Riding in the Bloodcloak Guard's carriage, Serena Feng passed in and out of the city without a single person daring to stop her—her way was completely unimpeded.
So no one knew Serena Feng had left or re-entered the city.
After Serena Feng buried Xavier, she returned to the city; by then, it was already dusk.
After dropping Serena Feng off at the gates of Feng Manor, the coachman quietly departed.
Perhaps because Serena Feng had been with the Bloodcloak Guard, the street—once occasionally busy—was now utterly deserted, as if abandoned by the world.
The old house exuded a sense of ruin and decay, lifeless and desolate, as if proclaiming to the world that Feng Manor’s owners were gone and the estate had truly fallen...
Serena Feng stood at the gate of Feng Manor, gazing up at the weathered plaque bearing its name. Her heart ached, and she couldn’t look away for a long time.
No matter how broken or desolate, this was her home. Here, she had found a sense of belonging—a reminder that she truly belonged to this world and was still alive.
Stepping back into Feng Manor, Serena Feng felt as if she had been reborn—a mix of relief and gratitude swelling inside her as she walked forward, step by step.
The gate creaked open. Ever since General Warren Yu had kicked it in, the front doors of Feng Manor had never been repaired.
Even so, no one ever came to Feng Manor.
Walking through the silent manor, that long‑forgotten sense of loneliness washed over Serena Feng once again.
Before, there had at least been Evan Zhou in Feng Manor. Now, she was alone again—everything had to start over, and all her previous efforts felt wasted.
Serena Feng let out a quiet laugh, pushing away her loneliness and silently cheering herself up.
"Everything will be alright."
"Serena Feng, after today, it's a new day."
Looking at the dust-covered tables and chairs, Serena Feng fetched water to wipe them clean, then boiled water for a bath, changed clothes, and tended the wounds on her back.
Only after finishing all this did Serena Feng realize how hungry she was—she hadn’t eaten anything all day. But...
There was nothing to eat at home.
Night had already fallen. Although she didn’t want to go out, hunger finally forced her to dig out the bits of silver she’d hidden in the cupboard.
One tael of silver—this was her entire fortune. The thousand taels of gold Vincent Su had given her, she’d handed nine hundred to Caleb Wang to gamble with, and the rest to Evan Zhou.
Truly penniless!
Serena Feng curled her lip, locked her bedroom door, and—remembering the new operating room the Wang clan had built—walked a few extra steps while there was still a bit of light.
Two small rooms divided by a screen, sixteen palace lamps, glass windows just as she’d requested, and a movable surgical bed and table.
Everything had been done exactly as she wanted.
Serena Feng nodded in approval.
Tomorrow, she would examine William Wang Jinling. If possible, she would perform the transplant surgery as soon as she could.
She hoped William’s eyes would soon see the world, on Xavier’s behalf.
Serena Feng closed the door to the operating room, then turned and headed for the main gate. Just as she reached the front courtyard, she heard the gate creak open.
Who could it be at this hour?
Serena Feng quickly turned and hid behind the door.
"I just feel like this whole thing isn't as simple as it looks. Why did it have to happen today, and why did it explode so suddenly this afternoon?" That was Vincent Su’s voice.
"It really is strange. Right after people saw Ninth Royal Uncle and Princess Serenity leave the Bloodcloak Guard, the rumors broke out." General Warren Yu glanced at Vincent Su beside him.
"Why are you looking at me? I have no idea. When it comes to news in official circles, I’m nowhere near as informed as General Yu." Vincent Su replied grumpily as he walked inside.
"What did Ninth Royal Uncle and Princess Serenity do at the Bloodcloak Guard? The rumors started spreading just half an hour after they left." In just five days, Evan Zhou had grown noticeably thinner—whatever weight he’d gained was gone again.
Realizing who it was, Serena Feng finally relaxed, a faint warmth blooming in her heart.
She had thought they’d all left her. She hadn’t expected...
At this hour, the fact that these few people hadn’t abandoned her meant more than she could say.
"What’s the use talking about it now? The Wang clan is finished this time. No matter what Ninth Royal Uncle and Princess Serenity did at the Bloodcloak Guard, it’s meaningless. Don’t forget, Serena Feng spent five days in the Bloodcloak—if she’s alive, she’s crippled; if not, she’s useless, and William Wang Jinling’s eyes can never be cured."
"The Wang clan and Serena Feng’s reputation for medical fraud has already swept through the entire capital. Even if she makes it out alive, there’s no place for her in this city." General Warren Yu sighed.
The Wang clan is covered in scandal now, and as the situation escalates, they simply can’t suppress it.
“We really have to thank William Wang Jinling this time. Even now, he’s still standing up and speaking for Serena Feng. You know, the Wang family was ready to dump everything on her, even threatening to sue.” Vincent Su’s eyes were so dark he looked like a panda—it was obvious he hadn’t slept well.
