Martial Cultivator

At the same time Chen Chao left Mountains and Rivers Sect, a secret letter was sent to the Divine Capital at extreme speed.

After the new year, Song Lian, who already had a newly established office, was currently chatting idly in the office of the Divine Capital Commandant with the newly appointed Right Guard Commander Jiang Wanfu and Left Guard Commander Chen Wannian.

These Left and Right Guard Commanders could actually be said to share a certain affinity. Aside from both coming from the foreign lands, their names also both happened to contain the character wan.

Looking at these two Nepenthe martial artists, Song Lian could not help but sigh and say, “If someone had told this official a few years ago that, several years later, both the Left and Right Guard Commanders would be Nepenthe martial artists, this official would never have believed it, even to death.”

Chen Wannian smiled slightly. “Likewise. A few years ago, this subordinate never imagined that one day I would leave Windspirit Mountain and come to the Divine Capital to serve as an official.”

Jiang Wanfu chuckled. “Times really have changed.”

Chen Wannian glanced at this good friend of his and said with satisfaction, “Leaving Windspirit Mountain, yet still being able to be accompanied by a good friend here in the Divine Capital, these truly are good days. By the way, Brother Jiang, how is your precious daughter’s sword practice coming along?”

It would have been better not to mention Jiang Xiao’an. The moment his precious daughter was brought up, Jiang Wanfu could not help but laugh and said, “Truly good fortune. She became the final disciple of Great Sword Immortal Yu, and her sword dao realm has advanced at astonishing speed. According to Great Sword Immortal Yu, she is destined to become a female sword immortal.”

“Then let me congratulate Brother Jiang in advance, for producing a female sword immortal in your family.”

Chen Wannian laughed heartily, genuinely happy for his friend.

Song Lian also laughed and teased, “Commandr Jiang, once your daughter becomes successful in the future, choosing a Dao companion will become a difficult matter. Across the world, there are not many outstanding young men worthy of her. But in this official’s view, since that girl is quite close with the Lord Warden Commander’s disciples, she could choose one from among He Liang and Yu Qingfeng.”

Although He Liang and Yu Qingfeng were Chen Chao’s disciples, in reality Song Lian could be considered half a master to them as well, since during the years Chen Chao was not in the Divine Capital, it was always Song Lian who taught those two lads.

Jiang Wanfu smiled and said, “If the Lord Warden Commander approves, there would be no problem. It’s just that Xiao’an is still young, and such matters cannot be forced.”

Although being a disciple of Lord Warden Commander Chen Chao meant an exalted status, Jiang Wanfu was actually unwilling to use his daughter’s future to cling to anything. As an old father, he only wished for his daughter to be happy. As for whom she liked, it truly did not matter.

Song Lian naturally understood Jiang Wanfu’s thoughts. He had spoken casually before, but after thinking it over, he then said seriously, “In this official’s view, it will not be easy for that girl Xiao’an to marry anyone in the future. After all, this official can see that Great Sword Immortal Yu is also very fond of Xiao’an. Whoever wants to take away his precious disciple will have to survive a few sword strikes from Great Sword Immortal Yu first before having a chance.”

Jiang Xiao’an, although her cultivation realm was not yet high at present, had behind her both a master and an old father, each of them powerhouses of this world. Not many people dared to set their sights on her.

Jiang Wanfu nodded in agreement and said sincerely, “In truth, even this subordinate never expected that Great Sword Immortal Yu would care so deeply about Xiao’an. For Xiao’an to be able to acknowledge Great Sword Immortal Yu as her master is truly a blessing accumulated over three lifetimes.”

Hearing this, Song Lian and Chen Wannian exchanged a glance, both with smiles in their eyes.

Song Lian waved his hand before saying, “Now that the two of you have become the Left and Right Guard Commanders, from now on, you must put more care into matters here in the Divine Capital. This position is not an easy one.”

Both of them nodded. Although Chen Chao was young, they had never forgotten the favor of recognition he had shown them.

