Martial Cultivator

An eventful autumn was also a rainy autumn.

These days, the Divine Capital seemed always to have something happening. First, the death of the princess, then the unprecedented non-battlefield confrontation between the Great Liang Dynasty and the demon race. Such major events should have been decided collectively by the court officials, but the Emperor had always been decisive and swift in action. Given that the death of the princess was not long ago, everyone knew that the Emperor was in a foul mood. Thus, no one dared to cross him on this matter. Besides, since the Emperor's ascension, governance, and state affairs could be discussed with the court officials, but when had he ever listened to them on affairs of national defense?

In earlier years, when His Majesty the Emperor insisted on allocating half of the annual treasury income to build the Northern Frontier Army, it caused quite an uproar. The commotion at that time was significant, with at least a dozen court ministers expressing their opposition. There were even multiple incidents of bloodshed at the palace gates. However, His Majesty simply remarked, "We are not negotiating with you all." At that moment, the Minister of Revenue, who was in his prime, was immediately dismissed and sent to retire in his hometown.

Subsequently, any officials who voiced dissent faced demotions or outright dismissals.

That month, nearly a quarter of the officials in the court were swept up in the turmoil, leading to many vacancies in several offices. Despite the old ministers' persistent advice, the Emperor still acted arbitrarily. It was not until last year's victory at the Northern Frontier that the long-standing passive stance since the previous Qi Dynasty was finally broken.

Although it was uncertain whether Great Liang would emerge victorious in the next major battle, this recent success alone had significantly boosted the Emperor's reputation among the populace. Despite being perceived as somewhat autocratic by the court officials, His Majesty's reputation among the people rivaled that of the founding emperor. Even Emperor Taizong had been eclipsed by his accomplishments.

In recent years, some enthusiasts had even begun contemplating what posthumous title would befit the Emperor's great achievements after he passed.

After the court session that day, the selection of candidates to head to the Northern Frontier was more or less finalized. There were about thirty people from the warden faction and the Heavenly Imperial Institution combined. Additionally, the prominent families selected twenty talented young individuals. Though the Dean of the academy had no intention of getting involved, he did not strictly forbid the academy's students from participating. With Xie Nandu leading, about twenty people from the academy also joined, making a total of over seventy people. Along with thirty more from the Northern Frontier Army, a hundred individuals were chosen to represent Great Liang.

Of course, those departing from the Divine Capital were led by Chen Chao, while the Northern Frontier Army had its own arrangements.

In the meantime, Chen Chao was not idle. On the second day after the court session, a group of swordsmiths from Sword Qi Mountain finally arrived in the Divine Capital. The number of swordsmiths was significantly higher than what Yang Furen, the Mountain Lord, had mentioned, totaling over sixty people, both young and old. Many elderly swordsmiths, having spent a lifetime at Sword Qi Mountain, probably felt the need for a change of scenery and thus chose to visit the Divine Capital. The middle-aged men were mostly taciturn and not fond of talking. After they met Chen Chao, the first thing they did was to ask when they could start work.

Fortunately, Chen Chao was well-prepared and did not find this troublesome. After extensive negotiations with the Ministry of Works, they finally came up with a mutually satisfactory plan, and only then were the swordsmiths from Sword Qi Mountain properly settled.

Among them was a young sword cultivator named Wen Yue, who approached Chen Chao to make conversation, "Chen Chao, I've heard of you. Last time you came to Sword Qi Mountain, I was in seclusion and couldn't meet you. When you have some time, shall we spar?"

Chen Chao sized up this young sword cultivator in front of him, whose cultivation realm had not yet reached Great Beyond, and shook his head. "With the difference in our cultivation realms, winning you wouldn't be fair."

Wen Yue was not offended by being underestimated, he simply smiled and said, "Then let's change the conditions. On this journey to the Northern Frontier, let's see who can kill more demons?"

Chen Chao smiled and nodded but quickly added, "Survival is the priority. Let's see who can come back alive. If you don't make it back, killing more demons won't mean much."

Wen Yue nodded. The young sword cultivator harbored no hostility towards him and was merely sizing Chen Chao up as he asked curiously "I heard that killing demons is what you're best at. Is that true?"

Chen Chao nodded and candidly replied, "I served as a warden for a long time. My job was to kill demons."

Wen Yue asked again, "I heard that that girl from the academy can control nine flying swords. Is that true?"

Chen Chao responded with a question of his own, "Since the flying swords were taken from your Sword Qi Mountain, why ask me?"

"Could you introduce us? I heard you have a good relationship with her. I also heard she's very beautiful and destined to become a female sword immortal," Wen Yue said with a grin, showing a keen interest in Xie Nandu.

Chen Chao did not answer this question but instead changed the topic. "How many of you from Sword Qi Mountain are going to the Northern Frontier?"

Wen Yue pointed to himself. "Just me."

Chen Chao was taken aback and then gave a bitter smile, "One is already quite a lot."

