Martial Cultivator

The Deam looked at the Great Liang Emperor and asked, "Is this going to be a major war?"

The Great Liang Dynasty has always had friction with the demon race. The North had never been calm in the past few years. There had always been some minor conflicts, with occasional localized wars resulting in casualties on both sides.

But now it seemed that a major war was about to happen in the Northern Frontier.

The Great Liang Emperor looked at the lake and said very calmly, "In recent years, We have been biding my time, and those bastards have been doing the same. This major war is bound to come sooner or later to test the achievements of both sides over the years. We actually want to give them a good beating this time, to get at least another ten years of peace."

The Dean frowned and asked, "Will the cost be too high?"

The Great Liang Emperor shook his head and said, "The cost is something that doesn't need to be considered at all. The human race and the demon race are archenemies. Putting aside the vast expanse of the North, just the fact that the demon race used to prey on humans in earlier years is something that can't be erased no matter what. If We weren't tied up with other matters, We would definitely pay a visit to the Northern Frontier in person and fight in a great war."

That Demon King's Court had been in a standoff with the Great Liang Dynasty for many years, with the Great Liang Dynasty being on the defensive all along. It may seem that the Great Liang Dynasty had always been the weaker side, but the truth of the matter was unknown to anyone. Most likely, other than a few prominent figures in the demon race, only a handful of humans over here, inclusive of the Great Liang Emperor, knew about the situation.

The Dean raised an eyebrow and said, "It's not a good thing for Your Majesty to personally lead an expedition."

The foundation of the Great Liang Dynasty was unclear, but if the Great Liang Emperor were to die in the Northern Frontier, it would be difficult to describe the blow it would deal to the Great Liang Dynasty.

If this Great Liang Emperor really had the intention to go to the Northern Frontier, they would probably not agree, including the Dean.

"That guy in the North is already very old."

The Great Liang Emperor sighed rather emotionally.

The world knew that the Great Liang Dynasty had several extremely powerful martial artists. That Great General in the North was one of them. But few people know that the Great General of the North had actually been stationed in the North since the death of the previous Empress' father. By now, many years had passed. The countless years of peace were easily overlooked, but in reality, they have been hard-earned by that Northern Frontier Great General. After many years of border defense, that Great General was growing older with each passing day. Now, it was time to consider a successor.

"That kid is still very young. If Your Majesty wants him to take over the position of that person in the North, it's unlikely to happen in the next few years. Moreover, since it seems that the Lord Warden is unwilling."

The Dean chuckled, as if just casually speaking, but there was much meaning behind his words.

"Both internally and externally, We have to choose someone, it's very troublesome."

The Great Liang Emperor waved his hand, indicating that he did not want to say more.

The Dean understood and also kept silent.

The two of them stayed silent for a long time, gazing at the surface of the lake.

……

……

The day of Song Lian's departure was set very early.

Things were very urgent in the North.

So before leaving, Chen Chao and Song Lian went together to have a meal at the woman's house.

The woman prepared a large table of dishes, among which the perennial dish was the braised cowpea with dried bamboo shoots. Chen Chao looked at that dish and smiled bitterly, saying, "No matter how delicious it is, eating it every day might not be good."

Without waiting for the woman to speak, Song Lian picked up a large portion with his chopsticks, mixed it with rice, and took a big bite. Then he grinned and said, "So fragrant!"

Originally, he wanted to bring up something using the braised cowpea with dried bamboo shoots, but now with Song Lian acting like this, Chen Chao did not feel like saying anything. After shaking his head, he started eating with his head down. This meal was polished off extremely quickly. After Song Lian gave him a look, only then, did Chen Chao tactfully say, "I'm full."

As he spoke, he grabbed a bench and went to the courtyard to daydream.

Song Lian glanced at him, then turned his head and put down his chopsticks before slowly saying, "I'm going on a distant journey and don't know when I'll be able to come back. I'll write letters to you, if..."

Song Lian wanted to speak but swallowed his words back.

The woman put down her bowl and looked at him rather worriedly.

Song Lian said softly, "If you happen to meet a good man whom you really like, just let me know."

This sentence from Song Lian, who had never revealed his emotions, was actually no different from a confession.

To this man, it was actually a very impressive thing to be able to say something like this. It was difficult, very difficult.

The woman fell silent.

"Actually, you don't need to tell me either, it's not a big deal."

Song Lian quickly added, "I'll be in the North, there's a chance the letters won't reach me either."

After pondering for a moment, Song Lian could not bring himself to say that last heartbreaking sentence.

He cracked a smile, but that smile was uglier than crying.

After finishing this sentence, Song Lian was about to get up and leave. Somehow, his throat tightened, and his eyes seemed to have some sand in them.

The woman looked at his back view and quickly said, "I'll wait for you."

She repeated it firmly, "I'll wait for you!"

Song Lian paused, did not say anything, and quickly walked out.

Outside, Chen Chao looked up. Looking at Song Lian, he asked rather curiously, "So fast?"

