Martial Cultivator

The Academy Dean then asked, “The demon army can be handled by the Northern Frontier forces, and those demon lords can be dealt with with difficulty, but that Demon Emperor, who will handle him?”

This was a problem that had always hung over Great Liang. The demon army could be dealt with, and those demon lords could be resisted with effort, but that Demon Emperor, the ruler of the demon race who had already broken past the end of Nepenthe, who would face him?

Should they place their hopes on the Sword Sect’s Sect Master?

But everyone in the world knew that the Sword Sect’s Sect Master was obsessed with the sword dao. Would he draw his sword for the human race for the sake of this so-called great trend of the world?

Taking ten thousand steps back, even if he were willing to draw his sword, would he really have a chance of victory?

Hard to say.

Xie Nandu was silent.

Actually, everyone already had the answer in their hearts. In Great Liang, countless people only watched one person.

Liu Banbi squinted and said, “If this guy really can kill the Demon Emperor, then if he marries Little Junior Sister, I have no problem at all.”

Xie Nandu did not speak, only feeling some pity for that young man. It seemed that many, many years ago, back in Tianqing County, he had never placed the so-called world upon his own shoulders.

But so many years have passed, and the burden on his shoulders has grown heavier. Who knows whether that young man might feel that he has no control over himself?

......

......

“Little He, you must remember: in this world, not everyone can live as they wish. Many people have no choice but to act as they do. It is all unavoidable.”

After leaving Yuting Commandery, the master and disciple continued south to return to the Divine Capital. On the road, Chen Chao slowly smiled as he answered He Liang’s question: “True freedom is very difficult to achieve.”

He Liang nodded and silently remembered the words, but then curiously asked, “Master, do you feel you have no control over yourself now?”

Chen Chao shook his head. “I used to feel that way. Now I don’t.”

He Liang said “Oh,” and smiled. “As long as Master is happy.”

Chen Chao called him a stinking brat rather helplessly and the two continued on their way. The further they walked, the more they noticed that the official road ahead was crowded with people. Crucially, these travelers - monks, daoists, martial artists, sword cultivators - seemed like a mixed assortment, and the crowd kept growing.

He Liang saw a sword cultivator rushing forward with his sword on his back and tugged lightly on his master’s sleeve, whispering, “Master, it looks like there are quite a few cultivators.”

Chen Chao gave a hum of acknowledgment. These cultivators had varying levels of cultivation. The highest among them, the sword cultivator who flashed past earlier, was already a Great Beyond Realm.

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes and said nothing. After walking some distance with this group, he approached a martial artist around his own age. The man had a saber hanging at his waist, dressed in black, his face tense. Seeing Chen Chao who was also in black, he approached and quickly asked, “Fellow Daoist, are you also an admirer of that Lord Warden Commander?”

Chen Chao quickly nodded and smiled. “Yes, that Lord Warden Commander is so heroic. How could one not admire him?”

The young martial artist laughed heartily, took the alcohol gourd from his waist, drank a large mouthful, and then waved the gourd at Chen Chao, asking, “Do you want some?”

Chen Chao accepted it without hesitation, took a small sip, and then asked with a smile, “Fellow Daoist, it looks like you are heading somewhere. Has something major happened?”

The young martial artist was surprised. “You don’t know?”

Chen Chao pointed to He Liang at his side and smiled, “Wandering around with my disciple, I really have no idea what’s going on.”

The young martial artist glanced at He Liang, a little puzzled. How could this young man, about the same age as himself, already have such ambition to take on a disciple so young?

But since the other person, like himself, admired that Lord Warden Commander, the young martial artist didn’t think too much and explained with a smile, “It’s Blue Moon Mountain. I suppose Fellow Daoist has heard of it.”

Chen Chao nodded. In the past, there were several major sects of wandering cultivators in the northern lands, but the last time he sent Xie Nandu to the Northern Frontier, he had taken the opportunity to clean up those wandering sects. Afterwards, he had also supported Blue Moon Mountain to become the current number one major sect in the northern lands.

In other words, if Feng Liu had not established a new wandering sect in Ying Prefecture, Blue Moon Mountain would probably have become the number one itinerant sect within Great Liang.

Even so, for many years after, Blue Moon Mountain would likely stand alongside the Morning Dew Sect founded by Feng Liu. But if there were ever a fight to the death, the winner would definitely be Morning Dew Sect.

After all, Feng Liu was truly a powerhouse who had reached the end of Nepenthe.

And over time, Morning Dew Sect was destined to grow stronger and eventually become the top itinerant sect.

But Blue Moon Mountain was a flag-bearer for itinerant cultivators in the northern lands. In the past year or two, it had continuously organized cultivators to clear out demons, greatly reducing the demon problem in Xinliu Prefecture.

A service to the nation.

“Blue Moon Mountain is now truly the number one itinerant sect in the northern lands. The current mountain lord is passing on the position and holding a grand ceremony, and they are all going to attend.”

The young martial artist chuckled.

Chen Chao understood, “Are you going to see the ceremony, or something else?”

Blue Moon Mountain had previously only accepted female disciples. On that mountain, there were far more than just one or two extraordinary female cultivators.

The young martial artist gave a knowing look and laughed, “Of course, many people are going this time. It’s not entirely about seeing the disciples. I heard that Blue Moon Mountain is going to change its mountain rules at this grand ceremony.”

Chen Chao guessed, “Are they going to allow men into the mountain?”

Blue Moon Mountain had previously been all-female. Now that it had become the northern lands’ top itinerant sect, continuing to accept only female disciples would actually be somewhat disadvantageous to the sect’s development.

Changing the mountain rules was bound to happen sooner or later.

“So all the guys just want to see if you can get admitted into Blue Moon Mountain. The northern lands’ number one itinerant sect, and all female disciples, just thinking about it is a delight.”

The young martial artist smiled brightly, probably already imagining himself entering Blue Moon Mountain.

Chen Chao nodded, smiling without speaking.

The young martial artist suddenly asked, “Fellow Daoist, among all the female cultivators at Blue Moon Mountain, who do you like the most?”

Chen Chao kept a serious expression and shook his head, “I focus entirely on cultivation. Matters like this...”

Before he could finish, the young martial artist had already handed him an illustrated book.

Chen Chao looked down and reached out to take book very naturally, and nodded, “It’s only right to understand the situation at Blue Moon Mountain...”

The young martial artist laughed, “Stop pretending. You’re clearly an old hand.”

Chen Chao could hardly disagree, indeed, he was an old hand. That sounded better than being called a novice.

Meanwhile, He Liang kept staring at his master, looking bewildered.