Martial Cultivator

When speaking with Jiao Xinchen and Meng Sangshan, Chen Chao had always referred to himself as “I.”

But upon meeting the Sword Sect’s Sect Master, this young martial artist used a more distant form of self-address[this official]. By reason, since Chen Chao was asking the Sword Sect’s Sect Master to handle a matter, he should not have deliberately widened the distance between them.

Yet he did so anyway.

Clearly, he had his own considerations.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master turned to look at Chen Chao.

This was not their first time meeting - back in the desolate north, later in the Divine Capital, and even more recently, they had all crossed paths.

But for the two of them to meet alone, this was the first time.

They were separated by many years in age and belonged to different eras, yet in some sense, the two were already equals in conversation.

One was the foremost figure of Sword Dao in the current era, someone who had surpassed the end of Nepenthe. The other was the man who, in reality, held the highest authority in the Great Liang, and was also one of the strongest martial artists alive.

Chen Chao’s choice to stop outside the pavilion could still be considered a gesture of respect toward this foremost figure of sword dao.

There was still a step in front of him.

Chen Chao looked at the Sword Sect’s Sect Master and said with a smile, “Sect Master’s body flows with sword qi. I imagine that before ordinary sword cultivators of Nepenthe, Sect Master wouldn’t even need to draw your sword.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master did not answer that question. He only said, “Do you know that the Sword Sect has not received guests for many years?”

Chen Chao smiled and said, “This official is naturally aware. This official being able to enter the sect this time would have been impossible without Sect Master’s permission.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master said nothing more.

His meaning had already been conveyed in those few words.

“Earlier, when this official toured the mountain, this official saw that the Sword Sect has no shortage of sword cultivators. But it seems the matter of forging swords has never been taken seriously. This official fears that for countless years to come, you will have to depend on others’ favor.”

Chen Chao smiled faintly, his expression calm.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master said evenly, “As for the matter of flying swords from Sword Qi Mountain, I have already repaid it.”

Back when he drew his sword before His Majesty, Sword Qi Mountain had announced that from then on, no Sword Sect disciple would be permitted to ascend the mountain to obtain swords. From that day onward, the flying swords used by Sword Sect cultivators could no longer come from Sword Qi Mountain. Later, Chen Chao used several of Great Liang’s mines in exchange for Sword Qi Mountain lifting its ban on the Sword Sect. Naturally, the Sword Sect had also agreed to send sword cultivators to the desolate north.

This matter could be said to have been a transaction, clearly agreed upon by both sides.

So now that Chen Chao brought it up again, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master did not think it was appropriate.

Chen Chao said with a smile, “In this battle between both sides, no Sword Sect sword cultivators have taken action yet.”

Indeed, there had been some sword cultivators who went to the desolate north earlier, but over there, whether they were said to be conserving their strength or for some other reason, none had yet set foot on the battlefield.

“If this transaction is to be completed, it should be after they have already entered the battlefield, not when this official merely watch the sword cultivators take flying swords, contributing neither labor nor effort.”

Chen Chao looked at the Sword Sect’s Sect Master and said, “If Sect Master cannot manage this, then this deal can be voided. This official will immediately send a letter to Sword Qi Mountain. From then on, Sword Sect disciples will still be forbidden from ascending the mountain to take swords, and the swords taken before must also be returned.”

“When making deals, this is how it should be. This official does not ask Sect Master for half a thing more, but Sect Master should not think of getting any edge over this official either.”

Chen Chao looked calmly at the Sword Sect’s Sect Master before him.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master frowned slightly. “I will naturally write a letter. Next time there is a battle, they will take action. If things truly remain as they are now, then this deal shall be voided.”

Chen Chao nodded and said with a smile, “It is not that this official is being petty. Hereafter, battles between the demon race and Great Liang will inevitably continue to occur. If the agreed matters are never taken seriously, and later someone includes them in military formations, yet they still refuse to contribute, leading to defeat in a great battle, never mind whether the demon race will march south to bring calamity upon the people of Great Liang, if someone this official cares about dies because of this, do you think this official will not come to trouble your Sword Sect? Will not come to trouble you, Sect Master?”

“So if Sect Master cannot give a definite word on this matter, then it would be best to end the deal here. But if Sect Master gives your word and fails to fulfill it, then do not blame this official for coming after the Sword Sect in the future.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master listened and frowned slightly, feeling somewhat amused as well. The young man before him had initially come to ask for his help to kill someone, yet now he was nagging on and on like this, showing not the slightest attitude of someone seeking assistance.

Fine, fine, fine, setting aside everything else, you, Chen Chao, a martial artist who has only just reached the end of Nepenthe, dare to speak so ruthlessly before me?

When that day truly comes, what can you possibly do?

Chen Chao seemed to know what the Sword Sect’s Sect Master was thinking and said bluntly, “This official is indeed speaking harshly now. Sect Master cannot possibly draw your sword to kill this official here just to avoid future trouble, can you?”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master remained silent. Indeed, no matter how he looked at it, he had no reason to draw his sword now. Even if he were to do so at this moment, it would bring no benefit to his sword heart.

“Since Sect Master cannot draw your sword now, then after a few more years, this official will surely be able to stand before Sect Master.”

