Martial Cultivator

Upon hearing the words "Her Highness the Princess," a hint of melancholy flashed in Zhou Gouqi's eyes, then he became inexplicably annoyed. "Why talk about this?"

Without waiting for Liu Banbi to speak, Zhou Gouqi cursed, "Why aren't you focusing on becoming a great sword immortal? Why come to this remote place and bother Your Father? Want to get Your Father killed, huh?"

Liu Banbi frowned and said, "I went out of my way just to see you. You better host me well. Otherwise, I'll leave and spread the word that you, the fugitive, are hiding in this place."

"Get lost, Your Father has nothing to host you with," Zhou Gouqi waved his hand impatiently, showing no pleasant attitude to this former fellow student.

Back then, the dean mimicked the example of the sages and aimed to take in 72 disciples. The timing of each student's admission was not fixed. Sometimes three to five people would join within a month, and sometimes there would be no one for several years. However, these two entered the school one after the other; only a few days apart. Zhou Gouqi entered first, so he was the senior brother, and Liu Banbi entered later, making him the junior brother.

When the two studied at the Divine Capital's academy, they were always quarreling. They did not really hate each other, but for some reason, it seemed like their Eight Characters clashed. Every time they met, there would be arguing. Later, Liu Banbi left the academy because he did not want to be a scholar anymore and did not want to read the classics. Instead, he turned to practicing the sword. These two had a big argument over it, but Zhou Gouqi failed to convince him. Hence, their relationship became even more tense. After that, Zhou Gouqi left the Divine Capital because of that old incident. Both of them, potential candidates to become the next dean, vanished without a trace.

In the years that followed, Liu Banbi had been killing demons on the Great Wall at the Northern Frontier, while Zhou Gouqi had been living in seclusion in Tianqing County. The two never met again.

Many years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Liu Banbi smiled and said, "I've met Teacher. He has let go of the past. What's bothering you still?"

Zhou Gouqi's expression was still not very good, but in reality, he understood too. If Liu Banbi knew where he was, it was naturally because the Dean had told him. Since the Dean could tell him, it meant that the knot between them had been untied.

However, Zhou Gouqi still felt a bit regretful. Despite frequently arguing with this junior brother, he actually understood that if this junior brother had focused on academics, his future would have been limitless. At that time, as the senior brother, Zhou Gouqi even considered letting his junior brother take the position of dean in the future competition for the position of dean. It was precisely because of this that when Liu Banbi switched to practicing the sword, Zhou Gouqi became even angrier.

"Forget it, since Teacher doesn't care anymore, why should Your Father care?" Zhou Gouqi leaned against the stone bridge and kicked a small stone nearby into the river.

Liu Banbi said softly, "Now that we have a junior sister, it seems that Teacher has someone to succeed him. We don't need to feel guilty about letting Teacher down anymore."

Zhou Gouqi said blankly, "I've met that lass before. At that time, I never thought she would eventually become Teacher's final disciple. I originally thought that punk had some chance, after all, Teacher has always been unpredictable. It wouldn't be strange for him to accept a martial artist as his disciple. But since Little Junior Sister has already been accepted, why did she start training in the sword?"

"Little Junior Sister has exceptional talent and is a natural-born sword immortal seedling. What else should she do if not train in the sword? As long as Little Junior Sister doesn't follow my example and stop studying after practicing swordsmanship, Teacher won't say anything."

Liu Banbi said with some anticipation, "Perhaps Little Junior Sister will become the most amazing sword immortal in the world in the future!"

Zhou Gouqi gave a snort and did not follow up.

"Let's go, Senior Brother. Since I'm here, you're not going to kick me out without a meal, right?"

Liu Banbi thickened his face and asked. Zhou Gouqi did not refuse either, he just led this guy back home.

"That princess hasn't married yet. Senior brother, don't you have any thoughts?"

"I'm already married. Why did you bring this up?"

"Are you sure? Senior brother, weren't you very fond of her before? Have you really let go now?"

"What difference does it make if I've let go or not?"

"Of course it's different. Back then, this junior brother didn't have the ability. Now it's different. Senior brother, if you want to reconnect with her, just go for it. If anyone disagrees, my sword at this junior brother's waist will be the first to disagree!"

"Your sister-in-law would disagree. Why don't you go and kill her then?"

"Sigh."

"What are you sighing for?"

"Now it's complicated. If Senior Brother goes to find Her Highness, you'll be betraying another woman. If you don't go, you'll be letting Her Highness down again."

"That's... something that can't be helped."

"Why did you marry in the first place, Senior Brother? Couldn't control yourself?"

