Chapter 2: Night's Opportunity

  The moon hung like a silver coin against the star-scattered sky above the Lu family compound, casting long shadows across the carefully maintained courtyards. While the other new servants had long since retired to their cramped rooms, exhausted from their first day and dreading tomorrow's work, one small figure moved through the darkness with purpose.

  Tianhao crept along the covered walkways, his bare feet making no sound against the polished stone. His golden eyes gleamed with focused intensity as he studied every detail of the compound's layout—guard positions, patrol routes, and most importantly, potential opportunities.

  "The food here certainly beats moldy bread," he murmured to himself, recalling the surprisingly decent meal he'd shared with the other servants earlier. While they had spoken nervously about tomorrow's duties, his mind had been occupied with entirely different plans. "But a full belly is just the beginning. Time to see what other treasures this place holds."

  He rounded a corner near the artificial pond, moving toward the senior servants' quarters where he'd noticed several guards keeping loose watch, when a rough voice suddenly cut through the night air.

  "Hey! What are you doing sneaking around? All servants should be in bed by now!"

  Tianhao froze, his mind racing through possible responses as two large figures in guard uniforms emerged from the shadows. Their hands rested casually on the hilts of their weapons—not cultivators, but experienced fighters nonetheless.

  Before he could craft a suitable excuse, another voice interrupted, this one slurred with drink yet familiar.

  "What's all this noise about?" Lu Chen stumbled into view, his fine robes rumpled and his face flushed red with wine. The sweet smell of alcohol drifted from him like a cloud. "Oh, it's you, little brother! What brings you out here so late?"

  The guards immediately straightened, their aggressive postures shifting to reluctant respect. "Brother Chen, we found this servant boy wandering the compound at an improper hour. It's highly suspicious."

  "Suspicious?" Lu Chen let out a bark of laughter, swaying slightly. "Look at him! He's barely big enough to steal a dumpling, let alone pose any threat." He gestured broadly at Tianhao with the exaggerated motions of the drunk. "The boy's probably just admiring our family's buildings!"

  Tianhao seized the opportunity, dropping into a deep bow with his shoulders trembling convincingly. When he raised his head, his golden eyes had filled with perfectly timed tears.

  "I-I'm sorry, honored guards," he stammered, his voice quavering with apparent terror. "I couldn't sleep because everything here is so beautiful. I've never seen buildings like these before. I was just... I was just looking around. Please don't dismiss me! I promise I'll be good!"

  The transformation was masterful. Gone was any hint of the calculating street child, replaced by a pitiful orphan overwhelmed by his new circumstances. Even the hardened guards felt their suspicions waver in the face of such convincing innocence.

  One of them cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Well... I suppose there's no real harm..."

  "Of course there isn't!" Lu Chen declared, throwing an unsteady arm around Tianhao's shoulders. "Come on, little brother. Since you're so interested in our family's greatness, let me give you a proper tour. Can't have our newest servant thinking we lack hospitality!"

  Tianhao nodded eagerly, but inwardly his smile turned predatory. 'Drunk and eager to show off. Perfect.'

  ---

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  The tour began innocently enough, with Lu Chen leading Tianhao through the outer courtyards and secondary buildings. Despite his drunken state, the young man proved knowledgeable about the family's history, pointing out architectural features and recounting stories of generations past.

  "This pavilion was built by the Lu family founder," Lu Chen explained, gesturing toward an elegant structure surrounded by flowering trees. "He made his fortune in the silk trade, you know. Started with a single cart and built everything you see today!"

  Tianhao nodded attentively, playing the wide-eyed servant while mentally mapping every entrance, exit, and potential hiding spot they passed. In just fifteen minutes, he'd gained more intelligence about the compound's layout than weeks of careful observation could have provided.

  But it was when they approached the central quarters that he made his move.

  "Brother Chen," he said, tugging gently at the man's sleeve while gazing toward the main residence with obvious wonder, "what about that building? Could you show me that one too?"

  Lu Chen followed his gaze to the main family residence, its elevated position and elaborate decorations marking it as the compound's heart. For a moment, he hesitated—even drunk, some instinct warned him about overstepping.

  But then pride won over caution, fueled by wine and the desire to impress.

  "Of course!" he declared, puffing out his chest. "True, my position in the family isn't the highest, but I am still a genuine member of the Lu family. A quick look around shouldn't be a problem!"

