The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness - Chapter 259



37. Prodigal (Monthly ticket request at the beginning of the month)

After Liya left, Mu En sat alone in the quiet restaurant, seemingly still reminiscing about the touch of her fingertips.

Truly worthy of being the future saintess; that little hand was really…

“Ahem…”

But just then, a hurried cough interrupted his thoughts.

Sean approached him and respectfully said:

“Young Master Mu En, everyone in the restaurant has been questioned. No one recognized those two who attempted to assassinate you; they seem to have mixed in halfway.”

“That’s normal. After all, my actions are unpredictable. An impromptu assassination like this cannot have long-term infiltration.”

Mu En crossed his arms, resting his chin on his hand, his gaze drifting over Sean, almost absent-mindedly:

“What concerns me more is why I would be subjected to such a terrifying assassination just for having a meal? Didn’t the assassins come a bit too quickly? Not everyone can send out assassins of that caliber.”

“I… I absolutely did not leak Young Master Mu En’s whereabouts!”

Sean suddenly lowered his head, sweat pouring down his face:

“I encountered you by chance; I had no prior knowledge. Moreover, I was with you the whole time and had no opportunity to report anything. Please believe me, Young Master Mu En, I…”

“Alright, I have no intention of doubting you.”

Mu En glanced at him indifferently before returning his gaze.

Sean Jones was a staunch royal faction supporter, burdened with a grudge against his wife’s murder; there was no motive for him to betray his own.

As for the reason behind the leak of his whereabouts…

What has been watched all along is actually Celicia, isn’t it?

No, it should be said that it is Celicia’s little courtyard.

Otherwise, that chocolate wouldn’t have arrived so accurately at that time.

He must have been noticed when Lawrence carried him away from there.

But who would have thought that being watched in the morning would lead to an assassination in the afternoon?

Those people really acted decisively.

“So, Young Master Mu’en, what should we do next?”

Seeing that Mu’en didn’t doubt his intentions, Sean let out a sigh of relief and asked.

“What to do… Of course, we hide back at the academy. I don’t think this failed assassination will lead to capturing those people. Since they dared to act, they must have made thorough plans for the follow-up.”

Mu’en tapped on the table, contemplating:

“As for you, just focus on being your governor for now. You don’t need to worry about anything else. At this point, you probably don’t even qualify to step into the whirlpool. As for the assassination matter, there will be someone to help me handle it.”

“Yes.”

“By the way, you can interrogate that surviving assassin thoroughly. The result doesn’t matter; what’s important is that you need to deliver that result… to His Majesty.”

Sean paused for a moment, then quickly reacted, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes that he had never shown in front of Mu’en before. He grinned coldly and said:

“Rest assured, Young Master Mu’en, I am quite skilled in interrogation.”

“Is that so? Then that’s good.”

Looking at the confident Sean, Mu’en couldn’t help but smile.

He didn’t care how much trouble the information pried from the assassin could bring to those hidden behind the scenes; as long as it could disgust them a bit, Mu’en would be very satisfied.

After all, in the entire duke’s family, he could be said to be the only one standing alone. Although he could still mobilize some resources under the duke’s name, and even spend some cost to hire strong protectors to be close to him, confronting those people head-on would be very unwise.

After all, those people were still hiding in the dark.

So the safest course of action now is to obediently hide back at the academy.

He doesn’t believe those people are so omnipotent that they would dare stretch their claws right under Teacher Mela’s nose.

Cautious development is the right path.

Moreover, in any case, time is on his side in every sense.

Once the engagement ceremony with Celicia is completed, he will be able to openly embrace her black silk thighs every day.

By then, as long as he holds on a bit tighter, what’s there to fear from this group of small-time players who dare not show their faces and only play little tricks in the shadows?

After all, this is Belrand, not their backyard.

“It’s getting late; I’ll take my leave.”

“Please take care.”

“I’ll leave the follow-up to you.”

“This is what I should do.”

Casually bidding farewell to Sean, Mu En walked towards the academy with her hands behind her back, humming a little tune, as if she had not just experienced a thrilling assassination attempt at all.

It was a pity she couldn’t walk alongside that future saintess; otherwise, it would have truly been a delightful affair.

……

……

Late at night.

The moon was dark, and the wind was high.

Lawrence took off his conspicuous armor and changed into plain clothes, pulling a wide-brimmed black hat down to cover his face. He cautiously approached a remote manor.

After confirming that no one was following him, Lawrence knocked on the manor’s large door.

“It’s me, Lawrence.”

He said softly to the inside of the manor.

Creak—

The rusty door slowly opened, emitting an unpleasant sound akin to a ghostly wail.

However, there was no one behind the door, as if it had opened by itself.

Lawrence was not surprised; he adjusted his wide-brimmed hat and stepped inside the manor.

The door closed automatically behind him.

The manor was silent, with neither lights nor shadows.

The path, barely discernible, was flanked by overgrown weeds, almost reaching his waist.

It seemed to have been abandoned for a long time, showing no signs of life.

Lawrence carefully pushed aside the weeds and made his way to the deepest part of the manor.

The building, covered in withered vines, was filled with the breath of time, resembling a ghost’s dwelling from a tale.

Lawrence took a deep breath, glanced at the tightly shut door, but did not enter.

Instead, he reached out and lifted a section of the vines where they were thickest, revealing a hidden door that appeared before him.

He bent down and stepped through the door.

Inside the dark passage, dim candlelight flickered to life.

At the end of a spacious room stood a tall man, his face obscured, hands clasped behind his back, gazing intently at a large portrait on the wall.

It was a woman, but the light was too dim to see her features clearly.

Lawrence stood in the shadows, head bowed, waiting respectfully.

A long while passed.

The man did not even turn to look at Lawrence, his serious gaze fixed on the portrait, casually asking:

“Seen him.”

“Yes.”

“How does it feel?”

Lawrence pondered for a moment and said:

“As the intelligence reports, his level in combat skills is second tier, but his foundation is solid. It’s clear that the Duke has provided him with a very good grounding.

As for magical power… his capacity is decent, but in terms of level… I can only say he has reached the average standard of the Campbell family.”

“And what else…”

“And also…”

Lawrence paused for a moment and said:

“It’s just as the rumors say.”

“Rumors?”

“Unsteady on his feet, dark circles under his eyes, clearly a sign of excessive indulgence. From every angle, he is indeed just a debauched young nobleman.”

“…”

In the suffocating silence, the man finally turned his head, looking deeply at Lawrence.

Lawrence was drenched in cold sweat, as if under immense pressure, lowering his head, not daring to meet his gaze.

“Is that so?”

The man suddenly laughed, “Then you’ve worked hard, Lawrence. Having just experienced a great battle, you should be resting well.”

“It’s not hard; it’s my honor to serve you.”

The man seemed disinclined to say more and simply waved his hand.

“I will have someone deliver your reward.”

“Thank you!”

Lawrence felt as if he had been granted a reprieve and quickly retreated into the darkness.

As he walked out of the manor, he realized that his clothes were completely soaked.

……

“Ha, failed, did he?”

After Lawrence left, the man looked at a letter that had appeared in his hand at some point, suddenly revealing a chilling smile:

“What a debauched son of a duke.”