Morning sunlight filtered through the crimson curtains of the royal guest palace. Birds chirped sweetly in the garden, unaware that the man sipping tea behind the lattice window was anything but innocent.
Priyanshu Yadav, dressed in white robes embroidered with golden phoenixes, exuded the air of a righteous prodigy. His face was calm, almost saint-like.
But within, the gears of manipulation turned like razors.
Last night, he had accepted the Shadow Pavilion's offer in secret. His status with the Pavilion was hidden even from his system interface—buried deep in encrypted code accessible only through command-level thought.
[Hidden Title Activated: Dual-Faced Emperor]
+10% charisma in public gatherings. +25% efficiency in shadow operations.
As he rose from his seat, a soft knock echoed at the door.
"Enter," he said.
A young palace messenger stepped in, bowing low. "Young Master Yadav, the Grand Oracle requests your presence in the Hall of Virtue. It concerns the Heir Selection Tournament."
Priyanshu's eyes gleamed. "Tell the Oracle I'll be there shortly. Prepare a carriage."
Once alone again, he summoned the system mentally.
"Status Window."
[Name]: Priyanshu Yadav[Realm]: Mid Deity Transformation (60%)[Domains]: Create & Destroy (Incomplete)[Affiliations]: Shadow Pavilion (Hidden), Royal Family of Pritampur[Titles]: Hidden Villain, Dual-Faced Emperor, Hero of the Border War[Inventory]:– Phantom Cloak (Bound)– Plum Blooming Sword– Nirvana Flames (Stage 1 Refined)– Karma Flux Technique (Locked)– Secret Pavilion Scroll (Unread)
He smirked. "Let's go play the hero."
The Hall of Virtue was packed.
Nobles, generals, sect elders—everyone who mattered was present. As Priyanshu entered, all eyes turned. Some filled with admiration. Others with envy. And a few with deep suspicion.
The Grand Oracle, an old man with eyes like burnt silver, motioned him forward.
"Priyanshu Yadav," he said, voice echoing. "Your name resounds across the continent after your overwhelming victory in the last duel. But such power must be tempered by virtue."
Here we go, Priyanshu thought.
"We are assigning every remaining heir candidate a spiritual mission. Yours—should you choose to accept—is to cleanse the Black Lotus Forest of its demonic infestation. Alone."
Murmurs spread.
"That forest is cursed!"
"Even Nascent Soul experts disappear there."
"It's a death trap."
But Priyanshu only bowed with a tranquil smile.
"I accept the mission."
[System Quest Received: Black Lotus Purge]Difficulty: SSSReward (Good Path): +1000 Good Karma, Title "Holy Purifier"Reward (Dark Path): +800 Bad Karma, Unlock Demonic Lotus Seed, Secret Pavilion Advancement**
Two paths. Two rewards. But only one Priyanshu.
Or so they thought.
As the crowd applauded his "courage," Priyanshu's thoughts drifted not to glory, but to the things that hid beneath that cursed forest—and the opportunity they offered for someone like him.
A hero to the world.
A villain in the shadows.
An emperor in the making.