Reinforcements, Know Whose Territory This Is

Victor Yun and Holden Cui seemed completely unfazed by the corpses on the ground. Both wore perfectly polite smiles as they skillfully sidestepped the bodies.

Snap—Victor Yun flicked open his folding fan with casual flair. "City Lord of Night City, Miss Serena, Holden and I heard some commotion in the front courtyard and came to have a look. I hope we haven't disturbed you both?"

Su Wan hurriedly straightened her clothes and put on her most gentle, dignified smile—not that she necessarily liked them, but no woman wanted to lose composure in front of such outstanding men. In front of these two noble young gentlemen, every girl wanted to leave a good impression.

Of course, Serena Feng was the exception. After having met the dazzling Victor Yun and the supremely noble Ninth Royal Uncle, she was basically immune to handsome men. She shook her head at the two, indicating it was fine, and gestured for them to sit as they pleased.

"Young Master Yun, and this gentleman?" The City Lord of Night City, noticing Victor Yun's unusual attitude toward Holden, asked with a hint of caution.

"Ah, forgive me—City Lord, this is Brother Holden, surname Cui, Sixteenth Young Master of the Cui Clan from Qinghe." Victor Yun made a point of announcing Holden's rank, clearly for a reason.

At first, the City Lord of Night City didn't react. But when he heard 'Sixteenth Young Master of the Cui Clan,' the ferocity and killing intent on his face vanished, replaced instantly by friendliness and warmth.

"So it's the Sixteenth Young Master. I had no idea you were here—my apologies for disturbing your peace." After greeting him, he waved his guards away: "All of you, get out."

"City Lord, you're too kind." Holden Cui appeared gentle, but kept his distance.

Huh?

The City Lord of Night City was suddenly so agreeable. Serena Feng raised an eyebrow, glancing thoughtfully at Victor Yun and Holden Cui. Holden nodded at Serena, confirming her suspicions.

Serena's smile sparkled. Sixteenth Young Master—clearly, Holden Cui wasn't as simple as he appeared. She'd accidentally rescued a big fish. What luck!

Sixteenth Young Master, the Cui Clan's most noble of the younger generation—his maternal grandmother was the daughter of a princess from the Former Dynasty. Though his generation had little direct connection to the old imperial family, as the only grandson of that princess, Holden Cui's status in the Cui Clan was uniquely high. After all, apart from the Cui Clan, there was no other bloodline left on the continent tied to the Former Dynasty.

Very few people knew Holden Cui's true identity. The Cui Clan kept to themselves, and their heirs rarely revealed who they were when appearing in public.

Although the Four Kingdoms' emperors never tried to exterminate the Cui Clan, the family was used to keeping a low profile. When Cui heirs traveled, they never used their real identities.

The last Cui heir who appeared in public was from Holden's uncle's generation—Fifth Young Master Cui. But he died young.

Since the fall of the Former Dynasty, only five Cui Young Masters have ever been known to outsiders. The first four all died young for one reason or another. Holden Cui is the fifth—and the most distinguished.

The City Lord of Night City clearly knew Holden Cui's identity. With someone this formidable present, even if he had ten times the nerve, he wouldn't dare make things difficult for Serena Feng in front of Holden.

When Holden Cui asked the City Lord of Night City why he'd come to the West District courtyard, the City Lord ignored the corpses and shamelessly replied, "My son is gravely injured and in danger. I'm desperate, so I've come to ask Miss Serena for help—hoping she will act with a healer's compassion and save my son's life."

His words were full of implication: if Serena didn't help, it meant she lacked a healer's compassion.

Serena Feng rolled her eyes, watching as the City Lord of Night City dropped his arrogance and spoke to Holden Cui with friendliness—almost with hidden respect. Serena couldn't help but think: birth really does matter.

Holden Cui didn't have to do anything; just showing his Cui Clan identity was enough to crush the City Lord's bluster. If she'd known it would be this easy, Serena wouldn't have wasted her bullets—she'd have just put Holden, this living Buddha, on display.

"City Lord of Night City, don't be so polite. The way you 'invite' people is anything but courteous. If everyone summoned doctors like you do, no one would dare study medicine. I distinctly recall you just threatened to turn my little courtyard into a river of blood."

Tattling is the best. If Reid Yale can run to his father and complain, so can she. Serena was dying to see if the City Lord's face was as thick as Night City's city walls.

"Is that true?" Holden Cui glanced at the City Lord—not exactly blaming him, but making it clear he wanted an explanation.

The City Lord of Night City gave a couple of awkward laughs. "There's been a bit of a misunderstanding. My son is critically ill, and Miss Serena refused to treat him. I got anxious and threatened Doctor Serena in the heat of the moment."

A father's desperation can lead to rash words, so the City Lord's excuse was passable. Holden Cui nodded, and just as the City Lord began to relax, Serena Feng made things difficult again: "City Lord, you left out a key detail. I never said I wouldn't help. I said if you want me to treat Young City Lord Reid, there are conditions."

With Holden Cui here to stall for time, Ninth Royal Uncle or Dominic Zhai's men would arrive soon anyway. She'd already offended Reid Yale, so offending the City Lord didn't matter. Serena had no intention of making peace with Night City.

