Martial Cultivator

”One and only person under heaven?”

Chen Chao gave a self-mocking smile. ”Saying that is a bit excessive.”

The black-robed monk laughed and said, ”Those four words are not necessarily praise. Whether they end up being praise or not depends on what Lord Warden Commander does, and how he does it.”

Chen Chao said bluntly, ”I just follow my heart.”

The black-robed monk sighed. ”Then chances are it will not end up being praise after all. But Lord Warden Commander does not care about posthumous reputation, so it does not matter to you. Yet it is precisely because of this that others feel fear.”

Chen Chao smiled and did not speak.

The black-robed monk did not rush to continue. Instead, after thinking for a long time, he smiled and said, ”I wonder, once Lord Warden Commander reaches the Divine Capital, how will you arrange things for this destitute monk?”

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes and glanced at the black-robed monk before him. After thinking for a moment, he said, ”If Master wishes to take up an official post within the warden faction, then this official can decide it with a single word. According to Great Liang law, all appointments and dismissals within the warden faction are decided by this official alone. But if you wish to take up some other office, then it is not something that can be settled just because this official says so.”

The black-robed monk joked, ”You are not going to make this destitute monk first go take the imperial examination before I can obtain official status, are you?”

Chen Chao glanced at the black-robed monk and smiled. ”Master has read those Confucian classics as well. Are you confident you could place highly?”

The black-robed monk said calmly, ”I have dabbled a bit. If I truly were to take the imperial examination, I would not dare claim the top laureate, but placing within the top three of the first rank would not be difficult.”

Chen Chao looked at this monk who, with a casual remark, was ready to choose freely between third and second place, and said with emotion, ”This official does not doubt Master’s words at all. But if it truly came to that, it would seem rather unnecessary.”

The black-robed monk smiled and said, ”No matter what, I still hope Lord Warden Commander can speak a few good words on this destitute monk’s behalf, so that I may enter official service sooner rather than later.”

Chen Chao laughed in exasperation. ”Then why not have this official directly arrange for you to meet His Highness the Crown Prince? Would that not be even better?” {meant to be sarcastic]

The black-robed monk pressed his palms together and smiled. ”If that is the case, then many thanks to Lord Warden Commander.”

The corners of Chen Chao’s mouth twitched and did not bother paying attention to this black-robed monk who took advantage of every opening.

The black-robed monk also knew when to advance and when to retreat. At this moment, he stopped speaking and merely gazed at the scenery on the river.

A vast and majestic river lay before them, calm and placid at this moment, just like the present Great Liang. But whether hidden currents surged beneath the surface, and when waves might truly rise again, was hard to say.

Fortunately, upon this river surface now stood this young martial artist.

One man suppressing the river, as if with him present, the world could remain at peace.

But how long could he last?

Still, this young Lord Warden Commander was truly young. If he did not meet an untimely death, he was destined to shoulder such matters for decades, or even a hundred years.

Afterward, the ferry continued south and arrived at another crossing. The black-robed monk then witnessed just how far-reaching this Lord Warden Commander’s influence truly was. Someone had been waiting early at the crossing. Once the ferry arrived, the man boarded without saying a word, handed the boatman some silver, and while the boatman was weighing the silver and about to say it was not enough, the man merely said he was boarding to meet a friend and would disembark before the ferry left the crossing.

Since that was the case, the silver was not insufficient at all, but more than enough. The boatman gave a thumbs-up, thinking this person was truly too courteous.

In truth, when running boats for a living, for such small conveniences, he usually helped whenever he could. Life was not easy for anyone, and there was no need to make things difficult for others.

After smiling, that man boarded the ferry and saw the young black-robed man.

After giving a slight bow, the man took a piece of intelligence report from his robes and handed it to Chen Chao, then asked, ”Does Your Excellency have any instructions?”

Chen Chao opened the intelligence report and flipped through it as he asked, ”How many military reports from the north have been sent to the Divine Capital recently?”

The man replied softly, ”It is the same as usual, with no increase. The Northern Frontier appears calm for now, with nothing stirring.”

Chen Chao nodded and continued, ”Tell me something that is not in the intelligence report.”

Ever since Chen Chao took control of the Hundred Streams Pavilion, each time he left the Divine Capital, after a period of time he would meet an official of the Hundred Streams Pavilion somewhere along the way. They would bring with them a report of the major events that had occurred recently and hand it to Chen Chao. However, because space was limited, and to prevent Chen Chao from wanting to know matters not included in the written intelligence, those who delivered the reports would usually memorize events large and small in advance, so that when Chen Chao questioned them, they could answer smoothly.

But today, Chen Chao’s question had no clear boundaries. The man could only speak from his own perspective and mention matters he thought Chen Chao might find interesting.

But before speaking, the man glanced once at the black-robed monk to the side. After that single glance, he withdrew his gaze. Since Lord Warden Commander had said nothing, it meant that whatever he said, this monk could hear.

”Last month, during discussions at a court session, it was raised that His Highness the Crown Prince has reached an age where he ought to take a consort. Extending the imperial lineage is a matter of great importance to the state. In the end, the court officials recommended several candidates. The daughter of Assistant Minister Sun of the Ministry of Penalty was put forward as the Crown Princess Consort. However, His Highness the Crown Prince set the matter aside, saying he wished to discuss it with Your Excellency before making a decision.”

At this point, the man paused and said softly, ”However, the court officials were clearly dissatisfied. On the side of the Censorate, a supervising secretary later submitted a report, stating that His Highness the Crown Prince is the regent ruler of the Great Liang Dynasty, and that such matters are unrelated to military or state affairs and need not be put to Your Excellency for consultation.”

Chen Chao gave a soft acknowledgment and said nothing, merely signaling for him to continue.

The man thought for a moment, then said, ”The Premier has retired from office.”

Chen Chao glanced at him, dissatisfaction visible in his eyes. Such a matter was not in the intelligence report. How could it not be?

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