Martial Cultivator

Ning Chong was also clear that his promotion was not dependent on Xu Ming, so he did not deliberately butter up to this main commander either. Instead, he set his command tent at a distance from Xu Ming's. At this moment, Ning Chong had just taken a sip of the fine deer antler wine sent from White Deer Prefecture. After setting down his cup, he could not help but marvel. White Deer Prefecture was not only known for its scholars but also for its wine brewing skills. This deer antler wine, made from fawn blood and deer antler, was a favorite among those scholars. It poured into the cup a deep red and tasted exceptionally sweet, with a taste that lingered endlessly. Unlike other soldiers who preferred strong liquor, Ning Chong did not like liquor, he only liked this wine. Thus, he often had people bring large quantities from White Deer Prefecture, hidden among the military supplies and provisions sent from the Divine Capital, and no one bothered him about it.

Just as he finished his sip and was about to pour a second glass, the tent flap suddenly lifted, letting in a gust of cold wind and snowflakes.

A young man in black, with a saber at his waist, stood quietly at the entrance of the tent, looking at this deputy commander of Xuanling Commandery.

Ning Chong had a tall and imposing figure typical of the northern regions, with a strikingly handsome face. Even sitting, he exuded a commanding presence.

After seeing Chen Chao, he snorted coldly in displeasure, "Who are you? Do you know that trespassing this general's tent is a serious crime?!"

Chen Chao ignored him and instead looked at the wine flask in front of Ning Chong, saying with a smile, "I heard that the former Great General was very strict about military discipline. No one in the army was allowed to drink outside of designated times. General Ning, your behavior today would have earned you at least a few dozen military lashes if that Great General were still around."

Ning Chong's expression remained unchanged. "Just by trespassing this general's tent, it wouldn't be unreasonable to say you're here to assassinate this general."

Chen Chao nodded and said seriously, "That's true. You only follow military orders, and the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty are probably just a piece of paper to you. If you say you want to kill me for this, as long as you can actually kill me, there wouldn't be any problem. But the problem is, can you kill me?"

Although Ning Chong enjoyed fine wine, he had come from an extraordinary background and had steadily climbed the ranks through hard work. He was now a martial artist of the Bitter Sea Realm, his physique honed to perfection. Hearing Chen Chao's words, he slowly stood up, looking at the unfamiliar young man before him. Instead of getting angry, he laughed, "Where does this kid who's still wet behind your ears come from, daring to seek death here?"

Chen Chao was in no hurry. He took a few steps forward, saying with a smile, "It seems your brain doesn't work well. For me to walk here without alarming the soldiers outside, there are only two possibilities: either they didn't dare to provoke me, or they couldn't detect me. But it seems that regardless of which possibility, you shouldn't be speaking to me this way."

Ning Chong was speechless for a moment. After a pause, he slowly said, "Deputy Commander of the Left Guard, Chen Chao?"

Chen Chao smiled, "It's precisely this official."

Having received a definite answer, Ning Chong was silent for a moment before saying softly, "I wonder what brings Commander Chen here?"

He was aware that those young people from the Divine Capital would pass through Xuanling Commandery on their way to the Northern Frontier. Generally, he would not pay much attention to ordinary aristocratic scions. After all, the Ning Family's roots were in the Northern Frontier. Even if big shots from the Xie or Wei families were involved, so what? It would not make him take a second look. But Chen Chao was different. He was the young martial artist whom the current Emperor held in high regard and had the potential to become the future Lord Warden Commander. The Great General and the Lord Warden Commander were the two pillars of the nation, one internal and one external, and neither could be taken lightly.

Chen Chao said unconcernedly, "No rush. Let's first inform General Xu about General Ning's drinking and administer the necessary flogging before we continue, shall we?"

"Commander Chen, you must be joking. There is no war at the moment, and this general isn't on the front lines. Even if General Xu knows, he wouldn't mind too much. Besides, is Xuanling Commandery considered part of the Northern Frontier Army?" Ning Chong replied with a dismissive smile that made people feel very uncomfortable.

Chen Chao nodded, "That makes sense. Given the Ning Family's influence in the Northern Frontier Army, even if Xu Ming knew, he would probably turn a blind eye. No wonder you've been smuggling fine wine in the military supplies for years, and no one dares to say anything. Even those under you have to suffer quietly and help you. But compared to drinking, this is a far more serious crime, isn't it?"

After the Great Liang Emperor ascended the throne, he had placed great importance on the Northern Frontier, issuing strict orders that nothing meant for the Northern Frontier Army should be embezzled or delayed. Violators were to be executed directly, and this naturally included smuggling other items.

Ning Chong's expression darkened, and he said with sudden realization, "Turns out that Commander Chen is here to investigate. But how did the warden faction end up investigating our Northern Frontier Army?"

Chen Chao was taken aback, "What? Didn't General Ning just say that Xuanling Commandery isn't part of the Northern Frontier Army? How did it suddenly become part of it again?"

Ning Chong's expression was unpleasant, but he remained silent.

"Even if it's such a crime, it seems that this official really has no jurisdiction. After all, Xuanling Commandery does belong to the Northern Frontier Army. This kind of matter should be decided by the Great General. If your Ning Family intends to protect you, they might just demote you to a soldier. After a few years, you'll still make a comeback. After all, having a splendid uncle like yours is enviable."

Chen Chao grinned.

Ning Chong's expression improved significantly. After a moment of thought, he also smiled, "Commander Chen, you really know how to joke. If there's anything you need from this general after your long journey here, just speak up. Nowadays, the Lord Warden Commander is the Great General of the Northern Frontier, so we can be considered one family."

Having figured out Chen Chao's intentions and confident that this young martial artist would not make things difficult for him, Ning Chong naturally adjusted his demeanor.

"This is deer antler wine, a specialty of White Deer Prefecture. Would Commander Chen like to try some? It's very difficult to purchase even in the Divine Capital."

Ning Chong's face beamed with a welcoming smile, a stark contrast to before.

Chen Chao shook his head with a smile, "I'm on duty, so I won't be drinking."

"By the way, my visit isn't just about this matter, there's something else I want to ask General Ning."

Chen Chao raised his head, looking at the self-assured General Ning.

Ning Chong smiled, "Of course, I'll tell you everything I know."

Chen Chao nodded, "I heard that General Ning embezzled a sum that should have been fully disbursed as compensation. Does General Ning know that this is a capital offense?"

Chen Chao's voice grew colder, devoid of any emotion by the end.