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Ghost in the palace

Chapter 366: The Shadow on the Terrace · Nov 02, 2026

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Chapter List (462)

Page number / 10

351 Chapter 351: The Message in the Night 2026-11-02
352 Chapter 352: The Dowager’s Warning 2026-11-02
353 Chapter 353: the kingdom uneasy 2026-11-02
354 Chapter 354: the kingdom in the brink 2026-11-02
355 Chapter 355: The Forgotten Shadow 2026-11-02
356 Chapter 356: whisper in the garden 2026-11-02
357 Chapter 357: the women who returned from the forest 2026-11-02
358 Chapter 358: the trails lead to north 2026-11-02
359 Chapter 359: Whispers Across the Kingdom 2026-11-02
360 Chapter 360: hunt for the hidden cult 2026-11-02
361 Chapter 361: The Suggestion No One Had Considered 2026-11-02
362 Chapter 362: midnight inspection 2026-11-02
363 Chapter 363: The Traitor’s Letter 2026-11-02
364 Chapter 364: The Empire Stands Firm 2026-11-02
365 Chapter 365: The Fallen Minister 2026-11-02
366 Chapter 366: The Shadow on the Terrace 2026-11-02
367 Chapter 367: The Man Beneath the Hood 2026-11-02
368 Chapter 368: Unnamed A New Shadow 2026-11-02
369 Chapter 369: The Mysterious Letter 2026-11-02
370 Chapter 370: The Hand Behind the Shadows 2026-11-02
371 Chapter 371: The Man Who Walked Among Ghosts 2026-11-02
372 Chapter 372: doomed 2026-11-02
373 Chapter 373: The Letter of Doom 2026-11-02
374 Chapter 374: – The Price of Dark Magic 2026-11-02
375 Chapter 375: The Second Phase 2026-11-02
376 Chapter 376: The Shadow Over the Kingdom 2026-11-02
377 Chapter 377: The Shadow in Princess Zhi’s Courtyard 2026-11-02
378 Chapter 378: A Shadow of Death 2026-11-02
379 Chapter 379: The Black Magic Plague 2026-11-02
380 Chapter 380: The Courtyard Without Life 2026-11-02
381 Chapter 381: ghost staring 2026-11-02
382 Chapter 382: A Dangerous Truth 2026-11-02
383 Chapter 383: the empty cotyard 2026-11-02
384 Chapter 384: doubt 2026-11-02
385 Chapter 385: the trap 2026-11-02
386 Chapter 386: The Trap Behind the Trap 2026-11-02
387 Chapter 387: The Rumor That Set the Capital Ablaze 2026-11-02
388 Chapter 388: The Ministers Who Demanded Judgment 2026-11-02
389 Chapter 389: The Ministers’ Demand 2026-11-02
390 Chapter 390: The Missing Talisman 2026-11-02
391 Chapter 391: — A Midnight Visit 2026-11-02
392 Chapter 392: Fen Yu’s Terrible Date 2026-11-02
393 Chapter 393: The Silent Courtyard 2026-11-02
394 Chapter 394: The Ghosts Who Would Not Stop Fighting 2026-11-02
395 Chapter 395: The Court Demands Blood 2026-11-02
396 Chapter 396: The Whisper That Turned Into a Storm 2026-11-02
397 Chapter 397: The Mystery Beneath the Palace 2026-11-02
398 Chapter 398: The Maid Who Wasn’t What She Seemed 2026-11-02
399 Chapter 399: Whispers Beneath the Moon 2026-11-02
400 Chapter 400: The Black Altar 2026-11-02

The investigation into the Shen Minister’s household had entered its seventh day.

The once-bustling ministerial estate was now under constant watch.

Imperial guards stood at every entrance.

Secret guards blended among servants and merchants.

Every ledger had been inspected.

Every servant questioned.

Every stable searched.

Every hidden room opened.

Yet...

Nothing.

