Standing Out and the Consequences of Offending the Cui Clan

Ethan Su Wenhang was to stay at Feng Manor for a while; it was just one more person, one more pair of chopsticks, so of course Serena Feng didn’t refuse. She had the courtyard tidied up and arranged to Ethan’s tastes that very day.

Vincent Su didn’t stand on ceremony; the day before leaving for Night City, he dropped Ethan off at Feng Manor.

Seeing Ethan Su Wenhang’s rosy cheeks and excellent complexion, Serena Feng was genuinely happy. She introduced the Snow Wolf to Ethan, letting the wolf keep him company, then went to check on Ling Mo.

After a few days of rest, Ling Mo’s wounds were nearly healed even without medicine. Serena Feng couldn’t help but marvel—Heaven truly favors fools. Without such resilience, Ling Mo would’ve died of infection long ago.

“You’re healing well. If nothing unexpected happens, in ten days we’ll head to Skyvault Fortress. We’ll go together with Linden Ling, but you’ll have to disguise yourself as a guard and blend in with the others,” Serena Feng stood two steps away from Ling Mo to avoid making him nervous.

Ling Mo opened his mouth to speak, but Serena Feng interrupted: “Don’t talk. Use hand signs—I can understand them.”

Ling Mo nodded and slowly made a gesture; Serena guessed the meaning and replied, “If you’re afraid Linden Ling will notice, just blend in with the shadow guards. Even if he knows they exist, he won’t bother to check.”

Ling Mo nodded, agreeing. Serena Feng subtly mentioned that things were chaotic lately, and told Ling Mo to be careful and stay indoors these few days to avoid attracting Linden Ling’s attention.

Linden Ling had been very active lately—Serena Feng knew a bit about it but couldn’t be bothered to interfere. If he managed to dig up news about the Phoenixfield Clan in Shandong, that was his skill; if she lost out, she’d accept it.

About to set out for Skyvault Fortress and spend New Year away from home, Serena Feng needed to arrange everything at the manor first, and handle all matters for the Phoenixfield Clan and the army. The provisions and gifts for New Year had to be prepared now to avoid a last-minute scramble.

With last year’s experience, Serena Feng quickly drew up the gift list. The tricky part was arranging things for the Phoenixfield Clan—this was the first year she was their de facto leader, and she had to ensure her people had a secure and abundant New Year.

Thanks to the gold from the sunken ship, she wasn’t short on silver now. But some things couldn’t be bought even with money, so Serena Feng once again turned her gaze to the northern grasslands.

Serena Feng handed this task to Spring, telling her to contact Chief Chizhamu again and ask him to introduce several large tribes—she planned to buy more cattle and sheep in bulk this winter.

Dragging her injured back, Serena Feng worked slowly. Several times the pain made her face go pale, and Ethan Su Wenhang, seeing this, took over without a word, helping her by writing out all sorts of lists.

“Qingchen Big Sister, I’ve grown up—I can help you now.” The handsome, earnest youth gripped his pen, his face still a bit childish but full of seriousness. Serena Feng couldn’t refuse and trusted Ethan’s character; except for matters involving Ninth Royal Uncle, she kept nothing from him.

At first, Ethan thought nothing of it, but as the days passed and the quantities he wrote grew larger, he suddenly realized he’d stumbled onto a major secret.

Ethan didn’t show it. After his initial shock, he quickly regained his composure and didn’t ask a single question. Serena noticed this and was quietly pleased; she ruffled Ethan’s hair and said with feeling, “You really have grown up.”

Ethan’s hand holding the pen stiffened, his ears turned red, and he forced himself to act calm: “Qingchen Big Sister, I’m an adult now—you shouldn’t pat my head anymore.”

“Yes, yes, you’re an adult now.” Serena withdrew her hand. Looking at the lists Ethan had finished, she realized she’d made him work for half a day and, for once, felt a little guilty.

“It’s getting late, Ethan, you should go rest. I’ll finish the rest myself.”

Ethan didn’t argue; he set down his pen and hurried out, almost as if fleeing. Serena Feng just thought the boy was shy, smiled, and picked up the pen to continue writing—only…

As soon as she started writing, Serena realized her calligraphy was nothing compared to Ethan’s. Just as she was about to rewrite the whole list, a commotion sounded outside.

Startled, Serena Feng dropped her pen and rushed out, just in time to hear the Eighteen Riders shouting, “Quick, protect Young Master Su!”

“Something’s happened.” Alarmed, Serena Feng activated her Smart Med-Pack, grabbed her handgun, and sprinted toward the sounds of fighting.

“Miss, we’re here.” The Eighteen Riders intercepted Serena Feng halfway, blocking her path.

Serena Feng didn’t insist on charging ahead. She stood behind the Eighteen Riders and said, “Take me with you—I want to see who’s bold enough to attack Ethan Su Wenhang in my own home. Are they my enemies or the Su clan’s?”

The Eighteen Riders, knowing Serena Feng’s skills, shielded her as they rushed toward the fight.

At that moment, black-clad assassins were locked in a chaotic battle with Feng Manor’s guards and the Eighteen Riders. Ethan Su Wenhang was caught in the middle, looking battered and already wounded.

The assassins fought viciously, every move aimed to kill Ethan. The Eighteen Riders and guards, focused on protecting him, held back, giving the assassins the upper hand.

Serena Feng raised her gun and fired into the fray.

With a bang, the smell of gunpowder spread, drawing everyone’s attention. The black-clad assassins glanced at Serena Feng, then ignored her and went right back to trying to kill Ethan, clearly not seeing her as a threat.

Were they really enemies of the Su clan?

A flicker of doubt flashed in Serena Feng’s eyes. If these were truly enemies of the Su clan, Vincent Su would surely have warned her before leaving—he’d never keep such a thing secret.

But this wasn’t the time to dwell on it—the urgent thing was to break Ethan’s siege. Serena Feng fired again at the assassins, but they were prepared and dodged almost every shot.

“Clearly, only surprise gives you a chance at victory.” Serena Feng holstered her gun and pulled out a tiny hidden weapon from her wrist. “Hope Zuo An’s gadget works.”

With a click, Serena Feng took a silver bead from a cloisonné bracelet, flicked it, and sent it flying.

The assassins, still wary, dodged the bead, but it hit the ground and exploded with a pop, releasing thick green smoke that stung the eyes.

“Poison!” The assassins covered their ears and noses, halting their attack.

Serena Feng snorted, wrapped her face with a handkerchief, and rushed into the smoke to drag Ethan out.

“Bring water!” As soon as Serena Feng got out, she ordered the Eighteen Riders. By now the green smoke had dissipated, and both sides regained their fighting power.

Now that they didn’t have to hold back for Ethan, the Eighteen Riders attacked fiercely, quickly gaining the upper hand. Just as victory seemed certain, a huge explosion sounded from the east, followed by a frantic cry: “Young Master Feng Jin—help! Young Master Feng Jin has been kidnapped!”