Martial Cultivator

When the ferry reached the dock, before Chen Chao and Yu Xiyi disembarked, the group of merchants had already gathered at the bow. With the ferryman in the lead, the moment they saw Yu Xiyi, they all clasped their fists and said in unison, “Many thanks to Sword Immortal Yu for saving our lives. We will never forget your great kindness!”

It was probably the first time in Yu Xiyi’s life that he had encountered such a scene. Looking at the sincere faces of these common people of the Great Liang, he felt a faint warmth in his chest, though for the moment, he did not quite know what to say.

Seeing Yu Xiyi standing there like a dumb goose, Chen Chao nudged him in the waist with his elbow, and only then did Yu Xiyi come to his senses, his old face flushing red.

Mr Tan laughed and said, “Sword Immortal Yu, aren’t you going to say a few words to everyone?”

Yu Xiyi froze, looked at the crowd, mumbled for a long time, and still could not come up with anything to say. In the end, he simply looked sincerely at the ferryman and said, “Your fish was pretty good.”

Everyone was stunned for a moment, and then burst into cheerful laughter.

This young sword immortal, whose name had long since become legendary in the world, was someone they had all heard of. But who would have thought that when they met the legendary sword immortal in person, he would carry no airs at all, and was instead just like some awkward fellow from next door, even a bit dull.

That made him feel all the more approachable.

Soon, someone asked with a smile who this young sword immortal’s traveling companion was. Logically speaking, anyone who traveled with such a figure must be extraordinary as well.

Yu Xiyi glanced at Chen Chao.

Chen Chao shook his head slightly.

So Yu Xiyi did not say much, and after squeezing out a few more words, they disembarked.

After leaving the dock, the two walked side by side along the official road for a long time, until Yu Xiyi looked toward Chen Chao with a trace of envy and said, “I think I understand your kind of happiness now.”

Chen Chao raised an eyebrow and said, “You brat, your cultivation’s still lacking, and you’re way too vain.”

Yu Xiyi clicked his tongue and said, “Anyway, I don’t believe you really felt nothing. Don’t tell me you didn’t feel even a little bit of joy.”

Chen Chao laughed heartily. “Of course I was happy. You think I’m a wooden post?”

In front of Yu Xiyi, Chen Chao would not bother hiding anything. Serving the people when in office was the basic duty of a court official, but if someone claimed to feel nothing at all from the people’s response, then honestly, there probably were not many people in the world who could do that.

Yu Xiyi sighed emotionally. “To be honest, it really does give a very special feeling. Back when I was cultivating the sword in the Sword Sect, there were a few fellow disciples who genuinely admired me, but that kind of feeling is totally different from this. No wonder you people actually have a group of folks so fired up to do these kinds of things.”

Chen Chao just smiled without saying a word. Cultivators on the mountain treated the mortal world like flood and fire, terrified it would ruin their Dao heart. But as for which path would truly lead further, no one could say for sure, not even now.

Suddenly, Chen Chao smiled and said, “I’ve got a bit of a shameless request. I’ll just say it offhand, and you can listen however you like. If it doesn’t sit right, then forget it. But if you’re interested, we can talk more?”

“What lousy idea are you cooking up now?”

Yu Xiyi raised a brow and glanced at Chen Chao. With how well he knew him, he could tell the moment Chen Chao opened his mouth, it would not be anything simple.

Chen Chao chuckled.

Yu Xiyi said impatiently, “Just spit it out.”

“I know you’re a sword cultivator from the Sword Sect. I don’t know what kind of rules your sect has, but I just wanted to ask, if it’s possible, could you pick a few promising kids from the Great Liang? Not saying you have to take them as disciples, just give them a bit of guidance. They could be in-name disciples. If you can’t teach the things from your Sword Sect, maybe you’ve got your own methods? If even that’s a no, then forget I said anything.”

The Great Liang Dynasty had no shortage of martial artists, and the most outstanding among them were indeed from the Great Liang. But as for other cultivators, on the surface, the only known sword immortal was Liu Banbi, and that sword immortal had always remained in the Northern Frontier. Even if Chen Chao wanted to have designs on him, he would not have an easy time.

But Chen Chao had already made plans for Sword Qi Mountain earlier, he had managed to trick quite a few swordsmiths into working as craftsmen in the Ministry of Works in the Divine Capital. They might not all be truly skilled, but at least it was a good start.

Yu Xiyi cursed, “I knew it. The moment you opened your mouth, it couldn’t be anything good.”

Chen Chao could not be bothered to argue and said bluntly, “Yes or no, give me a straight answer. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged sword immortals... are also hard to find.”

“Tsk-tsk, is that your attitude when asking for help?”

Yu Xiyi said with a fake smile “You just conned me into risking my life for you, and this is the attitude you show now?”

Chen Chao was momentarily stunned, then broke into a radiant smile. “Almighty Sword Immortal Yu, why are you being petty with me? If it really comes down to it, I’ll help you find a wife, guaranteed to be pretty and sweet.”

“No thanks. I’d be afraid she’s someone you’ve harmed before.” Yu Xiyi said with a raised brow. “But as for teaching a few disciples, that’s not really a big deal. The sword cultivation lineage may have so-called sect boundaries, but compared to other cultivation paths, we’re actually less rigid. Didn’t Sect Master himself draw on the strengths of a hundred schools just for that one sword strike?” ”Besides, I’ve received guidance from Sword Immortal Liu. This much, I can promise you. But it depends on the students, I’ll pick them myself. I don’t trust you not to send me a bunch of useless trash.”

Chen Chao nodded and smiled. “Of course. But now that we’re at this point, I’ve got one more shameless request.”

Yu Xiyi’s eyes widened as he cursed, “Chen Chao, are you seriously trying to fleece one sheep for all the wool on its body?!”

Chen Chao burst into laughter.

Yu Xiyi could not stand the sight of him and snapped, “Spit it out already. Say everything you’ve got to say. Your Father doesn’t want to listen anymore.”

“It’s a good thing, how about taking up a position in Great Liang as a guest retainer of sorts?”

Chen Chao grinned. “You’d get a monthly salary, too.”

Yu Xiyi cursed, “Your Father only needs a sword, what the hell do I want some damn salary for?”

Chen Chao nodded, fully agreeing, and said, “How about you give the money to me instead? My disciples need quite a sum of money to temper their physiques.”

“Get lost, Chen Chao! Your plans are too fucking shrewd!”

Yu Xiyi said softly, “If I become a guest retainer of Great Liang, won’t the Sword Sect scold me so badly I won’t even be able to lift my head?”

Chen Chao had actually considered that. Hearing Yu Xiyi say it now, he waved his hand and said, “In that case...”

Before he finished speaking, Yu Xiyi interrupted with a smile and said, “But I actually don’t care about things like that. I really do think the Divine Capital is nice. Great Liang is nice.”

Chen Chao sincerely gave him a thumbs-up and said with a laugh, “Among all the sword cultivators under heaven, you’re still the most successful one!”

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