---

Inside the Imperial Study, several officials knelt before the Emperor.

Minister of Justice Xu lowered his head.

”Your Majesty, every servant has been questioned separately.”

”We have searched the residence twice.”

”We inspected letters, financial records, warehouses, wells, gardens, underground storage rooms, and private chambers.”

He paused.

”There is no evidence of treason.”

Silence settled over the room.

The Emperor’s fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.

”What about the servants?”

Minister Xu answered immediately.

”They have served the Shen family for many years.”

”Their testimonies match.”

”None reported suspicious meetings or hidden visitors.”

Another official stepped forward.

”We also investigated the minister’s relatives and trusted aides.”

”No unusual movement.”

”No secret correspondence.”

”No hidden weapons.”

The Emperor remained expressionless.

He had expected this answer.

Still...

Something didn’t fit.

---

Across the room stood Duke Lian Zheng.

He spoke thoughtfully.

”If Shen Minister were guilty, there should be traces.”

”Gold.”

”Letters.”

”Messengers.”

”Something.”

”But we found nothing.”

The Emperor nodded slowly.

”Exactly.”

---

Grand Secretary Han frowned.

”Could we have misunderstood everything?”

The room became quiet again.

No one answered.

---

Just then—

The doors opened.

A shadow guard entered before kneeling.

”Your Majesty.”

The Emperor looked toward him.

”Speak.”

The guard raised his head.

”We discovered something unusual last night.”

Every official immediately became alert.

”What?”

---

The guard continued.

”Three patrols reported seeing a hooded figure.”

The Emperor leaned forward slightly.

”Where?”

”On the rooftops near the northern district.”

”The figure moved across terraces before disappearing.”

Another guard added,

”The witnesses described the same person.”

”Black robes.”

”Face completely covered.”

”Very agile.”

”Not an ordinary citizen.”

---

Duke Lian Zheng narrowed his eyes.

”Did anyone pursue him?”

”We did.”

”But every pursuit ended the same way.”

”He disappeared.”

”Almost as if he knew the city better than our own guards.”

---

Minister Xu frowned.

”Perhaps merely a thief.”

The shadow guard shook his head.

”No.”

”He ignored wealthy homes.”

”He never entered any residence.”

”He seemed... to be observing.”

---

The Emperor’s expression hardened.

”Observing what?”

”The palace.”

Those two words made every official look at one another.

---

The Emperor slowly rose from his chair.

His voice became calm.

”Show me the map.”

A large map of the capital was unrolled across the table.

The guard marked several locations.

The rooftops formed a rough circle.

All surrounding—

The Imperial Palace.

---

The Duke studied the markings.

”He wasn’t escaping.”

”He was watching.”

The Emperor nodded.

”Exactly.”

---

Minister Han suddenly spoke.

”What if this has nothing to do with Shen Minister?”

The Emperor remained silent for several moments.

Then he answered.

”I believe it doesn’t.”

The room fell completely still.

---

Everyone looked toward the throne.

The Emperor spoke slowly.

”We assumed the strange incidents pointed toward Shen Minister.”

”The evidence does not support that conclusion.”

He looked at every official.

”But someone wanted us to believe it did.”

---

Duke Lian Zheng immediately understood.

”A diversion.”

The Emperor nodded once.

”A very clever one.”

---

Minister Xu frowned.

”If Shen Minister is innocent...”

”...then who benefits from making us suspect him?”

No one answered immediately.

---

The Emperor walked toward the window.

Outside, rain clouds gathered over the capital.

Finally he spoke.

”Our neighboring kingdom.”

Several ministers looked surprised.

---

”The border has become unusually active.”

”Our scouts reported unfamiliar movements.”

”Merchants entering with false identities.”

”Messages intercepted near the frontier.”

He turned back.

”If the court wastes time investigating loyal ministers...”

”...the true enemy acts freely.”

---

Duke Lian Zheng folded his arms.

