Chapter 30: The Battle Begins

The dawn broke over the Imperial Capital, casting a golden glow across the city's spires and towers. But the beauty of the morning did little to calm the tension that hung in the air. Li Mei could feel it in her bones—a sense of urgency, of something momentous about to unfold.

After retrieving the cursed artifact from the catacombs, she had spent the night preparing. The system had allowed her to integrate the artifact's power, though it warned her to use it sparingly. The dark energy it contained was potent, but it could easily overwhelm her if she wasn't careful. Still, the situation called for drastic measures, and she was ready to do whatever it took to protect the capital.

As the sun rose higher, she made her way to the central courtyard of the Imperial Palace, where the competition's final stages were set to take place. The area was already filled with spectators, nobles, and officials, all eager to witness the display of martial prowess. But Li Mei's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling that the enemy was close, lurking just beyond sight.

She scanned the crowd, her eyes sharp and focused. The system's Enhanced Item Detection was on full alert, searching for any hidden dangers or unusual activity. But so far, everything seemed normal—or at least as normal as it could be in a city on the brink of attack.

Just as she was beginning to doubt her instincts, the system chimed in her mind.

[Warning: Hostile Presence Detected]

Li Mei's heart skipped a beat. She focused on the system's alert, allowing it to guide her. The presence was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was there, hidden among the crowd. She moved through the throng of people, her senses heightened.

As she neared the edge of the courtyard, she spotted a group of figures moving with deliberate intent. They were cloaked in dark robes, their faces obscured by hoods. The system identified them immediately—they were not ordinary spectators but assassins, their auras laced with murderous intent.

Li Mei's hand tightened around the hilt of her Moonlit Dagger. She couldn't afford to confront them here, not in the midst of so many innocent people. But she had to act fast. The enemy was making their move, and she was the only one who could stop them.

She followed the assassins at a distance, slipping through the crowd like a shadow. They made their way to a secluded alleyway on the outskirts of the courtyard, away from prying eyes. Once they were out of sight, Li Mei quickened her pace, closing the distance between them.

The moment she stepped into the alley, one of the assassins turned, sensing her presence. He moved to draw his weapon, but Li Mei was faster. In one swift motion, she drew her dagger and struck, the blade finding its mark with deadly precision. The assassin crumpled to the ground without a sound.

The remaining assassins reacted with trained efficiency, fanning out to surround her. Li Mei's heart raced, but she remained calm, her mind focused. The system's Advanced Combat Analysis kicked in, providing real-time data on her opponents—their strengths, weaknesses, and possible attack patterns.

The first assassin lunged at her, a gleaming blade aimed at her throat. Li Mei sidestepped the attack, countering with a swift slash that cut through his defenses. He staggered back, clutching his wound, but Li Mei didn't give him a chance to recover. She pressed the attack, her movements fluid and precise.

The second assassin attempted to flank her, but the system had already anticipated the move. Li Mei spun on her heel, bringing her dagger up just in time to parry his strike. With a quick flick of her wrist, she disarmed him, sending his weapon clattering to the ground. A swift kick to the chest sent him sprawling.

The third assassin hesitated, clearly unnerved by the ease with which Li Mei had dispatched his comrades. He took a step back, his eyes narrowing as he assessed her. But before he could make a move, Li Mei felt a surge of energy from the artifact she had taken from the catacombs. The dark power thrummed in her veins, urging her to unleash it.

Li Mei hesitated for only a moment before giving in to the artifact's power. She raised her hand, and a wave of dark energy erupted from her palm, slamming into the assassin with the force of a thunderbolt. He screamed as the energy consumed him, his body disintegrating into ash.

As the last of the assassins fell, Li Mei took a moment to catch her breath. The alley was silent now, save for the distant sounds of the city. She could feel the artifact's power receding, its dark energy still swirling within her. But the system kept it in check, ensuring it didn't overwhelm her.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Li Mei turned her attention back to the courtyard. The assassins had been only the first wave—she was certain of it. The real attack was yet to come. She had to warn the Emperor and the city's defenders before it was too late.

She hurried back to the courtyard, where the competition was in full swing. The crowd was oblivious to the danger that loomed, their cheers and applause echoing through the square. But Li Mei could sense the tension in the air, the feeling of something about to snap.

As she reached the edge of the courtyard, she spotted Jiang Wei among the Imperial Guards stationed near the Emperor's pavilion. His eyes met hers, and she could see the concern in his gaze. She made her way over to him, her expression grim.

"We have a problem," she said quietly, keeping her voice low so as not to alarm the others.

Jiang Wei's expression hardened. "What is it?"

"There are assassins in the city," Li Mei replied. "I took out a group of them, but I don't think they were the main force. There's something bigger coming—a full-scale attack on the capital."

Jiang Wei's eyes widened, but he didn't hesitate. "We need to alert the Emperor and the rest of the guard. If the enemy is planning an attack, we have to be ready."

Li Mei nodded. "I'll stay here and keep watch. If anything happens, I'll deal with it."

Jiang Wei placed a hand on her shoulder. "Be careful, Li Mei. The enemy is ruthless, and they won't stop until they've achieved their goal."

"I know," she replied, her voice steely. "But neither will I."

With that, Jiang Wei turned and hurried toward the Emperor's pavilion, his steps purposeful. Li Mei watched him go, her mind racing. The city was on the brink of disaster, and she was one of the few who could prevent it.

She took a deep breath, centering herself. The system was her greatest asset, and she would use it to its fullest. Whatever the enemy had planned, she would be ready.

As the sun reached its zenith, the atmosphere in the courtyard shifted. The cheers of the crowd grew louder, more frenzied, as the final match of the competition was announced. But Li Mei barely registered it. Her focus was on the shadows, on the unseen threat that lurked just beyond the edges of the celebration.

And then, as if on cue, she felt it—a shift in the air, a subtle but unmistakable change. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and the system's warning flared in her mind.

[Warning: Multiple Hostile Presences Detected]

Li Mei's hand tightened around her dagger as she scanned the courtyard. The enemy was here. The battle was about to begin.