Just as he finished writing, the doors to the chamber creaked open.
Wei Xian entered, bowing low before approaching the emperor.
"My lord" Wei Xian said cautiously, glancing at the tactical board. "I bring troubling news."
Jinhai raised an eyebrow. "Speak."
Wei Xian hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Raiding Ryl Trading will not be as straightforward as we hoped. We have confirmed that their network is vast—they have operatives in nearly every province, embedded in towns, cities, and even rural areas. Attacking one hub will only alert the others. Worse still…"
He paused, visibly uneasy. "…it appears Atlas is currently stationed at the Silver Lotus Sect. We have confirmed this ourselves."
Jinhai's eyes narrowed as he suspected. "Go on."
"The terrain surrounding the sect is notoriously difficult to traverse" Wei Xian continued giving Jinhai confirmation to his plans.
"Even with our full army and Qi warriors, sustaining a prolonged siege would be costly. Casualties would mount rapidly, and morale would suffer. Furthermore, the sect itself is home to skilled fighters. An assault could escalate into a bloodbath."
Jinhai's expression darkened.
So, Atlas had chosen his refuge wisely. The Silver Lotus Sect was practically untouchable—a fortress hidden in plain sight, protected not only by geography but also by its long reputation. Few dared to challenge such a place openly, even when Crimson Serpect did, they lost big time.
Wei Xian cleared his throat. "There is… another concern, my lord. Some believe Atlas may have allies within the sects. If that is true, any attempt to capture him could provoke internal conflict, fracturing an already delicate balance."
Jinhai let out a slow, measured breath.
This changes everything. Attacking the Silver Lotus Sect directly was no longer viable—not without risking catastrophic backlash. But doing nothing was equally unacceptable. Atlas's influence will continue to grow unchecked, and with each passing day, my authority would waned further.
He turned back to the board, studying the plans once more. There had to be a way—a loophole, a weakness he hadn't considered yet.
Somewhere, somehow, Atlas has to make a mistake. Everyone did eventually.
"All options remain on the table" Jinhai declared finally, his voice cold and resolute.
"We prepare for both scenarios. In the meantime…" He glanced at Wei Xian. "…double our efforts to gather intelligence. Find me something—anything—that gives us an edge. I want to know where Atlas sleeps, what he eats, where he shits, who he trusts. Leave no stone unturned."
Wei Xian bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord."
As the advisor withdrew, Jinhai returned to the board, his gaze fixed on the mark representing the
Silver Lotus Sect. A fortress of stone and steel, perched atop jagged cliffs. Untouchable.
For now.
But Jinhai was nothing if not patient. He would wait. He would watch. And when the moment came, he would strike with precision—and destroy Atlas Ryland once and for all.
The night was quiet in the Silver Lotus Sect, save for the faint hum of cicadas outside. The air inside the main hall felt heavy with anticipation as Atlas leaned casually against the edge of the table, his golden eyes glinting like molten metal under the flickering lantern light. Around him sat Layla, Lin Wuye, Jiang, Bao, Meyu, and—most importantly—Shen Jue, still masquerading as "Jian Ren."
Atlas smirked, setting down his glass with a soft clink .
"You know," he began, his tone deceptively light, "I've always admired people who can keep secrets. It's an art form, really."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. "But sometimes, secrets have a way of coming out whether we want them to or not."
Shen Jue stiffened imperceptibly, though his expression remained calm. "Are you implying something, Atlas?"
"Oh, I'm not implying anything" Atlas replied smoothly.
"I'm outright stating it. You see…"
He stood up straight, tossing the dagger onto the table with a dull thud. "…this Jian Ren is actually the Emperor Brother. His real name is Shen Jue."
Gasps rippled through the room. Bao's jaw dropped. Lin Wuye looked like he'd aged ten years in seconds. Even Jiang, usually unflappable, seemed taken aback but Layla's look more of a confirmation but still she was silent.
Meyu, however, simply crossed her arms and gave a small shrug when everyone glanced at her. "He told me already" she said nonchalantly.
"What? Did you think I'd sleep with someone without knowing who they were?"
Atlas shot her a look. "That wasn't exactly how I phrased it."
Meyu smirked. "Close enough."
