Chapter 40 - The Aftermath of Shadows and Silver Schemes
The banquet hall was eerily silent in the wake of the attack. The once-lavish setting, filled with flowing wine and carefree laughter, was now tainted with bloodstains, shattered tables, and the lingering scent of burnt qi. The assassins had vanished as swiftly as they arrived, leaving behind only the weight of their failed mission.
Wang Li forced himself upright, his ribs screaming in protest. The masked man had been stronger, faster—but Wang Li had survived. Barely.
He turned to his companions. Mu Qingling was still gripping her sword tightly, her breathing labored. Lin Ruoyan was crouched over one of the fallen assassins, trying to examine his robes for clues. Feng Yuling stood still, her icy gaze locked onto Lan Yue, who hadn't moved since the attack ended.
Lan Yue's lips curled into a soft smile. "That was quite the spectacle."
Wang Li narrowed his eyes. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"
She let out a short laugh. "If I did, don't you think I would've stepped aside sooner?"
"Conveniently avoiding the assassination attempt does look suspicious," Mu Qingling snapped.
Lan Yue tilted her head. "Or perhaps I simply don't underestimate those who wish me dead."
Feng Yuling finally spoke, her voice as cold as a winter storm. "Enough. This wasn't an accident, and we all know it." She turned to Wang Li. "Whoever wanted you dead won't stop with this. You need to find out who's pulling the strings."
Wang Li exhaled slowly. He had no illusions about the kind of enemies he was making. If the Azure Sky Sect was involved, then this was far from over.
Then, the doors to the hall swung open, and a group of sect elders entered, their robes billowing with authority. At the front was Elder Yun, his expression unreadable as his gaze swept over the destruction.
"What happened here?" he asked, though it was clear he already knew the answer.
Wang Li stepped forward. "An assassination attempt. The attackers fled before we could capture them."
Elder Yun's gaze lingered on him before shifting to Lan Yue. "Is that so?"
Lan Yue met his eyes with a serene expression. "It would seem someone does not appreciate our delegation."
The tension in the room was thick. It was a battle of words now, and Wang Li knew that if he wasn't careful, he could end up as the scapegoat.
Before anyone else could speak, Bai Ziyan, the Azure Sky Sect's prodigy, stood from his seat. "This is unfortunate," he said lazily. "An attack like this, in the heart of your sect, during a diplomatic event... It raises many questions."
Elder Yun's expression darkened. "Are you suggesting we allowed this to happen?"
Bai Ziyan smiled. "Not at all. But it does make one wonder about security measures... and how an outsider like Wang Li keeps finding himself at the center of such... unfortunate incidents."
Wang Li clenched his jaw.
So that's how they want to play this.
If they couldn't kill him, they would turn the blame onto him.
Lin Ruoyan stepped forward. "You're suggesting Wang Li is involved? That's ridiculous."
Bai Ziyan shrugged. "I merely point out what others are thinking. He has enemies, does he not?"
Elder Yun raised a hand. "Enough. This matter will be investigated thoroughly. Until then, Wang Li—" He turned his gaze toward him. "You will remain within the sect grounds under protective observation."
Wang Li stiffened. "You're restricting me?"
"It's for your own safety," Elder Yun said, though Wang Li knew better.
It wasn't protection. It was containment.
And whoever had orchestrated this attack had just tightened their grip.
A Prison of Golden Bars
By the time the hall had emptied, Wang Li found himself confined to his quarters. Not a cell, but it might as well have been. Two sect disciples stood outside his door, watching his every move.
Mu Qingling paced the room. "This is absurd! They're treating you like some kind of criminal."
Feng Yuling sighed. "It's a political move. If they can't get rid of him directly, they'll isolate him."
Wang Li sat cross-legged on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "They want me to be afraid. They want me to hesitate."
Lin Ruoyan nodded. "But you won't."
He looked at her. "No."
Fear was something he had lived with all his life. It had no place here.
But now, he needed to think.
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Someone in the Azure Sky Sect wanted him dead.
Someone in his own sect was willing to let it happen.
And someone—perhaps Lan Yue, perhaps Bai Ziyan—was playing a game with him at the center.
Fine.
If they wanted a game, he would play.
And he would win.
A Whisper in the Night
That night, as the sect disciples kept watch outside his door, a faint knock came from his window.
Wang Li tensed.
Slowly, he moved to open it.
A familiar figure slipped inside.
Lan Yue.
She smiled. "Are you awake, or should I come back at a worse time?"
Wang Li crossed his arms. "You're either here to gloat or to help. Which is it?"
Her smile didn't fade. "Neither. I'm here to make you an offer."
Wang Li raised an eyebrow. "An offer?"
Lan Yue leaned in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I can tell you who ordered the attack on you."
Wang Li's breath caught. "Who?"
She smirked. "In exchange for a favor."
He narrowed his eyes. "What kind of favor?"
Lan Yue stepped back, the moonlight casting shadows across her face.
"Something only you can do," she said, her tone unreadable. "But first, do you want the name?"
Wang Li clenched his fists.
There was no turning back now.
He nodded.
Lan Yue's eyes glimmered.
"Then listen carefully, Wang Li..."