Night Assault

The young noblewoman's gaze lingered on Du Chen's handsome face, her cheeks flushed as she shyly awaited his response.

Du Chen felt utterly mortified internally, yet maintained a dazzling smile on his face. "My apologies, I've eaten a considerable amount of garlic today. My breath is quite potent, making it inconvenient for me to be in such close proximity to you."

The girl's head drooped even lower as she meekly uttered, "It's quite alright!"

*It might be alright for you, but it's certainly not for this old man!* Du Chen nearly swore aloud. *This wretched girl, isn't she practically forcing me to become a living eunuch?!*

"Ugh, you might not mind, but I couldn't forgive myself. Again, my sincerest apologies; I truly consumed a great deal of garlic. To dance with you now would be quite disrespectful!" With that, Du Chen gave a slight bow, shuffling backward with small steps until he reached a corner.

The young woman stood rooted to the spot, visibly disappointed, yet managed a forced smile. "I understand, Mister Francis truly is a gentleman! Ahem, my name is..."

"No, beautiful lady! Please do not tell me your name!" Du Chen gracefully stepped back, performing a half-bow, and chuckled, "A true gentleman gives without expecting recompense; otherwise, he would be unworthy of being a Titled Battle God Scion!"

Du Chen dared not ask for the girl's name. Apart from anything else, her gaze had already shifted—those azure eyes were dark with yearning and burning with ardor. It was painfully clear that this lass was *very* interested in Young Master Francis, her hero in shining armor.

Seeing that the young woman no longer pressed the issue, Du Chen felt a wave of relief. He huddled in his corner, repeatedly congratulating himself. *Good, I didn't make any mistakes today!*

But just at that moment!

A group of noblewomen swarmed around him, each of them fiery and audacious. "Francis, you are truly fascinating! Some call you the disgrace of Saint Sigurd Cain Estate, yet more still acclaim you as the virtue of Saint John City! And today, you've shown everyone that you are a true gentleman! How utterly amusing!"

*Daoist Grape! You insane bastard, I hate you!* Du Chen screamed this internally, but too many people were arriving. Unwilling to be entangled further, he simply adopted a glacial expression, ignoring everyone.

The banquet continued. For the remainder of the evening, Du Chen presented a stern face to every woman he encountered, treating them with cold words and frigid silence. Gradually, the women around Du Chen thinned out, replaced by an increasing number of men.

Du Chen then employed his previous life's social acumen to befriend the young noblemen, indeed making quite a few allies. Of course, there were also those who looked upon him unfavorably. Such was the way of nobility; one accumulated both friends and enemies, and these relationships often extended into their future careers. Who knew, perhaps decades later, people would discover that the discord between the Empire's Prime Minister and Minister of Finance had its roots in a youthful banquet!

Time ticked by, minute by minute, until the chiming bird in the grand hall announced that it was midnight.

Princess Yuna, sensing the opportune moment, officially declared the banquet concluded. Du Chen let out a long breath, and amidst the pairs of young men and women, he walked out of the grand cathedral alone.

Yuna saw her guests to the door. She refrained from disturbing the couples, instead bidding farewell individually to those who were alone. When she arrived before Du Chen, Yuna smiled. "Francis, thank you for your smile today!"

Du Chen paused, surprised. "Does a mere smile warrant thanks?"

Yuna nodded. "Of course, because today, you only smiled at two young women—the two most beautiful maidens at the entire banquet... that is the greatest compliment!"

Indeed, Du Chen had only smiled at two women that day: Yuna, and the young noblewoman he had rescued.

After bidding farewell, Yuna walked back into the cathedral alone. Just then, Du Chen's two elder brothers approached. Steve, however, was still draped around two alluring young women. He burst into laughter. "Ha, my dear brother, it seems tonight you'll be accompanying a cold wooden bed! But your performance was utterly surprising; to only smile at the two most beautiful ladies... tsk tsk!"

He glanced between his two female companions and said, "Do you know how the noblewomen are describing you now?"

