Martial Cultivator

After the grand court session, the Divine Capital enjoyed some rare peaceful days. The foreign cultivators did not fare well during the grand court session, and the Great Liang Emperor did not take advantage of the Xia Family's downfall to continue purging the Divine Capital. The officials of the Divine Capital collectively breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if they had survived a calamity. However, at this critical juncture, no one made any excessive moves.

The Lord Warden Commander entered the palace on the day of the grand court session and then promptly left the Divine Capital for the Northern Frontier. According to the usual protocol, the Emperor needed to bring all the officials and send off the departing Great General. However, the Emperor was not fond of unnecessary formalities, and given that it was just after the grand court session, and the Lord Warden Commander himself was not one for such formalities, this custom was omitted.

Before departing the Divine Capital, the Lord Warden Commander met two individuals: Chen Chao and Song Lian.

At that time, Chen Chao and Song Lian were about to part ways at the Left Guard's office, coincidentally crossing paths with the Lord Warden Commander who was returning from the palace.

Seeing Song Lian, the Lord Warden Commander got straight to the point: "This official won't be able to make it for your wedding, but if you dare mistreat your wife, and this official finds out about it, I'll transfer you to the Northern Frontier."

Song Lian wore a pained expression as he looked at his immediate superior. "How could I? I finally found myself a wife, I'll cherish her dearly."

The Lord Warden Commander narrowed his eyes. "You better."

Song Lian was at a loss for a reply.

Quickly catching on, Song Lian asked in a whisper, "Your Excellency, since you're leaving the Divine Capital this time, it might be many years before you return, so..."

Someone like the Lord Warden Commander could naturally easily guess what this fellow wanted to say. He paused slightly, then looked at Song Lian mysteriously, asking, "Who do you think it'll be?"

Song Lian was taken aback, his heart immediately racing as he looked at the Lord Warden Commander in disbelief.

The Lord Warden Commander smiled. "Go ahead, say it."

Song Lian swallowed hard, then excitedly said, "Could it be this lowly official?"

The Lord Warden Commander chuckled, then quickly shook his head.

Song Lian had a speechless look.

Meanwhile, Chen Chao watched with interest as the Lord Warden Commander revealed a different side of himself. While the Lord Warden Commander he usually saw was not considered conservative and inflexible, there was always a certain distance. But now, the Lord Warden Commander seemed much more approachable, almost like a neighborly elder.

"His Majesty has said that the position of Lord Warden Commander will remain vacant for now, as there are currently no suitable candidates."

The Lord Warden Commander narrowed his eyes, looking at Song Lian as he exhorted, "Cultivate diligently and step into the Nepenthe Realm earlier. Who knows, you might have a chance."

Song Lian said solemnly, "This lowly official will strive in my cultivation diligently, hoping to one day be of assistance to you, Your Excellency."

The Lord Warden Commander nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Chen Chao and said, "Actually, compared to Song Lian, this official thinks you stand a better chance."

Song Lian still remained speechless.

Chen Chao was stunned, then quickly replied, "This lowly official probably can't shoulder such a heavy responsibility."

Lord Warden Commander joked, "Why are you being so modest now? Back in the imperial city, when it came to killing people, you weren't like this. Song Lian, what did he say back then?"

Song Lian replied honestly, "He said, 'Get down for Your Father!'"

The Lord Warden Commander burst into laughter.

Chen Chao felt his face flush slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed as he said, "At that time, wasn't Your Excellency behind me? Otherwise, this lowly official wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous."

The Lord Warden Commander shook his head and said something with a profound meaning, "It's not this official who's behind you."

Chen Chao felt baffled but did not respond.

"Now that His Majesty isn't seeing me off with all the officials, will you two send this official off?"

Chen Chao and Song Lian naturally had no reason to refuse. Hence, the three of them walked towards the outskirts of the city. The appointment of Great General, being one of the strongest martial artists, naturally did not require any attendants. As long as they had the decree of His Majesty, it would do.

Right now, these three people represented the strongest of the warden faction's old, middle-aged, and young, three generations. The Lord Warden Commander led the way, with Song Lian following closely behind, and Chen Chao bringing up the rear.

"After this official leaves, His Majesty will be holding down the fort in the Divine Capital. Even if His Majesty is absent, the Dean will be here too. If any major incident occurs, there will naturally be someone to handle it. However, you're in charge of the Left Guard, you mustn't get distracted. The foreign cultivators won't give up on the Divine Capital so easily."

The Lord Warden Commander looked into the distance, feeling somewhat sentimental. "I've always wanted to go to the Northern Frontier to kill demons. Now, I finally got my wish. But I can't help feeling reluctant to part with this Divine Capital behind."

Song Lian scratched his head, unsure of what to say to comfort his immediate superior, so he turned to glance at Chen Chao.

Chen Chao understood and said, "Your Excellency, you're just going to the Northern Frontier to enjoy the scenery. It's likely that you'll return unscathed before long."

The Lord Warden Commander chuckled, "Do you really think this official is afraid of dying in a desolate place like the Northern Frontier? Even if I were to truly perish there, it wouldn't be a big deal. To die for the human race, well, forget about something that grand, fighting for the people of Great Liang is what we martial artists. ought to do."

Song Lian nodded repeatedly.

Chen Chao did not speak.

