Martial Cultivator

Earlier, before Chen Chao and the others returned to Coldgate Pass, most of the young cultivators had already left the desolate north. The few young cultivators who had remained were able to return to Coldgate Pass thanks to the passage opened by the Sword Sect's Sect Master during his journey north.

In this great battle that belonged to the youth, the demon race lost a young prodigy, but the death toll was higher on the human side. In terms of overall strength, the demon race was indeed stronger. Whether was it powerhouses who had already reached the Nepenthe Realm or these young powerhouses. This was an undeniable fact.

Of the Great Liang's hundred-man group, fewer than half remained. Many from both the Heavenly Imperial Institution and the warden faction perished or were injured, but the highest casualties were among the young disciples from Great Liang's major aristocratic families. However, it was likely that these families would not feel much heartache, as the young elites they had sent were not the most outstanding among them.

The great aristocratic families mostly did not concern themselves with who ruled the world, for as long as they acted carefully, there would always be a place for them no matter which surname ruled the world. If it had not been for the firm stance of the Great Liang Emperor, they might not have even been willing to send these people.

Perhaps the greatest beneficiary was Chen Chao. Once a young martial artist with a tarnished reputation in the Northern Frontier Army, Great Liang, and the foreign lands, he had now earned more contributions. With his right to bear arms, even fewer people would dare to say anything against him.

Among the young military officials of this dynasty, no other could match him.

After entering Coldgate Pass, Chen Chao and Xie Nandu looked at the many cultivators from the foreign lands who still remained within the pass, both feeling somewhat reflective.

"I originally thought that on this journey north, I'd meet quite a few of our own people. But I didn't expect that not a single day would be easy. At every turn, it was drawing blades and killing demons, it reminded me of my days in Tianqing County."

Chen Chao glanced at the streets on either side and said softly, "Your journey here must have been easier?"

Xie Nandu nodded, "I had Senior Brother Wei and Senior Brother Liu with me, and then His Majesty brought me north."

Whether was it Wei Xu or Liu Banbi, both were renowned Nepenthe powerhouses, not to mention the Great Liang Emperor, who was one of the most powerful people in the world.

Xie Nandu indeed had an easier time, she did not have to worry much about whether she might die in the desolate north.

Chen Chao lamented, "It seems that people really aren't the same."

"I'm a girl. So what if I get some preferential treatment?" Xie Nandu raised an eyebrow as she looked at Chen Chao. "Besides, my cultivation realm is low."

Chen Chao had nothing to say in reply and just smiled bitterly.

Xie Nandu suddenly asked, "There's going to be a celebration banquet later, are you going?"

With this journey north coming to an end, they would not be staying long before returning to Divine Capital. But before that, the Northern Frontier Army planned to reward the young cultivators who had fought against the demon race in the desolate north. Of course, the brightest among them would undoubtedly be Chen Chao.

After all, it was he who had killed that Yuan Ling.

"After you, the one who killed the most demons was Qi Yuanjia. If you hadn't been here, he might have been the main star."

Although Xie Nandu had just entered Coldgate Pass, someone had already informed her of the news she needed to know.

This was the advantage of having a background.

Although Chen Chao also had people standing behind him, but no matter how much support he had, it could not compare to the all-encompassing backing behind Xie Nandu.

Chen Chao said, "I didn't see that young general in the desolate north, but I imagine he must be quite remarkable too."

Xie Nandu remained silent.

Chen Chao sighed, "Without realizing it, I've stolen the spotlight from them again. There's no such thing as a banquet without trouble."

Xie Nandu chuckled, "Not going?"

Chen Chao frowned, "Not going? Wouldn't that be disrespectful?"

"You actually care about that?"

Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao with curiosity, as if finding this young man before her somewhat unfamiliar.

Chen Chao replied helplessly, "There are always some who care about it."

……

……

The banquet was located within Coldgate Pass, not in the General's Office.

It was likely due to proximity or perhaps because the Lord Warden Commander had already arrived at Coldgate Pass a few days earlier.

The residence of the guard commander at Coldgate Pass had been temporarily requisitioned. Though it was much more modest compared to the General's Office, since the Lord Warden Commander was present, there would not be much criticism.

