The night air was thick with tension as Zhao Min and Liang Hua moved silently through the imperial corridors, their instincts sharpened by weeks of unease. The emperor's seven-day ultimatum loomed over them like a sword waiting to fall. The stolen jade was still missing, and with each passing moment, the palace seethed with whispers of treachery.
Tonight, they had traced a lead to the Western Wing—an area reserved for military generals and high-ranking advisors. A cryptic message intercepted by Liang Hua's informants had hinted at a clandestine meeting in one of the abandoned halls. It was their best chance yet to unravel the conspiracy strangling the empire from within.
They approached the grand doors, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Zhao Min's grip on his sword tightened as he signaled to Liang Hua. She nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her twin daggers.
Then, they heard it—low voices murmuring behind the door.
Zhao Min pressed his ear against the wood. The voices were unmistakable. One belonged to General Wei, the man who had served the empire for over two decades. The other was softer but carried a dangerous edge.
An advisor.
Their blood ran cold.
---
The Betrayal Unveiled
Zhao Min pushed the doors open, stepping into the dimly lit chamber. The candlelight flickered over the faces of the two men.
General Wei's expression hardened as he saw them. "You shouldn't be here," he said, his hand instinctively reaching for his blade.
Liang Hua's gaze shifted to the advisor standing beside him—Lord Shen, the emperor's most trusted strategist. A man known for his wisdom, who had shaped battle plans and crushed enemy forces.
"How long have you been conspiring against the throne?" Zhao Min's voice was sharp, his stance unwavering.
Lord Shen exhaled, as if weary of the game. "You assume too much, Commander Zhao."
But General Wei's fingers twitched. His knuckles whitened over the hilt of his sword.
"You speak of loyalty, yet you've been feeding the enemy information," Liang Hua said, stepping forward. "You let the jade slip through our fingers. You let assassins into the palace."
General Wei's eyes darkened, but before he could speak, Lord Shen raised a hand. "You've seen too much," he said simply.
That was all the warning they got.
General Wei moved first, his sword flashing through the dim light. Zhao Min barely parried in time, the clash of steel ringing through the hall. Liang Hua spun aside, her daggers slashing toward Lord Shen, who evaded her with alarming speed.
The room erupted into chaos.
---
A Battle in the Shadows
Zhao Min knew General Wei was a formidable opponent. He had fought beside him on the battlefield, watched him command troops with an iron will. But tonight, Wei fought like a man with nothing to lose.
Their swords met in rapid succession, each strike heavier than the last. "Why?" Zhao Min demanded between blows. "Why betray the empire?"
General Wei sneered. "Because the empire betrayed me first."
Across the room, Liang Hua twisted away from Lord Shen's attack. He moved with the precision of a strategist, predicting her every move before she made it. She could see it now—the mind of a man who had orchestrated battles was now orchestrating the empire's downfall.
A sudden shift in the battle forced Zhao Min and Liang Hua closer together. They exchanged a glance. No words were needed.
It was time to end this.
With a calculated feint, Zhao Min forced General Wei into a vulnerable position. A heartbeat later, Liang Hua's dagger found its mark, slicing across Wei's arm, causing his sword to drop.
Zhao Min didn't hesitate.
With one final strike, he drove his blade into the general's chest.
General Wei gasped, his eyes filled with something unspoken—regret? Resignation? Then, he collapsed.
Lord Shen stood still, watching his ally fall.
But instead of fleeing, he smiled.
"You've won the battle," he said, stepping back into the shadows. "But the war has just begun."
Then, before they could react, he disappeared into a secret passage.
---
A Darker Truth
Blood stained the floor. The scent of betrayal lingered in the air.
Zhao Min retrieved a small scroll from General Wei's belt, his hands tightening as he read its contents. Liang Hua peered over his shoulder, her breath hitching.
The letter was addressed to someone higher.
Someone above the general.
Someone still in the palace.
The conspiracy was bigger than they imagined.
And they were running out of time.