Martial Cultivator

Many people had not seen the Great Liang Emperor’s face, but few would fail to recognize the emperor robe he wore.

Chen Chao instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his saber.

While Xie Nandu gave a slow bow.

It was a bow with folded hands at the lower right side.

The Great Liang Emperor saw the two bracelets intentionally revealed on Xie Nandu’s wrist, understanding the thoughts of this genius daughter of the Xie Family but chose not to expose them. Instead, he expressed some admiration, saying, ”Truly a girl whom even Our empress liked.”

Xie Nandu said softly, ”Your Majesty is too kind.”

The Great Liang Emperor said, ”You may leave.”

These words appeared to consist of only three words, but in reality, they carried the decree of an emperor. If Xie Nandu did not leave, it would be considered defiance of an imperial decree, yet she remained motionless.

The Great Liang Emperor said indifferently, ”Heard from your teacher that you have lofty ambitions. Don’t you wish to see that day?”

Xie Nandu was silent.

She naturally had her own convictions.

The Great Liang Emperor waved his hand and said, ”We won’t be killing anyone tonight.”

Upon hearing this answer, Xie Nandu performed another bow before leaving with her umbrella. This time, she did not even spare a glance at Chen Chao.

For a figure like the Great Liang Emperor, if he said he would not kill anyone tonight, it meant exactly that. She had no worries whatsoever.

But, Chen Chao’s hand remained on the hilt of his saber. Facing his uncle, even though it was not their first meeting, he still felt an incredible sense of danger.

In the imperial family, there were no real bonds. He did not even have much feelings for his own sons, let alone for him, his nephew.

The Great Liang Emperor scrutinized Chen Chao. This was their second encounter; the first had been on the day of the Empress’ death. At that time, for reasons unknown, the Great Liang Emperor did not make a move to kill this young man.

”It’s good to be cautious, but whether you grasp a single saber or a hundred in your hand, it’s meaningless.”

The conversation between the Great Liang Emperor and him had started. This time, it still seemed that he was the first to speak.

Hearing this, Chen Chao said, ”Your Majesty’s words make a lot of sense, but if an ant is very frightened, the difference between holding a saber and not holding one can be significant, even if the outcome won’t change.”

The Great Liang Emperor nodded and continued, ”In this aspect, you’re more like your father than that elder brother of yours.”

Chen Chao fell into silence.

”The two of us were very close brothers. If he had remained alive, We would have remained a leisurely prince in the North, enjoying hunting and riding,” The Great Liang Emperor had a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. As he looked at Chen Chao, it was as if he saw his late elder brother. Their bond was deep, and although he had thought about vying for the throne, he had never wanted to harm his elder brother.

”The rumors circulating in the streets back then was that We killed Our elder brother, but We can tell you, that’s not the case,” the Great Liang Emperor said casually, his voice still calm.

Chen Chao said, ”During this period, I’ve thought about it and also feel that Your Majesty isn’t someone like that.”

A monarch who could traverse across the desolate north of thirty thousand miles by himself, how could he commit such a deed?

The Great Liang Emperor asked, ”Song Yingxu wanted to bring you away, why didn’t you go with him?”

Chen Chao replied, ”I’ve already told Your Majesty before; I have no aspirations for Your Majesty’s throne. I don’t want to take Your Majesty’s position.”

Chen Chao had already told the Great Liang Emperor this during their first meeting, and now, he reiterated it.

The Great Liang Emperor said calmly, ”Setting aside whether you desire Our position or not, since you’ve realized the possibility of death in the Divine Capital, why do you remain here? Don’t you feel anxious having your life grasped in other people’s hands?”

Chen Chao said, ”Of course I’m anxious, but I don’t want to choose the other path.”

The Great Liang Emperor asked, ”Why?”

”If the girl I like is thinking about when to reclaim the thirty thousand miles of desolate north, if I choose to stand against her for the sake of my own life, she’d be very saddened,” Chen Chao thought for a moment before giving this answer.

The Great Liang Emperor said, ”It all boils down to love.”

”Didn’t Your Majesty love Her Majesty the Empress deeply too?”

Chen Chao’s voice carried a tinge of nostalgia.

The Great Liang Emperor remarked, ”So it seems our Chen family are all sentimental fools?”

This statement was devoid of emotion, and no one could tell what the Great Liang Emperor was thinking at that moment.

Perhaps, as a certain scholar with the surname Chen once said, in this world, only true devotion could not be ridiculed.

Chen Chao did not answer.

The Great Liang Emperor looked at him and said, ”Now, there are ten thousand reasons why We could kill you.”

The current Great Liang Dynasty was flourishing and growing stronger by the day, but Chen Chao was an existence that represented extreme instability. Killing him could resolve countless potential troubles that might arise in the future.

Chen Chao said calmly, ”But not tonight.”

The Great Liang Emperor shook his head. ”Not tonight. However, after tonight, every night thereafter, you’ll have to worry whether you might die just like that.”

Chen Chao gripped the hilt of his saber, silent.

The Great Liang Emperor suddenly chuckled, and then arrived in front of Chen Chao. With a sweep of his sleeve, there was a sudden loud bang, sending Chen Chao flying out, crashing into a willow tree, causing it to sway. Chen Chao landed on his bottom in front of the willow tree, unable to stand up.

His hand still gripped the sword saber, yet he had not managed to draw the blade.

”Holding onto the saber is meaningless; it only holds significance when you can draw it to kill.”

”Your body is tempered pretty well.”

Standing with hands behind his back, the Great Liang Emperor said calmly, ”Throughout Our life, my actions have been justifiable, and We have no regrets for what We have done. Whether you believe it or not, We have no intention of killing you. As for when you decide to kill Us, you can come find Us anytime. We will always give you the opportunity to kill Us, between you and Us, Nephew.”