Martial Cultivator

Song Lian had a complicated look in his eyes, but in the end, he patted Chen Chao on the shoulder and sighed, "We've served as officials in the same court, and you helped me sort out my marriage matters. If anything really happens to you... what a shame... I'll surely burn incense and paper money for you every Qingming Festival."

Chen Chao's face was expressionless. "I thank you in advance, Your Excellency."

Song Lian burst into hearty laughter.

Chen Chao gave a helpless smile.

Song Lian looked at Chen Chao, his lips moved as if wanting to say something. But after much hesitation, he did not speak.

He did not know how things would unfold, but he was not eager to see a certain outcome.

"Someone like His Majesty, I think... maybe... forget it, I can't say for sure either." Song Lian sighed heavily.

Even a martial artist like him, who had immense respect for the Great Liang Emperor, could not guarantee anything in this situation. After all, it involved the entire world, and the Emperor had not shown much affection for his own sons, let alone a nephew.

The complexities were far too deep to be summed up in a few words.

Song Lian looked at Chen Chao, as if this fine young man before him was someone he would not be able to see in the future.

"Don't worry."

Chen Chao smiled. "There will be plenty of chances to drink in the future."

After saying this, Chen Chao added, "I won't be coming around here for the next few days. If there's a next time, I'm afraid that Your Excellency will only see me at His Majesty's banquet."

Song Lian was taken aback but quickly recalled that in just a few days, it would be time for the Emperor's banquet. It was an annual event, and the Ministry of Rites had already begun preparations. While it seemed like an important occasion for many people, for the Great Liang Emperor himself, it probably was not much of a concern.

But that had been the case in past years. This year, things would presumably be different, no matter what.

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Song Lian let out a deep sigh.

Chen Chao did not say anything further and soon left the Left Guard's office.

The sky was already dark.

……

……

The distance between the Left Guard'ffice and Chen Chao's small courtyard was not far. Weng Quan was waiting at the gate, handing Chen Chao a lantern, while the other constables kept their distance.

Chen Chao took the lantern and smiled. "Why aren't you scared?"

Weng Quan was confused. "Deputy Commander Chen, what are you talking about?"

Chen Chao was somewhat speechless and did not say anything more, carrying the lantern and leaving the Left Guard Office.

In the darkness of the night, the lantern's light did not illuminate much, but at least it allowed him to briefly see the path ahead.

Chen Chao walked along the long street, and there was no one around, only silence.

The only sound was his footsteps.

At that moment, the world seemed incomparably quiet.

Chen Chao walked a bit further and saw someone.

It was not an unfamiliar face. They had crossed paths before - it was the clay figurine vendor he had encountered when entering the city.

Chen Chao stopped and looked at the vendor, who was also holding a lantern.

"Your Highness, after all this time, it seems you still haven't made a decision. To be honest, this subject is very disappointed."

Standing in the darkness, the lantern illuminated the vendor's face, which showed both anger and paleness.

Chen Chao was silent.

The vendor continued, “As the bloodline of the late Crown Prince, Your Highness, do you have none of his courage? Even this current emperor dares to wear a white hat, yet Your Highness doesn't even have the courage? Does the murder of your father mean nothing to you, Your Highness?" "This empire rightfully belongs to Your Highness, but you're willing to hand it over so easily?”

The clay figurine vendor was furious, his words brimming with undisguised disappointment. The timing was perfect, everything was in place, yet the young man before him had no intention of doing anything.

“As mere followers of the late Crown Prince, we're willing to shed our blood for this. But Your Highness, as the flesh and blood of the late Crown Prince, will you really do nothing? Can you truly live out the rest of your life in peace?”

The clay figurine vendor stared into Chen Chao’s eyes, as if trying to see into his heart.

Chen Chao asked, “You claim that His Majesty killed my father. Where's the evidence?”

The vendor snorted coldly, “Even if I produced evidence now, I doubt Your Highness would believe it.”

Chen Chao did not retort. He simply looked at him and said, “You say this empire should belong to me? But how could this empire ever belong to me?”

Hearing this, the vendor was stunned. “Your Highness, what are you saying? This empire rightfully belongs to the late Crown Prince's lineage. You are his only heir, it should belong to you, Your Highness!”

Chen Chao shook his head and said, “No, it won't.”

The vendor wanted to say more, but Chen Chao shook his head again. “I won't do what you people want to do. Don't waste your breath.”

With those words, Chen Chao picked up his lantern and walked forward, soon passing by the vendor. Watching Chen Chao’s retreating figure, the vendor said coldly, “Your Highness, when the blade is at your throat, it will be too late for regrets.”

Chen Chao did not look back, nor did he say anything.

The clay figurine vendor said no more, fading into the darkness.

……

……

As the sky gradually darkened, the Left Guard's office was brightly lit. Song Lian sat in the main hall, reviewing some documents. Soon, the sound of footsteps echoed, and a Left Guard constable came running in, “Sir, Lord Yao, the Deputy Commander of the Right Guard, has an urgent matter to discuss.”

Song Lian looked up, “Yao Dao?”

The officer nodded, “Yes, it's Lord Yao. He says he is here on Commander Ye's orders, and the matter is extremely urgent.”

Song Lian frowned slightly and quickly said, “Let him in.”

Before long, a figure entered the main hall of the Left Guard, it was Yao Dao, the Deputy Commander of the Right Guard. Upon seeing Song Lian, he immediately knelt on one knee, speaking anxiously, “Lord Song, I am here on Commander Ye's orders to request your assistance!”

Song Lian asked, “What’s the matter?”

“We discovered several demons within the Left Guard's jurisdiction. Their cultivation realms are high, and they're currently hurting people. Commander Ye has already brought men to deal with them, but he fears they won't be able to kill those demons. Therefore, Commander Ye specifically sent this lowly official to ask for Lord Song's assistance!”

Yao Dao remained kneeling, “I beg Your Excellency to set aside any past grievances. If you don't lend us your aid now, many of our Right Guard comrades may be buried here!”

Song Lian frowned and asked, “Why would so many demons suddenly appear in the Divine Capital?”

As the capital of Great Liang, the Divine Capital may not be as impenetrable as the Northern Frontier Great Wall, but it seemed impossible that any demon would dare cause havoc here within the borders of Great Liang.

Yao Dao gritted his teeth and said, “Perhaps they are demons raised by foreign cultivators. Your Excellency, there's no time to hesitate any longer!”

It was nothing new that the Left Guard and Right Guard were at odds. However, despite having some personal grievances with the Right Guard, Song Lian would absolutely not stand by and do nothing at this moment.

With the Lord Warden Commander absent, as the Commander of the Left Guard, he needed to consider the big picture.

Song Lian immediately stood up and called out to the hall, “Weng Quan, leave some people here, the rest will follow this commander.”

Yao Dao said gratefully, “Thank you, Your Excellency!”

However, this Deputy Commander of the Right Guard kept his head down, his face lacking much expression, which appeared somewhat strange.