Half an hour later.
Lu Yuan crawled out from the other end of the sewer, appearing beneath the back hall of the Ruins Temple.
He was soaked through, reeking of filth, but the gleam in his eyes was brighter than ever.
*"System, check current status."*
*"Reporting to Host."*
*"You have successfully infiltrated beneath the back hall of the Ruins Temple."*
*"Current available Experience Points: negative 60."*
*"Mission 'Turning the Tables' progress: 50%."*
*"Please continue executing the mission."*
Lu Yuan took a deep breath and adjusted his state.
His current plan was—
1. Quietly infiltrate the back hall and set up an oil trap at the entrance.
2. Create an explosion and take advantage of the chaos to subdue the two sentries inside.
3. Extract information about the Shadow Guild from them, especially anything related to Lu Ming.
4. Reverse-utilize these informants for his own purposes.
The plan was simple, but execution required exceptional timing.
*"System, help me monitor the positions of those two sentries."*
*"Real-time monitoring activated."*
*"Target A is located in the northeast corner of the back hall, currently meditating."*
*"Target B is at the entrance of the back hall, currently dozing."*
One was meditating, the other dozing.
The vigilance of these two was indeed quite low.
*Opportunity.*
Lu Yuan leaped from his hiding spot, activating Shadow Step, transforming into a shadow as he charged toward the hall entrance.
His movements were light as a cat, making no sound.
Before long, he arrived at the entrance of the back hall.
*"Set up the oil."*
He took out three bottles of oil and, following the system's instructions, placed them at three corners of the entrance.
The bottle mouths were slightly opened, the oil slowly flowing to form a semicircular encirclement.
*"Fire starter."*
Lu Yuan took out a fire starter and gently blew on it, sparks jumping to life.
*"Three."*
*"Two."*
*"One."*
*"Ignite."*
The fire starter dropped into the oil.
*WHOOOOSH—!*
A towering flame erupted, instantly blocking the entire entrance to the back hall.
*"What's happening?"*
*"Enemy attack!"*
Two angry shouts came from inside the hall, followed by the sounds of chaotic footsteps.
Lu Yuan didn't hesitate. His figure flashed as he charged into the sea of flames.
*"Target A has lost mobility (blocked by flames)."*
*"Target B is attempting to put out the fire."*
*"Time window: Three seconds."*
Three seconds.
Lu Yuan pushed his speed to the limit.
Shadow Step operating at full power, his figure transformed into a black lightning bolt, arriving behind the sentry who was trying to extinguish the fire in the blink of an eye.
*"Y—"*
Sentry B turned his head in terror, but before he could finish his sentence, Lu Yuan's hand blade had already slashed toward the back of his neck.
*THUMP!*
A dull sound, and Sentry B collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
*"Target B subdued."*
*"System notice: Two seconds remaining."*
Two seconds?
Lu Yuan looked in the other direction.
There, a figure covered in blood was staggering toward him.
It was Target A.
This person's power had reached Body Tempering Stage Seven. The flame trap could only temporarily block him, unable to cause fatal injuries.
*"System, any solutions?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Suggestion: Use the Beginner Energy Pill."*
The Beginner Energy Pill could enhance cultivation efficiency for a short time.
But it wasn't a combat pill, was it?
*"System, what are the effects of the Beginner Energy Pill?"*
*"Reporting to Host."*
*"The Beginner Energy Pill can enhance energy circulation efficiency within a short period."*
*"Specific effects: Energy recovery speed increased by 200%, energy output increased by 50%."*
Energy output increased by 50%...
That meant, at this moment, his attack power would surge?
*"Use the Beginner Energy Pill."*
*"Deducting one Beginner Energy Pill."*
*"Current available Experience Points: negative 60."*
*"Effect active: Duration, one hour."*
Lu Yuan took a deep breath, feeling the surging energy within his body.
A sense of power unlike any before.
He raised his hand, energy condensing into a sword-shaped blade of solid qi in his palm.
*"Gale Sword."*
This was a sword technique he had mastered in his past life. Though it was only at the "Mastered" level now, under the boost of energy, its power was sufficient to threaten practitioners at Body Tempering Stage Seven.
*"Strike."*
A sharp blade of qi burst forth, carrying an ear-piercing wind as it headed straight for Target A's throat.
*"N—"*
Target A tried to dodge, but the injuries from the flame trap had severely affected his speed.
*SPLAT!*
The blade of qi penetrated his body, a wound instantly blooming across Target A's chest.
*THUMP!*
He crashed heavily to the ground, unable to rise again.
*"Battle ended."*
*"System notice: Congratulations on completing the 'Turning the Tables' mission."*
*"Mission reward: 300 Experience Points."*
*"Bonus: Shadow Guild Core Intelligence ×1."*
*"Current available Experience Points: 240."*
His Experience Points were finally back in the positive.
Lu Yuan exhaled in relief and walked toward the two sentries he had brought down.
They weren't dead, merely stripped of their ability to act.
*"System, retrieve Shadow Guild core intelligence."*
*"Intelligence generated."*
*"Shadow Guild core intelligence is as follows:"*
*"Organization background: The Shadow Guild is a mysterious assassin organization, founder unknown."*
*"Organization structure: Divided into three tiers. The base tier consists of ordinary assassins, the middle tier elite assassins, and the top tier 'Shadows.'"*
*"Relationship with Lu Ming: Lu Ming began cooperating with the Shadow Guild two years ago."*
*"Cooperation content: Assassinating political opponents, eliminating dissenters, and—"*
*"Monitoring members of the Qingstone royal family."*
Monitoring members of the Qingstone royal family?
