Keeping His Word, This Prince Is Not Brainless

With no reinforcements, Tyre City’s forces are no match for the Black Riders. Are they really just supposed to sit here and wait to die?

Sean Young and Hugh Kane exchanged helpless glances; the guards at Lord Tyre’s side wore expressions of grim resolve, and even Lord Tyre himself stood there in stunned silence, as if consumed by despair.

Mr. Sage looked at the defeated faces throughout Tyre City, let out a long sigh, and said, “Young Lord, things aren’t as hopeless as they seem. You mustn’t give up—there’s still one trump card left in our hands.”

“Trump card? What trump card?” Everyone, led by Lord Tyre, turned to stare at Mr. Sage, their burning gazes making him silently groan under the pressure.

Not daring to keep them in suspense, Mr. Sage replied directly, “Ahem, Young Lord, have you forgotten? Ninth Royal Uncle has gone to war over Serena Feng, and right now Serena Feng is in our hands. As long as we have her, no harm will come to anyone in Tyre City.”

Hostages are always the most effective bargaining chip, no matter the era. As long as the forces outside belong to Ninth Royal Uncle, putting Serena Feng forward will force them to hold back.

“Mr. Sage is right.” Lord Tyre’s eyes lit up and he sprang to his feet. “Quick, bring Serena Feng here!”

After fighting all day, they’d actually forgotten about this trump card in their hands. It wasn’t that they were absent-minded—it was just that the Black Riders had attacked so fiercely.

The moment the Black Riders arrived at Tyre City, they launched a relentless assault, leaving the defenders dazed and battered, with barely any time to organize a proper defense. Who had the luxury to think about anything else?

“Yes, sir!” The guards behind Lord Tyre perked up instantly and, together with Hugh Kane, dashed outside. But they hadn’t gone far before the whole group hurried back.

"What happened?"

"It’s bad, Young Lord, it’s really bad..." Hugh Kane panted, while several guards looked pale as ghosts.

"What’s going on?" Lord Tyre and Mr. Sage rushed out at the same time. Hugh Kane leaned against the doorpost to catch his breath, then urgently said, "Young Lord, Ninth Royal Uncle has brought his men—he’s here to kill us! The black-armored cavalry outside are attacking like madmen, pushing desperately inward. Our people... our people can barely hold them off!"

"Ninth Royal Uncle is here already? That fast? Didn’t we hear he’d taken his troops to Little Crest Mountain?" Lord Tyre was sweating with anxiety.

"I suppose the Lu Clan chose to cut their losses, letting Ninth Royal Uncle find nothing there." Mr. Sage quickly figured it out and gave a bitter smile. "Young Lord, don’t worry—our reinforcements should be arriving soon."

Mr. Sage had made things so clear that even Lord Tyre couldn’t miss the point. Gritting his teeth, Lord Tyre said, "The Lu Clan, huh? They’ve thrown us to Ninth Royal Uncle just so he can vent his rage. Do they really think Tyre City is that easy to bully?"

Honestly, he was right—Tyre City really was an easy target.

Not only did the Lu Clan use Tyre City as a scapegoat to absorb Ninth Royal Uncle’s fury, they also planned to let Tyre City destroy Nolan for them. Once Ninth Royal Uncle entered Tyre City, the Lu Clan’s agents withdrew, letting reinforcements rush in to trap Nolan inside.

"Ninth Brother, has Third Prince treated you well? If you die in Tyre City, don’t blame your royal brother—who told you to be so sentimental, risking your life for a woman?" In a wooden hut within the Lu compound, the mysterious man played chess against himself. With a tap of a black stone, the game was decided...

But the chessboard in distant Tyre City wasn’t his to control. After Nolan arrived, he passed through the city unopposed to the City Lord’s residence; the Black Riders, receiving his command from afar, immediately withdrew a step to signal a ceasefire.

A thousand men—except for a few wounded and those guarding against enemy moves—stood in perfect formation and saluted Nolan: "Greetings, Master."

This move made it clear to everyone: the Black Riders, who had fought fiercely for a full day and night, were indeed Nolan’s own troops.

"Mm." Nolan responded coolly, swung down from his horse, and the Black Riders immediately parted, making way for him. Two hundred close-guards followed behind, their imposing presence filling the path. Tyre City’s soldiers were left frozen, uncertain whether to fight or surrender.

Nolan strode straight toward the City Lord’s mansion and stopped at the gate. One of his Eight Commanders stepped forward and said to Tyre City’s soldiers, "Go tell your lord that my master has arrived."

How arrogant, how brazen! Their master arrives, and our city lord is supposed to come out and greet him personally?

Tyre City’s soldiers were so furious they wanted to kill someone, but facing the murderous Black Riders and Nolan’s intimidating presence, they didn’t dare resist. Obediently, they called out to those behind the gate—only to hear the doors creak open before they’d finished.

The creaking sound rang out. Tyre City’s soldiers thought they’d misheard, wiped the blood and dust from their faces, and looked back—only to see their city lord stepping out, accompanied by Mr. Sage, Hugh Kane, and Sean Young. Despite the carnage, Lord Tyre wore a bright smile, as if he couldn’t see the devastation around him.

Lord Tyre had already changed into clean clothes, looking nothing like his earlier disheveled self. With poise, he gave Nolan a respectful bow: "Ninth Royal Uncle, forgive me for failing to welcome you sooner."

"You’re too polite, City Lord. I came uninvited and caused a disturbance." Nolan waved his hand, and the Black Riders instantly retreated a step. Their speed surprised Lord Tyre, who then smiled and gestured, "Ninth Royal Uncle, please."

Nolan’s retreat was a signal: today’s matter was still open for negotiation. He didn’t intend to wipe out Tyre City completely.

Truth be told, if Nolan wanted to slaughter the City Lord’s mansion, he could—but wiping out all of Tyre City would take more than a thousand men. Tyre City’s reinforcements were nearly here, and Nolan had no intention of facing their tens of thousands head-on.

There would be other chances to deal with Tyre City; there was no need to rush it now.

"I won’t be entering the City Lord’s mansion today. I trust City Lord Tyre knows why I’m here. The gold mine at Little Crest Mountain has been reclaimed; whenever you’re free, come and collect it." Nolan was reminding Tai Shao that he’d come to honor their deal—trading the Little Crest Mountain gold mine for Serena Feng.

"Your Highness truly is a man of his word." Lord Tyre managed a smile, but inside he was so furious he nearly spat blood.

Nolan Dongling, could you be any more shameless? You slaughtered a thousand people in my city, and now you act like you’re just here to keep your promise. Is this your idea of honoring an agreement?

Nolan ignored Lord Tyre’s ugly expression and said coolly, "I keep my word. The Little Crest Mountain gold mine is yours. Isn’t it time for you to hand over the hostage?"

The Lu Clan wanted to see him and Tyre City tear each other apart so they could profit from the chaos. Dream on!

No one here was stupid. Nolan Dongling wasn’t some fool, either. The Black Riders had fought for ages, Tyre City’s reinforcements hadn’t shown up, and if he couldn’t see something was off, he’d have wasted all his years alive.

Even if the Lu Clan hadn’t pulled any tricks behind the scenes, he’d never risk the Black Riders—pitting a thousand men against Tyre City’s army? He wasn’t that arrogant...

Tyre City’s reinforcements?

Hmph. Let’s see if you can reach Tyre City before I leave!