Martial Cultivator

Chapter 953: First to Die for the Country

Chen Chao returned to the high tower and informed Aunt Gan of his intention to leave. Li Tang stopped below the tower.

At this moment, Aunt Gan was holding He Liang’s hand, introducing to him the many important figures who had come to Inviting Moon Mountain for the ceremony. After speaking at length, at the end she did not forget to add that all these so-called important figures put together could not compare to your master.

Just after saying this, Aunt Gan heard Chen Chao’s words and frowned. “Lord Warden Commander really plans to come and go like the wind? But this old lady just told LKittle He that we would stay on the mountain for a few more days.”

Chen Chao smiled and looked at He Liang. The latter shook his head. Though he was honest and simple, he was not foolish. When Aunt Gan mentioned this earlier, he did not agree, but said he would wait for his master to decide.

Seeing that the lie she made up on the spot was not cooperated with by this little fellow, Aunt Gan said somewhat resentfully, “It’s over, it’s over. I’ve said so much, and this little fellow still doesn’t appreciate me. Does he really think I don’t look very good and am old?”

He Liang opened his mouth, feeling somewhat guilty, not knowing what to say.

Earlier, Aunt Gan had given him some small trinkets. They were not very valuable. As for valuable things, Aunt Gan knew He Liang would not accept them, so she did not take them out to trouble him.

Chen Chao rubbed He Liang’s head and helped his disciple out of the situation. “If we really talk about appreciating someone, Aunt Gan, including you, among everyone in the world, who could compare to me, his master who taught him?”

Aunt Gan clicked her tongue and laughed, though she felt somewhat regretful. Originally, if Chen Chao could meet those cultivators who came to observe the ceremony, it would bring many benefits to Inviting Moon Mountain.

In fact, Inviting Moon Mountain could have made a grand introduction of Chen Chao during the ceremony and elevated him, achieving the same effect. However, doing so might lead to endless trouble later.If you leave others no room to choose, then others may also leave you no room.

Aunt Gan seemed about to speak but stopped. She glanced at Li Tang below the tower, who slightly shook her head.

Sometimes, one must know when to stop while ahead.

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes. Naturally, he knew what Aunt Gan was thinking. These scheming of the human heart, he understood them better than these people.

Chen Chao glanced at the viewing platform over there. The ceremony was now nearing its end.

Chen Chao thought for a moment and decided to give Inviting Moon Mountain some face. It could also be considered a return for what Li Tang had said earlier. Although the cultivators of Inviting Moon Mountain had not yet gone to the Northern Frontier, since they had this intention, Chen Chao giving a not too heavy and not too light gift could also be considered a gesture of generosity.

“Going to have to trouble Aunt Gan to invite some cultivators who are on good terms to come here for a short chat. The number need not be too many, just a few people will do.”

Chen Chao rubbed his face and chose a chair to sit down.

Aunt Gan was first startled, but at the same time said with concern, “It won’t be troublesome?”

In the end, as a cultivator of Inviting Moon Mountain, she both wanted to plan for Inviting Moon Mountain and did not really want to trouble Chen Chao.

After all, Chen Chao had shown her great kindness.

Chen Chao shook his head and smiled. “There are not many people in this world who can trouble this official.”

Aunt Gan finally nodded, quickly went downstairs to handle the matter.

Chen Chao looked at He Liang and spoke softly, “Dealing with people is not simple.”

He Liang nodded. On this trip out, seeing his master’s way of handling affairs, he had learned a lot and gained a lot.

Before long, four people followed Li Tang and Aunt Gan up to the high tower.

Two men and two women, all leaders of sects on good terms with Inviting Moon Mountain.

Chen Chao stood up to greet them. The four all bowed in unison, their attitude humble.

Nowadays, across the entire foreign lands, no one dared to put on airs in front of this young Lord Warden Commander.