Wen Yue understood what he meant and did not say much more. He just smiled and said, "I'll be traveling with you all when the time comes."

Chen Chao frowned, "That doesn't seem very appropriate."

"The Mountain Lord said since I'm the only one going to wade through this muddy water, there's no need to send any elders to escort me. Since Sword Qi Mountain and Great Liang have made a deal, can't you help a bit?"

Wen Yue grinned, touching the sword at his waist named Lofty Mountain. According to him, he had forged this sword himself, and it was spiritually connected to him the moment it was completed.

Chen Chao laughed. "It's not really troublesome, I was just worried it might be inconvenient for you guys."

Wen Yue replied indifferently, "I'll just deny it if it comes to that. That's the Mountain Lord's plan anyway."

Since they had already discussed it this far, Chen Chao could not say much more and simply nodded.

Wen Yue then mentioned that although he was young, his sword-forging skills were not bad. He intended to find a promising seedling in the Ministry of Works and teach him how to forge flying swords. However, due to the short time, he could only start the process. After returning from the Northern Frontier, he planned to stay in the Divine Capital for a while before traveling the world to enhance his swordsmanship.

Chen Chao smiled and said, "There doesn't seem to be many craftsmen over at the Ministry of Works who are younger than you. Won't that be awkward?"

"Don't you understand the principle that those who excel are the teachers? But from what I've seen these past few days, there really isn't anyone that catches my eye. I'm not just looking to teach someone to forge military weapons for you. I'm genuinely looking for someone who can also forge flying swords in the future."

Chen Chao was surprised. "If you do that and they don't go to Sword Qi Mountain, won't Sword Qi Mountain be furious when they find out?"

Wen Yue grinned. "Doesn't matter. Either way, they already say I'm rebellious. Besides, if you think a single swordsmith could shake the foundation of Sword Qi Mountain, then you're really thinking too much."

Chen Chao thought for a moment and suddenly said, "Maybe I can actually find you a suitable candidate, but that person isn't in the Ministry of Works. I'm not sure if he has the potential."

Wen Yue shrugged. "Have him come see me. I'll judge for myself."

Chen Chao nodded, having someone in mind already.

Wen Yue suddenly patted Chen Chao on the shoulder and smiled. "I'll tell you a secret. Before I went to Sword Qi Mountain, I also lived in the Divine Capital."

Chen Chao raised an eyebrow. "Haven't forgotten your roots?"

"Can't forget. I remember the osmanthus cakes from the alley near my childhood home were delicious. I wonder if that shop is still selling them."

Wen Yue laughed and cursed quietly, "Talking about it has made me hungry. How about taking a stroll with me to check it out? If they're still there, I'll treat you?"

Chen Chao did not refuse. He had a good impression of this young swordsman, probably because of his unusual honesty.

"By the way, you don't think I'm trying to steal that girl from you, do you? Is that why you're keeping me from meeting her?"

"A little bit."

"You're really stingy."

"Can't help it, that girl is too outstanding, I can't bear to let her go."

"Tsk tsk tsk, you're quite honest. I don't know why those cultivators keep badmouthing you."

"Probably out of jealousy."

"You're really shameless."

"Funny, a certain girl also says the same thing about me."

"... ..."

At dusk, Chen Chao returned to the small courtyard of the academy, carrying osmanthus cakes wrapped in oiled-paper packaging. As soon as he entered the academy and reached the South Lake, he saw a large gathering of students, their voices clamoring. Frowning, Chen Chao wondered what was happening but did not feel like finding someone to ask. After all, how many of these academy students did not harbor some ill will towards him?

It was hard to say.

However, Chen Chao soon spotted a familiar face among the crowd - it was Wang Kuan.

They had met once before at the imperial banquet.

Seeing Chen Chao's puzzled expression, Wang Kuan took the initiative to squeeze through the crowd and approached him, chuckling softly, "The academy has a visitor."

Chen Chao joked, "This doesn't look like a visitor's welcome."

Wang Kuan laughed, "Whether good or bad, a guest is still a guest. But it's not considered provoking the academy, they just came to see that girl you like. Most people are here to watch the show, but you should be very interested."

Chen Chao raised an eyebrow.

"On the Hidden Dragon List, you were ranked third last time. The two ahead of you were the Daoism's Twin Pillars."

Wang Kuan whispered, "One of them is here now."

Chen Chao thought for a moment and said, "Ye Zhihua?"

Wang Kuan asked curiously, "Why not guess the other one?"

Chen Chao shook his head. He had dealt with Yun Jianyue before and knew he had someone in his heart, so he would not take the initiative to see other girls.

That left only the one who, as a woman, had once occupied the top of the Hidden Dragon List and was now ranked second.

In the foreign lands, there were many so-called celestial maidens, but among the younger generation of women, Ye Zhihua was unrivaled.

Among the younger generation of women in Great Liang, Xie Nandu was unrivaled.

These two people were meeting.

Chen Chao muttered, "They won't fight, will they?"