Martial Cultivator

"Back then, it was extremely dangerous too. When His Majesty first rose in rebellion, he only had 800 strong soldiers. It was a truly difficult task to fight against a whole country with just one region. If it weren't for the assistance of the Nation Master, it would have been hard to establish the current dynasty."

Song Lian was very emotional. After all, when the Great Liang emperor first rose in rebellion back then, no one believed in the Prince Fan who only had 800 guards. However, who could have expected that after only three years, the entire Great Liang Dynasty had changed masters. Regardless of whether was it the current Emperor or that deposed Emperor back then, they were both descendants of Emperor Lingzong. Therefore, the world quickly accepted this fact and there was no turmoil.

Song Lian said, "If that deposed Emperor had continued to reign, perhaps he would have been a benevolent ruler. But it might not have been a good thing for the people of Great Liang."

Although that young deposed emperor showed his benevolent rule during his few years of reign, in terms of martial arts, he was just a third-realm martial artist without any talent. He seemed to lack the willingness to control the Northern Frontier and Lord Warden who was within his domain. This was definitely not a good thing for the Great Liang Dynasty.

This dynasty could do without a benevolent ruler, but it absolutely needed a resolute and powerful monarch to keep the North and those foreign cultivators in check.

The previous emperors of the Great Liang Dynasty might not have all been benevolent rulers, but they were definitely all powerful monarchs. Otherwise, the Great Liang Dynasty would not have become a prosperous era that far exceeded the previous dynasties in just over two hundred years.

"His Majesty Lingzong was actually a bit muddleheaded at that time. If he had chosen to pass the throne to His Majesty after the death of the Crown Prince, how would so many things have happened?"

The Great Liang Dynasty was known for its liberal views. Although this sort of thing could not be discussed openly, commenting a few words in private was harmless. Even if it were to be exposed, it was not a big problem either.

Chen Chao frowned and asked, "If Emperor Lingzong had chosen to pass the throne to the current Emperor after the death of the Crown Prince, would the Crown Prince's descendants, which also includes the children of that deposed emperor, still be alive?"

Song Lian looked at Chen Chao and said, "Although the current Emperor isn't as benevolent as that young deposed emperor, he's definitely not lacking tolerance. If Emperor Lingzong had really passed the throne to His Majesty, then His Majesty would have ascended the throne legitimately. Why would he shed more blood?"

Song Lian became more serious when he spoke about this topic. He changed a little and was not as amiable as before.

Chen Chao thought for a moment and replied, "That makes sense."

He thought for a moment and said, "During these 13 years since His Majesty's ascension to the throne, other from the Wei River flood in the eleventh year of Tianjian, there's indeed nothing to fault."

When mentioning the flood, Song Lian sighed emotionally and said, "That was a natural disaster that cannot be prevented by human efforts. At that time, the imperial court had done everything possible to rescue people from that flood in Wei Prefecture back then. However, it was too sudden, and coupled with the return of the demon race at the northern frontier that year, the national treasury was emptied. Otherwise, not so many people would have died."

Suddenly, Song Lian asked, "You were the warden of Tianqing County before. Before that, were you also in Wei Prefecture?"

Chen Chao nodded without hiding anything, saying, "It's all in the past."

Song Lian looked at Chen Chao with a complicated expression and said, "Is there some resentment?"

Chen Chao shook his head and said, "Being able to survive is already a stroke of luck. There's nothing to resent. The imperial tax collection was sent to the north to prevent the people of the entire Great Liang Dynasty from being humiliated by the demonic race. The people in the south have not heard the sound of horse hooves for many years. These are all things that we need to be grateful for, how could there be any resentment?"

Song Lian patted Chen Chao's shoulder. He fell silent for a while and said, "The current Great Liang Dynasty relies on those people in the north and relies on His Majesty. But in the future, it will definitely need young people like you."

Chen Chao had already made a name for himself in the Divine Capital. His future career path would not be too bad no matter what. If he was lucky enough to become a Nepenthe Realm powerhouse in the future, then regardless of whether he continued progressing in the warden faction, or headed to the north, he would definitely be one of the pillars of the future Great Liang dynasty too.

Chen Chao smiled bitterly and said, "This lowly official just wants to live an easy life as a low-ranking official. How can I have such grand ideals?"

Song Lian said profoundly, "Some things are beyond our control in the first place. When walking in this world, how many steps are taken according to our own wishes?"

"You suddenly became so serious, Your Excellency. It really makes this lowly official feel a little uncomfortable."

Chen Chao looked at Song Lian and joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Song Lian replied seriously, "These are just idle talk. What you need to do now is to work hard and prepare for..."

Chen Chao nodded and interrupted, "This lowly official will prepare well for the Myriad Willow Convention."

Song Lian glanced at him and said somewhat helplessly, "Am I talking about that? I was talking about my marriage. Kid, you got to hurry up and work on it, I don't have much time left."

Chen Chao sighed and said, "You've already lived through so many decades, I don't know why you suddenly became impatient now."

"Mind your own business. Since you took my money, just do your job well. What's with all this nonsense?" Song Lin snorted, obviously not satisfied with Chen Chao's reaction.

Chen Chao waved his hand, looking very helpless.

