Assassination and the Siege of Feng Manor

Something big has happened!

"What happened?" Serena hurried over, a step behind William Wang Jinling. Seeing William's grave expression, she asked anxiously.

"Serena..."

William had just started to speak when a thunderous pounding erupted at the door outside. Serena jumped in surprise. "What's going on?"

Someone smashed our doors once before the New Year, and now they're at it again after the holiday. Who's bold enough to come to Feng Manor and hammer at our gates?

"Miss, the Young City Lord is outside with a group of men, shouting for your life." Jada Tang rushed in, almost tripping over herself, her face flushed—whether from anger or running, it was hard to tell.

"The Young City Lord wants my life? What happened? Let's go out and see for ourselves." Serena was baffled, ready to lead her people out to meet Reid Yale when William grabbed her arm.

"Serena, the City Lord of Night City was assassinated outside the city," William told her, sharing the news he'd just received.

Serena gasped. "What? The City Lord of Night City is dead? Wasn't he just heading back to Night City today? How could this happen?"

"The City Lord of Night City was assassinated ten li outside the city," William repeated, relaying the message he had just received.

"Assassinated the moment he left the city? With so many guards at his side, how useless can the City Lord of Night City be?" Serena scoffed, her contempt plain.

She knew he was supposed to return to Night City. Right now, the city was beset by crisis—internal chaos and external threats. With the Su Clan and Heaven’s First Consortium manipulating the market, prices had soared to horrifying heights. Night City was down to 'ten households, five left empty.' If the City Lord didn’t hurry back, he’d be greeted by an empty city.

But she hadn’t expected someone would actually assassinate the City Lord of Night City en route. Whoever pulled this off was shrewd—without the City Lord, Night City is doomed. With Reid Yale, that spoiled heir, in charge, the city might last three or five years at best.

"It’s not that the City Lord was incompetent—the enemy was too strong. Every guard he brought was killed with a single strike. Not one survived." William Wang Jinling’s expression was grave.

The City Lord’s death was a boon for them—but dragging Serena into it was nothing but trouble.

"No survivors—the killer was ruthless, but did a clean job. And with no witnesses, what right does Reid have to demand my life? The City Lord died within Eastlyn territory; that’s the Emperor’s problem. Reid’s just picking the softest target." Serena’s voice was icy.

She hadn’t even gone after Reid yet, but he was already coming for her. Courting death, truly. With Night City in ruins, Reid didn’t even realize who he was provoking—just blindly lashing out. With a master like him, Night City’s people are doomed.

"No, Reid’s after you because he thinks you killed his father." William relayed the latest report: "When Reid heard the news of the City Lord’s death, he rushed over and found that, before dying, the City Lord had scrawled a 'Feng' character on the ground. There was a fingernail-sized wound on his forehead, and from it they dug out the hidden weapon you always use. That’s why Reid is convinced you’re the killer."

Serena had been at Feng Manor all morning—William knew that. So she couldn’t possibly be the culprit. This was a deliberate frame-up.

William sifted through his thoughts at lightning speed—who could kill the City Lord and try to frame Serena? Only a handful of suspects came to mind, but William doubted any had the guts to strike just outside the Capital.

“My surname, my signature weapon? The culprit really planned this out. Clearly, they're trying to pin the assassination of the City Lord on me.” A cold glint flashed in Serena's eyes.

Too bad—Night City isn’t what it used to be. If Reid thinks he can frame me for murder, he’d better make sure he’s got the skills. I’m curious to see how far Reid Yale can get without his father’s backing.

Serena kept her face cold, walking out with pride. William Wang Jinling quickly rose to follow: “I’m coming with you.”

There’s no way William would let Serena face this alone. Even if he weren’t at Feng Manor, he’d rush over the moment he heard about it.

Serena didn’t refuse. She walked with William toward the outer courtyard.

“Miss.” A guard stepped forward, quickly reporting the situation to Serena.

Reid Yale wasn’t William Wang Jinling—he acted on impulse, all heat and no strategy.

After returning from outside the city, Reid had his father’s corpse sent back to Night City, then led the remaining guards straight to Feng Manor. He stormed up, didn’t say a word, and ordered his men to batter the gate. But the scarlet doors were tougher than they looked; after ages of pounding, all they managed were a few gouges.

Compared to the brute force William once brought to bear on these doors, Reid’s efforts were laughable. Serena strode to the center of the courtyard and commanded, “Open the gate. Let Night City see we’re not afraid.”

“Yes, ma’am!” With Serena present, Feng Manor’s guards stood tall, unafraid of anyone outside.

What’s so great about Night City? Everyone at Feng Manor knew Serena protected her own. As long as you were one of hers, she’d never let you get hurt. With Serena here, as long as you didn’t break the sky, there was nothing to fear.

Creeeak—the wooden axles turned with a harsh screech, but the sound was quickly drowned out by the pounding outside. William caught a sly glint in Serena’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile.

Thud-thud-thud! Just as Serena predicted, the men outside were caught completely off guard—the gate swung open, and, driven by momentum, they tumbled inside one after another.

Like a row of dominoes, everyone who’d been pushing the gate crashed into Feng Manor, piling up in a tangled heap, completely helpless.

“Hahaha!” With their mistress’s permission, the guards forgot all about manners and burst into raucous laughter. Those closest didn’t hold back—they stomped right on the Night City guards, making them yelp and cry out.

“Serena Feng!” Reid stepped out from his fallen guards, eyes bloodshot and wolfish, glaring at Serena as if he wanted to tear her apart.

Serena faced him without a trace of fear. “Young City Lord.”

“Serena Feng, you wretched woman! Give me back my father’s life!” Reid hissed, drawing his sword and leveling the tip at her.

“Miss!” The Feng Manor guards surged forward, forming a protective wall around Serena. They worried Reid might lash out; if he struck now, the Emperor might let it slide out of sympathy for his father’s death.

“It’s fine. Step back, all of you—I want to see just how arrogant Night City’s Young Lord dares to be in my capital.” Serena waved her guards away and strode forward, facing Reid’s murderous intent with a cold, mocking smile.

“Young City Lord, Feng Manor does not welcome you. If you have no other business, turn around, walk fifty paces, then take a left—and get lost as far as you can. Don’t block my view at my own gate.”

“Don’t worry, Serena Feng. Once I’ve killed you, I’ll leave. Every second I spend near you disgusts me.”

Reid had completely lost his mind. Seeing Serena just three steps away, he spun his sword into a flourish and lunged at her, the tip aimed straight at her brow...