Martial Cultivator

Earlier, upon receiving word from above that an important figure would be coming to Clear Pool Town, Madam Redcloud pondered what sort of important figure it would be. After deducing from various clues, she finally determined that the person coming should be that young martial artist renowned across the world, and thus she took the initiative to appear in this small town. Otherwise, she would likely have arranged things properly, but would not have personally shown herself.

Much less bring along the young woman at her side.

Madam Redcloud clicked her tongue and said, “This subordinate really can’t tell for a moment whether Lord Warden Commander is praising me or saying something this subordinate fails to understand.”

Chen Chao let out a bitter laugh. The records of the Hundred Streams Pavilion stated clearly that this Madam Redcloud was from the old Shu region, her temperament rather fiery, just like the chili peppers from that place. It did not matter whether you were her superior, what he was seeing now was probably already after she had restrained herself.

However, although Madam Redcloud had such a temperament, there truly was not a single flaw to be found in her work. Ever since joining the Hundred Streams Pavilion these years, nothing she did had ever gone wrong.

So even if Chen Chao wanted to admonish her, he could not find a reason.

Chen Chao simply did not speak anymore, instead silently looking at Madam Redcloud.

Madam Redcloud froze for a moment, then said with a full smile, “What is it, Your Excellency, do you have such a hobby? But although Your Excellency may be young and capable, your face is not quite handsome enough. This subordinate has no interest.”

Chen Chao lost that round again, and said helplessly, “Madam Redcloud, please bring this official to my residence.”

Madam Redcloud said in displeasure, “How is it that Lord Warden Commander is so young, yet your eyesight is this poor? Could it be because the sky is dark and you cannot see clearly? But I seem to see Your Excellency still holding a lantern?”

Chen Chao could only ask, “This young lady, greetings.”

The young woman who had not spoken at all and did not know what to say, hurriedly offered a salute upon hearing this.

“Greetings, Lord Warden Commander.”

Chen Chao laughed it off.

Madam Redcloud still had a full smile on her face, and did not say anything more. She then led Chen Chao into the small town. After walking for several minutes, she stopped before a residence.

It was a courtyard facing the street, not large, and not particularly eye-catching.

Madam Redcloud handed a string of keys to Chen Chao and asked with a grin, “Lord Warden Commander, do you want this subordinate to find a few handmaids for you? If you need them, there are some ready right here.”

Chen Chao shook his head and said calmly, “No need for the trouble. This official will be staying here for a period of time, perhaps a dozen days, perhaps several months. During this time, there is no need to worry. If this official requires anything, I will inform Madam Redcloud.”

Madam Redcloud said in surprise, “Looking at Your Excellency, do you not need some spiritual medicines and the like?”

Chen Chao cast a glance at Madam Redcloud and said nothing this time.

”Since Your Excellency does not wish for this subordinate to disturb you, then this subordinate will take my leave first.”

Madam Redcloud was indeed someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat. While speaking earlier, she had actually been observing Chen Chao’s reaction. All those words were spoken only because Chen Chao had not shown any anger. Now that she saw this young Lord Warden Commander already somewhat displeased, she immediately stopped without any hesitation at all.

Chen Chao did not speak. He waited until Madam Redcloud left before reaching out to remove the lantern in his hand, hanging it by the door, and only then opening the door and walking inside.

After Madam Redcloud and that young woman walked down one street, the young woman finally could not help but timidly speak, saying, ”Madam...”

Only then did Madam Redcloud stop in her tracks. She turned her head to glance at the young woman beside her, this girl whom she had always treated like her own daughter, and sighed, saying, ”Could you not tell that the Lord Warden Commander has absolutely no interest in you?”

The girl’s pair of limpid eyes were full of confusion. ”How could that be...”

Perhaps because she had always been calculating, she instead had to be more attentive toward this girl who had no scheming at all. Usually, she could not bear to scold her, could not bear to beat her. Hearing that she had admired Chen Chao for a long time, she brought her along this time.

It was only that this girl was sometimes too stupid.

”I already spoke like that, and he merely said hello to you without even asking your name. You really are silly. If he did not ask, could you not take the initiative to say it yourself?”

Madam Redcloud sighed. She really had never seen a sillier girl than the one in front of her. She clearly liked someone, clearly knew that the possibility of the two being together was slim to none, yet she would not even seize that tiny sliver of a chance.

So stupid that it was infuriating.

The girl first let out an ah, then immediately turned around and was about to head back. Madam Redcloud grabbed her arm, asking, ”What are you going to do?”

The girl said matter-of-factly, ”I’m going to tell His Excellency my name.”

Madam Redcloud let out a sorrowful sigh. ”Little ancestor, even if you’re going to do something, this is not how you should do it.”

The girl looked puzzled, and there was even some grievance on her face.

Madam Redcloud patiently said, ”Tonight is no longer suitable. Wait until tomorrow. I’ll find some top-quality wild ginseng for you to give him. At that time, wear something a bit lighter, and spend more time chatting with him. Men, in my view, are all the same. If it doesn’t work once, then try a few more times. There is always a way. I don’t believe he has a heart of iron and stone. But these kinds of things must be done slowly, not rushed at all.”

”Don’t worry. Since you don’t want to give up, then I’ll help you.”

......

......

At dawn the next day, Chen Chao pushed open the courtyard door, intending to eat at a bun shop across the street. He had taken a look last night; it should have been a bun shop. But just as he opened the door, he saw a young woman standing in front of him, holding a box, her small face reddened from the cold.

At this time of year, summer had not yet arrived. Especially in the south, the nights were indeed very cold.

He did not know when this young woman had arrived. Chen Chao slightly furrowed his brow. His injuries were too severe, so he had not wasted qi on outward perception. Last night he had even closed off his senses while circulating qi to recuperate.

“Your Excellency, this is mountain ginseng that Madam Redcloud found. She said it would be good for Your Excellency’s recovery, so I brought it over first thing this morning.”

The girl rubbed her eyes, handed over the mountain ginseng, and then revealed a bright smile.

If it had been Madam Redcloud, he might have kept a stern face and said a few words. But since it was this girl, there really was no need. Even a fool could see the girl clearly was not someone with any deep schemes.

______