spoke in harsh tones.
Zhen stood near the rear, still officially too low-ranked to take a seat. But his eyes burned with cold intelligence as he watched. He didn't speak. He didn't need to. The Serpent's Coil was already in motion.
That night, a shadowed missive made its way into Elder Lian Wu's private chambers. The parchment bore no seal, no sender's name—only a few chilling words in elegant calligraphy:
"The things you fear in others are now closer than you think. Look into your wine, look into your bed, look into your sleep. The Serpent has coiled."
When Lian Wu read the words, his hands trembled. But pride hardened him. He scoffed, burned the letter, and poured himself more wine. Yet, when he lay in bed that night, the words slithered back into his mind. He tossed, restless, sweat dampening his collar.
[System Prompt: Fear Value Rising +2%]
Zhen smirked from his courtyard, reading the update only he could see. "He thinks he can shrug it off. Let's see how strong that mind of his really is."
The following days brought further whispers. A servant slipped on a wet floor near Wu's study, smashing a jade vase he had treasured. On the same morning, he found a snake skin coiled inside his wine jug—an image of shedding, of silent presence. He shouted, beat his servants, demanded answers. None came.
And every evening, another letter arrived.
"You speak too loudly, Elder. Be careful who listens."
"What you build with words, I can unravel with silence."
"The Serpent has coiled tighter."
Lian Wu's hands shook with paranoia. He began refusing wine, searching his bed, interrogating every servant. His eyes sank with sleeplessness. The proud elder's voice, once booming in the council, grew strained.
Zhen, meanwhile, walked the halls in silence, every step calculated. He met with servants in hidden corners, passing small payments, orchestrating minor 'coincidences'—a missing robe, a misplaced scroll, a rattling in the rafters when Wu entered the hall. Harmless accidents, yet timed so perfectly that they burrowed under the man's skin.
[System Prompt: Fear Value Rising +35%]
[Reward Unlocked: Passive Skill — Whispering Presence (All threats and words you speak linger longer in the minds of others)]
When Zhen read the message, his smile sharpened. This was power. Not the kind that clashed swords or shattered mountains, but the kind that broke men without spilling a drop of blood.
The climax came during the next council meeting. As Lian Wu stood to deliver a report, his voice cracked. He stammered, sweat sliding down his temples. His eyes darted, as if expecting shadows to leap from every corner. The other elders shifted uncomfortably, some exchanging puzzled looks. Whispers rose.
Zhen, standing at the back, finally let his gaze meet Wu's. For the first time, he allowed the faintest smile to tug at his lips—calm, cold, knowing. That single look made Wu choke on his words.
He dropped his jade tablet.
The chamber went silent.
"Elder Wu, are you unwell?" one asked.
Wu's hands trembled as he stooped to pick it up. He muttered something, voice faint, and quickly sat down, avoiding all eyes.
Zhen turned away, his expression smooth once more. But inside, he laughed silently.
[System Prompt: Villain Quest Complete]
[Reward: 5,000 Villain Points + Unique Skill Upgrade]
[Upgrade Obtained: Whispering Presence → Serpent's Aura (Your presence alone plants unease in weaker minds, magnifying fear over time.)]
That night, alone in his chambers, Zhen reflected. This was the art of villainy. No one could accuse him. No one could strike him down. And yet, a once-proud elder now quaked at shadows, his authority crumbling like sand in the tide.
"Fear," Zhen whispered into the still air, "is the sharpest blade."
The serpent had coiled. And it would only squeeze tighter with time.
Author's Thoughts:
This chapter shows Zhen's transition from mere schemer to a villain who can bend authority figures without direct conflict. His growing mastery over psychological warfare sets the stage for even grander moves in the clan and beyond. Next chapter will dive deeper into his growing influence among peers, as well as the first glimpse of rival families sensing the shift in the Lian Clan's balance of power.