"A knife in the dark is more honest than a kiss at court."
— Xie Lan
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[Location: Imperial Martial Academy – Jade Court Garden, Early Morning]
Mist hung low over the courtyard, curling around the crimson peony hedges and white jade benches. Dew glistened on the petals like fresh blood. It was a beautiful place, serene, fragrant, and full of snakes.
Xie Lan stood beneath a crooked plum tree, one hand resting on the cold stone of a lion statue. Behind him, Yue lingered in silence, her white robes speckled with ink from late-night scrollwork.
"Three factions," Xie Lan murmured. "Each with roots deep in the court, but none without rot."
Yue nodded. "The Crimson Wind Sect backs Crown Prince Xie Yan. Their influence at court is absolute. The Black Gold Society controls trade routes—neutral for now. And the Emerald Blade Sect trains most inner court bodyguards."
Xie Lan smirked. "And which one hides the biggest hypocrites?"
"Crimson Wind," Yue said without hesitation.
"Then I'll start there."
> [Main Quest Activated: Poison the Roots]
Objective: Infiltrate Crimson Wind Inner Circle
Sub-Objectives: – Win public duel against a favored disciple – Expose secret ledger of tribute bribes – Turn one Crimson Wind disciple into a spy
Reward: Custom Cultivation Technique (Villain Path Variant – Stage 1)
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[Location: Duelling Arena – Noon]
The marble platform shimmered with heat. Students circled the ring in murmuring clusters, the golden sigil of the Crimson Wind Sect displayed proudly on crimson banners overhead.
Xie Lan stood barefoot, cloak discarded, inner robes tailored to reveal the Cursed Sigil across his collarbone.
Gasps spread like wildfire.
"Is he insane?"
"Showing that mark in public?"
"That's basically suicide."
Zhao Heng stepped onto the platform, smirking broadly. "Back for more, bastard prince?"
Xie Lan flexed his fingers. "Try not to die this time."
> [Side Quest: Publicly Humiliate Zhao Heng]
Bonus Reward: +5 Villain Points, Reputation among neutral students
The bell rang.
Zhao Heng moved first, summoning fire talismans in a swirling pattern. Heat surged.
Xie Lan didn't dodge. He stepped through the flame, Qi swirling.
> [Shadow Lotus Technique – Stage 1: Mirror Step]
He appeared behind Zhao Heng before the embers cooled. A palm to the spine.
Crack.
Zhao Heng dropped.
Silence fell.
> [Mission Complete: Duel Won]
Reputation: +15
Title Acquired: Cold Flame Disciple
Xie Lan turned to the crowd, voice like ice. "Crimson Wind is built on cowardice. Come forward if you think you're braver than him."
No one moved.
Except one.
A girl stepped from the crowd. Pale-eyed, silver-haired, robes with dual sect insignias—Crimson Wind and Black Gold. Her gaze was unreadable.
"I'll fight you tomorrow," she said, voice even. "But today, I'll watch."
Xie Lan's smile sharpened.
> [Target of Interest Flagged: Li Rong, Rank #6 Disciple – Dual Affiliation Suspected]
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[Location: Library of Sealed Records – Midnight]
Lit only by foxfire lanterns, the hidden library was a maze of scroll towers and forbidden tomes. Yue had picked the lock with surgical precision, and Xie Lan followed the scent of cedar ink to a locked cabinet.
> [Villain Tool Acquired: Bone Pick – Opens spirit-sealed locks at cost of Qi]
The lock clicked open.
Inside: a jade ledger with the sigil of Crimson Wind Sect burned into its cover.
Bribes. Names. Tribute paid to silence deaths in border conflicts. Donations embezzled from military temples.
And the signature of Elder Zhuan, current Crimson Wind representative at court.
> [Sub-Objective Complete: Expose Secret Ledger] New Sub-Quest: Deliver Copies to Three Competing Elders Reward: +20 Villain Points, Reputation among political factions
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[Location: Rooftops above Student Dorms – Dawn]
Xie Lan crouched in the shadows, watching as Yue approached a young Crimson Wind disciple named Yan Li. A third-year student. Arrogant. Privileged. But cruel to his own.
Perfect.
With subtle manipulations, forged letters, and Yue's calculated rumors, Yan Li would soon believe that Elder Zhuan meant to sacrifice him as a scapegoat. Desperate, paranoid and ripe for recruitment.
> [Sub-Objective in Progress: Turn Crimson Wind Disciple] Warning: If discovered, credibility among neutral students will drop by 30%
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[Location: Training Yard – Later That Day]
Li Rong found him before sunset.
"You used my name to bait their pride," she said.
"I used your presence," Xie Lan corrected. "Your name baits itself."
Her eyes narrowed. "You want chaos."
"I want clarity," he said softly. "To see who runs when the fire starts."
She regarded him in silence, then tossed him a talisman.
"A gift. Doesn't mean I like you."
> [Item Acquired: Flameveil Talisman – Masks aura to mimic fire-element cultivators]
As she walked away, Yue stepped beside him. "She's watching you too closely. Should I remove her?"
Xie Lan shook his head. "Not yet. Some poisons bloom beautifully."
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