In the dozen over days after that, other than tempering his physique once, Chen Chao spent most of the remaining time reading books.
Xie Nandu had been bringing books back from that library every day to read. When she finished reading a book, that book would land in Chen Chao's hands. These few years, he had been constantly killing demons in the mountains to earn skygold currency. Tianqing County was so remote, there were only a handful of books on cultivation. Hence, over the years, even though Chen Chao really wanted to know about this world of cultivation, he did not have any channels. Now that he finally had an opportunity and some time, he naturally could not let it slip. He greedily absorbed these knowledge that was hard to come by. When he encountered something he did not understand, Xie Nandu who was next to him could always give him the answer.
This kind of studying condition was unimaginable for ordinary people.
This was like Chen Chao possessed the academy's library and could read those all-encompassing books without restraint. What made people feel helpless was that he was not a student of the academy.
He was merely an outsider.
But no one knew. Everyone thought that it was Xie Nandu who was reading those books. They would not expect that that martial artist would also be thinking about these things.
Seeing that the youth was staying in Xie Nandu's courtyard for increasingly longer periods of time, the academy students outside thought that what Song Lian said back then at the lake was likely to be true. Some academy students who were originally somewhat interested in Xie Nandu naturally felt incredibly disappointed. While other students felt that this was indecent and had long already notified their respective teachers about this matter. But in the end, no punishment was meted out. The small courtyard was still that small courtyard and that young couple was still enjoying such days very quietly.
Along with the passage of time, the weather gradually turned warm. A martial artist like Chen Chao who had long already crossed several cultivation realms naturally could not feel it. But, the young girl who had just stepped into Initial Realm felt a little bad. As for who felt even more terrible, that would be the ordinary maidservant, Liu Ye. Fortunately, she had already gone to the academy these few days to ask for several talismans and stuck them in various corners of the courtyard, lowering the temperature in the courtyard. However, these talismans needed to be changed virtually once every two to three days. The cultivator who drew the talisman was not some cultivator with a profound cultivation realm, so it could not sustain for too long.
Today, Liu Ye went to change a batch of talismans again. The talismans taken down were directly thrown into the stove. The next time they started a fire, these talismans would turn to ashes.
Chen Chao came under the eave and stood in front of a talisman. Looking at those complicated but beautiful lines on it, he was silent for a long time before turning around and sitting back down.
Looking at the young girl opposite who was currently focused on the book in her hands, Chen Chao said, "I feel that I know too little things."
Previously in the mines, those qi refiners had numerous techniques. But he only had a saber and only had his body that was tempered.
Xie Nandu did not even raise her head as she said, "Talisman Dao is a special kind among the various major cultivation styles. It virtually can't be cultivated simultaneously. If you want to study Talisman Dao, you can only give up on your martial artist identity."
Xie Nandu frowned and suddenly looked up and said, "Previously, I said that I can fight for an academy examination spot for you, but you said that you only want to be a martial artist?"
Chen Chao's face turned red. Because his cultivation speed was too fast, they all regarded him as a true genius. But actually, no one knew that his aptitude was too poor, he could only advance with difficulty in martial arts. As for why he progressed so quickly, that was the result of endlessly tormenting himself.
"I only want more means to protect my life. Of course I just want to be a martial artist."
Chen Chao asserted eloquently.
Xie Nandu gave an oh and casually said, "Since that's the case, just continue climbing up the path of martial arts. One day, I presume that you'll also become a character like the Warden."
Chen Chao smiled and asked, "What about you? What are you cultivating?"
Talking about this, Xie Nandu frowned and said, "I once told Teacher that I want to refine a flying sword. But, Teacher said that the offensive power is too great and isn't suitable for a girl like me."
Among foreign cultivators, sword cultivators had supreme offensive power and were the most dreadful. Among the various major sects, if any disciples under them had the aptitude to learn the sword, they would naturally prefer their disciples to pick the path of a sword cultivator. In the view of the foreign cultivators, sword cultivators had boundless killing power and rarely had any opponents in the same realm. If more brilliant sword cultivators appeared in their sect, then the foundation of the sect would become more solid. After all, when all was said and done, fighting prowess was the foundation of living in peace.
Other than those sword sects, the various major sects would also have some sword cultivator techniques. The academy naturally had them too.
Chen Chao smiled and said, "Isn't it good if the academy produces a female sword immortal in the future?"
Xie Nandu smiled slightly and did not say a word.
Soon, she raised her head and passed the book in her hand to Chen Chao. Chen Chao also just happened to close the book in his hands and passed it to Liu Ye.
After experiencing what happened at the lake before, Liu Ye's view of Chen Chao changed quite a bit. Although she still did not like him, there was absolutely none of the loathing from before.
Xie Nandu said, "Your reading speed is as fast as mine, that's really amazing."
This was a sincere compliment. Of course, she also conveniently praised herself.
In terms of reading, Xie Nandu had not found a match after so many years.
Chen Chao said modestly, "I'm just brute force memorizing. I don't understand it as clearly as you do."
Xie Nandu thought about it and did not refute it, as if she acquiesced with this statement.
