Martial Cultivator

Half an incense stick later, in the small courtyard, only two Great Beyond cultivators remained, along with the four cultivators still gripping the red strings from the high points surrounding the courtyard.

Then, there was the heavily injured sword cultivator who had yet to die despite being gravely injured.

What had begun as an assassination of a grand scale was now nearing its conclusion.

That young martial artist, the main target for elimination, had some injuries on his body but remained full of vitality and energy.

Even if they were to finally take this young martial artist’s head in the end, this ambush would hardly be considered a success.

The two Great Beyond cultivators exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with undisguised bitterness. By this point, their fighting spirit had been completely drained, yet they knew they had no choice but to fight to the death. Leaving here without having killed Chen Chao meant that only death awaited them.

Chen Chao wiped the corner of his mouth and walked toward the two men.

They said nothing and just continuously formed hand seals. In the air before them, ripples mysteriously appeared, spreading out in layers as waves of qi surged. Countless streams of qi began spreading in all directions like countless fish. Not far in front of the two, a lakeside appeared, and a green fish suddenly leaped from the water. As its tail flicked, the streams of qi in the courtyard suddenly overflowed with murderous intent.

Then the qi surged forward like a fierce tide, overwhelming and violent.

In the face of such profound techniques, the young martial artist simply raised his saber and slashed.

A brilliant saber light instantly tore through the ground, splitting the surging tide.

Spurt!

One of the cultivators spat out a mouthful of blood, his expression turning ugly. At the same time, the ripples in front of him gradually shifted from transparent to blood-red.

The two cultivators exchanged a glance and nodded in unison. They had already resolved to burn their blood essence if necessary, determined to slay the young martial artist before them at all costs.

However, they were not fully confident in the outcome. In the end, they could only do their best and leave the rest to fate.

The tidewater that was split apart quickly reformed and surged once more toward Chen Chao.

Chen Chao let out a cold laugh. Instead of attacking with his saber again, he sheathed his saber and held the sheath horizontally in front of him.

The raging tide, which had seemed unstoppable, came to a standstill the moment it collided with the sheathed saber. It was as if it had crashed into a lonely cliff that had stood firm in the world for countless years.

No matter how fierce the tide, it could not surpass this lonely cliff.

The disparity in cultivation levels was on full display. Among the younger generation, Chen Chao had few rivals left. He had fought the demon race princess, Autumn, without being defeated. Even someone like Yun Jianyue could not confidently claim victory over him. These cultivators before him were merely second or third-rate; insignificant to Chen Chao.

Even if there had been more of them earlier, it was just a matter of numbers.

The four figures standing at the corners of the courtyard witnessed this scene and no longer hesitated. They swiftly leaped down from the rooftops, each still holding the red threads. As they advanced, the threads shot forward like sharp blades, cutting through the air like sharp weapons.

Chen Chao continued moving forward, pressing through the tide of qi and arriving in front of the two cultivators in an instant.

Behind him, the sound of bells rang out.

Chen Chao did not turn around, allowing a bell, which had suddenly grown as large as a bronze gong, to strike his back.

Without pause, Chen Chao grabbed one of the Great Beyond cultivators and slammed his fist toward the man’s head.

The cultivator tilted his head back to dodge, but Chen Chao immediately struck him in the chest with the sheath, forcefully driving him into the ground.

A large crater formed from the impact.

The courtyard was now in utter disarray. Many of the buildings had already collapsed, and clouds of dust rose within the courtyard, yet not a speck escaped the courtyard.

Then, Chen Chao seized the other Great Beyond cultivator, crushing both of his arms, and threw out Cloud Mud, stabbing it into the man’s shoulder and pinning him to the last remaining beam standing in the courtyard.

After all this, the four red threads had already closed in, their sharpness evident as they touched Chen Chao’s body, leaving a wound. Tiny beads of blood instantly oozed from his skin.

Chen Chao pressed his hands against the red threads in front of him, pulling them taut with both hands. His palms were drenched in blood, but Chen Chao remained unmoved. In an instant, the threads snapped. Chen Chao turned and shattered the giant bell that had come crashing toward him with a single punch.

The four people spat blood and were sent flying by the shock.

Chen Chao pressed his advantage, crushing their chests without uttering a single word.

By now, the assassination plot aimed at this young martial artist had dissipated like smoke.

But the night had yet to reach its conclusion.

Chen Chao who had already killed many tonight, turned his gaze toward the three remaining Great Beyond assassins still alive in the courtyard.

