Chapter 3: A Noble Target
Adam crouched behind a stack of wooden crates near the servants' courtyard, his sharp eyes scanning the area. The Lu family estate was a sprawling maze of ornate buildings, lavish gardens, and bustling activity. Servants scurried about carrying trays of food and silks, while guards patrolled with an air of arrogance.
His target wasn't just anyone in the Lu family—it had to be someone important enough to guarantee a significant reward from the system. And as luck would have it, his opportunity came striding into the courtyard.
Lu Feng, the youngest son of the family patriarch.
Dressed in an embroidered blue robe, Lu Feng carried himself with the entitlement of someone who had never known hardship. He was flanked by two personal guards and trailed by a trembling servant carrying a parasol to shield him from the sun.
Adam's lip curled. This was the same spoiled brat who had personally ordered his predecessor to be whipped for spilling tea on his boots.
"Perfect," Adam murmured, a glint of malice in his eyes.
He rummaged through the pile of crates, finding exactly what he needed: a small bottle of fish oil left behind by the kitchen staff. The pungent smell made him grimace, but it was the key to his plan.
With the bottle in hand, Adam moved swiftly, staying low and out of sight. His newly refined body felt lighter, more agile, allowing him to dart between shadows with ease.
He waited until Lu Feng and his entourage approached the stone pathway leading to the main hall. It was a well-maintained path, polished to a shine—and perfect for what he had in mind.
Adam uncorked the bottle and poured the oil onto the stones, carefully spreading it across the most visible part of the path. The oil glistened faintly in the sunlight, but it was subtle enough to avoid immediate detection.
Satisfied, he slipped into the shadows and waited.
Lu Feng strutted forward, his nose wrinkling as he caught the faint scent of fish. He glanced around, his expression sour. "What's that smell? Disgusting! Have the servants clean this place immediately!"
The guards and servant exchanged nervous glances but said nothing.
As Lu Feng stepped onto the path, Adam tensed.
The noble's foot landed squarely on the oiled stones. His confident stride turned into a chaotic flail as his feet slid out from under him. With a loud yelp, Lu Feng crashed onto his back, his expensive robe splattered with mud from a nearby puddle.
The parasol-wielding servant, startled by the commotion, tripped over Lu Feng's fallen body and tumbled onto him, knocking the wind out of the young master.
The guards rushed forward, their armor clinking, but their haste only added to the chaos. One of them slipped on the same oiled stones and collided with the other, sending both sprawling onto the ground in a heap of limbs and curses.
Laughter erupted from a group of nearby servants, quickly stifled as they realized the gravity of the situation.
Lu Feng's face turned a furious shade of crimson as he struggled to push the servant off him. "You imbeciles! Who's responsible for this?!"
From his hiding spot, Adam bit back a laugh, his shoulders shaking with silent mirth.
Reward: [Minor Spirit Stone] and [Enhanced Shadow Veil Technique]
A warm pulse of energy coursed through Adam's body as the spirit stone materialized in his mind's inventory. At the same time, a flood of new knowledge about the Shadow Veil Technique entered his consciousness.
"Not bad," Adam whispered, his grin widening.
Lu Feng's enraged shouts echoed through the courtyard as servants scrambled to clean up the mess. Adam slipped away unnoticed, the first seeds of chaos sown in the Lu family estate.
Back in the slave quarters, Adam inspected his rewards. The Minor Spirit Stone hummed faintly, radiating pure spiritual energy. It was a valuable resource, especially for someone at his level.
He sat cross-legged, holding the stone in his palm, and began absorbing its energy. The process was slow but steady, the Qi within the stone merging with his own. With each passing moment, he felt his strength grow.
Adam opened his eyes, a newfound sharpness in his gaze. The system had delivered on its promises so far, and he was only getting started.
"One prank down," he muttered, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "Plenty more to go."
End of Chapter 3