The three soon arrived at the city gate. The Lord Warden Commander halted his steps, and glanced back at the two behind him, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he said nothing and simply turned to walk out of the city gate.

Watching the Lord Warden Commander's back view gradually disappear from sight, Song Lian suddenly felt a bit melancholic. "I don't know why, but I have a feeling that the Lord Warden Commander won't be coming back."

Chen Chao furrowed his brow and asked, "Why didn't you say this sort of nonsense in front of him?"

Song Lian chuckled, "I'm not that foolish."

Chen Chao: "..."

……

……

They left as three, but returned as two.

Song Lian talked a lot along the way, but he did not mention anyone else, all his words revolved around that woman. He was excited about his upcoming marriage, but this martial artist was not quite familiar with the ceremony and etiquette, and he even thought about fetching that woman over today.

Chen Chao said with some helplessness. "Even if you've lived for half a lifetime and aren't considered a young man anymore, you can't rush into marriage like this. There should be a matchmaker and formalities to follow, right? What about the bridal sedan chair? You need to understand the procedures properly, it can't be rushed."

Song Lian nodded earnestly, saying, "I nearly made a big mistake. Thankfully, I have you."

When in private, these two no longer addressed each other as your excellency and this lowly official, they were more like friends.

Song Lian scratched his head, but before he could say anything, Chen Chao immediately interjected, "There are plenty of professionals in the Divine Capital. You just need to spend some money, and everything will be arranged properly. I'm not familiar with this matter, so don't ask me."

Although he was the deputy commander of the Left Guard, he was probably more like a matchmaker in Song Lian's eyes.

Song Lian nodded, saying, "The date for the wedding should be set."

Chen Chao casually remarked, "The sooner, the better. It seems like you can't wait. Don't worry, I'll definitely come to toast at your wedding."

Satisfied, Song Lian patted Chen Chao's shoulder and said, "We're fated to meet. I never expected you would help me so much. I don't know how to thank you."

"As long as Your Excellency doesn't give me some life-threatening missions, I'll consider myself lucky."

Chen Chao glanced at a small shop beside the street, which sold various trinkets and toys.

"You're a favorite in His Majesty's eyes now. How could I dare let you undertake any life-threatening mission? Relax during this time and cultivate well in the Divine Capital. If you need anything, I've got your back."

Song Lian patted his chest in assurance.

But, Chen Chao was not as optimistic. He just threw out a sentence, "If more people come after me wanting to kill me, I doubt you can handle it, Your Excellency."

Song Lian was somewhat speechless. He could not understand why this guy was living so cautiously.

But he quickly forgot about this matter. After exchanging a few words with Chen Chao, he hurriedly left the place. With the half-day break today after the grand court session, he intended to seize the opportunity to visit that woman.

Chen Chao was also eager for this guy to leave and did not try to keep him back.

After Song Lian left, Chen Chao approached the trinket stall and sized up the various trinkets on display.

"Sir, what would you like?"

The stall owner was very enthusiastic. Judging by Chen Chao's appearance, he deduced that he was someone who was not short of money.

Chen Chao stared at a small doll and picked it up, asking, "How much is this?"

The stall owner chuckled, "Sir has good eyes. This is authentic Su Prefecture embroidery craftsmanship. Just the making of it requires two masters to work for half a month. It's not expensive, only fifty Great Liang general currency. It's yours!"

Chen Chao was taken aback, asking in confusion, "So expensive?"

The stall owner laughed, "Not at all, this is quite cheap."

Chen Chao shook his head, saying, "Make it cheaper."

The stall owner furrowed his brow, wondering if he had misjudged. After all, how could a rich kid know how to bargain?

"Alright, forty-five coins, I can't go any lower!"

The stall owner's eyes remained fixed on Chen Chao, observing him closely.

Chen Chao shook his head. "Cheaper."

"My god, I can't go any lower."

Chen Chao glanced at the stall owner, then rolled up his sleeves and began haggling with him.

If anyone who knew Chen Chao's identity saw this, they would surely be astonished. A deputy commander of the Left Guard of the Great Liang Dynasty was currently haggling over a few coins.

……

……

As night fell, Xie Nandu returned from the academy's library. Having spent the entire day there reading, she now returned carrying a lantern in hand. Her maidservant, Liu Ye, was waiting at the door. Taking Xie Nandu's lantern, she began recounting the day's events. "Miss, I heard that guy got into another fight in the imperial city today, and he killed someone, a woman!"

Xie Nandu raised an eyebrow, signaling for her to continue.

So Liu Ye recounted all the news she had heard during the day. Xie Nandu then said, "He didn't carry a saber, but now he can bring one anytime."

Liu Ye did not understand what she meant and was about to close the courtyard door.

At that moment, a young man, panting heavily, had one hand resting on the courtyard door. Seeing Xie Nandu, he took something out of his embrace eagerly.

"I bought this for you. Do you like it?"

Xie Nandu looked at the little figurine in his hand and raised an eyebrow. "A tiger?"

It happened to be a cute little tiger in Chen Chao's hand.

Chen Chao retorted, "It's a tiger cub!"

Xie Nandu nodded lightly and said, "So you mean I'm a mother tiger?"

Chen Chao was taken aback, wondering what kind of talk this was.

Xie Nandu did not say much more, just took the tiger cub and said, "I'm indeed born in the Year of the Tiger."