Chapter 17: Shadows in the Dark

The silence of the night was broken by the distant howl of a wolf. Zhang Ye stood on the guild's rooftop, gazing out at the city of Blueveil. The lights twinkled like stars below, but his focus was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming, a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.

Down in the courtyard, guild members trained tirelessly. The effects of Zhang Ye's Titan's Feast were still evident, their enhanced strength allowing them to push their limits. Kai was sparring with Elira, their weapons clashing with an intensity that drew the attention of onlookers.

Zhang Ye's thoughts drifted to the Black Serpent Syndicate. Their messenger's words echoed in his mind: "Some lessons must be learned the hard way." The Syndicate wouldn't back down after his refusal. If anything, they'd escalate their efforts.

A soft knock on the rooftop door pulled him from his thoughts. Linna stepped out, her expression as serious as ever.

"We've received a report," she said, handing him a scroll. "There's been movement in the eastern district. Several warehouses were raided last night, and witnesses claim to have seen individuals wearing the Syndicate's emblem."

Zhang Ye frowned as he unrolled the scroll. The report detailed the Syndicate's recent activities: theft, sabotage, and intimidation. They were clearly preparing for something big, and the eastern district was dangerously close to the guild's territory.

"What's their goal?" Zhang Ye asked.

"Hard to say," Linna replied. "But it's clear they're testing us, trying to gauge our strength and reaction time."

Zhang Ye nodded. "Then we'll give them an answer they won't forget."

---

The guild mobilized quickly, splitting into teams to patrol the eastern district and secure its borders. Zhang Ye joined one of the teams, his presence a reassuring sight for the newer recruits.

The streets were eerily quiet as they moved through the district. The faint glow of lanterns cast long shadows on the cobblestone paths, and the air was thick with tension.

Zhang Ye's senses were heightened, his system providing subtle warnings whenever danger lurked nearby. At one point, they stumbled upon a group of Syndicate thugs attempting to break into a storage house.

The fight was swift and decisive. Zhang Ye's team, empowered by his cooking and their training, easily overpowered the thugs. One of them, a wiry man with a scar across his face, tried to flee but was quickly captured.

Zhang Ye stepped forward, his gaze piercing. "Who sent you?"

The man sneered but said nothing. Zhang Ye sighed, pulling out a small vial from his satchel. It contained a potent truth elixir, one of his latest creations.

"Drink this," Zhang Ye said, holding the vial in front of the man's face. "Or I'll let my friends here convince you to talk."

The man hesitated but eventually relented, drinking the elixir with a grimace. Within moments, his defiance melted away, replaced by a glassy, vacant expression.

"We were sent to create chaos," the man said, his voice monotone. "Our orders were to disrupt the guild's operations and draw out its leaders."

"Why?" Zhang Ye pressed. "What's the Syndicate planning?"

"I don't know," the man replied. "Only the higher-ups know the full plan. We're just foot soldiers."

Zhang Ye exchanged a glance with Linna, who nodded. They had gotten all they could from the thug.

---

Back at the guild, Zhang Ye and the others regrouped to discuss their next steps. The Syndicate's activities were escalating, and it was clear that a larger confrontation was imminent.

"We need to strike first," Kai said, slamming his fist on the table. "Take the fight to them before they can catch us off guard."

"I agree," Elira added. "But we need to be smart about it. A direct attack could leave us vulnerable."

Zhang Ye listened to the discussion, his mind racing. He knew they couldn't afford to wait, but rushing in blindly wasn't an option either.

"I have an idea," Zhang Ye said finally, drawing the attention of the room. "If the Syndicate is targeting us, then we'll use that to our advantage. We'll lure them into a trap."

"What kind of trap?" Linna asked.

Zhang Ye's lips curled into a determined smile. "A feast they won't forget."

---

The plan was bold and dangerous, but it had the potential to deal a significant blow to the Syndicate. Zhang Ye would host a grand banquet, disguised as a celebration for the guild's recent victories. Word would spread, and the Syndicate's spies would undoubtedly report it back to their leaders.

The banquet would be held in the guild's main hall, but the real event would take place in the shadows. As the Syndicate's agents infiltrated the gathering, the guild would be lying in wait, ready to strike.

Zhang Ye spent the next two days preparing for the banquet, crafting dishes that were as delicious as they were practical. Each one was infused with subtle effects, from enhancing vision to increasing stamina.

On the night of the banquet, the guild hall was transformed into a dazzling venue. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, their warm light casting a golden glow over the room. Tables were laden with an array of mouthwatering dishes, their aromas filling the air.

Guests from neighboring guilds and adventurers filled the hall, their laughter and chatter masking the tension that hung beneath the surface. Zhang Ye moved among them, his calm demeanor hiding the storm brewing in his mind.

As the night wore on, Zhang Ye's system buzzed with a notification.

[Threat Detected: Infiltrators Identified. Initiating Countermeasures.]

Zhang Ye glanced around, his eyes scanning the crowd. He spotted them immediately—a group of individuals trying too hard to blend in, their movements stiff and unnatural.

The trap was set. It was time to spring it.