Martial Cultivator

Xu Bai's face was flushed, clearly caused by his hastiness. This sword cultivator who owed Chen Chao a favor arrived next to him and exclaimed, "Upon learning of the situation here, I immediately thought of Fellow Daoist. We hurried here as fast as we could. Thankfully, we didn't arrive too late."

After seeing Xu Bai, the middle-aged swordsman's expression stiffened, and he said with a frown, "Xu Bai, are you also getting involved in this matter?"

As a well-known sword cultivator in Yellow Dragon Prefecture, he naturally recognized Xu Bai. Unless necessary, he preferred not to provoke him.

"This Xu owes a debt of gratitude to this Fellow Daoist. Whatever happens today, this Xu is getting involved!" Xu Bai stated calmly. Although this Great Beyond sword cultivator was just an itinerant cultivator, his cultivation realm was not low. Even ordinary disciples from major sects were not willing to provoke him.

Even the warden did not open his mouth to speak at this moment.

After a moment of silence, the middle-aged swordsman spoke again, "Xu Bai, what if I insist on getting that flying sword?"

Xu Bai replied calmly, "Then it will depend on whether you can defeat this Xu."

As he spoke, Jiang Ying had already handed over her flying sword. Xu Bai's flying sword was damaged, this couple had no other choice.

The middle-aged sword cultivator's expression darkened, while Chen Chao smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, there's actually no need for you to get involved in this matter."

Xu Bai smiled back, "Fellow Daoist, you may have great abilities and may not fear, but since this Xu knows about this, how can I not come? This Xu cannot do something so ungrateful like not repaying your kindness."

Chen Chao nodded, saying, "Speaking of which, my appearance here today was actually to find you."

Xu Bai was taken aback for a moment but then said, "Let's resolve this matter first?"

Chen Chao spat out a turbid breath, shook his head, and said, "It's not that troublesome."

He took a step forward and looked at the local warden, smiling as he said, "This official will count to three. If you don't get lost, this official will cut off your head. Either way, your interference can be connected to collusion with the foreign lands. If this official can kill Xu Xuanshan, why can't this official kill you?"

This official? This was a thought-provoking form of address.

The warden was startled, then suddenly realized that the young martial artist in front of him was none other than Deputy Commander of the Left Guard, Chen Chao.

He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Could Your Excellency be the Deputy Commander of the Left Guard, Lord Chen?"

Chen Chao was expressionless, lifting his robe and revealing the waist token.

Although they were very far apart, the warden quickly saw the words written on it.

He immediately felt his scalp tingle, and he knelt down on the spot, "This lowly official didn't know it was Commander Chen, I was blind, please punish me, Your Excellency."

Chen Chao ignored him and just uttered a word, "One."

The warden's expression flickered.

But Chen Chao had already spat out the second word.

"Two."

The warden stood up and without further hesitation, shouted to leave. He immediately turned around, and did not stay anymore.

After the helper summoned by the middle-aged sword cultivator left, his expression also became ugly. How could he have known that merely attempting to snatch the flying sword, it would provoke this well-known military official of the Great Liang?

Chen Chao looked up and said with a smile, "He's gone. Why don't you try it yourself, Fellow Daoist? But if after you kill this official, who knows if you'll be labeled with the crime of killing an official of the imperial court? That would be hard to say."

The middle-aged sword cultivator shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "I had eyes but failed to see Mt. Tai. Commander Chen, please forgive me. I'll take my leave."

Ignoring whether they had the ability to kill this young martial artist who had once slaughtered all the cultivators on Clearwater Mountain, just his identity alone was not what his sect could provoke. Foreign cultivators might disregard the laws of the Great Liang, but truly angering the important figures of the Great Liang Dynasty was not something their small sects could afford to do.

They did not have the Infatuation Daoist Temple backing them up, how could they be foolish enough to provoke a colossal entity like the Great Liang Dynasty?

Chen Chao could not be bothered with these matters. He just turned around and looked at Xu Bai.

Xu Bai was now feeling a mix of emotions. After learning Chen Chao's identity, he said with a bitter smile, "I should have known... about Commander Chen's identity."

"I didn't plan on exposing my identity outside the Divine Capital, but circumstances along the way forced my hand. I must have incurred your ridicule."

Chen Chao sighed inwardly, wondering how he kept encountering these government officials who received salaries but did not fulfill their duties.

Xu Bai asked, "May I ask, Commander Chen, what brings you to seek out this Xu?"

Chen Chao did not hide anything and recounted the matter with the old blacksmith to this sword cultivator. Xu Bai was quite excited, "Is it true?"

Jiang Ying who was next to him also showed excitement. The two had searched for a flying sword for a long time without success. Now, with Chen Chao's words, they finally had a direction.