The two young women giggled in unison. "Unless Francis graces you with a smile, to call yourself a beauty is a futile wile!"

Du Chen offered an awkward laugh. *Who could truly know his suffering?*

"Heavens, my brother smiled at you two! Do you see? He *smiled* at you!" Steve exclaimed dramatically, pulling his two companions even closer. "It turns out the two beauties in my arms are comparable to Princess Yuna herself!"

His companions giggled. Steve escorted them into his carriage, then turned to the grim-faced Charles. "My dear second brother, as you can see, my carriage already has guests. I shall be taking them on a delightful journey, hehe. I'll trouble you to take our third brother home!"

With that, he hopped into the carriage, and amidst a chorus of strange laughter, he bade the coachman whip the horses into motion. The direction they departed seemed to be towards an area with many inns in the northern part of the city.

Du Chen shrugged at Charles, deeply disliking speaking with his icy second brother. "Second Brother, shall we head home?"

Charles's coachman also brought their carriage forward, but Charles pointed at the coachman and said chillingly, "Francis, this is my Guardian Fighter. You, the disgrace of Saint Sigurd Cain, are unworthy of having a fighter drive a carriage for you!"

With a somber expression, he stepped onto the carriage and departed without a backward glance, leaving Du Chen standing alone.

"Damn it, who even cares for your carriage!?" Du Chen watched coldly as the carriage vanished around the street corner, then patted the two small pouches tucked into his robes. A gentle smile blossomed on his face.

These were exquisite pastries he had "procured" from the banquet, all made by the royal chefs. Old Foye and Aliza had probably never tasted anything so fine!

Carriage after carriage rolled past Du Chen. Soon, the vast cathedral plaza was left with only him. He asked a guard at the entrance for directions, then set off for home alone.

But just then, a dark-green carriage suddenly halted at the street corner. Its owner was Kaman, the eldest son of the Crimson family!

"By Aruman, the Storm Battle God, is Francis truly returning home alone tonight? My dear father, I believe I no longer require your 'legitimate' opportunity to eliminate him; Young Master Frith will be quite helpful to me!" He swiftly scribbled a note and handed it to the coachman outside. "Go, find any beggar, and deliver this to Frith! Absolutely do *not* mention that it came from me!"

Saint John City's Seventh District, located at the junction of the commoners' quarters in the south and the noble district in the east, was a chaotic mix of commoners and lower-tier nobles. Its architecture was labyrinthine, home to countless thieves and beggars. They dared not venture into the noble district, and the commoners' area offered little in the way of pickings, making the Seventh District the most dangerous part of Saint John City. Once night fell and silence descended, few pedestrians could be found.

By the time Du Chen reached this area, the alcohol was surging through him, leaving his mind in a dizzy haze.

In a dark alley by the roadside, Frith lurked alone and stealthily, examining a note in his hand. A beggar had just given it to him, claiming that Francis—the one who had made him lose face earlier—would be returning home alone.

Frith was ecstatic; he had indeed waited for Du Chen! Meanwhile, within the distant Crimson Estate, Kaman was recounting his petty conspiracy to his father, a smug smile plastered across his face.

Tucking the note into his robes, Frith stealthily retrieved his sacred artifact, which transformed into a metallic short staff. He stared intently at Du Chen, who was drawing closer, swaying drunkenly. "Hydro Wave!" he hissed.

A ghostly blue jet of water shot towards Du Chen.

Du Chen had indeed drunk far too much today. The potent liquor of the Lanning Empire had a formidable kick. He hadn't felt much right after leaving the banquet, but after walking some distance, he became lightheaded and dizzy.

"Damn it, women! Ugh! Master, you've really put me through hell!" he grumbled. Suddenly, the Lotus Internal Force in his backside stirred without warning, flashing like lightning up his back to protect his nape.

"Heh, what's the Lotus Internal Force up to?" Du Chen chuckled drunkenly.

Just then, the jet of water struck his nape.