"Who’s there?"
Halfway up the slope, there seemed to be a human figure, but it remained completely motionless and silent.
Serena Feng hesitated, shaking the lamp in her hand and tugging the reins, unwilling to move any closer.
She was too far away to see clearly—only a vague outline, not sure if it was a person, a discarded garment, or a corpse.
Bathed in lamplight, the figure still didn’t move. After a moment’s hesitation, Serena dismounted, lamp in her left hand and Glock 19 pistol in her right, and walked toward the slope.
Serena prided herself on her courage; facing all these scattered corpses, she felt no pressure at all. Still, every time she passed a body, she shone her lamp over it, confirming it wasn’t Ninth Royal Uncle, and relaxed a little.
"Dead or alive? If you’re still breathing, say something. Otherwise, I’ll send you on your way." As she drew closer, Serena could be certain: the one standing there was a person, not just clothing.
The figure looked oddly familiar.
When she was about twenty meters away, Serena stopped advancing.
That was a safe distance—even if the person attacked, she’d have time to escape.
"Not making a sound, huh? Then I’ll just assume you’re dead. For safety’s sake, you won’t mind if I finish you off, will you?" Serena stowed the lamp behind her backpack.
With a click, she released the safety and raised the Glock, aiming at the figure.
If they died unjustly, it was not her fault; anyone who stayed silent was an enemy, not a friend.
Bang—Serena squeezed the trigger. The bullet shot out with force, whistling through the silent night, the sound harsh and piercing.
In that split second, the figure suddenly moved—a flash of cold steel, as a massive blade swept into view.
Clang—the bullet punched through the back of the blade. The figure staggered backward, the bullet grazing his clothes before dropping into the grass.
"A living man? Then let me finish you off myself." Bowstring taut, Serena prepared to fire again the instant the figure counterattacked.
Calm and collected, Serena narrowed her eyes, finger tightening on the trigger, ready to shoot again.
But the figure abruptly withdrew his blade and spoke: "Serena Feng, you are very bold."
"Ninth Royal Uncle, is that you?" Serena’s breath caught, hands jerking downward as the shot slammed into the ground.
Normally, she’d regret wasting a bullet, but seeing Nolan Dongling unharmed, Serena felt only pure relief. "Ninth Royal Uncle, I’m so glad you’re all right."
In stark contrast to Serena’s joy, Nolan Dongling remained indifferent, standing motionless. "Serena Feng, why are you here?"
"Replying to Ninth Royal Uncle: I was attacked by wolves at Hundred-Herb Garden. I heard you and Prince Adrian were hunting here, so I came to see if I could help." Serena answered quickly, ignoring Nolan’s coldness.
"Help? With what, exactly? You think too highly of yourself." Nolan showed not a hint of gratitude; to him, her actions seemed foolish.
Just another troublesome woman.
"Ninth Royal Uncle, I’m a doctor. I ran into Prince Adrian on the way—he was injured, and I treated his wounds." Serena explained softly.
She might be a woman, but she was hardly useless. Her presence here wouldn’t make things harder for Nolan Dongling.
"Where is Prince Adrian?" Nolan turned, looking at Serena.
It was too dark for Serena to read Nolan’s expression; she assumed he was worried about Prince Adrian, so she explained everything that happened on the way and repeatedly assured him Adrian’s life was no longer in danger.
"Mm." Nolan, as always, said little, but walked down from the slope.
"Serena Feng, this is not a place you should come. There’s no need for a doctor here. Don’t let there be a next time." Nolan Dongling stood before her, glanced at the strange equipment she carried, frowned, but asked nothing.
Serena lowered her head. For some reason, she just couldn’t argue—facing Ninth Royal Uncle felt like facing her commanding officer; all she could do was obey.
Nolan Dongling sighed, ignoring the odd items on Serena’s body, and simply said, "Serena Feng, go back."
"Aren’t you going back, Ninth Royal Uncle?" Serena looked up and asked, only to be met with Nolan’s cold gaze. "Are my affairs something you can meddle in?"
"I wouldn’t dare, I just happen to know the way." Serena’s eyes flickered, grasping for an excuse.
"Hmph. If you could find this place, you can find your way out. Serena Feng, I hate foolish women—and overly clever ones." Nolan’s intent to send her away was unmistakable.
Serena hesitated, her heart stinging, but she lifted her head and met Nolan’s gaze, speaking firmly: "Ninth Royal Uncle, I’m neither stupid nor cunning—I just act on my own conscience. I, Serena Feng, swear on my life: whatever happens tonight, once we’re out, I’ll act as if none of it ever happened. Can I stay?"
When she’d come in, Serena had already seen the corpses. Judging by the state of their blood, they’d been dead at least half an hour. The dead lay here, yet Ninth Royal Uncle hadn’t left—he was clearly waiting for something.
She knew she shouldn’t intrude on Ninth Royal Uncle’s affairs, but... she wanted to understand this man.
The outside world’s judgment of him was far from reality. She wanted to see the real Nolan Dongling, so she could know what kind of person she’d actually come to like.
"Stay? Stay and add to the chaos? I have no interest in dragging around dead weight." Nolan Dongling shot Serena a look of pure disdain.
"I’m not dead weight. I can protect myself." No one had ever called her a burden before—Nolan was the first, yet she couldn’t even get angry.
"Protect yourself? With that thing you just tried to shoot me with? You think that’s enough? Naive." Nolan’s gaze fell on Serena’s Glock; she instinctively pulled her hand back, hiding it behind her.
"I have no interest in your gadgets." Nolan’s face was dark.
Serena awkwardly stepped back, mumbling, "That was an accident." An accident that made her shoot at him, and an accident that he dodged.
As for the thing in her hand, Serena offered no explanation and had no intention of showing Nolan.
Liking someone was one thing, but she wouldn’t lose herself over it. Serena was certain: right now, Nolan Dongling wasn’t worth revealing the secret of the Smart Med-Pack.
Feelings were feelings, but where she needed to be rational, she would stay rational.
"Hmph. One accident is enough to kill you." Nolan’s expression softened a little, letting Serena relax. She put the gun away, switched to the emergency lamp, and hurried to change the subject.
"Ninth Royal Uncle, should we move somewhere else? There are corpses everywhere." If he didn’t force her to leave, she’d shamelessly stay.
"No. If you’re scared, get lost." The mention of fear made Nolan’s face darken again.
Damn it, someone actually dared threaten him into staying put. He really was fed up, but he had no choice but to remain...
"I’m not scared," Serena muttered softly, then said no more. She shrugged off her backpack: "Since we’re staying here, I’ll tidy up a bit. Ninth Royal Uncle, you should rest and conserve your strength."
Serena was exhausted too, but did her best to sound cheerful.
She wanted Nolan Dongling to understand: she, Serena Feng, was not dead weight—not useless at all...