They really came to kill her...
Serena froze in shock. She hadn’t expected anyone to be so bold—or to spend so much just to kill her.
But right now, there was no time to think. The massive siege bolt was about to hit—Serena started to get up, only to realize that would be suicide.
As Dr. Marcus Guile and the Valley Master shouted in alarm, Serena threw herself backward, pressing flat against the ground. The siege bolt flew right over her head, smashing into the rack behind her.
The display rack, meant for merchandise, toppled under the force of the impact—bolts of fabric came crashing down.
Serena had just escaped death, but before she could even catch her breath, she was nearly crushed by the falling rack.
She curled up, arms shielding her head, and rolled across the floor. Her injured waist slammed into something—pain exploded, and her face went ghostly pale. Serena reached down to touch it...
Sticky, warm blood. Serena instantly knew she was hurt again.
“Serena!” The Valley Master and Dr. Guile, panicked, reached for her. But as soon as they took a step, another siege bolt shot in from outside, forcing them to retreat.
“Run! They’re here for me!” Serena’s long hair clung to her face as she shouted to Dr. Guile. She gripped her gun and sprang up from the ground.
The little shop was smashed to pieces, barely able to withstand another round of siege bolts. For her own safety—and for Dr. Guile’s—Serena had to leave.
“Watch yourselves. Split up and go separately,” Serena said, firing her Tiger Claw Grappling Hook and using its pull to launch herself across the street.
Serena’s guess was spot on. The moment she moved, the siege engine’s aim shifted, and another bolt flew straight after her.
There was no question—they wanted Serena dead.
The Imperial Guards were the Emperor’s personal loyalists. Their orders were to protect Dr. Marcus Guile and the Valley Master—the Emperor hadn’t mentioned Serena at all. Now that the assassins were attacking her, they certainly weren’t going to step in and block the bolts.
The siege bolts had a clear path, flying straight for Serena.
And that wasn’t all—the black‑clad killers seemed to realize the Imperial Guards weren’t going to protect Serena. They shouted, “Our only target is Serena Feng! Everyone else, step aside! We won’t touch a hair on you!”
Normally, the Imperial Guards might hesitate. But this time was different.
The Emperor had emphasized, more than once, how important the Valley Master and Dr. Guile were. Their only duty was to protect those two. As long as they were safe, the Guards hadn’t failed.
Swish—the Imperial Guards withdrew, clearing a path for the assassins.
“Is there no end to their shamelessness?” Serena’s waist was injured, and she’d just taken another hard fall. She had no strength left to dodge into the shop—now, with the Imperial Guards clearing the way, the assassins charged straight at her. She couldn’t escape.
“These Imperial Guards are useless!” The Valley Master stomped in fury, and Dr. Guile’s eyes blazed with anger.
Did the Emperor really think Serena’s life had nothing to do with his own survival?
If Serena died here, even if they wanted to, Prince Nolan would never let them trigger the Gu in the Emperor. He’d make them drive the Gu wild and let the Emperor die in agony.
Serena kept running, the assassins hot on her heels. The gap between them shrank with every step. Dr. Guile couldn’t stand it any longer—ignoring his own injuries, he dashed outside: “I have to help Serena!”
With no rescue, Serena was doomed. She was just one woman—no match for these killers.
“No, you’re still hurt,” the Valley Master grabbed Dr. Guile. “And they won’t let us move, either.”
The Imperial Guards stepped in, forming a semicircle around the Valley Master and Dr. Guile, both to protect them and to block them from going to Serena’s aid.
“Move!” Dr. Guile demanded, but the Imperial Guards didn’t react, as if they hadn’t heard. He tried to force his way through, but the Valley Master stopped him. “Don’t. You won’t be able to help her.”
The Valley Master had already seen through it all. If things were different, he would have told the Imperial Guards to save Serena long ago.
The assassins were barely ten meters from Serena. She fired two shots back—but they had no effect.
If this kept up, she was done for. Serena’s mind raced, desperate for a way to survive.
To die in the Imperial City—what a pointless end that would be.
Soon, ten meters shrank to ten steps. Serena’s breathing grew heavy, her heart pounding. She spotted a corner up ahead and fired her Tiger Claw Grappling Hook again…
She hoped she’d be fast enough, hoped she could escape the blade. Serena prayed silently—but before she could fire the grappling hook, an assassin raised his sword and slashed at her back.
The rush of wind from the blade was chilling. Just as Serena thought her luck had run out, a shadow darted forward—a long sword flashed, ringing out as it blocked the assassin’s strike.
“Anyone who tries to kill someone I protect dies!” The sword swept out—a silver flash—and the assassin collapsed with a thud.
She was saved.
Serena’s face lit up with joy. She turned to her rescuer. “Left Shore, you finally made it. I thought I was going to die here.”
Just a moment ago, she truly believed it was the end.
“Too many people in the Imperial City.” Left Shore stepped in front of Serena, his voice cold and hard.
There were too many Imperial Guards for him to get close.
“It’s fine. You’re here now.” Serena leaned against a shop’s front door, panting heavily, taking the chance to fire a shot.
She was nearly spent from running. Now that she was saved, she didn’t want to take another step.
There were plenty of assassins, but Left Shore’s martial arts were far stronger. He couldn’t kill them all instantly, but he kept them at bay. With Serena firing shots now and then, the assassins were forced onto the defensive.
If this dragged on, it’d be bad for the assassins. This was a main street in the Imperial City—even under lockdown, someone would notice the commotion soon. If Left Shore could hold out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, help would arrive.
The assassins understood this too. They exchanged glances—then suddenly split to both sides.
“Left Shore, watch out!” Serena realized they were about to use the siege engine and quickly ducked behind the shop.
Sure enough, as soon as the assassins fell back, a siege bolt shot straight at Left Shore.
The attack was fast and fierce—even Left Shore didn’t dare take it head-on. He dodged, but the assassins threw themselves in the way, blocking his escape with their bodies.
“These people have guts.” Not everyone could face death so fearlessly. Even death warriors sometimes faltered—these were strong.
Since they were throwing their lives away, Left Shore didn’t hold back. He stabbed with his sword, and as the siege bolt closed in, he shoved a black-clad man in front of it…
One, two, three…
As the siege bolt came, Left Shore was about to throw the fourth man—but he was too late. The bolt pierced the first body without slowing, flying straight through.
With three bodies in front of him, Left Shore wasn’t pierced by the bolt, but its impact sent him flying.
Siege weapons earned their fearsome reputation for a reason!