Chapter 35: The Emperor’s Summons

The dawn after the Festival of Shadows was tranquil, as if the city of Lingyun had been purged of the malevolent energy that had threatened it. The streets, which had been so full of life the night before, were now quiet, with only a few early risers going about their business. The victory over the shadow cultists was known to only a few, and life resumed in the city as though nothing had happened.

Li Mei, however, knew that things had changed. She stood on the balcony of the small inn where she and Jiang Wei had been staying, looking out over the city. Her body was still sore from the previous night's battle, but her mind was sharp. The system had rewarded her generously for her efforts, but she could sense that it was only the beginning.

[System Notification: Mission Completed]

[Rewards: 50 System Points, Tier 3 Artifact (Shadow Veil Cloak), System Level Up to 2]

[New Feature Unlocked: Daily Missions]

[System Points Accumulated: 100/200 for next upgrade]

The new feature intrigued her. Daily missions would allow her to accumulate points more steadily, making it easier to reach the next system level. The Shadow Veil Cloak was another boon, enhancing her stealth abilities and making her nearly invisible in the dark.

As she considered her new rewards, a soft knock at her door brought her back to the present. Jiang Wei stepped in, his face serious.

"Li Mei, there's something you need to see," he said, handing her a sealed scroll. "This arrived early this morning. It's from the Imperial Court."

Li Mei took the scroll, her heart skipping a beat. The Imperial Court? She quickly broke the seal and unrolled the parchment, scanning the elegant script.

By the decree of His Imperial Majesty, you are hereby summoned to the capital to receive commendation for your service to the Empire. Your presence is required at the Imperial Palace within three days.

Li Mei's breath caught in her throat. A summons from the Emperor himself was no small matter. But she couldn't help but wonder how much the court knew about her involvement in the events of the previous night.

"Do you think they know what happened?" she asked, looking up at Jiang Wei.

He shrugged, though his expression was thoughtful. "It's possible. The Imperial Court has its ways of finding things out. But they wouldn't summon you without a good reason. This could be an opportunity."

"An opportunity?" Li Mei repeated, her mind racing. The Emperor's favor could mean protection, resources, and information—all things she needed to navigate the dangers ahead. But it could also mean scrutiny, and if the court discovered the existence of the system…

Jiang Wei seemed to read her thoughts. "You've been careful so far, Li Mei. There's no reason to think that will change. Besides, the system is bound to you alone. As long as you keep it that way, there's nothing to worry about."

Li Mei nodded, though she wasn't entirely reassured. The system had become an integral part of her life, and she couldn't afford to let anyone—even the Emperor—learn of its existence.

"We should leave for the capital today," she said, rolling up the scroll. "The sooner we arrive, the more time we'll have to prepare."

Jiang Wei agreed, and within the hour, they were on the road. The journey to the capital was long and arduous, but it gave Li Mei time to think. She used the time to review her new abilities, familiarizing herself with the Shadow Veil Cloak and strategizing how best to use it in the days to come.

[System Notification: Daily Mission Available]

[Mission: Assist a traveler in need along your journey.]

[Reward: 10 System Points]

The system's new daily missions were straightforward, designed to keep her skills sharp and earn her points. As they traveled, Li Mei kept an eye out for opportunities to fulfill the mission, knowing that every point brought her closer to the next system upgrade.

On the second day of their journey, as they passed through a dense forest, they came across a small caravan under attack by a group of bandits. The travelers—mostly merchants and their families—were struggling to defend themselves, their guards outnumbered and outmatched.

Li Mei didn't hesitate. "This is it," she said to Jiang Wei, drawing her sword. "We have to help them."

Jiang Wei nodded, already moving into position. The bandits were so focused on their attack that they didn't notice Li Mei and Jiang Wei until it was too late. With a single, swift motion, Li Mei activated the Shadow Veil Cloak, disappearing from sight.

The bandits froze as she materialized among them, her blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. The cloak made her movements almost ghostly, and the bandits, already superstitious, began to panic.

Jiang Wei joined the fray, his sword flashing in the sunlight. The two of them made quick work of the bandits, and within moments, the remaining attackers were either dead or fleeing into the forest.

The merchants, wide-eyed with fear and relief, gathered around their saviors. The leader of the caravan, an elderly man with a long white beard, stepped forward, bowing deeply.

"Thank you, young warriors," he said, his voice trembling. "You've saved our lives. Please, take this as a token of our gratitude."

He handed Li Mei a small pouch of gold coins, but she shook her head. "Your safety is all the reward we need," she said, though she accepted the pouch out of politeness. The real reward, after all, was the system points.

[System Notification: Daily Mission Completed]

[Rewards: 10 System Points]

[System Points Accumulated: 110/200]

With the bandits gone and the caravan safe, Li Mei and Jiang Wei continued on their journey. The encounter had been brief but intense, a reminder that danger could strike at any moment.

By the time they arrived at the capital, the sun was setting once more. The city loomed before them, its towering walls and gleaming spires a testament to the Empire's power and wealth. The gates were heavily guarded, but their summons from the Emperor granted them swift entry.

As they made their way through the bustling streets, Li Mei couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The capital was a city like no other—grand, imposing, and full of secrets. But beneath her admiration was a thread of unease. She was stepping into the heart of the Empire, where power and politics intertwined in ways she could scarcely imagine.

Their arrival at the Imperial Palace was met with formality and decorum. They were escorted through the grand halls, each more opulent than the last, until they reached a small, private chamber where they were instructed to wait.

Li Mei's heart pounded in her chest. Whatever awaited her here, it would shape the course of her journey in ways she could not yet foresee.