Martial Cultivator

”It snowed in the Divine Capital...”

This was clearly only half a sentence. As for the second half, how could Chen Chao not guess it?

It was most likely just asking: When will you return?

Chen Chao shook his head. That girl had not changed at all, still hiding her feelings as always, never easily revealing them.

Putting the letter away, Chen Chao did not intend to write a reply. After all, he could not be certain of the timing. If he made a promise and failed to keep it, it would only lead to greater disappointment.

As for the second matter, in recent days, Chen Chao had often met with Daoist Li Yu. The two had chatted several times, and whenever future matters were brought up, Li Yu would always brush them aside and change the subject. Chen Chao did not get angry, but afterward, he began to discuss the origins of Daoism and daoist techniques with this daoist. This surprised Li Yu somewhat, but the Law Hall daoist did not reject him. In fact, he was quite willing. He also wanted to hear this young martial artist’s views on Daoism.

And so, the two spent half a month in idle conversation. Before long, the end of the year arrived.

In these days, the Myriad Heaven Palace did not restrict disciples from going down the mountain. Some chose to visit their families. Those with far-off homes might not return for over a month, yet even so, their time spent with loved ones would still be brief.

As for those with no living family, they would go nearby and purchase things needed for the New Year.

Couplets, firecrackers, fireworks, red envelopes to hold lucky money, everything was available.

Chen Chao also had someone buy a large pile of fireworks and firecrackers for him. As for red envelopes, he bought a few too. But he did not buy couplets.

After all, he did not even have a place to stay on the mountain. Even if he had couplets, he would not have anywhere to paste them.

He and Li Yu stood together on the side of the mountain path, watching the Myriad Heaven Palace disciples coming and going. Chen Chao suddenly sighed with emotion, ”Turns out that the Myriad Heaven Palace has such warmth to it.”

Li Yu said calmly, “Lord Warden Commander, are you aware of the difference between the Great Peace Dao and the Longevity Dao?”

Chen Chao looked at Li Yu and said, “Please enlighten, Daoist Li.”

“The Longevity Dao, its greatest representative is naturally the Infatuation Daoist Temple. Their cultivation is for the sake of proving that vague and illusory eternal life, so they devote themselves entirely to cultivation. Anything that hinders cultivation, they consider unnecessary. As a result, naturally, there is less human warmth. As for our Great Peace Dao, we’re not so particular. Cultivation is relaxed. If disciples miss home, they go down the mountain. We generally don’t stop them.”

Li Yu spoke calmly, his tone filled with a sense of detachment and serenity.

Chen Chao teased, “No wonder the Great Peace Dao has always been slightly inferior to the Longevity Dao.”

Li Yu did not mind, he just smiled and said, “Of the three thousand Great Daos, each has its own way. The Dao Ancestor also said, ‘The Dao is natural, it cannot be forced.’”

Chen Chao smiled and nodded, not saying anything more. It was an ordinary relationship, and saying more would only make one seem bothersome.

Afterward, the two strolled through the mountains. Li Yu said gratefully, “Lord Warden Commander brought the Jade Court Scripture down from the top floor of the Three Thousand Storeys. Myriad Heaven Palace is very grateful to you.”

Chen Chao smiled and said, “I’ve already received benefits from it. Let’s not mention it again.”

Li Yu nodded. He had already heard about that matter, and had even informed the palace lord, who had been avoiding meeting Chen Chao.

The Palace Lord’s meaning was also very clear: since it was a lucky change Chen Chao obtained for himself, then no matter what, it belongs to Chen Chao. Myriad Heaven Palace would not seek to take it; consider it a form of recompense.

Of course, it was more like a karmic favor.

Regardless of the outcome of this journey, between Great Liang and Myriad Heaven Palace, between Chen Chao himself and Myriad Heaven Palace, it was absolutely impossible for them to fall out.

“In these recent days, the Saintess has been cultivating diligently in the Three Thousand Storeys, her realm improving rapidly; it’s truly a good thing.”

Li Yu said with vicissitudes of emotion, “The Saintess’ talent was never lacking. Even compared to the Twin Pillars of Daoism, it’s the same. Unfortunately, she’s naturally playful. Back when Martial Uncle was still alive, he could say a few words to the Saintess. But after Martial Uncle passed away, we senior brothers didn’t feel right saying much. Fortunately, now there’s Junior Martial Uncle.”

Though Zhu Xia was young, her seniority within Mount Xi was actually quite high. In fact, if one were to strictly go by generation, even Yun Jianyue would have to show her the courtesy of a junior in front of her.

“It’s just that Junior Martial Uncle said he wanted to travel the world. The Saintess will probably start slacking again.”

Li Yu looked at Chen Chao and said with a smile, “This penniless daoist sees that the Saintess seems to have somewhat... unusual feelings toward Lord Warden Commander.”

He only spoke half the sentence, but it was no different from making things plain.

Before Chen Chao could say anything, Li Yu added with a smile, “But it seems the whole world knows that Lord Warden Commander and that talented young lady of the Xie Family are mutually in love.”

Chen Chao nodded in agreement and said, “Daoist Li, that ‘mutually in love ’ is beautifully put.”

Li Yu looked a little embarrassed.

He had not expected this young martial artist to have such thick skin.

“It’s just that as for the Saintess... if the Saintess of our Myriad Heaven Palace were to become a concubine...”

Li Yu felt a headache coming on. If word of that got out, it really wouldn’t sound good.

Chen Chao smiled bitterly, “Daoist, what nonsense are you saying? I have no such feelings toward Zhu Xia.”

Li Yu sighed. “What a pity.”

Chen Chao was puzzled.

