Martial Cultivator

Chen Chao took the invitation from Xie Nandu’s hand, glanced at it, and then looked at Xie Nandu with some confusion, asking, ”Why?”

Although Xie Nandu had already analyzed for him why the Great General wanted to see him, the invitation came right away after their conversation, leaving Chen Chao puzzled. Mainly, he did not understand why a Great General, even if he was about to retire, and had been the highest military official of the Great Liang Dynasty with immense prestige in the court, would personally send him an invitation.

It should have been Chen Chao, this young military official, sending an invitation to the Great General whose prestige in court was unrivaled.

Xie Nandu said, ”Perhaps he truly values a genius and wants to do something for the Great Liang Dynasty one last time?”

Chen Chao scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.

”Like I said before, if he wants to see you, it’s just like when Teacher wanted to see you back then, you can’t escape it no matter what.”

Xie Nandu quickly assessed the situation and casually said, ”Actually, don’t overthink it. At least this Great General won’t have any intention of harming you. In the Divine Capital, no one can defy the will of His Majesty, and isn’t His Majesty’s will clear enough?”

Chen Chao nodded, but still felt somewhat worried.

He glanced at Xie Nandu.

Xie Nandu understood what he was thinking and shook her head as she said, ”He didn’t invite me.”

Chen Chao dispelled the notion and sat back down.

However, he quickly greeted Liu Ye and instructed her to inform the Left Guard’s office to arrange for a carriage tomorrow to visit the Great General. There was no reason to ride in the academy’s carriage.

Liu Ye seemed reluctant, but after Xie Nandu gave her a glance, this young maidservant did not dare to disobey her mistress’s wishes. However, she would surely curse Chen Chao behind his back.

After Liu Ye left, Chen Chao lamented sincerely, ”It feels great to have someone to order around.”

Xie Nandu glanced at him and asked, ”Should I bring you a basin of hot water for you to soak your feet?”

Chen Chao had an innocent look, ”Really?”

On the morning of the second day, Chen Chao stepped out of the small courtyard, and a carriage was already parked at the door. Standing in front of the carriage was a familiar face, Weng Quan.

Looking at the carriage parked next to him, Chen Chao’s expression became somewhat unnatural. However, upon closer inspection, it seemed that the carriage before him was not the same as the previous one, which relieved him.

Weng Quan approached with a smile and asked, ”Deputy Commander, how about it? I’ve refurbished this carriage quite well before. Now, it doesn’t look so shabby, does it?”

Chen Chao was expressionless, he just muttered, ”Next time, I don’t want to see it again. Tear it down!”

The last few words were practically gnashed out by Chen Chao.

Weng Quan had a blank look but did not dare to ask.

Chen Chao boarded the carriage, and Weng Quan followed suit. The carriage slowly departed from the academy.

The Great General’s mansion was not close to the academy to begin with, so Weng Quan did not drive slowly. Fortunately, he was skilled at driving, maintaining a fast speed without alarming the common people. They soon arrived at the Great General’s mansion, although they could not avoid being seen by conscientious people along the way.

Before Chen Chao even arrived at the Great General’s mansion, the news had already spread.

So, what seemed like a private meeting between an old general about to bid farewell to the Great Liang Dynasty and a young military official with boundless potential was actually stirring the hearts of countless people.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Great General’s mansion, Weng Quan parked the carriage. After Chen Chao stepped out of the carriage, Weng Quan was about to leave immediately. Chen Chao asked, ”Why are you in such a hurry?”

Weng Quan replied as a matter of course, ”Since Deputy Commander instructed me to quickly bring the carriage back to dismantle it, this lowly official naturally has to rush back.”

Chen Chao was speechless. ”Then, who will come to pick me up when I leave later?”

Weng Quan’s face turned red and he said somewhat embarrassedly, ”This lowly official forgot about that.”

Chen Chao felt a headache coming on but did not say anything, as the old steward had already walked over.

Seeing Chen Chao, the old steward smiled and said, ”I presume you must be Commander Chen, right?”

Before Chen Chao could answer, the old steward continued, ”You must be. I don’t think there’s any young man in the capital who can match Commander Chen’s air.”

The old steward had been serving in the Great General’s mansion for so many years, naturally, he had his remarkable qualities. He casually omitted the word ”deputy,” just this alone, it was doubtful that Weng Quan could learn it no matter how many years he tried.

Chen Chao clasped his hands, ”Sir, you’re too kind.”

Glancing at the saber hanging from Chen Chao’s waist, the old steward did not say anything either. In name, Chen Chao was invited by the Great General, so carrying a saber was not a big deal. Moreover, a makes sense like the Great General could not be threatened by a young military official like Chen Chao just because he had a saber.

This was similar to the reasoning when Chen Chao first entered the palace.

The old steward waved his hand, ”What ’sir’? I’m just an old servant in the Great General’s mansion.”

Since ancient times, there had been a saying that the household servants in the Prime Minister’s manor were third-grade officials. Since this old steward could manage affairs in the Great General’s mansion, Chen Chao would definitely consider him to be someone extraordinary. Therefore, no matter what, he had to treat him carefully.[1.]

The old steward nodded, feeling a bit more favorable towards this young military official who had quite a reputation in the capital.

He was not as arrogant as he had anticipated, but he could not help but think that if Chen Chao were to really behave in an unruly and arrogant manner in the Great General’s mansion, even if it was an old general about to retire from the Great Liang Dynasty’s court, he would make Chen Chao suffer some hardship.

Entering the courtyard, the first thing Chen Chao saw was the old locust tree in the yard, followed by the reclining chair under the tree.

The old steward walked through the courtyard without looking sideways and led Chen Chao to the main hall. After the servants brought tea, the old steward lamented, ”Upon careful consideration, apart from His Highness the First Prince and the young miss, it seems that Commander Chen is the only guest the General has met in the mansion all these years.”

Chen Chao looked flattered, ”I am truly honored.”

The old steward smiled and did not say anything more.

”Commander Chen, please wait a moment. The Great General will be here shortly.”

After giving Chen Chao a final glance, the old steward slowly withdrew.

Sitting in the chair, Chen Chao looked around. This main hall was actually not large. Even the mansion of the Great General was not particularly big. This Great General’s mansion might seem humble at first glance, but considering that the Great General was rarely in the Divine Capital, and his wife had also passed away many years ago, and their only daughter had long been married into the First Prince’s manor, the current state of the mansion was understandable.

However, after sitting quietly for an hour without seeing the Great General’s figure, Chen Chao began to sense something amiss.

Nevertheless, he remained composed, quietly waiting.

Patience was crucial when killing demons in the mountains. Without patience, many tasks could not be accomplished.

Two hours later, Chen Chao finally picked up the tea beside him and took a sip.

Cold tea was not hard to drink, and waiting was not unbearable.

Afterwards, Chen Chao even began to contemplate the matter of that piece of paper.

He did not know how much time had passed, perhaps about four hours.

A series of footsteps sounded out.

Chen Chao returned to his senses, knowing that he was about to meet that Great General.

So he slowly rose to his feet.

The Great General appeared at the end of his sight.