”They create fear inside.”

”And prepare invasion outside.”

The Emperor nodded.

”Yes.”

---

Minister Han added quietly,

”They even used the strange sleepwalking incidents to spread panic.”

The Emperor’s eyes darkened.

”They wanted the court divided.”

”They wanted suspicion among our own people.”

---

At that moment, an attendant announced,

”Her Majesty the Dowager Empress has arrived.”

Everyone bowed respectfully as the Dowager entered.

She looked around the room before taking her seat.

”I heard the latest report.”

The Emperor inclined his head.

”Mother.”

---

The Dowager listened as Minister Xu summarized the investigation.

When he finished, she remained thoughtful.

”So...”

”There is nothing against Shen Minister.”

”No, Your Majesty.”

---

She slowly nodded.

”It appears I judged too quickly.”

The room became quiet.

The Dowager rarely admitted such things.

She turned toward the Emperor.

”I no longer believe Shen Minister is responsible.”

---

The Emperor answered calmly.

”I share the same conclusion.”

---

The Dowager looked toward Duke Lian Zheng.

”And the strange happenings?”

”The sleepwalking.”

”The attacks.”

”The hooded figure.”

The Duke replied,

”I believe they are connected.”

”But not to Shen Minister.”

---

The Dowager sighed softly.

”We allowed ourselves to follow the trail someone wanted us to see.”

---

The Emperor’s gaze became sharp.

”Which means our enemy is intelligent.”

”They understand how to manipulate fear.”

---

Minister Xu asked,

”What are Your Majesty’s orders?”

The Emperor spoke without hesitation.

”Lift the quiet surveillance on Shen Minister.”

”Treat him with the respect due a loyal official.”

”But do not announce our conclusions publicly.”

Several ministers looked confused.

---

The Emperor explained,

”If the true mastermind believes we are still uncertain...”

”...he may become careless.”

A slow smile appeared on Duke Lian Zheng’s face.

”A trap.”

---

The Emperor nodded.

”We stop chasing shadows.”

”We wait for the shadow to approach us.”

---

Meanwhile...

Far beyond the capital walls...

A lone hooded figure stood atop an abandoned watchtower overlooking the road.

The wind lifted the edge of the dark cloak.

A cold laugh escaped beneath the hood.

”So...”

”They’ve begun to understand.”

The figure looked toward the distant capital.

”No matter.”

”The game has only begun.”

The mysterious stranger disappeared into the darkness before the moon emerged from behind the clouds.

Far away, the lights of the capital continued to shine peacefully.

Inside those walls, the Emperor and his most trusted allies had finally realized one thing—

The greatest threat was no longer within the court.

It was waiting just beyond the kingdom’s borders, watching... and preparing for its next

The Imperial Palace slept beneath a moonless sky.

The grand halls that bustled with ministers during the day now lay silent. Lanterns hanging beneath the carved eaves flickered weakly as a cool autumn wind drifted through the palace corridors.

Night guards patrolled their assigned routes without speaking.

The occasional clang of armor echoed through the darkness before disappearing once more.

Hidden behind the magnificent palace gardens was an old courtyard.

Years ago, it had belonged to an imperial consort who died without leaving an heir. Since then, the courtyard had remained abandoned.

The lotus pond had dried.

The flowers had withered.

Weeds climbed over cracked stone paths.

Even the servants avoided the place after sunset.

Many believed it was haunted.

Tonight...

Someone was waiting there.

Shin Gu stood beneath an ancient gingko tree, her black cloak blending perfectly into the darkness.

Her eyes remained fixed upon the old wooden gate.

She had received no letter.

No messenger.

No signal.

Only a single sentence carved into the underside of her dressing table earlier that morning.

Midnight. Old Courtyard. Come Alone.

She had erased the words immediately.

No trace remained.

Yet she came.

Because she knew who had summoned her.

Minutes passed.

Nothing happened.

The wind became colder.

