Martial Cultivator

Chen Chao had already been gone for several days, but Xie Nandu did not pay much attention to it. She only occasionally looked at the pile of books that she had left behind without anyone to continue reading them. Only then, would she feel a bit uncomfortable. It was just that the emotions were very faint and did not affect her much.

Wei Xu came to the courtyard today and the maid Liu Ye knew that this seemingly ordinary scholar in front of her had an extraordinary status, so she hurriedly went to prepare tea to serve the guest.

But Wei Xu waved his hand to interrupt and just handed two letters to Xie Nandu. He said in a strange tone, ”Teacher already knows that the junior sister wants to study swordsmanship.”

When he spoke, he was actually a bit puzzled. He had already instructed Xie Nandu not to tell Teacher about this matter, but he did not expect that their teacher already knew. Today, he received a letter from the North and was just about to bring it to Xie Nandu, but he did not expect Teacher to also take out a letter and asked him to bring it together.

The letters were written by the same person and he probably knew why there were two letters

Xie Nandu shook her head and said, ”I didn’t tell Teacher.”

Wei Xu thought for a moment and understood, ”Since we are in the academy, there is nothing that Teacher doesn’t know.”

In the academy, the dean was actually akin to a god.

”Since Teacher didn’t stop Junior Sister and even wrote a letter to ask that junior brother to reply to you, it should be considered as acquiescence. If Junior Sister has time, you can try cultivating. I presume that with Junior Sister’s comprehension ability and that junior brother’s letter, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

After Wei Xu finished speaking, he turned and was about to leave.

Xie Nandu suddenly spoke up and asked, ”Senior Brother, there’s a rumor about the library being haunted by a ghost that’s circulating in the academy now, does Senior Brother know the inside story?”

Normally, Xie Nandu would not have cared about such things, but the rumor about the haunting had started on the day she read the sword cultivation technique in the library, which piqued her curiosity.

Wei Xu frowned and, surprisingly, seemed displeased as he said ”This haunting is utter nonsense. We are all scholars of the Great Liang Dynasty, why would we believe in ghosts and gods? Even if the spirits of the dead wander after death, how could they do evil?”

The most obvious difference between the Great Liang Dynasty and the previous dynasty was that the Great Liang Dynasty did not believe in ghosts and gods. Those small temples in the mountains and countryside were all abandoned during the Great Liang Dynasty.

Xie Nandu smiled and said softly, ”Well, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Wei Xu nodded with a smile and soon left.

After Wei Xu left, Xie Nandu lowered her head and opened one of the two letters. As soon as she opened it, a sword intent burst out, sharp and full of killing intent. Before Xie Nandu could react, her sleeves were shredded by sword intent again.

She took the letter out.

”I heard that Teacher has taken in a junior sister for us and I am overjoyed. I also know that little junior sister intends to explore the path of the sword. When I, this senior brother, read this letter, I’m truly happy and feel that my path isn’t alone...”

When she opened the letter, the sword intent dissipated and was replaced with a sense of joy. Through the contents of the letter, one could imagine how happy that disciple of the dean, who was slaying demons in the northern frontier, must have been when he wrote the letter.

After the brief greeting and expression of joy, the letter went on to describe the precautions and insights on sword cultivation, as well as the many thoughts of the sword cultivator’s comprehension on Sword Dao.

Xie Nandu quickly finished reading the letter and then opened the other letter.

That letter was from the dean, written to the disciple in the northern frontier, asking him to reply.

Presumably, it was more valuable than the letter Wei Xu wrote.

Opening the envelope, there was also a trace of sword intent. It was just that it was not strong and was very ordinary.

”Teacher mentioned that little junior sister’s method of enlightenment in Sword Dao was that one book, this senior brother is very impressed. You should know that the person’s sword intent is already one of the best in the cultivation world for hundreds of years. To be honest, when this senior brother first learned the sword, I didn’t dare to touch that volume. Junior Sister’s talent really makes this senior brother envy you. But I heard Teacher say that Junior Sister is a genius in Sword Dao, so this senior brother can understand the link... ”

This letter was much more specific and everything was explained according to the difficulties written in that sword cultivation technique. This senior brother explained things very clearly and gave many examples.

So Xie Nandu read this letter very slowly, not skimming over anything, but absorbing every word.

So when she finished reading the letter, it was already afternoon.

The sun was beginning to slant westward.

Xie Nandu put down the letter in her hand and rubbed her forehead rather wearily, but she still did not see the figure of that young man. She was feeling a bit irritable, so she patted the low table next to her chair.

Liu Ye hurried over and asked, ”Miss, what’s wrong?”

Xie Nandu did not speak. How could she express the words that were stuck in her throat?

Liu Ye wanted to probe, but after Xie Nandu looked at her, she immediately shut her mouth.

……

……

Outside that low-rise manor.

Chen Chao casually plucked a thin branch from a tree on the side of the street. Then, he put it in his mouth to dig his teeth, then burped with satisfaction.

He acted like a ruffian who had just conned someone into giving him food.

Song Lian walked beside him and exclaimed, ”This is really great.”

