CHAPTER 19: VD BANQUET TRAP

The invitation arrived on a dagger.

Luo Feng stared at the blood-red parchment impaled in his doorframe, its edges embroidered with Void Dynasty sigils. The message was succinct:

"YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO DIE. (OR DINNER. WE'RE FLEXIBLE.)"

The Fox Spirit plucked the dagger free. "Ooooh, fancy! Can I be your plus-one?"

Li Qing's hand twitched toward her sword. "It's a trap."

[System Alert: New Check-In Location – Void Dynasty Banquet]

[Mission: Survive the Night (Reward: Emperor's Favor (???) ]

[Failure Penalty: Execution (Public)]

Luo Feng sighed. "When is it not a trap?"

Then—

[GLITCH DETECTED]

[Secondary Check-In: "Seduce the Void Emperor's Niece"]

[Tertiary Check-In: "Steal the Imperial Wine Cellar Key"]

[Quaternary Check-In: "Challenge a General to Arm-Wrestling"]

The Fox Spirit clapped. "Four missions! It's like your System wants you dead!"

Li Qing turned on her heel. "I'm leaving."

[The Banquet: Snakes and Sacrifice]

The Void Dynasty's palace was a study in calculated terror—black jade floors, ceilings hung with captured enemy banners, and the constant sensation of being watched.

Luo Feng adjusted his borrowed noble robes (stolen) and tried not to sweat through them.

The Fox Spirit, now posing as his "mysterious foreign consort," whispered: "Twelve assassins. Six hidden blades. And that guy is definitely a demon in human skin." She pointed at a smiling minister.

Li Qing, disguised as a servant, subtly iced the wine of anyone who looked at Luo Feng too long.

Then—a gong sounded.

"HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE VOID EMPEROR!"

The room bent as the Emperor strode in—a man who moved like a landslide given human form. His gaze locked onto Luo Feng.

"SO. THE STORM FIST FINALLY GRACES US."

The Fox Spirit coughed. "Seduce the niece, seduce the niece—"

Luo Feng elbowed her.

[The Emperor's Offer (A Deal With the Devil)]

The Emperor didn't bother with small talk.

"YOU'RE ANNOYINGLY HARD TO KILL," he mused, swirling his wine. "SO I'LL OFFER THIS ONCE: SERVE ME, AND I'LL LET YOU LIVE."

A screen flashed:

[EMPEROR'S FAVOR: ACCEPT?]

[Reward: Unlimited Resources] [Cost: Your Soul (Probably)]

Luo Feng's mouth went dry.

Then—

[GLITCH INTERRUPTION]

[Seduce the Niece Progress: 0%] [Steal Key Progress: 0%] [Arm-Wrestling: ???]

The Emperor's niece—a sharp-eyed woman in onyx silks—leaned forward. "He's terrible at negotiating, isn't he?"

Luo Feng blinked. Was that… flirtation?

Li Qing's icy glare from across the room said "DON'T."

The Fox Spirit kicked him under the table. "DO IT."

[The Multi-Task Meltdown]

What followed was the most chaotic hour of Luo Feng's life:

Seduction Attempt

Luo Feng: "Your eyes are like, uh, polished obsidian?"

The Niece: "That's the worst line I've ever heard."

[Progress: 10% (Pity Points)]

Wine Cellar Heist

The Fox Spirit distracted guards by "accidentally" setting her sleeve on fire.

Li Qing froze the lock… after Luo Feng snapped the key in it.

[Progress: 45% (Now They Need a Blacksmith)]

Arm-Wrestling

General Ironjaw: "I'll crush your bones to paste."

Luo Feng: Activates Earthsplit Gauntlet.

CRACK.

[Progress: 100% (General's Table is Now Splinters)]

The Emperor laughed. "YOU'RE EITHER BRAVE OR BRAINDEAD."

[The Trap Sprung]

Then the doors slammed shut.

"ENOUGH GAMES," the Emperor said. "DIE WELL."

Twenty hidden blades unsheathed in unison.

The Fox Spirit sighed. "Knew we forgot something."

Li Qing's sword was already singing free—

—when the ceiling exploded.

"DID SOMEONE SAY GAMES?"

The War God Karghes crashed through the roof, grinning like a madman. "I WANT IN."

Silence.

Then the Thunder God materialized beside Luo Feng, crackling with fury. "YOU'RE MINE FIRST, BRAT."

The Void Emperor pinched his nose. "GODS. RUINING EVERYTHING."

[Check-In Complete (Sort Of)]

[Reward: Emperor's Amused Tolerance (Not Favor)]

[Bonus: War & Thunder Gods Now Also invested in Luo Feng's Survival]

As the divine brawl escalated, the Fox Spirit grabbed Luo Feng and Li Qing. "Time to go!"

They fled through the wine cellar (now conveniently unguarded), the Niece's laughter trailing behind them:

"Come back when you've practiced your lines, Storm Fist!"

END OF THE CHAPTER19