Claiming Merit, Choosing Beauty over Empire
The result...
The Snow Wolf didn't give Serena Feng any chance to act. Before the man even stepped into range, the wolf pounced, pinning him down with a single paw. Before he could fight back, the Snow Wolf sank its jaws into his throat.
"Ah..." The man let out a miserable scream, then fell silent. It all happened too quickly for Serena to do anything but shout, "Leave him alive!"
But it was already too late. The Snow Wolf tossed the black-clad man aside like a rag doll, then stared blankly at Serena, a piece of raw flesh still dangling from its mouth, bright red blood dripping down its muzzle.
Feng Jin was petrified, his mouth forming an O: the Snow Wolf was incredible, but also terrifying!
Mira Tang and Spring were also badly shaken. They had never seen the Snow Wolf so wild and ferocious; in their eyes, it was just an oversized dog—one that could bite, sure, but also act cute. Only now did Feng Jin and the others truly understand what 'wolf nature' meant.
With the Snow Wolf's help, the pressure on Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan and the others eased a bit. Serena took the chance to draw the small knife strapped to her leg and chopped off the exposed arrowheads. As for the arrow tips? Serena admitted she wasn't the Snow Wolf—she didn't dare yank them out at random. If a blood vessel tore, it would be a disaster.
"Quick, retreat!" With their leader down, the black-clad men scattered like sand. It wasn't long before they were in full retreat; only one or two managed to escape, and Serena's group didn't catch any alive.
"All committed suicide." The men from Prince Duan's Manor quickly secured the scene and came to report, while others discreetly watched Zuo An, Master Graves, and Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan.
They knew Serena had hidden protectors, but never expected three such top-tier experts. Any one of them could be a first-rank master in the palace, sure to earn the emperor's favor and future titles. Yet here they were, serving as bodyguards to a single woman. What a waste.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone." Miss Feng quickly bandaged her wound, then stepped forward to block the guards’ line of sight from her protectors.
"It was our failure that startled you, Miss Feng. I’ve already sent word to His Highness, and he’ll be here soon. Please wait a moment and only leave after he arrives." The real point was to remind Miss Feng that Left Shore and the others could not be allowed to slip away.
Miss Feng refused without hesitation: "There’s no need. The Envoy of Eastlyn has arrived. From here, the envoy will take over all matters and petition the Emperor directly. No need to trouble His Highness."
Fine—she admitted she was using and discarding. With Prince Nolan arriving tomorrow, she no longer needed Prince Duan’s protection, and there was no reason to expose Left Shore and the others under his banner.
"I’m not authorized to decide that, Miss Feng. Please wait a moment—His Highness will be here soon." Prince Duan’s men always obeyed only his orders; Miss Feng’s words they pretended not to understand.
"Wait? Are you sure you want me to wait? If something happens, who will take responsibility?" Miss Feng pointed at her still-bleeding wound.
Miss Feng’s face was pale, her steps unsteady, as if she might collapse at any moment.
"Uh..." Prince Duan’s men glanced at her and immediately lowered their heads. They mumbled, "Miss Feng is a doctor—this kind of injury shouldn’t be a problem for her."
"Even the best cook can’t make a meal without rice. With no medicine, even a divine doctor couldn’t save herself. And my little brother is badly frightened—don’t tell me you think a child this young doesn’t need an adult’s comfort after such terror?" Miss Feng pointed at Feng Jin in Spring’s arms. Feng Jin’s face was ghostly pale; the Snow Wolf hovered nearby, anxious, but its blood-soaked body and jaws stuffed with human flesh made Feng Jin freeze in terror whenever it approached.
The child had never seen such a bloody scene; today, Feng Jin was truly scared out of his wits. Of course, his horizons had also expanded.