  "Really?" Tianhao's eyes lit up with such apparent joy that even a sober observer might have been fooled. Inwardly, however, his thoughts turned calculating. 'Who would have thought luck would smile on me tonight? I'd planned to settle for whatever trinkets I could find in the outer buildings, but this...'

  They approached the main residence together, Tianhao's steps light with anticipation. However, their progress was quickly halted by two middle-aged guards stationed at the entrance. Unlike the patrol guards they'd encountered earlier, these men wore polished silver armor and carried themselves with the confidence of seasoned professionals.

  "Lu Chen," the larger of the two guards called out, his bald head gleaming in the moonlight while his heavy beard gave him the appearance of a mountain bandit. "This is a restricted area. What's the meaning of bringing a servant here at this hour?"

  Tianhao's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the exchange. 'As expected of Willow Creek's wealthiest family. Even without cultivators, they don't skimp on security.'

  Lu Chen's face flushed deeper red, whether from wine or embarrassment. "Uncle Guowei, we're just having a look around! I know my limits!"

  The bald guard—Guowei—frowned deeply, clearly unimpressed. "Limits or not, nighttime tours of the main residence are strictly forbidden. You know the rules."

  "Don't make things difficult for me," Lu Chen's voice took on a whining tone as he noticed Tianhao watching the exchange with curious eyes. "Unless you want me to mention to my elder sister how her dear little brother was treated with such disrespect..."

  The change in both guards' manner was immediate and striking. Guowei's stern expression faltered, while his companion—who had remained silent until now—quickly stepped forward.

  "Ten minutes," the second guard said, his voice hoarse with reluctance. "You may have ten minutes inside, and not a moment longer. After that, I'll drag you out myself, regardless of family connections. I'm only allowing this as a favor to the third young madam."

  As they were waved through the entrance, Tianhao's mind worked furiously. 'This Lu Chen holds a low position within the family, but his sister must be someone of considerable influence. The guards' entire attitude changed at her mere mention.'

  What he didn't know was that Lu Chen's sister had captured the heart of the Lu family's third young master, making her marriage one of the most politically significant matches in the current generation.

  ---

  The interior of the main residence exceeded even Tianhao's elevated expectations. Glowing lanterns cast warm light across polished wood and intricate carvings, while golden accents caught and reflected the illumination in countless tiny stars. Calligraphy scrolls bearing the work of famous masters adorned the walls, and jade ornaments displayed the family's wealth with refined elegance.

  "Incredible," Tianhao breathed, and for once his amazement was entirely genuine. His fingers twitched with the instinctive urge of a practiced thief identifying potential targets.

  Lu Chen smirked at the reaction, his chest swelling with pride. "Magnificent, isn't it? Four generations of careful accumulation and refinement. Each piece has a story, each room a purpose."

  They moved through the halls at a leisurely pace, with Lu Chen stopping frequently to explain the significance of various artifacts or architectural features. Guards nodded respectfully as they passed, recognizing the third young madam's brother despite the late hour.

  But as they began their seventh such stop, Tianhao realized time was running short. 'Those guards at the entrance won't wait much longer. If I'm going to act, it has to be now.'

  "Brother Chen, look!" he exclaimed suddenly, pointing down a side corridor with apparent excitement. "Is that moonlight streaming through those windows? What a beautiful sight!"

  Lu Chen turned to follow his gaze, squinting through the wine haze to see what had captured the boy's attention. "I don't see... where exactly are you..."

  When he turned back, the corridor was empty.

  "Little brother?" Lu Chen called out, his voice echoing strangely in the silence. He spun around, searching the shadows with growing confusion. "Tianhao? Where did you go?"

  ---

  Several corridors away, Tianhao pressed his back against a wall, breathing quietly as he listened for sounds of pursuit. His heart hammered with excitement rather than fear—this was the moment he'd been working toward since arriving at the compound.

  'Finally shook him off,' he thought with satisfaction. 'Now I have perhaps five minutes before those guards come looking, maybe less if Lu Chen raises an alarm. Time to make this count.'

  He slipped deeper into the residence's heart, his bare feet silent against the polished floors. This section felt different—more private, more valuable. The decorations here weren't merely meant to impress visitors but to provide comfort to the family's most important members.

  'Perfect,' he mused, golden eyes scanning for the most promising targets. 'Let's see what treasures Willow Creek's most wealthiest merchants keep in their private chambers.'

  The night's real work was about to begin.