After Yu Xiyi fell asleep, no one spoke, and Chen Chao began to drink alone, his thoughts drifting away. This Rainwater Commandery in the Cang Prefecture was an inconspicuous little provincial city in the Great Liang Dynasty. In the Great Liang Dynasty's two hundred over years of history, no notable figures or government officials had emerged from here. Even if some fellow was lucky enough to be noticed by those foreign cultivators and were brought to the mountains to cultivate, they would not consider themselves to be someone from this place anymore.
Hence, the Rainwater Commandery was really ordinary.
However, there were some exceptional aspects of this place that outsiders were not aware of. Around eight hundred miles to the north of this place, there was a mountain called Sublime Bright Mountain, within which there was a sect of the Longevity Dao lineage called Sublime Bright Sect.
This sect was one of the two largest sects in the Cang Prefecture and had some reputation. They were eligible to participate in the Myriad Willow Convention this time too, but they did not send any disciples. The world just assumed that they had always looked up to the Infatuation Daoist Temple for direction. However, Chen Chao knew some of the reasons behind their decision.
Holding the wine cup, Chen Chao narrowed his eyes. Just as he was about to take another sip, he noticed that the wine had run out.
He ordered two more flasks of wine and the waiter brought the drinks listlessly. At this moment, a few more customers had finally arrived at the tavern.
With more people, there would naturally be more noise. Drinking without chatting would be meaningless.
Rainwater Commandery was located in a remote area and the common people here lived in hardship. Nevertheless, news from the outside world could still reach this seemingly ordinary provincial city. Currently, they were discussing the news from the Divine Capital. That Emperor intended to lead a personal expedition to the Northern Frontier to personally preside over the war against the demons.
Actually, speaking of this Emperor, when he was conferred a prince title in the North, he already had command of an army. He had led multiple successful campaigns, whether was it to put down rebellions or exterminate bandits. Actually, when he was even younger, the Emperor had already demonstrated his extraordinary military talents. Later, when he rose in rebellion to seize the throne, that Northern Frontier Great General had to stay in place because he had to defend against the demons. But the other generals in the Great Liang Dynasty had taken turns commanding their troops against this Emperor. However, no one could truly defeat him.
Today, many people would say that the Northern Frontier's Great General was the number one general in the Great Liang Dynasty. But in reality, many would think that the Emperor was the number one general of the Great Liang Dynasty.
Since that was the case, the Emperor personally leading an expedition to the North would not have a disastrous impact on the northern war campaign. However, the problem was that if he went North, what would happen to the Divine Capital?
The First Prince and the Second Prince were both excellent potential successors to the throne, but they were still young. Without sufficient prestige, it was impossible to watch over the entire Divine Capital like the Great Liang Emperor.
This is a major problem. Furthermore, there seemed to be no solution.
When Chen Chao was listening to those discussions, he was thinking about other things. Why did the Great Liang Emperor want to personally lead an expedition?
Was it because the war situation in the North had already reached a critical point that the Great Liang Emperor had to personally head North to resolve it? Or did something happen to that Northern Frontier Great General?
"That Emperor of yours is a rare ruler of great talent and bold vision."
At some point, Yu Xiyi woke up. He rubbed his head and the fatigue was swept clean.
Chen Chao poured him a cup of wine and said, "That's of course."
The Great Liang Emperor's talent and bold vision had actually far surpassed that Emperor Lingzong long ago. He could even be compared to the founding Emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty. It was just that while it was fine for people to know, they could not bring it up.
Even the Great Liang Emperor himself could not take the initiative to mention it either.
Yu Xiyi said, "Throughout my journey, I've witnessed many terrible scenes. But compared to what I've read in books, these terrible scenes were much better. This is really quite a good world. I even want to meet this Nepenthe martial artist and see what kind of person he is."
Chen Chao replied expressionlessly, "Clearly, even if you become a Sword Immortal, you are no match for His Majesty either."
The Great Liang Emperor did not have many Nepenthe martial artists and the Great Liang Emperor had not made any moves for many years. Nobody knew what level this Emperor's cultivation had already reached.
Sword cultivators were the proudest in the world, this person was also that Hundred Year Sword's master, he would naturally be even prouder. But at this moment, hearing something like this, he pondered and actually did not refute it. He just muttered, "You're very right, I need some time."
He acknowledged that even if he became a Nepenthe sword immortal, he would not be a match for the Great Liang Emperor either. However, he did not think that he would be unable to surpass this Great Liang Emperor in his lifetime. That was his pride and the pride of a sword cultivator.
Chen Chao narrowed his eyes and suddenly said, "I've encountered other sword cultivators in the Divine Capital, but they seemed different from you."
Yu Xiyi frowned and said, "How can those sword cultivators who depend on the major sects be compared to me?"
Chen Chao gave an 'oh' and said cunningly, "As expected."
Yu Xiyi furrowed his brows and suddenly cursed, "Screw you!"
