Despite the fact that He Yi said the words "I lost" out loud, it did not bring him anything. The people present were very silent, each thinking about many things. The foreign cultivators wanted to open their mouths to challenge Chen Chao, but considering his current state, even if they won, it would be a dishonorable win too. If they let him recover first, what the young man had already shown was enough to shock people. Even He Yi was not his match, how could they expect to win?
So the square was very quiet. Everyone was silent.
He Yi walked out in a daze, without the mood to say goodbye. He muttered to himself as he kept walking. It was unknown if his Dao heart was already damaged. If that was the case, the blow to him tonight was likely immense, and the price he paid would also be extremely severe. At this moment, no one would say anything impolite to He Yi. The Second Prince beckoned a eunuch to quietly follow He Yi and see him out of the palace.
"Your Highness, we'll also take our leave."
The other foreign cultivators bade farewell one after another. Since He Yi had been defeated today, they had no face to continue staying here as well.
Although according to the rules previously set, they could continue to challenge Chen Chao, it already seemed meaningless now.
Everything was settled, and there would be no other events happening.
Tonight's event was destined to shock the Divine Capital once again. They, the foreign cultivators, could no longer be the protagonists in the story. The protagonist had become the Great Liang Dynasty's cultivator whom they had always looked down upon. Thinking up to here, their expressions became somewhat unsightly, especially when they thought of facing their respective masters' cold glares as well as the ridiculing from other foreign cultivators when they returned. Some of the young ones felt a bit bitter.
This was really hard to imagine facing this situation.
The name of that young man called Chen Chao was bound to shake the Divine Capital again after tonight.
This youth from the borderlands had already disturbed the waters of the Divine Capital even before he arrived. What happened after at the shore of the South Lake could only be considered a minor disturbance. But who would have thought that just after a few days, this young man would once again shake up the capital.
The truly important figures would probably start paying attention to this young man.
He would become the focus of discussion among the people of the Divine Capital before the Myriad Willow Convention.
"Immortal masters, please take care. I've already ordered people to bring gifts, which I will send you out of the palace with."
The Second Prince had excellent manners. Tonight's event had been a great victory for the Great Liang Dynasty. If he still did not do something to save face, these youngsters might be left with deep scars in their hearts.
He now had to make up for it. Although it might not necessarily have any effect, it still had to be done.
The foreign cultivators left one after another, and many people suddenly disappeared from here.
The youngsters of the Great Liang Dynasty looked at Chen Chao who was covered in blood and was all silent. Xia Yuan had a complicated expression, while the Ning Family youth walked away silently. The two people from the Heavenly Imperial Institution had grim expressions too.
Wang Kuan smiled and said, "Commander Chen is truly a role model for us. Regarding the matter at the academy, it was us who were narrow minds."
He did not have much hostility towards Chen Chao in the first place, and he also wanted to speak up for him before. Now, it was not unreasonable for him to say such things.
The fact that he could say such things showed that he was different from ordinary academy students.
Chen Chao nodded and did not say much. He did not have any ill-feelings towards this academy student either.
Wang Kuan smiled and said, "I hope that one day, I can have a drink with Commander Chen and enjoy each other's company."
At this moment, a palace maid approached from afar, holding a black shirt and stopped at one side. Xie Nandu who had been silent all along reached out to take it and walked towards Chen Chao.
The Second Prince watched the scene and started smiling.
Li Heng narrowed his eyes too.
The expressions of Xia Yuan and others remained unchanged, but they were somewhat stunned.
They did not know what Xie Nandu was planning before the competition. Only now, did they realize that she knew the competition was going to end and had prepared for it early.
Looking at Xie Nandu in this way, it was hard for people not to associate these two people with the rumors in the Divine Capital.
It was just that in the past, some people felt that Chen Chao's status was not good enough for Xie Nandu. But what about now?
Even if there were still those who thought that way, after tonight, such voices will be much fewer.
