Martial Cultivator

No one expected today's grand court session to begin with Zhang Zhijian's death protest. Of course, no one expected it to end with the Crown Prince's casual court dismissal as the conclusion.

Even more unexpected was that the Premier seemed to be, at least vaguely, on Chen Chao's side. For this young martial artist's many out-of-line actions, this head of the civil officials surprisingly appeared to have no words of accusation.

The court officials still wanted to say something. But after dismissing the court, the Crown Prince turned and quickly disappeared from the ministers' sight.

The ministers looked at each other in shock.

Before today, most people would have thought that during this grand court session, even if the young martial artist would not be seriously dealt with, at least some shackles would be placed on the power in his hands. But who would have thought that even when countless officials led by Zhang Zhijian almost forced a palace coup, the Crown Prince would not retreat at all and would even grant the young martial artist more authority.

According to the Crown Prince's decree, Chen Chao was no longer a simple Lord Warden Commander. His authority now far surpassed that of any Lord Warden Commander in history. Except for the Northern Frontier army, this young martial artist essentially had the power of disposal over all matters in Great Liang.

The Crown Prince's actions showed only one thing: he trusted this young martial artist immensely and had completely entrusted the Great Liang Dynasty, this heavy burden, to Chen Chao.

Moreover, he disregarded all criticism from the court.

This result was surprising and shocking, but now that the deed is done, no matter how unwilling they were, the officials could only accept it.

The officials felt turmoil in their hearts but had no choice but to leave the imperial city in a daze and dejection. Compared to when they arrived, most ministers looked like frostbitten eggplants; listless and dispirited.

The young Lord Warden Commander, who had said nothing during the grand court session, was about to leave when a group of military officials surrounded him to congratulate him. Chen Chao could not leave immediately; after exchanging a few words with the military officials, he saw the tall figure not far away -the already white-haired Minister of War, Sun Congrong - waiting for him. He quickly excused himself and went over to stand beside the old Minister Sun.

Sun Congrong narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Lord Warden Commander, after today, you can start ordering around my Ministry of War too. Why don't you come by the Ministry of War tomorrow? This old man will give Lord Warden Commander my main commander post."

Chen Chao joked, "Why would Old General say that?"

Perhaps because the old general liked that title, or perhaps because Chen Chao's humble attitude pleased him, this Minister of War soon composed himself and looked at the young man with some admiration. "That's a good thing. From now on, you won't have to worry about court criticism when doing things."

Chen Chao said seriously, "Thank you for speaking up for this junior earlier, Old General."

Chen Chao also knew that this old minister rarely cared about major court affairs; for the old minister to speak now was likely a rare exception.

"It's just like what this old man said before: you've done so much for Great Liang. Even if you spat in this old man's face right in front of me, this old man wouldn't dodge. Saying a few words for you is no big deal."

Sun Congrong smiled and said, "But the greater the power, the more you have to restrain yourself. Don't let yourself leave any eternal disgrace in the history books."

Chen Chao said helplessly, "How the historians write about me, this junior really can't be sure."

"How to act, this junior can only rely on a sincere heart. As for everything else, this junior truly can't control it."

Chen Chao looked at Sun Congrong and let out a sigh.

"With what you said, it's enough. This old man trusts you, not just because of you, but because of your many identities."

The old minister suddenly felt sentimental, "Back then, this old man served under the Great General. That Great General should be considered your maternal grandfather, right?"

Chen Chao nodded. That Great General before Northern Frontier Great General Xiao Hezheng was indeed the Emperor's father-in-law, also his mother's father; precisely his maternal grandfather.

"Having such a connection, this old man won't doubt you."

The old minister patted Chen Chao on the shoulder, encouraging him, "We old things are already aged. From now on, Great Liang will have to rely on you. Don't let this old man down."

Chen Chao said nothing.

The old minister moved his lips and lowered his voice, "Take it as this old man is begging you, don't let the people of Great Liang down."

After saying this, the old minister just patted the young man on the shoulder once more and strode out of the palace.

Chen Chao watched the old minister's back silently.

What the old minister did today indirectly helped create the most powerful minister in Great Liang's history. If Chen Chao ever did something that betrayed Great Liang, the old Minister would share the blame and disgrace in the history books.

Sometimes, a sentence was not just a casually spoken sentence.

After coming back to his senses, only a few court officials remained inside the imperial city.

Chen Chao glanced at the distant palace wall, then turned and looked at the great hall, before slowly walking forward.

At this moment, he was alone, walking through this empty imperial city.

This young man was now indisputably the top minister of the Great Liang Dynasty, but he felt no joy. After all, this young man who once lived by the Wei River never imagined he would one day reach this point.

The empire was not what he wanted, nor was this overwhelming authority.

But the people of Great Liang living well, that was indeed what he wanted.

So.... it did not matter anymore, right?

Chen Chao gave a self-mocking smile.

He had only taken a few steps when Chen Chao unexpectedly met someone he had never expected around a corner.

It was Eunuch Li Heng, whom he had not met in a long time.

It had only been a year since the Emperor's departure, but this chief eunuch now looked much older and far worse than before.

It seemed all his vitality and spirit had completely drained away.

"Eunuch Li looks much older."

Chen Chao looked at Li Heng and asked quietly, "Troubled by something?"

Li Heng did not show up at that grand court session, yet met with Chen Chao at this moment, of course he came here on purpose.

Hearing Chen Chao's question, Li Heng only said indifferently, "Old age or death, these are all ordinary matters. What's there to worry about?"

