After Xiao Wuchen took over the Wugen Sect and purged its members ruthlessly, he became not just a rising eunuch, but a terrifying force to be reckoned with in the court. His personnel appointments and removals went straight to the Emperor, and he intensified his checks and balances on the Xuanyi Guard.
In a secret chamber deep within the Xuanyi Guard headquarters, the elderly Left Commander in a flying fish robe with a sinister expression slammed a thick dossier onto a black sandalwood table. The cover of the dossier bore four shocking characters: Record of Evil Deeds.
"Colluding with the Demonic Sect? Hah, what a laughable charge." The Left Commander sneered, tracing the pages that recorded Xiao Wuchen's dark past. Every official killed and every aristocratic family purged became a burgeoning "evil deed value" on his system panel.
Narrowing his eyes like a venomous snake hunting its prey, the Left Commander said, "Xiao Wuchen, you moved too fast, forgetting to wash away the stench of blood from your body. I don't need to fabricate anything. I only need to use the 'Demonic Sect' as a mirror to reflect your actions, and the world will see you as a treacherous, ruthless, unscrupulous cultivator who will stop at nothing for power!"
In the dead of night, Xiao Wuchen reviewed secret reports from various parts of the Rootless Sect. Suddenly, the previously silent system panel emitted a blinding, blood-red alarm. A sharp electronic voice exploded in his mind:
"Ding! System has detected a top-level political assassination trap targeting the host!"
[Code name: "Bloodstained Frame-up"]
[Threat Source: Left Commander-in-Chief has mobilized all Xuan Yi Guard resources."
[Analysis: The trap exploits the host's "evil deeds" and ruthless methods, combined with false evidence against the "Demonic Sect," to carry out a "bloodstained frame-up."
Lethality assessment: 99%. Once confirmed, the host will face the annihilation of his family and clan, as well as his own death.
Xiao Wuchen's hand froze on the secret report, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. It was the first time since entering the court that the system had issued such a clear, absolute death warning.
The "evil deeds score" was a burden he had to bear to survive and become powerful. Now, however, it has become the deadliest chain. The Left Governor's move is aimed not only at his power but also at his inner demons.
Though cruel, the system's cold voice delivered crucial information. Xiao Wuchen quickly regained his composure. Instead of panicking, he immediately activated countermeasures.
"System, analyze the Left Commander's plan chain. Identify the weakest link in the 'Bloodstained Frame-up' plan and the powerful families with whom he has secret connections."
The system's alert wasn't a dead end but rather the trigger for his wish to be fulfilled. It bought Xiao Wuchen precious time.
[Activating "Reverse Tracking Mode"...]
Based on the recent movements of the Black-Clad Guards: The Left Commander is currently forging demonic cult tokens, searching for "assassins" with whom the host has a grudge to fabricate evidence, and utilizing palace infiltrators to prepare a "top-secret letter."
[Weakness locked: The Black-Clad Guards have a hidden outpost in the western suburbs of the capital city that serves as the core hub for fabricating evidence.
A chilling smile appeared on Xiao Wuchen's lips, and his eyes filled with the resolute determination of a vengeful man.
"Left Commander, since you've chosen to play this card, let's see who's more ruthless. You use my blood to slander me; I'll pave my way with your bones."
He immediately summoned his confidants and quietly began preparations for infiltration and counterattack. In the darkness, an even greater political storm was silently brewing.
Even after the system's highest-level alarm was deactivated, Xiao Wuchen didn't rush into action. Instead, he sat in his study and let the moonlight outside the window lengthen and distort his shadow.
He pulled up the "Violation Value" record on the system panel. He knew the Left Commander's trap was deadly because the "Violation Value" wasn't fabricated. To survive in the palace and pursue power, he had personally destroyed the innocent and exploited trust.
"If I fall now, the world will forget everything I did for His Majesty and the Rootless Sect. They'll only remember this bloodstained evidence."
Xiao Wuchen closed his eyes as images of those he had personally pushed into the abyss flashed through his mind. This was not regret, but an understanding of the cost of power. The Left Governor's ruthlessness lay in forcing Xiao Wuchen to confront his darkest past. Only by accepting his own "evil" could Xiao Wuchen become more ruthless in the future political vortex.
"System, conduct a detailed analysis of the semiotic significance and operational methods used by the Left Governor in selecting the charge of 'colluding with the Demonic Cult.'" Xiao Wuchen commanded coldly.
[Ding—Semiotic analysis of "Demonic Cult" complete:]
Symbolic power: 'Demonic Cult' symbolizes chaos, rebellion, and evil. It is capable of instantly destroying any political authority and inciting extreme fear in the emperor, as well as unanimous hatred from the court and public.
Objective: Completely cut off all escape routes for the host so that not even the Chief Evil-Repelling Steward can openly provide protection.
Method Analysis: The Left Commander has contacted three forces: First, impersonators of the Demonic Cult who recently orchestrated a bloodbath on the outskirts of the capital and framed the "Xiao Wuchen faction" within the Black-Clad Guard. Second, assassins who forge secret letters with high-ranking members of the Demonic Cult. These letters bear the unique mark of the Rootless Sect. Third, powerful families who are secretly involved as bargaining chips for a future coup.
"The unique mark of the Rootless Sect..." Xiao Wuchen's eyes sharpened. He immediately recalled a trusted deputy who managed internal affairs.
[Inference: The Left Commander has bribed a confidant of the host, codenamed "Flying Sparrow," who manages the Rootless Sect's tokens and marks.
Without alerting anyone, Xiao Wuchen began a silent "internal purge," employing only a few absolutely loyal confidants.
He personally used the "Shadow Concealment Technique," which he had secretly practiced in the palace. Combined with the lightness skill of the Flying Swallow Without a Trace, this technique allowed him to move like a ghost through the Forbidden City at night.
He infiltrated "Flying Sparrow's" residence. Inside the room, candlelight flickered as his deputy carefully slipped a secret letter, sealed with the Rootless Sect's unique wax seal, into a hidden compartment.
Xiao Wuchen didn't say a word, just pointed a finger.
At that moment, Xiao Wuchen displayed not mercy, but absolute control.
"Flying Sparrow" collapsed stiffly, his eyes filled with fear and confusion. Xiao Wuchen took the letter and then used the Rootless Sect's "Corpse Dissolving Powder" to completely erase the traitor's traces, leaving no blood or scent behind.
"Left Commander, did you think you could infiltrate the Rootless Sect? But your pawns are now nothing but ashes."
This silent purge eliminated internal strife and served as a reverse deterrent to the Left Commander, causing him to suddenly lose a key communication point and fall into chaos.
Using the system's information on the "Xuanyi Guard's Western Stronghold" and his analysis of "powerful clans," Xiao Wuchen pinpointed the Wang family. They are a century-old clan in the capital with close ties to the Left Commander, and their recent actions have been unusual.
"System, the target is the Wang family. I need to infiltrate them and obtain firsthand evidence of the Left Commander's collusion with the clan. I will use this evidence as leverage to meet with the Evil-Slaying Chief Steward."
Reverse Tracking Mode has locked onto the Wang family. Target: An ancient book, Shan Hai Zhi, containing confidential ledgers, in the Wang family's study.
Host, please note: This infiltration must rely entirely on the Shadow Concealment Technique and the Flying Swallow Without a Trace. Do not expose any martial arts."
Xiao Wuchen put on his nightclothes and felt the internal energy of his early-stage Meridian Building flowing through his meridians and transforming into shadows. He knew that the next chapter's test would be the ultimate trial of his wisdom and infiltration abilities. He would use the Left Commander's blood to wash away the stain of his "evil deeds."