C6 Enemies on the Side of the Same Road

The news that the Lord Protector's Crown Prince had slain Marquis Deer Cauldron in the streets had swept through the Imperial Capital in less than thirty minutes. Chen Dutian had barely warmed his seat at home when a silver-armored guard with a sword at his side rushed in, bowing respectfully, "Young Master, Master Pang Yuan requests an audience!"

At the mention of Pang Yuan, Chen Dutian's eyes sparkled, and a flood of thoughts filled his heart. In the vast Imperial Capital, Pang Yuan was his sole confidant.

One was the heir to the Lord Protector, the other the scion of the Ministry of Revenue's chief. Not only were their statuses and heritages comparable, but they also shared a lack of martial prowess. The pair had a deep bond, having known each other since childhood, and always referred to each other as brothers.

"Please, bring him in!" Chen Dutian composed himself and rose to greet his guest at the entrance of the main hall.

In the time it took to steep a pot of tea, the portly Pang Yuan finally made his entrance. Chen Dutian couldn't suppress a chuckle as he greeted his friend, playfully squeezing Pang Yuan's shoulder. "Fatty, you've grown even more robust lately!"

"Hehe, my brother, what are you saying? Do you think maintaining this figure is easy?" Pang Yuan laughed off the comment, his smile wide as he ushered Chen Dutian back into the main hall.

Yuan Liu and the two guards by the door discreetly stepped aside, while a maid served them two cups of aromatic tea. Once seated, Pang Yuan warmed his chubby hands and asked with a chuckle, "I heard you dispatched Qin Fan?"

"Yes, a worthless cur. He thought his new title of Marquis Deer Cauldron gave him the right to strut around the Lord Protector's Mansion. I ended him with a single stroke!" Chen Dutian replied nonchalantly, sipping his tea.

Chen Dutian had a reputation for dealing with the capital's nobility and brash young elites, and the Marquis Deer Cauldron was no exception. No one would dare question his actions.

The title of Lord Protector wasn't just for show. Half of the generals throughout the Phethia Dynasty had once served under Lord Protector Chen Dou. Not just a newly minted marquis, but even the imperial relatives would need to show due respect to the Lord Protector.

Pang Yuan gently shook his head, whispering, "Brother, that Qin Fan is Tutor Wang Xuanyang's prized pupil. If you slay him in the street, I fear Wang Xuanyang won't let it slide so easily!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Dutian felt a stir in his heart, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes as an image surfaced in his mind. Wang Xuanyang, the Crown Prince's Tutor, the foremost civil official in the Phethia Dynasty, and the current King's father-in-law, had his followers spread throughout the entire dynasty. Chen Dutian remembered that when his own father was unjustly executed, Wang Xuanyang was one of the chief instigators.

"Hmph, what of it! Qin Fan was crafting a dragon robe and jade seal, which I caught him red-handed. If Wang Xuanyang dares to make an issue of it, it'll only prove his own treasonous ambitions!" Chen Dutian said dismissively, with a nonchalant look on his face.

"You're right, brother. I was worrying too much!"

Pang Yuan sized up Chen Dutian, then shuffled his hefty frame closer, asking curiously, "Brother, aren't you without Martial Awareness? How did you manage to kill Qin Fan in the street?"

This was Pang Yuan's primary concern. Among all the noble descendants, only he and Chen Dutian lacked Martial Awareness, often flaunting their family's influence, known as the capital's two notorious wastrels. Now that Chen Dutian had suddenly acquired Martial Awareness, did that leave Pang Yuan as the sole wastrel in the capital?

"Hehe, I've been blessed by a divine encounter, brother. It's not something I can speak of freely!"

The two shared a close bond, yet Chen Dutian wasn't fully trusting of Pang Yuan. With his father still absent and his own strength at the Spirit Convergence Realm, revealing too much could invite danger. Besides, Chen Dutian remembered Pang Yuan had no interest in cultivation, inheriting his father's traits and focusing solely on wealth.

"Ah, if you're reluctant to share, I won't pry further! But today's victory over that cur Qin Fan is cause for celebration. Shall we enjoy ourselves at the Crimson Moon?" Pang Yuan let out a feigned sigh before reverting to his usual debauched demeanor.

The Crimson Moon was the capital's grandest brothel, a favorite haunt for the city's wealthy young men. Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan, too, had been known to lavish their wealth there in a past life.

"No problem, we'll have another round of gambling later!" Chen Dutian said with a smile, nodding as he rose from his seat. He summoned Yuan Liu to fetch 100,000 taels of silver notes, which he tucked into his clothing.

Mounted on majestic steeds and flanked by over ten guards, they departed the Lord Protector's Mansion. The common folk of the capital scattered at the sight of these notorious playboys, anxious to avoid any trouble.

Young maidens hastily shut their windows and doors, while the strikingly beautiful maids at the Crimson Moon greeted Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan with radiant smiles.

"Young Master Chen, Young Master Pang, it's been too long since your last visit. Please, come inside!"

The maids clustered around them as they dismounted. Pang Yuan, flashing a wide grin, brandished several silver notes and called out, "I'm in high spirits today; bring out your four top girls to keep me company!"

"Young Master Pang, you may not be aware, but those four have already been reserved for the day!"

"Yes, the Grand Tutor's son specifically requested their company. Perhaps you'd like to choose from some of our other ladies?"

"The Crimson Moon boasts more than just those four, Young Master Pang. I assure you, I'm just as charming!"

The maids, their faces alight with joy at the sight of the silver notes, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy upon hearing Pang Yuan's request.

"Grand Tutor's son, Wang Yuntian, is here as well. Should we go over and have a look?" Pang Yuan, arms around two of the maids, whispered to Chen Dutian with a furrowed brow.

Wang Yuntian, a close ally of the Crown Prince, often scorned Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan, dismissing them as worthless. Moreover, the enmity between the Lord Protector Chen Dou and the Grand Tutor Wang Xuanyang meant that their respective families were at odds, like oil and water.

"And what brings Xu Qing here?" Pang Yuan's attention shifted to a young man in opulent attire stepping down from a carriage nearby, prompting a curious arch of his brow.

Chen Dutian, the second son of the Minister of Rites, had recently become quite close to Wang Yuntian. Not long ago, he had a rough encounter with Pang Yuan and Chen Dutian.

A mischievous grin spread across Chen Dutian's lips as he sauntered up and positioned himself in front of Xu Qing.

Xu Qing was momentarily taken aback upon seeing Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan, his body involuntarily shivering.

"You... What are you doing here?" The memory of being thrashed in the street was still vivid in his mind, casting a shadow over his heart. The sight of Chen Dutian and his companion made him understandably edgy.

"What's the matter? You think you can come here and we can't? Do you own the Crimson Moon?" Pang Yuan, utterly disregarding the guards behind Xu Qing, stepped forward and gave him a shove.