Song Lian frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Chen Chao raised an eyebrow and said, "Is this how you bid farewell? You only said a few words."

He had only been outside for less than fifteen minutes.

Song Lian could not be bothered to waste his breath. He glanced at the clothes hanging in the yard and said irritably, "Can't you stop washing clothes?!"

He was not saying this to Chen Chao, but only Chen Chao could hear him.

Chen Chao looked at Song Lian and found it somewhat amusing, but quickly said, "I'll figure something out."

Song Lian nodded slightly and did not say any more nonsense. He quickly turned and left.

Chen Chao stood up, waved inside, and said, "Big Sister, he's gone!"

The woman ran out. Looking at Chen Chao, she was silent for a long time before saying softly, "He's not an ordinary person, right?'

Chen Chao looked at the woman and was silent.

"Actually, even if you don't say anything, I know too. How can he be an ordinary person? What government office would keep giving things without any festivals? He must be someone of great importance."

A woman's heart had always been like this. How could it be easily deceived with just a few words from an ordinary person?

They had their own judgment.

Chen Chao said, "He's the head officer of a certain government office. His official position isn't low."

Since they had reached this point, it was not appropriate for him to say anything else.

He spoke truthfully.

The woman whispered, "I knew it, I knew it..."

Chen Chao looked at her and smiled, "Actually, Big Sister, there's no need to worry too much, right?"

The woman did not answer that question, she just looked at Chen Chao and asked, "Are you also some big shot?"

Chen Chao smiled bitterly, "I'm not anyone important. I'm just a deputy to Lord Song. Now that he's gone to the Northern Frontier, I've temporarily taken over his position."

The woman looked at Chen Chao, feeling akin to being relieved of a heavy burden as she said, "You aren't lying to me? If you're not lying to me, then I can rest assured."

Chen Chao was silent.

He did not know how to open his mouth.

The woman smiled and said, "You managed to become the head official of some government office at your age, it must be some insignificant petty official."

Chen Chao nodded in agreement, "Big Sister has sharp eyes."

"Is he going North to kill those demons who devour people without leaving bones behind?"

The woman looked at Chen Chao, wanting an answer.

Chen Chao said, "Other than killing demons, what else can he do when going to the North?"

Chen Chao wanted to speak but swallowed the words back.

"That's why I didn't stop him."

The woman looked at Chen Chao, remained silent for a moment, and asked, "Will he still come back?"

Chen Chao asked, "Since you're so worried about him not returning, why didn't you stop him earlier?"

This was something he was pretty curious about. He said softly, "Actually, even if it's something he has to do, if you spoke up, the outcome might be different. For Lord Song, I'm afraid... it could make him change."

"Since he's going to the North to kill demons, how can I stop him?"

The woman's gaze was determined as she said, "Those demons have eaten so many of us and occupied so much of our land. Shouldn't they be killed?"

Chen Chao looked at the woman and was silent for a long time. Such words were not unfamiliar to him.

At least for this woman, Chen Chao never expected to hear such words from her mouth. It was because she was just an ordinary citizen of the Divine Capital, making a living by doing laundry for others. Before meeting Song Lian, her life was extremely difficult. Forget about an education, even anything else was a luxury too. Yet, someone living at the bottom level of the Divine Capital, even common people who were at the bottom of the entire Great Liang Dynasty, could say something like this.

Chen Chao did not know if the common people of the previous dynasty would have such thoughts, but he knew that if this woman thought this way, then there would be countless others in the Great Liang Dynasty who thought the same.

In that case, the differences between the Great Liang Dynasty and the previous dynasties had already become apparent.

……

……

Great Liang was different.

Chen Chao figured this out and smile.

No wonder it was so adorable.

The woman looked at him, still waiting for an answer.

Chen Chao shook his head. "I don't know if he can make it back. That's why he didn't want to delay you. Otherwise, he would probably have come to marry you today."

A blush appeared on the woman's cheeks, but soon sadness overtook her.

Chen Chao said, "Let's have more positive thoughts."

After saying that, Chen Chao waved goodbye and quickly left the courtyard, walking towards the academy alone.

His footsteps were slow because he was contemplating these matters.

Things he had never thought about before, he was now truly thinking about them.

The Great Liang Dynasty was different from all the previous dynasties. This difference was not just because of the efforts of the emperors of the past dynasties to make the Great Liang Dynasty's national strength grow stronger and stronger, it was also because passing down from generation to generation, it had given the Liang people a special spirit. Chen Chao could not clearly define that spirit, but it was evident that it had already been ingrained in the bones of the Liang people.

This kind of Great Liang Dynasty was truly adorable.

"The North, demon race?"

Chen Chao glanced to the north, but quickly realized that the sky in front of him had darkened.

It was pitch black.

No stars or moon could be seen.

Chen Chao furrowed his brows.

A strange aura shrouded the surroundings.

Chen Chao slowly raised his head and was rather silent.