The Shackling Prison was the coldest, deepest part of the Xianzhou Luofu, a place where even the ambient light of the artificial stars did not reach. Energy suppressors lined the damp, ancient stone walls, pulsing with a low, oppressive hum that nullified a prisoner's powers and preyed on their will.

Jing Yuan leaned against the wall of his cell, his eyes closed, his breathing even. He was not panicking. He was analyzing. The frame-up had been perfect. The evidence, the timing, the seal—it was a masterpiece of political assassination. Feixiao... why? And who else?

The sound of heavy, armored boots echoed in the desolate corridor. The cell door hissed open.

Walking in was Arbiter-General Feixiao, the very person who had personally overseen his arrest. Her silver-teal hair gleamed coldly in the dim light, and she looked down at him, her face an impassive mask.

"Is life in prison treating you well, General Jing Yuan?"

Jing Yuan chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. He slowly opened his eyes. "General Feixiao. An unexpected visit. It's... quiet. It gives one time to think. For instance, how perfectly forged evidence, bearing a seal known only to the Arbiter-Generals, found its way into my most private study."

"Frame?" Feixiao raised an eyebrow, her voice devoid of emotion. "A bold accusation from a man caught colluding with Abundance. General Jing Yuan, biting back is not the act of a gentleman."

Jing Yuan's hands, bound in energy shackles, clenched into tight fists. He pushed himself off the wall and glared at her. "Feixiao! What is your objective? I have known you for decades. You are many things—impulsive, brash, even reckless—but a fool is not one of them. You cannot possibly believe those letters."

His gaze sharpened, trying to pierce her cold facade. "Did you… betray the Xianzhou?"

Just then, a second set of footsteps sounded from behind her, lighter, softer. "Oh? As expected of the 'Divine Foresight' General… You guessed what happened so quickly?"

The voice was familiar, but the tone was all wrong. It was light, teasing, and filled with the malicious pleasure of a cat toying with a mouse.

A petite figure emerged from the shadows. It was the Master Diviner of the Luofu, Fu Xuan. And beside her, a white-haired, fox-eared young man followed like a shadow. Jing Yuan recognized him; it was Jiang Xuan, the diviner who had recently risen to prominence in her commission.

Fu Xuan tilted her head, a playful, inappropriate smile on her lips. "I never thought I'd see the day. The dignified, all-knowing General of the Luofu, actually imprisoned like a common criminal… Truly, I've lived long enough to see anything."

Jing Yuan stared at her, his pupils suddenly contracting. He recalled Fu Xuan visiting his study just days before the investigation, under the pretext of discussing data from the Matrix. He recalled those suddenly appearing secret letters…

"It was you," he whispered, the pieces clicking into place with horrifying clarity. "The seal... the access to my study... It was you and Feixiao who conspired to frame me! What are your intentions?!"

Watching his furious, betrayed expression, "Fu Xuan" laughed. It was a light, tinkling, gleeful sound that sent a chill down Jing Yuan's spine. "As for our intentions… Guess?"

Jing Yuan stared intently into her eyes, at that mocking, playful smile. "That... that's not her smile. You... You're not Fu Xuan! Who are you?!"

"Oh?" The entity occupying Fu Xuan's body chuckled, genuinely amused. "The General has good discernment. How disappointing, I thought my performance was perfect." Her form flickered, just for an instant, revealing the shadowy, divine silhouette of the Lord Ravager beneath. "Actually… we met not long ago. In the roots of the Ambrosial Arbor."

Jing Yuan's blood ran cold. He remembered that colossal, terrifying presence. "Phantylia?!"

"Correct!" Phantylia clapped Fu Xuan's small hands together. "Too bad, no reward."

Jing Yuan's expression became extremely grim. He looked at Feixiao, whose face remained an impassive mask. "So that's it… When you suddenly appeared and 'killed' Phantylia, it was just an act… a grand play to fool everyone! You've all... joined Destruction."

"Alright, the idle chat is over." Phantylia's expression, and her voice, suddenly turned cold, all playfulness gone. She looked at you, "Jiang Xuan... no. Orion. Send this General on his way."

You nodded, your face impassive. You walked straight forward, past Feixiao, past Phantylia, stopping just outside the range of Jing Yuan's shackles.

Jing Yuan watched you approach. He didn't beg. He didn't plead. He just watched, his golden, lion-like gaze heavy with a weary understanding. "So, you were the mole all along. The quiet diviner... a perfect disguise. Well played."