Chen Chao was a little speechless. It was just that when he wanted to open his mouth, he remembered that he still had urgent business today, and he could not help frowning.
……
……
There were many civilians living in the remote short alleys in South City. Although these ordinary civilians did not need to worry about demons in the Divine Capital, in other aspects, they were the same as the ordinary people in other places of the Great Liang Dynasty, or having it even harder.
Living in the Divine Capital was not easy.
In a dilapidated small courtyard in a narrow alley, there were many bamboo poles set up in the courtyard. Numerous clothes were hanging on the bamboo poles to dry. Some of them were damp and still dripping with water, but the sound of water droplets falling to the ground was covered by another sound.
There was a well in the middle of the courtyard. Beside the well, there was a large wooden tub, and a woman wearing a cloth skirt was sitting by the tub washing clothes. There was also a pile of dirty clothes that were as high as a small mountain next to the wooden tub.
As sunlight fell into the courtyard, the sweat on the woman's forehead also dripped continuously into the wooden tub. Along with her movements, her chest also heaved up and down.
Chen Chao was just about to nod and make a judgment, but Song Lian reached his hand out to block his gaze.
Chen Chao felt a little helpless and said, "You're thinking too little of me."
Song Lian snorted and did not dwell on the matter. Instead, he asked, "Quickly tell me what to do?"
Chen Chao was puzzled and asked, "The commander of the Divine Capital's Left Guard like you, could it be that you like her but she doesn't want you?"
Song Lian did not speak, his expression turning blue.
Looking at Song Lian who was similarly wearing ordinary commoner clothes, Chen Chao said in earnest, "She's living such a tough life. If you have the means to help her have an easier life, why do you have to act like this?”
"Are you thinking that she might be after your wealth?"
"Well, that's a problem... But that doesn't seem to be a problem for you."
Song Lian frowned and said, "It's not what you think. Although she's living such a tough life, she still doesn't want to follow someone just because they have money. There have been others who proposed marriage to her before. Their circumstances were decent, but they were all declined by her."
Upon hearing this, Chen Chao praised, "She's a good old... a good woman."
"But why is she still all alone by herself at this age?"
Chen Chao rubbed his chin and felt that the situation was a bit complicated. However, since he had already taken the money, he naturally had to help with the matter.
This was basic.
"When she was young, her family was already poor. The paltry savings they had were given to her two younger brothers to get wives. By the time it was her turn, she couldn't produce any dowry. As a result, she missed the opportunity to marry. At her age now, there naturally aren't many suitors who would be interested in her. Those who are interested, she doesn't like them."
As he mentioned these things, the martial artist Song Lian sighed heavily.
Chen Chao asked, "What about you?"
Song Lian pulled a long face. Originally, he did not want to speak, but thinking about it, he still said, "When I was young, I was solely focused on pursuing martial arts. Why would I think about these things? My elders would occasionally introduce me to someone. By now, it's too late."
Chen Chao asked again, "Then how did you get acquainted with this girl?"
"There was once when I came to investigate a case in the vicinity. One look at her and I felt like I lost my soul. Later, I started coming here often, and I bought a house nearby, which makes her half a neighbor. I'd talk to her occasionally too and I thought I would live like this for the rest of my life without any expectations. But now, I'm halfway into the earth and it's time to do something about it.."
"Alright, stop talking."
Chen Chao rolled his eyes. Thinking about it, he said, "You want to know whether this girl likes you or not. But in reality, you haven't even asked. How do you know that she doesn't like you?"
"Isn't it too straightforward if I go and ask her whether she likes me or not?"
Song Lian frowned and felt that this was not good.
Chen Chao asked, "Then how long are you going to beat around the bush?"
Song Lian had a look of entitlement, "Isn't that why I came to look for you?"
He had spent a great deal of money on this matter. That money could have bought him half a house in this area.
Chen Chao rubbed his head, his head hurting a little as he said, "Let me think about it."
Song Lian frowned and said, "Anyway, you have to help me resolve this matter. At that time, I'll get married. Then my child will celebrate his one-month-old birthday. My son will go to school..."
Chen Chao interrupted his anticipation with a wave of his hand and said angrily, "Why don't you think about holding your grandson?!"
Song Lian had a serious look. He really had this thought.
Chen Chao glanced at the courtyard and withdrew his gaze. "Let's go for now and come back in a few days."
But Song Lian seemed to remember something and shook his head. "It might not be possible in a few days."
Chen Chao looked confused and asked, "Why not?"
"Because you have to enter the palace to attend a banquet in a few days."
"What banquet?"
"His Majesty has an imperial banquet before the Myriad Willow Convention. He's going to invite you ten youngsters who will be taking part in the Myriad Willow Convention."
"Why didn't you tell me about such a major thing?"
"Aren't I telling you now?"
"If I didn't ask that?"
"Ask what?"
Chen Chao stared at Song Lian and gnashed his teeth in hatred as he said, "Lord Song, why didn't I see that you were such a person in the beginning?"
Song Lian replied seriously, "Me too."