Chen Chao let out a soft sigh. This Eunuch Li had entered the Prince Manor early on. Aside from His Majesty the Emperor and his family, one could say he had no real friends. Even though he later took in a disciple, that Li Shou was probably someone he could not bear to part with.

His heart should still lie with the Great Liang Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.

"I had originally heard someone was giving you trouble, so I came to see whether I could help you out. I didn't expect that His Highness the Crown Prince would act so decisively today, it was truly beyond my expectations."

Li Heng smiled faintly, a bit gratified as well. This Third Prince of His Majesty had, at long last, begun to show a bit of the boldness His Majesty once had.

Not to mention anything else, just this one decision alone had been far from easy to make.

But in the end, he still made it. One could say His Highness the Crown Prince had grown considerably.

"Logically speaking, after court is dismissed, you brothers should meet."

Li Heng smiled and said, "Why didn't you meet?"

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Don't see the point. What is there to say now? Things are already difficult enough for him."

"If you're not going to meet His Highness the Crown Prince, then come with me to go see Her Majesty the Empress?"

"Okay."

This time, Chen Chao did not refuse and followed Li Heng toward the rear mountain of the imperial city.

Her Majesty the Empress' mausoleum was located there.

Halfway there, Chen Chao could not help but ask, "Has His Majesty returned at all during this period?"

If His Majesty the Emperor were to return, the one he would most want to see would likely not be Chen Chao nor anyone else, only the Empress buried here.

Li Heng shook his head.

He had kept watch over the Empress' tomb until now and had not seen the Great Liang Emperor.

Chen Chao nodded, somewhat worried.

Li Heng asked with a smile, "There's some stirrings up north, are you worried things can't be handled without His Majesty?"

Chen Chao shook his head and said, "Whether it can or can't be handled, it must be handled. Whether His Majesty is here or not, it's the same."

The two of them arrived before the Empress' tomb. Li Heng glanced at Chen Chao, then slowly stepped back.

Chen Chao walked to the tombstone and slowly knelt down. His eyes were slightly moist as he softly called out, "Auntie."

Unfortunately, there was no reply.

......

......

Yun Jianyue finally arrived at the foot of Mount Xi, where the Myriad Heaven Palace was located. The Myriad Heaven Palace had received no prior news, it was only when this young temple master arrived at the mountain gate that he gave his name: "This humble daoist, Yun Jianyue, has come to pay a visit to the Palace Master of the Myriad Heaven Palace."

The mountain-guarding disciple was stunned, reflexively repeating the name Yun Jianyue, but quickly reacted, eyes wide in disbelief as he looked at the young man before him. "You're the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple?"

Yun Jianyue gave a slight nod.

Very soon, a middle-aged daoist came walking over from the mountain gate. Upon seeing Yun Jianyue, he cupped his hands in salute and smiled as he took the initiative to speak: "This penniless daoist, Li Yu, pay respects to Temple Master."

Yun Jianyue quickly returned the greeting. "So, it's Daoist Master Li."

Li Yu was an elder of the Myriad Heaven Palace's Law Hall. He might not be known to the world at large, but as fellow members of Daoism there was no way Yun Jianyue would not know of him.

"We had heard nothing of Temple Master's visit. If the Myriad Heaven Palace has shown any discourtesy, I hope Temple Master won't take offense."

Li Yu was somewhat curious, the young man before him was of noble status as the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple. A sudden, unannounced visit like today's was indeed rather unexpected.

Yun Jianyue said apologetically, "It was a sudden impulse upon setting out. I didn't intend to use my status as temple master to trouble Daoist Li. I've been a bit presumptuous, my apologies."

Li Yu shook his head and smiled. "You've come from afar, you're a guest. Temple Master Yun, please follow this penniless daoist up the mountain."

Yun Jianyue nodded. The two of them followed the mountain path upward. Just before reaching the mountain pass gates, Yun Jianyue suddenly stopped and looked toward a bluestone off to the side, raising his eyebrows slightly.

"Looks like the work of an old acquaintance?"

Yun Jianyue pointed to a stone engraved with the words 'Dao has its anchor' and asked with a smile, "Was it Chen Chao?"

Li Yu nodded.

Yun Jianyue clicked his tongue and said, "Never thought that a martial artist like him could write something like this."

Li Yu smiled and said, "Actually, this penniless daoist believes that the Lord Warden Commander possesses quite a Dao root. If he were to devote himself to cultivation, he would likely achieve no small success."

Yun Jianyue nodded in agreement. "This humble daoist thinks so too."

Li Yu was a bit surprised. After all, the current rumors held that the Infatuation Daoist Temple and the Great Liang Dynasty were in a situation of mutual hostility. How could this young temple master hold such favorable views of Chen Chao?

Li Yu thought for a moment, but in the end did not voice the doubts in his heart. Instead, he changed the topic and said, "May I ask what brings Temple Master to Myriad Heaven Palace this time?"

Yun Jianyue smiled and said, "To seek the Dao. Before coming, I was still feeling uneasy, but now that I'm here, I suddenly feel that Mount Xi might indeed be a place where I can find clarity."

Li Yu was taken aback.

Yun Jianyue then took the initiative and asked, "Daoist Li, might this humble daoist stay at Mount Xi for a few days?"

Before Li Yu could respond, Yun Jianyue smiled and added, "When the time comes, this humble daoist could also preach the Dao atop the mountain."

That sentence left Li Yu thoroughly astonished.