Ninth Royal Uncle, Serena Feels Deeply Wronged

Cold arrowheads aimed at the man in dark robes—if he made even the slightest wrong move, he’d be riddled with arrows in an instant. The man himself didn’t care, but the Sienna Skyvault in his arms absolutely did; one slip and she was as good as dead.

Given the situation, the man in dark robes didn’t dare challenge Prince Nolan. He roared in anger, dropped his blade, and gritted out, “Don’t think you two can push me too far. Just because I’ve fallen into your hands today doesn’t mean I’ll let you trample me. You don’t have what it takes. You’d better let me go, or you’ll be the ones to suffer.”

“So the Second Young Master of Skyvault Palace has only this much patience?” Prince Nolan finally finished toying with him, released Serena, and shielded her behind him. His once-clean robes were now stained with blood, but Nolan, notorious for his cleanliness, didn’t care at all.

“Who the hell are you people? You know my sister is the Skyvault Palace heiress and you still dare lay a hand on her? Tired of living?” The man’s features were wild, his eyes bloodshot—twisted with rage over Sienna’s injuries.

Skyvault Palace people really are arrogant, Nolan thought, his eyes narrowing. He replied, unhurriedly, with three words: “Nolan Dongling.”

“Ninth Royal Uncle of Eastlyn?” Apparently, Nolan’s reputation was big enough that even martial world types knew of him.

“That’s right. I am Eastlyn’s Ninth Royal Uncle. By imperial decree, I’m here to wipe out bandits. Second Young Master, you should know what your sister has done. I’m acting by the law—if I don’t kill her, there won’t be any way to appease the public.” Nolan didn’t care about the young master’s attitude; in fact, he provoked him even more.

To Nolan, the Second Young Master was already a dead man. As long as Skyvault Palace had the Nine Provinces Treasure Map, he’d never let them go. Making enemies head-on and crushing Skyvault Palace with Eastlyn troops seemed like a pretty good idea, Nolan mused…

Obey me and you thrive; defy me and you die! Nolan Dongling had never been soft-hearted. When it came to enemies, he always made sure to root them out completely.

Prince Nolan protected his own, and so did the Second Young Master of Skyvault Palace. Hearing Nolan’s words, he flew into a rage: “Whatever my sister did is none of your business! If you dare touch her, I’ll never let you off. Ninth Royal Uncle of Eastlyn, just stick to being your royal uncle in Eastlyn and stay out of Skyvault Palace’s affairs. Even if my sister was wrong, it’s up to our own people to deal with her—not you. Watch yourself, or you might not even keep your own position.”

“I don’t care how wild your sister acts in Skyvault Palace, but on Eastlyn soil, she has to play by my rules. Cause trouble here, and it doesn’t matter if it’s your sister or your father—I’ll deal with it. Second Young Master, as you can see, I’ve already acted.” Nolan’s lips curled in a mocking smile.

“Save your warning, Ninth Royal Uncle. Everything my sister suffered today—Skyvault Palace will remember. One day, we’ll pay you back a thousandfold.” The Second Young Master’s face was twisted, his knuckles cracking—clearly furious.

To the people of Skyvault Palace, Sienna was always the one bullying others—no one else could ever bully her. Now that she’d been tormented so cruelly, Skyvault Palace would definitely seek revenge. Nolan Dongling was doomed, the Second Young Master swore.

“Why wait for another day? If you’ve got the guts, take your revenge now. I’m busy—I don’t have time to remember petty grudges, and by tomorrow I might not even remember who you are.” Nolan said coolly.

Nolan knew that, given the Second Young Master’s skills, it’d be hard to keep him here today—and killing Sienna wouldn’t be easy either. Unless he could provoke the man into losing control, then he might stand a chance.

Unfortunately… no one in this world is an idiot. The Second Young Master had already guessed Nolan’s plan. Seeing Sienna’s injuries and Nolan’s contempt, he was nearly driven to murder—but managed to hold himself back.

“A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. Ninth Royal Uncle, Skyvault Palace will remember this debt. Just you wait…” The Second Young Master hadn’t finished his threat before he raised his blade and spun around—

The soldiers surrounding him immediately fell back, and the archers loosed arrows—but it was all a feint. As the soldiers retreated, he pushed off with his toes to escape, only to suddenly sense a murderous aura ahead. He looked up and found himself face-to-face with Serena, whose features were seventy percent identical to Sienna’s.

How could it be? My sister?

The Second Young Master was stunned, his movement slowing—giving Serena the perfect chance. She aimed at his forehead, squeezed the trigger, and fired…

Aiming for the heart? He had a heart-guard. So Serena went for his head instead—she refused to believe Skyvault Palace people armored even their foreheads.

The Second Young Master’s pupils dilated in shock. Forgetting all about Serena, he summoned his strength and leapt up—but he was still a step too slow. Bang—the bullet buried itself in his calf.

Ah—he gasped in pain, but didn’t dare linger. Using the branches for leverage, he vanished in a few swift moves.

“Ninth Royal Uncle of Eastlyn, just you wait in Eastlyn—I’ll send Skyvault Palace’s finest to take your head!” The Second Young Master’s furious voice echoed from mid-air.

“I’ll be waiting.” Nolan replied, utterly unafraid.

The imperial troops wanted to give chase, but Nolan stopped them.

“No need. Just bring the bodies back as evidence.”

And so the feud between Eastlyn and Skyvault Palace was sealed. Afterwards, Nolan issued a gag order: nothing about what happened at the canyon exit leaked out. The Emperor only knew there was conflict between Skyvault Palace and Eastlyn.

Of course, the Emperor knew nothing about the treasure map in Skyvault Pavilion. Sienna was half-crazed at the time, and no one believed her. Plus, everyone Nolan brought was absolutely loyal—so even if the Emperor asked, he’d get nowhere.

All the Emperor knew was that because of Serena, Nolan mobilized the troops, crippled Skyvault Palace’s heiress, and created an irreconcilable feud with Skyvault Palace.

The Emperor’s face turned black on the spot. He slammed the table in rage, wishing he could tear Nolan limb from limb.

Eastlyn was beset by troubles inside and out, already surrounded on all sides. Not only did Nolan refuse to mediate, he’d created a powerful new enemy over a woman—wasn’t he putting the empire itself at risk?

So, right in front of all the officials, the Emperor slapped Nolan with the label of ‘reckless fool who risks everything for a beauty.’ He meant to crush Nolan’s arrogance, but Nolan just took it in stride…

Whether he loved his country or his woman, Nolan only cared that he knew what he was doing.

The Second Young Master and Sienna had escaped, and William wasn’t here either. Nolan and Serena had no intention of lingering in Taroko Grand Canyon. With the troops guarding them, the group headed down the mountain. Nolan had planned to send for a sedan chair—but Serena said something that made him drop the idea.

Nolan thought viciously: He had to make this foolish woman, Serena, suffer enough. If she didn’t feel pain, she’d never learn her lesson. All she ever did was worry about other people…

Much later, Serena would learn about this and cry out in protest.

All she’d done was ask where William and Felix were—were they safe? Was that such a crime?

Besides, it wasn’t like she’d asked about William’s safety the moment they met. She’d waited until everything was over and remembered as they headed down the mountain. Was that wrong too?

Wuwuwu…

Nolan, you’re way too overbearing!

It’s not like you’re the revolution—no need to slap labels on people like that…