Martial Cultivator

The long street erupted with countless chaotic voices as the masses boiled with rage. Staring at the headless corpse, their anger could no longer be contained.

Many people immediately returned to their homes, grabbing kitchen knives and other tools before rushing back out.

At that moment, a group of constables surged in from the distance, completely separating the citizens from the cultivators' carriages.

The carriages slowly left, leaving no opportunity for the townsfolk to seek their deaths by confronting them.

But how could the citizens understand this right now? Seeing that they could not catch up with the cultivators, they redirected their fury onto the officials blocking their path.

Whether it was due to guilt in their hearts or prior instructions from above, the officials did not retaliate, merely standing there as the people's fists and kicks rained down upon their bodies.

……

……

The incident at the honey dates shop quickly reached the imperial palace, where His Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Ning, and numerous officials had been waiting. Everyone learned of the entire series of events leading up to this.

The Premier let out a quiet sigh. He had actually been worried about this situation before, but he still had not expected things to turn out like this.

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows, a look of confusion in his eyes.

“Premier, now... what should I do?”

The Crown Prince had only been in power in Great Liang for a month, and so many things had already happened. The national affairs before had already drained him, and now this incident, left him feeling lost more than anything.

The Premier glanced at the Crown Prince and said softly, “It's come to this. Your Highness, I'm afraid you can only endure for now. As for that matter, it's also something that was started by...”

The Premier faltered at this point. The young shop assistant had simply refused to sell honey dates. What was the big offense? And judging by how Daoist Zhenye had acted, it was all likely intentional on his part.

A few years ago, like most of the other civil officials in the court, the Premier had been dissatisfied with the Great Liang Emperor's autocratic and domineering ways. But now, he could not help but long for that Emperor, who was no longer in the Divine Capital, and perhaps not even in the world anymore.

The Crown Prince exhaled a heavy breath, his expression dark.

At this point, the carriages had arrived.

Daoist Zhenye’s carriage was at the front, but this daoist master did not step out of the carriage.

The Assistant Minister of Rites had no choice but to speak up and remind him, “Daoist Master, we have reached the gate of the Divine Capital.”

Daoist Zhenye remained unmoved, not even speaking.

The Assistant Minister of Rites glanced toward the palace gates rather helplessly. Daoist Zhenye's meaning was quite clear: he wanted the Crown Prince to personally welcome him off the carriage.

The Crown Prince's lips turned pale, and his figure swayed slightly.

But after a moment, he still walked toward the front.

Arriving in front of the carriage, the Crown Prince personally lifted the curtain and spoke softly, “Daoist Master.”

Seeing this, Prince Ning's cough grew louder. At this moment, he likely finally understood something - why his Royal Emperor, disliked his sons.

Yes, no tough man would ever like sons who were so weak.

It did not matter what the reason was.

It did not matter if there was any so-called hardship.

Daoist Zhenye looked at the young Crown Prince and smiled. “Thank you for the welcome, Your Highness. This penniless daoist truly feels apologetic.”

The Crown Prince merely smiled.

“It's just that this penniless daoist accidentally killed a Great Liang commoner in a moment of impulse. But I presume that given Your Highness's magnanimity, you won't hold this against this presumably, right?”

Daoist Zhenye looked at the Crown Prince in front of him, as if waiting for him to shake his head before he would take further action.

Sweat beads seeped out of the Crown Prince's forehead.

He forced a smile and said, “A trivial matter, a trivial matter.”

“Then that’s good. Otherwise, this penniless daoist would feel guilty, and fear that I might not attain the Great Dao.”

Only then did Daoist Zhenye alight the carriage and approach the gates of the Divine Capital.

……

……

A procession of cultivators entered the Great Liang Imperial City in a steady stream, a sight not seen in a long time.

At the grand court session back then, there were also cultivators who arrived uninvited, but what happened in the end?

Didn't those who provoked end up dead, and the rest of the cultivators left with their tails tucked between their legs?

In the years since the Great Liang Emperor came to the throne, the Imperial City had ceased to be a place where cultivators could come and go as they pleased.

