Lu Yuan dragged the assassin's corpse to the corner of the courtyard.
He casually covered the bloodstains with dirt and rinsed the ground with well water.
After finishing all this, he sat back at the table and began reviewing today's gains.
*"System, how much Experience Points did I earn today?"*
*"Reporting to Host."*
*"Completed 'Cleaning House' mission. Earned: 200 Experience Points."*
*"Bonus: Shadow Guild Token (added to inventory).".*
*"Current available Experience Points: negative 105."*
*Negative 105...*
Lu Yuan stroked his chin, thinking.
He still owed the system three hundred fifty Experience Points to purchase that body technique manual. Although the store showed he had already "purchased" and "learned" Shadow Step, the system seemed to operate on a "use now, pay later" model.
In other words, he could already use Shadow Step now.
But the owed Experience Points would have to be repaid eventually.
*"System, besides daily missions, are there other ways to quickly earn Experience Points?"*
*"Method One: Kill mutated beasts or enemies. The stronger the enemy, the more Experience Points."*
*"Method Two: Complete special missions issued by the system."*
*"Method Three: Explore unknown areas and discover hidden secrets."*
*"Method Four: Complete important plot nodes."*
*"Currently executable option: Method Two (refresh special missions). Refresh?"*
*"Refresh."*
*"Special missions refreshed."*
*[Special Mission] Building Reputation*
*Mission Description: Establish initial reputation in the Third Prince's residence, making at least three servants view you with respect.*
*Mission Reward: 150 Experience Points.*
*Bonus: Loyalty Item ×1*
*[Special Mission] Intelligence Gathering*
*Mission Description: Visit the Imperial Library and find records about the 'Abyssal Bloodline'.*
*Mission Reward: 200 Experience Points.*
*Bonus: Unknown*
*[Special Mission] Laying the Groundwork*
*Mission Description: Before the bloodline assessment, find and control one of Lu Ming's spies.*
*Mission Reward: 250 Experience Points.*
*Bonus: Clue to Lu Ming's Weakness ×1*
Three missions.
The first was the simplest, the third the most useful.
Lu Yuan thought briefly and made his decision.
*"System, complete the 'Building Reputation' mission."*
*"Executing..."*
*"Host's current identity is Third Prince. Although living conditions are simple, there are still three servants in attendance."*
*"Please select interaction method."*
Interaction method?
Lu Yuan stood up and walked out of the room.
Outside was a modest courtyard, with a small room in the corner where the servants lived.
He walked to the door and knocked.
*"Come in."*
An elderly voice came from inside.
Lu Yuan pushed the door open.
The room was dimly lit. An elderly man with a hunched back was sitting at the table, sorting vegetables.
Seeing Lu Yuan, the old man froze briefly before hastily bowing.
*"Y-Your Highness the Third Prince!"*
*"No need for formalities, Old Man."*
Lu Yuan walked over and supported the old man's arm.
*"Here's a few taels of silver. Take it and improve your living conditions."*
As he said this, he mentally noted: *"System, does this count as 'interaction'?"*
*"..."*
*"System?"*
*"Detecting friendly interaction between Host and servant."*
*"'Building Reputation' mission progress: 1/3."*
As expected.
A faint smile curved Lu Yuan's lips as he continued: *"Old Man, not many people come to my place these days. You've worked hard lately."*
*"Y-Your Highness!"*
The old man was moved to tears.
*"Serving Your Highness is only right. How dare I accept Your Highness's silver..."*
*"Take it."*
Lu Yuan stuffed the silver into the old man's hand.
*"If you need anything in the future, just tell me."*
*"Y-Yes! Thank you, Your Highness!"*
The old man knelt and kowtowed, his entire body trembling with emotion.
Lu Yuan helped him up, his heart calm.
This was just the first step.
What he wanted to build wasn't superficial respect, but genuine awe.
Let these people know—the Third Prince was not to be trifled with.
After leaving the old man's room, Lu Yuan went to the kitchen and storage room, meeting the other two servants respectively.
The methods were similar—giving silver, speaking kindly, showing "kindness."
But everything he did, he observed their reactions in secret.
Three servants: two women and one man.
The elderly man was the steward, surnamed Zhou, had been here for thirty years. Should be reliable.
The plump aunt in the kitchen seemed greedy, but her eyes were clear—not the type to betray anyone.
The young servant in the storage room was the youngest, his eyes dodging, seeming afraid of something.
Lu Yuan noticed sharply—when that servant saw the silver, a flicker of greed appeared in his eyes.
But there was more fear than anything else.
What was he afraid of?
*"System, check that servant's information."*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Identity: Third Prince's residence servant, named Xiao Gui."*
*"Background: Transferred from Second Prince's residence to Third Prince's residence three months ago."*
*"Inferred identity: Spy."*
As expected.
Lu Ming, Lu Ming, you really don't trust me, do you?
But this is also good—
*"System, the 'Laying the Groundwork' mission can be executed now."*
*"I found Lu Ming's spy."*
*"Execute mission?"*
*"Execute."*
*"Mission target confirmed: Third Prince's residence servant Xiao Gui."*
*"Please select control method."*
Control method?