Apart from the heavily injured sword cultivator, one lay in the crater, while the other was pinned to the beam by Cloud Mud.

Chen Chao took a deep breath, exhaling some white mist, before approaching the crater. He crouched down, looking at the immobilized Great Beyond cultivator in front of him, and asked, ”Let me ask you a question: Who wants to kill me?”

The Great Beyond cultivator remained silent, but there was already some fear in his eyes.

Chen Chao gave an ”oh: but said nothing more. He simply punched the man’s head.

The cultivator who originally still had half a life left, now had none left.

Seeing Chen Chao kill a Great Beyond cultivator without hesitation, both the heavily injured sword cultivator and the one pinned to the beam had a hint of dread flicker across their eyes.

Chen Chao stood up, looking at the remaining two without saying a word.

——

A horse carriage slowly moved along the long streets of the Divine Capital, eventually reaching the city gate guarded by the Right Guard. The guards standing watch silently waved their hands, and as the carriage approached, the coachman pulled something out from his coat. After glancing at it, the guard nodded. The city gate was opened, allowing the carriage to leave the city.

……

……

The night had grown late. In the Imperial City, aside from the necessary areas lit by lanterns, the rest had already become somewhat dark. When the Empress was still alive, she disliked the Imperial City being filled with lanterns at night. After His Majesty ascended the throne, the number of lanterns hung at night had been strictly limited, marking a significant difference from before.

It was also because His Majesty’s martial prowess was unmatched in the world, so there was no need to fear assassins launching night raids. Otherwise, who knows how many incidents might have occurred over the years.

In the dim night, two lanterns, one high and one low, moved slowly within the palace walls.

Upon closer inspection, it was two eunuchs, one tall and one short, silently walking within the palace grounds.

After walking for a while, the young eunuch raised his head to look at his master. After a brief hesitation, he asked curiously, ”Master, His Majesty hasn’t retired for the night yet. If you leave now, won’t it displease His Majesty?”

Before the highly influential chief eunuch, Li Heng, who had held sway in the palace for over a decade, could respond, the young eunuch, Li Shou, continued speaking to himself, ”Though you’ve been by His Majesty’s side for so many years and share a deep bond, Master, you still shouldn’t rely on old affections to act like this, right?”

Li Heng who was known for his gentle temperament smiled and said, ”Oh? You’re so young, and you’re already starting to teach your master how to do things?”

Li Shou chuckled, ”I know you have your own discretion, Master. I just wanted to ask what you’re up to.”

In private, the master and disciple had a relaxed relationship with little formality. However, in public, Li Shou would not dare break any rules, always keeping in mind his master’s words that in the Great Liang Dynasty, they served only one master, and it was best not to overthink anything else.

Li Heng glanced into the distance and said in a low voice, ”It’s just knowing a bit more. His Majesty wants to be alone right now, so it’s only natural for us to leave. If we waited for His Majesty to say everything, it would be pointless.”

Li Shou asked, ”Is it because His Majesty hasn’t missed a single morning court session lately, so he’s feeling a bit fed up?”

Li Heng could not stifle his laughter, ”If such trivial matters could trouble His Majesty, then he wouldn’t be His Majesty. His temperament has always been like this, if he doesn’t want to attend court, no matter how much the court officials bang their heads at the palace gates, His Majesty wouldn’t even spare them a glance.”

Li Shou frowned, clearly puzzled by his master’s explanation.

Li Heng reached out and ruffled this young man’s hair, saying softly, ”There are some things, as your master, I can’t tell you. You’ll have to watch and guess on your own. But even if you do see or guess it, keep it to yourself. It’s tough for His Majesty. Sitting in such a position, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, means some matters have to be pushed aside. The helplessness that comes with it can’t be spoken of. Even if we notice His Majesty’s struggles, we can’t say anything. It’s not about rank, saying it changes nothing. His suffering remains unchanged.”

Li Shou said, ”If there were someone who truly understood His Majesty, maybe he’d be a bit happier?”

Li Heng smiled and replied, ”That’s why when Her Majesty was still alive, His Majesty was happy.”

Li Shou fell silent, frowning.

Li Heng sighed quietly, ”The bond between the Emperor and Empress, sharing hardships and deep affection, none can match it throughout history.”

Then, Li Heng lifted his head slightly, gazing at the sky. A full moon had broken free from the dark clouds. In a voice only he could hear, he murmured, ”The son doesn’t understand his father.”