Martial Cultivator

Chen Chao looked at the Dean for a long time, and the Dean also looked at him for a long time.

The two had a significant age difference, and their statuses were just as different. One was a scholar renowned throughout the land, while the other was a martial artist equally famous across the world.

More importantly, this was only their second meeting. Logically, they should not be discussing such an important topic.

But it seemed that many people in the world would be willing to trust the Dean. His status as the leader of scholars meant that countless people would choose to believe him unconditionally. However, Chen Chao would certainly not be one of those people.

The Dean suddenly sighed, “It seems you're not very willing to tell me your answer.”

Chen Chao nodded, not hiding it, and said, “That's right.”

The Dean said, “If the events to follow were a gamble, and tonight's choice could very well win you the world, wouldn't you be tempted?”

There was probably no other gamble in the world more thrilling or enticing than this one.

After all, it was the entire world at stake.

Chen Chao looked at the Dean and said, “I don’t know what you think, but it seems like many people want me to step up to this gambling table and place a big bet.”

The Dean smiled and said, "That's very normal. Many people are dissatisfied with the present and fear the future, so they want change. Some people keep thinking about returning to the past, and naturally, they want the world to be overturned. As for the majority, they simply desire a lot of things. It's similar to the story of the Emperor of Great Song being draped in a yellow robe by his subordinates. Many want to re-enact that tale. Being a meritorious subject of the emperor, is that not tempting?"

Chen Chao said, "Everyone thinks that if they succeed, it will benefit them, so they go for it?"

"Not necessarily. There are still some who hold onto their beliefs. Although those people may be the most fanatical and foolish, they will also be your most loyal followers." The Dean looked at the young man in front of him. The history of the Great Liang Dynasty had reached a crucial turning point the moment Chen Chao returned to the Divine Capital. How the future history books would record these events remained uncertain.

But the most important person was this young man.

He possessed the potential to change the world.

Chen Chao asked, "If I choose to gamble, and His Majesty personally makes a move, can I survive in this Divine Capital?"

It was well known that the Great Liang Emperor was one of the most powerful cultivators in the world, and the number one martial artist. In the entire Divine Capital, it could be said that if he wished someone dead, they would not survive, and if he wanted to kill someone, they would surely die.

No matter how perfect the plan, if Chen Chao ended up a corpse, what then?

The Dean said, "At least until I find out the truth, I'll protect you. If he takes action himself, it will only convince me that the rumors are true, and your chances of winning will increase."

The Dean represented the academy, along with the countless court officials who had emerged from it. Although the academy had not interfered in court politics for years, if the Dean were willing to step forward and make his stance clear, the situation in Great Liang would undoubtedly shift.

Chen Chao asked curiously, "Can you defeat His Majesty?"

In the cultivation world, there were not many big shots, but each one was renowned across the land. Compared to other prominent figures, the Dean's reputation seemed the weakest.

Oftentimes, many people would overlook him.

However, as the Dean of the academy and the leader of scholars across the land, he had long reached the end of Nepenthe. His cultivation realm was profound, and he likely was not much weaker than the likes of the Infatuation Daoist Temple Master.

The Dean smiled and said, "Do you think His Majesty would choose to oppose the entire academy?"

Chen Chao fell silent for a moment, realizing that was indeed the case. The academy had a profound influence on Great Liang, and if it were to stand against the Great Liang, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Chen Chao sighed, "I can't help but feel you're being a bit willful."

The affairs of the imperial family, matters between those with the surname Chen, had nothing to do with the academy. The Dean should not get involved, he should simply remain a bystander.

"I'm not the kind of scholar they imagine me to be. But you're right, I won't be so willful. What I just said was merely to stir your interest in stepping onto the gambling table and telling me the answer." The Dean looked at Chen Chao. "It seems you've spent too much time with that girl, you’ve learned her steadiness too."

"You've forgotten how I survived to come to the Divine Capital."

Chen Chao smiled at the Dean. After arriving in the Divine Capital, many people forgot how Chen Chao had managed to survive by scheming, all because the Xie Nandu by his side was too clever and too steadfast.

