Martial Cultivator

The daoist had already been shocked quite a few times today. In all these years of devoted cultivation, he had rarely experienced such emotional fluctuations.

But truth be told, if these events had happened to anyone else, it would be difficult for them to remain calm too.

He simply could not believe that the daoist aura within this young martial artist would dissipate so quickly. The only possible was that he had voluntarily abandoned the legacy.

Not only had he given up the chance to become a great daoist sage, he had even forsaken that entire legacy altogether?

The daoist had never seen such a person before. After all, this was a rare opportunity that countless others dreamed of but could never obtain.

He looked at Chen Chao, his gaze complicated.

When had such a young man appeared in this era? Furthermore, he was a martial artist of the Great Liang Dynasty.

”What’s your name?”

The daoist had never thought about learning Chen Chao’s name from the beginning. He had never been interested in such matters. But at this moment, he could no help but ask.

Chen Chao was rather surprised too. He had thought that, though this daoist cultivated in seclusion within the Three Thousand Storeys, he would still have some awareness of the world outside... But then he recalled how unfamiliar the man was with even Zhu Xia, and the confusion faded.

“This junior is the Lord Warden Commander of Great Liang... Chen Chao.”

Chen Chao spoke mildly, and after a moment’s thought, included his official post as well.

”Great Liang’s Lord Warden Commander? Isn’t that Ning Ping?”

The daoist was even more shocked. While it was true that he had little interest in outside affairs, and had not taken the initiative to learn more since entering the tower, it was only after Chen Chao spoke that he realised how long it had been.

“Lord Warden Commander Ning has been transferred to the Northern Frontier, where he now serves as Great General. As for the former Great General, he has already passed away.”

Knowing that this daoist was not well-informed about recent events, Chen Chao took the rare step of explaining a bit more.

The daoist seemed slightly dazed, murmuring softly, “Turns out that so many of my old acquaintances have already departed.”

Though he had no direct ties with the Great General, they had belonged to the same generation of cultivators. While cultivators often looked down on Great Liang’s martial artists, how could a martial artist who had reached the end of Nepenthe be without any reputation?

“You’ve reached this stage at such a young age, plus you have such unwavering resolve, it’s only fitting that you became the Lord Warden Commander. I’ve heard that the Infatuation Daoist Temple also has a new young temple master. It seems this world has now become one for the young.”

The daoist sighed with vicissitudes of emotion. After spending so many years inside the tower, ignoring the affairs of the world, he had assumed that most things remained unchanged. Yet he had not expected so much could change in such a short span of time.

Chen Chao thought for a moment and said, “Senior, you should take a look at the world too.”

The daoist was just about to speak when Chen Chao continued softly, ”Just like this Jade Court Scripture.”

The daoist lowered his gaze to the Jade Court Scripture, his expression complicated. After so many years of cultivating the Dao, he had long believed that while he was not invincible, there was no longer anyone who could offer him any guidance on daoist techniques. Yet this ordinary remark from Chen Chao had stirred up thoughts he had never considered before.

The daoist looked at Chen Chao again and smiled. “In truth, there are many aspects of you that make you suited for the daoist path. I even believe that if you were to begin now, you could become a great daoist sage one day.”

Chen Chao shook his head. “This junior only wishes to walk ever farther down the martial path.”

That was the decision he had come to before. He had not regretted it then, nor did he now, and he would not in the future either.

The daoist said nothing more. Expecting the head of the Great Liang Dynasty’s martial officials to take up daoist cultivation was a fanciful idea in the first place.

It was merely something worth mentioning.

“Then about the insight into the Dao...”

Although Chen Chao had obtained benefits, he had not forgotten about Zhu Xia.

The daoist glanced at him and smiled. “This penniless daoist will personally bring the Jade Court Scripture down to the first floor.”

Chen Chao was taken aback, then understood.

Since the daoist was going downstairs in person, he would naturally meet Zhu Xia.

“After that, this penniless daoist plans to travel the world for a while. Having sealed myself away in the Three Thousand Storeys for so many years, it’s grown a bit tiresome.”

The daoist looked at Chen Chao with a hint of admiration in his eyes. There were many matters one could never resolve alone, yet a single comment from another could provoke reflection, which was not easy.

At the very least, the person had to be the right one.

Chen Chao gave a slight bow.

The daoist suddenly asked, “Chen Chao, did you truly see your past life in the Moon’s Reflection in Water?”

Chen Chao thought for a moment, his expression complicated, ”Perhaps.”

......

......

When Chen Chao went down, he discovered to his surprise that a heavy snow had fallen on Mount Xi.

Only after asking Zhu Xia, who had been waiting outside, did he learn that what had seemed like merely a day’s climb had actually taken up two months of time. It was now truly winter, and less than a month remained before the end of the year.

Chen Chao sighed deeply.

As expected, places like this where daoist sects dwell, really could not be viewed with common sense.

Zhu Xia was cheering joyfully, smiling as she said, “We can have New Year’s Eve dinner together!”

Chen Chao asked curiously, “You all celebrate the New Year too?”

Zhu Xia nodded, smiling, “The senior brothers and sisters on the mountain, some of them gather to celebrate. I always go over there to scrounge some food. They’re from different places and cook some of their hometown specialties. Some dishes taste great, but some are... just average.”

Zhu Xia was as honest as ever. Furthermore, she had a great interest in food.

Chen Chao had originally planned to finish dealing with the trivial matters of the Myriad Heaven Palace before the end of the year and then rush back to the Divine Capital to spend the New Year with Xie Nandu and his two disciples. But now, it seemed that he probably would not make it in time.

