Martial Cultivator

When the two entered the borders of Changping Prefecture, Chen Chao took the initiative to stop and said with a grin, “I’m not heading back to the Divine Capital for the time being. You go ahead on your own.”

Yu Xiyi raised an eyebrow and said, “Are you crazy? You just killed Yinli and you’re covered in wounds, and now you want to swagger around like it’s nothing? Are you not afraid of dying?”

No one could guarantee that the matter of Yinli being killed would not spread. If some big shit from the daoist sects found out, or worse, someone from the Infatuation Daoist Temple caught wind of it, and thought the whole affair was too humiliating, it was not impossible that they might come to kill him for it.

Although Yun Jianyue had taken the seat of temple master, to say he had complete control over the Infatuation Daoist Temple, Chen Chao felt that was very unlikely in the short term. One: Yun Jianyue was too young. Two: his cultivation realm was not high enough; and most importantly, his prestige simply was not there yet.

In this, he was very different from Chen Chao. As things stood now in the Great Liang Dynasty, unless Chen Chao insisted on rebelling, there was basically no one who could touch him.

After all, Chen Chao’s prestige in the current Great Liang Dynasty was far too high.

“There are some things that need to be done. You think being the Lord Warden Commander just means I get to show off every day?”

Chen Chao gave Yu Xiyi a sidelong glance.

Yu Xiyi rolled his eyes.

”By the way, there’s one more request...”

Before Chen Chao could speak, Yu Xiyi interrupted, ”Are you fucking done yet?”

Chen Chao chuckled, ”As for the matter with the Green Algae Sect, I killed their sect master. A while ago, I received news that they’re still not convinced and have been secretly moving about, seeking revenge. I’ve already sent someone from the Divine Capital to handle it. You’re not in a hurry, so you could go check it out and consider it a bit of reconnaissance.”

Yu Xiyi asked curiously, ”You’re going to destroy an entire sect just like that. Are you sure your blood is still warm?”

Chen Chao replied calmly, ”Those who should be killed, will be. No one who doesn’t deserve it will be harmed. My blood is sometimes cold, sometimes hot.”

Yu Xiyi did not speak. In the end, he nodded his head, agreeing to it.

The two then parted ways - one heading to the Green Algae Sect, the other stopping at a small teahouse by the official road on the border.

Chen Chao ordered a pot of tea, waiting for someone.

Time passed, and soon, footsteps sounded on the official road. A young man with an innocent face arrived.

After he saw Chen Chao, he stopped and, after a formal greeting, said excitedly, ”Your Excellency, you’re personally waiting for this subordinate, this subordinate is truly moved.”

The young man was none other than Yu Lu, who had done much for the Infatuation Daoist Temple.

Now that Yin’i was dead, he had quickly left the Infatuation Daoist Temple and hurriedly traveled to the Divine Capital.

Chen Chao smiled, ”It’s not like I was specially waiting for you, but I had to see you safely return. Although I trust Yun Jianyue, if something were to happen to you on the way, I’d end up going to the Infatuation Daoist Temple instead.”

Yu Lu was taken aback, then shook his head and said, ”Yu Lu, why would you risk such danger? You’re now very important to the Great Liang. If you were to die because of this subordinate, this subordinate probably won’t be able to close my eyes even in the afterlife.”

Chen Chao shook his head and smiled, ”Don’t look down on yourself like that. You’re not a pawn in my hands. If we’re to speak honestly, we’re of the same path.”

”Same path?” Yu Lu muttered to himself.

”I’m waiting here for you not just to confirm your safety, but also to ask and discuss a few matters.”

Chen Chao smiled and asked, ”When will the others be back?”

Yu Lu replied, ”In batches. The last batch should return around early winter. After all, we can’t pull them all out at once, or it will definitely raise suspicion.”

Chen Chao nodded, ”When that time comes, keep an eye on the situation. If anything goes wrong, notify me immediately. No one can die before the task is complete. Now that the mission is completed, it won’t do for anyone else to die.”

Yu Lu nodded, feeling deeply moved. He had not expected Chen Chao to care so much about them. When Chen Chao said those things before, Yu Lu had even thought that Chen Chao was mostly trying to intimidate Yun Jianyue.

”After you return to the Divine Capital, don’t try to hide your identity. The name your parents gave you, use it. If anyone with knowledge of the situation in the Divine Capital dares to make things difficult for you, I’ll naturally step in. Of course, it’s not just you; everyone else is the same. You’ve all contributed to the Great Liang, and that’s how you should be treated. As for your future position in the court, you can speak frankly with me now. Do you have any thoughts?”

Chen Chao looked at Yu Lu, a faint smile ever-present.

Yu Lu thought for a moment, but did not hold back and said, ”I don’t want to serve as an official in the court. I’d rather work under Your Excellency.”

Chen Chao asked, ”Is that the truth?”

Yu Lu nodded.

Chen Chao nodded as well, then suddenly asked, ”Has Yun Jianyue said anything about the daoist techniques you learned at the Infatuation Daoist Temple?”

Yu Lu shook his head, ”Sage Yun didn’t say anything, but this subordinate has already forgotten everything about the daoist techniques.”

Chen Chao sighed, ”You’re truly a sage too.”

“When the time comes, go meet Yu Xiyi. If he thinks you have a talent for the sword, how about learning the sword from him? If you don’t like it, then you’ll just have to follow me and become a stinking martial artist.”

“Oh, and if you want to study, I’ll talk to that Saint and arrange something for you.”

Chen Chao spoke casually, but every word left Yu Lu shocked. He had never even imagined being treated like this.

Among those three, Zhou Gouqi was a genuine Confucian Saint, someone at the end of Nepenthe, and the other two were also Nepenthe.

Yu Lu thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “When this subordinate was younger, this subordinate did admire the elegance of sword immortals too. If there’s this opportunity, of course this subordinate would like to mimic Sword Immortal Yu and roam the world with a sword.”

Following Chen Chao would obviously be best for his career path, but Yu Lu’s choice came from the heart.

Chen Chao nodded, indicating that he understood. After giving a few more instructions, he finally stood up, patted Yu Lu on the shoulder, and smiled, “We still have a lot to do. Try not to think about dying.”

Yu Lu’s eyes turned red.

Chen Chao said no more.

Then Yu Lu gave a solemn bow and said earnestly, “Your Excellency, this subordinate is willing to follow you and do the things that must be done.”

Chen Chao smiled.

After that, the two parted ways. Chen Chao looked into the distance and suddenly felt a twinge of regret, why had he not bought some honey dates before leaving the Divine Capital?

When he saw that young girl later, she would probably scold him again.

But after all these years, he wondered whether that girl still liked to eat that or not.

......

......

Myriad Heaven Palace.

A girl who had grown quite a bit sat at the cliff behind the mountain, her long legs dangling into the sea of clouds.

She held a fiery red flower in her hand, plucking at its petals and muttering something under her breath.

But while she was mumbling, the dimples on her face came and went, making her look incredibly cute.

No one knew how much time had passed before she finished plucking all the petals. Only then did she toss the flower aside and rest her cheeks in her hands.

She was kind of missing all the food in the Divine Capital.

She licked her lips, looking a little aggrieved.

It had been so long since she had eaten those things!

So unfair!