"By the way, Your Excellency, you might have to bring me to see that courtyard. Some things are not too convenient to do in the academy."

Although Chen Chao had tempered his body once in that courtyard before, he still felt uneasy there. The academy was safe, but he just did not feel comfortable there.

Song Lian took out a key from his pocket and threw it to Chen Chao, saying, "Since you want to see it, I'll take you there. I'm off today and have nothing else to do either."

Chen Chao took the key and said with a fawning smile, "Then can you stand guard over me later, Your Excellency? I was injured at the banquet last night."

Song Lian sneered, "You're freaking asking me for help now? Should I raise prices too?"

"Your Excellency, this doesn't make sense. Who are you? You're the Commander of the Left Guard of the Divine Capital, a man who faces outward when defecating in a latrine! This subordinate is working under you, isn't it natural for you to take care of me?[1. The unusual idiom describes a man who's forthright and a man of his word.] "Besides, if this lowly official's injuries were to affect my performance at the Myriad Willow Convention, I'll be losing the face of the warden faction. I'm sure you wouldn't want to see that too, would you?"

Chen Chao had a fawning look, looking like he really deserved a beating.

Song Lian said unhappily, "So you're the kind of person who doesn't want to lose out on anything at all, huh?"

"This lowly official will definitely do my best to help Your Excellency resolve... the problem of the latter half of your life!"

Chen Chao chuckled with a sly look in his eyes.

……

……

The courtyard prepared for Chen Chao by the Left Guard was actually only two streets away from the Left Guard's Office. It was a rather secluded courtyard. Although the location was somewhat remote, it was quite difficult to find a small courtyard like this in this area of the Divine Capital.

The two arrived at the end of the street and Chen Chao opened the gate. There were two small locust trees in the courtyard and there were not many fallen leaves on the ground. Previously, Song Lian said he would help him find someone to help him tidy up the place frequently. It did not seem like it was a passing remark.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Song Lian said with a smile, "Your house isn't much different from mine. You can get such treatment with a fake position, if I had known that there was such a good thing earlier, why would I still cultivate bitterly?"

Chen Chao countered, "If Your Excellency hadn't cultivated hard to become the Commander of the Left Guard in this Divine Capital, how would you have had the opportunity to meet this lowly official?"

Song Lian sneered and said, "You're a shrewd little fellow, but you're not too annoying. You rely on your smooth-talking skills, don't you?"

Chen Chao smiled and took out an object from his bosom. Handing it to Song Lian, he smiled slightly and said, "Your Excellency, you're about to breakthrough your cultivation realm too, right?"

Song Lian stared at the object that Chen Chao handed over and did not immediately take it. Instead, he furrowed his brows and asked, "Where did you get this?"

"Someone gave it to me. I thought Your Excellency might need it, so I'm giving it to you."

Chen Chao handed that item over. The item was a palm-sized blood ginseng with a medicinal age of at least several decades. The value of this blood ginseng was priceless and could not be quantified in terms of skygold currency. It was the most precious item among the gifts sent by the Second Prince. It was a little wasteful for Chen Chao to use it to temper his body at his cultivation realm.

Previously, he learned that this commanding officer was currently preparing to break through to the next realm. When he came out, he remembered this blood ginseng, which was originally intended as a thank-you gift for Song Lian.

To thank him for saving his life in Tianqing County.

Chen Chao had always been like this; repaying kindness if any. If there were grudges, he would naturally avenge them too.

Song Lian took the blood ginseng, his eyes softened a bit. But he still shook his head and said, "This item is too precious. Although I am indeed trying to break through to high-level Great Beyond Realm, I cannot accept it."

As the commander of the Left Guard in the Divine Capital, Song Lian's cultivation realm was naturally profound. He had already reached the mid-level of Great Beyond Realm and was only one step away from high-level. If he had this item to help, his chances of success would likely increase by quite a bit. After becoming a high-level Great Beyond Realm martial artist, he would be likely be standing at the foot of a mountain, ready to climb the great mountain called Nepenthe.

Chen Chao smiled and said, "Your Excellency, you may have misunderstood me. I've always been a helpful person. When I was in Tianqing County, I often helped others. When Your Excellency saved this lowly official from that woman back then, this lowly official didn't have a chance to repay you. Although this lowly official is reluctant to part with this blood ginseng, I'm willing to part with this treasure as a gift to Your Excellency."

Song Jian felt touched, but he was still a little hesitant, "This item is really too precious, even though you really do owe me your life. Forget it, since you're so sincere, I can't refuse it. But you must know, I can't take your gift for free. How about this, if you're ever harmed by those foreign cultivators someday, I'll definitely go to the ends of the earth to collect your corpse for you!"

Chen Chao looked at this commander who was in front of him and remained silent for a while. He followed up by saying, "If there is really such a day, I'll definitely visit Your Excellency's dream in the middle of the night to express my gratitude."

Song Lian frowned and said, "There's no need for that."

Chen Chao looked extremely serious and nodded, "I must do it."

Song Lian smiled and said, "Then I'll prepare a good coffin for you."

Chen Chao looked at him and also smiled, "Your Excellency, it wasn't easy for you to live to this age, was it?"