Before anyone could process this revelation further, Shen Jue spoke up, his voice calm but laced with steel. "And why exactly are you telling them this now?"
Atlas tilted his head, his grin returning. "Because secrets have a way of coming out eventually. Besides…" He reached into his robes and pulled out a folded document, sliding it across the table toward Shen Jue. "…you already know part of the truth, don't you?"
Shen Jue picked up the document, his fingers brushing against the seal of Ryl Trading. As he unfolded it, his expression darkened.
It was a copy of the contract he had signed—the agreement binding him to Atlas. One clause stood out in particular:
In the event of betrayal or failure to comply with the terms outlined herein, the undersigned agrees to forfeit all claims to protection under Ryl Trading and its affiliates. Furthermore, any actions deemed detrimental to the interests of Ryl Trading may result in retaliatory measures, including but not limited to public exposure of the undersigned's true identity.
Shen Jue clenched his jaw.
Atlas chuckled dryly. "Glad you approve. Now, here's the real question: What do you think your dear brother—the Emperor—is planning right now?"
Shen Jue hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. Despite himself, he couldn't help but admire Atlas's audacity.
The man knew exactly how to push buttons—and he is doing it masterfully.
"He'll escalate" Shen Jue said finally, his voice measured.
"If he hasn't already, he'll begin mobilizing forces. Not openly, of course—he'll use proxies, spies, mercenaries. He'll try to isolate Ryl Trading first, cutting off supply lines and pressuring allies. Then, once he feels confident, he'll strike directly at Silver Lotus."
Atlas nodded thoughtfully. "And what about Shrouded Peaks?"
Shen Jue's gaze hardened. "He won't touch them immediately. They're too dangerous, too unpredictable. But he'll monitor them closely. If he senses an opportunity—or if he believes they pose a direct threat—he'll act decisively."
Atlas hummed, tapping his chin. "Interesting. And what about you? Where does that leave our noble friend ''Jian Ren''?"
Shen Jue met his gaze evenly. "It leaves me exactly where I am. Bound by a contract I cannot break without consequences. Unless, of course, you plan to release me from it."
Atlas laughed—a sharp, humourless sound.
"Oh no, my dear Shen Jue. You're far too valuable to let go. Besides…" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"You might actually be useful in predicting your brother's next move. After all, who knows him better than you?"
Shen Jue studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Fair enough."
As the conversation shifted to strategy, Layla stepped forward, her presence commanding attention. Dressed in simple yet elegant robes, she carried herself with the poise of someone accustomed to ruling. Her sharp eyes scanned the group before settling on Shen Jue.
"I assume you're wondering why I haven't said much until now" she began, her voice steady and authoritative.
"Let me assure you, it wasn't because I was unaware of your true identity. In fact, I've known speculated for some time."
Shen Jue raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And may I ask how?"
"Because I've been watching you and the way you act around us" Layla replied coolly.
"You seriously don't think how weird your behaviour was to leave dinner early sometimes, very late otherwise. So as it turns out, I'm rather good at guessing."
Atlas tilted his head, curious.
Layla faint smile playing on her lips. "Which brings us to the present. Over the past week, I've been devising a plan to address the growing threat posed by the Emperor—and by extension, his agents, including our dear friend Shen Jue."
Lin Wuye frowned. "What kind of plan?"
"One that ensures the survival of the Silver Lotus Sect—and its allies,=" Layla explained.
"First, we need to fortify our defenses. Not just physically, but politically. We cannot afford to appear weak or divided, especially now that Ryl Trading's influence could have drawn the Emperor's attention."
She gestured toward the chalkboard behind her, which displayed a series of intricate diagrams and notes. "Second, we must leverage our existing resources wisely. Thanks to Atlas, we have access to unparalleled trade networks and intelligence. Combine that with the martial prowess of the sect, growing each day. We have a formidable foundation to work with."
"And third?" Meyu prompted, clearly eager to hear the rest.
"Third," Layla continued, her voice firm, "we prepare for war—not necessarily a physical one, but a battle of wits and strategy. If the Emperor chooses to escalate, we will have no choice but to meet him head-on. But we must also anticipate his moves and counteract them premptively."
Atlas whistled appreciatively. "Not bad. For a 16 year old."
Layla gave him a pointed look. "17 and you better not fail as well."