The battle between Chen Ming and Yu Tianheng ended in such an anticlimactic fashion. But Chen Ming knew that the aftermath was far from over; it was merely still brewing.
On the afternoon of the duel, Chen Ming took a carriage to Heaven Dou City. He stayed at an inn within the city, spent the night meditating instead of sleeping, and early the next morning headed for the Seven Treasures Wine House in Heaven Dou City's luxury district.
What was a luxury district?
This street catered exclusively to Soul Masters and nobles. Ordinary people would be stopped even at the entrance. There were no entry restrictions for the first floors of the shops, but from the second floor onward, all sorts of requirements applied.
Though this district was not large, those who could shop here were either wealthy or powerful, and some were both.
Even those able to work in the shops along this street had certain backgrounds of their own.
They were either members of some family, someone's illegitimate children, or household servants raised from childhood. Their defining trait was absolute loyalty.
In short, this district was quite famous even within Heaven Dou City. Anyone who could own a shop here was basically someone with immense influence. This single street could raise the average income of all Heaven Dou City.
The chen hour corresponded to seven to nine in the morning. It was still early, and even an imperial capital like Heaven Dou City had yet to fully awaken from the night's slumber.
Before the chen hour, Chen Ming had already arrived at the Seven Treasures Wine House with his invitation. Guided by the staff inside, he came to the place where he was to meet Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
Chen Ming had thought he was already quite early.