Prince Huai

Dawn broke, and a hundred ghosts walked in daylight.

A dense mass of ghostly figures stood on the raised platform, forming an arc around Ren Ye as they stared at the officials with hollow, spiteful eyes.

These wronged souls still bore the horrific wounds of their deaths. Some were mangled beyond recognition; others had only half a body left. Countless hanged ghosts hovered in midair, long tongues protruding from their mouths, limbs rigid. Black vapor swirled around them, blotting out the sky and sun. A single glance was enough to make anyone's hair stand on end.

On the platform, Ren Ye had used the arts of yin and yang to throw open Fengdu's ghost gate. The backlash of yin energy left his entire body emanating the aura of a corpse, his eyes blood-red and his cheeks purple-blue.

"Who can tell me where the blade meant to kill me is now?!" Surrounded by ghosts, Ren Ye once again shouted his question at the officials and soldiers.

His shout rang out, yet not one person below dared answer.

The echoes lingered as the officials bowed their heads, each harboring their own thoughts.

Anyone who stepped forward now would be a complete fucking idiot, an outright mole. That useless Prince Huai on the platform was clearly ready to fight to the death.

The way of yin and yang placed the greatest weight on cause and effect. A mortal opening a ghost gate and gathering dead souls in the living world would never be tolerated by the "Heavenly Dao." Prince Huai's challenge could only mean one thing: I'm going to suffer the backlash anyway, so I might as well see who's hell-bent on saving Liu Ling'er and wipe them all out...

Old Taoist Xu's Might Body lay flat as paper on the ground, every bone shattered, even his features no longer recognizable... Who wouldn't fear ending up like that?

Even an adviser serving at the emperor's side had failed to beat that useless Prince Huai. Could they really do any better? Besides, if they stepped forward, the others might not back them up. The power struggle here was far too complicated. Until the very last moment, no one could be certain who their true allies were.

Keeping their heads down was the wisest choice...

Every official had their own calculations, while the soldiers, left without a leader, naturally refrained from acting rashly.

Stillness. Silence.

Ren Ye waited on the platform for a moment. Seeing no response, he walked to the hall entrance, grabbed Liu Ling'er by her bun, and shouted again, "If there is no blade meant to kill me, then I shall execute her!"

Below the platform, Chief Administrator Li Yan's gaze flickered, but he ultimately chose silence.

The Qingliang Prefect, Wu Asi of the Spy Battalion, and the other senior officials lowered their heads even further, refusing to look at Liu Ling'er.

"So this female criminal had no accomplices after all. My lords truly were concerned only for my safety." Ren Ye sneered at the officials, then waved away the servants supporting Liu Ling'er. "Heh, I'm so pleased...!"

The maids withdrew. Facing Liu Ling'er, Ren Ye crooked a finger. "Souls, rise."

Whoosh, whoosh!

The two wronged souls suppressing Liu Ling'er shot out of her body and drifted down into the courtyard.

With the ghosts gone, Liu Ling'er slowly regained consciousness. Surprise first filled her eyes, but she quickly took in her surroundings and spotted Old Taoist Xu's corpse.

It's over. Even he's dead. Impossible. How did that useless Prince Huai do it?

Liu Ling'er's heart sank into despair. She slumped on the ground, unable even to stand. This was the consequence of being tainted by those unclean spirits... It was like recovering from a grave illness.

Ren Ye slowly bent down, staring fixedly at Liu Ling'er's pretty face. He pointed at the officials below the steps and asked, "Take a good look. Do you recognize anyone here? If you do, you can tell me... Perhaps I'll spare your life and let you keep Liu Ji Shan company in the dungeon."

The senior officials below remained perfectly composed at Ren Ye's words.

Kneeling on the ground, Liu Ling'er truly wanted to name a few "accomplices" to save herself, but she simply couldn't. She had only communicated with the player "Little War Wolf" through the Disc Order and had no idea who he actually was.

There were two teammates in this Star Gate who had come with her from the real world, but she couldn't name them. Not even if she died!

Their eyes met. A vicious gleam burst into Liu Ling'er's gaze as she replied very quietly, "I belong to an organization in the real world. You should have heard of it-the Bell Society. Anyone who crosses those people won't have an easy time of it. Wouldn't you agree?!"

The Bell Society? What bullshit organization is that? I've never even heard of it...

Before I fucking came in here, I was still working a sewing machine in prison! What are you trying to say? You want to come after me offline?