Li Yu composed himself and smiled. “What this penniless daoist meant to say is, since the Saintess is willing to listen to Lord Warden Commander, before your departure, could you perhaps leave her a few words of advice?”

Chen Chao nodded. There were things he could not do, but this he could.

Li Yu thanked him again.

Chen Chao suddenly asked, “Daoist Li, do you still have any relatives or friends in the mortal world?”

Li Yu shook his head. “This penniless daoist was an orphan from young.”

”... ...”

”I misspoke.”

Chen Chao said, cupping his hands in apology. Then he added, “The New Year is almost here. How about sharing a New Year’s Eve dinner?”

Li Yu still shook his head and declined with a smile. “Now that the Jade Court Scripture has reappeared in the world, this penniless daoist wishes to take a look.”

Chen Chao nodded, thought for a moment, then said seriously, “After the end of the year and before the Lantern Festival, I’ll be leaving Myriad Heaven Palace.”

After saying this, he cupped his hands and left alone without giving Li Yu a chance to respond.

Li Yu watched Chen Chao’s back, opened his mouth, but could not say anything. This was Chen Chao giving Myriad Heaven Palace a final deadline. Though he had not stated what the consequences would be, the tone had already been set.

“Looks like, no matter what, Senior Brother will have to meet with him.”

Li Yu muttered to himself.

......

......

On New Year’s Eve, Myriad Heaven Palace was filled with festive cheer.

Chen Chao had just woken up in his quarters. He circulated his qi and discovered that while the previously shattered jade talisman had already fused with the white mist within his body, the aura still remained two distinct streams. He knew that if he wanted to truly absorb the legacy left behind by that great daoist sage, it would still take some time. But he was not in a hurry.

Many things could never be rushed. If one rushed too much, it might even have the opposite effect.

Though this approach was far more troublesome than directly seizing that old daoist’s Dao fruit, Chen Chao believed that the benefits would slowly begin to reveal themselves over time.

After circulating his qi for a full cycle, Chen Chao opened his eyes and saw a small face right before him.

Two dimples, directly in front of his eyes.

But Zhu Xia looked exhausted. It seemed that these past days had not been easy for the girl.

Chen Chao was a bit surprised. That daoist’s decades of insights were likely all meant to be passed on to Zhu Xia. For Zhu Xia to have listened and learned them all in just over half a month was rather incredible.

Zhu Xia seemed to have finally shown a bit of cleverness for once. She looked at Chen Chao and complained, “Do you know I only slept two hours a day just to make it back in time for New Year’s Eve?!”

Chen Chao teased, “And what about your Junior Martial Uncle? Did he stay up with you too?”

Zhu Xia let out a snort. Her Junior Martial Uncle was rather easy to persuade after all.

Chen Chao smiled and said, “Why don’t you get some sleep first?”

Zhu Xia shook her head. “No way. Senior Brother Li said you’re leaving the mountain before the Lantern Festival?”

Her information was quite up to date.

“There’s still a lot to do in the Divine Capital. As the Lord Warden Commander, I have to personally handle many of the matters. Right now, things over there have already piled up into a little mountain.”

“Tsk tsk, so this is the great Lord Warden Commander?”

Chen Chao looked at the girl. Her displeasure was not hidden at all and was written all over her face.

Chen Chao reached out and rubbed her head, saying softly, “Good girl.”

Zhu Xia had a young girl’s temperament in the end, her moods came and went quickly. Soon enough, she tugged on Chen Chao’s hand and said eagerly, “Go write me a Spring Festival couplet.”

Chen Chao teased, “My handwriting isn’t very good.”

Zhu Xia shook her head. “Don’t care, don’t care.”

Chen Chao had no choice but to go to Zhu Xia’s place and write her a couplet.

As for the content, it was something he had read in a book before. It was more or less an exhortation for Zhu Xia to cultivate diligently.

Zhu Xia looked at the couplet before her and felt terrible, “Who hangs something like this up for the New Year?”

Chen Chao laughed it off.

After that, the two of them went to a small courtyard on the mountain. Every festive season, the disciples on the mountain who were in the mood to celebrate would gather there.

From a distance, Chen Chao saw the large red lantern hanging at the courtyard entrance. For a brief moment, it felt as though he had returned to those years in Tianqing County.

Back then, every New Year’s Eve, Zhou Gouqi would reluctantly come and drag Chen Chao over to his house for New Year’s dinner.

After Zhu Xia entered, the mountain disciples present were not surprised at all. Though Zhu Xia’s seniority and status were high, she had always been approachable, so no one felt overly constrained. As for Chen Chao, there were still quite a few who gave him a second glance.

Several young daoist nuns, while preparing the New Year’s dinner, whispered among themselves about Chen Chao. The reputation of this young Lord Warden Commander had truly grown too prominent.

Chen Chao heard it, but could only pretend not to.

As dusk approached, Zhu Xia grew impatient and wanted to set off fireworks. Chen Chao shook his head and stopped her, saying fireworks should be lit at midnight, symbolic of sending off the old and welcoming the new.

Though Zhu Xia was reluctant, she still waited obediently.

They ate dinner first. Chen Chao and Zhu Xia sat side by side on a bench. Many disciples came over to offer him wine, and Chen Chao accepted each one without exception. Zhu Xia could not be bothered with all that; her mind was entirely focused on the food.

She really could eat. Chen Chao had long known this and was no longer surprised.

The final large table of food, nearly half of it ended up in Zhu Xia’s stomach.

Chen Chao lowered his head and glanced at the girl’s belly. It was now round and full, and looked rather cute.

He raised his wine cup, looked up at the night sky, and a trace of sorrow appeared in his eyes.

In his memory, it seemed he had never experienced a New Year’s Eve surrounded by a big family.