The training plaza was dead silent, every eye on him as Jian Hao's accusation hung in the air like a guillotine. "You stole from the sect's garden last night, didn't you? A Low-Grade Spirit Herb, gone missing! Admit it, thief!"
Jian's voice boomed, his white robes practically glowing with righteous fury.
Ling's gamer brain screamed game over. The crowd of disciples murmured, some shocked, others smirking like they'd been waiting for his downfall. The elders on the stone platform frowned, their gazes heavy as lead.
Ling's rusted dagger, tucked in his belt, felt about as useful as a paperclip against Jian's jade-hilted sword.
How did this guy even know about the herb? Was it that girl from the garden, ratting him out? Or just Jian's stupid hero luck?
"Thief? Me?" Ling forced a laugh, channeling every ounce of his old streaming charm.
Back on Earth, he'd talked his way out of bans in game chats. This couldn't be that different, right?
"Come on, Jian Hao, you're the sect's golden boy. Why waste your time on a nobody like me? I'm just an outer disciple trying to scrape by."
The crowd stirred, a few nodding. Ling caught a glimpse of doubt in some faces—outer disciples who knew the struggle.
Jian's eyes narrowed, his hand twitching toward his sword.
"Don't play innocent," he snapped. "The garden guards reported a breach last night, and you were seen fleeing the market!"
Ling's stomach lurched, but he kept his grin plastered on.
"Fleeing? Nah, I was just… taking a midnight stroll. You know, fresh air, clear my head." He shrugged, leaning into the lie. "As for the herb, maybe check your own backyard. You're the one with access to all the fancy stuff, right?"
A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd, and Jian's face reddened. Score one for trolling. An elder, a stern woman with gray hair pinned in a bun, raised a hand.
"Enough," she said, her voice cutting through the noise. "Ling Chen, you will be investigated. Jian Hao, return to your training. This is not a courtroom."
Jian shot Ling a glare that promised murder, but he bowed to the elder and stalked off.
The crowd dispersed, whispering, and Ling let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
He'd dodged a bullet—for now. But the elders' investigation? That was a ticking time bomb.
[Mission complete: Sabotaged Jian Hao's training. Reward: 150 Villain Points, Minor Technique Scroll (Deceptive Aura). Current Villain Points: 450. New mission: Gain an ally in the outer disciple ranks. Reward: 200 Villain Points. Failure: Loss of 100 Villain Points.]
Ling's eyes widened at the system screen flickering in his vision. "Deceptive Aura? Now you're talking," he muttered, slipping away from the plaza before anyone could grill him further.
The scroll's description popped up: A technique to mask your intentions and qi, making you appear weaker or trustworthy.
Perfect for a guy stuck playing the villain.
He ducked into an alley near the outer disciple quarters, his mind racing. Jian was onto him, the elders were sniffing around, and he still had no clue how to survive this death-trap sect.
But that girl from the garden—she'd let him go. Why? If he could figure her out, maybe she'd be the ally the system wanted.
As if on cue, a figure stepped from the shadows. Green robes, high ponytail, and those sharp eyes that made Ling feel like a mouse under a hawk's gaze.
It was her. The girl from the garden. Up close, she was even more striking—pale skin, a faint scar across one cheek, and a smirk that said she knew way more than she let on.
"You're bold, I'll give you that," she said, crossing her arms. "Most people would've run after stealing from the sect. You're out here picking fights with Jian Hao."
Ling's mouth went dry, but he forced his gamer charm back on.
"What can I say? I'm a thrill-seeker." He leaned against the alley wall, trying to look casual despite his pounding heart. "You gonna turn me in, or what?"
She tilted her head, studying him. "I'm Mei Lin, inner disciple. And you're… interesting. Not what I expected from a nobody like Ling Chen." Her smirk faded, replaced by a calculating look. "Why'd you take the herb? Don't lie—I saw you."
Ling swallowed. The system's new Deceptive Aura skill tingled in his chest, like a warm hum begging to be used. Screw it.
He focused, letting the qi flow, and felt a subtle shift, like a mask settling over his aura. His voice softened, eyes locking with hers.
"Look, Mei Lin, I'm not trying to cause trouble. I needed that herb to survive. Outer disciples get nothing but kicks to the face. You've seen it."
Her eyes flickered, softening for a split second. "You're not wrong," she said quietly. "But stealing's a death sentence. You're lucky I didn't report you last night."
"Lucky, huh?" Ling grinned, pushing his luck. "Or maybe you saw my charming personality and couldn't resist."
Mei Lin snorted, but her lips twitched. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just curious why Jian Hao's so obsessed with crushing you." She stepped closer, her voice dropping. "What's your deal, Ling Chen? You're not just some outer disciple trash."
Ling's heart skipped. She was fishing, and he had no idea how much to reveal. The system chimed softly.
[Mission progress: Ally negotiation initiated. Convince Mei Lin to assist you. Success rate: 62%. Warning: High risk of betrayal.]
Betrayal? Ling's grin faltered. Great. The one person who might help him could stab him in the back. He needed her, though—inner disciples had access, info, and power he could only dream of. Time to double down.
"Maybe I'm just a guy trying to rewrite his story," he said, letting a hint of sincerity slip through. "Help me out, Mei Lin. You're an inner disciple—you know how this sect chews up people like me. I just need a chance."
She stared at him, silent for a long moment. Then she sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Fine. Meet me at the training pavilion tomorrow. I'll show you a few tricks to keep Jian off your back. But if you're playing me, Ling Chen, you'll regret it."
Ling nodded, relief washing over him. "Deal. You won't regret this." He hoped he wouldn't either.
She turned to leave, then paused, glancing back. "One more thing. The elders are watching you now. And Jian? He's not letting that herb theft slide. Watch your back."
Before Ling could respond, she vanished into the shadows, leaving him alone in the alley.
His relief evaporated. The system screen flickered again, its warning in bold red.
[Alert: Jian Hao has reported you to the elders. Investigation imminent. Survive the inquiry to unlock next system tier. Failure: Punishment hall or death.]
Ling's stomach dropped. Mei Lin's help was a lifeline, but Jian's accusation was closing in like a noose.
And that betrayal warning? It hung over him like a storm cloud. Had he just made an ally—or signed his own death warrant?