Martial Cultivator

After that student spoke, the entire lecture hall fell into a sudden silence. Nearly everyone knew that this female tutor, now renowned throughout the academy, and the newly appointed Lord Warden Commander were practically a confirmed pair.

According to the way of things in the foreign lands, the two would surely become Dao companions in the future. And in Great Liang’s simpler terms, it was widely expected that Xie Nandu would marry Chen Chao, and they would become husband and wife.

Now that someone had asked such a question in front of Xie Nandu, whether it was ill-intentioned or not, everyone present had their own answer in their hearts.

Still, the current commotion in the Divine Capital was indeed centered on this matter. The academy had never confined itself to book learning alone; engaging with current affairs had always been something its students enjoyed most.

So, though the question came unexpectedly, it was not entirely unreasonable either.

All eyes turned to Xie Nandu, curious how this young female tutor would respond.

In truth, the question was extremely difficult to answer. If she and Chen Chao had no personal connection, then whatever she said could be taken as objective. But the two of them were too closely linked; if her response gave even a hint of bias, no matter what she said, it would be hard to convince anyone.

This question was actually a true test of character.

Xie Nandu lowered the book of the saints she had been holding and did not rush to respond. Instead, she looked out the window.

The crowd assumed she was pondering her answer and refrained from interrupting, choosing instead to wait patiently and see whether she could offer a reply that would satisfy them all.

The young student who had brought Chen Chao to the lecture whispered softly, “It’s hard for someone to speak ill of their own family, even if they’re truly close, don’t you think?”

Chen Chao happened to be standing right beside him. Hearing this, he could not help but ask, “You think she believes the Lord Warden Commander was in the wrong too?”

The young student looked at him curiously. “Don’t you think so?”

Chen Chao smiled at this remark.

Seeing that Chen Chao said nothing, the young student who was still caught up in the conversation, continued on his own, “He’s certainly done a lot for our Great Liang, but I really don’t understand his recent actions. Destroying sects at the slightest provocation, this kind of thing only invites resentment from the foreign lands. There’s no benefit to it. Besides, no one in court can truly restrain him now. What that Lord Warden Commander does or doesn’t do all depends entirely on his own whim.”

The student added in a quiet voice, “For someone in such a high position, it’s important to bow more often, raise one’s head more often, and look farther ahead. Think thrice before acting.”

Chen Chao mulled over that last sentence, then said with a smile, “That line’s worth at least three jars of fine wine.”

The young student misunderstood, thinking the man beside him was mocking what he had said and was not pleased, so he turned away and fell silent.

Chen Chao opened his mouth, intending to say something sincere from the heart, but after a moment’s thought, he decided there was no need.

If he said it to this person, would he have to say it to everyone else too?

And if he said it to everyone else, then what was the point of saying it?

Was it even possible to say everything that needed to be said in this world?

It was not. And even if the truth was laid bare, there would always be those who did not care, people who knew perfectly well how things stood but, for all kinds of reasons, simply refused to acknowledge it.

That was why in this world, there was no such thing as universal agreement. As for doing something, so long as those who opposed had no choice but to go along with you, that was enough.

Whether they followed willingly or had to hold their noses and comply, it did not matter. As long as they followed, it would do.

Thinking that, Chen Chao no longer dwelt on it.

Meanwhile, everyone else was still waiting for Xie Nandu’s answer.

Waiting for this female tutor to speak.

While Chen Chao smiled and patted the shoulder of the person in front of him. “Make way.”

The person turned their head, curious. “Why?”

Chen Chao thought for a moment and said, “Because I’m Chen Chao?”

His voice was not quiet. Everyone nearby heard it clearly, and in that instant, the entire room fell still.

Chen Chao pushed through the crowd and began walking toward the platform.

Countless students watched the black-clad, saber-bearing young man in stunned silence.

Who would have thought that the young Lord Warden Commander was here, among them, right now?

Several years ago, these young students still dared to argue with this young Lord Warden Commander by the lakeside. But now, this youth from a remote little county had become the number one military official of the Great Liang Dynasty. Times had changed. Even the student who had just asked that question now lowered his head.