A life destined for toil?

Though Chen Chao did not quite agree with that saying, thinking of all the things still left to do, he could only sigh.

Chen Chao glanced at Zhu Xia. This girl who had already grown into a young lady still looked very lovely when she smiled, with two little dimples. And she seemed to never truly grow up, always preserving that childlike innocence.

“You might not make it in time for New Year’s Eve dinner.”

Chen Chao began to speak about the matters inside the Three Thousand Storeys, with particular emphasis on her Junior Martial Uncle.

Zhu Xia had a headache, shaking her head and muttering, “It’s almost New Year’s, who still has rules like this, having to cultivate even now?!”

Chen Chao knew well that this opportunity was not easily come by, and urged, “Your Junior Martial Uncle might not stay long on Mountain Xi. If you don’t treasure this opportunity, you’ll miss it.”

Zhu Xia muttered, “Then just let Junior Martial Uncle go down the mountain. It’s not like he won’t come back.”

Chen Chao said nothing, only looking at Zhu Xia with a stern face.

Seeing Chen Chao angry, Zhu Xia felt a bit aggrieved and nodded, but immediately added, “Just saying first, if I miss the New Year celebration, you’ll have to spend it with me again!”

Chen Chao nodded his head.

Zhu Xia stubbornly reached out her finger and wiggled it. “Pinky swear!”

Chen Chao had no choice but to extend his finger as well and do a pinky swear.

“Pinky swear, for a hundred years you can’t go back on it. Otherwise, we’ll never meet again... no, whoever breaks it is a doggy!”

In the end, she could not even bring herself to say a single harsh sentence.

In truth, many men and women in this world are just like that when they first come together. But later on, they often stop taking it seriously.

However, the current Zhu Xia did not even have any clear status.

That kind of affection, she kept hidden in her heart, still carefully feeling it out.

......

......

For the next half a month or so, Chen Chao stayed on Mount Xi and only did two things.

The first was dealing with the many letters sent from the Divine Capital. The matters they were concerned about were numerous, and the first was how to handle the newly arrived martial artist Chen Wannian. This Nepenthe Realm martial artist was considered the first major reinforcement the Great Liang Dynasty had recruited from the foreign lands in recent years - if Yu Xiyi was not counted.

After much deliberation, Chen Chao finally assigned this Nepenthe martial artist to a leisurely position; as a guest retainer serving under the warden faction. Originally, the warden faction had no such post, but since Chen Chao was now the Lord Warden Commander, he could decide many things.

As for whether this move would draw criticism from court officials, Chen Chao could not worry about that for now. After all, now that Chen Wannian had come to the Divine Capital, many things had to be handled with care. Otherwise, with the slightest mishap, it could be seen as disrespectful. And if that happened, it would be even harder for the Great Liang Dynasty to recruit cultivators, especially top-tier ones, from elsewhere in the future.

So after much thought, the warden faction was still the most suitable.

Once Chen Wannian was settled, the remaining matters were not too major. As for the attitudes of the court officials toward Chen Chao these days, Chen Chao did not care too much. What needed to be done had to be done, regardless of whether the means were forceful or not.

If not forceful enough, the Great Liang Dynasty might have long since been besieged on all sides.

As for the pressure, he could only let that younger cousin shoulder it for a while.

Some trivial matters were handled by Xie Nandu herself, she merely reported them to Chen Chao afterwards without giving him more trouble.

Among them was also a court bulletin, which detailed the events that had occurred in the Divine Capital after his departure. There were a few items in there that Chen Chao found rather interesting.

First, although Zhou Gouqi was still unwilling to take charge of the academy, he nevertheless became the deputy dean of the academy through the collective nomination of everyone. This decision was conveyed to the dean of the academy, who did not reject it and merely replied with a single word: “Approved.”

However, judging by appearances, the Dean had no intention of returning. Perhaps he was going to stay in the Northern Frontier for the rest of his life?

Chen Chao frowned slightly. Could it be that the Dean was planning to die in the Northern Frontier?

The second matter was that, after Xie Nandu’s status within the academy rose significantly, she began pushing for the establishment of a new department named “Military Preparations.” This department was temporarily not considered a mandatory subject within the academy, but was instead available as an elective for academy students. The instructors were some idle military officials residing in the Divine Capital, teaching things like military strategy, marching, and warfare.

This had been met with resistance from the academy’s tutors, who believed that for scholars to abandon the teachings of the saints to study such things was simply heresy. The matter caused quite a stir, but in the end, it was suppressed by the newly appointed deputy dean, Zhou Gouqi.

Chen Chao understood Xie Nandu’s intentions. Teaching such things in the academy was preparation for future wars. When the time came, the academy would surely send a batch of lower-ranking and mid-ranking military officials capable of fighting to the Northern Frontier.

It was considered planning ahead.

Chen Chao had long known of Xie Nandu’s lofty ambitions, but he had not expected her to push such reforms in the academy so boldly and energetically. That did catch him somewhat off guard.

But since Zhou Gouqi was there, the academy’s matters should remain stable, so Chen Chao was not worried.

What he was thinking about now was when Xie Nandu would head to the North.

This was something he knew Xie Nandu would certainly do, he just did not know when.

After finishing reading all the trivial matters, Chen Chao finally pulled out the letter written by Xie Nandu.

There was only one delicate line of small characters on it:

“It snowed in the Divine Capital.”