Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

Qian’er stumbled backward, her heels clicking frantically against the floorboards. Her face was a mask of terror and suspicion.

“Fate brings us together,” Han Lie said with a faint smile. He gestured casually to the chair opposite him. “Miss Qian’er, why don’t you sit? Let’s have a chat about you and Young Master Mu Feng.”

The mention of that name struck Qian’er like a physical blow. The fear in her eyes sharpened into panic. She sucked in a cold breath, her voice trembling. “Y-you… are you one of Young Master Mu’s men?”

“Not at all. Far from it.”

Han Lie leaned back, looking at ease in the intruder’s seat. “Strictly speaking, I am Mu Feng’s enemy. And I know exactly what he said to you last night.”

A meaningful, predatory curve played at the corner of Han Lie’s mouth. “I am giving you a chance to cooperate. The benefit? You break free from Mu Feng’s control and threats.”

He let the words hang in the air before adding a darker edge to his tone. “Of course, you can refuse. But if you do, I won’t mind using… unconventional methods to ensure your compliance.”

“So? Think it over carefully.”

Han Lie toyed with the idea of using the Soul Confusing Pill, but he preferred willing cooperation. It was cleaner. As for whether Qian’er would betray Mu Feng out of love? That was a joke.

In this world, the most pragmatic people were the women of the pleasure quarters.

Mu Feng might have been her exclusive patron, but affection had nothing to do with it. Judging by their argument the previous night, Han Lie was certain Qian’er viewed Mu Feng as nothing more than a walking bag of Spirit Stones.

Feelings? Nonexistent. Talking about love with a high-class Songstress was the height of stupidity.

“Really…” Qian’er hesitated, her eyes darting between Han Lie and the door. “Can you really free me from Young Master Mu?”

“Naturally.”

“Alright. Then I will help you!” Qian’er agreed instantly.

In truth, Han Lie’s “choice” was an illusion. A woman like her, with no cultivation base and no strength to tie a chicken, had no agency in this world. She was a marionette. Outside the protection of the Gentle Fragrance Pavilion, she was at the mercy of any cultivator who crossed her path. Cooperating was her only survival strategy.

“W-what do I need to do?” she asked, wringing her hands.

Han Lie slid a piece of paper across the table. It was a script—a list of specific questions she needed to ask Mu Feng.

Qian’er glanced at the text, and her blood ran cold. Her scalp tingled with dread.

“Daoist…” Her lips were white, her voice shaking violently. “How could Young Master Mu possibly answer these questions? If I ask this, he’ll kill me!”

“Heh.”

Han Lie tossed a small wooden box onto the table. “I don’t need to teach you your trade, do I?”

Qian’er opened the box. Inside lay a pill the size of a longan fruit, emitting a faint, herbaceous fragrance.

She frowned, confused. “Daoist, this… isn’t this asking too much? Forgive this humble girl’s ignorance, but how am I supposed to make Young Master Mu swallow a pill this large without him noticing?”

Unless Mu Feng voluntarily popped it into his mouth, it was physically impossible to sneak it in.

“Grind it into powder,” Han Lie said, his voice concise. “Mix it into the strongest liquor you have. The alcohol will mask the medicinal scent.”

Qian’er’s eyes lit up. The solution was simple, elegant, and foolproof.

“One final reminder, Miss Qian’er.” Han Lie’s expression sharpened, his aura pressing down on the room. “I will be in the adjacent room, listening to everything. If you try to play any tricks, you’d better be a good enough actor to fool me. Otherwise… I don’t think I need to describe your fate.”

“I-I understand!” Qian’er nodded frantically, terrified.

“Haha! Good. Then I won’t disturb your preparations. Farewell.”

Han Lie’s hearty laughter echoed through the hall, laced with a terrifying pressure. By the time Qian’er looked up, the chair was empty. He had vanished like a ghost.

That night. A dark, secluded alley on the outskirts of Qin Yang City.

“How did it go? Little Lianyi, did the Commandant crack?” Han Lie asked the moment Qin Lianyi materialized from the shadows.

She shook her head, frustration evident in her posture. “He’s stonewalling me. He keeps dodging the topic. Without enough leverage or a better offer, he won’t pick a side.”

“Is that so?” Han Lie rubbed his chin, eyes narrowing in thought.

If the Commandant wouldn’t flip, they had to escalate.

“Plan B it is,” Han Lie said. He quickly outlined the scheme he had set in motion with Qian’er.

The plan was straightforward: Have Qian’er drug Mu Feng with the Truth Serum and interrogate him. She would ask if he framed the Zhuo Family and if the Mu clan harbored treasonous intent.

Secondly, kidnapping. Han Lie intended to take Mu Feng hostage—using the son to command the father. They would force the Minister of War to clear the Zhuo Family’s name.

But Han Lie’s ambition went further. If Qian’er could extract truly damning evidence, he wouldn’t just save the Zhuo Family; he would drag the entire Mu clan down into the mud and bury them.

“And if she fails?” Qin Lianyi asked.

“Then I kidnap him directly,” Han Lie said with a shrug. “And I’ll perform a little ‘aggressive memory retrieval’ on him myself.”

Qin Lianyi stared at him, stunned.

The plan was audacious bordering on insanity. The Minister of War was a titan of the court, a man who commanded armies. To bring him down? It was like trying to shake a mountain.

But looking at the deadlock they were in… it was the only path forward.

“You really are bold,” she breathed, a spark of excitement igniting in her eyes. “I told you to be bold, but not this bold! But… if you dare to do it, I’ll accompany you to the end!”

She stepped closer, her voice firm. “Even if we fail, I can cover for you. I’ll ensure you leave the capital safely.”

“No, no, no. I don’t need you to cover for me, Little Lianyi.” Han Lie smiled, shaking his head. “I need someone else. I need the Minister of War’s political rival.”

Han Lie wasn’t a politician, but he understood the basics of power. The core of imperial rule was balance.

If the Minister of War was powerful, the Emperor would inevitably elevate a rival to keep him in check. That rival was Han Lie’s true safety net.

“I need to negotiate,” Han Lie explained. “Once we have Mu Feng’s confession, I have the capital to trade. I just need to know who his enemy is.”

“Minister Mu’s rival?” Qin Lianyi pondered for a moment. “Perhaps… Vice Chief Minister Li?”

Han Lie raised an eyebrow.

From her answer, he realized Qin Lianyi was somewhat detached from the gritty details of court politics.

If there was a Vice Chief Minister, the Great Qin Dynasty likely operated on a Cabinet system. The Minister of War might be a Cabinet member, but his authority would be checked by the Chief and Vice Chief Ministers.

“Or,” Han Lie mused, “The Minister of War and the Chief Minister are in the same faction. In which case, we aim for the opposition.”