Martial Cultivator

The court officials left the imperial city. Before the Lord Warden Commander entered the main hall, Li Heng reminded him that His Majesty the Emperor had already gone to the White Dew Garden and asked the Lord Warden Commander to go there to meet His Majesty.

The White Dew Garden was another name for the imperial garden in the imperial city, originally named by the Empress. After a few expansion works, in had grown much bigger compared to when the deposed emperor was on the throne. It could indeed be considered a decent garden now. After the Empress passed away, whenever the Great Liang Emperor had free time, he would almost always spend some time here.

When the Lord Warden Commander arrived at the White Dew Garden, he saw the Great Liang Emperor standing in front of a peony flower.

Before the Lord Warden Commander could speak, the Great Liang Emperor took the initiative to ask, ”Do you think We acted a bit rashly?”

The Lord Warden Commander was taken aback, then immediately understood that the Great Liang Emperor was referring to granting Chen Chao the right to bear arms. After a moment of thought, the Lord Warden Commander said softly, ”Your Majesty’s actions have made it difficult for that kid to maneuver in court. The civil officials may be fine, but those military officials are likely quite envious.”

The Great Liang Emperor smiled, seeming quite interested in this statement. He paused for a moment before saying calmly, ”The favorite activity of those subjects is to speculate on the Emperor’s intentions. Every action and movement gives them plenty to ponder. The moment We spoke, the civil officials will have plenty of work to do. As for those military officials who wish to cause trouble for him, let them be. After all, where in this world can a sapling grow without experiencing wind and rain?”

The Lord Warden Commander smiled and said, ”It seems Your Majesty is intentionally causing trouble for him.”

The Great Liang Emperor shook his head and said, ”We’re not that bored. It’s just that he encountered this situation because he wasn’t allowed to carry a saber, and he has earned some face for our Great Liang Dynasty. Considering that he was also the champion of the martial examination at the Myriad Willow Convention before, and We didn’t reward him then either, it’s now added together and rewarded. Rewarding him with the right to carry a saber is nothing more than that. It’s not like conferring a noble title. Do those historians think they can label Us as a foolish ruler in the history books?”

The Lord Warden Commander had nothing to say in reply. Among the numerous court officials of the Great Liang Dynasty, perhaps only a few of them, who had known this Emperor before he became Emperor, could see such a side of him.

Many people might think that this Emperor became more unpredictable after becoming Emperor, but the Lord Warden Commander knew that the Emperor had always been the same passionate and open-minded young man.

”Let them speculate. We can’t be bothered with these trivial matters,” he said.

The Great Liang Emperor glanced at the peony flower before speaking, ”Sending you to the Northern Frontier this time is an act of helplessness on Our part. Xiao Hezheng is nearing the end of his life. We can’t let him die on the Northern Frontier Great Wall, right? He has served Great Liang all his life, and if he cannot even return to his hometown in the end, what kind of emperor would We be?”

The Lord Warden Commander nodded, ”The Great General has worked hard and accomplished much during his many years at the Northern Frontier. It is indeed time for him to return and rest.”

The Lord Warden Commander harbored no selfish intentions towards the Great General. As fellow subjects, he held nothing but respect for that Great General. Turning around, the Great Liang Emperor looked at the Lord Warden Commander and shook his head, ”All he wants is to die in his hometown. No matter how heartless We are, We cannot bear to refuse him this wish.”

After a pause, the Great Liang Emperor said softly, ”The Northern Frontier is not entirely peaceful either. As the Great General, We know that you might be able to suppress those generals in the army, but there’s another important matter for you in the Northern Frontier. You need to ensure that the compensation for the soldiers who die on the city walls reaches their families, and that the monthly stipends are paid in full while they are alive. We’ve never denied the contributions of the border army, but over the years, half of the nation’s taxes have been allocated to the Northern Frontier. With so much money involved, it’s only natural for some to have ulterior motives. However, normalcy does not equate to Our permission. Investigate thoroughly. Anyone found guilty is to be executed.”

The Great Liang Emperor did not mince words. He meant execution.

When he returned from the Northern Frontier previously, whether was it the assassination in Xuanling Commandery or the collusion of the garrison commander Wei Feng with the foreign cultivators, they were not significant matters to the Great Liang Emperor. He believed the most significant and intolerable issue was the embezzlement of the soldiers’ compensation by officials. Hence, after the incident in Xuanling Commandery, which affected the entire province, numerous officials suffered the consequences of the Great Liang Emperor’s wrath.

”We grant you the authority to execute first and report later. You may kill them after investigation, no need to report it to Us first.”

Lord Warden Commander said solemnly, ”This subject receives the decree.”

