The Imperial Banquet Hall was a vision of grandeur — domed crystal ceilings reflecting a thousand chandelier lights, polished obsidian floors that echoed the shuffle of silk and the whisper of plotting voices.
All ranks of the Empire had gathered — nobles, elite officers, foreign dignitaries, and the royal family. The air buzzed with music and false laughter.
Tonight, however, was more than celebration. It was bait.
Marshal Sheng Long made his first public appearance in over a year — alive, intact, and dressed in ceremonial black with silver dragon embroidery that wrapped his tall frame like a living flame. The hall quieted the moment he entered.
Gasps, then whispers spread like wildfire. The Marshal lives?
An Li stood at the far end of the hall, eyes sharp even behind her smile. She recovered quickly and stepped forward, her golden gown shimmering like sunlight.
"My, how the stars favor us," she said, voice smooth as honey. "Our beloved hero returns. And here I thought the dead stayed dead."
Sheng Long inclined his head, all ice. "I've always found rumors to be the most fragile form of truth."
Her smile didn't waver. "Then let's build new truths together."
Across the room, Xiao Lin entered quietly, accompanied by Yan Shuo and Lu Jian. He wore a pale blue ceremonial robe embroidered with silver foxes, and the jade pendant from Sheng Long nestled just under his collar.
He'd grown stronger — his posture more confident, his eyes clearer.
Still, his heart thudded hard at the sight of An Li standing close to Sheng Long.
Lu Jian noticed. "She may be beautiful, but she's made of ice. I wouldn't worry."
"I'm not jealous," Xiao Lin muttered.
Lu Jian raised a brow.
"…Okay, maybe a little," Xiao Lin admitted.
"Talk to him later," Lu Jian said. "He doesn't look like he's enjoying it either."
As the banquet continued, Sheng Long subtly moved through the crowd, noting who bowed too deeply, who avoided eye contact, who whispered the wrong names.
He was watching for more than An Li.
Word had spread quickly after his reappearance. Too quickly.
And just as he suspected — several nobles had sent spies to observe him that night.
He caught two. Had Yan Shuo quietly follow a third.
But it was the fourth that chilled him: a masked guest with no clear identity, who vanished just as Sheng Long caught his eye. He wouldn't pursue now. Not yet. The trap was still closing.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lin stepped out into the moonlit courtyard to catch his breath.
He barely had a moment before a voice spoke behind him.
"You shouldn't be alone here, little fox."
He turned, startled — a tall man stood nearby. Dark blue robes, striking green eyes, and a smooth, polished tone.
"I noticed you during training days ago," the man said. "You're very quick. I thought you might make a good sparring partner."
"I—I'm honored," Xiao Lin said, wary but polite.
The man smiled. "My name is Ren Yi."
Before he could say more, Sheng Long stepped into the courtyard like a storm front.
"Xiao Lin," he said curtly, ignoring Ren Yi completely. "The Emperor's about to give a speech."
Xiao Lin nodded and bowed politely to Ren Yi. "Maybe later."
Ren Yi watched them go, something amused — or interested — flickering behind his eyes.
The Emperor's speech was brief but full of grandeur and empty words.
Peace. Unity. Glory.
As the crowd applauded, Sheng Long's gaze scanned the gathering.
One masked figure slipped away too quickly.
He signaled Yan Shuo — and the hunt began.
After the speech, Sheng Long finally found a quiet moment with Xiao Lin.
"You did well," Sheng Long said. "You looked confident tonight."
Xiao Lin smiled faintly. "I was more nervous than I looked."
He hesitated, then stepped closer.
"That man… Ren Yi. He said he saw me train. I don't know what to think of him."
"You don't need to," Sheng Long said, too fast, too firm.
Xiao Lin blinked. "Are you…jealous?"
There was a pause.
"No," Sheng Long said, lying terribly. "Cautious."
Xiao Lin laughed softly. "You're terrible at lying."
Sheng Long's lips curved faintly. "Only when it matters."
They stood under the stars, shoulder to shoulder, silence wrapping them briefly in peace.
But the night wasn't over.
Back in the shadows of the palace, Yan Shuo cornered the masked guest — only to discover they wore the insignia of the royal family.
And far beyond the Empire, the Zerg Queen stirred again.
Because Xiao Lin — the fox who could heal a beast nucleus — had just entered the battlefield.