Martial Cultivator

In every person's heart, there were always worries and attachments they could not let go of. For Chen Wannian, his weakness and concern were his wife and child.

Otherwise, he would have left Windspirit Mountain long ago, whether to switch allegiances, retire into seclusion, or even walk out of Windspirit Mountain and be struck down on the spot. Any of those would have been better than living every day in constant fear on the mountain.

By mentioning Chen Lian, Chen Chao had naturally touched the softest part of his heart.

Chen Lian looked like he wanted to speak but held back. At this moment, even if he had thoughts of his own, it was not his place to voice them.

Whatever his father decided, he would support him. It was not his place to interfere with his father.

Chen Wannian thought it over, then still shook his head. But before he could speak, Chen Chao took the initiative and said, “Mr Chen is worried about bearing a bad reputation? That leaving the foreign lands to come to Great Liang would sound unpleasant if word got out? If that's Mr Chen's concern, this official can understand that.”

Chen Wannian said nothing, but there was a complicated look in his eyes. This was definitely one of the things troubling him.

Chen Chao said, “But compared to the lives of your wife and child, Mr Chen still can't see through that concern?”

When he heard this, Chen Wannian suddenly looked up at the young martial artist in front of him. After a moment of silence, this martial artist with no small reputation in the foreign lands looked to the side at Chen Lian and asked, “Lian'er, you've grown a lot. What do you think?”

Chen Lian looked like he wanted to speak but held back.

Chen Wannian looked kindly at his only son and said softly, “There's a saying that's very good - even if father doesn't care about myself, you're still young, and your future shouldn't end here.”

Chen Lian thought for a moment, then spoke with resolve: “Lord Warden Commander is absolutely right. Reputation isn't worth anything, and besides, Father has never wronged anyone. It was they who pressed him relentlessly, refusing to let up. Father has never done anything wrong. Even if he were to change allegiances, even if the whole world called him an ingrate, as his son, I know clearly, it would only be because he had no other choice.”

Chen Wannian did not say anything. He simply reached out and rubbed his son's head, then looked toward Chen Chao.

Chen Chao said, “Rest assured, Mr Chen. If you come to Great Liang, we will be one family. What happened to you on Windspirit Mountain will never happen in Great Liang. If it ever does, this official will cut off my own head and hand it to Mr Chen personally.”

“Great Liang… Truth be told, this Chen has been keeping an eye on Great Liang over the years. That Emperor of yours, if I may be honest, Lord Warden Commander, this Chen admires him deeply too. For us martial artists, even at this Chen's level, we still have to lower our heads and bow our backs in the foreign lands. But Great Liang... is the place this Chen watched slowly allow people to straighten their spines. I also yearn for such a Great Liang. Tell me, who doesn't want to stand tall as a man?”

Chen Wannian sighed. His cultivation was profound, if he were elsewhere, he would already be someone held in high regard. But all these years, he had to keep his head down.

Who could accept such a life?

Chen Chao smiled and said, “These past years, our dynasty's emperor has focused on just two things. The first is making sure everyone in Great Liang can stand tall. The second is reclaiming what the human race has lost. The first is already seeing some results. As for the second, that's something that this official is currently working on now. Even if this official can't succeed in my lifetime, this official will at least give it everything I have.”

“There are many ways for a man to die. But this official believes that for us martial artists, the place we most deserve to die isn't under the boots of some cultivator, it's on the battlefield in the North. To die for the human race, to die for a different kind of future.”

“If nothing changes, Mr Chen will be oppressed yfor our whole life. Perhaps your young son may also suffer the same fate. And the generations after may go on being oppressed as well.”

Chen Chao exhaled a deep breath and said softly, “Is that truly what you wish to see, Mr Chen?”

Only after being soaked by rain does one wish to hold up an umbrella for others.

Only after knowing how miserable it feels to be soaked through does one not wish for others to suffer the same.

Chen Wannian nodded thoughtfully, then asked hesitantly, "But my wife?"

Chen Chao smiled and said, "To resolve this matter, I will accompany Mr Chen on a trip to Windspirit Mountain. Disregarding everything else, we'll bring your esteemed wife away."

Chen Wannian gave a bitter smile. "I’m afraid Windspirit Mountain won’t let my wife leave so easily."

Chen Chao shook his head. "That's nothing Mr Chen needs to worry about. As long as you've made up your mind, this official will personally bring your wife down the mountain. Whether they agree or not, they'll have no choice but to agree."

While Chen Chao spoke, his voice was not loud, but his words carried weight.

Hearing this, Chen Wannian glanced at Chen Lian, then slowly nodded and said, "Then this Chen shall be bold this once and from now on serve under Lord Warden Commander."

Chen Chao shook his head. "That's not it. Mr Chen is joining Great Liang because you are a Liang person in the first place. And it's not to serve under this official, but to do something for the people of Great Liang, for your descendants. To change this world. Maybe we won't live to see the change, but Mr Chen's descendants certainly will."

