Martial Cultivator

Chen Chao, who had turned into a streak of rainbow light and left Mount Xi, revealed his figure on a desolate mountain, and then could not hold back as he spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood.

After that mouthful of fresh blood, this young martial artist became extremely pale in an instant. Yun Jianyue’s Spirit Returning Art had explained everything, except that to perform the Spirit Returning Art, the requirements on both people were not only extremely high, but it could also make one feel as if they had fallen seriously ill.

It was only because they were young cultivators, with vigorous blood vitality, that they could withstand such strain. If it were an older cultivator, it likely would not be the case.

At this moment, Chen Chao looked inward and discovered that the qi in his body was mostly depleted, and its flow was sluggish. Indeed, there were signs of damage to his meridians.

With a bitter smile, in the end he had still saved her. These injuries could still recover, and since his foundation had not been damaged, it was a gain no matter what. Chen Chao did not feel too troubled by this.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Chao straightened his back, glanced toward the north, and once again turned into a streak of rainbow light and sped away.

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The first great victory in the Northern Frontier, under the deliberate promotion of the imperial court, spread throughout the entire Great Liang. Across the Nine Provinces, in various prefectures and counties, government runners posted the battle report of this great victory everywhere. Some prefectures and counties, fearing that the common people could not read, even specially sent runners to explain the notice to them.

This also caused the common people’s desire to enlist to surge to an unprecedented level. In just a single day, in one commandery under White Deer Prefecture, there were as many as three thousand people signing up to join the army.

In fact, even before the great victory, the imperial court had already issued conscription notices. However, across the Nine Provinces of Great Liang, in the past, every conscription had only been met with enthusiastic response from Xinliu Prefecture, while the other prefectures generally reacted indifferently. But this time, from the very beginning, the conscription had already been different. Now, with this great victory, it was like adding wings to a tiger. The people’s enthusiasm soared to unprecedented heights, which made the officials in the various prefectures and counties feel that it was unexpected.

But looking at page after page of soldier registries, they vaguely understood something. In past conscriptions, Xinliu Prefecture had always been the main force. After distribution, the number of common people from the other prefectures who could truly enlist was actually not many.

This time, just from the start of conscription, it was directed at all Nine Provinces. From this matter alone, it was already no small affair. These seasoned officials who had long navigated officialdom could easily see the subtle implications within.

If it were other matters, they might still have some room to worry about state affairs, but this matter truly required a decision from the Divine Capital. Even if the officials below had thoughts, there was nothing they could really do.

Whether officials or common people, what they needed to do was to follow whatever instructions came from above.

The current Great Liang could be said to be united from top to bottom.

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It was said that White Deer Prefecture had the strongest scholarly atmosphere. Across the entire White Deer Prefecture, countless literati, literary masters, and great poets had emerged. As a result, the officials who served here, over time, became deeply imbued with a scholarly air. Every time they returned to the capital to report on their duties, they would be teased by their colleagues for having no official bearing at all, but instead being full of scholarly refinement.

However, what was strange was that an official document from the Ministry of Revenue was sent to the White Deer Prefecture government, and afterward, in the most remote and impoverished county of White Deer Prefecture, there appeared a monk serving as the county magistrate.

Originally, the prefectural government had been puzzled by such an appointment. A monk serving as an imperial official, searching through the historical records, they could not find a third example. But as it happened, in the early years of the Tianjian era of this dynasty, there had indeed been such a case.

That black-robed monk had even directly become the Nation Teacher of the Great Liang, with a status even above the Premier.

He was truly someone who could be said to stand below one person, yet above ten thousand.

Now that another monk had come, the officials on the prefectural side were, for a time, completely at a loss, unsure whether they should extend certain conveniences to this monk or proceed as usual.

For this matter, the entire prefectural administration met an unknown number of times. In the end, it was only after one official asked someone to make inquiries in the Divine Capital that they learned this monk had actually had a long conversation with the Crown Prince before leaving the Divine Capital.

After learning of this, it was difficult for the prefectural officials not to sigh with emotion, this might very well be the next Nation Teacher of the dynasty.

With this understanding, afterward the prefectural side extended many conveniences to this monk. But the monk did not say anything because of this, as if taking it in stride, not caring what others said.

Today was a rest day for the county office. The black-robed monk did not go there, but instead sat under the eaves of a small courtyard, reading the court bulletin sent from the Divine Capital.

This remote and impoverished small county town, when he had just taken office, had piles upon piles of case files. The previous magistrate had been someone who muddled through his days. Over the years, although he had not oppressed the common people, he also had not truly done anything for them. Instead, during the annual court evaluations, he would expend great effort to secure a ”good” rating.

Because of his negligence, this county had remained in this state for years, without the slightest improvement.

Fortunately, after this monk magistrate arrived, the case files were quickly cleared, and afterward, according to local conditions, he also found a good path forward for the local people.

These were all solid political achievements. Presumably, before long, at the next court evaluation, he would be promoted.

Turning the pages of the court bulletin, the black-robed monk read slowly. After leaving the Divine Capital, if he wanted to know the affairs of the world, he could only rely on this bulletin.

He was so focused on the bulletin that he became absorbed, to the point that he did not notice the sound of footsteps outside. Only when he finally raised his head did he realize that, at some unknown time, a young man was already sitting beside him.

After glancing at the man, the black-robed monk smiled and asked, ”Lord Warden Commander, instead of remaining in the Divine Capital to cultivate in seclusion, what brings you here to see this lowly monk?”

The arrival could naturally only be Chen Chao.

Before Chen Chao could speak, the black-robed monk suddenly frowned and asked in confusion, ”You have gone through a fierce battle? Were you ambushed?”

Chen Chao’s aura was unstable at this moment, and his condition was visibly poor. Such a state could naturally be seen at a glance to be problematic.

”It is nothing serious.”

Chen Chao waved his hand, having no intention of mentioning the matter of Myriad Heaven Palace again.

”Are you getting used to staying here?”

Chen Chao asked casually.

The black-robed monk smiled and said, ”It is fine, just a bit dull.”

Chen Chao smiled and said, ”The affairs of the common people are no small matter. Do not think like that.”

The black-robed monk nodded, then got straight to the point and asked, ”Go on, tell me. What did you come here for? Lord Warden Commander has never been the type to visit without reason, and besides, you should be cultivating in seclusion in the Divine Capital right now, should you not?”

Chen Chao did not hide anything and said frankly, ”I want to ask you to expound the scriptures for me.”

The black-robed monk was taken aback and was momentarily at a loss for words.