Martial Cultivator

Half a day later, the two caught up with the rest of the Lu Family outside a commandery city. Lu Xin recounted everything that had happened earlier to Lu Yuan, who listened with his heart pounding in fear. But at the same time, just like Lu Xin before him, they both felt the frustration in his heart completely dissipate.

Seeing Chen Chao, Lu Yuan immediately wanted to perform a grand bow in gratitude, but Chen Chao held him by the shoulders and smiled. “Second Master Lu, what you’ve done is enough to earn my respect. I truly cannot accept such formalities.”

Tears welled up in Lu Yuan’s aged eyes as he said firmly, “If Young Master ever has need of this old man in the future, just say the word. If I so much as frown, you can chop this old Lu dead on the spot.”

Chen Chao chuckled and shook his head. “This was simply this official’s duty, there’s no need to say such things.”

Lu Yuan wiped his tears with his sleeve, looking at Chen Chao with a complex expression filled with gratitude and relief.

“Enough of that. If we’re not in a hurry, could this old man at least invite Young Master to a meal? A few cups of wine as thanks would be proper.”

Seeing Lu Yuan’s sincerity, Chen Chao did not refuse. He followed the Lu Family into the commandery city, where they went up to the second floor of a restaurant and took a seat at a window-side table.

Because of Chen Chao’s status, Lu Yuan only brought Lu Xin along this time. The three sat by the window, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Yuan raised his cup to thank Chen Chao for his assistance.

Lu Yuan said with a smile, “Your Excellency, rest assured. When this old Lu returns to the Divine Capital, I’ll make sure to explain everything clearly to the family. By then, we will prepare a grand gift in thanks.”

Chen Chao waved a hand dismissively. “Second Master Lu, are you trying to make a spectacle out of me in front of all the civil and military officials of the Divine Capital?”

Lu Yuan had traveled far and wide - he was no fool. Hearing this, he immediately caught on and laughed awkwardly. “Then we’ll deliver it privately.”

Chen Chao asked curiously, “Second Master Lu, do you really think the Lu Family can do anything in the Divine Capital without anyone noticing?”

Lu Yuan was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to respond.

Chen Chao shook his head. “This matter is official business, so let’s not drag anything else into it. But I’ve already discussed a business deal with Lu Xin, just have Lu Xin explain it to you, Second Master Lu.”

Lu Xin took the opportunity to speak, recounting the deal he had agreed upon with Chen Chao. Naturally, Lu Yuan was fully in favor of it. If such a good opportunity presented itself, they had to do everything possible to see it through.

Though the Lu Family had the Xie Family backing them up, given the current situation, it was likely that the entire Xie Family combined was no match for Chen Chao alone.

Chen Chao took a sip of wine, unwilling to say more on the matter.

Lu Yuan initially wanted to ask where Chen Chao was headed after leaving the Divine Capital, but after thinking it over, he changed the subject instead. “Your Excellency’s actions at the ferry have already exposed your identity while standing up for the Lu Family. Do you need us to help conceal your whereabouts? For example, you could travel with us, if Lord Warden Commander doesn’t mind, of course...”

This was a sincere offer, made out of consideration for Chen Chao’s safety.

Chen Chao shook his head indifferently. “Just follow your original plans, you don’t need to concern yourselves with me. But after what happened, I doubt anyone will dare make another move against you. If someone does, they’ll be provoking me directly. And if that happens, I’ll make sure to wipe out their entire dao lineage.”

Lu Yuan could only smile wryly. Was this young Lord Warden Commander really that hot-tempered?

Lu Xin, on the other hand, was already used to it. Hadn’t this man casually killed a cultivator in the Nepenthe Realm earlier?

After drinking their fill, Chen Chao stood up to take his leave. Lu Yuan quickly said, “No gifts then, but once Lord Warden Commander returns to the Divine Capital, we must visit to express our thanks properly.”

Chen Chao shook his head and politely declined before making his way downstairs on his own.

The two men stood in place, wanting to see him off, but Chen Chao waved them away, so they let it be and simply watched as he departed.

After sitting back down, Lu Yuan glanced at Lu Xin and suddenly chuckled. “Xin’er, how about a drink?”

Lu Xin nodded, poured wine into both their cups, and set the jug down. Lu Yuan picked up his cup, smiling. “This drink is from uncle to you, Nephew. You handled this matter well.”

Lu Xin quickly raised his own cup, clinking it against Lu Yuan’s, though he made sure his cup was slightly lower. This was an unspoken rule of drinking etiquette that every Lu family member learned from a young age. Naturally, he would not make any mistakes in such a moment.

“It wasn’t really my doing, the Lord Warden Commander proposed it himself.”

After thinking about it, Lu Xin added, “When we report to the Family Head, please don’t embellish the story, Uncle. What is not mine, is not mine, this nephew doesn’t wish to claim credit for it.”

Lu Yuan nodded, his eyes full of admiration. This nephew of his, born from a concubine, could resist such temptation and say these words, which proved he was no ordinary person. To an outsider, this deal might seem like just 100,000 skygold coins, but once the matter reached the Divine Capital, and the truth was made clear, Lu Xin would undoubtedly receive great merit. The Lu Family would then fully dedicate themselves to nurturing him, and it would not be far-fetched to say that he might one day become the family head.

