"But your big brother Chu Mo is still the one you'll never win against!"

Before Xu Erfu could get ready, Chu Mo nimble sidestepped, catapulted himself to his back, and delivered a kick to his rear, sending him flying.

After a brutal tumble, he grumpily rose intending to retaliate. "Chu Mo, you sneak-attacking piece of shit! I'm going to fight you!"

By now, a substantial crowd of onlookers had congregated at the entrance of the Gluttonous Pavilion. Recognizing the identities of the two men, more than a few faces revealed shock as their eyes landed on Chu Mo.

Unexpectedly, Chu Mo, who had emasculated the prince's only son, Xia Jing, six months ago... was back!

This was particularly shocking since shortly after Chu Mo's departure, Xia Jing was dismissed from his position as Prime Minister, deepening the intrigue surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, a sultry voice drifted from the tavern, "Gentlemen, you are men of stature. Brawling in the streets like this... Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"

The voice was so soft, sweet, and coaxing, it melted one's bones.

At hearing this, Xu Erfu's angry expression vanished instantly. He dusted off his backside and darted to the door grinning from ear to ear, "Hehe, wife, why have you stepped out?"

"Get out of here, you immature rugrat. Don't try to cozy up to me!" retorted the voice, revealing a seductive beauty who sashayed out of the tavern.

A gasp took over the crowd.

"Is that the owner of the Gluttonous Pavilion, Miao Yi Niang? She's too gorgeous! If only my wife was this radiant, I would not tire from her eight times a day..."

"You? Eight times? You mean eight strokes each?"

"Hahaha, friend, there's a saying about not revealing one's shortcoming when insulting them."

"I heard that the Pavilion's owner is usually quite elusive and rarely appears. Seems like Tenth Young Master Xu has some substantial clout!"

"I think Young Master Chu has even more influence!"

"Yes, Tenth Young Master frequents this place but I haven't seen Miao Yi Niang around. Young Master Chu's arrival brings her out. He holds more sway after all!"

The onlookers chattered, among them, faces subtly changed at Chu Mo's sight and then discreetly pulled away from the crowd.

Upon catching sight of Miao Yi Niang, Chu Mo's face bloomed into a smile, "Sister, we meet again!"

Miao Yi Niang smiled genuinely at Chu Mo in return, "Great, you're back!"

"Hey, can you guys not flirt in front of me? She is MY wife! Are you planning an illicit relationship?" Xu Erfu glared at them both with narrowed eyes, then turned his wrath to Chu Mo, "We're not done over your butt-kicking stunt yet, but first, don't forget the unwritten rule. A friend's wife is off-limits!"

"Illicit, my foot! Xu Erfu, if you utter such nonsense again, I'll tear you a new one!" warned Miao Yi Niang, her enchanting eyes emitting dangerous vibes. Xu Erfu shuddered and muttered quietly, "So vicious against your own boss. Who'd want to marry you in the future?"

"Whether or not I marry is none of your business." Miao Yi Niang rolled her eyes, then along with the two of them, headed to the top of the pavilion.

The Gluttonous Pavilion has five levels. Being among the taller buildings in Yanhuang City, it offers a clear, unobstructed view from its fifth floor.

Unless someone is a high-ranking figure, they wouldn't have the privilege to dine on this floor.

This once led to a dispute. A tiny tavern that dared to make rules for the city officials? The audacity!

But ultimately, anyone who threw a tantrum here had to apologize insincerely after being scared off. Gradually, no one dared to create a fuss.

The Gluttonous Pavilion rule – your position determines your seating – came into being this way. Today, it is widely accepted. Of all the places in Yanhuang City, only the Gluttonous Pavilion commands this rule.

Those that tried to enforce such conduct quickly found themselves out of business... Making rules for city officials, were they suicidal?

Regarding the Gluttonous Pavilion's background, endless speculation was made until it emerged that the Pavilion was backed by a major martial arts sect, especially the owner, Miao Yi Niang was rumored to be its member.

This silenced those who intended to probe the Pavilion.

Martial arts sect!

The word alone was enough.

On the fifth level of the Gluttonous Pavilion, there was one room that remained closed to everyone, even royalty.

This room seemed neither large nor conspicuous from the outside. Few knew that this room was reserved for Chu Mo and Xu Fufu.

The room was deceptively spacious on the inside, decorated with priceless artifacts and the Grand masters' famous works. If an expert laid eyes on the collection, they'd shudder in fear and anger at the thought of these treasures carelessly scattered throughout the place.

Miao Yi Niang ushered the two to the room's most secluded corner. As she sat them at an antique table she noticed the downtrodden Xu Erfu and chuckled, "So, the bribe failed again?"

Xu Erfu rolled his eyes, snorting scornfully through his nose, "As if you didn't know!"

"You two are both stubborn... One wants desperately to give the money away; the other adamantly refuses to accept it. You guys are really just too idle!" After seating the two near the window, she sat next to Chu Mo, scrutinizing him. Then her eyes widened in surprise, "You seem to have changed quite a lot in the past six months, Young Master Chu!"

"What the hell has he changed! Can you just explain first, how are we idle?" Decidedly irked, Xu Erfu rolled his eyes once more. He would never admit that he too noticed Chu Mo was different.

Miao Yi Niang calmly asked: "Are you two brothers?"

Xu Erfu snorted and yet affirmed: "Obviously, we are brothers!"