Chen Wannian nodded, akin to being relieved of a heavy burden. "As it should be."

Chen Lian suddenly smiled and asked, "Lord Warden Commander, may I serve under your command?"

Chen Chao looked at this young man about the same age as himself and replied with a smile, "As you wish."

......

......

On the morning of the third day, the short man showed up at the bamboo house as agreed. Upon seeing Chen Wannian, he got straight to the point without beating around the bush, simply saying that the herb was too precious and the matter needed further discussion on the mountain.

This lonely peak was just a small sect and could not compare with Windspirit Mountain, so when the short man spoke, he was humble and polite.

Chen Wannian frowned and said, "I'm afraid we can't wait long. I hope Fellow Daoist Fang will pay some extra attention."

The short man smiled and said, "Of course. Naturally, we must give a prompt reply, can't keep Mr Chen waiting." "Oh, right, Mr Chen, a fresh batch of Immortal Peak Tea just arrived on the mountain. As an apology, I specially brought some for you."

As he spoke, the short man took out a pouch of tea leaves and handed it to Chen Wannian.

Chen Wannian did not stand on ceremony. After accepting it, he was about to see the guest out. But the short man stared at the tea for a moment and then said a little awkwardly, "There's not much of this tea even on the mountain... May I be so shameless as to ask Mr Chen for a cup of tea to drink?"

Chen Wannian nodded and did not refuse. He was easygoing by nature, and after years of being suppressed on Windspirit Mountain, his temper had long been worn away. Now that the other party had asked, he was about to instruct Chen Lian to prepare the tea.

"Your son may not be well-versed in the art of tea. I, on the other hand, happen to know a bit, why not let me brew it?"

The short man smiled slightly and naturally took the tea leaves. Chen Wannian gave his son a subtle glance, then nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

The short man did not say anything more and soon went off to prepare the tea. Not long after, he returned carrying an iron kettle and poured each of them a cup. The aroma was rich, it was truly good tea.

Looking at the steaming cup, the short man chuckled, "I'm known for being unable to walk away when I see good tea, so I won't be polite now."

With that, he raised the cup and began sipping.

On the other side, Chen Wannian downed the tea in one gulp. Chen Lian copied him exactly.

The short man gave a bitter smile. "Drinking like that, how can Mr Chen taste anything?"

Chen Wannian laughed. "This Chen is an uncouth man, how would I know how to savor tea."

The short man did not say much more and simply poured another cup for each of them, continuing to sip his own slowly.

About a quarter of an hour later, the short man stood up and smiled. "I won't bother Mr Chen any further. Still have some matters to attend to."

Chen Wannian nodded and was just about to rise to his feet when his entire body suddenly felt weak and limp. He had barely gotten halfway up before collapsing back into his seat.

The short man asked with concern, "Mr Chen, what's wrong?"

Chen Wannian furrowed his brows, his expression turning ugly.

He looked toward the teacup.

The short man suddenly started laughing.

Outside the bamboo building, the sound of footsteps rang out without pause.

Liang Yeqiao and the others appeared.

"Martial Uncle Liang, why are you guys here?"

Chen Lian looked surprised, as if he found it strange.

Liang Yeqiao ignored him and instead looked at Chen Wannian, saying sternly, "Chen Wannian, you've received the mountain's kindness, yet you don't think of repaying it. Instead, you're engaged in corruption for personal gain. Are you not going to surrender and come with me back to the mountain for punishment?"

Chen Wannian narrowed his eyes and slowly stood up, speaking softly, "Liang Yeqiao, are you really going to frame me like this?"

Liang Yeqiao gave a cold snort and said nothing more. He simply waved his hand and said, "Take him down!"

Several young disciples immediately sprang into action, walking toward Chen Wannian.

Chen Wannian's expression did not change. He only said calmly, "With just the likes of you lot?"

"Hahaha, Chen Wannian, even now you're still putting on airs?"

Liang Yeqiao waved his hand and was the first to strike. But before he could even reach Chen Wannian, he was sent flying by a single wave of Chen Wannian's hand.

Liang Yeqiao fell out of the bamboo building, and the short man beside him had a drastic change in expression.

But Chen Wannian paid him no mind and simply walked out of the bamboo building on his own.

In the distance, a powerful aura approached rapidly.

A Nepenthe had arrived.

He looked up but said nothing.

A young man in black appeared out of nowhere, smiling as he said, "Mr Chen, I'll have to trouble you to handle that Nepenthe yourself. As for this bunch, this official will keep an eye on them, they're not going anywhere."

Chen Wannian did not speak. He only let out a turbid breath, as if exhaling all the grievances he had endured over the years.

Then he shot into the sky and headed towards the horizon.

Chen Chao stood outside the bamboo building, looking up with a smile as he said, "What good outcome can come from bullying an honest man?"