Martial Cultivator

The court officials and heads of the great families all arrived, guided by the palace attendants into the palace.

However, it was not long before there was more commotion. It was because the academy's carriage arrived, and the Dean stepped out of the carriage. The court officials all bowed in respect.

The Dean was the leader of scholars throughout the world, and many of the officials present had once been students of the academy. Naturally, they held deep respect for the Dean.

As the Dean walked through the crowd, he saw Li Heng who was waiting there.

Due to his high status, it was only fitting that the chief eunuch himself had come to greet him.

The Dean glanced at Eunuch Li and casually asked, "Before the banquet begins, can I meet with His Majesty?"

Li Heng shook his head and said, "His Majesty has decreed that before the banquet begins, he will see no one."

“Not a single person? He's not secretly meeting someone?”

The Dean looked at Li Heng with some suspicion.

Li Heng naturally understood what the Dean was implying, he shook his head and said, "He didn't enter the palace."

The Dean thought for a moment and asked, "Will His Majesty be able to handle what's about to happen today?"

Li Heng smiled and replied, "What will happen today?"

The Dean frowned slightly but said nothing.

Voices rose again from behind as a carriage stopped not far from the Dean. The Xie Family's ancestor stepped out, leaning on a cane. At first, his appearance only drew a few puzzled glances, no one recognized this elder from the Xie Family.

“Is that the Xie Family's carriage?!”

Someone in the crowd suddenly spoke up, still full of confusion. Although this old man had stepped out of the Xie Family's carriage, they did not know who he was.

“It seems to be... Minister Xie...”

"Minister Xie" was a title from long ago, one that could also refer to many people. The Xie Family had numerous members who had served as officials in the court, and over the past two centuries of the Great Liang Dynasty, several Xie Family members had served as ministers.

However, the only living Xie Family member who had served as a minister was the Xie Family's ancestor. He had held every minister position across the six ministries, and although he had not served as the Premier before, it was still highly impressive.

As they looked at this white-haired elder, many of the officials who were not well-informed were stunned. The Dean turned and looked at the old man and smiled.

The Xie Family's ancestor also looked at the Dean, feeling somewhat nostalgic as he said, “You rascal, why do you never want to grow old?”

The Dean had lived for a long time, but it was also not that long. However, he always appeared as though he was still in his middle years.

The Dean chuckled and said, “If I had to look at myself covered in wrinkles, I wouldn't be able to eat or sleep well.”

The Xie Family's ancestor rolled his eyes. “Back then, when your teacher said you should become the Dean, this old man said that he'd better think it over carefully. This punk doesn't seem like an ordinary scholar.”

The Dean smiled. “Good thing that Teacher didn't listen to you back then.”

In just a few short exchanges, some information was revealed - namely, that the Xie Family's ancestor was acquainted with the previous Dean of the academy, and it seemed their relationship was quite close.

In front of the Xie Family's ancestor, even the current Dean had to maintain the proper etiquette of a junior.

“My Xie Family gave you such a promising talent, and you didn't even bother to come and pay your respects to this old man. You truly don't understand the rules."

The Xie Family's ancestor let out a sigh.

The Dean said with vicissitudes of emotion, “That girl wasn't sent by you, Senior. It was this junior who found her myself. If this junior really needs to express my gratitude, this junior will probably have to make a trip to White Deer Prefecture.”

“When you went to the ancestral shrine of the White Deer's Xie Clan last time, I heard you nearly demolished White Deer's Xie Clan?"

The Xie Family's ancestor pulled a long face.

This time, the Dean did not speak.

……

……

The court officials and prominent figures arrived at the palace and gathered at the plaza, where they were surprised to find that the arrangements for this year's banquet were far more extravagant than in previous years, leaving many puzzled by the significance.

Even if something were to happen, it was unlikely that His Majesty would have spent extra effort on the arrangements, but why was this the case?

Though they were pondering this, everyone still took their seats, looking up toward the higher platform, quietly waiting for His Majesty to make his entrance.

The seating arrangement for the banquet followed strict rules, but because it was quite different from previous years, the Dean's presence meant he naturally sat at the front. Opposite him, that seat should have been the Great General's if he were present. However, the Great General naturally would not come, so it became the Xie Family's ancestor.

Next were the seats for the Premier and other high-ranking officials of the court.

The seats for the princes, as always, were not particularly close to the front. Though their status was noble, this arrangement was the same every year, clearly showing that His Majesty placed more importance on the realm than on his sons.

The First Prince sat with his consort, and beside them were the Second and Third Princes.

The Second Prince gazed ahead silently, without speaking or showing any emotion.

While the Third Prince had a worried look on his face.

Afterward, the other court officials took their seats.

Then, Xie Nandu entered the hall. The appearance of this genius daughter from the Xie Family drew countless gazes. Many had already heard of her, and the fact that she was invited to the banquet, an extraordinary exception, was enough to show the high hopes His Majesty placed on her.

But even so, her seat was not very high in the order. After all, she held no official position in the court and was not the head of the Xie Family. Just being invited to attend was already a great honor.

