Martial Cultivator

The constable took the badge and immediately felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds. Although there was no clear hierarchical relationship between the Left Guard and this Warden's Office, the person in front of him was a secondary fourth-ranked military official of the Great Liang Dynasty; much higher in rank than the Warden Xu. Moreover, ignoring the official position, just the two words "Chen Chao" were enough to make them take it very seriously. This was a martial official granted the right to bear arms by the decree of His Majesty the Emperor. In the Great Liang Dynasty, there was only this one martial official who had received such an honor.

Even the former Great General, when he retired to his hometown, was not granted such an honor.

The constable handed the badge back to the young martial artist in front of him with both hands, trembling with fear and trepidation. He no longer cared about reporting this and was about to welcome Chen Chao inside.

Chen Chao followed into the Warden's Office and casually asked, "Is Xu Xuanshan inside?"

Earlier, he had heard this Commander Chen ordering them to summon their Warden Xu out. Having served as a constable for several years, the constable was quick-witted and figured that perhaps their lord had failed to handle some task properly, which had angered this lord commander. However, he also knew that their warden was under the jurisdiction of the warden of the prefecture's office, and seemed to have no relation to this commander who came from the Divine Capital.

After all, the county magistrate was inferior to a superior in front of him, this was a simple truth that he understood.

The constable spoke cautiously, "Lord Xu has gone to the prefectural office for a report, but he should return today. Our warden can be considered diligent and responsible. The people around here have nothing but praise for him. Commander Chen, please wait a moment, this lowly official will immediately brew a pot of fine spring tea for Your Excellency."

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes and looked at this astute constable, then asked thoughtfully, "Diligent and responsible? Nothing but praises?"

The constable dared not meet the gaze of this commander who was much than him, he just bit the bullet and said, "Exactly."

As one of Xu Xuanshan's close subordinates, he had received many favors from Xu Xuanshan in his daily life. At this moment, no matter what, he had to help speak well of his master.

Chen Chao entered the main hall and casually said, "Bring the archives of these past years for this official to review."

The constable felt somewhat troubled and gently reminded, "Your Excellency, according to the laws of Great Liang..."

As the warden of Ancient Mountain Commandery, Xu Xuanshan's superior was the warden of Yellow Dragon Prefecture. Although Chen Chao was the deputy commander of the Left Guard; similarly of the warden lineage, he did not have the authority to oversee Xu Xuanshan. According to the laws of Great Liang, he indeed had no right to access the archives. Unless this commander is holding the Lord Warden Commander's official document, but the Lord Warden Commander had already been transferred to the Northern Frontier and was now the Great General. There was currently no Lord Warden Commander in the Great Liang Dynasty.

Chen Chao said calmly, "Do you want this official to show you the imperial decree?"

Hearing the words 'imperial decree,' how could the constable still dare to say anything? His heart was filled with horror. The rumors about this commander being favored by His Majesty were true. It seemed that he had really came with His Majesty's decree on this trip away from the Divine Capital. The constable no longer hesitated and immediately nodded, hurriedly stepping out of the hall to search for the archives in the storage room. However, he could not help but feel anxious for his superior.

Those serving the Great Liang Dynasty as officials, which one of them did not have shit in their pants? [1. did not have dirt on them.] If this commander was determined to cause trouble for his superior today, it seemed like his superior would be in a precarious position.

Although they say a strong dragon could not oppress the local tyrant, with the emperor's decree in hand, this logic no longer applied.

After retrieving the archives, the constable brewed a pot of spring tea for Chen Chao and then waited by his side. "Don't just stare at me, go wait for your superior at the city gate. When he arrives, get him to come see me immediately."

Chen Chao flipped through the documents without lifting his head.

The constable felt as if he had been pardoned and quickly rushed out of the office. It was better to wait for his superior at the city gate than to stay here. At least this way, he could explain the situation and prepare his superior in advance.

……

……

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, at the city gate, Xu Xuanshan who was dressed in official robes rode into the city. This warden of Ancient Mountain Commandery was tall and sturdy, with a face full of rugged features. He did not look like a warden; rather, he resembled a bandit king ruling over a mountain.

As he rode into the city, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure at the city gate. After reining in his horse, he looked somewhat displeased at the constable. "Xu Jing, why aren't you at the office? What are you doing here?"

The constable was also surnamed Xu, but had no relation to Xu Xuanshan, he said in a low voice, "Your Excellency, some higher-up came."

Furrowing his brows, Xu Xuanshan asked, "What rubbish are you talking about? This official just returned from the prefectural office. How could Warden Liu be in this official's office?"

Xu Jing replied with a bitter smile, "Your Excellency, it's a lord from the Divine Capital, Deputy Commander Chen Chao of the Left Guard."

Upon hearing this familiar yet unfamiliar name, Xu Xuanshan was momentarily stunned. This young martial artist, whose reputation resounded throughout the ranks of martial officials in Great Liang, was naturally known to him. When he learned that this young martial artist had been granted the right to bear arms at such a young age, he even muttered a few complaints in private.

To be so highly regarded by His Majesty at such a young age was truly perplexing.

"Explain in detail."

Although Xu Xuanshan appeared uncouth, his mind was different from his appearance; he was quite perceptive and had already sensed that something was amiss.