Chen Chao smiled. “Moreover, this official is so much younger than Sect Master. When Sect Master dies in the future, who in the Sword Sect will still be able to stop this official?”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master frowned, realizing that he truly could not fathom what this young man before him meant. Was he trying to provoke him into drawing his sword here?

But if he truly were to draw his sword, what was it that the young man wanted to achieve?

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master could not understand. But judging from the young man’s current attitude, if Great Liang were to suffer defeat in its next battle because of the Sword Sect’s sword cultivators, he would indeed carry out those very words.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master kept a cold expression, merely casting a glance at Chen Chao before saying in a frosty voice, “No need to worry. If I fail to fulfill what I promised you, I will personally make a trip to the desolate north.”

Chen Chao nodded. “With those words from Sect Master, that is enough.”

“This was already an agreement reached with the Sword Sect. It is only that this official has just returned from the desolate north, so I came to remind Sect Master once more.”

This visit to the Sword Sect was, in truth, mainly for this matter, for it concerned the future situation in the desolate north. Of course, it was not the only reason.

Chen Chao thought for a moment, then spoke again. “This official also came to ask Sect Master to help this official kill someone.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master fell silent for a moment, unexpectedly feeling a trace of relief. From the first moment Chen Chao had mentioned this until now, he had not brought it up again, and only at this point did he finally speak of it once more.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master moved his lips but had yet to speak when Chen Chao continued, “But before that, I must first congratulate Sect Master for having perfected that sword move.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master thought for a moment, then sneered. “So that was what you were waiting for.”

Back then, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master had gone to the Divine Capital to seek the Great Liang Emperor in order to draw his sword, and although he ultimately failed, it was the Great Liang Emperor who gave him guidance. It could be said that the key to perfecting that sword lay in those few words from the Great Liang Emperor.

That was a tremendous favor. Without that favor, today Chen Chao might have been allowed to enter the sect, but he certainly would not have been able to meet him.

Now that the Great Liang Emperor’s whereabouts were unknown, the only one standing before him was Chen Chao.

This young martial artist was not only the Lord Warden Commander of Great Liang, representing the Great Liang of today, but also the Great Liang Emperor’s nephew. The world knew that the Great Liang Emperor had favored him more than his own son.

To repay a debt of gratitude, repaying him was only proper.

Thus, it was natural for Chen Chao to speak now.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master said nothing, while Chen Chao spoke directly. “Sect Master owes His Majesty a favor. Now is the perfect time to repay it.”

Back then, one of the contingencies the Great Liang Emperor had left behind had always included the Sword Sect’s Sect Master.

Even the reason why Chen Chao had been able to kill the daoists of the Infatuation Daoist Temple who had come to provoke the Divine Capital so unrestrainedly had something to do with this.

At that time, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master had already been one of the strongest powerhouses in the world; at least among the human race.

With such a trump card in hand, whether in the foreign lands or elsewhere, Chen Chao had always possessed a safeguard for his life.

But Chen Chao had never used it, because he knew that this particular life-saving talisman was a powerful one, it should only be used at the most fitting time.

So he had waited until today.

“Daoist Wuyang has returned from the sea, and he has now reached beyond Nepenthe. This official believes that in this world, apart from someone like Sect Master, no one else could possibly kill him anymore.”

Daoist Wuyang had returned to kill Chen Chao, so Chen Chao intended to use the sharpest sword under heaven to kill Daoist Wuyang.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master mocked, “I thought you wanted me to kill the Demon Emperor, but it turns out it’s still an internal strife.”

Chen Chao looked at the Sword Sect’s Sect Master and said earnestly, “This official has just met the Demon Emperor and do not believe Sect Master has the ability to kill the Demon Emperor.”

The words were spoken in complete seriousness, which made them all the more hurtful.

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master looked at Chen Chao, sword intent flickering in his eyes. Although he had previously lost to Yu Xiyi, that was only because he had suppressed his cultivation. Without such suppression, he had already reached an unprecedented peak of Sword Dao and did not believe himself inferior to the Demon Emperor.

Yet Chen Chao still said so.

Naturally, the Sword Sect’s Sect Master felt insulted.

Chen Chao continued, “Right now, there is probably no one under heaven who understands the Demon Emperor’s strength better than this official.”

“Even if Sect Master has perfected that flawless sword move, you still would not be a match for the Demon Emperor.”

Chen Chao spoke lightly. “However, Sect Master’s path of sword dao has not yet reached its end. Perhaps one day, you may truly surpass the Demon Emperor.”

The Sword Sect’s Sect Master looked at Chen Chao and said calmly, “I do not believe that.”

Hearing this, Chen Chao was not surprised. In fact, it was only natural. Someone like the Sword Sect’s Sect Master was proud by nature; having reached such heights, he would naturally be even prouder. How could he ever believe that he was inferior to the Demon Emperor?

Chen Chao said, “Then this official shall give Sect Master an... answer.”

After saying this, Chen Chao took a step forward.

The young martial artist’s aura rose steadily, his blood vitality surging like an abyss. The surrounding sword qi was scattered by his overwhelming presence. The air around him pulsed with an oppressive might, utterly terrifying.

“Sect Master, please draw your sword.”