The heavy wooden doors of the Gong residence loom before me, carved with intricate patterns that speak of generations of wealth and power. My plain gray maid's uniform itches against skin accustomed to the supple leather of assassin's gear. I take one last breath of the free air before stepping forward, lowering my eyes to assume the posture of subservience I've practiced relentlessly.

The guard at the gate eyes me briefly, dismissively—just as I intended. "Another new maid for the west courtyard," he mutters to no one in particular, waving me through without further inspection.

Success. The first hurdle crossed.

Inside, the compound stretches seemingly endless, a maze of courtyards, gardens, and buildings constructed with meticulous precision. Servants scurry about their tasks, heads bowed, creating a constant murmur of activity beneath the imposing silence of the family quarters. My training kicks in automatically—I map exits, identify potential threats, note guard positions, all while maintaining the vacant-eyed expression of a simple maid focused solely on following orders.

An older servant leads me to a cramped sleeping quarters shared with three other maids, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "You're Lin Xia," she states flatly. "From today, you'll answer to me. Remember your place—speak only when spoken to, see only what you're meant to see, and never, *never* look directly at family members unless addressed." She emphasizes the last word with a sharp look that suggests she's seen consequences for such mistakes.

That night, as the other maids sleep fitfully around me, I lie awake in the darkness, my body tense and ready for action despite the exhaustion from the journey. Through the thin walls, I hear murmured conversations, the distant sound of a flute playing a mournful tune, and footsteps that stop suspiciously close to our door before moving on.

Tomorrow, my real mission begins. I'll need to find a way to explore the compound beyond my assigned duties, identify the other Wufeng operatives without revealing myself, and begin gathering the secrets Master Shen so desperately wants.

And I'll need to do it all while appearing to be nothing more than a forgettable gray shadow in this house of hidden dangers.

As sleep finally claims me, I slip into a nightmare of the arena where I killed Jian, his broken body hitting the ground as the instructors pronounced me Wang-level. I wake with a start, my hand instinctively going to my waist where a dagger would normally rest—only to find nothing but empty fabric.

This is my new reality. No weapons, no allies, no identity but the one I've been assigned. Just Lin Xia, the humble maid. And if anyone discovers who I truly am, I'll be dead before the sun rises again.