Azure Light Kingdom.
Within the sacred jade gardens of the imperial palace, where waterfalls sang lullabies and lotus flowers glowed under moonlight, sat Princess Yue Ling, the embodiment of righteousness and purity.
Her hair shimmered like moonlight, her eyes like twin pools of starlight. Dressed in pristine white robes embroidered with symbols of harmony, she radiated a divine aura—so pure that even demons whispered her name with dread.
But tonight, something was wrong.
She stared at the meditation crystal in front of her. It had dimmed slightly—just enough to unsettle her.
"Elder Sister," said a soft voice behind her. It was her younger sister, Yue Yin, eyes filled with worry. "The divine compass quivered three times tonight. Master Yuelan says it means a great disaster is approaching."
Yue Ling nodded gently, her expression serene. "Yes. I can feel it too. A shadow is descending… but it's unlike anything I've faced before."
Elsewhere in the city, inside a grand library built by the sages of old, a young man dressed in simple gray scholar robes gently placed a book back on its shelf. His face was calm, expression unreadable—like the surface of a mirror reflecting only what he wanted others to see.
It was Priyanshu Yadav.
Or rather, "Lin Mu," the identity he wore for this infiltration.
The librarian nodded politely at him. "You're the new scholar from the Southern Provinces, yes? You've been spending a lot of time in the Light Doctrine archives."
Lin Mu smiled gently. "Knowledge brings clarity. And clarity prevents mistakes."
The librarian laughed. "Wise words! You should meet our princess. She values such wisdom."
He already had that planned.
The Hidden Villain didn't knock on the front door. He slipped in through windows of trust and understanding, only to stab the heart from within.
A few days later.
The Imperial Temple.
Priyanshu knelt before the statue of the Celestial Phoenix, offering incense like any other scholar. His aura was perfectly ordinary—humble, devout, sincere.
He didn't approach Yue Ling. He let her see him first.
She watched him from the temple's upper balcony, intrigued. A mortal with such focus… such composure in the presence of divine pressure?
She descended, her steps light as falling petals.
"You… are new," she said.
He looked up, smiling softly. "Only to this land, not to truth."
Her brow raised. "You speak like a sage."
"I only repeat what I've read."
Their conversation flowed like a gentle stream. She asked of his homeland, his beliefs, his purpose. He answered with humble clarity, weaving truths and lies so seamlessly that even her spiritual senses could not tell the difference.
He never flattered her.
He questioned her views subtly.
Challenged her assumptions gently.
Drew her into debates—not arguments.
Within two hours, she invited him to the palace archives as a guest scholar.
Within three days, she began seeking his presence during her studies.
Within a week…
She smiled when she saw him.
Priyanshu's system blinked.
Corruption Progress – 14%
He didn't rush. He planted seeds.
The puppeteer doesn't pull too quickly.
He waits… for the perfect moment.
And when the princess finally looked into his eyes and said, "I've never met someone who understands me so well,"
He smiled within.
Because the purest light was already stepping into shadow.