Even if she wanted to, Reid Yale wouldn't.

"What conditions?" Holden Cui was clearly siding with Serena Feng, and she didn't waste the chance—she quickly summarized what happened at the Imperial Menagerie Grounds.

"Back then, I tried to save Young City Lord Reid, but not only did he insult me—he drove me out in public and demanded that I kneel before Su Wan to apologize."

Serena might be a doctor, but she was still a person with pride. Faced with that kind of humiliation, there was no way she could just pretend nothing happened.

Serena replied at the time: if she had to kneel and admit to a made-up crime, she'd rather die. If Young City Lord Reid ever needed her help, he'd better not come begging. But if that day ever came, both Reid and Su Wan would have to kneel and apologize for insulting her. This was easy to verify—Serena had no reason to lie.

With someone backing her up, Serena stated her original terms outright: she wanted both Reid Yale and Su Wan to kneel—not just Su Wan alone.

"That's not what you said before. You only demanded Su Wan kneel and apologize." The City Lord of Night City didn't hesitate to throw Su Wan under the bus.

Compared to Su Wan, his son was clearly more important. His son had noble status—how could he kneel to a woman?

Su Wan's body trembled. She bit her lip, silent and pitiful, eyes brimming with tears as she looked pleadingly at Holden Cui—hoping that this high-status, powerful man who even the City Lord feared might have mercy on a beauty.

Unfortunately, Su Wan miscalculated. Holden Cui might seem gentle, but at heart he was cold. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let Serena face danger and arrived so late.

Serena smiled lightly, her quiet eyes glinting with a mesmerizing light. "City Lord, you have a great memory—what I said was true. At the Imperial Menagerie Grounds, Young City Lord Reid was bitten by a venomous snake while saving Miss Su Wan. So now, if Miss Su Wan wants to save Young City Lord Reid, surely she wouldn't mind kneeling in his place and apologizing to me."

Of course, if Miss Su Wan doesn't agree, that's fine—Serena won't force her. She'd just feel sorry for Young City Lord Reid, since he's only in this state because of Su Wan. If something happens to him, will Su Wan be able to sleep at night?

With those words, Serena left Su Wan trapped with no way out. Su Wan's beautiful eyes filled with tears, her petite body trembling—at first glance, it looked like Serena was bullying her.

Su Wan put on this pitiful act for Holden Cui and Victor Yun, hoping these noble gentlemen would pity the beauty and side with the weak.

Too bad—Holden Cui was busy exchanging glances with Victor Yun, silently telling him: Your worries were pointless. I exposed my identity for nothing; Serena didn't need my help at all.

Victor Yun raised his eyebrows in silent agreement: It wasn't a wasted trip. This incident brought us closer to Serena Feng—a good doctor is important to both of us.

He'd been wanting to connect with Serena Feng for a while, but her guard was always up and he couldn't find a way in. Victor Yun was actually grateful the City Lord of Night City showed up—it gave him a perfect opening.

While the two men were busy with their silent exchange, Su Wan suffered. She'd come to watch the drama, but ended up cornering herself. At this moment, Su Wan felt like dying. She pressed her lips together, refusing to speak, but Serena wouldn't let her off: "So it seems Miss Su Wan isn't willing. In that case, I won't waste the City Lord's time—please, go find another doctor. City Lord, Miss Su Wan, this way..." Serena stood up, ready to show them out.

"I..." Su Wan was just about to protest when chaos erupted—clashing weapons, fighting, and shouts.

"What's going on?" The City Lord of Night City jumped up, about to check outside when the noise suddenly stopped. Then Ninth Royal Uncle and Dominic Zhai marched in with a large force.

"City Lord of Night City, Miss Su Wan, what is this—are you leaving just because I've arrived?" Ninth Royal Uncle strolled in with effortless grace, but if you looked closely, you'd see sweat on his forehead.

As soon as Ninth Royal Uncle left the palace and heard what happened at the West District courtyard, he rushed there at top speed, afraid that if he was late, Serena would be bullied by the City Lord of Night City.

After all, in the City Lord's eyes, Reid Yale's miserable state was caused by him and Serena. The City Lord brought heavy troops into the city, heading straight for the West District courtyard—no one would believe he was there to protect Serena.

Seeing Serena sitting there safe and sound, Ninth Royal Uncle finally relaxed. Their eyes met, sharing a silent conversation...

"Ninth Royal Uncle of Eastlyn, what are you doing here?" The City Lord of Night City reacted quickly, but was still momentarily stunned.

"This is Eastlyn. Why would it be strange for me to be here? But you, City Lord—what are you doing here?" Ninth Royal Uncle strode in, ignored the City Lord, and sat down unceremoniously in the seat of honor.

Dominic Zhai copied him exactly, taking the seat the City Lord had just vacated.

Hmph, so you think you can bully Serena just because she's an orphan? Today, I'll show you that a child without parents can be precious too.

And so, all six seats in the hall were taken—leaving only the City Lord of Night City and Su Wan standing, along with the guards who'd come in with Ninth Royal Uncle...