Even the insects fell silent.

Then—

A voice echoed behind her.

”You came.”

Shin Gu’s eyes narrowed.

She turned instantly.

The hooded man stood several steps away.

He wore the same dark robe that concealed every part of his body.

His face remained hidden beneath the deep hood.

Only his pale hands could be seen.

”You are late,” Shin Gu said.

”I arrived before you.”

She frowned.

”I sensed nothing.”

”You were not meant to.”

He walked past her calmly and stopped beside the dried lotus pond.

Moonlight reflected faintly across the cracked water basin.

For a long moment...

Neither spoke.

Finally...

Shin Gu broke the silence.

”The Emperor’s attention has become troublesome.”

”I know.”

”The Empress is no longer acting as before.”

”I know.”

”The Duke’s family—”

The hooded man interrupted calmly.

”I know.”

His voice held neither pride nor impatience.

It was simply...

Certain.

Shin Gu looked at him carefully.

”Is there anything you do not know?”

The hooded man gave a faint laugh.

”Many things.”

”But I know enough.”

Silence returned.

A dead leaf drifted between them.

The hooded man bent down and picked it up.

He watched it crumble between his fingers.

”Do you know why trees survive winter?”

Shin Gu looked confused.

”What does that have to do with anything?”

”They let go.”

He released the crushed leaf.

”It is time for us to let go as well.”

Her brows furrowed.

”I don’t understand.”

”We stop forcing fate.”

She stared.

”For months...”

”You’ve tried spells.”

”Poison.”

”Sleepwalking.”

”Assassins.”

”And yet...”

He looked directly at her.

”She lives.”

Shin Gu remained silent.

”You are asking the wrong question.”

She frowned.

”What should I ask?”

Instead of answering...

The hooded man asked his own question.

”Why does she continue surviving?”

Shin Gu answered immediately.

”The Emperor.”

”No.”

”The Duke’s family.”

”No.”

”The guards.”

”No.”

”The ghosts.”

The hooded man became quiet.

”...Closer.”

Shin Gu’s expression changed.

”So it really is the ghosts.”

”They are only part of the answer.”

”Then what is the answer?”

He looked toward the palace roofs shimmering beneath moonlight.

”Destiny.”

The word hung heavily in the air.

Shin Gu scoffed.

”I don’t believe in destiny.”

”You don’t have to.”

”It still exists.”

He slowly began walking across the courtyard.

”Our mistake...”

”...was trying to fight destiny directly.”

He stopped beneath a stone lantern.

”From tonight onward...”

”We change.”

Shin Gu folded her arms.

”How?”

”We become invisible.”

She blinked.

”We already are.”

”No.”

”You’ve been making noise.”

”Every failed attack draws attention.”

”The Emperor is watching.”

”The palace is watching.”

”Even the servants have become cautious.”

He paused.

”That is unacceptable.”

Shin Gu lowered her eyes.

”What do you want me to do?”

The hooded man finally turned fully toward her.

”Take the next step.”

She waited.

”Disappear.”

”...Disappear?”

”For now.”

She stared at him in disbelief.

”You called me here merely to tell me to hide?”

”I called you here because you continue thinking like a swordsman.”

His tone remained calm.

”I think like a hunter.”

”The difference?”

”A swordsman attacks what he sees.”

”A hunter waits until prey forgets it is being hunted.”

Shin Gu slowly absorbed his words.

The hooded man continued.

”No spells.”

”No poison.”

”No assassins.”

”No accidents.”

”For a while...”

”...nothing.”

She frowned.

”The Emperor will think we’ve stopped.”

”Exactly.”

”He will lower his guard.”

”So will the Empress.”

A faint smile appeared beneath the shadow of his hood.

”And when people begin believing they are finally safe...”

”They become careless.”

A gust of wind swept across the abandoned courtyard.

The old tree branches creaked overhead.

Shin Gu looked uneasy.

”I dislike waiting.”