Seeing Ren Ye freeze, Liu Ling'er thought he was frightened. "This Star Gate is strange. A lot of organizations are watching it. You won't be able to hide your real-world identity, either. If you make mortal enemies, you won't be the only one in danger. Your family will suffer too!"

At the mention of his family, Ren Ye's hollow pupils abruptly contracted.

He bent a little lower and tilted his ear toward her. "What did you say? Say it again."

"I said your family won't-!"

"You know, before I came in, I was a convict serving time in prison." Ren Ye cut her off without expression, leaning close to her ear and speaking very softly. "I went to prison because two dumb fucks, just like you, wanted to threaten my family and my friends' families. In the end, I fired seven shots into them and blew their heads apart."

Liu Ling'er froze at his words.

"No more questions. I want your head too!!!"

With that, Ren Ye abruptly straightened and swung his sword without hesitation, aiming straight for Liu Ling'er's neck.

Whoosh!

Sword light flashed. Liu Ling'er stared blankly at the edge of the Nation-Guarding Sword. All sound vanished from her ears, and time seemed to stand still...

I'm Liu Ling'er.

To most people, I'm a whore.

For some reason, the instant that blade came swinging toward me, the face of that little brat, that little ingrate, suddenly appeared in my mind.

I lost. I'm about to die...

Little brat, the mother you think is dirty is leaving now. From now on... may the world treat you kindly.

Whooom...!

The sword's shrill rush filled the air. The blade drew closer and closer, never pausing.

Squelch!

Liu Ling'er's head flew through the air and fell to the ground, a trace of reluctance lingering in her eyes as it bounced and rolled down the steps.

Blood spurted from her headless body before it collapsed to the ground with a thud.

There wasn't a shred of pity in Ren Ye's eyes as he watched her. He had never been softhearted. Besides, he had seen far too much of humanity's darkness at the border and in prison. To protect himself, he had to leave no future threats behind.

[Congratulations, Prince Huai. You have successfully killed a player and obtained the Songstress's token, the Spring Breeze Wish-Fulfilling Painting. This token allows you to bring one player into this Star Gate.]

Standing on the platform, he heard the cold notification ring in his ears.

At the same time, players hidden within the prince's residence, below the hall, and far away in the Capital and other regions received a notification from the Startrace Gate.

[Special notice: The Court Faction's scheme has failed, and a player has been killed. Act One, "Hidden Pawn," has ended early. This Star Gate will enter dormancy in ten minutes. All players, please prepare to leave.]

In an inn in the Capital, a woman with a quiet-looking face suddenly felt her heart lurch. Her eyes snapped open, and she thought, Someone died?

On the main road to the Southern Border, a man on horseback murmured in disbelief, "A kill in the first act? This soon?!"

Below the hall, a player hidden among the crowd silently muttered, That woman should've been with the Court Faction. Don't panic, don't panic...!

Ren Ye didn't know what the other players were thinking, but he understood the rules. He still had ten minutes before he would leave the Star Gate.

With that in mind, he slowly descended from the platform, approaching the officials and soldiers alone.

I've already done it, and I've paid the price. So why the fuck wouldn't I root them all out?!

That was Ren Ye's truest thought at this moment. He intended to kill two more people who had stuck their necks out.

Tap, tap...!

In the silent courtyard before the hall, the ghosts stood like statues, watching the officials without moving.

Seeing Ren Ye approach in his direction, Chief Administrator Li Yan couldn't help frowning.

Tap, tap...!

The entire courtyard was so quiet that a pin drop would have been audible. Only Ren Ye's footsteps sounded, striking everyone's hearts like drumbeats.

Half-bent at the waist, the officials stole sidelong glances at the disheveled Ren Ye, their hearts pounding wildly.

They could keenly sense that Ren Ye still wanted to kill.

Just then, Li Yan broke his silence, cupping his hands. "Your Highness, we are ministers of the court, and naturally, ministers of Prince Huai as well. Today's sun has risen. On this busy day, His Majesty has need of us, and Your Highness will still need us too. Isn't that right?"

But Li Yan received no reply.

Ren Ye merely walked slowly toward him, dragging the heavy Nation-Guarding Sword in his right hand, its blade clinking against the ground.

The other officials secretly breathed sighs of relief at the sight, though some players hidden among them quietly prepared to stake their lives on a final struggle.

A moment later, Ren Ye stopped one step away from Li Yan. The Nation-Guarding Sword in his hand glimmered dimly, and murderous intent shone openly in his eyes.

