If I Do Not Die, I Will Still Make You Suffer

As for Ezra Phoenixfield, Prince Nolan can set a trap but can't guarantee success, nor can he be sure when Ezra will arrive in Eastlyn or when he'll go after Jason Lan.

This is just one move, like how Prince Nolan had people spread rumors about the sea in advance. He sets the board, but when or if others step into it is no longer his concern.

If they take the bait, that's best; if not, he has other ways. He's out in the open while they're hidden—wasting manpower and resources to hunt them down isn't worth it. He can only provoke them, forcing them to show themselves.

Since Ezra Phoenixfield's movements can't be predicted, Prince Nolan hasn't told Serena Phoenixfield about this—he simply stays with her at Feng Manor.

Because of the marriage refusal, Prince Nolan feels guilty toward Serena Phoenixfield. He isn't tiptoeing around her, but he's more attentive than usual, even handling some matters himself that he'd normally leave to the staff.

At first, Serena Phoenixfield didn't notice. It wasn't until Prince Nolan said he'd already had Shandong Circuit prepared so she could move the Phoenixfield Clan there, that she realized he was trying to make it up to her.

"You don't have to do all this. I never cared about the marriage refusal," Serena Phoenixfield said. She felt she needed to make things clear—call her shameless if you want, but she couldn't get used to Prince Nolan acting so deferential.

When two people are together, just talk things out. If you can't, then fight it out...

"Mm." Prince Nolan nodded, but kept doing things his way. After a few failed attempts to persuade him, Serena Phoenixfield just let him be.

Fortunately, Prince Nolan's leisure didn't last long. Once the Emperor and Dr. Marcus Guile set the treatment date, the Emperor summoned Prince Nolan to the palace.

"Protect the two divine physicians!" Serena Phoenixfield was once again overlooked.

The Valley Master and Dr. Marcus Guile were crucial to the Emperor's survival. The guards assigned to protect them were definitely elite. Even though the assassins attacked suddenly and in force, they couldn’t break through the Imperial Guards’ defense to reach the carriage.

To mount an attack in the Eastlyn Imperial City, the enemy had to be formidable. Dr. Marcus Guile closed his eyes, listening intently to the clash outside, gauging their strength. "The assassins haven't gained the upper hand, but they're strong. It looks like they're not trying to break through, just to pin the guards down."

Dr. Marcus Guile explained as he listened, but suddenly his expression shifted: "Not good."

"What's wrong?" The Valley Master and Serena Phoenixfield didn't have martial skills; their hearing was decent, but nothing compared to Dr. Marcus Guile.

Dr. Marcus Guile didn’t waste time explaining. He grabbed Serena Phoenixfield and the Valley Master and ordered, "Jump out of the carriage!"

"Okay." The Valley Master and Serena Phoenixfield trusted Dr. Marcus Guile completely. With a quick motion, he pulled them both off the carriage.

As soon as the three stabilized themselves, Dr. Marcus Guile dragged Serena Phoenixfield toward the nearest shopfront. Behind them, a siege crossbow was already aimed at the carriage. With a thunderous crash, a leg-thick bolt shot straight into it...

With a deafening bang, the carriage exploded into splinters.

The Valley Master and Serena Phoenixfield heard the blast and turned to look—both went pale with shock, but were also deeply grateful. If Dr. Marcus Guile hadn’t pulled them out in time, they’d have been pulverized along with the carriage.

On the surface, the Capital (Imperial City) seemed calm, but beneath it all, dangerous currents surged. Every faction had their eyes on Dr. Marcus Guile, waiting for him to treat the Emperor and for the outcome to be revealed.

The appointed day arrived for Dr. Marcus Guile to enter the palace and cure the Emperor’s Gu-poison. At dawn, Imperial Guards came to Feng Manor to escort them, and within a hundred miles of the manor, not a single soul was seen…

The road from Feng Manor to the palace was utterly deserted—no pedestrians, shops shuttered, and every ten steps, armed guards stood watch. Hidden agents lurked in every corner. The formation was as grand as a royal procession.

