Martial Cultivator

These words carried two layers of meaning. The first: that by this point in Chen Chao’s killings, those who truly deserved death had already been dealt with for the most part. As for the remaining members of the Shen Family, perhaps their crimes did not warrant execution, but they were by no means clean.

But if they truly thought Chen Chao had run out of options now, they were still being delusional.

Since this young Lord Warden Commander dared to kill people here, he had already made up his mind to thoroughly deal with the Shen Family. If they still wanted to act, they would do well to consider the consequences.

The second layer of meaning was actually very simple.

This young Lord Warden Commander was a little tired.

Tired, so he needed a result.

If the result was not given, he would become very angry.

Could the Shen Family still bear the wrath of this young Lord Warden Commander?

Everyone turned to look at the ancestor lying on the ground. But after a moment, they disappointedly withdrew their gazes, because the ancestor had long since fallen unconscious.

So they turned their eyes to another white-haired old man. But that elder avoided their gazes and would not meet their eyes.

Left with no other choice, the people turned to Shen Xunchang.

Shen Xunchang exhaled a heavy breath and said calmly, “The recent rumors spreading through the Divine Capital were instigated by the Shen Family.”

Chen Chao asked with interest, “Why?”

Shen Xunchang had originally wanted to speak of the ancestor’s prior intentions, but after a moment’s thought, he shook his head and said, “It was out of the Shen Family’s selfish desire, we sought to exploit state affairs to seek private gains.”

This sentence was like a heavy stone that had long weighed on Shen Xunchang’s heart. Now that he had spoken it aloud, he felt a great sense of release.

Chen Chao gave Shen Xunchang a glance, then said something that sent a chill through everyone present.

“Very good. Had it not been for this truth, this official really wanted to wipe the Shen Family from this world.”

Chen Chao said, “This official’s demand is simple, as you all likely already know, there is no need to repeat it. Now, this official is merely waiting for an answer.”

Everyone looked at one another.

“You have one quarter of an hour to consider. If no answer is given by then, this official will resume settling accounts with you. You may step outside and discuss among yourselves. When the time is up, send someone to report back to this official.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd hurriedly withdrew from the room. They had long been unable to endure the stench of blood inside, which was enough to make one retch.

Chen Chao did not mind. He glanced at those few severed heads and remained silent.

He had never liked wanton slaughter, but he had never feared killing.

There were simply too many in this world who deserved to die.

People like that, if killed, then so be it. Chen Chao felt nothing.

No one knew how much time passed, perhaps it had been exactly a quarter of an hour.

Shen Xunchang walked to the doorway with a heavy expression. Looking at the young Lord Warden Commander before him, he spoke bluntly, “Lord Warden Commander’s demand will be met.”

Chen Chao let out a nonchalant “oh.” He was not the least bit surprised by this outcome, he had known long before coming that things would end this way.

A Shen Family trying to contend with him, they were still not quite enough.

Even without the Hundred Streams Pavilion, even if he were merely a Lord Warden Commander, the Shen Family could never be a match for him.

Chen Chao slowly stood up and took a few steps forward. As he passed by Shen Xunchang, he suddenly asked, “Shen Xunchang, tell me honestly, how do you view this official now?”

Shen Xunchang had not expected this question. For a moment, he was dazed. But he quickly collected himself, though he did not speak.

Chen Chao did not mind and was about to leave.

Shen Xunchang suddenly said, “Your Excellency is both terrifying and worthy of respect.”

Chen Chao raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Worthy of respect? In what way?”

“Your Excellency holds conviction in your heart, and act not out of self-interest.”

Shen Xunchang turned his head to look at this young man who was likely twenty years his junior. He felt a genuine sense of admiration. Never mind twenty years ago, even now, he himself would not be capable of such deeds.

Chen Chao smiled and did not speak.

He simply walked out.

Outside, members of the Shen Family were still standing guard, silently watching Chen Chao.

After taking a few steps, Chen Chao suddenly turned back, looking at Shen Xunchang who had just stepped out the door. He smiled and said, “If you ask this official, the Shen Family should let him take charge from now on. As for your family’s ancestor, seeing the state he’s in, he ought to live out his remaining years in peace.”

“Don’t let him stir up trouble again; otherwise, this official fears he might not live to see a natural death.”

With that, Chen Chao shook his head and strode away.

......

......

Leaving the Shen Family, Chen Chao deliberately glanced at the shattered main gate. What had happened today would certainly spread, and his reputation would inevitably take a hit, but Chen Chao did not really care. Some things, if he did not handle them himself, would fall to His Highness the Crown Prince. But those matters were not things the Crown Prince could manage well. As the elder brother, he simply stepped in to take care of them.

