Chapter 17: The Swift Blade Beneath the Moonlight

A chilling sensation surged from Second Fool’s abdomen, spreading through his body and reaching the crown of his head.  

In an instant, the burning desire and obsessive infatuation he felt for Liu Ling’er dissipated, leaving no trace.  

Standing in the dim corridor, Second Fool’s mind cleared, and his eyes regained focus.  

He saw Lian’er holding a glowing amulet in her right hand, pressing it firmly against his abdomen. Her delicate face was cold and unyielding.  

“I… What… What happened?” Second Fool stammered, suddenly grabbing Lian’er’s arms in alarm. “Did… did that vile woman truly rob me of my chastity?!”  

“Filthy scoundrel, get away from me!” Lian’er replied with utter disdain, wrenching her arms free and stepping back to stand by Ren Ye’s side.  

“Wha—?!”  

Second Fool clutched his head in agony as memories surged back, replaying the events of the past two days.  

Pain, regret, shame, and the humiliation of being manipulated by Liu Ling’er flooded his mind.  

“Heavens, what have I done?!”  

With a loud thud, Second Fool dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “Your Highness, kill me! I’ve wronged you terribly. I failed to resist that enchantress’s temptations. I lied… Yesterday, at Spring Fragrance Garden, she didn’t use lightness techniques; she bewitched me and dragged me into the woods!”  

A few paces away, Ren Ye observed him with a solemn expression and asked in a grave tone, “Did she have accomplices? Did you meet her again today? Did she possess any artifacts? And in the palace this evening, did you truly set up traps as you claimed?”  

“Sob…!”  

Second Fool was utterly devastated, crying like a child filled with remorse. Without hesitation, he answered, “I don’t know if she had accomplices, but when she interacted with me, she was always alone. From last night at Spring Fragrance Garden, I felt as if I was bewitched, consumed by a singular thought… to… be with her. This afternoon, I met her privately under the guise of checking the Royal Guards and revealed everything about the hidden chamber. When she descended into the chamber, she held a scroll—it might have been an artifact. As for this evening in the palace, I did set up traps, but they were meant to be used against you, should my plan fail.”  

“You despicable scoundrel! Slave to your lust!” Lian’er berated him with fierce contempt.  

Ren Ye’s rapid questioning matched what his informants had secretly observed. Second Fool answered quickly and truthfully, indicating that he had indeed broken free from Liu Ling’er’s manipulation.  

Without wasting time, Ren Ye stepped forward to console him, “Even if it had been me, I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t have ended up in the woods too. I spoke with the Princess Consort—there’s a high chance you were under a charm spell. Stand up; I have urgent tasks for you.”  

“Hmph! Even if His Highness entered the woods, he would have seen through her schemes instantly,” Lian’er added with blatant bias.  

Second Fool looked up with a glimmer of hope, summoning his courage. “Your Highness… Do you still trust me?”  

“In this vast royal residence, apart from you and Lian’er, who else can I trust?” Ren Ye’s sharp gaze bore into him. “At the hall entrance, I stationed twelve eunuchs. Go and lead them to guard the doors. Before my mission is complete, no one is to enter.”  

“Even at the cost of my life, I won’t let anyone through!” Second Fool declared resolutely, his expression filled with determination.  

“Go quickly.”  

Second Fool rose to his feet, stubbornly and awkwardly wiping his tears before sprinting toward the hall entrance.  

Ren Ye took the amulet from Lian’er’s hand and hung it around his neck again. “Gather the men. We’re heading to the hidden chamber’s entrance.”  

The amulet, named Tranquility, could dispel fatigue, ward off evil, and break all forms of supernatural charms. It was a gift from the Princess Consort to ensure Ren Ye wouldn’t be tainted by unclean forces during times of spiritual weakness when his Heavenly Pardon Qi waned.  

Ironically, its first use had been to save Second Fool.

…

Thirty breaths earlier.

Liu Ling’er, holding an antique-style lantern in her right hand, crouched before the iron door of the hidden chamber, carefully inspecting the patterns on the door’s surface.

She seemed particularly intrigued by the door, even using her left hand to scratch at the rust.

“Clink!”

