Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 70 - Masks and Mirrors

Author's Note:

***Hello readers :)

Apologies for the late update! I hope some of you are still following along with my story, haha. This chapter is a bit lengthy and packed with details, but I hope it's not too overwhelming. I considered splitting it into two chapters, but with the way I've planned things out, it felt better to keep it as one. Enjoy the latest installment, and I'll see you in the next chapter!

Crescent

****

The moon hung low in the inky sky, casting an ethereal glow over the palace grounds of Khufu. In a secluded corner, behind the opulent quarters reserved for nobility, Duke Feng Xian stood ankle-deep in the cool waters of the desert lilies pond. The fragrant blossoms floated serenely around him, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within the Duke's mind.

Duke Feng Xian's eyes, usually alight with cunning, now reflected his troubled thoughts as he gazed up at the luminous orb above. The events of the day played out in his mind like a relentless sandstorm, each grain a reminder of how precariously his carefully constructed world now balanced. The meeting with the cultivators had presented complications, their sharp gazes and probing questions stirring up the sands he'd so meticulously smoothed over. The brazen confessions of the captured Dache criminals threatened to bury him, drawing unwanted attention to connections he'd long kept hidden in the shadows.

A weary sigh escaped his lips. The once-safe haven of the Khufu palace now felt like a gilded cage, its walls closing in with each passing moment.

"Your Grace," a low voice cut through the night air, startling the Duke from his reverie.

Feng Xian turned, water rippling around his legs as he faced his ever-vigilant bodyguard. The figure stood at the edge of the pond, her lithe frame wrapped in sleek, black attire that absorbed the moonlight. Her garments were form-fitting yet practical, designed for stealth and agility. The hood cast deep shadows over her face, leaving only her eyes visible. The lower half of her features was concealed behind a black cloth mask, adding to her enigmatic presence.

"In light of this morning's... developments, I fear His Majesty's suspicions may have deepened," the bodyguard said, her voice barely above a whisper yet laden with urgency. "Perhaps it would be prudent to consider our options for relocation."

The Duke's lips curved into a wry smile, his eyes still fixed on the celestial canvas above. "And where would you have us go, He Xuan?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of amusement and resignation. "I fear His Majesty's suspicions will follow us like a shadow, tainting any place we might choose as refuge."

He Xuan remained silent for a moment, her steady gaze never leaving the Duke. The night breeze rustled the fabric of her hood, but she stood as still as a statue. When she finally spoke, her voice was measured and calm.

"I understand your concerns, Your Grace," she said, her words barely disturbing the cloth mask covering her lower face.

"However, our current situation is precarious. Remaining in Khufu any longer may prove unwise. The seeds of suspicion have been sown, and I fear they will only grow more poisonous with time."

Duke Feng Xian exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of their predicament. He turned his gaze back to the moon, its silvery light casting long shadows across the garden. He Xuan's suggestion, though fraught with risk, held merit. The walls of Khufu, once a sanctuary, now felt like a trap slowly closing around him.

After a long moment of contemplation, the Duke's voice broke the silence. "Very well," he said, his tone resolute. "Dispatch a handful of our most discreet shadow assassins to Sha Hai. Inform Prince Liu Shang that I will be paying him a visit in the coming days."