2.The Shadow Guard's First Mission: Silent as Night

Nightfall blanketed the Northern Di imperial court in an icy stillness. Towering palace walls isolated the desert kingdom from the outside world, while flickering candles within deep halls illuminated a silent, turbulent struggle for power.

A shadow slipped noiselessly across the palace rooftops, landing gracefully atop the ridge of an isolated pavilion. Cloaked entirely in black with a soft sword at her waist, her breathing was as faint as morning mist, but her eyes held an icy calm. Her name was Mo Yan—the most gifted shadow guard trained by the Meishan Sect and the most elusive phantom in Northern Di.

Tonight, her mission was to spy on Princess Tuoba Feiyan's political adversaries.

Inside the pavilion, candlelight wavered as several Northern Di nobles gathered around a table, whispering urgently. Mo Yan flattened herself silently against the roof, holding her breath, her ears attuned through a specially crafted bamboo tube.

"Tuoba Feiyan grows more reckless," one elderly noble said gravely. "Though she's the emperor's own aunt, she dares meddle in state affairs and conspires secretly with Western Rong!"

"Hmph, if she truly allies with Western Rong, our Northern Di will soon be sold off completely!" another angrily retorted.

"She schemes to control the court and eliminate opposition ruthlessly," a third man spoke cautiously. "Without solid evidence, any premature move will doom us. We must ensure that Northern Di's future isn't held hostage by her alone."

Listening closely, Mo Yan's thoughts churned. These men wielded significant power in Northern Di's military and had long suspected Tuoba Feiyan of treachery. However, they had yet to realize their every move was already within Tuoba Feiyan's grasp.

Mo Yan tapped lightly on the roof tiles, contemplating her next steps.

Her assignment tonight extended beyond mere surveillance—she needed evidence of these nobles possibly aligning with the Great Yan kingdom. With proof, Tuoba Feiyan would ruthlessly eliminate her enemies. Mo Yan herself was merely an unseen pawn in this deadly game.

The night breeze stirred as she descended softly from the rooftop, melting into the darkness. Her steps were silent, sliding along the walls swiftly toward a side chamber.

This was a nobleman's private study, home to sensitive military and political documents.

Drawing a slender silver wire from her belt, she gently inserted it between the door's edges, skillfully unlocking it with a faint click. The door silently swung open.

She slipped inside, scanning the room rapidly. Her sharp gaze quickly caught sight of a neatly folded letter.

"Should Tuoba Feiyan seize military command and ally with Western Rong, we risk offending Great Yan and bringing ruin upon our nation."

Mo Yan's heart skipped a beat. This letter proved that factions within Northern Di were indeed growing suspicious of Tuoba Feiyan and considering alliances with Great Yan to counterbalance her.

This intelligence was critical; she needed to report it immediately.

Just as she turned to leave, a deep voice called from outside, "Who's in there?"

Guards approached swiftly.

Mo Yan's eyes sharpened. Without hesitation, she darted into a hidden alcove, pressing herself against the shadowed wall.

The door burst open, and two armed guards entered cautiously, examining the room.

"Strange, I clearly heard something," one muttered.

"Don't be paranoid," the other frowned, "this is a noble's study. Who would dare intrude here?"

"But—"

"Enough, let's go before we lose our heads."

Their voices faded as they left, the door shutting behind them.

Mo Yan waited silently, ensuring it was safe, then slipped from her hiding place, vanishing swiftly into the night.

Returning to the hidden chamber, Mo Yan knelt and presented the letter to Tuoba Feiyan, who reclined elegantly on a carved wooden chair, her fingertips lightly tapping the table as she read.

"Master, this is the letter from Northern Di's powerful nobles," Mo Yan whispered respectfully.

Scanning the contents quickly, Tuoba Feiyan's lips curled into a chilling smile.

"So, they truly wish to challenge me?" she laughed disdainfully. "It seems someone must disappear."

Her cold gaze fell upon Mo Yan. "You've performed well. From today onward, you're formally promoted as my Shadow Guard, responsible for monitoring the military and political figures of Northern Di."

Mo Yan lowered her head obediently. "Disciple understands."

"Very good," Tuoba Feiyan raised her hand slightly, and a sharp silver needle dropped into Mo Yan's palm.

"Your next mission is to give the most vocal noble a warning—to intimidate anyone else harboring rebellious thoughts."

Mo Yan's fingertips trembled, heart tightening painfully.

"Hesitating?" Tuoba Feiyan laughed softly, the threat implicit, heavy silence pressing down.

Mo Yan felt bitterness rising in her throat, gripping the needle tightly as a complicated emotion flashed through her eyes.

She once believed survival mattered above morality. But at that moment, she realized—

The path of a shadow guard was a bloody road from which there was no turning back.