You stopped just before him. You said nothing. This wasn't personal. It wasn't hatred. It was a cold, necessary step in your grand, vengeful plan.

Jing Yuan let out a small, tired sigh. "May I ask one last question? Why?"

You met his gaze, your own golden eyes reflecting only a calm, empty abyss. "For a new script."

Just then, a dagger, hidden in your sleeve, thrust out with lightning speed! It was not a dramatic, telegraphed stab. It was a quick, cold, ruthlessly efficient motion.

Pfft.

The sharp blade, imbued with a subtle, dark energy, accurately pierced Jing Yuan's heart.

His eyes widened, not in pain, but in sheer surprise at the speed. He looked down at the hilt of the dagger protruding from his chest, then back up at you, his mouth opening as if to speak.

Blood gushed out. His body swayed. He tried to say one last word, but only a bloody gurgle escaped. He collapsed heavily to the cold prison floor, his golden eyes staring blankly at the unfeeling ceiling.

[Successfully killed Luofu General Jing Yuan, Villain Value +1000!]

You calmly wiped the blade clean on his now-lifeless uniform and sheathed it, pulling it back into your sleeve.

Phantylia, still wearing Fu Xuan's face, watched with detached appreciation. "How clean. Now, for the next act."

A few minutes later, Phantylia stood up, brushing non-existent dust from Jing Yuan's robes. She had taken his form, perfectly mimicking his appearance, right down to the weary, burdened look in his eyes.

"This body is too old... not as... flexible as Fu Xuan's," she said, her voice a perfect imitation of Jing Yuan's deep, steady tone. "Resplendent might… heed my command!" She posed dramatically, then turned to you and Feixiao. "How is it? Is it similar?"

You shook your head. "No. It's too over-the-top. Jing Yuan is weary, not theatrical."

"Jing Yuan" (Phantylia) coughed, a little embarrassed. "Alright, I'll try to control myself. Now, what about her?" She kicked the real, unconscious Fu Xuan lying on the ground.

You bent down and picked up the unconscious Master Diviner. From your inventory, you retrieved a flask of high-proof spirits—a prop prepared for this exact moment. You forced her mouth open and poured a generous amount of the strong liquor in.

Her small face immediately flushed, and she reeked of alcohol, making her look thoroughly, helplessly drunk.

You carried her on your back, piggyback style, like a dutiful subordinate carrying his intoxicated master. "Let's go."

"Hey!" "Jing Yuan" called from behind. "Are you just going to leave me here?"

Feixiao glanced back, her tone indifferent. "The mechanism of the shackles has been tampered with. It will 'malfunction' in an hour, allowing you to 'escape.' Until then, stay put and follow the plan."

With that, you and Feixiao quickly departed, leaving the imposter "Jing Yuan" alone in the cold prison cell with the real Jing Yuan's corpse.

The next day, in the Divination Commission. The atmosphere was tense, with diviners whispering about the General's arrest. Qingque walked in late as usual, yawning, her hair a bird's nest.

"Morning..." she mumbled, slumping toward her desk. She paused, noticing you. "Huh? Jiang Xuan? You're early. Where is the Master Diviner? She didn't come in today?"

You stood in the center of the hall, on the high platform where Fu Xuan usually stood. Your posture was straight, your expression unreadable.

"Everyone," your voice, clear and cold, cut through the quiet hum of the commission. All the diviners looked up.

You took out a formal, rolled decree. "Master Diviner Fu Xuan has suddenly fallen ill, aggravated by the stress of recent events and the General's shocking betrayal."

You unfolded the document, which clearly bore Fu Xuan's personal signature and the official seal of the Master Diviner—forged by you, of course. "This is her personal decree, appointing me, Jiang Xuan, to temporarily take over all duties as Master Diviner until she recovers."

Qingque's eyes widened, her jaw dropping. "What?! She's sick? But wasn't she... fine yesterday?" She looked at you, a flicker of suspicion in her half-asleep eyes. "And... you? Temporarily in charge?"

"It was an acute illness," you said calmly, your voice leaving no room for argument. "The physicians from the Alchemy Commission have confirmed it. She needs absolute rest and is not to be disturbed."

"From today onwards," you continued, your gaze sweeping over the stunned diviners present, "all divinations from the Matrix of Prescience, all reports, and all directives will be interpreted and issued by me."

"Any objections?"

No one dared to speak. Qingque looked at you, then at the decree, then back at you, her mind clearly racing. But faced with your cold, authoritative stare, even she could only swallow her doubts.

Thus, you took over the Divination Commission. The future of the Luofu was now in your control.