The grandeur of the Valen estate was overwhelming. Every corner of the banquet hall reflected the noble house's wealth and power. Rows of golden chandeliers illuminated the gathering, while tables laden with exotic delicacies lined the walls. The murmurs of aristocrats, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of a harp created an air of festivity, though beneath it lingered an unmistakable tension.
Lin Xuan moved through the crowd with the ease of an observer, his senses heightened. Every word, every gesture, every sidelong glance could hold the key to the fragment's location. Disguised as a scholarly envoy from a distant land, he blended in well.
From across the room, he caught sight of Yu Mei, radiant in her deep crimson gown. Her presence turned heads, though she handled the attention with practiced ease. Xu Yan, on the other hand, played the role of a quiet, unassuming noble's aide, carefully weaving through conversations with the precision of a chess master.
---
As Lin Xuan passed a group of guests, a snippet of conversation caught his attention.
"I hear Lord Valen has doubled the guard in the eastern warehouse," said a stout man with a booming voice. "Whatever he's protecting must be immensely valuable."
"That's not all," replied his companion, a wiry noblewoman. "Rumor has it he's called upon the Shadow Veil assassins. No one brings them in unless they fear for their lives."
Lin Xuan noted the information, keeping his expression neutral as he moved on. Shadow Veil. He had heard of the infamous group—a secretive order of killers whose reputation was unmatched. If they were involved, the situation was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
---
At the far end of the hall, Yu Mei had struck up a conversation with a young nobleman who seemed eager to impress her.
"It's fascinating how House Valen maintains its influence," she said, her voice light and curious. "Surely, they have some secret advantage?"
The nobleman leaned closer, emboldened by her attention. "Oh, Lady Valen has her ways. It's said she's working on something extraordinary. Even the other houses are in awe of her foresight."
Yu Mei tilted her head, feigning interest. "Extraordinary? How intriguing. Do tell."
The man hesitated, lowering his voice. "I've heard whispers of a relic, something ancient and powerful. No one knows where she found it, but it's said to be the key to controlling the balance of power."
Yu Mei offered a soft laugh, hiding the chill that ran down her spine. "What a story! You noblemen do love your rumors."
---
Meanwhile, Xu Yan stood near the banquet's periphery, observing the interactions between the guests. His sharp eyes caught subtle exchanges: coded gestures, fleeting glances, and hushed words. It became clear to him that alliances were being forged and broken even as the evening progressed.
As he scanned the room, he noticed a figure moving with unsettling precision. A tall man in a silver-trimmed cloak, the same one Lin Xuan had spotted earlier, was quietly speaking to a servant. Xu Yan's instincts told him this man was no ordinary attendee.
---
Lin Xuan regrouped with Yu Mei near a table adorned with fine wines. Her subtle nod confirmed she had gathered valuable information.
"The relic is here," she said softly, her lips barely moving. "Lady Valen has it, though its exact location remains unknown."
Lin Xuan glanced around, his eyes narrowing. "If the fragment is in her possession, it explains the heightened security. We'll need more than stealth to get close."
Before Yu Mei could respond, a commotion broke out near the entrance. The room fell silent as a group of guards entered, escorting a cloaked figure. The man radiated authority, his presence commanding attention.
"That's Lord Valen himself," Yu Mei murmured.
Lord Valen strode to the center of the hall, raising a hand for silence. His voice was smooth but carried an undercurrent of menace.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "I thank you for gracing us with your presence tonight. In these uncertain times, it is only through unity and strength that we can secure our future."
His gaze swept the room, lingering briefly on Lin Xuan and his group before continuing. "However, there are those who would seek to disrupt our peace, to steal what is rightfully ours. Let it be known that House Valen will not tolerate such treachery."
The tension in the room thickened. Lin Xuan exchanged a glance with Yu Mei. Lord Valen's words were a thinly veiled warning, a declaration that he was aware of the forces at play.
---
After the speech, the banquet resumed, though the atmosphere remained heavy. Lin Xuan made his way to Xu Yan, who stood near a side corridor.
"Valen's on edge," Xu Yan said quietly. "He knows someone is after the relic."
"Good," Lin Xuan replied. "It means he'll make a mistake. We just need to be ready when he does."
---
As the evening wore on, Lin Xuan's sharp instincts led him to an overlooked servant's door at the far end of the hall. While the nobles mingled, he slipped through the doorway, finding himself in a dimly lit corridor.
He pressed forward, his senses attuned to every sound. The corridor led to a small room filled with ledgers and maps. Among the clutter, his eyes landed on a detailed layout of the Valen estate. A section of the eastern district was circled in red, with the words "Vault: High Security" scrawled beside it.
"So that's where you're hiding it," he muttered.
---
Back in the banquet hall, Yu Mei and Xu Yan covered for Lin Xuan's absence, deflecting suspicion with ease. But their relief was short-lived when the man in the silver-trimmed cloak approached them.
"Good evening," he said, his voice smooth and unsettling. "I don't believe we've been introduced."
Yu Mei offered a disarming smile. "A pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm merely a traveler enjoying the hospitality of House Valen."
The man's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he smiled. "Enjoy the evening while you can. In Luminaea, strangers often find themselves caught in... unexpected circumstances."
---
Lin Xuan returned to the group just as the banquet was winding down. He shared his discovery in hushed tones, their plan falling into place.
The fragment was within reach, but so were countless dangers. The path ahead would test their resolve, their unity, and their will to survive.
As they left the estate, the streets of Luminaea seemed darker than before, the weight of their mission pressing heavily on their shoulders. The storm was coming, and they were at its eye.