Xu Jing said in a low voice, "That lord seems somewhat displeased with Your Excellency. The moment he came, he immediately ordered Your Excellency to get your ass over. But it seems he carries an imperial decree with him. He's currently reviewing documents in the office. It would be wise for Your Excellency to make preparations early."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuanshan's previously furrowed brow relaxed slightly. Putting his concerns aside, Xu Xuanshan replied expressionlessly, "It seems like someone has been talking nonsense to the higher-ups, causing His Majesty's displeasure."

Xu Jing was somewhat panic-stricken as he asked, "Your Excellency, if His Majesty's decree has been issued, isn't it a serious matter?"

Xu Xuanshan sneered, "Even His Majesty must be reasonable. This official hasn't plotted to usurp the throne, nor have I engaged in corruption. Does His Majesty intend to execute me just because he says so?"

Hearing this, Xu Jing still remained anxious.

"Let's go. Let me see what this martial artist who has quite the reputation in our Great Liang Dynasty looks like."

Xu Xuanshan rode into the city, deliberately taking a long detour before returning to the Warden's Office.

After dismounting, this warden of Ancient Mountain Commandery slowly entered the office and walked into the main hall.

By this time, Chen Chao had already finished reviewing the documents of Ancient Mountain Commandery for the past few years, and drinking the spring tea that had been brought to him.

Seeing this Warden Xu enter, Chen Chao remained seated. He just stared from the seat that originally belonged to Xu Xuanshan, looking down at this Ancient Mountain Commandery warden from a high place.

Xu Xuanshan smiled and said, "I've heard of Commander Chen's great name before. Today, seeing you in person, you truly live up to your reputation!"

The saying goes, "Don't hit a smiling person's face." With this move, Xu Xuanshan had indeed shown sufficient respect.

Chen Chao gave a fake smile as he said, "This official has just reviewed the records of Ancient Mountain Commandery from these years and found that Lord Xu has indeed killed many demons over the years. With such accomplishments, you could easily serve as the Warden of Yellow Dragon Prefecture. Why cling to this small territory?"

Xu Xuanshan remained composed, he just smiled as he replied, "Performing one's duties while serving, since this lowly official is the local warden, then I naturally have to exterminate evil for the people. As for the rank, I'm not particularly concerned. Moreover, if this lowly official were to leave, this lowly official would worry about how the new warden would treat the people of this commandery."

"Regardless, merits should be rewarded. Neglecting to reward merits and overlooking faults is not the style of the imperial court."

Chen Chao smiled as he said, "After this official returns to the Divine Capital, I will submit a report to His Majesty, so that Lord Xu can be promoted sooner."

Xu Xuanshan frowned. He could tell that the words spoken before him were not as simple as they seemed. For a moment, he remained silent, waiting for Chen Chao to continue.

"This official has traveled all the way here and discovered the so-called appearance of a demon king in Ancient Mountain Commandery. Why didn't I see Lord Xu's presence?"

When the matter of the demon king was brought up, Xu Xuanshan was aware, he just replied calmly, "There are naturally those itinerant cultivators to kill the demon king in the mountains. This lowly official naturally welcomes their success. Instead of focusing on that, it would be better to eradicate those lesser-known demons. Regardless of their abilities, when it comes to eating humans, they are all the same."

Chen Chao nodded, "Warden Xu is truly concerned for the country and its people. It seems that the position of warden should indeed be held by Warden Xu."

Even a fool could understand the implication in his words.

The young martial artist before him seemed different from the rumors, with a hidden agenda beneath his smiling facade.

But when Xu Xuanshan thought about this young martial artist's past experiences, he could not be certain.

Xu Xuanshan frowned, saying with slight displeasure, "I wonder what decree Commander Chen has brought. Please present it promptly, so that this lowly official may receive them."

Chen Chao shook his head and said straightforwardly, "This official was bluffing them. His Majesty didn't give this official any decree."

Xu Xuanshan instantly became furious, "Chen Chao, do you know the crime of fabricating an imperial decree?" "If this official were to submit a report, I'm afraid you would be biting off more than you can chew!"

Chen Chao stood up, smiling, "Warden Xu, are you always this hostile towards your superiors?"

"Commander Chen, although your rank is higher than this official's, there is no hierarchical relationship between the Left Guard and this official!"

Xu Xuanshan remained icy, but at this moment, he could not quite grasp the intentions of the young martial artist before him.

He was just thinking about whether he had given this young martial artist any leverage, and whether he was here to extort some benefits from him.

Chen Chao sighed, "It seems Warden Xu is not very welcoming of this official."

Xu Xuanshan said coldly, "If Commander Chen is just passing through, this official will naturally treat you with courtesy. But if Commander Chen intends to be a troublemaker, this official isn't a soft persimmon to be bullied by anyone either."

Chen Chao nodded, smiling, "That's understandable."

"Alright, since it's come to this, this official won't beat around the bush with Warden Xu anymore. This official came here this time to borrow something from Warden Xu."

Chen Chao looked at Xu Xuanshan, the smile fading from his face.

Xu Xuanshan frowned, "What does Commander Chen want to borrow?"

Chen Chao chuckled softly, "I want to borrow Warden Xu's head."