Lu Yuan's eyes sharpened.
Lu Ming's ambitions were even greater than he had imagined.
*"Continue."*
*"According to intelligence, Lu Ming has close contact with one of the Shadow Guild's top-tier 'Shadows'—codename: 'Black Serpent.'"*
*"'Black Serpent' is currently lying low within Qingstone City, responsible for single-line communication with Lu Ming."*
*"Clue: 'Black Serpent' frequently frequents the 'Drunken Fragrance Pavilion' in the West District."*
Drunken Fragrance Pavilion?
That was the largest pleasure house in Qingstone City.
Lu Ming was actually meeting Shadow Guild members there?
*"Anything else?"*
*"Intelligence shows Lu Ming is plotting a conspiracy."*
*"Specific content: Planning to tamper with the bloodline assessment in three days."*
*"Purpose: To make the Third Prince publicly humiliated, and use this as an excuse to exile him."*
*"Exile location: Ruins Star."*
Exile to the Ruins Star...
Exactly the same as in his past life.
Lu Yuan coldly laughed.
He had thought Lu Ming might have some new tricks.
Turned out it was the same old playbook.
*"System, is there any way to stop Lu Ming's plan during the bloodline assessment in three days?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Suggested Plan One: Capture 'Black Serpent' before the bloodline assessment and use him to threaten Lu Ming."*
*"Success rate: Medium."*
*"Suggested Plan Two: Display your abilities during the bloodline assessment, causing Lu Ming's plan to collapse on its own."*
*"Success rate: Relatively high."*
*"Suggested Plan Three: Turn the tables—make Lu Ming the target of public outrage."*
*"Success rate: Unknown, requires more intelligence."*
Three plans.
The first was too risky, likely to alert the enemy.
The second was the most reliable, but also the most passive.
The third...
Lu Yuan stroked his chin, a smile curling his lips.
He liked the third.
*"System, can 'Black Serpent's specific location be determined?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"'Black Serpent' is currently located in the Heavenly Room on the top floor of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion."*
*"Estimated stay: Before tonight's third watch."*
Tonight?
Wasn't that right now?
Lu Yuan checked the sky.
Less than two hours until the third watch.
Enough time.
*"System, can I defeat 'Black Serpent'?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"'Black Serpent's power assessment: Body Tempering Stage Nine, pinnacle."*
*"Host's current power: Body Tempering Stage Four."*
*"Head-on confrontation success rate: 0%."*
*"Using traps and scheming success rate: Approximately 35%."*
*"Utilizing terrain advantages success rate: Approximately 45%."*
*"Comprehensive success rate: Approximately 40%."*
Forty percent.
Not very high, but worth gambling on.
After all, fortunes favored the bold.
*"Let's go."*
Lu Yuan picked up the two unconscious sentries, preparing to leave the Ruins Temple.
These two captives were still useful—could be used to exchange for intelligence, or as bargaining chips.
*"Host, what do you plan to do with these two?"*
*"First, bring them back to the Third Prince's residence."*
*"After questioning, decide their use."*
*"System, also check the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion's layout."*
*"Map generated."*
*"The Drunken Fragrance Pavilion is located on the most prosperous street in the West District, a five-story building."*
*"The Heavenly Room on the top floor is exclusively for VIPs; ordinary people cannot enter."*
*"Only one entrance, located in the main hall on the first floor."*
*"Defensive force: Approximately twenty guards, distributed across various floors."*
*"High-level combat power: The establishment's owner, 'Butterfly,' power assessment—Xuanfu Realm."*
Xuanfu Realm!
Lu Yuan's heart tightened.
The Xuanfu Realm—that was an entire three major realms higher than the Body Tempering Realm!
If he alarmed that woman, he wouldn't have enough lives to survive.
*"System, is there a way to enter the Heavenly Room without alerting Butterfly?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Suggested plan: Use 'Lure the Tiger from the Mountain.'"*
*"Specific plan: Create a disturbance outside the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion to attract Butterfly's attention."*
*"Then sneak in through the back door during the chaos."*
*"Estimated success rate: Approximately 60%."*
Sixty percent.
Much higher than directly breaking in.
*"Good."*
Lu Yuan made his decision.
*"First, return to the Third Prince's residence and interrogate these two captives."*
*"Then—"*
*"Investigate the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion at night."*
---
One hour later.
Third Prince's residence, back courtyard secret room.
Lu Yuan looked at the two sentries bound to the pillars, a playful smile curling his lips.
*"Gentlemen."*
*"We meet again."*
The two sentries' faces were deathly pale.
They never would have thought—the Third Prince who was called a "废物" actually had the power to subdue both of them simultaneously!
*"W-What do you want?"*
One of the sentries asked tremblingly.
*"Simple."*
Lu Yuan walked up to him, his gaze ice-cold.
*"Answer my questions."*
*"If your answers satisfy me—I'll let you go."*
*"If your answers don't satisfy me—"*
His voice suddenly turned chilling and sharp.
*"I'll chop you into seventeen or eighteen pieces and throw you to the wild dogs."*
*"Understood?"*
The two sentries nodded frantically.
*"Good."*
Lu Yuan revealed a "kind" smile.
*"First question—"*
*"What was Lu Ming's purpose in sending you to the Ruins Temple?"*
---
[End of Chapter 5]