Lu Yuan revealed a meaningful smile.
*"Of course—"*
*"In a way he can understand."*
---
Nightfall.
In a small room in the back courtyard of the Third Prince's residence, Xiao Gui was hiding under his blanket, trembling all over.
He had seen the Third Prince today.
The "waste" prince, instead of hiding in his room as usual, had actually come out to see them.
Most terrifying was—the look in the Third Prince's eyes.
That gaze, like a beast examining its prey.
*Knock knock knock.*
A knock sounded.
Xiao Gui nearly jumped out of bed.
*"W-Who?"*
*"Me."*
A dispassionate voice came from outside the door.
That voice...
It was the Third Prince!
Xiao Gui scrambled to open the door.
Outside, Lu Yuan stood with hands behind his back, moonlight casting his shadow long across the ground.
*"Y-Your Highness!"*
Xiao Gui knelt, forehead pressed to the ground.
Lu Yuan walked into the room and closed the door behind him.
*"Xiao Gui."*
*"Y-Yes!"*
*"Look up."*
Xiao Gui raised his trembling head, meeting Lu Yuan's gaze.
Those eyes, deep as an abyss, seemed capable of seeing through a person's soul.
*"How much silver do you get a month from the Second Prince's residence?"*
Xiao Gui's face turned deathly pale.
*"Y-Your Highness, I don't understand what you're saying..."*
*"Don't understand?"*
Lu Yuan smiled.
He took out a token from his chest and tossed it in front of Xiao Gui.
The token bore the image of a snake—the Shadow Guild token.
*"This was taken from the assassin who came tonight."*
*"I think you recognize it, don't you?"*
Xiao Gui's face went completely white.
*"I... I only..."*
*"Only what?"*
Lu Yuan squatted down, looking into Xiao Gui's eyes at eye level.
*"Only sent to watch me?"*
*"Or—"*
*"Also preparing to kill me?"*
*"I wouldn't dare! I absolutely wouldn't!"*
Xiao Gui kowtowed frantically, his forehead quickly bleeding from the force.
*"Your Highness, spare my life! The Second Prince ordered me here! He said just to watch you, to make sure you didn't cause trouble..."*
*"Watch me?"*
Lu Yuan stood up, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes.
*"Then the assassin who came today—was also here to 'watch' me?"*
*"I... I don't know..."*
Xiao Gui was too terrified to speak clearly.
*"I really was only responsible for surveillance... I don't know about the assassination... Please, Your Highness, spare me..."*
Lu Yuan was silent for a few seconds.
He was thinking.
Someone like Xiao Gui—whether to kill him or not didn't matter much. The key was—could he be used?
*"System, if I make this spy work for me, what can I gain?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"This individual's value is relatively low, but there is still room for utilization."*
*"Obtainable intelligence: Partial movements of the Second Prince's residence."*
*"Operational space: Reverse surveillance, passing false messages."*
*"Mission reward bonus: If successfully utilizing the spy after completing 'Laying the Groundwork', an additional 100 Experience Points can be obtained."*
One hundred Experience Points.
Better than nothing.
But what Lu Yuan valued wasn't this small amount of Experience Points—it was an opportunity.
An opportunity to plant a spy beside Lu Ming.
*"Xiao Gui."*
*"Y-Yes!"*
*"Do you want to live?"*
*"Y-Yes! Yes!"*
*"Then help me with one thing."*
Lu Yuan bent down and whispered a few words into Xiao Gui's ear.
Xiao Gui's face changed multiple times, finally settling into a deathly pallor.
*"This... this..."*
*"What? Too scared?"*
*"Not... it's..."*
*"Relax."*
Lu Yuan patted Xiao Gui's shoulder, a smile curling his lips.
*"As long as you cooperate, I'll ensure your safety."*
*"But if you dare betray me—"*
His voice suddenly turned ice-cold.
*"I'll show you what true suffering is."*
*"Understood?"*
*"U-Understood!"*
Xiao Gui knelt on the ground, unable to stop trembling.
Lu Yuan nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave the room.
Outside, the moonlight was like water.
He looked up at the sky, a cold smile curling his lips.
*"Lu Ming."*
*"Your first move—"*
*"Has already been checkmated."*
---
At the same moment, Second Prince's residence.
Lu Ming was sitting in his study, reviewing today's intelligence reports.
*"The Third Prince met with the Second Prince today?"*
*"Yes, Your Highness."*
*"And then?"*
*"The Third Prince acted normally... just looked a bit off, like he'd been overtraining."*
*"Anything else?"*
*"He also gave silver to the servants, seemed to be improving their living conditions."*
*"Giving silver?"*
Lu Ming raised an eyebrow.
*"When did this good-for-nothing become so generous?"*
He thought briefly, then shook his head with a laugh.
*"Forget it, no need to worry about him. A F-rank bloodline good-for-nothing can't make any waves."*
*"After the bloodline assessment in three days, he'll become a complete joke."*
*"By then—"*
*"The Third Prince of Qingstone Kingdom will cease to exist entirely."*
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant palace, a cold smile curling his lips.
*"Father, just wait and see."*
*"How your 'good son' will claim that position, one step at a time."*
---
[End of Chapter 3]