Ghost in the palace

Seventeen days had passed since Shin Gu’s death.

Seventeen days since the dark magic that had haunted the Imperial Palace for so long had seemingly come to an end.

For seventeen peaceful days, there had been no strange incidents.

No servants wandering into forbidden courtyards.

No mysterious whispers.

No black candles burning by themselves.

No one waking from nightmares with strange symbols carved into their skin.

The palace had finally begun breathing again.

Even the Empress’s courtyard had returned to its usual liveliness.

Fen Yu had gone back to arguing with Wei Rong.

Wei Rong had returned to polishing his miniature sword.

Li Shen spent most of his time reading while pretending he couldn’t hear either of them.

The Emperor had returned to his court duties.

The Empress had resumed her ordinary routine.

Everyone believed the nightmare had ended.

But they were wrong.

Because Shin Gu had never been the beginning.

She had only been a piece of something much larger.

---

Morning Court

The morning court was unusually quiet.

The Emperor sat upon the throne, listening to reports from various ministers.

The first few matters concerned grain supplies, border patrols, and provincial administration.

Everything appeared ordinary.

Until the Minister of Justice stepped forward.

He bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty."

The Emperor raised his eyes.

"Speak."

The minister hesitated.

"There have been several unusual incidents reported from different parts of the Imperial Palace."

The atmosphere immediately changed.

The Emperor’s expression became serious.

"What kind of incidents?"

The minister unfolded a document.

"Last night, a palace maid collapsed in the eastern servants’ quarters."

"She died without any visible injuries."

A murmur passed through the court.

The minister continued.

"Several servants also reported hearing voices belonging to deceased relatives."

The Emperor’s fingers tightened slightly around the armrest.

"How many incidents?"

"Seven within the palace."

"Seven?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The minister bowed again.

"And three similar reports have arrived from villages near the Imperial Palace."

The court fell silent.

The Emperor looked toward the commander of the Imperial Guards.

"Is this confirmed?"

The commander stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, our men have investigated the palace reports. We found no ordinary explanation for some of them."

"What do you mean by ordinary explanation?"

"Several servants insist they heard voices from people who have been dead for years."

The Emperor’s gaze became colder.

"Could someone be deliberately frightening them?"

"We considered that possibility."

"And?"

"We found no evidence."

The Emperor leaned back.

For seventeen days, there had been peace.

Now suddenly—

Everything had begun again.

A minister from the eastern court stepped forward.

"Your Majesty..."

The Emperor looked at him.

"Speak."

The minister took a breath.

"There is another possibility."

"What?"

The minister lowered his voice.

"What if Shin Gu was responsible?"

Several ministers exchanged glances.

The Emperor’s expression did not change.

"Shin Gu is dead."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The minister bowed.

"That is precisely why I am confused."

He continued carefully.

"If Shin Gu was behind the previous dark magic, how can these paranormal incidents still be happening after her death?"

Nobody answered.

The question hung heavily over the court.

The minister continued.

"Perhaps we assumed that Shin Gu was the mastermind when she was only carrying out someone else’s orders."

The court became completely silent.

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

"Explain."

The minister swallowed.

"I am not claiming this as fact, Your Majesty."

"Then tell me what the evidence suggests."

The minister nodded.

"Shin Gu possessed knowledge of forbidden magic. She was capable of performing dark rituals. But knowledge and ability do not necessarily mean she created the entire scheme herself."

The Emperor’s expression darkened.

"You believe someone taught her?"

"Possibly."

"Or someone supplied her with the ritual."

"Possibly."

"Or someone instructed her."

The minister lowered his head.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor looked toward the assembled ministers.

"So you are saying that killing Shin Gu may have removed the person carrying out the rituals..."

He paused.

"...without removing the person behind them."

Nobody dared speak.

---

Prince Liang Speaks

A calm voice suddenly came from the side of the court.

"Your Majesty."

Everyone turned.

It was Prince Liang.

The Emperor looked toward him.

"You have something to add?"

Prince Liang stepped forward.

"Yes."

He bowed.

"I believe the minister’s suspicion deserves investigation."

The Emperor gestured for him to continue.

Prince Liang’s expression was solemn.

"Before Shin Gu died, I personally witnessed her performing dark magic."

The ministers immediately became attentive.

Prince Liang continued.

"It was not an ordinary ritual."

"What did you see?"

Prince Liang took a slow breath.

"I saw her standing before a black altar."

The court erupted into whispers.

The Emperor’s eyes sharpened.

"A black altar?"

"Yes."

Prince Liang nodded.

"It was covered with strange symbols. Black candles surrounded it, and there were objects placed upon it that I could not identify."

"Where?"

Prince Liang hesitated.

"Inside the palace."

Several ministers looked at one another.

The Emperor’s voice became colder.

"Why did you not report this earlier?"

"I attempted to investigate it."

"And?"

"Shin Gu discovered that I had seen her."

Prince Liang paused.

"After that, she threatened me."

The Emperor stared at him.

"Did she tell you who ordered her?"