”I know.”

”That is your greatest weakness.”

Silence.

After several moments she spoke again.

”What are you doing while I wait?”

The hooded man looked toward the palace walls.

”I am walking.”

”You’ve been traveling across the kingdom.”

”I have.”

”Why?”

”To listen.”

His answer surprised her.

”Listen?”

”The strongest kingdoms never fall because of enemies.”

”They fall because of whispers.”

He folded his hands behind his back.

”I’ve walked through villages.”

”Taverns.”

”Markets.”

”Temples.”

”I’ve heard every complaint.”

”Every rumor.”

”Every fear.”

Shin Gu watched him carefully.

”What are you building?”

He remained silent.

She repeated the question.

”What are you planning?”

This time...

He answered.

”A storm.”

She narrowed her eyes.

”I still don’t understand.”

”You don’t need to.”

”You only need to obey.”

Her expression hardened.

”You trust me very little.”

”I trust your abilities.”

He paused.

”I distrust your impatience.”

Shin Gu could not argue.

Every recent failure had come because she acted too quickly.

The hooded man walked to the center of the courtyard.

”There is another matter.”

She waited.

”The ghosts.”

Immediately, Shin Gu became alert.

”What about them?”

”Do not engage them again.”

Her eyes widened.

”...Why?”

”Because they are watching.”

”The last time your spiritual energy moved...”

”They noticed.”

Shin Gu remembered the strange resistance she had felt.

”You sensed them?”

”I sensed them sensing us.”

For the first time...

A faint seriousness entered his voice.

”I still cannot identify them.”

”But they are old.”

”Far older than ordinary wandering spirits.”

”They are bound.”

Shin Gu whispered,

”Bound to the Empress?”

”Yes.”

”Can they be destroyed?”

The hooded man did not answer immediately.

Instead...

He looked toward the stars.

Finally he spoke.

”Everything can be destroyed.”

”But not everything should be attacked first.”

She understood.

He intended to separate them before destroying them.

The thought sent a chill through her.

Another long silence followed.

Then Shin Gu asked quietly,

”Who are you?”

The hooded man did not move.

”You’ve commanded me for years.”

”I’ve followed every instruction.”

”I’ve risked my life countless times.”

”And still...”

”I don’t know your face.”

The wind lifted the edge of his cloak.

Only darkness lay beneath the hood.

”My face is irrelevant.”

”It matters to me.”

”No.”

”It does not.”

His voice remained composed.

”People who seek faces become distracted.”

”Seek results.”

Shin Gu sighed.

”One day...”

”I will know.”

The hooded man gave a faint laugh.

”If that day comes...”

”...many things will already have changed.”

The palace bell rang in the distance.

One.

Two.

Three.

The third watch of the night.

Time to leave.

The hooded man stepped backward into the darkness.

”I won’t see you again for some time.”

Shin Gu frowned.

”Where are you going?”

”There are still places that require watching.”

”The kingdom is larger than this palace.”

She took a step forward.

”When should I act again?”

His answer drifted through the darkness.

”When I summon you.”

”And until then?”

”Become ordinary.”

”Smile.”

”Speak.”

”Live as though nothing has happened.”

”The greatest disguise...”

”...is normalcy.”

His figure slowly disappeared among the shadows.

Within moments...

He was gone.

Completely.

Not a single footprint remained on the dusty ground.

Shin Gu stood alone in the abandoned courtyard.

She looked around carefully.

Silence.

Nothing but the rustling leaves answered her.

She slowly tightened her fists.

”So...”

”The next step is patience.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile.

”Very well.”

”I can wait.”

She pulled her hood over her head.

Without another glance at the abandoned courtyard, she disappeared into the maze of palace corridors.

Behind her...

The old courtyard fell silent once more.

Only the cold wind remained.

Watching.

Waiting.

As if even the darkness itself knew...

That whatever the hooded man was planning...

Had only just begun.

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