Evan Zhou sighed, “What’s the point in talking about it now? There’s not a shred of news from the Bloodcloak Guard, and we have no idea what’s happened to Serena Feng in there.”
The three men spoke as they walked toward the main hall. It was pitch dark, but they moved as if they’d walked this route countless times before.
“I’m here.” Serena Feng stepped out from behind the door, silent as a shadow.
“Who’s there?”
Vincent Su and Evan Zhou nearly screamed, while General Warren Yu drew his sword. But when they saw who it was, they instantly leapt up with joy.
“Serena Feng? Is that really you?” Vincent Su rushed forward, grabbing her hand, his face bursting with happiness.
“This is great, just great! You’re alright, you actually made it out of the Bloodcloak—you’re alive! Wait, you’re not a ghost, are you?”
“My hand is warm, isn’t it? How could I be a ghost?” Serena Feng’s eyes shimmered with tears as she smiled.
General Warren Yu was a step slower as he sheathed his sword, but the joy on his face was unmistakable. “Serena Feng, you’re something else. You went into the Bloodcloak and came out alive. That’s incredible.”
Evan Zhou was the slowest to react, but when he finally did, he shoved Vincent Su aside and hugged Serena Feng tightly:
“Sis, you made it out, you really did, didn’t you? This is wonderful, you’re okay, you’re really okay—am I dreaming?”
Vincent Su, pushed aside, looked frustrated, but when he heard Evan Zhou call her “sis,” he held back.
“It’s alright. I made it out alive. I’m sorry for making you all worry these past few days.” Serena Feng patted Evan Zhou’s back, waited for him to calm down, then greeted General Warren Yu and Vincent Su: “Thank you for all the trouble I’ve caused you these days.”
From their conversation, Serena Feng realized that none of them had gone to beg Ninth Royal Uncle, and they didn’t even know she’d been released from the Bloodcloak.
Then who was it?
Or did Ninth Royal Uncle decide to save her on his own?
Serena Feng shook her head, dismissing that possibility.
If Ninth Royal Uncle wanted to save her, he wouldn’t have waited five days.
Five days in the Bloodcloak is like five days in hell. If she hadn’t found leverage with Commander Lucan Lu, she’d be crippled by now—what would be the point of rescuing her then?
The thought made Serena Feng shudder.
Thankfully, thankfully she had medical skills; otherwise, her life would be over.
“What are you saying? We didn’t help at all.” General Warren Yu sounded guilty.
After all, among everyone Serena Feng knew, only he held an official post—and a high one at that—yet he hadn’t been able to help her.
“I know you all did a lot for me. There’s no need for more words of thanks—Serena Feng isn’t someone who forgets kindness.” Not being able to help didn’t mean they didn’t try; Serena Feng understood that well.
She’d entered the Bloodcloak, but Vincent Su and General Warren Yu hadn’t cut ties with her, which was already a huge help. And then there was William Wang Jinling…
They’d only met once, but at this moment, he still stood by her side. To say she wasn’t moved would be a lie. Right now, even without power or status, Serena Feng had loyal friends.
“Alright, enough standing around. Sis, you just got out of the Bloodcloak—sit down and let’s talk.”
Once Evan Zhou calmed down, he resumed his role as host, lighting lamps, pouring water, and settling everyone in.
Before, the lighting had been dim and you couldn’t see their faces. Now, with the lamps lit, the differences between them were stark.
General Warren Yu, Vincent Su, and Evan Zhou—who knew how long they’d worn those clothes? They were wrinkled as pickled vegetables, covered in dust, dark circles under their eyes, looking like they’d just come out of prison.
But Serena Feng? Her face was glowing, her spirit lively, her energy high—there wasn’t a trace of abuse.
“Serena Feng, are you sure you really came out of the Bloodcloak? How are you completely unharmed?” General Warren Yu could hardly believe his eyes.
Since when did the Bloodcloak Guard become a charity house? With all the drama surrounding Serena Feng, she came out unscathed.
He’d wanted to ask what punishment Serena Feng had suffered in the dungeon, and how she could still be standing. But with everyone talking, he hadn’t gotten the chance.
Now, seeing Serena Feng looking fresh and radiant, they were all shocked.
Surviving the Bloodcloak dungeon without torture?
That’s miraculous!
“Wait, you weren’t tortured in the Bloodcloak dungeon?” Vincent Su and Evan Zhou finally caught on, their jaws dropping.
Serena Feng nodded.
“Impossible, I don’t believe it! Serena Feng, are you lying to us? Or maybe you’re not Serena Feng at all—are you an imposter?”
In the entire history of the Eastlyn Empire, no one has ever entered the Bloodcloak without being tortured. Even imperial princes get flogged at the very least.
Has Serena Feng just rewritten the history of Eastlyn?
That’s just too incredible!
Is it possible that everything happening to Serena Feng can’t be explained by common sense?
(End of chapter)