C12 I Give You Face

Chen Dutian was without his father in the Imperial Capital and lacked the power to challenge the Yan family. His sole support was the formidable Red Banner Army, numbering half a million strong.

Yuan Liu quickly grasped Chen Dutian's intent, nodding emphatically. "Rest assured, Your Grace, I will personally see to it!"

"No, there's something more critical for you to attend to," Chen Dutian interjected, his tone icy. "If I'm not mistaken, the House of Protector is likely under surveillance by now. You must leave the Imperial Capital immediately and seek out my father in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Inform him to pull back his forces and return to the Imperial Capital posthaste."

In this new life, after Chen Dutian publicly executed the Antler Marquis, Qin Fan, the situation had irrevocably changed. Only the might of Lord Protector Chen Dou could rival the venerable elder of the Yan family, a master of the Skyflight realm.

With the Lord Protector's return to the Imperial Capital, all crises could be swiftly addressed.

"I understand! Your Grace... please take care," Yuan Liu said, his eyes brimming with emotion as a fierce energy surged within him.

Chen Dutian, having changed into a simple attire, exited the House of Protector alone. Lee Yu was outside, visibly agitated from the wait. A crowd had gathered at the entrance, their attention riveted on Chen Dutian as he emerged.

"Rumor has it that the Lord Protector's Heir slew the Antler Marquis and the son of the Minister of Personnel yesterday. He's likely to face severe imprisonment today!"

"He had it coming. That man has been throwing his weight around as the Lord Protector's Heir for too long. It's high time someone put him in his place!"

"Watch your words. Chen Dutian is the Lord Protector's sole offspring. Who in the Imperial Capital would dare lay a finger on him?"

As the murmurs continued, Chen Dutian settled into his sedan chair. With a gesture from Lee Yu, eight golden-armored guards wielding sabers cleared the path, prompting the spectators to step aside.

The journey from the House of Protector to the Imperial Capital took roughly an hour. Seated in the sedan, Chen Dutian's thoughts were consumed with his impending meeting with Yan Chen at the Crystal Palace and how he would navigate the upcoming challenges.

Having dispatched the Antler Marquis, Qin Fan, Yan Chen might overlook the incident out of respect for the Lord Protector. Yet, with Lee Huai'en eliminated, Lee Yu and the Crown Prince were unlikely to let the matter rest, particularly Wang Xuanyang, who would seize any chance to remove Chen Dutian from the equation.

Upon his arrival at the Crystal Palace, the sedan curtain was lifted, and Chen Dutian emerged with a composed demeanor. Surveying his surroundings, he noticed numerous high-ranking officials of the dynasty stationed outside the palace. The Imperial Guards, armed with sabers, were arrayed on either side, their expressions grave.

Ascending over fifty steps, Chen Dutian at last beheld Yan Chen seated in the throne room. A cadre of territorial officials stood with bowed heads within the hall, while Crown Prince Yan Nantian stood by Yan Chen's side with due reverence. Wang Xuanyang, as the chief civil official and esteemed Grand Preceptor, occupied the foremost position.

"Your Majesty, the Lord Protector's Heir, Chen Dutian, is present!" Lee Yu announced, bowing as he entered the hall before kneeling and proclaiming loudly.

Yan Chen, perched upon the Dragon Throne, narrowed his eyes and gave a subtle nod. A nearby eunuch called out in a piercing voice, "Lord Protector's Heir, Chen Dutian, enter the hall!"

This was Chen Dutian's inaugural visit to the Imperial Capital, yet he bore an air of serene confidence, strolling into the great hall. He bowed and greeted, "May Your Majesty be at peace!"

"Insolent! Kneel before His Majesty this instant!" Yan Feng, clad in golden armor, bellowed at Chen Dutian, intent on intimidating him.

Wang Xuanyang, caressing his half-foot-long white beard, watched Chen Dutian with a derisive sneer. Aside from Yan Chen on the Dragon Throne, all eyes in the hall were fixed on Chen Dutian.

