Night fell quietly over the Demon Palace.
Yuchen walked through the corridor with deliberate steps.
The maid from the Central Kingdom was arranging incense near the outer pavilion when he approached.
He made sure his footsteps were loud enough.
She looked up politely. "Young Master Yuchen."
Yuchen stretched casually.
"I'm heading out later tonight," he said in an intentionally careless tone. "Going for a walk beyond the outer ridge. Alone."
Her hands paused for the briefest fraction of a second.
"Alone?" she asked gently.
"Yes," he replied with a small grin. "Don't tell anyone. I don't want to be followed."
A faint bow.
"Of course."
He walked away without looking back.
But hidden within the shadows of a stone pillar—
Li Feng watched everything.
And as predicted—
Ten minutes later, the maid slipped quietly away.
She moved fast.
Too fast for an ordinary servant.
She exited through the rear gate and vanished into the night.
Li Feng's eyes narrowed.
"Just as expected."
The Interception
Yuchen had barely stepped outside his courtyard—
When a hand grabbed his wrist.
Before he could react, he was pulled sharply into a nearby chamber.
The door shut with a heavy thud.
He stumbled—
And found himself pinned against the wall.
Li Feng stood inches away.
"You move too slowly," Li Feng murmured.
Yuchen blinked.
"W–We have to make it believable, don't we?"
Li Feng didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled Yuchen closer, pushing him backward toward the bed.
The moment they fell onto the mattress, the air shifted.
This was not merely strategy anymore.
It was heat. It was breath. It was restraint snapping thin.
Yuchen's heart pounded violently.
"You dragged me in here just to hide?" he whispered, breath uneven.
Li Feng's eyes darkened.
"If you walk outside tonight, you die."
Then his hand slid behind Yuchen's neck.
Their lips met.
It was not gentle.
It was possessive. Heated. Intense.
Yuchen's fingers instinctively gripped Li Feng's robe as the kiss deepened.
Outer robes loosened.
Fabric slipped away piece by piece, falling to the floor silently.
Skin met skin.
Li Feng's mouth traced down Yuchen's jaw, leaving slow, deliberate marks.
Yuchen gasped softly.
"Li Feng…"
"You wanted to act convincingly," Li Feng murmured against his skin. "Then act."
Yuchen flushed deeply — but he didn't resist.
Instead, he pulled Li Feng down with him.
The night stretched long.
Soft breaths.
Muffled sounds.
And outside—
The bait had already been delivered.
The Spy's Failure
Meanwhile, the maid had delivered the message.
But hours passed.
And Yuchen never appeared at the ridge.
From a distance, hidden watchers waited.
No movement.
No target.
The trap failed.
But one thing was confirmed—
The maid was undeniably a spy.
Morning Assembly
At dawn, everyone gathered once more.
Mo Zhu stood calmly beside Li Feng.
Xu Tianming and Mo Yanluo waited attentively.
Yuchen looked… slightly exhausted.
Chenxi raised an eyebrow but wisely said nothing.
Li Feng spoke first.
"It is now certain. The maid is a mole."
Mo Zhu nodded.
"She transmitted the false information immediately."
Xu Tianming crossed his arms. "So we use her."
"Exactly," Li Feng replied.
He looked at Tianming and Yanluo.
"Today, the two of you will depart publicly. Announce that you are hunting demon beasts beyond the western forest."
Yanluo grinned faintly. "Bait again?"
"Yes."
"The maid will report it to Su Yan," Li Feng continued. "And this time, we will follow behind you without being detected."
Mo Zhu's eyes gleamed faintly.
"When they move," he said softly, "we close the net."
Yuchen nodded.
"And capture both Su Yan and the maid."
"Correct."
Xu Tianming gave a firm nod. "Understood, Father."
Li Feng placed a steady hand on his shoulder.
"Be careful."
Elsewhere…
In a distant region—
A black-robed figure stepped out from a dim chamber.
Su Yan.
Her black cloak flowed behind her.
Her eyes no longer wild as before — but cold. Controlled.
The maid knelt before her.
"The previous information was false," Su Yan said icily. "If this one is also false, you die."
The maid trembled.
"No, my Lady. I saw them leave personally. Xu Tianming and Mo Yanluo. Alone."
Su Yan's lips curved faintly.
"Good."
She turned slightly.
"We move."
Behind her, several dark figures stepped forward.
"Eliminate them," she commanded. "The Empress wants those two erased."
The maid bowed deeply.
"As you command."
The Ambush
The western forest was thick and silent.
Xu Tianming and Mo Yanluo walked openly, intentionally careless.
"They're watching," Yanluo muttered under his breath.
"I know," Tianming replied calmly.
Shadows shifted among the trees.
Su Yan and her forces surrounded them swiftly.
For a brief moment—
It seemed like she had won.
Dark chains shot forward.
Energy sealed the air.
Yanluo was pushed back.
Tianming staggered.
Su Yan stepped forward, eyes glowing faintly.
"You should have stayed in the palace."
She raised her hand—
And at that exact moment—
The ground beneath her feet lit up.
Ancient symbols flared in brilliant crimson.
A massive Formation activated.
Energy walls shot upward, sealing the entire battlefield.
Su Yan's eyes widened.
"What—?!"
Mo Zhu stepped out from the shadows, expression calm.
"You walked into our trap."
Li Feng appeared beside him.
Shadow aura spread outward like a tide.
The dark figures accompanying Su Yan attempted to retreat—
But the Formation suppressed their cultivation instantly.
They fell to their knees.
Su Yan tried to break free—
But invisible chains of spiritual energy bound her limbs.
Mo Zhu's eyes glowed faintly.
"Saint-level counter-sealing array," he said softly. "Specifically designed for you."
Su Yan's breathing became uneven.
"You—!"
Li Feng stepped forward slowly.
"This ends now."
For the first time—
Su Yan's composure cracked.
And far away—
In a hidden palace beyond mortal sight—
A woman seated upon a black throne opened her eyes.
"…Interesting."
The Empress smiled faintly.