Just as it had been when His Majesty the Emperor was still alive.

Climbing into the carriage, Chen Chao thought for a moment and said, “To the academy.”

Weng Quan nodded with a grunt of acknowledgment. Though he did not know exactly what had transpired inside the Shen residence, just seeing how subdued and deferential the Shen Family looked now was enough to make him feel thoroughly satisfied.

Damn it, how could our warden faction ever be something those pompous bastards could treat with contempt?

“Your Excellency, what about what comes next? Should we arrest a few people and bring them to the office?”

Driving the carriage, Weng Quan once again could not hold back his talkative nature.

Chen Chao chuckled lightly. “Forget it. Leave a few of them alive to arrange the funerals.”

“Your Excellency, you killed people in there?”

That genuinely had not occurred to Weng Quan.

Chen Chao smiled cheerfully. “More than just people, I nearly tore their entire place down.”

Weng Quan sucked in a cold breath and clicked his tongue. “This lowly official admires Your Excellency all the more. Even Lord Ning doesn’t seem to have that kind of boldness.”

Chen Chao raised an eyebrow with interest. “Weng Quan, have you learned to flatter people now?”

“What are you saying, Your Excellency? This lowly official has always been like this.”

Weng Quan let out a sheepish laugh.

Chen Chao sighed. “If you’d had this kind of awareness earlier, you wouldn’t be so out of favor with Song Lian.”

At that, Weng Quan completely deflated. When it came to his uncle, he really could not get through two sentences without being scolded. If it were not for his aunt being so easygoing, he probably would not even be able to enter Song Lian’s door these days.

Chen Chao laughed. “Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I drank with Elder Brother Song. We should find some time for a drink.”

Weng Quan grinned. “That would be perfect.”

Chen Chao said no more, simply resting his hand lightly on the hilt of his saber.

......

......

The carriage came to a halt in front of the academy. Weng Quan lifted the curtain and waited for Chen Chao to step out before driving off.

Wearing his saber, Chen Chao slowly walked into the academy grounds, strolling leisurely along the banks of South Lake.

There were not many students around at the moment, because most were in class. The atmosphere at the academy had changed somewhat compared to before, lectures had become more relaxed. Yet, instead of engaging in lakeside debates like in the past, students now preferred to choose subjects they were personally interested in and attend those classes.

It was said that the academy had begun compiling a list of students intending to head to the Northern Frontier. Already, just those who had signed up with interest numbered in the dozens.

This would have been unimaginable in the past. After all, these scholars had always looked down on martial artists, something Chen Chao had experienced firsthand during his first visit to the academy. But now, in just a few short years, their mindset had shifted, and the credit belonged entirely to Xie Nandu.

The youngest female tutor in the academy’s history, she had accomplished a great deal.

There were many times Chen Chao could not help but lament, if Xie Nandu had been born a man, her achievements would likely be far greater than they already were.

But sadly, she was born a woman.

Not that Xie Nandu seemed to mind. And in truth, it hardly mattered.

After all, this woman’s ambition was immense. Even most men in the world could not compare to her.

Chen Chao walked a good length along the lake before suddenly realizing something: though he had visited the academy many times, the places he had actually been to were quite limited.

There were many areas he could not even find.

Fortunately, he soon encountered a young student, holding a volume of the saints’ writings. The student was heading to attend one of Xie Nandu’s lectures and, upon learning Chen Chao was going the same way, enthusiastically invited him to join.

Chen Chao’s martial attire did not strike the young man as odd.

The two chatted idly on their way, eventually arriving at a large lecture hall.

A woman’s voice could be faintly heard from within.

The young student grinned. “Tutor Xie’s lectures are always like this, packed to the brim.”

Chen Chao looked up. Sure enough, the hall was overflowing with people. Not only were all the seats taken, but even the back of the hall was nearly filled to standing room only.

Chen Chao smiled, following the young student through the back entrance.

There were too many people inside, so Chen Chao remained at the rear. But thanks to his tall frame, he could still see the young woman standing on the raised platform ahead.

She wore a simple, plain dress and spoke with poise and calm, her tone steady and graceful. Her words flowed gently, drawing listeners in almost effortlessly.

Chen Chao watched the girl on the stage with a smile.

He remembered how she had once said she would always stay by his side, and the thought made him smile again.

There were too many sights in the world to see them all. But if there was one such view, one he could look at over and over again, then perhaps life was already enough.

But just as Chen Chao became lost in thought, Xie Nandu’s lecture came to a sudden halt because someone in the hall had spoken up.

“Tutor Xie, there are now rumors in the Divine Capital that the Lord Warden Commander has become a power-hungry minister who disregards the sovereign and acts as he pleases. What is your view on that?”