Suddenly, an inexplicable sense of dread surged within her. Startled, Liu Ling’er immediately focused her mind to sense her surroundings, only to find that her subtle connection with Second Fool had disappeared.

Huh? Where’s my lapdog?

Did he run off? Or… is he dead?

A chill crept up her spine as she leapt to her feet and ran toward the hidden chamber’s exit.

“Screeeech… Bang!”

The sound of grating metal followed by a loud collision echoed through the chamber—it was the noise of the passage door slamming shut.

Liu Ling’er froze momentarily, then stopped in her tracks. She didn’t rush out recklessly but instead scanned her surroundings.

The dimly lit chamber was filled with shelves stocked with an array of items. Frowning, she grabbed a dossier at random and opened it.

It was blank.

The pages were entirely empty.

Shhh!

She quickly grabbed a second, then a third dossier, only to find them blank as well.

Damn it.

I’ve been set up!

In an instant, Liu Ling’er realized her predicament, but her expression remained calm, showing not even a hint of panic.

Though she hadn’t received formal education or specialized training, Liu Ling’er had survived in society for nearly two decades, encountering all sorts of people and situations.

Drug addicts, gangsters, shady bosses with strange preferences, police, officials—she’d dealt with them all. She’d been detained in holding cells and had even escorted others to places better left unmentioned.

These experiences were far beyond what ordinary people could handle. On top of that, as a Star Gate player for several years, she had faced her fair share of bizarre events.

Thus, in this moment, her mind was sharp and clear. Her thoughts remained unshaken.

What now?

That useless Prince Huai has definitely been replaced—there’s a player working against me. And if they dared to strike, they must have confidence in their plan.

The outside is undoubtedly a trap. With my abilities alone, escaping will be near impossible.

I need reinforcements, and I need them fast.

But how?

After a brief pause, Liu Ling’er grabbed an oval-shaped token from her waist. This item, called a Disc Command, was a tool exclusive to players aligned with the Imperial Court faction. It possessed the mystical ability to transmit messages across distances.

No more hesitation!

Liu Ling’er immediately focused her mind, activating the Disc Command. A faint glow emitted from the token.

“I’m a player from the Imperial Court faction, Liu Ling’er,” she announced clearly, her tone steady. “My identity is a courtesan from the Pleasure Garden. I’ve discovered a hidden chamber in Prince Huai’s Hall of Tranquility with significant information. I’ve already secured an important item—the  blueprints for the former princess’s tomb. It’s connected to the Heavenly Pardoned One and will undoubtedly be crucial later. If any of you from the same faction want to help, now’s the time to decide.”

This was a group broadcast message. Every Imperial Court faction player would receive it. Liu Ling’er didn’t bother hiding her identity, instead opting for full transparency to demonstrate her sincerity.

The Disc Command pulsed faintly before falling silent for roughly three breaths. Then, a voice, indistinguishable in gender, replied, “I’m a player from the Imperial Court faction. Call me ‘Little Wolf Warrior.’ What do you need us to do?”

“I’m trapped in the hidden chamber, caught in Prince Huai’s counter-trap. I can’t get out,” Liu Ling’er answered bluntly.

After this brief exchange, the Disc Command went silent again.

Growing anxious, Liu Ling’er urgently transmitted another message: “If I fail to retrieve the important item, the faction mission will fail, and we’ll all die!”

“I’m not going. I’ll wait and see,” Little Wolf Warrior replied curtly before going quiet.

Moments later, a familiar voice broke through: “If you fail to secure the blueprints for the former princess’s tomb, you’ll meet a fate worse than death.”

It was Old Daoist Xu’s cold, ruthless voice, dripping with menace. Despite his tone, Liu Ling’er breathed a sigh of relief.

There’s still hope.

Though only Little Wolf Warrior had responded, Liu Ling’er knew the other faction players had also received her call. Their silence didn’t necessarily mean inaction.

“I don’t have much time left. If I want to win, I need to act fast!” Without wasting another moment, Liu Ling’er put away the Disc Command and braced herself for a desperate fight.

At the Hall of Tranquility, Ren Ye stood alongside Lian’er and a group of eunuchs armed with crossbows and concealed weapons, forming a tight perimeter around the hidden chamber’s entrance.

“Prepare for action!”

Ren Ye rolled up his sleeves, his eyes bloodshot and face pale, letting out a low roar.