“This kind of display is pretty intimidating,” the Valley Master muttered, smacking his lips in boredom.

Serena gripped her gun tightly. Hearing the Valley Master’s words, she replied, “There are plenty of people out there who want you both dead.”

These past few days, even Feng Manor hasn’t found peace.

“What’s the point of killing two doctors?” The Valley Master scoffed, but inwardly he was already considering mixing up a few ‘special gifts’ for Ninth Royal Uncle to deliver to whoever was behind this.

Serena explained, “You hold the Emperor’s life in your hands. A fractured Eastlyn pleases the Three Kingdoms and Nine Cities far more than a strong, unified one.”

“I—” The Valley Master had just started to speak when the carriage suddenly screeched to a halt. A guard’s shout rang out: “Assassins! There are assassins!”

“Someone really wants us dead?” The Valley Master glanced at Dr. Marcus Guile and Serena, clearly doubting anyone would dare commit murder in the Capital (Imperial City).

“Protect the divine doctors!” Serena was once again forgotten.

Both the Valley Master and Dr. Marcus Guile held the Emperor’s fate in their hands, so the Emperor had sent his best men to protect them. The assassins struck fast and in force, but couldn’t break through the Imperial Guards’ defenses to reach the carriage.

“If someone dares attack in the Capital (Imperial City), they must be formidable,” Dr. Marcus Guile said, closing his eyes to listen to the sounds of fighting outside, judging the attackers’ strength. “The assassins haven’t gained the upper hand, but they’re strong. It seems their goal isn’t to charge forward, but to pin the guards down.”

Dr. Marcus Guile explained as he listened, but suddenly his expression changed. “Not good.”

“What is it?” Serena and the Valley Master didn’t have martial skills, and though their hearing was decent, they couldn’t compare to Dr. Marcus Guile.

Dr. Marcus Guile didn’t explain. Instead, he grabbed Serena and the Valley Master. “Jump off the carriage!”

“Alright.” Serena and the Valley Master trusted Dr. Marcus Guile absolutely. He barely needed to exert any force before pulling them off the carriage.

The moment the three of them steadied themselves, Dr. Marcus Guile dragged Serena toward a shop on the side of the street. Behind them, a siege crossbow aimed at the carriage—there was a heavy thud, and a bolt as thick as a leg shot straight for it…

With a thunderous crash, the carriage shattered to pieces.

The Valley Master and Serena heard the sound, turned to look…

At that sight, both turned pale with fright, but also felt immense relief—thank goodness Dr. Marcus Guile had pulled them off in time. Otherwise, they’d have been pulverized along with the carriage.

“Who are these people, bringing out siege crossbows?” Serena was shaken to the core. This wasn’t a battlefield—it was the Capital (Imperial City).

Siege crossbows were strictly controlled, only available to the military. How could one appear in the Capital (Imperial City)? It made no sense.

Seeing the three of them escape, the assassins shifted the crossbow and aimed at them again. Serena could clearly see the cold killing intent in their eyes.

“Run!” Serena pulled her hand free, stepped in front of Dr. Marcus Guile and the Valley Master, and raised her gun at the crossbow crew. But the distance was too great—her shot missed.

“Damn it.” Serena cursed. The power of her bullets was nothing compared to the crossbow bolts. All they could do now was run.

“Head for the shop!” Serena dashed forward, slamming into a shop door and bursting inside. The pain was so sharp that tears sprang to her eyes.

She might be fierce, but this body was still just that of a young woman—soft and powerless.

“Quick, close the door!” Dr. Marcus Guile, still injured, tried to close it, but the Valley Master was pushed aside as Dr. Marcus Guile pulled him away from the doorway. “Get out of the way!”

Thud—a crossbow bolt shot straight toward them, this time aimed directly at Serena.

Serena lay on the ground, watching the massive bolt hurtle toward her, her eyes flashing with startled realization: They’re trying to kill me?