The Ultimate Pranker System

Chapter 17: Shadows of Manipulation

The Yin estate was teetering on the edge of chaos. Paranoia ran rampant among both the slaves and the family members, and Adam moved through the unrest like a ghost, silent and unseen. Every seed of doubt he had sown was beginning to sprout, and the tension in the air was almost palpable.

It began that morning during breakfast. The patriarch, Yin Wei, sat at the head of the family table, his face a mask of barely restrained fury. His piercing gaze darted between his children, his voice like the crack of a whip as he addressed them.

"Someone in this household is conspiring against me," he announced. "First, the theft of a treasured scroll. Now, strange whispers among the servants and guards. I will not tolerate treachery within my own family."

Yin Hua, the eldest daughter, bristled at her father's words. "Are you implying one of us is responsible, Father?" she asked, her tone icy.

"I'm not implying anything," Yin Wei replied sharply. "But the fact remains—someone here is working against me. And until I find out who, no one is above suspicion."

Yin Xue, ever the opportunist, leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "Perhaps if certain people weren't so careless, we wouldn't be in this situation," he said, casting a pointed glance at Yin Hua.

Yin Hua's eyes flashed with anger. "Careless? I've done nothing to jeopardize this family. Unlike you, I don't spend my nights sneaking around the estate."

The argument escalated quickly, with accusations flying across the table. The younger siblings watched in silence, their expressions a mix of fear and uncertainty. Yin Wei's temper flared, and he slammed his hand on the table, silencing everyone.

"That's enough!" he roared. "If you can't control yourselves, I'll have the guards investigate each and every one of you."

Adam, watching from the corner of the room as he served tea, hid a smirk. The tension between Yin Xue and Yin Hua was a gift, and he had no intention of letting it go to waste.

After breakfast, Adam returned to his duties, careful to maintain his facade as an obedient slave. But his mind was already racing, formulating his next move. The Yin family's internal strife was growing, but it needed a push to reach the breaking point.

That evening, Adam slipped into the family's private garden, a secluded area often used for cultivation and meditation. He had chosen this location carefully, knowing it would serve as the perfect stage for his next prank.

From his robe, Adam retrieved a small pouch containing a rare herb he had stolen from the estate's storeroom—a Moonshade Blossom. When burned, its smoke induced vivid hallucinations and paranoia, making it a valuable tool for anyone skilled in psychological warfare.

He crushed the blossom into a fine powder and scattered it near the meditation pavilion. With a spark of spiritual energy, he ignited the powder, releasing a faint, almost undetectable smoke into the air.

The trap was set.

The first to arrive at the garden was Yin Xue. His expression was dark, his mind clearly troubled by the morning's events. He took a seat in the pavilion, closing his eyes and beginning to meditate.

Minutes later, Yin Hua appeared, her steps purposeful as she marched toward the pavilion. "What are you doing here, Xue?" she demanded.

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, his tone dripping with disdain.

Their argument resumed almost immediately, each blaming the other for the patriarch's growing suspicion. But as the Moonshade Blossom's effects began to take hold, their voices grew louder, more erratic.

"I know you're trying to undermine me," Yin Hua hissed, her eyes narrowing.

"Undermine you? Don't be ridiculous," Yin Xue shot back. "You've always been the schemer, Hua. Maybe Father's right to suspect you."

The hallucinations intensified, and their anger escalated into a physical confrontation. Yin Xue drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the moonlight, while Yin Hua summoned a wave of spiritual energy to defend herself.

From the shadows, Adam watched with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. The Moonshade Blossom was working even better than he had anticipated, amplifying their paranoia and pushing them to the brink of violence.

The clash didn't last long, however. The commotion attracted the attention of the guards, who rushed to the scene to separate the siblings. Yin Wei arrived moments later, his fury palpable as he demanded an explanation.

"They've completely lost it," one guard muttered under his breath as he restrained Yin Xue.

"It's her fault," Yin Xue growled, his voice slurred from the lingering effects of the Moonshade Blossom. "She's been plotting against me!"

"Lies!" Yin Hua spat. "You're the one trying to sabotage the family!"

Yin Wei's face darkened, and his voice was cold as he addressed the siblings. "You've both shamed this family tonight," he said. "Until I uncover the truth, you will both be confined to your quarters. Guards, take them away."

As the garden emptied, Adam slipped away, his mind already planning his next move. The Yin family was unraveling faster than he had anticipated, and he needed to capitalize on their disarray.

Back in the slave quarters, Adam allowed himself a moment of reflection. The system's rewards had already elevated his cultivation to new heights, but his ultimate goal was still far from reach.

Objective: Create discord among the Yin family members. Progress: 75%.

Reward Pending: [Special System Upgrade].

Adam's eyes gleamed with anticipation. A system upgrade could open up entirely new possibilities, giving him even more tools to manipulate his enemies and rise to power.

For now, he would bide his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The Yin family's downfall was inevitable, and Adam was determined to be the one pulling the strings.

End of Chapter 17