In the depths of the Starfall Kingdom, beneath the royal palace, a secret chamber pulsed with ancient energy. Black and gold runes floated mid-air, forming a massive circular array. At its center sat Priyanshu Yadav, legs crossed, his eyes glowing faintly purple.
His voice echoed softly, "System, show the connections of the 'Loyal Dog' Organization."
A translucent map unfolded in front of him. Dots appeared—some bright red, others dim gray—marking every individual connected to the shadow organization he created to control and observe the entire world from behind the curtain.
"Thirty-seven high-ranking officials across kingdoms. Eleven top disciples in sects. Five royal bloodlines. Three ancient clans. And a partridge in a pear tree," he muttered with a smirk.
Behind him stood two of his loyal followers—Elira, the cold-blooded assassin with demon fox lineage, and Han Xie, the blade monk who had once been a wandering madman until Priyanshu tamed him with one sentence: "You serve chaos. Serve the master of it."
Elira stepped forward. "My Lord, the spies planted in Heaven's Ridge Academy have confirmed it—Zhao Tian has begun investigating the massacre of the Phantom Valley Sect."
Priyanshu didn't even flinch. "Let him."
Han Xie frowned. "What if he connects it to us?"
"Then I'll let him believe it was his idea to join me."
The Hidden Villain wasn't just about hiding power—it was about planting ideas, twisting beliefs, forging destinies, and breaking them when necessary. Priyanshu wasn't just behind everything—he was the thread that pulled reality like a puppet show.
Suddenly, the system buzzed in his mind.
DING! Hidden Villain Quest Triggered:
"Corrupt the Purest Hero" – Target: Princess Yue Ling of Azure Light Kingdom.
Reward: [Skill – Reversal Seed: Convert any enemy into loyal follower permanently].
Priyanshu's eyes flickered. Yue Ling—one of the Five Purity Saints. A heroine so righteous, her tears were said to purify cursed lands. She was untouchable. But now…
"Interesting," he murmured, standing. "It's time the world learns that even light can fall when the shadow whispers sweet enough lies."
Han Xie bowed. "Shall I prepare the illusion temple?"
"No. I'll go myself. Yue Ling has never met me. To her, I'm just a mortal scholar wandering the world to learn."
Elira smirked. "Should I pack her a white dress for her funeral or a red one for the wedding?"
Priyanshu chuckled. "Both."
Far away in the Azure Light Kingdom, a woman dressed in flowing celestial silks sneezed.
Princess Yue Ling frowned, looking up from her meditation. "Strange… the heavens tremble."
Little did she know, it wasn't heaven that trembled.
It was the villain, finally stepping onto the stage.