Martial Cultivator

The difference in physical strength between the two was simply too great. If Chen Chao were struck by that palm, he might suffer an injury. But Daoist Straw Sandal, on the other hand, could very well be killed by a single punch to the head.

So after a brief hesitation, Daoist Straw Sandal chose not to risk a mutual injury.

He tilted his head back and retracted his hand at the same time, striking instead at Chen Chao’s wrist.

But in that moment of withdrawal, the situation immediately shifted out of his control. Chen Chao’s punches came in an unending torrent, each one imbued with terrifying force, layers of qi compounding upon one another, forcing Daoist Straw Sandal into retreat after retreat.

As Chen Chao’s momentum surged endlessly, Daoist Straw Sandal’s resistance began to falter.

The youthful seek dominance, the middle-aged seek stability, and the old seek survival - this had always been the natural progression of cultivators as they aged. Chen Chao now held the upper hand, and he showed no intention of relenting. His attacks were wide and aggressive, giving Daoist Straw Sandal no room to retreat.

Despite his desperate defense, Daoist Straw Sandal was ultimately struck hard in the chest by one of Chen Chao’s punches and crashed to the ground, smashing a deep crater into it.

Chen Chao hovered in midair and did not deliver a final blow. In other words, he had spared this Daoist Straw Sandal, once a famed figure in the North.

He Hu, Ying Chaozong, and Wild Monk, each of them had reasons they had to die. But this Daoist Straw Sandal had always had a good reputation. Aside from attacking Chen Chao of his own accord, he had no truly unforgivable sins.

Killing such a grandmaster would indeed be hard to justify.

Chen Chao slowly landed. On the ground, Daoist Straw Sandal also gradually climbed out of the crater, looking at the young martial artist before him with a complicated expression.

The two had exchanged few words during the fight, but neither had held back. Though Daoist Straw Sandal admitted to having underestimated his opponent, in truth, even if he had not, he still would not have been a match for this young martial artist.

After a brief silence, the Daoist looked down at his own straw sandals, now completely tattered and stained with blood.

He took them off and tucked them into his robes before looking at the young man again and said softly, “I’ve heard that Great Liang’s current Lord Warden Commander is a very young martial artist. It seems that must be your esteemed self.”

Some things did not need much guessing, someone this young, a martial artist this domineering in combat, was rare in the world.

If he was not that young Lord Warden Commander, Daoist Straw Sandal truly could not think of anyone else it could be.

The itinerant cultivators had vaguely guessed this earlier too, but they had not dared to be certain. Now that Daoist Straw Sandal had spoken, it confirmed what they had all suspected.

This domineering in action, terrifying in cultivation, young martial artist before them, was the very same young Lord Warden Commander whose name resounded most loudly in the world today.

Chen Chao did not deny it, which counted as an admission.

This made everyone suddenly recall the words Chen Chao had said earlier: in this land, it’s the surname Chen who calls the shots. So that “Chen” was not referring to the Great Liang Emperor, but to you, this Chen?

“These three, counting the one still able to breathe here, none of them are anything good. If Senior wishes to investigate the things they’ve done, Great Liang will have officials more than willing to tell you. This official has already killed them, as for the sects they belonged to, this official will send men to clean them out. Those who are guilty, not a single one will be spared. Those who haven’t committed any crimes, this official won’t kill a single one. If Senior still wishes to involve yourself in this matter, then please don’t make things difficult for the court’s officials, just come find this official.”

What Chen Chao meant with these words was: I know you, Daoist Straw Sandal, are a pretty good guy, so I’m willing to say a bit more to you. But if you insist on sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong, then let’s see just how capable you really are.

Daoist Straw Sandal gave a bitter smile. “I’ve heard of Lord Warden Commander Chen’s conduct and character. I don’t doubt it. Only, if in the future, word ever spreads of Lord Warden Commander slaughtering the innocent, and if those involved are itinerant cultivators, then I’ll have no choice but to step in.”

”This official will be in the Divine Capital, awaiting your arrival.”

Chen Chao smiled slightly.

The Daoist Straw Sandal said nothing more. He gave a slight nod, then turned and left. Barefoot, he left a trail of bloody footprints on the ground.

From that alone, it was evident that Daoist Straw Sandal had sustained quite serious injuries in the earlier battle.

If that young Lord Warden Commander had truly wished to keep him here, he probably would not have been able to leave.

Chen Chao looked toward the gathered crowd and said with a beaming smile, “Still not leaving? Waiting for this official to treat everyone to dinner?”

The itinerant cultivators all had ugly expressions. Many turned around at once, ready to get far away from this place. But just as they turned, they heard the voice of the young Lord Warden Commander speak once more, slowly, “This official hopes all of you will remember my words. In the future, think carefully before you act.”

The crowd, who had just been about to leave, heard these words and began to feel uneasy. Am I supposed to leave now or not?

Fortunately, after Chen Chao said that, he no longer paid attention to this group of people. Instead, he turned to look at Aunt Gan. At this moment, Aunt Gan was still in a daze. In front of her, although He Hu was not dead yet, he had long since lost the ability to move, let alone speak.

Chen Chao let out a sigh.

Some things, in truth, are lifelong pains lodged in the heart. Even if vengeance can be taken, the thorn buried deep in the heart still cannot be pulled out. It will remain there day and night, constantly stabbing and aching.

”Aunt Gan.”

Chen Chao could not help but call out.

A long time passed before Aunt Gan suddenly returned to her senses. Her eyes were filled with hatred. She reached out her hand, trembling as she brought it behind her head, and took out a hairpin, aiming it at He Hu’s chest. But just as she was about to stab it down, she looked at the hairpin again and shook her head.

“Chen... Lord Warden Commander, may I borrow your saber?”

That hairpin had been a gift from her husband in the past, she did not want to dirty it.

Chen Chao unfastened the saber at his waist and tossed it over before saying coolly, “Use it however you like. This saber of mine exists solely to kill people like him.”

Aunt Gan took Cloud Mud and slowly drew it from its sheath, pressing the tip against He Hu’s chest.

He Hu’s eyes were full of terror.

He had never imagined that one day, he would die at the hands of Gan Caocao.

Aunt Gan instinctively wanted to close her eyes, but quickly opened them again. The saber fell and the hilt of Cloud Mud slowly changed from jet-black to snow-white.

Then Aunt Gan kept drawing and stabbing. In a short span of time, she stabbed more than twenty times.

Forcibly stabbing He Hu’s chest into a bloody mess.

In truth, this master of Cloudglow Cave had already breathed his last after the third strike, but that did not stop Aunt Gan, she had no intention of stopping there.

Strike after strike, each stab landing without pause.

Chen Chao did not try to stop her either. This woman had held in her rage for many years, if she could not vent it now...

It was just that Chen Chao was worried that after Aunt Gan vented all the anger she had been suppressing, she might suddenly lose all hope in this world.

A person living in this world must always have something to look forward to.

Days without hope are truly hard to live through.

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