The Great Liang Emperor nodded, then rubbed his brows.

Dealing with these national and military affairs every day was indeed more exhausting than cultivating.

However, this world belonged to him, and the countless citizens were also his people. He had no choice but to take care of them.

Lord Warden Commander was silent for a moment, but he still opened his mouth to ask, ”Your Majesty, after this subject leaves the Divine Capital, who will assume the position of Lord Warden Commander?”

”Do you have a suitable candidate?” the Great Liang Emperor asked casually.

Lord Warden Commander shook his head and said softly, ”If we disregard cultivation realm, Left Guard Commander Song Lian might be able to take on this role. However, he’s currently only at the Great Beyond Realm, it’s likely difficult to convince the masses. If we consider cultivation realm, then perhaps the Chairman of the Heavenly Imperial Institution...”

Lord Warden Commander did not finish speaking. The warden faction and the Heavenly Imperial Institution were also at odds. In fact, there was absolutely no reason for the Chairman of the Heavenly Imperial Institution to assume the position of Lord Warden Commander. However, at this moment, the Great Liang Dynasty could not find any suitable candidates.

The Great Liang Emperor shook his head and said, ”Leaving aside other matters, there shouldn’t be a problem with Song Lian serving as Left Guard Commander. However, he still needs polishing before he can be the Lord Warden Commander. As for the Chairman of the Heavenly Imperial Institution, We have other plans for him. Let the position of Lord Warden Commander remain vacant for now. With Us in the Divine Capital, there shouldn’t be any trouble.”

Lord Warden Commander nodded, ”Understood, Your Majesty.”

Before he could continue speaking, the Great Liang Emperor suddenly chuckled, ”If We were to banish that kid from the Divine Capital right now, do you think he will survive?”

Lord Warden Commander was taken aback. Hearing this, he could not come up with a response. However, he soon replied, ”Chen Chao is probably the public enemy of the entire young generation of foreign cultivators. If Your Majesty were to banish him, it would likely be very difficult for him.”

”Even if We don’t banish him, he won’t leave on his own? That saber of his, isn’t it broken? Wasn’t he thinking of forging it anew?”

There was a hint of amusement in the Great Liang Emperor’s eyes.

Lord Warden Commander smiled bitterly and said, ”It’s just that those people on Sword Qi Mountain are known for their peculiar temperaments. Can he really get his wish?

The Great Liang Emperor did not answer that question, just casually said, ”Since he wants to go, there are matters over there that need attending to.”

After saying this, the Great Liang Emperor did not wait for Lord Warden Commander to speak, but walked ahead on his own. Lord Warden Commander could only stand in place and bow slowly.

As they exited the White Dew Garden, Li Heng was already waiting there.

Seeing the Emperor emerge, Li Heng signaled for the other palace attendants to withdraw, then followed the Great Liang Emperor slowly along the palace walls. They were already master and servant since they were in the prince manor. At this moment, neither of them spoke.

”Li Heng, do you think that kid resembles Imperial Elder Brother?”

The Great Liang Emperor suddenly opened his mouth, throwing out this question.

This Great Liang Emperor had three imperial elder brothers, but the imperial elder brother he was referring to, was actually just one, and that was the late Crown Prince.

He was considered the only man among that generation of princes who could slightly surpass him.

Li Heng was taken aback for a moment, then replied, ”If we’re talking about facial features, not quite, but there are some similarities in his demeanor.”

The Great Liang Emperor remained silent.

They walked on for a while.

Suddenly, Li Heng paused and mustered his courage to say, ”Actually, this servant personally feels that he resembles you more, Your Majesty. That determination deep in his bones, it’s reminiscent of Your Majesty’s youth.”

The Great Liang Emperor stopped in his tracks, looking at Li Heng as he spoke, ”Li Heng, you have quite the audacity.”

If it were anyone else, they might have already knelt down to beg for forgiveness at this moment, but Li Heng simply smiled and replied, ”Your Majesty, whether there’s a resemblance or not, Your Majesty knows best. This servant would never deceive Your Majesty.”

The Great Liang Emperor chuckled, a rare sound of laughter breaking through.

”You stay here; We’ll take a walk by Ourselves.”

So Li Heng halted his steps, quietly watching the Great Liang Emperor walk away.

After walking quite a distance, the Great Liang Emperor looked at the crimson palace wall beside him and suddenly lamented, ”Even if We can accomplish half, what about the other half?”

After taking a few more steps, this Great Liang Emperor suddenly raised an eyebrow.

Then he burst into laughter again.

He was in a very good mood today.

Since the passing of the Empress, he had not felt this happy again.