Chen Chao smiled and said, “Today there’s no Lord Warden Commander here, I’m just a guy coming to join the fun, chatting idly with you northern heroes.”

Aunt Gan laughed and spoke, “Calling them northern heroes is a bit biased. Though this Witch Sect Leader may be looked down upon by the Lord Warden Commander as a woman, the Tianque Sect in the north has contributed quite a bit to demon-slaying.”

Chen Chao looked at Aunt Gan helplessly and smiled, “Aunt Gan, don’t be so undermining.”

Witchleaf quickly shook her head, “I believe the Lord Warden Commander means no offense.”

Chen Chao looked at the Witch Sect Leader and smiled, “What a coincidence, speaking of Tianque Sect, this official actually had a drink with your disciples just the other day.”

Witchleaf was momentarily stunned, unable to tell if Chen Chao was speaking casually or if it was true.

Chen Chao spoke softly, “Huang Ying.”

Upon hearing Huang Ying’s name, Witchleaf confirmed it had indeed happened, though she still did not know what this “drinking” between her disciple and the Lord Warden Commander was really about.

After thinking for a moment, Witchleaf spoke first, “The disciples of our sect focus wholeheartedly on cultivation, seldom moving about in the world. If this has offended the Lord Warden Commander, I hope Your Excellency will consider...”

Before she could finish, Chen Chao shook his head and smiled, “Witch Sect Leader, you worry too much. That drinking, it was truly a joyful occasion for all.”

Hearing this, Witchleaf finally relaxed.

Chen Chao suddenly looked at one of the men. The man carried sword qi. Though not particularly sharp from afar, he was already a Great Beyond sword cultivator.

Chen Chao asked with curiosity, “This fellow Daoist, Li Qingshan...”

The man cupped his fists, “Lord Warden Commander, Li Qingshan is indeed this one Xue’s disciple.”

This Xue Zhongtian, among Northern Frontier sword cultivators, could be considered a master of the sword. Even in Xinliu Prefecture, among the four major sword masters selected, he could only rank last.

But after this explanation, everyone roughly understood the situation. Li Qingshan, Huang Ying, and the others were all close friends, often cultivating together. This time coming to Inviting Moon Mountain, they did not follow their own masters, but traveled together.

Another tall man cupped his fists, “I wonder if Lord Warden Commander has met this Cheng's final disciple, Hai Qing.”

Cheng Cantian, the leader of the Thousand Lakes Sect, had a well-known reputation in the north called “Divine Fist Cantian.” Unlike Xue Zhongtian, among northern martial artists, Cheng Cantian was a genuine contender for the top seat.c

Chen Chao squinted and smiled, “That Fellow Daoist Hai said during the gathering that he wanted to spar in fist techniques with this official. This official didn’t dare respond, afraid that if this official did, I wouldn’t be able to hold back and might strike him dead with a single punch.”

Cheng Cantian laughed heartily, “That boy, he’s always had that temper, a bit foolish, a bit silly.”

Now that these few relationships were established, talking with them felt much more at ease. The four of them were no longer as tense as before.

It could be said that the guests were all pleased.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Cheng Cantian suddenly said, “Lord Warden Commander, this Cheng has a request.”

Chen Chao nodded. “Is it about Fellow Daoist Hai Qing?”

Cheng Cantian didn’t hold back either and said bluntly, “This Cheng's disciple has always held Lord Warden Commander in the highest regard. Might Lord Warden Commander give a word or two of advice to this Cheng's disciple? This Cheng can pass it along. Presumably with Lord Warden Commander's words, that little rascal will put even more effort into his fist training from now on.”

Hai Qing was Cheng Cantian’s top disciple, the one he placed the greatest hopes in. His entire set of fist techniques, Cheng believed, could only be passed on through Hai Qing, so he cared deeply for this student.

Chen Chao pondered for a moment and was not in a hurry to speak.