"No."

"Did she mention anyone?"

Prince Liang shook his head.

"She refused to answer."

The Emperor remained silent.

Prince Liang continued.

"But there is something else."

"What?"

"That black altar..."

His expression became grim.

"It was not the only one."

The entire court went silent.

"What do you mean?"

Prince Liang looked directly at the Emperor.

"I later learned that another black altar had been discovered inside the Empress’s chamber."

A wave of shock passed through the court.

Several ministers immediately looked toward the Empress’s empty seat.

The Emperor’s expression changed.

"Who discovered it?"

"The palace guards."

"Was the Empress present?"

"No."

Prince Liang shook his head.

"It was found while her chamber was being inspected."

The Emperor stood.

"Why was I not informed?"

The commander immediately stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the object was discovered before the investigation was completed. We were preparing to report it after confirming whether it was connected to Shin Gu."

The Emperor’s voice hardened.

"You should have reported it immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor turned toward the ministers.

"Where is the altar now?"

"Secured in the evidence chamber."

"Bring it here."

The commander hesitated.

"Your Majesty, the object may be dangerous."

"Then have it brought under guard."

"Yes."

---

The Black Altar

Several guards soon entered the court carrying a large sealed wooden case.

They placed it carefully before the throne.

The Emperor ordered everyone to remain at a distance.

The case was opened.

Inside—

Was a small black altar.

It was made from dark wood.

Strange symbols covered its surface.

Black candle wax had hardened around its edges.

The moment Prince Liang saw it, his expression changed.

"That’s it."

The Emperor looked at him.

"You recognize it?"

"Yes."

Prince Liang stared at the altar.

"This is extremely similar to the one I saw Shin Gu using."

A minister immediately asked,

"Then doesn’t that prove Shin Gu was behind everything?"

Prince Liang shook his head.

"No."

The minister frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I saw Shin Gu performing the ritual."

He looked at the altar.

"But I never saw her create the altar."

The room became silent.

Prince Liang continued.

"And I never saw her gather the materials."

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

"Then someone else could have supplied them."

"Yes."

Prince Liang nodded.

"That is what I believe."

One minister objected.

"But Shin Gu was the one using the magic."

Prince Liang looked at him.

"Using something does not necessarily mean creating it."

The Emperor remained silent.

His mind was already working.

If Prince Liang was telling the truth, then Shin Gu might have been only the visible part of the conspiracy.

Someone else could have taught her.

Someone else could have supplied the ritual objects.

Someone else could have chosen the targets.

And perhaps—

Someone else had survived her death.

---

The Question of the Empress

The Minister of Justice stepped forward.

"Your Majesty."

"What?"

"There is another matter."

The Emperor looked at him.

"The altar was found in the Empress’s chamber."

"I know."

The minister lowered his voice.

"If Shin Gu was performing rituals connected to the Empress..."

The Emperor’s expression immediately became cold.

"Choose your words carefully."

The minister bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I am only saying that the Empress may have been targeted."

The Emperor’s eyes remained fixed on him.

"That is already being investigated."

"Of course."

The minister bowed again.

"But if the ritual was placed inside Her Majesty’s chamber, perhaps the purpose was not simply to harm her."

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

"What else?"

"Perhaps someone wanted to use her as part of the ritual."

The court became silent.

The Emperor’s expression darkened.

"Enough."

His voice echoed through the hall.

"No one will accuse the Empress without evidence."

The minister immediately bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor turned toward the commander.

"Increase protection around the Empress."

"Yes."

"Double the guards."

"Yes."

"And nobody enters her private residence without authorization."

"Understood."

The Emperor’s gaze moved toward the black altar.

"Find out who placed this there."

---

Meanwhile — The Empress’s Residence

Lian An had no idea what was happening in the court.

She sat beneath the pavilion in her courtyard with a cup of tea.

At least—

She had intended to drink tea peacefully.

That lasted approximately three minutes.

"That’s cheating!"

Fen Yu’s voice echoed across the courtyard.

Lian An closed her eyes.

"Again?"

Wei Rong’s voice immediately followed.

"I did not cheat."

"You moved the piece!"

"I moved it because you placed it incorrectly."

"You pushed it!"

"I corrected your mistake."

"That’s cheating!"

Li Shen sighed.

"Both of you are exhausting."

Fen Yu turned toward him.

"You stay out of this!"

Li Shen returned to his book.

"I wasn’t involved."

"You are involved now!"

Lian An slowly placed her cup down.

She had lived with these three ghosts long enough to know that peace never lasted.

But today—

Something felt different.

The air was colder.

She looked toward the palace garden.

The sunlight was bright.

Flowers swayed gently in the breeze.

Everything appeared normal.

Yet she could feel something.

A faint pressure.

Like someone watching her.

Fen Yu suddenly stopped arguing.

Her playful expression disappeared.

"An’er."

Lian An looked at her.

"What?"

Fen Yu stared toward the far end of the courtyard.

"There is someone there."

Wei Rong immediately stood.

"Where?"