Chu Mo chuckled: "Despite his childishness, he is my only brother in Yanhuang City!"

A touch of emotion flashed in Xu Erfu's eyes, making friends might be easy for a high official's son, but finding a brother was quite difficult.

"So, would either of you stand idly while the other needed help?" Miao Yi Niang asked again.

"Absolutely not!" the two spoke in unison.

Xu Erfu, somewhat peeved, said, "When Chu Mo was in trouble, I was at the south coast being reprimanded by my father. By the time I learned about the incident, Chu Mo had already been forced to leave Yanhuang City. That bastard Xia Jie hid in his house, terrified, after Chu Mo made him a eunuch. I've wanted to teach Xia Jie a lesson several times, but the opportunity never came. Afterwards, my grandfather scolded me, told me to stop causing trouble, but it doesn't sit right with me..."

As he spoke, Xu Erfu's eyes teared up slightly, he had always felt like he had let his brother down on this matter, otherwise, He wouldn't have rushed to deliver money as soon he heard of Chu Mo's return.

He didn't expect to end up being rejected by Chu Mo, it had hurt Xu Erfu.

"Do we really need to explain things like this among ourselves?" As Chu Mo glanced at Xu Erfu, said emotionally, "Do you not understand me, or do I not understand you?"

Miao Yi Niang, sitting off to the side, observed these two shenanigan-ridden prodigies of Yanhuang City with interest and said, "Look at you two, Young Masters, understanding everything yet causing such a fuss, others might think it's amusing! You're just too idle! It seems my role as a peacemaker is rather redundant! You two chat away, and I will go prepare dishes and wine for you."

"Come and drink with me later, wifey!" Xu Erfu hollered without a care for consequences.

Whoosh!

Miao Yi Niang, who was already standing at the door, randomly picked up a vase and threw it towards Xu Erfu.

"Good heavens!" Xu Erfu caught the vase, he was sweating from the scare, he exclaimed in disbelief: "This is a treasured porcelain vase from the palace of 300 years ago! If it had been broken, even selling you wouldn't have covered the loss!"

"Humph!" Miao Yi Niang snorted, couldn't be bothered to pay him any attention, she swiveled her hips as she walked out the door.

"That woman… is a real prickly beauty!" Xu Erfu watched her leave, somewhat mesmerized.

Chu Mo summed it up very accurately: "You're just a hopeless flirt."

"Well, what else can I do if I'm no flirt?" Xu Erfu rolled his eyes and retorted: "Shall I, like my grandfather and uncles, mess around in the political arena? That would bore me to death! Duelling with a group of boring people all day, they take so much pleasure in it, what a bunch of idiots."

Chu Mo held his head in his hands, 'this guy', discarding his whole family in just one breath.

"By the way, is your grandfather now the prime minister?" asked Chu Mo, looking at Xu Erfu.

"Yeah, that old turtle, Xia Jing, finally relinquished the position, and naturally my grandfather filled in." Even though Xu Erfu claimed not to like the fact that his relatives were government officials, he was still quite proud that his grandfather could be Prime Minister.

That position was ranked supreme in the mortal world with unprecedented power!

Being the authority below one person but above thousands!

In all of Great Xia, anyone holding that position possessed enormous power, at times, even the Emperor had no choice but to listen to the advice of the prime minister.

"This is a good thing." Chu Mo nodded in agreement. He felt happy for his brother.

Chu Mo was quite familiar with the Xu Family as he and Xu Erfu had grown up together. When he wasn't on military duty, he frequently stayed at the Xu Family house. The patriarch of the Xu Family, the current prime minister Xu Zhongliang, had a lot of love for Chu Mo and considered him a promising young man. He valued Chu Mo as an example when teaching his grandson.

Xu Erfu managed to be proficient in the texts and libraries of the Hundred Schools of Thought mostly because of Chu Mo's influences. Otherwise, this guy would have definitely spent even more time on women.

"Well, it's hard to say whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. When my grandfather wasn't the prime minster, he could still manage to come home every day, but after becoming the prime minister... Well, he often disappears for three or five days. His hair has turned quite white, and the pressure is tremendous. I really wonder what he seeks. Do political ambitions matter that much?"

Chu Mo shook his head, smiling: "I don't really understand it either, but perhaps for them, this is their life's pursuit."

"Let's talk about that thing, have you thought it over?" Xu Erfu looked at Chu Mo: "After what happened with Xia Jie, I think... you should have figured it out."

"Yes indeed, power is truly important! But neither you nor I want to mingle with your father and his brothers in the political arena. The constant plotting and scheming is exhausting. Therefore, we can only establish our own underground forces!" Chu Mo whispered: "I hope, it's best not to make the Emperor suspicious."

"Nonsense! If he were to find out, of course he would be suspicious!" Xu Erfu rolled his eyes: "The grandson of the current prime minister and a general's grandson with substantial power in the military establishing an underground organization together, if you were the Emperor, wouldn't you be scared?"

"Then we just won't let him find out." Chu Mo also seemed to have make up his mind, looking at Xu Erfu: "Miao Yi Niang again?"

The corner of Xu Erfu's mouth twitched a bit: "You have to tell her. I wouldn't dare. If I were to tell her... she would tear me to pieces."

Strangers wouldn't think that these two fortunate young masters, besides being clever and talented, are otherwise unremarkable.

However, in reality, combined, their powers would make the entirety of Yanhuang City... tremble in fear!

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