The night settled over the capital like a velvet shroud, hiding both beauty and danger. Lanterns flickered along the streets, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to twist with secret intent. Jeng Minh, riding at the head of his small entourage, could feel the chain thrumming in his chest—a low, insistent beat that warned of imminent threats.
Bai Ye's voice cut through the quiet, calm yet edged with warning. "The city sleeps uneasily. This is when the true predators move—those who prefer the darkness, the silent strike, and the hidden dagger. You must be ready for more than a simple ambush."
Feng and Xie Yaling flanked him, their eyes scanning the shadows. Even seasoned generals could sense the tension, but the chain gave Jeng Minh an edge beyond mere perception. He could feel subtle shifts in the air, the faint trace of footsteps on stone, and the suppressed pulse of hidden forces plotting their move.
Their destination was a private residence belonging to one of the Emperor's minor ministers—a meeting arranged under the guise of an alliance discussion. As they approached, Jeng Minh sensed the trap before the building came into view: an unnatural stillness in the street, a row of lanterns casting shadows that didn't align with their sources, and the faint hum of tension in the air.
"Wait here," he whispered, dismounting. The chain pulsed sharply, guiding him through a side alley. Shadows clung to the walls, but he moved with a predator's grace, Zhou Chen's body instinctively responding to each subtle cue.
From the darkness, two cloaked figures emerged, their blades glinting under the lantern light. The chain surged, warning him of their intent and trajectory. Jeng Minh pivoted, spear in hand, letting the chain guide his movements. The first strike came fast, but he intercepted it with a controlled sweep, redirecting the blade harmlessly into the wall. The second assailant lunged, but Jeng Minh's reflexes, enhanced by the chain, allowed him to disarm the intruder with a single, precise thrust.
Bai Ye appeared beside him, silently neutralizing another hidden threat. "They underestimated you," he murmured. "But there are more. The court sends its shadows quickly, and they are patient."
Jeng Minh wiped his spear clean and continued toward the minister's residence. Inside, the atmosphere was deceptively calm. Candles burned on tables, and a solitary figure awaited him, seated with an air of casual authority.
"Lord Zhou Chen," the figure said, voice smooth and chilling. "I trust your journey was… enlightening. But the Empire grows impatient. There are those who wish to test your loyalty."
The chain pulsed violently, almost screaming now, as if sensing the depth of the deception. Every fiber of Zhou Chen's body braced itself, every muscle tuned to the possibility of sudden violence.
"You've orchestrated this?" Jeng Minh asked evenly, eyes narrowing. "Sending assassins under the guise of diplomacy?"
The figure smiled thinly. "A test. And perhaps an introduction to the rules of this court. You are powerful, yes—but power in a battlefield is different from power in a palace. Here, even the smallest misstep can be fatal."
Jeng Minh's pulse synchronized with the chain, feeling its energy feed both his reflexes and his mind. "Then consider this my first step. The vessel awakens, and I am no longer merely a man in Zhou Chen's body. The chain guides me, and my mind leads. Any who strike in darkness will find themselves exposed."
Suddenly, hidden compartments in the walls opened, releasing a dozen more attackers. Jeng Minh moved like a blur, spear flashing in arcs dictated by the chain's pulse. Each movement anticipated the next attack, each strike neutralizing threats before they could even register. Bai Ye and Xie Yaling fought alongside him, and Feng's tactical acumen ensured no flanking maneuvers could succeed.
By the time the room fell silent, the chain's pulse had stabilized, and Jeng Minh stood amidst a scene of chaos, his enemies disarmed or incapacitated. The figure who had orchestrated the attack now knelt, cornered and defeated, their composure shattered.
"You've proven capable," the figure said hoarsely. "But this is only the beginning. The chain… it makes you dangerous beyond measure. And the Emperor will not ignore such power for long."
Jeng Minh sheathed his spear, feeling the chain's pulse calm but still alive within him. "Then let the Emperor come. Let the court's conspiracies unravel. I will walk the path of this warlord—and the vessel will master the chain, no matter the obstacles."
Bai Ye's mask reflected the flickering candlelight. "The first shadows have been revealed, but many more remain. The city itself conspires, and your trials have only begun."
Outside, the capital slept, but the night's whispers carried far and wide. Jeng Minh knew that every street, every noble, and every courtier could be a threat. Yet for the first time, he felt a growing certainty—he was ready to face them all.
The game of shadows had entered its deadliest phase, and the vessel, now awakened and guided by the chain, was beginning to strike back.