Chen Chao smiled and did not say anything. His words were originally to probe Yu Xiyi.
Sword cultivators in the world were actually split into two lineages too: the Heart Sword Lineage and the Hidden Sword Lineage.
The Heart Sword Lineage declined back then and integrated into various cultivation sects of the world. Now, sword cultivators in the various major sects belonged to this lineage.
Even those sword sects with primarily sword cultivators were of the Heart Sword Lineage too.
Presently, there was only one place in the world that was the Hidden Sword Lineage, that was the Sword Sect.
Without any prefix, that sect was called Sword Sect.
The Sword Sect had already vanished due to a secretive incident back then. After so many years, very few cultivators knew about the Sword Sect's whereabouts. The disciples of the Sword Sect rarely appeared in the world too, but virtually every time they did, they would always first-rate Sword Dao geniuses of the contemporary era.
Yu Xiyi's origins had always been speculated by the various major sects, but no one had obtained a definitive answer due to his elusive traces. Ever since he obtained Wild Grass, there was the occasional news, but it was always fleeting.
"A chatterbox like you, I think there's no one who can't get information out of you."
Chen Chao teased, having an excellent impression of this young sword cultivator.
Yu Xiyi raised his cup and downed the wine in one gulp. He was not too angry; after all, it was a minor matter. His previous annoyance was merely because the honest-looking guy in front of him entrapped him with words.
After smacking his lips, Yu Xiyi was about to say something when he suddenly looked out the window. On the street outside, a young boy was currently running with great effort, stumbling and falling. It was evident that the muddy little fellow had been running for a long time and was now exhausted; struggling to keep going.
The current him was probably making his final perseverance by relying on his willpower.
At this juncture, he saw the tavern and without hesitation, the young boy ran into the tavern. As soon as he entered the tavern, a series of sharp curses echoed from the first floor. It sounded like a middle-aged man's voice.
Chen Chao could not help but recall the middle-aged shopkeeper he encountered before going upstairs. It seemed like the cursing voice came from him.
As the scoldings rang out, that boy was pushed back onto the streets.
He took a look at the second floor and just happened to meet the gazes of Yu Xiyi and Chen Chao.
Chen Chao could see a hint of despair and numbness in his eyes, as well as the feeble hope hidden in the depths.
He was very familiar with that look.
However, their eye contact was fleeting as the boy turned to run into the distance. But the moment he turned around, he bumped into an extremely big and tall body. Then, he stumbled and fell onto the street.
Several figures appeared at the end of the street.
Someone spoke indifferently, "Running? Where do you think you can escape?!"
The boy remained seated on the ground, gritting his teeth, and tried to stand up. But soon, one of them stepped on his head, leaving him immobile.
Those few people quickly walked over. Seeing this scene, they just turned to look at the surroundings.
The common people had originally poked their heads out when they heard the loud noise. But after seeing these people, they quickly shirked back and closed the door again.
The leader of the group seemed very satisfied with these civilians' reactions. After a cold laugh, he ordered, "Take him away."
Hearing this, someone immediately tied the boy up and was about to bring him away.
Right at this moment, Yu Xiyi suddenly spoke up, "What do you think is going on?"
He was naturally asking Chen Chao.
Chen Chao looked at those people on the street and said, "They should be cultivators, but their cultivation realms aren't high. That boy is an ordinary youth."
Yu Xiyi asked, "Does this kind of thing happen often?"
Chen Chao said, "You know the answer."
When had cultivators viewed these ordinary civilians as human beings before?
They were nothing more than pigs or dogs.
Yu Xiyi said, "So, you all hate foreign cultivators very much?"
Chen Chao shook his head and said, "There are exceptions too. For example, a young lady that I know is great."
"I've also met that Saintess from the Myriad Heaven Palace before. She's indeed pretty good."
Yu Xiyi said, "She's called Zhu Xia?"
Chen Chao was silent.
Yu Xiyi said, "If I remember correctly. You seem to be a military official of the Great Liang Dynasty. When you encounter something like this, aren't you stepping in?"
How could such incidents be something new? In a place like this, even if it was the local warden, he would probably be reluctant to intervene as well. After all, once he provoked foreign cultivators, it could lead to major problems.
But Yu Xiyi felt that Chen Chao would not think this way. After all, when he was in Tianqing County, he had already killed qi refiners.
Yu Xiyi knew about that incident too.
Chen Chao still did not say anything. Except, when Yu Xiyi was talking, he was already walking downstairs.
The tavern's door was long closed. The shopkeeper stood guard at the entrance rather nervously.
Chen Chao glanced at him.
The shopkeeper swallowed his saliva. Taking a look at the saber hanging from Chen Chao's waist, he opened his mouth, "Guest..."
Chen Chao ignored him and just pushed the door open.
Those people were just about to leave when they saw a black-robed youth.
Chen Chao said very calmly, "Release him."
His voice was very calm; without any fluctuations. But saying this was a powerful act in itself.
The group turned their heads to look at the black-robed youth.