Song Lian thought for a moment, then suddenly said, “Some things have an order of precedence. The two of you commanders should weigh that carefully yourselves.”

Song Lian did not spell this out. Jiang Wanfu and Chen Wannian only nodded, giving no reply.

Just as Song Lian was about to continue speaking, an official suddenly came running in from outside. Reaching Song Lian, he said, “Your Excellency, a letter has arrived from the Lord Warden Commander.”

Song Lian hurriedly reached out and took the letter. After glancing at it, he raised his head, his face full of smiles. “Our Lord Warden Commander really is something, every time he goes out, he never comes back empty-handed.”

Chen Wannian and Jiang Wanfu both knew where Chen Chao had gone on this trip. Hearing Song Lian say this, the two smiled and said, “Looks like the Lord Warden Commander managed to obtain a dowry of no small weight?”

Song Lian nodded and laughed. “Indeed, it’s quite substantial... Commander Jiang, take some men and make a trip to Mountains and Rivers Sect to bring the dowry back to the Divine Capital.”

Then Song Lian glanced at Chen Wannian. “Commander Chen, I’ll have to trouble you to accompany this official elsewhere, so that we can hold onto the items the Lord Warden Commander obtained together.”

Chen Wannian nodded. Although he felt puzzled as to why a single dowry required three Nepenthe martial artists to move separately, he did not voice the doubt.

Song Lian looked at Jiang Wanfu and said in a deep voice, “After taking that item from Mountains and Rivers Sect, if anyone dares to obstruct you on the return journey to the Divine Capital...”

Song Lian paused for a moment, then said calmly, “Kill without mercy.”

Jiang Wanfu knew very well the weight of those three words. He immediately clasped his fists solemnly and said, “This subordinate accepts the order.”

Jiang Wanfu soon departed.

Chen Wannian glanced at Song Lian.

Song Lian looked at him and smiled. “Commander Chen need not worry either. This official will go along for the remaining matter. And the same applies, if anyone dares to block us, kill without mercy.”

Chen Wannian hesitated briefly, then asked, “May I ask, Commander Song, which sect does this involve?”

Song Lian said indifferently, “Mt. Tai Xuan, Purple Leaf Grotto.”

......

......

Mountains and Rivers Sect was not far from Mt. Tai Xuan; less than half a prefecture apart. Chen Chao deliberately had Chen Yi and Xu Qiu quicken their pace.

The two nodded and activated their daoist techniques, advancing at full speed.

Even so, it was still difficult for them to catch up to the Lord Warden Commander ahead, who walked as if strolling at leisure. But what surprised them was that even He Liang, the Lord Warden Commander’s disciple - a young martial artist who did not appear very old - was able to travel shoulder to shoulder with them.

Chen Yi mobilized his qi to maintain speed and was already drenched in sweat. Yet when he looked at the young martial artist beside him, although He Liang was clearly exerting himself, there was not a single bead of sweat on his forehead.

Chen Yi truly could not hold back any longer and asked with difficulty, “Fellow Daoist He... do you really not feel tired at all?”

Although He Liang had previously defeated him, their cultivation realms should have been comparable. Moreover, at this realm, a martial artist should not be like this at all.

He Liang shook his head and said, “I can still hold on.”

Hearing He Liang say this, Chen Yi’s competitive streak was immediately stirred. But after dashing forward another hundred li, he was already gasping for breath. Looking again at He Liang, who looked exactly the same as before, Chen Yi completely broke down and spoke again, struggling, “Fellow Daoist He, how exactly do you martial artists usually cultivate?”

He Liang did not hide anything and answered honestly, “How other martial artists cultivate, I don’t know. But my senior brother and I were trained by our master constantly feeding us punches. Every time we got beaten, we wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for a day or two. Once we could get out of bed, our master would beat us again. Don’t look at my face, there aren’t any injuries, but my body is covered in bruises.”

______