The narrow streets of the kingdom were quiet under the cloak of night, broken only by the distant hum of crickets and the occasional flicker of a lantern. Jian followed Lord Shen, keeping to the shadows, with Frost padding silently at his side. He moved with calculated steps, careful to stay just far enough behind to avoid detection.
Lord Shen wound through the labyrinth of alleys, passing through sections of the city Jian rarely visited. Eventually, he arrived at an old, rundown warehouse, its wooden structure warped from years of neglect. Lantern light flickered within, casting shadows that danced across the boarded windows.
Jian crouched behind a pile of crates, watching as Shen approached the door and gave a series of coded knocks. Moments later, a guard appeared, peering out suspiciously before letting Shen inside. Jian noted the guard's appearance—a burly man with a distinctive scar along his jaw. He committed it to memory; this was clearly someone important in whatever scheme Shen was involved with.
As the door closed behind Shen, Jian crept closer, inching his way to one of the cracked windows. The voices inside were muffled, but he could still make out parts of the conversation.
"… new elixir he created. It's… unnatural… trust in him… undermining the royal court…"
Jian's fists clenched as he heard the accusations against him. His efforts to help the kingdom had been twisted into something dangerous, unnatural. He forced himself to focus, straining to hear more.
One of the voices grew louder—another noble he recognized by his deep, gravelly tone, Lord Wei. "…Prince cannot afford to be swayed by this foreigner's influence. If we do not act now, he will erode everything we've worked for, displacing our traditions with… his medicine."
Jian's heart pounded as the realization set in. They weren't simply opposing him as an individual; they saw his knowledge as a threat to their authority. These nobles were using his foreign methods as a rallying cry, painting him as a danger to the kingdom's values.
He leaned closer, risking a better view through the crack. Lord Wei stepped into the light, clutching a sealed scroll. "I've sent word to our allies in the neighboring kingdoms. They will support our cause, but only if we remove this 'healer' from the prince's side."
The weight of their plot settled heavily on Jian's shoulders. This was more than a simple conspiracy; it was a coordinated effort to destabilize the kingdom, with outside influence at play.
Suddenly, Frost let out a low, warning growl. Jian whipped around, just in time to see another guard approaching from behind. The guard's eyes narrowed as he spotted Jian, and in a flash, he unsheathed his sword, lunging forward.
Jian's reflexes kicked in, and he dodged to the side, his hand brushing the dagger hidden in his cloak. Frost sprang into action, leaping at the guard and knocking him off balance with a powerful shove. The guard stumbled, giving Jian the moment he needed to strike. He swung his dagger, catching the guard's arm, and with a swift twist, disarmed him.
The guard, now at a disadvantage, scrambled backward, clutching his wounded arm. But Jian knew he couldn't let him escape and alert the others. Before the guard could get up, Jian delivered a final blow, ensuring he would stay down, then dragged him into the shadows, out of sight.
The commotion had been brief, but Jian couldn't risk staying longer. He had learned enough to confirm the nobles' plans and the dangerous role they played in this kingdom's future. Quietly, he slipped away, Frost at his side, and disappeared into the night.
Back in his quarters, Jian tried to piece together his next move. He had evidence of a conspiracy, but exposing it without endangering himself—and by extension, the prince—would be delicate. He needed proof, something undeniable.
As he sat in deep thought, the system pinged.
[System Alert: Quest Updated – Uncover and Present Irrefutable Evidence of the Conspiracy]
Reward: Medical Pavilion Blueprint and Potion of Vitality
The updated quest confirmed what he already suspected—he couldn't rush into this. He needed hard evidence, something the court would be forced to acknowledge. He would have to be patient, collect more information, and ensure every piece fell into place perfectly.
He was not only fighting to keep himself safe but also to protect the people he had sworn to heal and the prince who had placed his trust in him. The stakes were higher than ever, and he couldn't afford a single misstep.
With renewed determination, Jian began planning his next move, knowing that every step forward would bring him closer to the truth—no matter the danger that awaited.