Master Wenyuan is dead!
The moment they heard this, not only Prince Nolan but even Serena was startled, both of them leaping down from the carriage in a rush.
Whether for public duty or personal reasons, Serena did not want anything to happen to Master Wenyuan.
Prince Nolan shoved through the crowd toward the center of the commotion. Normally composed, even he couldn't help but quicken his pace. Under his oppressive aura, the surrounding students all fell silent—even when jostled by the guards, no one dared make a sound.
As Prince Nolan approached, the Si Clan’s Eighteen Riders immediately knelt: "Your Highness, we have failed in our duty."
Master Wenyuan lay on the ground, a blood-red stain blooming over his heart—clearly, he'd been struck right in the chest.
With a wound like that, there was probably no saving him.
"Go, summon the city garrison. Detain everyone present—no one is to escape," Prince Nolan ordered, ignoring the Eighteen Riders and crouching beside Master Wenyuan to check if he was still breathing.
As long as there was a single breath left, they could wait for Serena and the Valley Master to arrive.
"Yes, sir," the guards responded, immediately surrounding the students.
"Why? Why are you locking us up? We didn't kill anyone!"
"If someone is killed, the killer must pay with their life. But it wasn't us! Even if you're a prince, you can't just imprison us!"
"Master Wenyuan wasn't killed by us. We demand to see an official!"
"It's you—you're framing us! Master Wenyuan was fine, how could he just die?"
...
Just moments ago, these hot-headed scholars were afraid of Prince Nolan, but now that their own futures were at stake, they lost all restraint—shouting, pushing, and turning the scene into utter chaos.
Serena finally managed to squeeze through the crowd and burst in. Hearing all the shouting, she snapped, "Make them shut up! If anyone keeps yelling, dislocate his jaw. Anyone causing trouble—break their legs!"
If a prince of the realm said something like that, he'd be impeached—but Serena wasn't afraid.
"You can't do this! Even the authorities can't punish us without investigating first!"
"Officials and nobles trampling lives—what a rotten world, what heartless times!"
Serena’s words triggered outrage among the students. They pointed at her and hurled insults, but she couldn’t be bothered to respond. Instead, she crouched beside Master Wenyuan to check if he could still be saved, while the guards, following her orders, went after the loudest troublemakers.
The guards dragged out the offenders, and with a sharp crack, their jaws were dislocated. The guards tossed them to the ground without ceremony—quick and ruthless, showing true military efficiency.
At first, some still resisted, but as the cries of pain multiplied, these arrogant scholars finally backed down, each one gripped by terror.
Prince Nolan glanced up but saw nothing unusual in the crowd. He signaled to his adviser to keep a close watch.
The adviser nodded and picked a spot with a good view to monitor the students’ reactions.
"Father—what happened to my father?" Yana Zhan, protected by layers of guards, stumbled over and saw Master Wenyuan lying motionless on the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to rush forward, but the guards held her back.
"No—no, it can't be! My father will be fine, he will be fine!" Yana struggled to break free, but she was no match for the guards' strength.
Princess Vivian arrived a moment later. Seeing Yana's devastated state, she pulled her close and softly comforted her: "Don't be afraid. With Miss Feng here—and her superb medical skills—Master Wenyuan will surely be all right."
It was meant as comfort, but hearing it felt somehow off—as if, if Master Wenyuan couldn't be saved, it would be Serena's fault.
Prince Nolan's gaze turned knife-cold, shooting at Princess Vivian. She paused, then deliberately looked away as if nothing had happened.
As Serena examined Master Wenyuan, the city’s defense general arrived with his troops. Prince Nolan signaled his adviser to keep a close watch. The killer was among these people—there could be no escape.
"Serena, how is my father?" Yana Zhan watched as Serena used tweezers to extract a silver pellet from Master Wenyuan’s chest, anxiously asking. Prince Nolan also looked over, his eyes full of questions.
Master Wenyuan’s fate affected many things—especially since he died the moment he set foot in Eastlyn. If this went badly, not only would he be ruined, but all of Eastlyn would be scorned and rejected by the scholars.
"I’m sorry. I did everything I could." Serena placed the silver pellet on a tray and stood, apologizing to Yana Zhan. "He was struck in the heart by this pellet. There’s nothing I can do."
Whoever did this was a master of hidden weapons—a tiny silver pellet had destroyed the heart. Even if a heavenly immortal were present, Master Wenyuan could not be saved.
"No—!" Yana screamed, her legs giving out as she collapsed. Princess Vivian reacted quickly, catching her before she fell.
"Take Miss Zhan to the post station to rest." Now that Master Wenyuan was dead, the aftermath had to be handled. Prince Nolan’s face was grim as he stood and approached the students, coldly surveying them.
The students, cowed by the guards’ iron discipline, dared not raise their voices. They muttered quietly, while the injured ones groaned nearby. But as soon as Prince Nolan approached, silence fell; they avoided his gaze.
The reason they made such a scene after the incident was fear. Even if they hadn’t killed Master Wenyuan, they couldn’t escape blame. When Prince Nolan drew near, the more timid ones collapsed to the ground.
"Take them away." After watching for a while and seeing nothing suspicious, Prince Nolan lost interest in the group.
"No, it wasn’t me! We’re innocent, sir, we’re innocent!"
"Help! Help! It really wasn’t me, I don’t know anything—we just came to see Master Wenyuan!"
The arrogant scholars began shouting again, but no one paid them any attention. The city’s defense general looked even more ashen.
A man had died on his watch—even if Prince Nolan didn’t blame him, Jixia Academy would never let him off. When the time came...
The Southlyn royal house, House Zhan, Jixia Academy, and Master Wenyuan’s disciples and admirers would all rush here. Not even Prince Nolan could withstand that kind of pressure, let alone a mere general.
Fear made everyone extra cautious. The scene was quickly cleared, and Master Wenyuan’s body was carried away.
Serena packed up her things and saw Prince Nolan standing alone. Though surrounded by people, he seemed utterly isolated—a loneliness so deep, it was as if he were the only person in the world.
Serena’s heart ached. She walked over to stand beside Prince Nolan. When he finally seemed a little more present, she asked, "What do you plan to do about this?"
"First, we find the killer." The scene was chaotic, with people coming and going, but no one stood near Prince Nolan and Serena—the guards had already cleared the area for them to talk.
"This was clearly aimed at you—even if you find the killer, it won’t solve everything." Serena was grieving for Master Wenyuan, but she hadn’t forgotten the trouble his death would bring.
"It may not solve everything, but I owe House Zhan and Master Wenyuan an explanation." No matter what, the man had died under his watch—Prince Nolan couldn’t shirk responsibility. Whoever was behind it, he would find the killer.
"You’re right. We must find the killer. I want the suspects’ fingerprints—have someone send me a copy." It wasn’t just to help Prince Nolan; Serena also wanted to do something for Master Wenyuan.
Master Wenyuan was a man worthy of respect!