Among this generation of youths, whether scholars or cultivators, even those young men from the Northern Frontier with military merits all seemed overshadowed by this one young man.

Chen Chao walked to Xie Nandu’s side and stood next to her, both of them looking out the window. He smiled and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Outside, a light snow had fallen. Footprints trampled across the snowy ground in all directions, making it look messy and spoiling the beauty.

”I was seeing if a young man might appear over there looking for me.”

Xie Nandu said softly. “Seems like he already walked past there. I was in the middle of teaching and didn’t get to see him.”

Chen Chao smiled. “Should I go walk by again?”

Xie Nandu turned her head and looked at this young man, dusty from travel, who had hurried back to the Divine Capital. She said gently, “Why do you grew taller again?”

Chen Chao beamed. “Still young, after all. Might grow a bit more, but I figure this is about it. Won’t grow anymore after this.”

“That’s good.”

Xie Nandu smiled.

Chen Chao asked, “Do you still want to answer the question? If not, then come home with me.”

Xie Nandu frowned. “I still have class this afternoon.”

“I already asked someone to talk to Zhou Goji about it.”

Chen Chao looked at the woman in front of him and said, matter-of-factly, “When your beloved shows up, what can’t be postponed? Does it really have to be dealt with right now?”

Xie Nandu spat lightly in mock annoyance.

Chen Chao reached out and took her hand.

She did not pull away.

The two of them talking like this in front of countless students was no different from flirting, but few of the students felt any displeasure. Watching the pair, many of them thought that these two really did seem like a perfect match, as if they were made for each other, from heaven to earth.

Many of the young students looked at them and even silently murmured to themselves, How wonderful.

In this world, one should learn to see the beauty in things, be it the scenery or the love between a man and a woman. Don’t let envy rise just because others are doing well. Instead, learn to appreciate it.

As for the young student who had just spoken with Chen Chao, he was too stunned to utter a single word.

Chen Chao held Xie Nandu’s hand as they walked toward the door. But just before they reached the entrance, Xie Nandu suddenly stopped. She looked at the many students in the room, stood silent for a moment, then softly said, “How do I see it? I stand by his side and see.”

One simple sentence, seemingly vague, yet it felt as though it had said everything. And hearing it, no one could find any fault.

Chen Chao’s smile was warm and full. The woman he had chosen to love was really great.

She had never once let him down.

......

......

The two of them left the classroom and walked along the lakeside, preparing to leave the academy. Chen Chao suddenly said, “If one day I unknowingly do something that disappoints you, don’t keep it to yourself. It’s best to tell me right away, and I’ll tell you my thoughts too.”

Xie Nandu raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because I’m afraid that you’ll think you can endure it, but when too many of those things pile up, you won’t be able to take it anymore. And when that time comes, you’ll let go of my hand.”

Chen Chao scratched his head and smiled. “You know, when it comes to relationships, I’m not always the clearest thinker.”

Xie Nandu arched an eyebrow. “Can’t you try thinking a little more?”

Chen Chao was stunned.

“Chen Chao, when a woman looks at someone, it’s not that simple.

Xie Nandu said frankly, ”When she’s happy and when she’s unhappy, even if it’s the same thing, it can have different meanings.”

Chen Chao sighed. “Isn’t that exhausting?”

At that, Xie Nandu turned her head and said, “But in truth, when two people are together, it’s inevitable that someone feels wronged sometimes. Why is it that in the beginning it’s easy to brush it off, but later on it starts to weigh on the heart? In the end, it all comes down to the changes in one’s feelings. Why was it acceptable before, but not anymore?”

Chen Chao was taken aback, unable to understand the matter.

Xie Nandu continued on her own, “What you give may not be what the other person wants. But what you give is indeed what you care about the most, what you think is the best. So at this time, if the other person can’t think from your perspective, then a quarrel is a small matter, breaking up is likely more than probable.”

Chen Chao nodded, feeling that what Xie Nandu said made a lot of sense.

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