"Keep talking and Your Father will smack you to death."

"Right now, Senior Brother might be able to win me with words. But if it comes to fighting, that might not be the case."

"Do you fucking think you're invincible just because you've become a sword immortal?"

"Not invincible, just a little stronger than you, Senior Brother."

"Liu Banbi, you're still as fucking annoying as ever."

"You too, Senior Brother."

As they arrived at the courtyard, Zhou Gouqi had to reluctantly urge before opening the door, "After entering the house, don't fucking say that shit again."

Liu Banbi replied casually, "I'm not an idiot."

Zhou Gouqi spat a mouthful of phlegm on the ground before pushing the door open.

There was smoke rising in the courtyard.

Zhou Gouqi shouted, "Go catch that old hen and cook it. We have a guest."

Upon hearing the word "guest," the woman immediately ran out from the kitchen, only to see a stranger's face. However, she quickly noticed the sword at Liu Banbi's waist and became nervous.

Liu Banbi immediately smiled and said, "Nice to meet you, Senior Brother. I'm Liu Banbi, I have the same teacher as Senior Brother. We studied together in the academy back then."

Upon hearing that it was her man's junior brother, the woman quickly smiled and said, "Please have a seat. Dinner will be ready soon. Don't mind it."

Liu Banbi smiled and shook his head, then watched as the woman went back inside.

However, soon after, the woman brought out a long bench. This time, before she turned around, she asked, "Didn't you say that you studied in the academy? Why are you using a sword?"

Liu Banbi laughed heartily and replied, "I used to study, but later, I realized it wasn't for me, so I started practicing swordsmanship instead."

The woman furrowed her brows slightly, glanced at Zhou Gouqi, and then said softly, "Actually, studying is better. Fighting and killing can be quite dangerous."

Liu Banbi nodded his head. This time, he chose not to say anything.

Satisfied, the woman turned away. But in reality, she felt somewhat uneasy.

After the woman went inside, Liu Banbi looked at Zhou Gouqi and asked, "Senior Brother, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Zhou Gouqi stayed silent.

Liu Banbi sighed and said softly, "Senior brother, you surely must have something in mind, right?"

Zhou Gouqi scratched his ear and replied irritably, "Stop trying to make conversation!"

……

……

Divine Capital, at dusk.

The city gates slowly closed.

As the capital of the Great Liang Dynasty, the opening and closing of the city gates had always been strictly scheduled. After the gates were closed, the common people could not enter the Divine Capital. To open the gates, the Left Guard or Right Guard Commander must arrive in person. However, at this moment, two hours after the city gates had closed and the sky had darkened, a carriage was slowly approaching the city gates.

The coachman driving the carriage was none other than Weng Quan, the most talkative fellow in the Left Guard's Office. Inside the carriage, there were only two people: the Commander of the Left Guard, Song Lian, and the Deputy Commander, Chen Chao.

Sitting facing each other in the carriage, Song Lian took the initiative to speak, "This time leaving the city, I've already avoided many prying eyes, but I wonder if there are still any watching us."

Chen Chao shook his head with a smile, "Right now, people probably think I should be at Her Highness the Princess' residence."

Song Lian asked curiously, "How did you persuade Her Highness the Princess? Moreover, can we really trust Her Highness?"

Chen Chao did not explain, he just nodded and said, "It should be fine."

Only then, did Song Lian nod, saying softly, "Your current identity is sensitive, so your whereabouts must be kept secret. Otherwise, I would directly request His Majesty to appoint you as a commandery's warden, and then you could command some people."

Chen Chao had a different opinion on this, "Who I have to face are those foreign cultivators anyway. Letting them come here is no different from seeking death."

Song Lian sighed, about to say something, but the carriage had already stopped. He could only swallow the words he wanted to say and urged, "Anyway, be careful, staying alive is the most important thing."

Chen Chao nodded.

Then, Song Lian stuck his head out of the carriage and said in a deep voice, "Open the city gate."

The city gate guards inspected carefully and found that the arrival was indeed the Commander, so they did not say much. Several people immediately went to open the city gate.

Weng Quan drove the carriage out of the city.

After about ten miles, the carriage stopped again.

Chen Chao got out of the carriage, followed by Song Lian. Suddenly, Song Lian said, "Why didn't you let Miss Xie send you off?"

Weng Quan also said, "When a couple separates, they should bid farewell."

Song Lian chuckled and said, "Did you two quarrel?"

Chen Chao glanced back at the Divine Capital behind him, ignoring Song Lian's question, and just smiled, "Traversing a thousand mountains alone, no need for farewells."