Chen Chao shook his head, "Just saying so doesn't guarantee success. It also depends on fate."

Xu Bai smiled, "Since there's a chance, it's already pretty good. I must thank Commander Chen for helping out twice. It's a great favor that I'll remember for a lifetime."

After thinking about it, Chen Chao suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Xu, you must be familiar with Yellow Dragon Prefecture and have a wide circle of friends. Do you happen to know any disciples from sword sects? This girl has obtained a flying sword but doesn't have a path..."

Hearing this, Xu Bai finally noticed the girl by Chen Chao's side. After glancing at the flying sword, he smiled, "Since this girl has gained the approval of a flying sword, her innate talent must not be bad. It shouldn't be difficult for her to find a sect to join and learn the sword. This Xu happens to have a lifelong friend on a certain mountain. If Commander Chen trusts me, this Xu can bring this girl to seek apprenticeship there."

Chen Chao smiled and nodded, then turned to Yu Chu, saying, "This Fellow Daoist Xu's character is trustworthy. What do you think, Miss Yu?"

Yu Chu who was unwilling to delay Chen Chao's time in the first place, quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "This humble self is willing."

Chen Chao nodded and said, "In that case, I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Xu. However, if there are others who attempt to snatch the flying sword, I'll also have to trouble Fellow Daoist Xu."

Xu Bai nodded. As a Great Beyond sword cultivator, there were hardly any people who dared to provoke him in Yellow Dragon Prefecture. Those who wanted to snatch the flying sword earlier were simply unaware of Chen Chao's cultivation realm and identity. If they had known earlier, things would not have escalated this far.

With this matter resolved, Chen Chao felt satisfied.

Jiang Ying looked at Chen Chao and suddenly said, "I still want to apologize to Commander Chen."

Chen Chao glanced at her and shook his head. "It was a trivial matter, I've long forgotten about it."

Jiang Ying smiled bitterly and did not say anything in the end.

Afterward, Chen Chao lingered in the commandery city for a while with Xu Bai and his wife before preparing to send the three of them on their way.

Xu Bai stood at the city gate and smiled, saying, "Commander Chen, rest assured, this Xu will take care of this matter. Once everything is settled with this young lady, this Xu will go search for the sword."

Chen Chao nodded, trusting Xu Bai.

Afterward, Xu Bai and his wife took a few steps forward, leaving Chen Chao and Yu Chu alone.

Chen Chao thought for a moment and said, "Now that I know your name, you probably know mine as well, but I'll still tell you: I'm Chen Chao, currently serving as an official in the Divine Capital."

Yu Chu nodded and smiled, "Of course I know, Sir's great reputation is resounding like the roar of thunder."

Chen Chao sighed and said, "Why do I feel like your words lack sincerity?"

Yu Chu said softly, "Yu Chu holds your kindness in my heart, Sir. I'll repay it in the future."

Chen Chao did not respond to her words. After some thought, he said, "Earlier, Miss Yu mentioned your family's elders. I wonder if Miss Yu will be the same after going up the mountain?"

Yu Chu looked at the flying sword in her hand, thought for a moment, and shook her head. "I may forget other people, but this humble self definitely won't forget Sir."

Chen Chao smiled and said, "Actually, when I intervened earlier, I was just thinking that having one more female sword cultivator in the world would be a good thing."

"No matter what Sir thinks, this humble self cannot control it. But this humble self will always remember your kindness."

Yu Chu was very earnest.

Chen Chao suddenly asked, "If I were to ask Miss not to practice swordsmanship right now and follow me, would you be willing?"

Yu Chu was taken aback for a moment but quickly said, "This humble self is willing."

Chen Chao laughed dryly and waved his hand. "How could I? Perhaps Miss become a female sword immortal in the future. How could I do something that would ruin Miss' future?"

However, Yu Chu shook her head solemnly and said softly, "Originally, I felt that this world was filled with coldness. But after meeting Sir, I felt some warmth. Remembering the words of predecessors, 'Where the heart is at ease is where I call home.' This humble self feels at ease when I'm by Sir's side."

Chen Chao chuckled and said, "Miss is knowledgeable, but I haven't studied any books, so I don't understand, I don't understand."

Yu Chu also knew that the current Chen Chao was pretending to be ignorant, but she did not expose him. She just looked at Chen Chao as if she wanted to firmly remember his appearance, never forgetting it in her life.

Chen Chao felt uncomfortable being looked at like that and said awkwardly, "Miss, don't keep Fellow Daoist Xu waiting too long."

Yu Chu nodded and smiled, "Then this humble self will bid farewell. The journey ahead is long, hopefully I'll meet with Sir again someday."