Lu Yuan nodded again. “It’s rare for someone your age to have such restraint. But every choice comes with gains and losses, think it through carefully yourself.”

Lu Xin nodded, then asked, “Regarding the business deal with the Lord Warden Commander, what does Uncle think?”

Lu Yuan thought for a moment before replying, “There’s no need to overcomplicate things. Since the Lord Warden Commander is this kind of man, we shouldn’t try too hard to curry favor. Just conduct business as usual. The more impatient one is for quick success, the more likely things will go wrong. As for the future? Let’s wait and see, there’s no rush.”

Lu Xin smiled and asked, “Then, in Uncle’s opinion, is the Lord Warden Commander really just an ordinary official?”

Lu Yuan shook his head but said nothing.

He finished the wine in his cup before suddenly saying, “Xin’er, do you remember the question you asked on the ferry?”

Lu Xin nodded. Back on the ferry, he had asked Lu Yuan whether the world would become a better place in the future.

At the time, Lu Yuan had not been able to answer. But now, he could.

“Before, I couldn’t say for sure. Or rather, I didn’t dare to say with certainty. But after today, I can tell you with confidence: the world in the future will definitely become better.”

Lu Yuan looked at Lu Xin and spoke with great seriousness. “Not for any other reason, but because there is such a Lord Warden Commander.”

Lu Xin murmured softly, “Can one man’s strength really change anything?”

Lu Yuan laughed. “Did His Majesty not change many things himself? Why shouldn’t we believe in him?”

……

……

After parting ways with the Lu Family, Chen Chao quickly left Changping Prefecture and entered the borders of Qingshan Prefecture.

This time, after leaving the Divine Capital, he and Yu Xiyi had taken separate paths. The young sword immortal had chosen to travel the world, cutting down demons as he went. By now, his name had already become much more renowned than before.

By the time Chen Chao stepped into Qingshan Prefecture, he was already hearing cultivators in the area discussing the young sword immortal, speculating just how many demons he intended to slay.

Some scoffed, harboring little goodwill toward this sword immortal who was close to Great Liang. Others took a more objective stance, believing that the young sword immortal was perhaps walking a different path, proving his dao through slaughter. He likely had his own thoughts about the path of sword cultivation.

People had high expectations for the sword master of Wild Grass. After all, Sword Qi Mountain’s so-called Hundred Year Sword was not something just any sword cultivator could take.

That Yu Xiyi had been acknowledged by that flying sword was proof enough of his potential.

In fact, most of the past owners of the Hundred Year Sword had ultimately stepped beyond the Great Beyond and become Great Sword Immortals.

Even if Yu Xiyi was the worst of them, he would not be too far behind.

On the second day after entering Qingshan Prefecture, Chen Chao received word from the Divine Capital, there was now a resolution regarding Sword Qi Mountain. They had agreed to his request, allowing the Sword Sect’s sword cultivators to climb the mountain and claim swords once more. Naturally, they had also accepted the mine. Song Lian had already sent word to the Sword Sect, meaning that from now on, the sect’s sword cultivators could once again retrieve swords from Sword Qi Mountain.

This outcome was within Chen Chao’s expectations, and he was not surprised. Sword Qi Mountain had no true powerhouses. If they truly fell out with the Sword Sect, there would likely be considerable internal dissent among their own people. What Chen Chao had done was essentially offer them a way out, allowing Yang Furen to step down naturally.

There was also news from Infatuation Daoist Temple, the infiltration efforts had progressed beyond Chen Chao’s expectations.

Yu Lu, in particular, had now not only earned Yin Li’s deep trust but had even begun cultivating his own network within the temple.

Chen Chao found this rather poignant.

His uncle had accomplished in just over a decade what should have taken generations. Just this achievement alone was incredible.

In reality, the things Chen Chao was doing now were all built upon the foundation laid by the Great Liang Emperor, making his work much easier.

As for the other matters in court, none were of great importance, so Chen Chao only skimmed through them.

By dusk, Chen Chao arrived at a commandery city within Qingshan Prefecture, called Yingchun Commandery.

By the time he entered the city, night had already fallen.

The streets were nearly empty.

Chen Chao strolled leisurely through the city before arriving at the entrance of a narrow alleyway. At the alley’s entrance, there was a butcher shop.

At this hour, it had long since closed.

Chen Chao knocked on the door.

A voice filled with impatience quickly sounded out from inside. “Who is it?”

Chen Chao smiled and said, “Someone from your hometown.”

His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for those inside to hear.

“What hometown? Your Father doesn’t have any family anymore!”

A string of curses followed, but at the same time, the door panel began to shift. Someone inside was unlocking it.

Before long, a dim light seeped through the gaps in the shop, and part of the door panel was completely removed. A burly man stepped out, glanced at Chen Chao, and frowned. “What the hell is this nonsense? Just a brat? You got no adults at home?”

Chen Chao smiled at him and said, “Everyone else is busy, so I had to come.”

The man frowned. “And what can you do?”

Chen Chao said, “I can do anything.”

The man was about to say more, but before he could, Chen Chao took the token from his waist, raised it in his hand, and said, “Shall we talk inside?”

The man stared at the inscription on the token, completely stunned. For a moment, he did not know how to react, let alone what to say.