C5 Ruffian

"Of course, I'm here to kill you." Chen Dutian stepped forward, standing right in front of Qin Fan, chuckling softly.

The two well-dressed servants didn't dare block Chen Dutian's path. Knowing he was the notorious young master from the House of Protector, they were already trembling with fear.

The long blade was drawn, its surface gleaming like water. This strike was powerful enough to split mountains.

Blood mixed with white brain matter splattered everywhere. Qin Fan's head, now split in two, still held eyes filled with shock, confusion, deep fear, and regret.

With one swift motion, Chen Dutian had cleaved Qin Fan's body in half. A smile lingered on Chen Dutian's face.

"You bastard, you..." Qin Fan's two guards finally snapped out of their shock, erupting in anger, but mostly fear. With Qin Fan dead, their fate was sealed too.

Yuan Liu appeared like a phantom before the two guards, swiftly snapping their necks. These guards, even at the Fifth Heaven of Spirit Convergence, were powerless against Yuan Liu.

"Young master," Yuan Liu said, a bit helplessly, looking at Chen Dutian. He hadn't expected Chen Dutian to kill so decisively and efficiently.

Qin Fan was just a minor figure, but he was the Antler Marquis. Killing him would lead to a lot of trouble in dealing with the aftermath.

"A fly was being a bit annoying, so I swatted it," Chen Dutian said nonchalantly, bringing his sword down again on the carriage.

"How dare you! You killed the Antler Marquis in broad daylight. You're asking for death!" A shout echoed from a distance, and soon a figure appeared, only to be blocked by Yuan Liu.

"Chen Dutian, you've got some nerve. Killing the Antler Marquis in the street—are you trying to rebel?" Yan Feng shouted wildly, but instead of anger, there was a hint of delight in his voice. It was like a gift had fallen into his lap. He had been plotting against the Chen family, and now Chen Dutian had handed him the perfect excuse by killing Qin Fan, the Antler Marquis, right in the open.

"Rebellion? Oh, there's definitely someone plotting rebellion, but it's not me," Chen Dutian replied coolly. He casually retrieved a yellow robe from the shattered carriage, its five-clawed dragon emblem gleaming. A jade seal tumbled out as well.

"Well, well, well, a dragon robe and a jade seal. Qin Fan, the Antler Marquis, was bold enough to forge these and plot rebellion. As the son of the Lord Protector, I, Chen Dutian, acted on the information and executed this traitor in the street. Caught red-handed, I am truly a loyal servant of the dynasty," Chen Dutian's voice boomed, carrying far down Sparrow's Lane and beyond, ensuring everyone could hear his declaration.

"Scoundrel." Yan Feng's face turned pale. He had planned to hand over the robe and seal to Qin Fan, intending to frame the Chen family for treason. But Chen Dutian killed him in broad daylight, exposing the robe and seal.

Yan Feng couldn't figure out how this plan had been leaked.

"Commander Yan Feng, are you hesitating because you're in cahoots with Qin Fan, the traitor, planning to rebel and kill me for discovering Qin Fan's treasonous intentions?" Chen Dutian taunted.

"Scoundrel," Yan Feng cursed, but he had no choice but to stop. Despite being one of the three commanders of the imperial guards, he was no match for Yuan Liu.

With the plan exposed, there was no way to accuse Chen Dutian of treason.

"Useless fool," Yan Feng cursed Qin Fan in his mind. If Qin Fan were still alive, he would personally kill the incompetent fool.

"I'm certainly not planning a rebellion, but whether the Antler Marquis is, remains to be seen," Yan Feng replied coldly.

It was the busiest time on Sparrow's Lane, bustling with commoners and many high-ranking officials. The royal family of the Phethia Dynasty couldn't openly accuse and destroy the Chen family; such matters had to be handled discreetly, creating an irreversible reality.

“Have they really forged the imperial robe and seal? Isn't that enough proof? Could it be that Commander Yan Feng is truly conspiring with Qin Fan to rebel?” Chen Dutian remarked casually.

“This matter must be thoroughly investigated,” Yan Feng replied coldly, wishing he could strike Chen Dutian down with his sword. Unfortunately, Yuan Liu was right there, and with so many eyes watching, he really couldn't kill Chen Dutian.

“Commander Yan Feng, there's no need for formalities. My father is the Lord Protector, and as his son, it's only right for me to deal with traitors plotting rebellion. You can report to His Majesty and grant me any title you see fit—I won't refuse,” Chen Dutian said mockingly, his voice booming and drawing laughter from the crowd.

Yan Feng was furious, yet helpless against Chen Dutian. This damned scoundrel was deliberately speaking loudly enough for everyone on Sparrow's Lane to hear, solidifying the accusation that Qin Fan had forged the imperial robe and seal with the intent to rebel.

“Wait a minute, wasn't he supposed to be a useless playboy, unable to cultivate because he lacked the Power Node? How is he now at the Third Heaven of Spirit Convergence?” Yan Feng suddenly realized, his expression changing dramatically. “Such deep cunning, hiding so well. He must have received some information; otherwise, he wouldn't have revealed himself. If it comes to a fight, Chen Dutian might escape, and that would be disastrous.”

Chen Dutian's expression darkened; things seemed to be slipping out of control.

"Who would have thought that after receiving divine guidance in my dreams, I could finally practice martial arts? The divine messenger even warned me that Qin Fan was forging imperial robes and seals to prepare for rebellion. I was told to execute him in the street, and it turned out to be true. I've averted a major disaster for our dynasty," Chen Dutian laughed heartily.

"Let's go home. I want noodles with three eggs to celebrate my triumph over the Antler Marquis's rebellion," Chen Dutian called to Yuan Liu, heading home right after the execution.

"This way, they'll be suspicious and paranoid, buying me a few days. Even if my father doesn't return in time, I should at least reach the Astral Wandering stage. By then, teaming up with Yuan Liu to protect my mother and those close to me won't be a problem. Once my father returns, he'll be able to sweep away all threats," Chen Dutian thought calmly.

Yan Feng glared at Chen Dutian's retreating figure, helpless and furious, kicking Qin Fan's bisected corpse. Soon, others came to clean up, but today's events would undoubtedly spread throughout the entire capital.

"Is Chen Dou some kind of prodigy you raised at home? Was this spoiled brat also taught by a divine being?" Yan Feng was so furious he was about to lose his mind.