If Qin Yan's hand slipped, it would be Muriel Murong who lost her life. But thinking about what she said, it made sense. Now that Qin Yan held Muriel Murong as his trump card, he could act without fear; once he lost this card, it would truly be his end!
Watching the faint smile at her lips, Qin Yan grew even more flustered. It was clearly a gentle smile, yet it sent chills down his spine, just like facing the Ghostmaster's fury—a cold, terrifying aura that made his hair stand on end.
His composure faltered, and Muriel Murong seized the moment to act. In an instant, the situation reversed—the dagger that had been pressed against Muriel’s throat was now at Qin Yan’s neck.
But just then, something unexpected happened. Serena Qin suddenly rushed in from nowhere, brandishing a sword straight at Muriel Murong and shouting, "Go to hell!"
"Little demon!" Noah Duanmu’s face changed as he darted forward instantly.
Morgan Shangguan was about to intervene, but when she saw Noah Duanmu rush forward, she withdrew her hand. Why did Serena Qin look so ferocious, wanting to kill Muriel Murong? Aside from romantic entanglements, there was no other reason. Nearly everyone in the martial world knew she was in love with Noah Duanmu, but he refused to marry her and was even willing to sever ties with the Grandmaster's Estate for Muriel Murong. Her hatred for Muriel Murong was only natural.
Given all this, letting Noah Duanmu step in was the best punishment for her!
Most of the poison in Muriel Murong’s body was temporarily suppressed, but the lingering effects still made her dizzy and blurred her vision. Now, she had to focus all her strength on restraining Qin Yan, leaving her no energy to deal with Serena Qin. Otherwise, if Qin Yan broke free, she would be subdued once again.
Even though she did her best to dodge, if Serena Qin’s furious sword strike landed, she’d end up with another hole in her body!
"Ah..." A miserable scream rang out. Serena Qin fell to the ground, her face deathly pale. She clutched her arm, her eyes wide in shock—or perhaps something else—as she stared blankly at the bright red blood gushing from her wrist, looking almost deranged.
Her sword hand had been cleanly severed, lying not far from her. Serena Qin stared at her wrist for a long time, then looked at her detached hand, clutching her head and screaming loudly, unable to accept the reality of her lost limb.
"Yao’er..." Qin Yan hadn’t expected Serena Qin to suddenly rush in. He’d always doted on this daughter, and with such danger this time, he’d ordered her to stay home and not follow. Yet, she’d secretly come anyway.
Serena Qin loved beauty above all. Now that she’d lost a hand, how could she possibly accept it?
Muriel Murong still held Qin Yan, until Noah Duanmu struck and sealed Qin Yan’s acupoint. Only then did Muriel’s body go limp as she collapsed into his arms. Noah paid no attention to Serena Qin, his face filled with worry as he held Muriel and asked, "Are you alright?"
Muriel shook her head, feeling another wave of dizziness. With so many people watching, Ethan Gu couldn’t step forward to help, but Morgan Shangguan would never let Muriel come to harm. She tossed a pill to Noah Duanmu.
Noah Duanmu fed the pill to Muriel, then checked her injuries. Although Serena Qin’s attack had struck her, Noah’s timely intervention meant it only broke the skin—a minor wound. Once the poison was neutralized, she’d be fine.
Only then did Noah Duanmu breathe a sigh of relief, hugging her tightly and whispering in her ear, "I’m sorry..." If he hadn’t been so preoccupied with the Grandmaster’s Estate, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.
Seeing Muriel was unharmed, Morgan Shangguan turned to Qin Yan, noticing his worried gaze fixed on Serena Qin. He truly cared for her. Morgan couldn’t help but smile, "It seems Fortress Master Qin really dotes on his eldest daughter..."
Hearing this, Qin Yan was startled and nervously asked, "What are you planning to do?"
Morgan Shangguan’s lips curled into a gentle smile as she spoke warmly, "Doesn’t Fortress Master Qin think that a daughter repaying her father’s debts is perfectly reasonable?"
Qin Yan looked at her, as if she were seeking his opinion—still so gentle and polite, yet to him, she seemed like a demon!
Morgan Shangguan glanced at the dazed, nearly deranged Serena Qin and shook her head. So easily broken by a single setback—truly a sheltered young lady. But since she’d made a mistake, she had to accept the punishment; Morgan had no extra sympathy to spare.
Damien Gray just watched from the side, saying nothing. He knew very well that Qin Yan’s actions had already brought Qin Fortress to the gates of hell. Even if Serena Qin hadn’t done this, they couldn’t escape; and since she nearly injured Muriel Murong, her crime was unforgivable.
Morgan Shangguan simply stood before Serena Qin, watching her, as if pondering how to deal with her. Qin Yan, anxious, shouted, "Yao’er is innocent! If you want revenge, take it out on me!"
Morgan turned to him and smiled, "Fortress Master Qin, you must be joking. There’s no deep grudge between us!" But how could she feel at ease with someone who dared harm her, and tried to kill the father of her child?
Qin Yan had no idea what she was planning, growing more anxious but helpless. He could only look to Damien Gray, pleading, "Ghostmaster, it’s all my fault—I tried to kill you, Yao’er knows nothing. Please, save her!"
Maxwell Jing’s eyes were full of disbelief. He clicked his tongue, "Fortress Master Qin, are you really that naïve? The Guildmaster and you have no friendship—there’s even enmity! You want the Guildmaster to offend the Cloud Guildmaster just to save your daughter? Is that possible? If the Princess Consort wants something, would Prince Damien ever disagree?"
Despair flickered in Qin Yan’s eyes. His idea truly was wishful thinking. With Damien Gray’s nature, if he didn’t personally send him off, he’d at least want him to suffer. How could he possibly step in to save them? But to rescue her from Fiona Yun’s hands, who else but Damien could do it?
Ethan Gu added, "You’re better off begging the Cloud Guildmaster directly!" It was sincere advice—if the Princess Consort said to let her go, would Prince Damien ever disagree?
Before Qin Yan could respond, Morgan Shangguan suddenly turned to Damien Gray and said, "Ghostmaster, what’s your opinion?"
At her words, everyone looked at her in shock. Was she really planning to listen to Damien Gray’s advice? If he told her to let Serena Qin go, would she actually do it? It seemed impossible, no matter how one thought about it!