Night settled fast over the Crimson Hollow Range, clouds glowing red from the light of the Blood Moon.
Inside the inner halls, silence ruled. The celebrations had ended, and only the quiet steps of patrols moved between torches.
Lin Qing sat in his chamber, cross-legged before the brazier. The air hummed faintly. Each breath pulled threads of qi through the room, swirling in patterns his Heavenly Insight corrected automatically. It was effortless now—like breathing while thinking.
A knock broke the quiet.
"Enter," Lin Qing said.
Li Chun rushed in, breathless, clutching a sealed jade slip. "Heir Lin Qing! A message from the Shadow Hall—direct from Commander Shen Qiu!"
Lin Qing took it and pressed his spiritual sense into the seal. The jade cracked softly, releasing a projection of runes and voices.
"Mission complete. Three Abyssal Flame envoys eliminated. No witnesses. Marsh secured. Evidence planted: false talismans of the Holy Lands. Locals believe it was internal conflict among righteous sects."
The message burned out.
Li Chun's eyes shone with pride. "The Shadow Hall moved faster than lightning! Even Elder Hei was impressed."
Lin Qing leaned back slightly. "Good. The less noise we make, the safer we stay."
He tossed the shattered jade into the brazier. The fire flared red for a moment, then calmed.
"Li Chun," he said. "Have the relief caravan depart for Sable Ford by morning. Healers, supplies, everything. And make sure they wear the Sect's outer robes, not the blood-marked ones."
"Yes, Heir Lin Qing!"
Li Chun bolted off again, leaving only the faint echo of boots against stone.
---
At the same time, deep under the mountain, the Elders' Council gathered.
Seven figures sat in a circle around a ring of crimson flame. Elder Hei stood in the center, his mask reflecting the firelight.
"The envoys have been handled," Elder Hei said. "The Heir acted swiftly and wisely."
Not everyone looked pleased.
An older woman with silver hair, Elder Zhen Yue, tapped her staff once. "Silence breeds suspicion. If the Holy Lands learn of this, they will think we hid proof of guilt."
"Better suspicion than war," Elder Hei said.
Another voice—smooth and sharp—spoke next. Elder Fang Wu, keeper of the Sect's finances. "The Heir's method lacks spectacle. The Blood Moon has always ruled through fear, not charity. If he continues this 'mercy,' our enemies will forget why they fear us."
Elder Hei's tone turned cold. "Fear is cheap. Results are not."
Zhen Yue's eyes narrowed. "And what if his power grows faster than control? The prophecy spoke of a mirror that breaks the world. Perhaps this time, the mirror will start with us."
"Enough," came Saintess Yao's voice as she stepped into the hall. Her presence silenced the fire itself. "The Heir's actions saved three villages and prevented a crusade. The Blood Moon does not reward doubt—it rewards outcomes."
The Elders bowed, some reluctantly.
Saintess Yao's gaze swept across them. "You fear the prophecy because you do not understand it. I have seen his qi with my own eyes—it holds reflection, not wrath. We will guide it, not cage it."
Elder Hei inclined his head. "Agreed."
The others stayed quiet, each already plotting their own interpretation.
---
By dawn, the sect was moving again.
Lin Qing stepped out into the courtyard, the mountain wind sharp and cold. The outer disciples bowed as he passed; whispers followed him everywhere.
"He broke through at the Blood Altar in one breath."
"They say his eyes shine like silver flames."
"I heard he can see through any technique…"
He ignored them. Rumors were useful; fear was armor.
At the edge of the courtyard, Saintess Yao waited, arms crossed. "The Council met," she said. "You made new allies. And new enemies."
Lin Qing raised an eyebrow. "That was fast. I haven't even had breakfast."
"The Elders are predictable," Yao said. "Half of them worship you already. The other half think you'll doom us all."
"Can't please everyone," Lin Qing said. "What do they actually want?"
"Power," she said simply. "Some will try to tie their factions to you. They'll bring disciples, gifts, and loyalty—all wrapped in chains you won't see."
"I'll smile and pretend I don't notice," Lin Qing said. "It's a skill I've mastered."
Yao smirked. "Good. Keep mastering it. The Abyssal Flame Sect won't sit quietly either. We intercepted a message last night—they've already sent word to one of the Nine Holy Lands. A crusade might still happen."
Lin Qing's jaw tightened. "Then we'll make sure they're too busy fighting each other first."
She gave him a long look. "You're starting to sound like an Elder."
"I'm starting to sound like someone who wants to stay alive."
---
Later that day, Lin Qing visited the Sect Archives—a vast hall of shelves and glowing scripts that stretched into darkness. Ancient manuals floated in the air, sealed behind light barriers.
He wasn't there for study. He was there to think.
Each step echoed quietly as he looked up at the endless rows. The sect was a living machine—thousands of parts moving in perfect rhythm. He was just the newest piece, accidentally installed in the center.
His hand brushed the Mirror Blood Scripture mark under his robe. The pulse of energy was steady now, calm but deep, like a heartbeat in waiting.
"This power keeps getting stronger," he murmured. "At this rate, I'll run out of excuses to pretend I don't know what I'm doing."
"Then don't pretend," said a voice behind him.
Lin Qing turned. Elder Hei stood there, mask lowered enough to show his mouth—a rare sign of respect.
"You've done well, Heir Lin Qing," Elder Hei said. "The Sect believes in you now. The outer disciples kneel when they hear your name."
"That's nice," Lin Qing said dryly. "I'd prefer they didn't expect miracles on a schedule."
Hei stepped closer. "Miracles are just results that others don't understand. Keep giving them those, and even Heaven will hesitate to interfere."
"I don't know if I'm the kind of miracle they wanted," Lin Qing said quietly.
"Then become the one they need," Elder Hei replied. "Or they'll make one out of your corpse."
He left without another word.
That night, the sky turned dark crimson. The Blood Moon pulsed like a living heart.
Lin Qing stood on his balcony, looking out over the glowing sect. Every light in the valley bowed toward the mountain peak.
The world was watching now—sects, clans, and heavens alike.
And somewhere beyond the horizon, the first rumors spread:
The Blood Moon Heir has awakened. The Mirror Emperor walks again.