…

At the hour of the Tiger(3-5 AM), stars glittered in the night sky, and the chilly wind cut like a blade.

At Prince Huai’s residence, the front gate of the Hall of Tranquility:

Second Fool had fully “woken up” and was filled with guilt. He and Zhu Zigui were of similar age, having grown up together since childhood. The two were inseparable in their escapades—bullying, indulging in pleasures, and causing trouble.

When the old Prince Huai was alive, he had even treated Second Fool like a son, grooming him as a trusted confidant.

Sigh… Thankfully, His Highness had that amulet, preventing an even greater disaster from happening.

Second Fool felt anxious and deeply remorseful. Standing on the steps with twelve eunuchs, he cautiously scanned his surroundings, his focus heightened.

However, he couldn’t quite understand Ren Ye’s reasoning. Despite being informed that Liu Ling’er had no accomplices, Ren Ye had still assigned him to guard the entrance.

Isn’t this a waste of talent? Sigh, perhaps His Highness’s judgment has reverted to its old level.

What Second Fool didn’t know was that upon entering the Star Gate, Ren Ye received a straightforward notification: the script involved three separate factions. If Liu Ling’er was a player, nearly three days had passed since her entry. She had likely already found allies, prompting Ren Ye to place Second Fool on guard as a precaution.

“Keep your ears sharp. If there’s any noise from inside the hall…!”

As Second Fool began instructing the eunuchs under the lamplight, his ears suddenly twitched. His expression stiffened. “Horses! I hear warhorses!”

“Where?” one eunuch asked nervously, glancing around but seeing nothing unusual.

Second Fool turned toward the outer courtyard of the Hall of Tranquility, his face solemn. “They’re coming… lots of them!”

“Guard Captain Hong… I… I don’t hear anything,” another eunuch stammered.

“Yes, it’s completely silent…”

Thump-thump-thump!

Suddenly, the sound of hooves erupted. The two roads leading to the courtyard of the Hall of Tranquility shook violently, a murderous aura quickly enveloping the area.

“Qingzhou Guards are here to protect His Highness! All unauthorized persons, leave immediately!”

The Qingzhou Guards’ banners fluttered outside the courtyard walls as their commander barked orders. The Royal Guard soldiers stationed nearby watched over a hundred armored cavalry gallop past, kicking up a cloud of dust.

“Whoa!”

The horsemen halted abruptly, and a tall, burly general clad in silver armor with a steel blade at his waist dismounted. Striding toward the hall with the swiftness of the wind, he kicked open the heavy red-lacquered doors with a single blow.

This was Zhong Kuishan, the commander of the Qingzhou Guards in Qingliang Prefecture. He had served under the old Prince Huai for over a decade but had ultimately pledged loyalty to the imperial court.

Stepping into the courtyard, Zhong Kuishan tilted his head back and shouted, “I’ve received intelligence that someone has broken into the Hall of Tranquility tonight with the intent to assassinate Prince Huai! Unauthorized persons, stand down. I will lead my men to protect His Highness!”

His voice echoed as the hundred Qingzhou Guards behind him drew their steel blades, stepping forward in unison.

The synchronized motion and sharp blades exuded an overwhelming killing intent. The oppressive aura swept across the platform like an invisible tidal wave, causing the eunuchs behind Second Fool to tremble uncontrollably, their legs weak.

Swish! Swish!

Before Zhong Kuishan’s voice fully faded, the sound of swift movements arose from the high walls surrounding the courtyard. Over forty men clad in black robes, with pythons engraved on their sabers and silver crowns on their heads, appeared like phantoms atop the walls, standing motionless.

“Heh, what a coincidence. I also received intelligence about intruders at the Hall of Tranquility tonight.”

A man in a silver robe embroidered with twin pythons floated just above the shadow wall, his gaze sharp and arrogant. “As the commander of the Secret Intelligence Division, I’m here to join the excitement.”

This man was Wu Asi, the commander of the Secret Intelligence Division in Prince Huai’s residence.

The black-robed men atop the walls were his elite spies.

Seeing the Secret Intelligence Division’s arrival, the eunuchs atop the platform quickly stepped aside, instinctively making way to the entrance of the hall.