Chen Chao rubbed his slightly bloated belly and said, ”Your Excellency, Sister-in-law is really good at cooking. Your Excellency has to work hard. After you marry her, you’ll be able to eat this kind of food every day.”

Hearing the term ”sister-in-law,” Song Lian smiled contentedly and said, ”Of course, it seems like it won’t be long now. But no matter what, I have to thank you. If it weren’t for you, an old man like me who’s halfway into the ground would still be feeling sorry for myself for many years to come.”

Chen Chao chuckled and did not say anything.

These days, he had not gone back to the academy. Firstly, it was because the Myriad Willow Convention was approaching and he needed to prepare well. So he had been increasing the frequency of his body tempering during this period; virtually once every two days. This intensity would be too much for an ordinary martial artist, but Chen Chao paid no attention to it. In his free time, Chen Chao had also been working hard to help his boss solve his problem.

Fortunately, through Chen Chao’s efforts, that woman’s feelings for Song Lian had grown. During the meal, she even took the initiative to serve Song Lian.

If everything went smoothly, Song Lian would soon get his wish.

The two left that stretch of low-rise houses and soon arrived at a wider street. A few constables from the Left Guard stood on both sides.

”What’s this, Sir?”

Chen Chao was surprised to see the Left Guard’s constables here.

Song Lian glanced at him and casually said, ”In recent days, many foreign cultivators have entered the Divine Capital. As the day approaches, more and more people have been coming. Today, some important figures will be arriving and the left guard has been ordered to escort them.”

Chen Chao nodded and smiled, ”In that case, this lowly official will go back and not delay your business, sir.”

Song Lian was originally prepared to nod his head, but upon thinking, he changed his mind and smiled, ”Brat, you’re also the deputy commander of my left guard. Logically speaking, you should also take a look at how my Left Guard normally operates. If I, the commander, suddenly drop dead one day, you might be able to directly take over the Left Guard.”

Chen Chao smiled and said, ”Your Excellency, you’re still in your prime. How could such a thing happen? But since Your Excellency has said so, this lowly official go and take a look with you today. Consider it an early experience.”

Song Lian nodded and gave a signal to Weng Quan who had been waiting nearby. The latter understood and led a spirited white horse out. Chen Chao took the reins and mounted the horse, looking very natural.

Song Lian sat on his horse and watched with curiosity as he asked, ”What? Have you ridden a horse before?”

Chen Chao shook his head. During his days as the warden in Tianqing County, he did not even have an office, let alone a horse. However, he had killed too many demons in the mountains and his body was tainted with some baleful energy. This white horse was spiritual and could sense it, so it did not dare to resist at this moment.

Song Lian originally just casually mentioned it and did not care when he saw that it was not the case either. He just waved his hand and headed towards the city gate.

As the commander, he naturally walked at the front, and Chen Chao, the deputy commanding officer, followed him, lagging behind a bit.

”Your Excellency, these foreign cultivators came to the capital, isn’t it arranged by the Ministry of Rites? When did the Left Guard have to get involved too?”

Chen Chao sat on his horse, looking around, somewhat bored.

Song Lian calmly said, ”What prestige can those weak scholars from the Ministry of Rites have among these foreign cultivators? It’s true that it has always been the Ministry of Rites before, but in fact, there has always been a vice-chairman of the Heavenly Imperial Institution present. You know that person too, you’ve met him by the South Lake..”

Chen Chao nodded and soon remembered that vice-chairman who looked like a rich tycoon.

”It’s still him today as usual, but among those who are coming to the Divine Capital this time, there’s a young lady with a very important identity. Hmm, she should be a little girl. We always have to pay more attention to such things, otherwise, there will be big problems.”

Song Lian smiled and said, ”But, I presume that no one will do anything in the Divine Capital. After all, this is the capital of our Great Liang dynasty.”

Chen Chao raised his eyebrows and said, ”A little girl?”

”What kind of little girl?”

Song Lian frowned and said, ”What are you thinking, kid? That Miss Xie treats you like this and you still have other ideas?”

Chen Chao said seriously, ”Isn’t that just an attitude of appreciation? Your Excellency, you’re thinking too much.”

Song Lian sneered and did not care, saying, ”That little girl is the saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace, and she has a great reputation in the foreign lands. Do you know about the Myriad Heaven Palace?”

Chen Chao nodded his head.

The Infatuation Daoist Temple was one of the two major lineages of Daoism, and the Myriad Heaven Palace was the daoist leader of the other lineage. Since that little girl was the saintess, her status was extraordinary to begin with. It was also natural that the Great Liang Dynasty attached greater importance.

”Actually, we have another intention this time. The Infatuation Daoist Temple and the Great Liang Dynasty have never had much friendship, but the Myriad Heaven Palace is different. The imperial court is now showing more importance to the Myriad Heaven Palace. Perhaps we can gain another ally for the imperial court.”

Song Lian said emotionally, ”His Majesty the Emperor is probably thinking about these things every day. It is really difficult for His Majesty.”

However, Chen Chao did not care and laughed, ”As an emperor, what else would he worry about besides the world?”