"My father, the Lord Protector, has been granted the privilege by His Majesty to enter the hall in armor and with his saber. As the Lord Protector's Heir, surely I am also entitled to this exemption from kneeling," retorted Chen Dutian, unfazed by Yan Feng's outburst. Despite Yan Chen's imperial status and his desire to obliterate the Chen family, Chen Dutian would not yield to subservience.

"Hmph, insolent youth. Even your father, Chen Dou, wouldn't dare to utter such words in this hall!" Wang Xuanyang scoffed.

The other ministers looked on, some with amusement, as they focused on Chen Dutian. Known throughout the Imperial Capital as a notorious scoundrel, not even his father, Chen Dou, could rein him in. Now, presenting himself before the Emperor with such audacity, many speculated whether he would be reprimanded for his irreverence.

Yan Chen, seated upon the Dragon Throne, slowly opened his eyes and cast a dismissive glance at Chen Dutian. With a casual wave of his hand, he declared, "Enough. In consideration of the Lord Protector, I shall waive the kneeling ceremony for you."

Chen Dutian, maintaining his composure, lifted his head, and their eyes locked. A sharp glint of murderous intent briefly flashed in Yan Chen's gaze.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Chen Dutian said, bowing respectfully.

"However, Chen Dutian, your youthful recklessness I can overlook, but the killing of the Antler Marquis and the Crown Prince's study companion, Lee Huai'en, cannot be so easily dismissed!"

Yan Chen shifted the conversation to the recent deaths of Lee Huai'en and Qin Fan. Qin Fan, the newly appointed Antler Marquis, was a pawn Yan Chen sought to remove from the Chen family's influence. Lee Huai'en, a high-ranking official, had been executed in public for offending Chen Dutian, an act Yan Chen could not ignore.

"Your Majesty, the newly appointed Antler Marquis, Qin Fan, was crafting a dragon robe and jade seal, a clear sign of treasonous intent! His execution at my hand was justified," Chen Dutian stated with a slight smile, his tone unwavering.

"And what of my son? He was merely the Crown Prince's study companion and had a minor altercation with you at the Crimson Moon. Does that warrant death by your blade?" Lee Yu, with eyes red with fury, turned and demanded of Chen Dutian.

"Furthermore, Lee Huai'en was a learned man, recently appointed as a third-level scholar in the Scribes' Hall. You publicly executed a senior official of our dynasty. How can the Phethia Dynasty stand for this?" Wang Xuanyang stepped forward, leveling a serious accusation at Chen Dutian.

Chen Dutian, however, sneered dismissively. "A third-level scholar in the Scribes' Hall counts as a high official? He insulted me in public, showing no respect for the Lord Protector. What consequence is his death to me?"

The Lord Protector was a paramount official, the linchpin of the Phethia Dynasty. Without Chen Dou, the dynasty as it stands would not exist. Yan Chen himself had once assured that the Lord Protector's status was second only to one, above all others. To disregard the Lord Protector was to scorn the Yan family itself.

"My father has rendered distinguished service to the Phethia Dynasty and was bestowed the title of Lord Protector. The Emperor once assured our Chen family that anyone who dared to offend us would face immediate execution! It's not just about me killing your son; even if I were to lead the Red Banner Army to obliterate the Lee family, it would be a consequence of your own actions!"

Chen Dutian's presence grew increasingly commanding as he spoke, invoking the Red Banner Army to cow Yan Chen.

At the time of Yan Chen's ascension, the Phethia Dynasty was beset by strife from within and without. To secure Chen Dou's unwavering allegiance and stabilize his reign, Yan Chen had granted him numerous special privileges.

Upon hearing Chen Dutian's declaration, a wave of unease rippled through the assembly, prompting even Yan Chen on his throne to involuntarily clench his fists.

"Lee Huai'en openly insulted me, challenging the authority of the Phethia Dynasty's Lord Protector. By not pursuing the matter further, I have already shown considerable restraint and respect to the Lee family."