Make a Move, Don’t Play the Hero If You Lack the Skill

Reid Yale's sword strike was fast and sudden, but the Feng Manor guards weren't pushovers either. They'd been on alert for him all along, and when he attacked, they immediately fought back without mercy.

Active assault and passive defense are two completely different concepts. If you kill someone while attacking, you go to jail; if you kill someone defending yourself, not only commoners but even the authorities will understand.

Self-defense applies everywhere. You can't just stand there waiting for someone to kill you and then try to sue them for murder afterwards.

Reid Yale barged into Feng Manor with his men and attacked without restraint, so the situation completely tilted in Serena Feng's favor. With her goal achieved, she stepped back, no longer acting as a target, and steadily withdrew from the fight.

Still, seeing how outnumbered they were, a trace of worry flashed in Serena's eyes. Reid had brought a force ten times larger than Feng Manor's, and she wasn't sure if they could hold out until reinforcements arrived.

"Don't worry, this is the Imperial City. The patrol troops will be here soon—nothing will happen." William Wang Jinling steadied Serena with a hand, then quickly withdrew it.

His palm still tingled with lingering warmth. Quietly, William moved his hand behind his back and clenched it tight...

"I know. Otherwise, I wouldn't have deliberately provoked Reid. He's too impulsive. Without the City Lord, I'm really curious what Night City will become in his hands." Serena was aware that Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan had always had his eye on Night City, and she wondered if he was involved in this incident.

"No matter how it changes, it won't become an empty city. A deserted city is useless—no one would allow that." William knew plenty of factions coveted Night City, but everyone understood its real value wasn't the land, but the iron cavalry and the loyal citizens.

"That's true. No one would bother making a move for an empty city. But Night City's iron cavalry only obey Night Clan blood, and its citizens only recognize Night family as their rulers. So no matter how much others want Night City, they'll never wipe out the Night Clan or destroy the city itself." Serena nodded, glancing at Reid, who stared at her like a wild beast. For a moment, she felt a flash of fear.

The way Reid looked at her was terrifying—he truly saw her as his father's killer. Would he, in his rage, actually summon Night City's iron cavalry to wipe her out?

With someone as crazy as Reid, it wasn't impossible. Serena frowned slightly and asked, "William, who do you think framed me? Looking at Reid, he's convinced I'm his father's murderer."

Whoever set her up clearly wanted her dead.

William's brow furrowed, his clenched palm loosening a bit. "It's not about framing you—it's about framing Ninth Royal Uncle."

"You mean, someone wants to stir up Night City's hatred against Ninth Royal Uncle? But why not frame him directly—why drag me into it as well?" Serena turned, genuinely surprised.

"Two birds with one stone. If they throw the filth on you, Ninth Royal Uncle won't be able to wash it off, either. Of course, that's just my guess—it's not certain. We'll discuss it again when we see Ninth Royal Uncle. Reid is irrational now, but once he calms down, he'll connect this to Ninth Royal Uncle."

Serena's grudge with Reid was out in the open. She had motive to kill the City Lord of Night City, and with Ninth Royal Uncle's help, she had the ability to do it too.

The setup was crude, but it worked on Reid. He already had a bias against Serena and a fixed idea—unless the real culprit was found, he'd only ever believe Serena was the murderer.

"Looks like I'm stuck carrying this blame. This mess just never ends. I wonder what the Emperor is thinking." Serena rubbed her temples, waiting for Dominic Zhai to arrive and bring order to the chaos.

As for everything else, Serena wasn't all that worried. Even if the Emperor wanted to throw her out as a scapegoat to appease Night City's fury, Ninth Royal Uncle would never let it happen.

"Don't worry, things aren't as bad as you think. We're all here." William's steady gaze was enough to calm anyone, and Serena herself wasn't panicked to begin with—his reassurance made her even more at ease.

In the chaos, Reid had lost all reason. Anyone who got close—friend or foe—was beaten back. All he wanted was to reach Serena and kill her to avenge his father.

Seeing Serena talking with William only fueled his rage. Ignoring his own guards' attempts to stop him, he raised his sword and charged straight for Serena.

"Serena Feng, I'll kill you to honor my father's spirit!"

Fearless, reckless—at this moment, Reid was like a god of slaughter. Driven by hatred, he unleashed a power he'd never shown before and rushed straight to Serena.

The Feng Manor guards stepped forward, slashing their swords at Reid to force him back. But he seemed immune to pain—letting their blades pierce him, he only drove his own sword toward Serena's heart with unwavering determination.

"Serena, watch out!" William reached out, pulling Serena into his arms and spinning around to shield her.

"William..." Serena's face changed dramatically. She tried to push him away, but the seemingly frail William erupted with strength, holding her tight and refusing to let go. Furious, Serena shouted, "William Wang Jinling!"

Please, don't let anything happen. Please don't get hurt saving her.

Serena's eyes turned red with worry. In that split second, a dark figure dropped from above—clang! The blade pressed against William's back, just in time to block Reid's sword. Before Reid could react, the newcomer forcefully knocked him aside.

Ah—Reid screamed, knocked back by the force, tumbling into the chaos.

"Young City Lord, be careful!" Night City's guards rushed forward, catching the bloodied Reid.

"William Wang Jinling, you scared me to death! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? Reid is a lunatic, and you went crazy right along with him!" Now that the danger had passed, Serena shoved William away, her beautiful eyes wide with anger.

I knew it was dangerous—that's why I stood in front of you. William didn't say this aloud; he only replied calmly, "Don't worry, I'm fine, aren't I?"

"Fine, my foot! If Zuo An hadn't acted in time, you'd be hurt right now." Serena was truly angry. When Reid attacked, she'd reacted too—but even if she couldn't dodge entirely, her reflexes would have saved her from a fatal blow. She never expected William to suddenly shield her.

She'd rather get hurt herself than see William suffer because he tried to save her.

"It was just a fluke—it won't happen again." William soothed Serena gently, showing no fear despite his brush with death. Only after confirming Serena was unharmed did he turn to the black-clad, almost invisible Zuo An and say, "Thank you for saving us. I'm deeply grateful."

"Don't thank me—I wasn't saving you. If you don't have the skill, don't play the hero and make trouble." Zuo An crossed his arms, his tone cool and dismissive.

He wasn't the least bit polite. Serena glanced at William, worried he might be upset or offended, but William was gracious—he didn't take Zuo An's words to heart at all.

"You're absolutely right. I did make trouble. Things are still chaotic outside—why not lend a hand and help settle it?" William was sincere. Zuo An stared at him, as if surprised anyone could remain so calm in the face of his barbed tongue, and even subtly direct him to act without provoking dislike...

...