The Second Prince lowered his head and looked at the shattered ground. He suddenly furrowed his brow and said, "Quickly call the Ministry of Works to repair this place, hurry up!"
Although he was frowning, in reality, anyone could hear the joy in his words at this moment. The Great Liang Dynasty had always been restrained in front of the foreign cultivators. Now, they finally showed some toughness, which naturally made him happy as a prince.
He actually still had some other intentions. A eunuch had already understood him and headed somewhere else.
Furthermore, with his voice, the delicate atmosphere in the room was completely shattered, and everyone else responded by bidding farewell.
In no time, the place became very quiet.
Chen Chao took the black shirt and put it on. Feeling it for a bit, he said with satisfaction. "It fits well."
Xie Nandu nodded her head and glanced at the scars on Chen Chao's body without saying anything.
Watching everyone disperse, the Second Prince looked at Chen Chao and smiled. "I won't keep you tonight, Commander Chen. If Commander Chen is free, why don't you come to my palace in a few days' time for a chat?"
The meaning of his words was very clear. Chen Chao was not stupid, so he naturally understood.
This was an invitation to join his faction.
No matter what happens in the future, Chen Chao was already one of the brightest stars among the younger generation of the Great Liang Dynasty.
Xie Nandu looked at the Second Prince. After thinking for a while, Chen Chao clasped his hands and turned him down, "After going back, I'm afraid I still have to prepare for the Myriad Willow Convention. Your Highness's gracious invitation shouldn't be refused, but there are just too many things at the moment. I hope Your Highness will understand."
The Second Prince's expression did not change. He just smiled and said, "It was my fault for not being considerate, of course the Myriad Willow Convention takes priority here. Commander Chen should focus on your cultivation. There are some spiritual medicines in my palace, I'll have someone send them to the academy right away."
Chen Chao remained silent for a while before finally smiling and saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Eunuch Li, escort Commander Chen out of the palace."
……
……
The Great Liang emperor left the palace and headed towards the Empress' bedroom. When the palace maids saw the Great Liang emperor who came alone, they prostrated one after another.
The Great Liang emperor walked into the palace. The palace maid who was on duty lowered her head slightly.
Without waiting for him to open his mouth, he was greeted by some noise inside. The Empress' voice sounded out rather tiredly, "Your Majesty, come in."
The Great Liang emperor did not respond. He just continued ahead and walked into the deepest area. There was only a small bed with two candles burning quietly.
The Empress leaned on the bed, her complexion looking somewhat unhealthy and pale.
The Great Liang emperor arrived before the bed and sat down before opening his mouth to talk about what happened tonight.
The Empress nodded slightly and listened carefully. She only spoke up when she heard the crucial part, asking, "Did that child get hurt?"
The Great Liang emperor smiled and said, "I'm afraid that any of the injuries he suffered in the past years were much worse than tonight."
The Empress sighed, "But he still got hurt. It's one thing for him to suffer before, but how can we let him continue to suffer like this now?"
The Great Liang emperor frowned, a little puzzled. "I've never seen you care so much about your own son. That kid's identity isn't even clear right now and you're already behaving like this?"
The Empress shook her head and smiled. "Your Majesty has your own considerations, you'll naturally think a lot. But I also have my own judgment. Since I feel that he is him, then he is."
The Great Liang emperor pretended to be angry and said, "That's twisted reasoning."
The Empress rubbed her forehead indifferently, not speaking. It was just that a hint of pain flashed across her eyebrows.
The Great Liang emperor looked at her with a complex and melancholy expression.
The entire Great Liang emperor knew that the two had known each other since they were young, and the Emperor and Empress had a deep affection for each other. But how many people knew that the Empress was weak and sickly, and was now already bedridden with a chronic illness, while the Great Liang emperor was in the prime of his life and a Nepenthe martial artist. This meant that before long, the two of them would be separated forever.
This was an extremely painful thing.
But, it was hard for the Great Liang emperor to talk about his pain with others.
He could only bear it alone.
