Martial Cultivator

The weather in the Divine Capital during this season was truly strange. When Chen Chao left the palace, a heavy rain had just stopped, but halfway through, a light drizzle began to fall again.

Caught off guard, Chen Chao was quickly drenched, turning this newly appointed Lord Warden Commander into a soaked mess.

Now that he had become a Nepenthe martial artist, keeping the rain from touching him was actually not a big deal. But there was no need for such effort, so he quickly became completely soaked.

Today, the Divine Capital was bound to be anything but peaceful again. News of him killing that Daoist Zhenye would surely spread. Only then could the pent-up anger of the Divine Capital’s people be fully released. At the same time, this would further elevate his reputation.

Naturally, the Divine Capital would also take this moment to formally announce his appointment as the new Lord Warden Commander. This was not for his sake but to reassure the people of the Divine Capital.

Chen Chao’s reputation might not be stellar within the imperial court, but among the common people of the Divine Capital and even across the Great Liang Dynasty, there was nothing about Chen Chao they would disapprove of.

Braving the rain, Chen Chao arrived at the Right Guard’s office. Circulating his qi, he instantly dried his soaked clothes. Chen Chao rubbed his nose as the constables, upon seeing him, were momentarily stunned before they hurriedly bowed respectfully, ”Greetings, Lord Warden Commander!”

Ever since Ning Ping left the Divine Capital, everyone within the warden faction had been speculating about who would succeed him. Especially after Song Lian stepped into the Nepenthe Realm, many believed he was the most likely candidate for the position of Lord Warden Commander. Though Chen Chao had performed outstandingly and earned His Majesty’s favor, he was still young. Many assumed that if he were to become the Lord Warden Commander, it would only be after Song Lian. Yet unexpectedly, he had risen above Song Lian and directly assumed the position as the new Lord Warden Commander.

However, word of what had happened in the Imperial City had already spread. This young Lord Warden Commander had decisively killed people. Just hearing about it was enough to make their blood boil.

As martial artists, they did not concern themselves with politics or overthink matters. If someone provoked Great Liang, they simply needed to strike back.

Thus, at this moment, none of them felt any dissatisfaction toward Chen Chao.

Chen Chao stepped into the Right Guard’s office. Song Lian walked out with a broad smile but still respectfully saluted him, ”This subordinate, Song Lian, Commander of the Right Guard, greets Lord Warden Commander!”

Chen Chao smiled bitterly, ”With our relationship, this is far too formal.”

Song Lian laughed heartily and teased, ”Until today, we held the same rank. But from now on, this subordinate will have to follow Lord Warden Commander’s orders.”

Chen Chao waved his hand and asked seriously, “You’re not feeling unhappy, are you?”

Song Lian nodded. “Of course I am. You got promoted and kept it under wraps, not even treating this elder brother to a proper feast. How does that make any sense?”

Chen Chao smiled slightly. Since Song Lian put it that way, his worries were put to rest. As expected, Song Lian was still the same Song Lian, he had never changed.

Song Lian said sincerely. “You stepped into the Nepenthe, so it’s very appropriate to take the position of Lord Warden Commander. If I were to take the job, I wouldn’t last a few years before having to yield the position to you. When that time comes, should I die or not? If I don’t die, that’d be pretty embarrassing.”

There was a bit of teasing in his words.

Chen Chao rolled his eyes.

Perhaps only in front of someone like Song Lian could he feel a little more at ease.

Song Lian quickly patted his shoulder and sighed. “The burden on your shoulders just got heavier.”

But before Chen Chao could lament, Song Lian suddenly threw a punch at his chest. “You brat, you advanced pretty quickly. It took Your Father several decades to reach the Nepenthe Realm, and you’re not even thirty yet, kiddo. All in all, it didn’t even take you twenty years to reach this realm, right?”

Chen Chao smiled and did not speak.

After joking, Song Lian turned serious. “Killing that Daoist Zhenye was satisfying, but what’s the plan for explaining things to Infatuation Daoist Temple? Got anything in mind?” ʀäƝốᛒƐṩ

Earlier, the Crown Prince had repeatedly chosen to endure, not because he could not kill, but because he did not know how to deal with the consequences of killing Daoist Zhenye.

And now that Chen Chao had killed Daoist Zhenye, it was inevitable that he had to consider how to handle Infatuation Daoist Temple’s retaliation.

But Chen Chao remained indifferent and said calmly, “The Infatuation Daoist Temple probably doesn’t have the time to find trouble with us during this period. They can’t even sort out their own mess.”

Song Lian did not press further, only nodding and saying, “It’s good that you have a plan. Looking at it this way, having you take up the post of Lord Warden Commander is truly a great thing. If it had fallen to me, with my brain, I’d probably be thinking for a whole day and still not come up with anything.”

Chen Chao smiled slightly, then said, “Although I’ve taken the position of Lord Warden Commander, there are still some things I’d like to ask you for help with, Elder Brother.”

“Feel free to ask.”

Song Lian’s character had always been straightforward. He did not bear any grudges just because someone who used to be his subordinate had now become his superior. He was not one to turn things down.

“Becoming Lord Warden Commander was like being pushed onto the stage. There are many trivial matters I’d still like to entrust to you, Elder Brother. When the time comes, I’ll issue an order, and you can decide on all these matters. If anything big comes up, just report it to me, but for now, I’ll trouble Elder Brother with these tasks.”

Chen Chao chuckled.

Song Lian did not refuse, immediately nodding and smiling. “Alright.”