Li Yan slowly straightened his back, then immediately lowered his head. "Celestial Master Xu lost a Might Body today, and Your Highness killed that female criminal with one stroke. The affair at the Tranquil Heart Hall is settled. Isn't this a fine outcome?"

"Heh!"

An exhilaration born of utter exhaustion appeared on Ren Ye's face. He simply smiled at Li Yan and slowly raised the Nation-Guarding Sword.

Whoosh!

At the same time, he lifted his other arm and beckoned, calling softly, "Ghosts within a hundred zhang, obey my decree!"

Above the hall, the ghostly image of the female Taoist wearing a black crown suddenly opened her eyes.

Whoooo...!

A chilling wind rose. The wandering ghosts that had stood motionless on either side of the platform floated into the air together and gathered overhead in an instant.

The hundred ghosts moved through daylight, hovering in the sky as though they had come from the Yellow Springs, bearing down on officials and soldiers alike.

An eerie chill spread, raising goosebumps over the officials' bodies. They dared not look at the wronged souls floating overhead and only watched the seemingly deranged Ren Ye from the corners of their eyes, every muscle taut.

Li Yan gritted his teeth, his composure gone, and spoke in a hurried rush. "Your Highness! Although Wang Jingzhong is dead, His Majesty ordered me to escort his entire family to the Capital for trial. However, before coming here, I already brought Wang Jingzhong's family outside the residence. If Your Highness agrees, you may naturally deal with them yourself. As for the court... I can handle it!"

As his words fell, the Nation-Guarding Sword stopped in midair.

A smile lingered on Ren Ye's face. After a long silence, he spoke in a slightly hoarse voice. "Lord Li, you certainly know when to advance and when to retreat."

"I must obey His Majesty's orders while remaining loyal to Your Highness. It puts me in a difficult position...!" Seeing Ren Ye's response, Li Yan immediately felt reassured, and his posture relaxed considerably.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the smile vanished from Ren Ye's face, and his gaze turned cold and sinister.

With a sharp tap, he placed the sword's tip against Li Yan's official robes, tracing it lightly over his chest. "But I really dislike the way you speak to me."

The surrounding officials, who had begun to relax, suddenly tensed again.

Silence filled the courtyard before the hall.

They stared at each other for a long moment. Looking at Ren Ye's expression, Li Yan suddenly raised his arm with stubborn determination, veins bulging on his forehead.

Smack!

With a crisp crack, Li Yan slapped the blade of the Nation-Guarding Sword aside.

Sweat broke out on the officials' foreheads. Has the chief administrator run out of room to retreat? Is he going to fight?

Thud!

Before they could figure it out, Li Yan dropped to his knees with a thud, stretching his arms fully out as he prepared to kowtow.

"Long live Prince Huai! A thousand years, a thousand thousand years!!!"

Li Yan shouted with his face to the ground, his kowtow flawlessly executed.

"Ha ha ha!"

Ren Ye was briefly taken aback, then burst out laughing. Holding the Nation-Guarding Sword, he turned to look at the other officials and soldiers.

They exchanged glances, then looked at Li Yan kneeling on the ground...

Rustle!

Like a receding tide, the crowd sank down. More than two hundred officials and armored soldiers all knelt and bowed to the ground, shouting loudly.

"Long live Prince Huai! A thousand years, a thousand thousand years!"

"Long live Prince Huai! May his achievements shine through the ages!"

Their cries swept through the Tranquil Heart Hall like waves. The ghosts hovered above their heads before finally dispersing slowly.

"Ha ha, you're quite the model for the court's powerful ministers. You know when to bend and when to stand tall." Ren Ye withdrew his gaze and turned toward the platform. "Wang Jingzhong died for me. It is only right that I protect his family. Now get out, all of you!"

With that, he reached the hall entrance and helped Er Leng up. "I'll have Lian'er personally look after your daily needs later."

"Y-Your Highness, truly?" Though Er Leng was terribly weak, he still hadn't forgotten his obsession.

A short while later, Ren Ye returned alone to his bedchamber, lay on the bed in utter exhaustion, and waited quietly.

After an indeterminate time, light shimmered. He saw a single star appear on the ceiling, then slowly spread into an incomparably radiant gate.

Whoosh!

The surrounding scenery warped, and Ren Ye's body vanished from the bed in an instant, returning to the real world.

The dungeon at Prince Huai's Residence.

Liu Ji Shan, whom Ren Ye had brutally hacked up right at the start, stared at the ceiling in despair, his breath barely a thread...