Chapter 27: Web of Shadows
The chamber was thick with the scent of incense and wine, the dim light from enchanted lanterns casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. Lin Dang sat alone at his desk, fingers trailing over the scroll that bore the names of the five elders he planned to persuade—or eliminate. He had survived the treacherous politics of the late king's realm with intellect and foresight. Yet tonight, something unfamiliar crept into his mind.
Doubt.
A whisper of silk against stone. A presence behind him.
Before Lin Dang could react, slender arms wrapped around his shoulders, warm breath grazing his ear. He knew that scent—an intoxicating blend of lotus and something darker, something that sent a shiver down his spine.
Lin Rumi.
She was a woman of shadow and whispers, as dangerous as she was beautiful. Others sought power through brute strength or wealth, but Rumi wielded manipulation like a blade, carving her way through the highest ranks of the Lin family with precision. And yet, she had chosen him.
Or had he chosen her?
"You can't trust them, darling," Rumi murmured, her lips grazing his ear. "The moment they hear your plan, they'll covet that bloodline for themselves."
Lin Dang closed his eyes briefly. He knew she was right. The elders were vultures, circling over a feast they had not yet claimed. His grip tightened on the scroll. "And what do you propose?" he asked, voice calm but laced with curiosity.
A soft chuckle. The rustle of silk.
Rumi slid into view, placing a small glass jar on the table. Inside, something pulsed—small, writhing, almost alive.
Lin Dang's breath caught.
A Heart-Devouring Gu.
Even contained, its presence was suffocating, an ancient hunger radiating from the jar's intricate seals.
Rumi perched on the desk, watching him with amusement. "You already know what to do with it."
Lin Dang exhaled through his nose, turning his face away. "I'm not a fool, Rumi. I know what you're suggesting."
"Then stop pretending," she whispered, tilting his chin so their eyes met. Her gaze was dark, intoxicating. "They will betray you. It's only a matter of time. But this…" She tapped the jar lightly, causing the Gu inside to twitch violently. "This ensures that if they do, they die before they can act against you."
Lin Dang studied her, searching for hesitation. There was none.
Lin Rumi never hesitated. That was what made her so dangerous. That was why he had fallen for her in the first place.
Once, he had believed himself untouchable, immune to manipulation. And yet, Rumi had wrapped him in her web, as effortlessly as a spider ensnaring prey. She made him feel alive in ways he had never expected. With her, power was not just a strategy—it was an art.
And now, she was offering him the final move.
His lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. "Fine," he murmured, reaching for the jar. "I will help you."
Rumi's fingers traced his wrist, her smile triumphant. "That's my darling."
---
The Elders' Meeting
The long oak table gleamed under the dim lantern light. The five elders sat in a semi-circle, their expressions varying from curiosity to suspicion. Lin Dang stood at the far end, his hands resting lightly on the table's polished surface. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes held the sharp glint of a blade just before it strikes.
One elder, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, swirled the wine in his goblet. "So, Lin Dang," he mused, "have you heard the rumors? The city's been uneasy ever since the Heart-Eating Gu was unleashed. Some say it's an omen of something worse."
Lin Dang merely smiled, pouring himself a glass of wine. "Rumors are like the wind," he said smoothly. "They shift and change, but only the wise know how to listen."
Another elder, a silver-haired woman, frowned. "And what exactly are you proposing, Lin Dang? Why have you called us here?"
Lin Dang took a leisurely sip, allowing silence to stretch. Then, setting his cup down, he looked at them—really looked.
These men and women had spent years mastering deception. But tonight, they were playing his game.
He leaned forward slightly. "I called you here because I wish for us to work together."
A scoff. The youngest elder, a pale-faced man, sneered. "Work together? Since when does Lin Dang beg for allies?"
Lin Dang chuckled, shaking his head. "Not beg. Offer. I am willing to share power—true power." His fingers drummed lightly against the table. "But of course, I need to ensure loyalty first."
The elders exchanged wary glances.
Scarred Elder narrowed his eyes. "And how do you plan to ensure that, Lin Dang?"
Lin Dang's smile widened. "Oh, I already have."
Silence.
Then—Rumi stepped from the shadows, her presence sending a ripple of unease through the room. In her hands, she held a small tray with six delicate porcelain cups of tea.
"Please," Rumi said sweetly, her voice like silk, "drink."
The elders hesitated. Lin Dang watched them, his expression unreadable.
Scarred Elder scoffed. "And why should we?"
Lin Rumi's smile sharpened. "Because if you don't, I'll assume you mean to betray us."
Lin Dang raised his own cup, tilting it slightly. "To our future." Then, without hesitation, he drank.
The elders were trapped.
One by one, they followed suit.
The moment the bitter tea slid down their throats, Lin Dang set his cup down and let the silence stretch once more.
Then, he smiled.
"You should know," he murmured, voice almost affectionate, "the Heart-Eating Gu… is already inside you."
A heartbeat of stillness. Then—panic.
"You—!" Scarred Elder shot up, knocking over his goblet. His hand flew to his throat, his breath suddenly ragged.
Lin Dang merely tilted his head.
"Sit," he ordered.
The elder froze mid-motion, his body convulsing slightly. A strangled gasp escaped him. He clutched his chest, veins darkening for a moment before returning to normal.
Rumi sighed, setting the tray aside. "Honestly, you should have seen this coming."
Lin Dang leaned back in his chair, watching as the elders' faces twisted with horror.
"If you remain loyal," he continued, "the Gu will stay dormant. Harmless. But should you ever betray me…" He trailed off, allowing the implication to sink in.
The silver-haired elder trembled. "You… you monster…!"
Lin Dang laughed softly. "No, Elder," he murmured, his gaze flickering to Rumi, who smirked beside him. "I simply learned from the best."
Lin Rumi ran a hand through Lin Dang's hair, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "See? I told you it would work, darling."
And as the elders sat frozen, trapped in a game they had already lost, Lin Dang knew—
He had made the right choice.
There was no power greater than control. And together, he and Rumi would rule the Lin family from the shadows.