The Ultimate Pranker System

Chapter 12: The Art of Patience

The moon hung high over the Yin family estate, its pale light casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths and ornate rooftops. The night was quiet save for the occasional chirp of crickets, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded earlier that day. Adam lay on his straw mat in the slave quarters, his eyes closed but his mind far from sleep.

His fingers brushed against the Shadowstep Talisman hidden in his robe. The reward felt like validation—a small yet tangible acknowledgment of his growing mastery over the system's pranks and missions. But he knew better than to act recklessly. One wrong move in this ruthless household could mean death, or worse.

"Slow and steady," Adam muttered under his breath, a mantra he had repeated often in recent days. He wasn't just surviving anymore; he was positioning himself for the long game.

The following morning, Adam rose before dawn, as was required of all slaves. The tasks for the day were tedious: cleaning the training yard, fetching water for the guards, and ensuring the young masters' chambers were spotless. But Adam had learned to see these chores as opportunities. Each errand brought him closer to the information he needed to climb out of his lowly position.

As he scrubbed the smooth stone tiles of the training yard, he overheard the familiar voices of Yin Xue and Yin Bao.

"Don't think I haven't noticed your scheming, brother," Yin Bao said, her tone sharp.

Yin Xue chuckled, his voice dripping with condescension. "Scheming? You overestimate yourself, sister. I don't need to scheme against someone as insignificant as you."

Adam smirked as he worked, keeping his head down. The cracks in their relationship were widening, just as he'd planned.

Later in the day, Adam was assigned to clean the main hall, a task he usually loathed due to its visibility. The hall was a hub of activity, with stewards, guards, and noble family members constantly passing through. Any mistake here could lead to a beating—or worse.

As Adam polished the jade tiles, his ears perked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. A pair of low-ranking stewards, both notorious for their cruelty toward the slaves, strolled into the hall, their voices loud and obnoxious.

"Did you hear? Yin Bao's been throwing tantrums again," one of them said, laughing. "She even accused her brother of sabotaging her garden."

The other snorted. "As if Yin Xue would bother. He's too busy trying to impress the elders. Did you see him sparring yesterday? He broke three dummies in one strike."

Adam's hands moved methodically as he listened, his mind cataloging every detail. Yin Xue's strength was no joke, but his ego was his weakness. If he could find the right way to exploit it...

Objective: Sabotage Yin Xue's next training session without being caught.

Reward: [Tier 1 Physique Enhancing Pill].

Adam's eyes flickered with interest as the system's message appeared. A physique-enhancing pill was no small reward; even a low-tier pill could significantly improve his strength, allowing him to endure more grueling tasks—and retaliate when necessary.

The trick was executing the prank flawlessly. Yin Xue's training sessions were a spectacle, attended by guards, servants, and occasionally even the family elders. Any mistake could be catastrophic.

"Time to get creative," Adam thought, a grin spreading across his face.

That night, Adam slipped into the training yard under the cover of darkness. The area was deserted, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. Adam moved like a shadow, his steps silent and deliberate.

He approached the practice dummies first, examining their wooden frames. These dummies were designed to withstand powerful blows from cultivators, but Adam knew they weren't indestructible. With a small chisel he'd smuggled from the tool shed, he weakened the joints of two dummies, carving barely noticeable grooves into the wood.

Next, he turned his attention to the weapon rack. Yin Xue's favorite training weapon was a sleek iron spear, its shaft reinforced with spirit-imbued materials. Adam couldn't risk tampering with it directly—it would be too obvious if it broke. Instead, he applied a thin layer of oil to the grip, ensuring it would slip from Yin Xue's hands at the worst possible moment.

Finally, Adam placed a small bundle of dried herbs beneath the platform where Yin Xue typically meditated after training. These herbs, harmless on their own, released an irritating vapor when burned. Adam had learned of their effects from a fellow slave who used them to ward off pests. If timed correctly, the vapor would disrupt Yin Xue's focus, humiliating him in front of his audience.

The next morning, Adam stood among the other slaves gathered near the training yard, feigning disinterest as Yin Xue arrived for his session. The young master strode confidently into the yard, his iron spear glinting in the sunlight.

"Watch closely," Yin Xue said to the assembled guards and stewards. "This is the level of strength you should aspire to."

Adam suppressed a snort. "Arrogant as ever," he thought.

Yin Xue began with the practice dummies, his movements sharp and precise. The first dummy splintered under his strike, but as he moved to the second, the weakened joint gave way. The dummy collapsed with a loud crack, the upper half toppling awkwardly to the ground.

The onlookers exchanged glances, murmurs spreading through the crowd.

"What's wrong with this thing?" Yin Xue snapped, kicking the broken dummy aside.

He moved to the weapon rack, grabbing his spear. As he twirled it for a demonstration, the oiled grip betrayed him. The spear slipped from his hands, clattering to the ground.

Yin Xue's face reddened with embarrassment. "Who's responsible for this?!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the yard.

Adam kept his expression neutral, his head bowed like the other slaves.

To make matters worse, as Yin Xue sat on the meditation platform to compose himself, the vapor from the hidden herbs began to rise. His nose wrinkled, and his eyes watered as the irritating fumes took effect.

"Enough!" he bellowed, rising to his feet. "Everyone out! Now!"

The crowd dispersed quickly, the slaves and guards retreating to avoid his wrath. Adam slipped away unnoticed, his heart pounding with exhilaration.

Reward: [Tier 1 Physique Enhancing Pill Obtained].

The pill materialized in Adam's hand, its surface smooth and cool to the touch. He tucked it away for later, his mind already turning to his next move.

Each prank, each reward, brought him closer to his goal. The noble family might see him as a mere slave, but Adam knew the truth. He was the puppeteer pulling their strings, one calculated move at a time.

End of Chapter 12