Despicable? I Have Never Been a Gentleman

Although the assassin has been caught and Prince Nolan has ordered the lockdown lifted, this city is still much easier to enter than to leave. Ordinary people don't come here, and spies who do manage to sneak in will find that getting out is just a dream.

The border city was always quiet, but with Prince Nolan's lockdown, it's become even more silent. Everyone walking the streets treads softly, and the cries of street vendors have disappeared. Unless necessary, people rarely go out.

At first, the commoners were terrified, afraid the officials would arrest people at random. But after a few days of watching, they realized it had nothing to do with them, and went back to work as usual.

William Wang's arrival didn't cause much of a stir, and very few people even knew he was here. He kept a low profile, traveling light and with few attendants. No one realized that the man riding day and night was the famous Grand Heir.

Just because others didn't know didn't mean Prince Nolan was unaware. William Wang had barely reached the city gate before Nolan's men came forward to greet him: "Grand Heir, please..."

The men didn't reveal their identities, but here, only Prince Nolan has that kind of power. William Wang wasn't intimidated and followed them into the city with confidence.

He was travel-worn and dusty, and really needed a wash before seeing anyone.

An hour later, except for looking a bit pale, William Wang was back to his usual noble self. But after days of wind and rain, he seemed steadier and more mature.

Prince Nolan didn't let Yana Zhan meet William Wang, nor did he tell Serena Feng that William had arrived. Instead, he invited William directly to his study.

There were things they needed to discuss first. If all went as expected, House Zhan's people would arrive that afternoon.

Prince Nolan didn’t waste words. He simply pulled out the intelligence report and spread it across the table. “Grand Heir, you’d best read this before we discuss who Master Adrian died for.”

With this evidence in hand, neither William Wang nor House Zhan could do anything but compromise.

William Wang’s brow furrowed. Seeing Prince Nolan’s calm confidence, unease crept into his heart. He stood, took the report, and began to read at the desk—his shock growing with every page.

“Impossible.” With a sharp rustle, the report slipped from William’s hands and scattered across the floor. He staggered back, stunned.

“If you think I faked this, send your own men to investigate. Anything I can uncover, Grand Heir, you can verify yourself.” Seeing William Wang’s shaken expression, Prince Nolan knew he’d won this round.

“So that’s the truth.” William Wang knew Prince Nolan had no reason to lie; what he’d just read was absolutely real.

William Wang drew a slow breath, closed his eyes, and forced down his shock. “What do you want me to do?” he asked.

“You’re straightforward, Grand Heir.” Prince Nolan nodded, satisfied—talking to smart people was always easier.

With William Wang involved, success was almost guaranteed. Prince Nolan didn’t bother with courtesy and spoke plainly: “I want you to accuse Jixia Academy of orchestrating Master Adrian’s assassination.”

Wherever there are people, there are power struggles—Jixia Academy is no exception. Master Adrian held the Palace Master’s seat while still young, leaving the other scholars with almost no chance of ever rising to that position.

There are plenty of Deputy Palace Masters at Jixia Academy whose learning and reputation rival Master Adrian’s. It’s not impossible that someone resentful would make a move against him.

“No way. You’re trying to ruin Jixia Academy’s name!” William Wang refused without hesitation, but Prince Nolan wasn’t about to let him say no.

“If you won’t destroy Jixia Academy, then I’ll destroy House Zhan. There’s no way to save both—you can only protect one.” Since the fall of the Former Dynasty, Jixia Academy’s status has grown ever loftier. As a power-holder himself, Prince Nolan resented the Academy’s rising influence.

It’s only an academy, but its influence keeps growing. If this continues, it might become a second Divine Temple.

William Wang’s face changed, but he quickly regained his composure. “Master Adrian is already dead. Can’t you at least let him rest in peace?”

“He’s at peace, but what about me?” Prince Nolan’s voice was cold. “He wanted to die, and I didn’t stop him—but his death brought me trouble. He denied me peace, so no one else gets it either.” Master Adrian cared most about House Zhan and Jixia Academy. He wanted his death to protect them, but Prince Nolan refused to play along.

“My time is limited—House Zhan or Jixia Academy. Grand Heir, you have to choose.” Prince Nolan’s tone left no room for negotiation.

“You’re despicable! House Zhan and Jixia Academy are both innocent. Dragging them into this isn’t the act of a gentleman. How can you live with yourself?” William Wang was so furious he could spit blood. This was an imperial power struggle, and Prince Nolan was sacrificing others.

“I’m not you. I’ve never claimed to be a gentleman—I only care about results. Innocent? Am I not innocent in all this?” From start to finish, he was the one being schemed against; now he was simply turning the trap back on its makers.

“Why not just expose the real mastermind?” William Wang pressed. He was certain Prince Nolan had the power to uncover the truth.

“There’s no need. I don’t know how many people were involved, but I do know that if the truth comes out, they’ll just push Prince Damien of Southlyn forward as the scapegoat. He’s already a fallen dog—what’s the point of pinning this on him?” Prince Damien is ruined, already branded a traitor; adding the murder of Master Adrian to his list of crimes means nothing to him.

Jixia Academy is different. If it’s saddled with this crime, its reputation will be destroyed. No one will see it as noble or untouchable anymore.

Jixia Academy is a sacred place across the Nine Provinces. Prince Nolan intended to use this chance to expose its filth to the world, so everyone could see that those so-called virtuous scholars were no better than anyone else.

Let’s see what Jixia Academy’s people have to flaunt after this—what virtue they’ll have left to show off.