Xie Nandu was led by the palace attendants to her seat. After silently sitting down, she looked at the empty seat beside her, and glanced at the palace attendant with some curiosity.

The attendant slightly shook their head and did not speak.

Xie Nandu was silent.

She knew that the empty seat should have been reserved for Chen Chao.

But others did not know.

Many were looking at Song Lian. According to the rules, as the Deputy Commander of the Left Guard, Chen Chao would be seated beside Song Lian if he were invited.

However, there was no empty seat beside Song Lian now.

This also indicated that His Majesty the Emperor had not prepared a seat for Chen Chao.

In other words, that young martial artist, the only one to be granted the right to bear arms in this dynasty, had already been abandoned by His Majesty the Emperor?

Many people silently nodded, it was as expected.

Even without mentioning his sensitive identity, the incident of killing the Marquis Huainan Song Ting was enough to make His Majesty feel dislike for him.

It should be noted that Marquis Huainan and others were the very ones who had helped the Emperor seize the world.

Such meritorious officials, even if the court officials had many grievances, no one would take the initiative to provoke them. After all, they were truly trusted figures of the Emperor.

While thinking about this, many people saw a tall figure walking toward the center of the hall; it was Marquis Zhongyong, Zhang Yu.

Many people looked several times at this Marquis Zhongyong.

Even the princes glanced over too.

However, everyone remained silent.

The gazes of the people continually swept across the banquet, with most waiting for a certain person's appearance.

Of course, he might not show up, but if he did, it would mean the banquet would become extremely interesting.

……

……

It was almost time, and there were no more officials or other important figures arriving for the banquet at the palace gates. However, Li Heng was still standing at the entrance.

This chief eunuch looked into the distance, seemingly waiting for someone.

Logically speaking, no one would choose to arrive late to the Emperor's banquet. Those who should come had already arrived, and those who should not would not come at all.

But since Li Heng showed up here, there must be a reason.

As expected.

Before long, a young man dressed in black approached from the sunlight in the distance, wearing a pair of jet-black official boots, with a saber hanging at his waist.

He was naturally holding an invitation in his hand.

Upon arriving at the palace gates, the young man presented the invitation and tried to enter.

However, the guards stopped him, frowning as they said, “This is His Majesty's banquet, please remove your saber, Your Excellency.”

The young man in black looked at the guard in front of him and shook his head.

The guard furrowed his brow and was about to say something when the young man spoke up, “His Majesty has granted me the right to bear arms. If I must remove it, it must be by His Majesty's decree.”

Hearing this, the guard glanced down at the invitation in his hand and indeed saw Chen Chao's name on it.

He frowned slightly and was about to speak, when someone not far behind him spoke, “Commander Chen has arrived late, if we delay any longer, the banquet will have started.”

Seeing that it was Li Heng who spoke, the guard stopped talking and just stepped aside.

Only Chen Chao could openly carry a saber into the Imperial City.

He arrived next to Li Heng and asked, “Were you waiting for me, Eunuch Li?”

Li Heng did not answer and just smiled, saying, “I was just waiting for the last guest to arrive. Since it's Commander Chen, of course I was waiting for you.”

Chen Chao smiled and said, “If I hadn't come, would you have waited in vain, Eunuch Li?”

Li Heng smiled and replied, “It would merely be standing here for a little while longer. Besides, Commander Chen has arrived, didn't you?”

“I'm actually very curious: according to you, Eunuch Li, should I have come or not?"

Chen Chao followed Li Heng into the palace and asked a question.

Li Heng replied, “Whether you should have come or not, no one can say for sure. But it seems you've already made your choice. Asking this question now is meaningless.”

Chen Chao sighed, “Even though I'm here, I don't know if I'll be able to leave later.”

Li Heng smiled without saying a word.

Chen Chao had not expected Li Heng to answer and continued saying to himself, “But it doesn't matter, it's all my own choice.”

……

……

“Eunuch Li, where is my seat?”

“Your seat is naturally where you want to sit.”

As they walked down a long corridor and approached the plaza where the banquet was being held, Li Heng stopped and said softly, “Don't worry. Since you're here, just don't think too much.”

Chen Chao smiled bitterly and said, “Even if I don’t want to, I can't help but worry.”

Li Heng did not respond and just looked at him.

Chen Chao took a deep breath and walked forward.

The banquet had not yet started, and His Majesty had not arrived yet. Many court officials were chatting with the neighbors sitting next to them. Although their voices were not loud, it was hardly quiet.

Chen Chao appeared in the banquet hall, standing still as he scanned the area and spotted Xie Nandu.

Of course, many people saw him at the same time as well.

At first, many did not react, but they quickly guessed Chen Chao's identity.

As a result, the once somewhat noisy banquet scene fell silent.

Was there anyone in the world who dared to enter the Imperial City openly carrying a saber?

In an instant, all eyes landed on Chen Chao.

The emotions were complex.

There was dead silence.

Chen Chao just walked straight toward Xie Nandu.

"Insolence! After committing murder, this man still dares to come here! Does he really think the Great Liang Dynasty has no laws?!" "Come quickly, men, and seize this guy!”

After a brief moment of silence, someone suddenly spoke, breaking the brief silence.