Seeing that Chen Chao didn’t speak, Cheng Cantian naturally assumed there was some difficulty, and was about to say that if Lord Warden Commander found it troublesome, there was no need to impose. But before he could finish, Chen Chao shook his head and smiled, “This is easy enough.”

Cheng Cantian was moved to tears. “Thank you, Lord Warden Commander. If Lord Warden Commander ever needs me to act in the future, This Cheng dare not refuse!”

Chen Chao felt a bit helpless and said, “But if just a few words from you, Sect Master Cheng, can carry such weight, even I feel these words are far too light and fleeting.”

Cheng Cantian laughed heartily. As a martial man, he was far more straightforward and simple than most; some things, he would not think too much at all.

In his view, anything Chen Chao said would be far more effective than his long-winded guidance.

Chen Chao stood up, thought for a moment, then turned to Gan Yi and asked, “Is there any alcohol? Bring me a bowl.”

Although unsure why, Aunt Gan quickly poured a bowl of wine for Chen Chao.

Holding the bowl, Chen Chao walked to the railing, one hand resting on it, and suddenly called out loudly, “Fellow Daoist Hai Qing, are you present?”

At his voice, every cultivator attending the ceremony heard him. Instinctively, all eyes turned to the high building, toward the young man in the black robe standing at the railing.

Hai Qing froze for a moment, then quickly pushed through the crowd, cupping his fists together heavily. “Paying respects to Lord Warden Commander, Hai Qing is here!”

The words “Lord Warden Commander” stunned all the cultivators. While they had guessed that Inviting Moon Mountain had definitely invited Chen Chao to this ceremony, did the Lord Warden Commander really come? Everyone had their doubts.

But now there was no need to doubt.

The Lord Warden Commander had arrived.

The martial artist the world now watched with bated breath stood atop the high building.

Chen Chao smiled. “Fellow Daoist Hai Qing, train your boxing well. You have great potential; do not disappoint your master. When you eventually step into the Nepenthe Realm, this official can spar with you myself!”

Cheng Cantian was first stunned, then looked at Chen Chao’s back with deep admiration.

He hadn’t expected Chen Chao to say such words either.

Hai Qing’s eyes burned with fervor. He called out loudly, “Thank you, Lord Warden Commander! Hai Qing will remember this in heart!”

Many cultivators looked on with envy, unable to understand how Hai Qing had managed to get close to the Lord Warden Commander.

“Lord Warden Commander, may I hack you twice with my saber?!”

Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out in the crowd. It was the female martial artist Han Chan speaking, looking at Chen Chao, full of pride and vigor.

Chen Chao smiled. “Friend Han, your cultivation isn’t high enough yet. You wouldn’t be able to move this official with your saber now. Wait until you reach the Nepenthe Realm, then we can speak of this.”

Han Chan rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything further.

Chen Chao then raised his wine bowl and looked at everyone present. “Today we meet by fate. This officer offers this toast: one bowl for those who have contributed to clearing the demons in the Northern Frontier, and one bowl for those who will serve the court and the world in the future!”

After saying this, Chen Chao tilted his head and drank it all at once.

The cultivators present all bowed in respect. Who could have imagined that a martial man, the strongest in the world, and the highest military official of the Great Liang Dynasty, would be so polite to them?

A toast?

Damn it, are we even worthy?

Everyone’s eyes burned with excitement.

Suddenly, the sound of a sword rang out from the crowd. “I am Li Qingshan. I will honor my bet and head to the Northern Frontier today to slay demons. Life or death, no regrets!”

With that voice, a ray of sword light tore through the sky, heading north.

“Han Chan is not one to go back on my word. I will go as well.”

“Master, Hai Qing also wishes to go. Forgive this disciple for disobeying your command!”

Several figures left one after another.

Chen Chao was somewhat moved and called out loudly, “Everyone, if one day the demon race truly breaches the Northern Frontier Great Wall, this official will willingly be the first to die for the country!”

No fear of blades or axes, only death awaits!