He understood that those trivial matters were numerous and would greatly affect Chen Chao’s cultivation. Chen Chao had already stepped into Nepenthe at this age, in the future, he was destined to keep advancing further. Handling these matters would only slow his cultivation, which would ultimately be a loss for the Great Liang Dynasty.

Chen Chao smiled and said, “Then it looks like Elder Brother’s cultivation will slow down a bit.”

Song Lian rolled his eyes. “I’m well aware of my limitations. Even if I lock myself away in closed-seclusion cultivation every day, I won’t progress very quickly. Don’t try to make fun of Your Father, kid.”

Chen Chao laughed. “The Left Guard will still be under Wen Quan’s supervision. You just need to keep an eye on things. Also, my two disciples, if they encounter any martial arts issues while I’m in closed-seclusion cultivation, they should come to you.”

Song Lian pointed at Chen Chao’s nose, just about to let loose a torrent of abuse, but he forcibly swallowed it back and instead said, “Fine, fine. but you’ll have to pay me more!”

Chen Chao burst into laughter.

……

……

After finishing his instructions at the Right Guard’s office, Chen Chao borrowed an umbrella and left, returning to the bamboo building.

Ever since the bamboo building was built, he had hardly gone back to the small courtyard by the academy’s lake, choosing instead to reside here. Now that he had become the Lord Warden Commander, he was supposed to have an official residence of his own. The Ministry of Works had already begun selecting a site and preparing to build it, but even once it was completed, Chen Chao was not sure he would stay there often.

Upon returning to the bamboo building, he saw someone unexpected, though not entirely surprising.

Xie Nandu.

She had finally returned from the academy.

Glancing at the two small heads under the eaves, Chen Chao coughed a few times, put on a stern face, and said, “Looks to me like you two haven’t been taking your physical training seriously these past few days. Get to the Right Guard’s office and have Lord Song Lian give you some proper lessons!”

The two youths exchanged glances, their faces full of confusion.

Not taking it seriously

Yu Qingfeng caught on quickly. He grabbed He Liang and nodded. ”Master is right! I’ll take Junior Brother He to see Lord Song right away.”

He Liang was still dazed, but Yu Qingfeng had already bid farewell. “Mistress, we’re off!”

The two dashed away into the rain, but before getting too far, Yu Qingfeng turned his head back with a cheeky grin. “Master, don’t forget to have a little junior sister!”

”Scram!”

Chen Chao was expressionless.

He Liang, who had originally wanted to say something, did not dare to say anything at all. He hurriedly followed his senior brother, running off into the distance.

And soon, only the two of them were left here.

However, with the sound of raindrops falling onto the bamboo building, the atmosphere did not feel awkward.

Chen Chao thought for a long time before finally smiling and asking, “Want a roasted sweet potato?”

Xie Nandu nodded her head.

……

……

Sitting under the eaves, listening to the rain while roasting sweet potatoes, had its own charm.

Xie Nandu sat on a bamboo chair, watching Chen Chao skillfully roasting the sweet potatoes, looking somewhat tired but saying nothing.

These past few days, running around at the academy had left her just as exhausted as Chen Chao.

Chen Chao asked casually, “How’s the academy these days?”

Xie Nandu said calmly, “Teacher has gone to the Northern Frontier, Senior Brother Wei’s whereabouts are unknown, and the academy was in chaos. Senior Brother Zhou is also absent, so right now, it’s just me and a few senior tutors managing things. For now, everything has stabilized and is back on track.”

Though she spoke lightly, Chen Chao could easily imagine how many arguments and discussions she must have gone through. Ultimately, it was because Xie Nandu’s reputation and cultivation realm were not yet high enough, if she had already stepped into Nepenthe, things likely would not have been so troublesome.

Moreover, the Dean had left in such a hurry without leaving any instructions.

Otherwise, it would have been a little easier.

Chen Chao rubbed his cheeks, placed his hands over the stove, and felt the warmth spreading from it. Smiling, he said, “With your abilities, things will get better over time.”

Xie Nandu responded with a hum before smiling. “You were quite impressive today. I heard you’ve been appointed as Lord Warden Commander now. In terms of military rank in the Great Liang Dynasty, you’ve basically reached the peak.”

The highest positions for the Great Liang Dynasty’s military officials were none other than the Lord Warden Commander and the Great General of the Northern Frontier. Now that Chen Chao had become the Lord Warden Commander, he was already at the pinnacle of officialdom. If he wanted to go any higher, he would have to be conferred a nobility title.

What was even more remarkable was that he had reached such heights at such a young age. This was something unprecedented in the history of the Great Liang Dynasty.

“For most people who reach your position, they would have to start worrying about being too accomplished for their ruler’s comfort. They’d need to be cautious, advancing gradually and entrenching themselves at every step. But your achievements are simply too great, and His Majesty trusts you so much that even if His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to move against you, he wouldn’t be able to. However, the more this is the case, the more careful you must be.”

Xie Nandu said calmly, “Be careful, or history might write you down as a power-hungry subject.”

“Uncle never cared about his posthumous legacy. Why would I?”

Chen Chao flipped the sweet potatoes and smiled slightly.

Xie Nandu looked at him and did not speak.

Chen Chao also did not speak for a while, the air filled with the fragrance of sweet potatoes.

Suddenly.

Chen Chao suddenly turned his head and met Xie Nandu’s small face directly.

”What are you doing?”

Xie Nandu’s face was a little red.

Chen Chao said nothing and simply leaned in toward her.

Xie Nandu closed her eyes.