The Li Empire's capital, Heaven's Reach City, was the heart of power in the Xuanhuang Continent. Its golden walls stretched for miles, its towers pierced the clouds, and banners of crimson silk fluttered in the winter wind.
Inside the imperial palace, silence ruled the Hall of Morning Court. The ministers lined both sides, their heads bowed as the emperor read a jade‑bound report in his hand. Beside him, the princes stood in a row, each in ornate robes, their expressions carefully masked yet filled with hidden sparks of rivalry.
The emperor spoke at last, his deep voice echoing across the marble floor.
"Report from the Northern Border. General Mo Han and his Hellfire Legion have exterminated the beast invasion and secured the supply route. Thousands of civilians saved, losses minimal."
A murmur ran through the hall.
"Mo Han?" One old minister said, blinking. "Forgive my ignorance, Your Majesty. I do not recall such a general serving in our armies."
The emperor's eyes narrowed. "He claims to serve under the Border Command Division. I find no record of him either. But the results are real—the border is secure."
Another minister stepped forward, his red robe rustling. "Your Majesty, such feats deserve commendation. To repel a demonic beast wave is no simple victory. We must know who this Mo Han truly serves."
At that, the Fourth Prince, Li Xian, smiled thinly. His voice dripped with false admiration.
"Indeed, Father. The report says the beasts attacked near the exile camp where my useless brother, the Fifth Prince Li Qingfeng, was sent. How strange that the border suddenly stabilises soon after he was thrown away. Perhaps fate has a sense of humour."
Laughter spread through the line of princes—controlled, polite, but sharp like knives.
The Emperor's gaze grew cold. "Enough. Qingfeng is no longer a prince. His crimes remain on record."
Yet, deep behind that iron voice, something uncertain flickered. The old man's instincts told him something about this report was out of balance—too sudden, too clean, too… convenient.
He turned toward the Head of Internal Affairs. "Send an investigator to the border. Learn everything about this General Mo Han. I want no surprises."
"As your Majesty commands."
At the far end of the hall, the Second Prince, Li Rongjie, tapped his finger against his fan. A sharp glint appeared in his eyes. "So, someone new achieved glory at the border? Good. Perhaps we can use him—or erase him—before Father grows fond of him."
"Careful," whispered his older brother beside him. "If that border rat ties back to Qingfeng, Father's anger would fall on you for questioning him."
Li Rongjie smiled faintly. "Then we find the truth first, and Father will thank us later."
The morning court dispersed, but the scent of schemes lingered heavier than incense smoke.
That night, far away at the borderlands, I sat by the campfire, looking up at the endless stars. The others slept—soldiers, demons, and mortals all mingled under the same sky. Yue Zhilan polished her spear under the silver moon while Mo Han drilled his troops on the cliffside.
Suddenly, the familiar voice of the system chimed in my head.
"Ding! Myth System notification: New entity detected showing high loyalty resonance toward the host. Syncing with karmic thread…"
I blinked. "New entity? You mean another summon?"
"Negative. Not a summons. A mortal with an awakenedhumour spiritual bond toward the Host. Checking identity…"
A faint blue image appeared before me—a tall man, about thirty, wearing a scholar's robe, his hair tied up with a simple jade pin. His eyes were sharp yet calm, carrying traces of fatigue and purpose.
[Name: Wen Zixing]
[Age: 31 years]
[Cultivation: Core Formation – Mid Stage]
[Occupation: Strategist/Court Scholar]
[Background Check: Former Imperial Advisor, dismissed for defending the Fifth Prince Li Qingfeng two years ago.]stabilises
[Loyalty: 78 – True Allegiance Confirmed.]
I straightened. "When, Zixing? I remember… he was the only one who spoke up when the court accused me of embezzlement."
Back then, I'd been too focused on clearing my name to notice much else. I'd fallen overnight from prince to criminal, and one voice defended me before the Emperor—but he was silenced by the council and banished.
"System," I said quietly, "what do you mean by 'karmic bond?"
"Host once saved Wen Zixing's life from poisoning at the academy. His loyalty has remained ever since. Current location — Capital City. He felt the Myth System's surge when the Host activated the divine technique and pledged an oath through karmic resonance."
"So he knows I'm alive?"
"Confirmed. He has already begun investigating your exile records. Current mission: to protect the Host's name from political destruction."
I sat still for a moment, staring into the flames. A warmth spread in my chest — not from the fire, but from the knowledge that someone, somewhere, still believed in me.
"Show me his condition," I said. The image zoomed closer.
He was writing under candlelight, his face half‑hidden by stacks of old scrolls. His hands trembled when he wrote, but his eyes burned with determination. On the parchment were words: 'If His Highness lives, then the empire may yet stand.'
Yue Zhilan noticed my silence. "You look thoughtful," she said, resting her spear. "Has the system given you new trouble?"
"Not trouble," I said slowly. "Maybe… hope. Someone in the capital feels loyal to me. A man named Wen Zixing."
Her silver eyes softened. "A mortal who dares to show loyalty across worlds? Then you truly are not forgotten."
The system chimed again.
"Ding! Hidden Quest: 'Threads of Loyalty' unlocked. Objective: Gather ten loyal beings from mortal and divine realms. Current Progress: 3 / 10 (Yue Zhilan, Mo Han, Wen Zixing). Reward: Myth Summon Pool Expansion + Heaven‑Tier Artefact."
So that was the next step—building a foundation not just of power, but of trust.
I gazed at the night sky. Somewhere far away, the Imperial Court was already moving against me. But for every shadow they sent, I now had stars of my own.
Under the soft breathing of the sleeping camp, I whispered to the system, "Tell Wen Zixing to stay hidden. When the time comes, he'll know what to do."
"Message transmitted," it replied.
The fire crackled, casting long shadows on the ground. Yue Zhilan watched them dance and murmured, "Your story is beginning to draw the eyes of heaven again, Ling Chen. Low profile may no longer be possible."
I smiled faintly. "Then let them look. They can stare all they want—until I'm strong enough to make them bow."
And under the endless night, with gods, demons, and destiny itself watching, the first sparks of rebellion quietly began to burn.