C6 Enemies on the Side of the Same Road

News of the Lord Protector's Heir killing the Antler Marquis spread throughout the Imperial Capital in just half an hour. As Chen Dutian returned home, barely settling in, a silver-armored guard rushed in, bowing and reporting, "Young Master, Pang Yuan is here to see you!"

Hearing Pang Yuan's name, Chen Dutian's eyes lit up, and countless thoughts flooded his mind. In this vast city, Pang Yuan was his only true friend. One was the Lord Protector's Heir, the other the eldest son of the Secretary of the Treasury. Not only were their backgrounds similar, but neither possessed a Power Node, making them kindred spirits who had known each other since childhood and always called each other brothers.

"Please, let him in!"

Chen Dutian composed himself and walked out to the main hall. After a short wait, the rotund Pang Yuan finally appeared before him, his two-hundred-pound frame leading the way. Chen Dutian couldn't help but chuckle, giving Pang Yuan's shoulder a playful squeeze. "You've put on a bit more weight, haven't you?"

"Heh, come on, brother, you know how hard it is to maintain this figure!" Pang Yuan laughed it off, pulling Chen Dutian into the main hall.

Yuan Liu and the two guards at the door tactfully stepped aside. A maid brought in two cups of fragrant tea, and once they were seated, Pang Yuan rubbed his plump hands together, grinning as he asked, "I heard you took care of that Qin Fan guy?"

"Yeah, some low-life thought he could swagger around my place just because he got himself a Marquis title. I took care of him with one swing," Chen Dutian said casually, sipping his tea.

Chen Dutian had dealt with nearly every noble and wealthy young master in the capital. A mere Marquis was no big deal; no one dared to question his actions. The title of Lord Protector wasn't just for show. Half of the Phethia Dynasty's generals were once under Chen Dou's command. Even royalty had to show him respect.

Pang Yuan shook his head slightly and whispered, "Brother, that Qin Fan was the prized student of Wang Xuanyang, the Grand Preceptor. You took him out in broad daylight. I doubt Wang will let this slide."

Hearing this, Chen Dutian's eyes flashed coldly as a figure appeared in his mind. Wang Xuanyang, the Grand Preceptor, was the top civil official and the emperor's father-in-law, with influence spread throughout the dynasty. Chen remembered that when his father was unjustly executed, Wang was one of the main culprits.

"So what? Qin Fan was caught red-handed making imperial robes and seals. If Wang Xuanyang wants to pursue this, it just proves he's got treasonous intentions too," Chen Dutian said, shrugging it off with a smirk.

"You're right, my friend, I was overthinking it!"

Pang Yuan gave Chen Dutian a once-over, then shuffled his hefty frame closer to ask curiously, "Aren't you the one without a Power Node? How did you manage to take down Qin Fan in the middle of the street?"

This was what Pang Yuan was most curious about. Among the many offspring of officials in the Imperial Capital, only he and Chen Dutian lacked a Power Node. They usually relied on their family backgrounds to flaunt their power, earning them the nickname of the two biggest wastrels.

Now that Chen Dutian suddenly had a Power Node, did that mean Pang Yuan was the only wastrel left in the Imperial Capital?

"Heh, let's just say I got some divine guidance. I can't really say much more!"

Chen Dutian trusted Pang Yuan, given their close friendship. But with his father still away and his own strength only at the Spirit Convergence level, revealing too many secrets could invite trouble. Besides, from what Chen Dutian remembered, Pang Yuan had no interest in training, having inherited his father's love for wealth instead.

"Well, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't press you! Taking down that scoundrel Qin Fan today is worth celebrating. How about we hit up Crimson Moon for some fun?" Pang Yuan sighed dramatically, then quickly reverted to his usual carefree demeanor.

Crimson Moon was the largest entertainment house in the Imperial Capital, a favorite spot for wealthy young men to unwind. In the past, Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan had spent quite a bit there.

"No problem, let's have a good game later!" Chen Dutian nodded with a smile, stood up, and walked out of the main hall. He called Yuan Liu to the office to fetch a hundred thousand dollars and tucked the money into his coat.

The two of them rode out of the House of Protector on their high horses, accompanied by over a dozen guards. The townsfolk of the capital city quickly stepped aside, wary of getting into any trouble with these two notorious figures.

Young girls in the neighborhood shut their doors and windows tight, while a few graceful and beautiful maids at the entrance of the Crimson Moon saw Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan approaching and greeted them with bright smiles.

"It's been a while since you two visited, please come in!"

As Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan dismounted, the maids hurriedly gathered around them. Pang Yuan grinned, flashed a few hundred-dollar bills, and loudly declared, "I'm in a good mood today, bring me your top four girls!"

"Well... you might not know, but they've all been booked today!"

"Yes, the Grand Preceptor's son specifically requested their company. Perhaps you'd like to choose someone else?"

"We have more than just those four at the Crimson Moon, you know. I'm just as good as they are!"

The maids, having pocketed the bills, beamed with joy, but hearing Pang Yuan's request for the top four, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

"Hey, Chen Dutian, can you believe Wang Yuntian is here too? Should we go check it out?" Pang Yuan asked, frowning slightly as he held two young women close.

Wang Yuntian was tight with the Crown Prince and always looked down on Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan, calling them useless. Plus, Chen Dou and Wang Xuanyang were always at odds politically, making their families bitter rivals.

"Look, even Xu Qing showed up!" Pang Yuan noticed a well-dressed young man stepping out of a carriage nearby, raising an eyebrow.

Xu Qing, the second son of the Minister of Rituals, was close with Wang Yuntian and had recently been put in his place by Pang Yuan and Chen Dutian.

Chen Dutian smirked playfully and casually walked up, blocking Xu Qing's path.

Seeing Chen Dutian and Pang Yuan, Xu Qing hesitated, a shiver running through him. The memory of being beaten up in the street last time was still fresh, and he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous seeing them again.

"What are you... what are you doing here?" Xu Qing stammered, still haunted by the previous encounter.

"What, you think you can be here and we can't? Is the Crimson Moon your family's place?" Pang Yuan scoffed, ignoring the guards behind Xu Qing, and walked up, giving him a shove.