Martial Cultivator

Before the first snow of the season in the Divine Capital, a group of over a hundred people departed north towards the Northern Frontier. Most of them were young cultivators, with only a few older individuals among them. The youngsters mostly chose to ride horses rather than travel by carriage. For many, it was their first time leaving the Divine Capital, and they were eager to see what lay beyond. Additionally, the journey north was fraught with dangers, making it hard for the energetic youths to sit still.

As a result, the handful of carriages at the end of the convoy seemed particularly out of place. However, some of these carriages had come from the academy by the South Lake, while others carried the true big shots. Thus, there were few complaints. Besides, their minds were preoccupied with other matters rather than the carriages.

The distance between the Divine Capital and the Northern Frontier was not short, but neither was it very far. Nonetheless, the journey was not without its dangers. Initially, an official had suggested letting the youngsters travel independently, but this idea was quickly rejected by others. The reasoning was simple: these young individuals were the true elites of Great Liang's younger generation. Losing any of them before they even reached the Northern Frontier would be an incalculable loss.

This argument was logical and difficult to refute.

However, the official who gave his opinion quickly proposed sending an elite cavalry unit from the Divine Capital to ensure their safety. This suggestion was also rejected. Ultimately, it was decided that cultivators from the Heavenly Imperial Institution, the Ministry of Justice, and the warden faction would escort the group. Due to the academy's involvement, the leader of the convoy naturally came from the academy. They did not simply assign any cultivator; they sent two Nepenthe powerhouses, including a close student of the academy's dean, the renowned scholar of the Divine Capital, Wei Xu.

With Wei Xu escorting the convoy, there was little worry about encountering trouble on the journey.

After all, this Mr. Wei had presided over the prestigious Myriad Willow Convention in the past, he had sufficient prestige and his cultivation realm was also more than adequate.

Xie Nandu's carriage was placed at the forefront of the convoy, right after the young cultivators on horseback. This genius Xie Family's daughter from the academy had not been seen since her appearance at the court session. She did not attend the banquet hosted by the Second Prince or any other private gatherings organized by the cultivators. As for Chen Chao, his reputation among the young cultivators was average at best, and no one had taken the initiative to invite him. However, he did attend a gathering of the younger generation from the warden faction. At this banquet, not everyone welcomed this young martial artist. After all, being highly favored by the emperor at such a young age and poised to rise steadily toward the position of Lord Warden Commander naturally invited jealousy.

Chen Chao did not care much about these sentiments. As the saying goes, "When there are many lice, you stop fearing their bites; when debts pile up, you stop worrying."

Whether these people showed coldness or jealousy, it was merely an emotional issue. But if it came to actual fights, Chen Chao would not hold back, he would kill without hesitation if necessary.

Inside the carriage, Xie Nandu was reading a topographic map of the Northern Frontier. She said softly, "After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he was highly wary of the Northern demon race. He planned to build the Northern Frontier Great Wall back then. However, the nation was still stabilizing, and it wasn't easy, but he gritted his teeth and focused on the north. When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, the country's strength was consolidated, and more emphasis was placed on the Northern Frontier. The Changgan Pass, one of the three major passes of the Northern Frontier, was built during the Taizong era. Later, when Emperor Taizong ascended, the Northern Frontier Great Wall was completed, resulting in what we see today."

Feeling bored, Chen Chao pulled out a book and placed it over his face, muttering to himself, "We haven't even seen that great wall yet, and you're already telling me all this."

Xie Nandu ignored him and continued, "As the military strategy goes, 'Logistics first before the troops move.' If you go to war without understanding the weather and terrain, what possibility other than defeat can you expect?"

Chen Chao leaned against the side of the carriage, teasing, "It's a pity. Before we set off, both sides had already withdrawn all troops from the northern plains. Otherwise, given my relationship with the Lord Warden Commander, I could have arranged for a cavalry force of a few thousand for you. You could lead them into the desolate north and see if you could win a great victory."

Xie Nandu chuckled and shook her head. "It's meaningless. Small-scale victories or defeats have no impact on the bigger picture."

Chen Chao pulled the book off his face and asked, "Do you really intend to assume the position of Great General and command the Northern Frontier Army as a woman?"

"That's too small."

Xie Nandu shook her head. "Think about something even more outrageous. Chen Chao lifted the curtain and glanced outside. Heading north, when they left the Divine Capital, it was still late autumn. A few days ago, they could still see the autumn leaves falling along the official road. But as they traveled further north, after a few days, they began to see frost killing the vegetation along the roadside.

Looking out the window again, the scene outside was desolate, and it was already starting to snow lightly. Chen Chao reached out to catch a snowflake, which melted instantly in his palm.

Chen Chao flicked his hand, and the water splashed onto Xie Nandu's face.

Xie Nandu was not annoyed, she just wiped it away and said calmly, "It's not that easy. Aspiring to be the Great General of the Northern Frontier as a woman is a significant challenge. Just the criticism from the imperial court will be a huge problem."

"When the time comes, I'll give each one a slash with my saber. Whoever dares to speak out, I'll kill them." Chen Chao said with a smile.

Xie Nandu said, "You know, you would make a better general."

Chen Chao asked curiously, "Since when did we make the decision in the Great Liang Dynasty?"

Xie Nandu did not speak.

Chen Chao continued with a smile, "Before I left the capital, I had a conversation with His Majesty and mentioned you. Maybe you really could become the Great General in the future."

Xie Nandu said calmly, "What happens today doesn't necessarily determine the future."

Chen Chao sighed, "Why do you have to spoil the mood?"

Xie Nandu ignored him, burying her head in the geographical map of the northern region, which she had already memorized most of the content.

Chen Chao stuck his head out to observe the northern landscape. Although this was not yet the true Northern Frontier, it already presented a bleak and desolate scene, vastly different from the southern scenery he had seen before.

Thinking for a moment, Chen Chao took out the perfume sachet he had been carrying in his bosom. Holding it by one end, he watched it sway.

Chen Chao felt a heavy heart.

Compared to a nation, an individual was insignificant.

But a nation was made up of countless individuals.

In the distance, a commandery city began to come into view.

Looking at the city, Chen Chao could not help but recall something the Great Liang Emperor had once said in that commandery city.