World of Rules

... 

At Dawn

As the sun rose, the city slowly awakened.

Golden light seeped through the alleys, brushing against stone walls and interwoven streets. The voices of merchants gradually rose, blending with the rustling of footsteps and the rhythmic pounding of hammers. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the crisp morning breeze, announcing the start of a new day.

Amidst this orderly chaos, a shadow moved without urgency.

"Di" strolled through the streets, his steps calm as if the world meant nothing to him. He had no apparent destination—or so it seemed. His black eyes absorbed everything around him, yet he did not stop until he reached a nondescript building. Simple on the outside, yet within it lay something more valuable than any treasure—an Information Shop.

Inside the Information Shop

Di pushed the door open and stepped inside.

A short while later, he emerged.

What happened inside? No one knew.

There was no change in his appearance, no trace of what had transpired. Just an entrance… then an exit. As if nothing had happened at all.

He resumed walking until he reached the heart of the city, where glory, ambition, and power converged into a single point.

Here, the streets were wider, the buildings grander, and the people more influential. This was a place where only the strong roamed—those born into power or those who seized it for themselves.

The city's core was divided into three main areas, each controlled by one of the three ruling families. Within each territory stood a towering palace, a testament to the family's dominance and prestige.

The Three Great Palaces

The Mo Family Palace: A fortress of both luxury and dread. Its obsidian-black walls were adorned with golden engravings that pulsed as if they held a life of their own. The massive gates alone were enough to make any visitor feel insignificant before the imposing structure. Even the air around it felt heavier, as if merely approaching would weigh down one's breath.

The Lian Family Palace: Equally grand but exuding a completely different aura. Its ivory-white walls glowed under the sunlight, with crimson wooden rooftops inlaid with delicate gold leaves. Its gardens boasted rare trees, their fruits shimmering like tiny stars suspended between the branches. It was not just a place of power—but a den of wisdom and hidden schemes.

The Xu Family Palace: More fortress than palace. Its walls were forged from black iron, encircled by intricate protective enchantments. There were no unnecessary decorations, no signs of extravagance—just an unyielding battleground, a home for warriors who knew nothing but combat.

Standing amidst all this, Di took in the details with his unblinking gaze.

Yet, he did not move.

---

Inside the Mo Family Palace

In a vast hall, dimly lit by flickering purple flames, three men had gathered.

They were no ordinary men.

They were the heads of the three ruling families.

On the table before them lay a map, drawn with golden ink. At its center, a single dot gleamed, representing something more valuable than any treasure—the Moon Pearl.

Mo Family’s Patriarch spoke first, his voice soft yet carrying an undeniable weight:

"Who would have thought that the Han Family hid such a treasure in a place no one would care about—on Frostfall Island."

Lian Family’s Patriarch ran a tense finger across the table before replying:

"The problem isn’t finding its location, but taking it from the Han Family."

The Han Family… the true rulers of Frostfall Island.

The third man did not speak.

He simply stared at the map, then at the shifting shadows outside the hall.

For a brief moment, a strange expression flickered across his face—before vanishing as if it had never been there.

Beyond the palace walls, where no one was supposed to be, stood Di, listening.

He was not there by accident.

Everything had been planned from the very beginning.

Long before this moment, he had already left his mark on these three men—before disappearing into seclusion.

---

Inside the Mo Family Palace

The purple flames flickered, casting dancing shadows across the engraved walls. Silence hung heavy in the hall as the three patriarchs studied the map. The golden dot that marked the Moon Pearl seemed almost alive, pulsing faintly in the dim light.

Lian Family’s Patriarch was the first to exhale, his finger tracing the distance between their city and Frostfall Island before speaking slowly:

"The Han Family is not an opponent to be taken lightly. They are united and rule their island with an iron grip."

Xu Family’s Patriarch, his sharp eyes reflecting deep thought, responded:

"An isolated island is a vulnerable one. If we impose a trade blockade and make them believe another faction is after the pearl, we might force them to give it up without a fight."

Mo Family’s Patriarch let out a short chuckle—one devoid of amusement.

"A blockade? We are not a merchant family, nor do we have time for political games."

Lian Family’s Patriarch did not argue, but his voice remained calm as he suggested:

"What about using a proxy? We could hire a mercenary clan to attempt the theft while we remain in the shadows, watching and intervening only when necessary."

Xu Family’s Patriarch tilted his head slightly, considering the idea before replying:

"That could work. But mercenaries are unreliable. If they fail, the Han Family will be on high alert, making it even harder for us to act."

For a moment, silence reigned. None of them underestimated the Han Family—Frostfall Island had remained untouched by external conflicts, allowing them to accumulate considerable strength.

Three late-stage First-Tier Foundation Lords.

Even thinking about it sent a chill through the air.

Then, Mo Family’s Patriarch leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes glinting with a dark light as he said:

"Why waste time with complications? Why not simply… steal it ourselves?"

Lian Family’s Patriarch raised an eyebrow, while Xu Family’s Patriarch let out a slow breath.

"Steal it? Right from under their noses?"

Mo Family’s Patriarch nodded slowly, his voice steady yet filled with unwavering certainty:

"The Han Family is strong, yes. But they rely on their isolated location and believe no one would dare come after them. That confidence… could be their weakness."

His tone grew firmer as he continued:

"If we move swiftly, giving them no time to react, we can take the pearl before they even realize what's happening. All we need… is the right person to execute the mission."

Lian Family’s Patriarch studied him for a long moment before glancing at Xu Family’s Patriarch. Finally, he spoke slowly:

"If we have someone who can infiltrate and escape undetected, then it might be possible."

Xu Family’s Patriarch did not respond immediately. Instead, he interlocked his fingers, lost in thought. After a while, he finally said:

"If that’s the case, then I will personally take on this risk. But we need a flawless plan. We must gather precise information about the pearl’s location within their palace, the guards’ movements, and the island’s weaknesses."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Mo Family’s Patriarch’s lips, as if he had been waiting for these very words.

"That part… can be arranged easily."

Silence settled once more, but this time, it was different.

It was not the silence of hesitation—but of an unspoken agreement.

At last, Lian Family’s Patriarch murmured in a low voice:

"Then… let the preparations begin."