At the Hall of Tranquility’s entrance, Second Fool stood alone.  

No one could be blamed for retreating—loyalty wasn’t at play here. They simply didn’t want to die. The Qingzhou Guard and the Secret Intelligence Division were both ruthless agencies, where lives were worth less than dust.  

Tap-tap-tap-tap…

The sound of urgent hooves shattered the tension as a new group flooded into the Hall of Tranquility’s courtyard. A wave of black-robed officials, led by none other than Chief Historian Li Yan, surged forward with local magistrates and constable soldiers in tow—over a hundred men strong.  

Who could fathom how these officials, dwelling in the town below, had not only rallied such a force but also arrived at the Prince’s manor so swiftly?  

Unlike the brutish warriors, Li Yan addressed the situation with scholarly decorum. Walking alongside Commander Zhong Kuishan, he spoke in a measured tone:  

“I have received word of intruders in the prince’s manor, possibly spies from the southern frontier. Guard Second Fool, stand down and allow us to handle this.”  

“Move aside!” Zhong Kuishan barked, wholly ignoring Second Fool. The towering warrior didn’t waste time with niceties and strode toward the hall.  

Behind him, the Qingzhou Guards unsheathed their blades in unison, ready to march forward.  

Not to be outdone, the Secret Intelligence Division operatives leaped from the high walls like shadows, gripping their serrated blades. Government officials and constable soldiers followed suit, closing in from all sides.  

The situation had devolved into another power struggle—this time, under the guise of protecting the prince, they came armed to the teeth.  

Cold wind brushed against Second Fool’s face as he stood tall on the high platform, his tear-streaked face still damp. With deliberate movements, he raised a hand, tore a strip from his sleeve, and slowly tied it over his eyes.  

The bewitching power of Liu Ling’er’s gaze had left a lingering aftereffect, and he no longer trusted his own sight. Blinding himself helped him focus.  

Once his eyes were covered, Second Fool seemed to achieve a state of profound calm. The world fell silent; even the wind seemed to vanish.  

Thud, thud, thud…

Heavy footsteps echoed. Zhong Kuishan advanced toward the Hall of Tranquility.  

Second Fool remained motionless, his voice low and steady:  

“The prince ordered me to guard this place. No one shall pass.”  

Zhong Kuishan paused for a moment, then scoffed.  

“Your master might not even survive the night. Get out of the way!”  

The air grew still. Second Fool’s posture was relaxed, almost careless, as his hand brushed against the hilt of his blade.  

“Commander Zhong,” he said, his tone flat but sharp, “my blade is swift. If you insist, you will die.”  

The high platform fell silent, the weight of his words settling like a thunderclap.  

Zhong Kuishan’s lips twitched, his gaze flickering over the blindfolded fool. Finally, with a sneer, he called out,  

“He’s colluding with the intruders! Kill him!”  

Clang! Clang!  

The Qingzhou Guards surged forward, blades flashing as they charged up the platform toward Second Fool.  

In that instant, his hand found the hilt of his famed blade, Inviting Moon.  

A flash of cold light.  

A phantom-like movement.  

Second Fool stepped forward to meet the oncoming soldiers.  

Zhong Kuishan, standing five steps away, felt an icy chill sweep over him. Instinctively, he drew his steel saber, his reflexes honed through years of battle.  

Clang!  

The sound of steel meeting steel rang out, sharp and clear.  

Crack… Crack!  

Before Zhong Kuishan could react, his saber shattered piece by piece, its fragments clattering to the ground. His eyes widened in shock.  

Looking down at his chest, he saw his silver armor split apart, his chest cleaved open. Hot blood gushed from the wound, drenching the platform.  

Behind him, Second Fool sheathed Inviting Moon with a fluid motion, his posture as upright as a pine tree.  

One strike.  

Armor shattered.  

Blood spilled from the royal platform in torrents.  

Zhong Kuishan staggered, his expression frozen in disbelief. He collapsed backward, his body convulsing briefly before succumbing to death.  

Second Fool stood firm, his voice cold and unwavering as it echoed through the courtyard:  

“I am a guard of Prince Huai!”  

“I have no other skill but my blade. Step forward, and you will die!”  

The commander’s corpse was still warm as his chilling words rang in the ears of all who heard them.