Fen Yu pointed.

"I don’t know."

Li Shen closed his book.

The three ghosts stared into the distance.

Lian An followed their gaze.

Nothing.

"Are you sure?"

Fen Yu nodded slowly.

"Yes."

"What did you see?"

"A shadow."

Wei Rong’s expression became serious.

"Describe it."

Fen Yu frowned.

"It looked like..."

She hesitated.

"...a woman."

Lian An’s heart tightened.

"Shin Gu?"

Fen Yu shook her head.

"No."

"Then who?"

Fen Yu looked toward the palace wall.

"I don’t know."

At that moment—

A cold breeze passed through the courtyard.

The tea in Lian An’s cup rippled.

The flowers stopped moving.

And somewhere beyond the wall—

A faint whisper could be heard.

"Lian..."

Lian An stood immediately.

"What was that?"

Li Shen’s expression became grave.

"It said your name."

Wei Rong floated toward the wall.

"I’ll look."

"Don’t."

Lian An stopped him.

"We don’t know what it is."

Wei Rong frowned.

"But—"

"Wait."

The three ghosts looked at her.

Lian An stared into the empty garden.

Something was wrong.

Shin Gu was dead.

The dark magic had supposedly ended.

Yet the strange incidents had returned.

And now—

Someone had called her name.

---

Back in the Court

The Emperor continued questioning Prince Liang.

"You said Shin Gu was your consort."

Prince Liang’s expression became complicated.

"Yes."

"And you were close enough to witness her rituals?"

"I discovered what she was doing only after I became suspicious of her actions."

"Did she ever tell you where she learned dark magic?"

"No."

"Did she have a teacher?"

"I don’t know."

"Did anyone visit her secretly?"

Prince Liang thought for a moment.

"There were occasions when she received people."

"Who?"

"I could not identify them."

"Why?"

"They always wore cloaks."

The Emperor’s gaze sharpened.

"How many?"

"At least three different occasions."

"Men or women?"

"I could not tell."

"Did Shin Gu fear them?"

Prince Liang was silent.

Then—

"Yes."

The Emperor looked at him.

"You are certain?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Prince Liang answered quietly.

"Because Shin Gu was never afraid of ordinary people."

He looked at the altar.

"But whenever those people came..."

His voice lowered.

"...she became nervous."

That detail changed everything.

If Shin Gu herself had feared someone—

Then perhaps the person behind her was far more powerful.

The Emperor looked toward the ministers.

"Investigate every person who had contact with Shin Gu."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Search her former residence."

"Already searched."

"Search again."

"Yes."

"Look for letters, symbols, hidden rooms, coded messages, anything."

The ministers bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Then—

A palace guard rushed into the court.

He dropped to his knees.

"Your Majesty!"

The Emperor looked at him.

"What happened?"

The guard was breathing heavily.

"Another incident has occurred."

The entire court stiffened.

"Where?"

"In the western palace."

"What happened?"

The guard swallowed.

"Three servants collapsed simultaneously."

"Are they alive?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you frightened?"

The guard’s face became pale.

"Because..."

He looked toward the black altar.

"They all woke up saying the same thing."

The Emperor’s expression hardened.

"What did they say?"

The guard whispered—

"Someone is coming."

Silence.

"Who?"

The guard shook his head.

"They don’t know."

The Emperor stood slowly.

Then another guard rushed into the court.

"Your Majesty!"

"What now?"

"Another report."

"Speak."

"A black symbol has appeared on the wall of the Empress’s outer courtyard."

The Emperor’s face changed instantly.

He turned toward the doors.

"Prepare my horse."

The ministers were shocked.

"Your Majesty—"

"I am going to the Empress."

---

The Hidden Mastermind

Far away from the palace—

Inside a dark underground chamber—

A single candle burned.

A woman sat before a black altar.

Her face remained hidden beneath a veil.

In front of her lay several objects.

A piece of black cloth.

An old palace seal.

A broken hair ornament.

And—

A small portrait of Shin Gu.

The woman touched the portrait gently.

"You failed."

Her voice was cold.

"But your failure was useful."

She placed the portrait into the flame.

The fire consumed Shin Gu’s image.

The woman smiled faintly.

"The Emperor believes the darkness died with you."

She looked toward another altar.

"He is wrong."

Behind her—

Several black candles suddenly ignited.

One after another.

The woman whispered,

"Shin Gu was never the mastermind."

She looked toward the palace.

"She was merely the hand."

Her eyes gleamed beneath the veil.

"And now..."

A faint smile appeared.

"...the real game begins."

Back in the Imperial Palace—

The Emperor was riding toward the Empress’s residence.

Lian An stood beneath the courtyard pavilion.

Fen Yu, Wei Rong, and Li Shen surrounded her.

None of them knew what was coming.

None of them knew who the mysterious woman was.

But one thing had become clear.

Shin Gu’s death had not ended the dark magic.

It had only removed the person standing in front of the darkness.

The real mastermind—

Was still alive.

And somewhere in the shadows—

They were watching the Empress.