Martial Cultivator

After Chen Chao brought He Liang out of the inn and arrived at a small courtyard, Xu Yin was already sitting with several people in the courtyard. Seeing that Chen Chao had still brought He Liang along, he complained, “Didn’t I tell you not to bring him?”

Chen Chao smiled apologetically.

But Xu Yin quickly waved his hand and said in a low voice, “There are quite a few female cultivators here. If you don’t get anything today, don’t blame me for not looking out for you.”

Chen Chao nodded and said, “Since that’s the case, I’ll do my best to help you.”

Xu Yin’s eyes lit up. He patted Chen Chao on the shoulder and laughed, “Good brother!”

After that, Xu Yin pulled Chen Chao to sit down and introduced him to the people at the table. “Everyone, everyone, this is a good friend I met on the road, Chen Ling, also an itinerant cultivator, a martial artist! He also greatly admires that Lord Warden Commander, you can tell just by how he’s dressed!”

Chen Chao cupped his hands toward the group of young men and women present and said with a smile, “I am Chen Ling. Greetings, fellow Daoists.”

The men at the table returned the greeting, while the women only smiled and nodded.

Xu Yin began introducing their identities to Chen Chao. “Fellow Daoist Chen, this is Fellow Daoist Zuo Mu of the Snow Mountain Sect. Among the second-generation disciples of the Snow Mountain School, he is the most outstanding. Becoming the next sect leader is only a matter of time.”

Zuo Mu, dressed in green robes, cupped his hands and smiled. “Not at all, not at all. Fellow Daoist Xu is just talking nonsense.”

Chen Chao returned the greeting.

“This is Fellow Daoist Hai Qing, the final disciple of the sect leader of the Thousand Lakes Sect. He is skilled in fist techniques, also a martial artist, just like us. He also admires that Lord Warden Commander.”

Hai Qing, dressed in a dark blue robe and tall in stature, cupped his hands and said in a low voice, “If there is a chance, I would like to exchange some fist techniques with Fellow Daoist Chen.”

Chen Chao smiled bitterly and said, “Fellow Daoist Hai’s fist intent is vast and mighty. How could it be something I can exchange pointers on?”

Hearing this, Xu Yin raised his eyebrows slightly. He had not expected this Fellow Daoist Chen Ling to speak and conduct himself with such restraint. This was good, he did not need to worry about him speaking carelessly.

Hai Qing scratched his head and smiled. “Not at all, not at all.”

“This one is Li Qingshan, a genuine sword cultivator. His lifeblood flying sword is called Thousand Miles, truly obtained from Sword Qi Mountain. A disciple of Azure Cloud Sect, he is warm-hearted and righteous. In the past, when Blue Moon Mountain organized the suppression of demons, Fellow Daoist Li participated many times and killed quite a few demons. In the future, he is certain to become a sword immortal! But the one he admires is not the Lord Warden Commander, but that Great Sword Immortal Yu Xiyi.”

Chen Chao nodded and cupped his hands in greeting.

The latter lived up to his name, dressed in green robes, and said gently, “Although I regard Great Sword Immortal Yu as the idol of my life, I also know that it will likely be very difficult to meet him.”

Chen Chao smiled and said, “There is always a chance.”

After the three men were introduced, next were the three female cultivators.

“Huang Ying, Fairy Huang, a disciple of Tianque Sect.”

“Han Chan, a rare female martial artist, proficient in blade techniques. It is said her greatest dream is to compare blade techniques with that Lord Warden Commander and see if she can land a strike on him.”

“Wu Yi, considered half a daoist cultivator. As for why half, although Heavenly Precipice Sect cultivates daoist arts, the two greats sects of the daoist lineage do not acknowledge it.”

Chen Chao greeted them one by one and said a few polite words.

Wu Yi, dressed in a plain robe, narrowed her eyes and said, “Xu Yin, still can’t say anything nice, as always.”

Xu Yin laughed loudly and did not mind. They were not meeting for the first time and were already familiar with each other. Joking around like this was harmless, and no one took it to heart.

Just as he was about to find something to say, Chen Chao suddenly felt his sleeve tugged by He Liang beside him. Turning his head, he slapped his forehead and smiled, “Fellow Daoists, I forgot something. This is my disciple, He Liang.”

He Liang followed suit and cupped his hands.

The group all smiled. The female martial artist named Han Chan said with a grin, “Come, come, sit next to big sister. That little face of yours is really tender, much more pleasing to the eye than these old uncles.”

Hearing this, He Liang’s face immediately turned red. He looked at his master somewhat awkwardly.

Chen Chao did not mind. He raised the wine bowl in front of him and said with a smile, “To be fortunate enough to meet all of you outstanding individuals today is truly my good fortune. Let me use this bowl of wine to wish all fellow daoists swift progress on the path of cultivation, and that you all become great figures renowned throughout the world in the future. I’ll drink it all. Please, as you wish.”

Chen Chao raised the bowl and drank it dry in one gulp. The others also raised their bowls, but aside from the young martial artist Hai Qing, the rest only took light sips.

With Chen Chao opening the conversation, everyone relaxed more during the following casual talk.

Xu Yin even took the initiative to chat with Huang Ying among the women. The reason was simple - she was the most beautiful. During this, he looked at Chen Chao and hinted with his eyes. Chen Chao helplessly raised his bowl and smiled, “Fellow Daoist Huang, let’s have a drink.”

Huang Ying looked at Chen Chao, raised her bowl as well, but still only took a light sip.

After that, Han Chan asked everyone present a question, “Do you think that for this Blue Moon Mountain ceremony, that Lord Warden Commander will appear?”

Xu Yin spoke carelessly and laughed, “The Lord Warden Commander handles countless matters daily. Why would he come here? Even if Blue Moon Mountain has some past ties with him, it’s still unlikely.”

Li Qingshan lifted his wine bowl and said softly, “Not necessarily. Purple Leaf Grotto was only recently destroyed, and the Lord Warden Commander is in Xinliu Prefecture. He may not have left yet. Combined with Blue Moon Mountain’s connection, he might come.”

After that, the others each expressed their own views.

Huang Ying then looked at Chen Chao, who had remained silent, and asked, “Fellow Daoist Chen, what do you think?”