Hidden Hands and Dominic Zhai’s Official Authority

Zuo An was never someone easy to talk to, but under William Wang Jinling's insistence, Zuo An simply acted without a word or any conditions, leaving Serena Feng utterly astonished.

"Is Zuo An really that easy to talk to?" Serena Feng knew perfectly well how difficult Zuo An could be. She’d spent no small effort to get him to her side.

"He’s not hard to talk to, but he’s not easy either." William pointed to Zuo An’s retreating figure and said with certainty, "He’s a simple man, very much like your apprentice at his core. That’s why, when I ask, he’ll act if he’s willing—no other reason."

"Simple? Zuo An? He’s sharp as they come—he only acts this way with you." Whenever she or Ninth Royal Uncle needed Zuo An’s help, they had to pay in hard cash.

"That’s because I never treated him as a killer or a bargaining chip. So, in Zuo An’s eyes, I’m not an employer—just an ordinary person. If I ask, he’ll act if he wants to, and if not, he won’t, and I won’t push it." Simple people see black and white, right and wrong, and categorize everyone around them very clearly.

Zuo An treats Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena Feng as business clients, so when they need his help, they must pay the corresponding price.

"Ugh... so I’ve been totally losing out, huh? If it was really this simple, why did I waste so much effort? I could’ve just asked Zuo An to protect me from the start!"

William couldn’t help but laugh and cry: "Do you think Zuo An is an idiot? Settling the mess outside and being your bodyguard are two completely different things. For him, the first is just a flick of the wrist; the second is a major hassle."

To Zuo An, you—being hunted by every assassin on the Nine Provinces—are pure trouble. He absolutely hates hassle, so unless you’re worth enough, he won’t take you on. Honestly, you should be grateful he sees you as a business client instead of a kill-target."

"Fine, you’ve got a point. For Zuo An, protecting me really is a huge hassle. If he takes on the job, it means he’s standing against the entire Assassin Alliance." Thinking about it, she realized she’d actually lucked out.

"As long as you understand. With Zuo An as your personal guard, you should be content." Even William had to admit, this was one thing Ninth Royal Uncle had gotten absolutely right.

With Zuo An around, they no longer had to worry about Serena Feng’s safety. William shifted his gaze to outside Feng Manor.

Reid Yale was already injured, and overwhelmed by grief for his father. After being blasted away by Zuo An, he fell unconscious. With their young lord down and Zuo An having intervened, Night City’s guards lost their will to fight and quickly retreated. The chaos outside Feng Manor was soon brought under control.

By the time Dominic Zhai arrived, the fighting between Feng Manor and Night City’s people had stopped. Zuo An had disappeared somewhere, and the two groups now stood on opposite sides, glaring at each other but no longer attacking.

"Did I arrive too early?" Dominic Zhai swung off his horse, full of official swagger, with a squad of infantry behind him. As soon as he dismounted, his adjutant stepped forward to take his riding whip.

That air of authority... It reminded Serena Feng of Dominic Zhai’s performance at Feng Manor on New Year’s Eve. The kid was getting more and more fond of ‘acting.’ Serena shook her head and obediently stepped out: "Greetings, Lord Zhai."

"No need for formalities." Dominic Zhai lifted his hand, all business, his blank face making him look the part perfectly.

If she hadn’t been standing close enough to see Dominic wink at her, Serena Feng might have believed that Prince Samuel really had tamed this jumpy heir into a model official.

"Thank you, Lord Zhai." Serena Feng rose gracefully and stepped aside to clear the way for Dominic Zhai.

Dominic Zhai strode between the Feng Manor guards and Night City’s men, giving both sides a cold, sweeping look. When he spotted William Wang Jinling inside Feng Manor, his eyes went wide and he almost stepped forward to greet him—only for his adjutant, as if reading his mind, to quickly interject: "My lord, someone reported a mass brawl outside Feng Manor."

It was a reminder to Dominic Zhai: official business comes first.

Dominic Zhai awkwardly pulled his leg back, face stern. "Who’s bold enough to stage a brawl in front of House Feng of Loyalty?"

That statement made it clear he was siding with Serena Feng. Night City’s men weren’t having it, but with their young lord still unconscious, only a junior officer stepped forward.

"Yan Yifei of Night City Green-South Riders greets Lord Zhai."

Dominic Zhai had been looking down his nose at everyone, but hearing the officer’s introduction, he finally gave Yan Yifei a serious look. "Green-South Riders—the god-archers of Night City?"

"Yes." Yan Yifei answered with pride—he took great honor in his elite cavalry unit.

"Not bad, not bad." Dominic Zhai nodded in approval. "Didn’t expect Young City Lord to have such talent at his side. But with someone like you around, how did he end up making such a mess of things?"

For all his admiration, Dominic Zhai was just as unreasonable as ever—always siding with his own, especially with William Wang Jinling present. Even if William weren’t here, he’d still back Serena Feng; otherwise, William would never let him hear the end of it.

"Please forgive my young lord. The shock of losing his father left him confused and impulsive. I ask you, my lord, for the sake of our City Lord who just died outside the city, not to hold this against him." Yan Yifei was a true diplomat—he’d managed to gloss over Reid Yale’s attack on Feng Manor in just a few words.

After all, his father had just died—and on Eastlyn soil, no less. His overreaction was understandable; refusing to see that would be inhuman.

Dominic Zhai was left speechless by Yan Yifei’s words. He forced a smile. "You’re too kind, Yan Captain. I know Young City Lord is a passionate soul, and I’m well aware he acts before he thinks. Still, a nation has its laws and a house its rules. If everyone acted like Young City Lord, Eastlyn would be in chaos."

"You’re absolutely right, Lord Zhai. A nation has its laws, a house its rules. My young lord acted rashly and has now been injured by Feng Manor’s people—he’s still unconscious. Night City will come to apologize another day and offer our respects to Miss Feng." In other words: yes, we were in the wrong, but we’ve paid the price. This is Night Clan’s family business—let us settle it by our own rules.

Yan Yifei’s skill with words was impressive. Dominic Zhai’s lips twitched, and his adjutant quietly tugged his sleeve, reminding him to keep up the appearance of fairness. If this reached the Emperor, they’d be in even deeper trouble.

Dominic Zhai suppressed his anger, glancing at Serena Feng as if to ask whether she wanted him to arrest anyone. If she gave the word, he’d have Reid Yale thrown in jail immediately.

Serena Feng thought for a moment, then shook her head.

Arresting Reid Yale wouldn’t solve anything. He was already the object of everyone’s sympathy. If Dominic Zhai locked him up now, it would only give him more ammunition to play the victim and win public support. Why make things easier for him?

Besides, her real enemy wasn’t Reid Yale—it was the person working behind the scenes to frame her…