Majestic Force, Su Wan’s Reinforcements Arrive

Serena Feng's sharp mind was finally working again. She was no longer stuck on those sentimental lines like "May I find someone who is true to me, and never part until old age," or "If only your heart were like mine, you'd never betray my longing."

Unfortunately, the road to treating Holden Cui was destined to be full of setbacks. As Serena and Simon Sun reached Holden's courtyard, a servant rushed up, panicked: "Miss, Miss, something's wrong! A whole crowd of soldiers has come and surrounded the manor!"

Soldiers?

Who would be so blind as to come looking for trouble at a time like this? They must be tired of living.

Serena stopped in her tracks and turned to ask, "Soldiers? Are they official troops?"

It looked like there was no way to treat Holden today. Anyone who dared to cause trouble at a time like this was definitely no ordinary character.

"I don't recognize them, and they don't seem to be from Eastlyn. I saw Miss Su Wan among them too." The steward was one of Jason Wang's people—he knew every official in the capital. If he said he didn't know them, then they really weren't locals.

"Let's go take a look. Send half the guards to Young Master Holden's side—no one is allowed to disturb him." Holden might have his own bodyguards, but he was still staying in Serena's manor. If anything happened to him here, she'd never be able to explain it to the Cui clan.

The thought made Serena feel utterly stifled. The Cui clan had bullied her, and they could pretend nothing had happened, but if Holden Cui got into trouble under her roof, they'd never let her off.

Big aristocratic families are truly impossible to deal with!

The steward understood the gravity of the situation and hurried off to make arrangements. Inside the courtyard, Holden Cui had heard everything. A faint smile appeared on his pale face as his slender fingers picked up a white jade chess piece, paused in thought, and made his move.

"Yuangi, what do you think?" he asked the man beside him.

"Miss Serena is a clever woman. If Young Master doesn't show some gesture, she won't be angry, but she'll definitely feel uncomfortable." The guard called Yuangi bowed his head as he spoke.

"Go, find out where Third Brother and his people are staying, and report back to Miss Serena." The Third Brother Holden mentioned was the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Serena Feng. Holden had lived in the West District courtyard for nearly two months before making this decision.

"Holden, you're far too cautious and gentle, too easy to talk to. No wonder those people dare to bully even you, the legitimate heir." Holden's chess opponent was none other than Victor Yun, eldest son of the Yun family. Holden made no effort to hide anything from Victor.

The friendship between these two was anything but ordinary.

Victor Yun played black. Whenever Holden made a move, Victor followed suit. Victor's chess style was like his own—seemingly casual and carefree, but in reality sharp and aggressive. Holden, on the other hand, was meticulous and gentle, advancing step by step.

"With my health, what do I have to fight for? They're just too impatient." Holden smiled calmly, but Victor could see the hidden sorrow and unwillingness in his eyes.

Because he and Holden were the same kind of people—except Victor was a bit luckier. He'd spent the first twenty-five years of his life not knowing he was living on borrowed time.

Inside and outside the West District courtyard, a group of unfamiliar guards had surrounded the place. Judging by their uniforms, Serena Feng was sure they weren't Eastlyn soldiers. She exchanged a look with Simon Sun.

Since when did Eastlyn allow foreign troops into the imperial capital? These days, whoever has soldiers holds the real power.

The ones who come peacefully never mean well, and the ones who mean well never come. Both Serena and Simon's eyes grew serious. Judging by the number and caliber of these soldiers, they were nothing like Su Wan and Yaohua's bodyguards—these men were real veterans, their murderous aura turning Serena's warm little courtyard into a battlefield.

The main hall was solemn and tense. All the Feng manor staff had been sent away. As soon as Serena and Simon walked in, they saw Su Wan standing respectfully behind a middle-aged man.

The man looked to be in his early forties, with a stern face and commanding presence. From a distance, he bore a certain resemblance to Reid Yale.

Seeing Su Wan's attitude and the display of force, Serena immediately realized who he was. She put on a polite smile and called out loudly, "I didn't know the City Lord of Night City was visiting. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."

"So you're Serena Feng?" The City Lord of Night City ignored her politeness and questioned her from on high.

Like Reid Yale, he took Serena's courtesy as weakness. Today, he had brought heavy troops to surround her courtyard; Serena had no power to resist him.

"Yes, I am Serena Feng." She wasn't angry, and simply sat down on the left, motioning for Simon Sun to sit as well.

The City Lord's eyes turned cold. His bodyguard stepped forward and pressed a blade to Serena's neck. "How dare you! Who do you think you are to sit before the City Lord?"

"This is my home, not the City Lord's manor. I'll sit wherever I want. City Lord, please control your people and don't let them bite at random." Serena reached out and pushed the guard's arm away. "Move the blade, please. I hate having knives at my throat."

The scar on her neck still hadn't faded.

"Stand down." The City Lord of Night City was here to ask Serena for help, so he didn't intend to push her too far—just wanted to show his power.

"Serena Feng, I've heard your medical skills are extraordinary, that you can bring the dead back to life?"

"City Lord, you've heard wrong. The one with miraculous skills who can revive the dead is the Master of Divine Healer Valley, not me. Are you looking for him? Too bad—he left a few days ago." Serena's face was full of playful mockery.

Reid Yale really was useless—couldn't handle things himself, so he called his father over. Grown man acting like a child, losing a fight and running home to cry.

City Lord of Night City?

What a big shot.

Serena Feng really was just as Su Wan described—arrogant and proud of her talent, not giving Night City any respect. He'd brought heavy troops into Eastlyn's imperial capital just to show Serena how powerful Night City was. But she still dared to play games.

The City Lord of Night City suppressed his murderous urge and said bluntly, "Serena Feng, I'll be direct. Can you treat Reid's injury?"

"Five days ago, I could have treated the Young City Lord's injury. Too bad, he wouldn't let me touch him then. Now? I can't be sure, since he missed the best time for treatment. I'll have to take a look before I can say for sure."

A doctor only has leverage at times like this. If she didn't keep her attitude high, the City Lord of Night City would really treat Serena like a pushover—squeeze her if he wanted, stomp on her if he pleased.

City Lord, so impressive. But this is Eastlyn, not Night City. If you want to throw your weight around, go back home.

"Since that's the case, someone escort Doctor Feng to Jingqiu Garden." With a single order, four burly guards stepped forward, making it clear they were going to force her—Serena was going whether she liked it or not.

Serena let out a mocking laugh and stood up calmly. "City Lord of Night City, I only said I might be able to treat him, not that I was willing. I haven't agreed to treat the Young City Lord yet."

"Serena Feng, you should know you don't have the right to refuse. Today, you'll treat him whether you want to or not." The City Lord slammed the table, and the courtyard guards drew their blades—the tension was deadly. If he gave the order, blood would run through the West District courtyard.

That's the advantage of having soldiers at your command.

Serena's gaze turned icy, and she sneered...

The City Lord of Night City got up and threatened, "Serena Feng, you'd better come quietly. If you say no today, I'll kill everyone in this courtyard. We'll see whose will is stronger—yours or my blade!"