While he might not have the grand vision that Xie Nandu possessed, he certainly was not much dumber than her.

The Dean fell silent for a moment.

Chen Chao said, "There's really no point in probing me, especially for someone in your position. It's even more meaningless to do such a thing."

The Dean raised an eyebrow. "I have no connection with you. I thought you wouldn't know what kind of person I am."

Chen Chao shook his head. "I truly don't know what kind of person you are, I just don't believe you."

"So you don't even have the courage to step onto the gambling table?" The Dean sighed. "Why don't you have a bit of youthful enthusiasm?"

"When the chips aren't in your hands, who knows if you can take the risk when it matters? Wanting to throw caution to the wind in such a situation seems no different than being a fool."

Chen Chao smiled. "Having that youthful hot-bloodedness is fine once in a while, but if it happens all the time, it's easy to end up dead."

The Dean was silent for a long time.

Then he asked, "I really want to know what happened back then."

Chen Chao replied, "When you look at the world with a suspicious gaze, nothing will seem real. But when you firmly believe in something or someone, then all the doubts of the world become insignificant."

Chen Chao nodded in summary and smiled, "I think this might be the true youthful spirit, rather than being rash and allowing oneself to be coaxed into taking a reckless gamble."

The Dean asked curiously, "So when did you completely believe in His Majesty?"

As one of the most intelligent people in the world, how could he not guess the meaning behind Chen Chao's words?

Chen Chao did not speak.

When was it?

Was it during that first meeting with his aunt, that he saw the warmth in her eyes? Or was it when Elder Sister said, "I want the whole Divine Capital to know, my younger brother is off-limits to anyone"?

But Chen Chao thought it might have been when the incident at the Onan River ended, and his uncle turned to look at him and said, "Come back home with Us."

Since his uncle had told him that he was not the one who did it, Chen Chao believed he would not deceive him.

This was the second person Chen Chao had completely trusted since leaving the Divine Capital.

The first was naturally Xie Nandu.

However, compared to Xie Nandu, the courage to trust the Great Liang Emperor required much more resolve.

But once the choice to believe was made, there would be no regrets, nor doubts.

Chen Chao said softly, "Between uncle and nephew, why should there be suspicion?"

……

……

"Between uncle and nephew, why should there be suspicion?"

When Chen Chao spoke these words, in the ancestral home of the Xie Family, someone else echoed the sentiment. The young woman looked at the ancestor of the Xie Family, her expression very calm.

She had been brought to the Xie Family by a secret letter and had once again met the ancestor of the Xie Family.

In the present Divine Capital, a story was currently being written, and there was no doubt that the Xie Family would be an important part of it. The choice to write this story rested with the ancestor of the Xie Family, but the pen belonged to Xie Nandu.

Thus, there was this conversation tonight.

The Xie Family ancestor looked at Xie Nandu and said calmly, "Uncle and nephew have already harbored suspicion once. How is this pair of uncle and nephew any different from before?"

Xie Nandu replied, "The nephew back then placed that throne at the forefront, but it seems that neither of these two cares much about that now."

The Xie Family's ancestor pondered this statement carefully.

"Your words are indeed somewhat absurd. One is a person sitting in the chair, while the other is someone who could very well sit in that chair. Yet you say that both of them do not care about the chair. In all these years of history, has anything like this ever happened?"

The Xie Family's ancestor gazed at the starry sky. The way of life of prominent families had not changed much over the centuries. This world was just like that, whether the realm was ruled by the Chen family or another surname, it seemed to have been changing all along. Yet, it felt like nothing had really changed over so many years.

Xie Nandu said, "That's why I like him very much, and have great respect for His Majesty."

The Xie Family's ancestor chuckled, "And you also dislike us."

Looking at Xie Nandu, the Xie Family ancestor's turbid eyes revealed a complex array of emotions as he sighed, "Actually, I admire you too. There are not many women in the world who can refuse to become empress, even if it's just a possibility."