Chen Chao arrived at the gate around dusk. The guard on duty was about to ask Chen Chao to surrender his saber, but after seeing Chen Chao's face, he awkwardly swallowed his words. In any place under the Great Liang's rule, this young martial artist would never have to surrender his saber, let alone at this modest guard commander's residence.

Chen Chao entered the residence, Xie Nandu did not follow him as she had other matters to attend to.

Chen Chao knew she intended to take this opportunity while her memory was still fresh to draft a map.

Back when the Great Liang Emperor brought her north, it was because he knew she wished to observe the demon territory.

As it happened, before this northern expedition, Chen Chao had already ventured beyond the pass alone and had not attended the previous banquet. Now that he had returned, it was Xie Nandu's turn to be absent.

As he walked into the courtyard, the banquet had yet to begin, and only a few soldiers were bustling about.

The Lord Warden Commander emerged from the corridor, looked at Chen Chao, and said with some regret, "Turns out that this official made an error of judgment by assigning this mission to you."

Chen Chao smiled and replied, "You knew from the start, Your Excellency, that I only know how to kill demons. Investigation tasks like this aren't my strength."

The Lord Warden Commander patted Chen Chao on the shoulder and laughed, "You did well. To be able to kill Yuan Ling, there's probably no one else who could have pulled that off."

Chen Chao smiled bitterly, "I nearly lost my life. Tasks like that are truly not meant for people."

The Lord Warden Commander patted Chen Chao on the shoulder, smiling as he said, "Gained some empty fame, was it not worth it?"

Chen Chao frowned and said, "The insults from those people can't drown me, but that green ape's fist could definitely smash me to death."

The Lord Warden Commander burst into laughter, "You brat, you're getting more brazen. How dare you speak to this official like that?"

"Just warming up for the impudence to come. From what this lowly official can see, things might not go too smoothly later." Chen Chao had long seen through what was about to unfold. At this banquet, it was likely quite a few young people would jump out to cause him trouble.

The Lord Warden Commander raised an eyebrow, "You're underestimating the Northern Frontier Army. Previously, those young soldiers were discontent with His Majesty's favor toward you. But now that you've killed Yuan Ling and fought the demon princess to a draw, even if they're fools, they know that they might not be able to pierce through Yuan Ling's body even if he stood there and let them." "Now, within the Northern Frontier Army, at least among those youngsters, there aren't many who still hold any grudges against you. Of course, the Ning family's people won't show you any good attitude just because you killed Yuan Ling. But tonight, whatever displeasure they have will have to be bottled up."

"After tonight, you can just walk away. It's not like they can follow you to the Divine Capital to cause trouble."

Chen Chao was a little surprised and laughed, "That's good."

The Lord Warden Commander smiled bitterly, "The remaining will be this official's problem, though."

Chen Chao asked in surprise, "Wasn't it Your Excellency's problem to begin with?"

The Lord Warden Commander snorted coldly and did not respond.

……

……

The banquet soon began. Chen Chao was seated at the head of the left side, and sitting directly across from him was Qi Yuanjia, someone he had never met before. Chen Chao looked at him a few more times and noticed that this number one powerhouse of the younger generation in the Northern Frontier Army had a strikingly heroic appearance. He carried the aura of a young general that would easily capture the eyes of many young women.

When Qi Yuanjia noticed Chen Chao's gaze on him, he raised his cup and smiled faintly, not displaying the open hostility that Chen Chao had previously expected.

Chen Chao also raised his cup in return.

Both of them drained their cups in one go.

Since there had been no real grudges between them, it could not be said that this exchange was one of brushing away past grievances.

After drinking, Qi Yuanjia walked over to Chen Chao. Under the astonished gazes of the other young men, he sat down beside him, poured Chen Chao a cup of wine, and then poured one for himself before saying, "I admire you for killing Yuan Ling."

Chen Chao lifted his cup, looked at Qi Yuanjia, and smiled, "It's my duty."

Qi Yuanjia shook his head. "That should have been our frontier army's duty."

Chen Chao raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "Isn't it the duty of all officials in the Great Liang?"

Qi Yuanjia thought for a moment, seemingly understanding something, and then nodded. "You're right."