Encirclement Under the Guise of Protection

Nolan always keeps his word—when he says there will be a show, there will absolutely be a good show. After dining with Serena, he had someone help her change into riding clothes, and the two of them left the Capital Prefecture Court together.

While Nolan ignores pomp and ceremony when traveling, he never neglects safety.

Cavalry cleared the way in front, infantry followed behind; the escort was vast and imposing. Though there was no ornate imperial procession, thousands of soldiers marching down the street were intimidating enough.

The sound of hooves and synchronized footsteps shattered the night’s silence. Residents along the street peeked over their walls, only to quickly duck back down; the occasional passerby had long since been guided aside by the soldiers clearing the way.

Nolan paid it no mind.

So what if it disturbs the people? So what if it’s a big show of force? Aren’t they always saying he’ll throw away the empire for a beauty? Aren’t they always calling Serena a red-faced calamity? Today he’ll make those accusations real—let’s see what they dare do besides gossip.

Very soon, the two arrived at the West Side Courtyard. Outside, soldiers were stationed every three paces, each holding a torch and wearing a broadsword at their waist, their expressions solemn and imposing.

It was finally happening. Serena turned her head to look at Nolan, a smile curving her lips.

If Nolan hadn’t acted now, Serena would’ve started to suspect he had some special relationship with Liancastle; otherwise, why would he keep indulging them, letting them push again and again without fighting back?

When Linden Ling saw the courtyard surrounded by government troops, he knew the secret was out. He hurried to find Jason Lan for advice, but at this point Jason had no solution—he couldn’t even save himself, let alone worry about Linden’s fate.

In the end, it was Greenshine who came up with a solution: she suggested Jason Lan blend in with the servants, while Linden Ling insisted he knew nothing, claiming it was all Jason Lan’s doing and that they too had been deceived.

Everyone knows the excuse is flimsy, but it will work. As long as Nolan doesn’t want to worsen relations between Skyvault Fortress and the imperial court, he won’t pursue Linden Ling’s fault. As for what happens after...

That can be dealt with later.

Jason Lan is bound to be caught; saving Linden Ling in the process is a good outcome. After a moment’s thought, Jason Lan agreed—Nolan isn’t going to kill him, at worst he’ll suffer a bit.

Linden Ling let out a long breath. "Don’t worry, Jason, I’ll get you out as soon as I can." To reassure Jason Lan, Linden Ling didn’t mind making a promise.

The government soldiers surrounded the villa but didn’t attack, only standing guard outside. Linden Ling repeatedly sent people out to gather news, but none returned; he could only wait anxiously inside.

"Young Master, Nolan and Miss Feng have arrived." Greenshine, usually calm, was visibly uneasy. Though she acted composed in front of Linden Ling, she was deeply worried inside.

If Nolan had long planned to move against Skyvault Fortress, he would use this incident as an excuse, pin a crime on Linden Ling, and take the opportunity to eliminate Skyvault.

"Alright, I’ll go meet them." Linden Ling sprang up from his chair and strode outside. Greenshine’s worries matched Linden Ling’s—he had to explain himself to Nolan, or both he and Skyvault Fortress could be ruined.

"Royal Uncle, Serena..." Linden Ling greeted them early, putting on a smile and offering a respectful salute.

Nolan and Serena sat on horseback, making no move to dismount. They looked down at Linden Ling, responding to his enthusiastic greeting with only a brief acknowledgment.

Feeling uneasy, Linden Ling didn’t dare accuse Nolan and Serena of arrogance, but asked with some dissatisfaction, "Nolan, what does this mean?"

"Just as Young Master Ling sees." Nolan finally spoke, but after saying this, he didn’t give Linden Ling a chance to question further and immediately ordered, "Search!"

"Wait!" Linden Ling shouted...

But the soldiers paid him no heed. At Nolan’s command, they surged into the courtyard. Linden Ling’s face turned pale with anger, his eyes reddening. "Nolan, Skyvault Fortress isn’t so easily bullied. Even if we can’t destroy Eastlyn, we can make the empire pay dearly."

"Eastlyn isn’t easily bullied either, Young Master Ling." Nolan’s last three words were spoken softly and slowly, sending a chill through Linden Ling.

Serena curved her lips in a smile, cutting through their confrontation. "Little Junior Uncle, don’t be angry. I know we’ve been a bit rough today, but please forgive us. We received word that you were harboring a criminal wanted by the court. Of course we don’t believe it, but those officials accuse me of being a calamity who disrupts the realm. To clear my name, I asked Royal Uncle to search this villa, to prove you’d never shelter someone who harmed my younger brother."

Serena’s words left Linden Ling deeply embarrassed, though he dared not show it. He even had to defend both Serena and himself: "Serena’s right. How could I possibly harbor any criminal? I just arrived in Eastlyn and don’t know anyone here. Those accusations are slander..."

Before Linden Ling could finish, the soldiers dragged out Jason Lan dressed as a servant. "Royal Uncle, Miss Feng, we’ve found him—hiding among the servants’ quarters."

Jason Lan, held by the soldiers, still kept his head high, staring at Nolan and Serena with undisguised arrogance, as if certain he had powerful backing.

"What—what is this?" Linden Ling looked stunned. "Serena, what’s going on? Who is this man?"

Nice acting, Serena thought to herself.

"Little Junior Uncle, don’t worry. I know this has nothing to do with you; you were deceived. I believe you’d never do anything to harm me." Before Linden Ling could say more, Serena provided the excuse herself, cutting him off. Linden Ling could only mutter, "Of course, I don’t even know who this person is, let alone what he’s done."

"Exactly, Little Junior Uncle. Since you don’t know him, we’ll just take him away." Serena looked at Linden Ling with a half-smile. Linden Ling felt nakedly seen through, but had no choice but to nod along.

"Little Junior Uncle, Eastlyn is in chaos these days, and you’re unfamiliar with the capital. If someone sneaks in and hurts you, I wouldn’t know how to explain to Sean. That’s why I specifically asked Nolan to assign men here to protect you. Please go out less for now." With this gentle concern, Serena openly placed Linden Ling under house arrest.

Wasn’t Linden Ling trying to investigate the Shandong affair? Now, with him confined, let’s see how he manages that.

Linden Ling’s hands trembled with anger, but he forced a smile and politely refused: "Serena, there’s no need. My martial arts aren’t weak—ordinary thugs can’t hurt me. Let’s not trouble Nolan."

"You’re Sean’s Little Junior Uncle, so I’ll call you that too. It’s only right for me to care for you—how could it be trouble? Lately, the capital’s crawling with criminals. Someone snuck into your villa today; who knows about tomorrow? You don’t know Eastlyn well, so having guards on you puts my mind at ease." Serena replied softly, determined to keep Linden Ling under guard.

Nolan directly ordered the soldiers encircling the villa to stay and "protect" Linden Ling’s safety.

Linden Ling wanted to say more, but Nolan ignored him, ordered Jason Lan taken back to the Capital Prefecture Court, turned his horse, and rode off, leaving Linden Ling standing alone at the villa gate, his handsome face twisted in the torchlight with suppressed rage.

This is power!

When power reaches a certain height, you can make the whole world move according to your will. You can easily decide a person’s life, death, and freedom. This is the realm Linden Ling has always dreamed of, but never achieved...