Martial Cultivator

The Xie Family’s ancestor reached out and placed the yellow clay basin atop the brazier. From his robes, he took out a small oil-paper packet of tea leaves and slowly unwrapped it. Only when the snow had melted did he toss the leaves in.

The old man on the other side sniffed and frowned. “Where did you get these tea leaves? With a smell like that, they’re worse than the tea sold on the street for a single Great Liang coin per bowl.”

Having lived so long and tasted so many fine teas, the old man naturally recognized the quality with a single whiff.

The Xie Family’s ancestor said smugly, “When I was sixteen, I sneaked out on my own and met a young lady. It was love at first sight...”

The old man had no interest in hearing it. Before the Xie Family’s ancestor could finish, the old man bluntly asked, “In the end, did you end up marrying her?”

The Xie Family’s ancestor’s expression turned sour. He was clearly displeased at his old friend’s question, despite knowing full well the answer.

Let alone a family like the Xie Family, even in ordinary noble households, one rarely had the right to choose their own spouse.

Most of the time, family interests always came first.

Just like the Xie Family’s ancestor, who had been marked from a young age as the next family head. Because of this, a suitable marriage was arranged for him early on. Though the bride was not the one he loved, he never raised any objection. And so, he married her, and the two spent over thirty years together.

But after his wife passed away, the Xie Family’s ancestor never remarried and had lived alone ever since.

“Still, tea leaves from so many years ago, are they even drinkable?”

The old man lamented, perhaps thinking that at their age, holding on to a bit of beauty in their hearts was not so bad after all.

The Xie Family’s ancestor said softly, “At our age, who isn’t living for the sake of what’s beautiful in their hearts? You old rascal, have a little decency when you speak. Don’t reach the end of your days with no virtue to show for it.”

The old man simply brushed it off with a smile.

While brewing the tea, the Xie Family’s ancestor said, “Since that girl said she won’t interfere, I won’t either. That young man may be young, but he’s hardly reckless. The things he’s done recently show far-reaching planning. The world sees him as a martial artist, but one day, they’ll pay the price for underestimating him, just as they once underestimated His Majesty.”

The old man nodded. “True enough. Being the son of Crown Prince Yiwen and the most favored junior of His Majesty, he’s certainly no fool.”

The Xie Family’s ancestor smiled and nodded. “Indeed. With His Majesty being so heroic and the late Crown Prince being so wise, how could a foolish heir come of it?”

But just as the words left his mouth, the two of them looked at each other, and suddenly burst into laughter.

In truth, the logic did not hold. If things were really as they said, then why had any of His Majesty’s other sons not turned out so capable?

Some things, you say them even though you know they don’t make sense. Yet for some reason, you still want to say them.

The old man said, “The Shen Family isn’t hard to deal with. In fact, if he takes it slowly, it’s only a matter of time before he suppresses them. But it looks like that boy intends to use thunderous means to make them submit. Starting with the Shen Family, all those standing behind them will be silenced for good.”

The Xie Family’s ancestor looked at the tea he was brewing, eyes full of reminiscence. “Easy to say, hard to do. But no matter what, his image in court is infinitely overlapped with that of His Majesty’s.”

The old man said nothing.

The Xie Family’s ancestor picked up the clay basin and smiled. “But a young man like that is very interesting. Daring to think, daring to act. I suppose that’s why His Majesty chose him. In that regard, the two of us together still can’t compare to His Majesty.”

“Just a couple of old men, still hoping to feel some youthful fire in our bones?”

The old man mocked himself. “We’re buried up to our necks in dirt. Might as well wait quietly for death. What waves could we possibly stir?”

The Xie Family’s ancestor clicked his tongue. “Nonsense. I feel young still. I walk like a twenty-year-old lad.”

“Is that so? Then why do you change your shoes three times a day?”

......

......

The Shen Family’s ancestor’s desperate gamble failed to bring the outcome he had hoped for. At least, within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, no decree from the palace arrived.

Which meant the Crown Prince did not want to intervene. Perhaps he could not. Perhaps he had no way to. Or perhaps, he believed in this young Lord Warden Commander.

After all, the two shared the blood of the Chen Family.

Outside the Shen residence, a sizable number of constables had already gathered. The powerhouses of both the Left and Right Guards had received the order to surround the Shen Family. Though a bit confused at first, once they heard that Lord Warden Commander himself was present, and was in the Shen residence at this very moment, they no longer had any doubts.

Chen Chao’s prestige was evident in this moment.

Inside the Shen Family, Chen Chao sat quietly in a chair, sipping tea. The tea had been served by the Shen Family, naturally, it was not bad. And of course, it could not possibly be poisoned. Even now, with Chen Chao acting so arrogantly, the Shen Family would never want him to die here.

Chen Chao blew on the hot vapor, raised his head to glance at Shen Renshan, and said lightly, “Let the brothers in.”

The moment these words were spoken, it was clear that things would not end peacefully today.

“Wait a moment!”

Shen Renshan suddenly spoke. He had just received word from the ancestor, saying that perhaps they could still talk this over.

But Chen Chao shook his head. “Too late.”

Weng Quan gave a low chuckle and strode out. Before long, he returned with a host of officials and constables from the Left and Right Guards. He announced loudly, “Search thoroughly, brothers, let’s see if they really have ties to the foreign lands!”

With a loud chorus of acknowledgment, the entire Shen Family’s inner residence was soon swarming with the figures of the Left and Right Guards.

Chen Chao remained seated in his chair, closing his eyes to rest.

The Shen Family which had always been quiet was now in chaos. Officials of the Left and Right Guards moved through their halls, and the sound of shattering porcelain could be heard from time to time.

Shen Renshan’s expression grew increasingly grim as he listened to these sounds.

Many of the Shen Family’s belongings were items from the previous dynasty, or even the dynasty before that. They were all of considerable value. Watching them get smashed so carelessly was not something one could endure calmly.

He narrowed his eyes. At this moment, he was filled with rage, eager to see how this young Lord Warden Commander would explain himself if no evidence was found in the Shen residence.

Time ticked by slowly.

Chen Chao remained silent.

The noises around them continued, and Shen Renshan grew more and more restless.

This was the Shen Family after all, not some random place.

Who knew how much time had passed before the clamor died down somewhat. Then, an official came over to Chen Chao and whispered something into his ear.

After listening, Chen Chao simply waved his hand.

Shen Renshan glanced at Chen Chao. Convinced that he had found no evidence, he opened his mouth and said, “Lord Warden Commander, you didn’t find any evidence, did you?”

Chen Chao did not answer his question. He just looked at him and asked, “What’s your name again?”

Shen Renshan forced down his anger and spat out a few words. “Shen Renshan.”

Chen Chao let out an “Oh,” then beckoned with his hand. “Then come with us. Someone’s accused you of colluding with foreign lands, we’re bringing you back for investigation.”

Shen Renshan was stunned. This time, he was so furious he actually laughed. “Lord Warden Commander, is this how you disregard all reason? Is the Great Liang’s law worth nothing in your eyes?”

Chen Chao looked at Shen Renshan with a curious expression. “Has anything this official done violated the Great Liang’s laws in any way?”

Just as Shen Renshan was about to speak, he suddenly remembered a clause in the Great Liang Law concerning the office of the Lord Warden Commander - it was written quite clearly.

The authority to act at one’s discretion shall be granted.

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