Yet now, these cultivators, although here to pay their respects to the Crown Prince in name, made it clear to everyone that they did not regard Great Liang, or the current Great Liang, in the slightest.

Daoist Zhenye looked at Imperial City which was still somewhat dilapidated and smiled. "I didn't expect such a large Great Liang, yet the Imperial City is in this state. From this, we can see that His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince are truly wise rulers."

Upon hearing this, many people began to laugh.

While the court officials had ugly expressions. One official, who had experienced the events of that day, was about to speak when he was immediately pulled back by his colleague beside him.

He indicated for him not to speak.

The official frowned, clearly displeased.

The colleague beside him could only smile wryly.

Soon, a group of cultivators arrived at the banquet hall. His Highness the Crown Prince sat at the high seat, with Prince Ning and others accompanying him. On the opposite side were Daoist Zhenye and the others.

As soon as they sat down, one of the cultivators raised his wine cup and, smiling as he spoke: "First, I propose a toast to His Highness the Crown Prince. Now that Great Liang has a new ruler, with His Highness the Crown Prince assuming control of Great Liang, it is truly a cause for celebration! I believe that under His Highness the Crown Prince's rule, Great Liang will surpass its past greatness!"

At first glance, this seemed harmless, but everyone in the room were all shrewd foxes, they could easily detect the underlying meaning in his words.

The faces of several court officials immediately darkened, but they were unable to express their anger, instead setting down their wine cups heavily.

No military officials were present at today's banquet. While these senior officials of the imperial court were highly skilled in governing the country, what use did they have in the face of these cultivators from the foreign lands.

The Crown Prince thought for a moment before saying, "I'm merely governing the realm on behalf of Imperial Father. Once Imperial Father returns, the Great Liang will naturally return to being the Great Liang it has always been."

Hearing this, the gray-robed daoist who was also from the Infatuation Daoist Temple smiled and said, "Where is there a world that remains unchanged? We must all adapt to the changes of the times. Wouldn't you agree, Your Highness?"

The Crown Prince forced a smile and did not respond.

Daoist Zhenye remained silent. Coming to the Divine Capital and attending this banquet was merely one of the most trivial matters on his agenda. It was naturally not something he cared much about.

However, the other cultivators likely did not think the same. Throughout the banquet, they spoke at length, repeatedly testing the Crown Prince's limits.

Of course, apart from that, they also expressed great interest in the death of the former temple master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, Daoist Sage Wuyang.

The Great Liang had already received word about this. They knew that the Infatuation Daoist Temple had changed temple master, but they had no idea how the previous temple master had met his end. But what they did know was that under no circumstances could they allow such an incident to be linked to them; otherwise, it would spell significant trouble.

The Premier spoke softly, "Daoist Sage Wuyang was of an incredibly high cultivation level, how could he pass away so easy? After leaving the Divine Capital, I imagine he must have sought some immortal realm to continue his cultivation."

The Premier’s words were subtle. The key point was not whether this so-called Daoist Sage Wuyang had died or not, but rather that his death had happened outside the Divine Capital.

That alone was enough to make the matter clear.

Daoist Zhenye said calmly, "Daoist Sage Wuyang was one of the most remarkable individuals of this era. Naturally, he wouldn't pass away so easily. However, once he left the Divine Capital, he disappeared without a trace, which has left us a bit concerned."

Compared to admitting that Daoist Sage Wuyang had died at the hands of the Great Liang Emperor, they would much rather believe that he had died at the hands of someone else.

For the leader of Daoism to ultimately die at the hands of a mere martial artist, just the thought of it was difficult to accept.

It was far too humiliating.

The Crown Prince said, "I imagine that someone of Daoist Sage Wuyang's caliber would ultimately remain safe and sound."

Daoist Zhenye smiled and said, "Then let us borrow your blessings, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince nodded and said nothing further.

The gray-robed daoist suddenly spoke, "Your Highness, this penniless daoist has a small matter to discuss. Near our Infatuation Daoist Temple, there are several quarries. It's quite a hassle for the Great Liang to manage them. Might we be permitted to oversee them instead?"

Hearing this, before the Crown Prince could respond, several other cultivators spoke up one after another, all making similar requests.

The domineeringness the Great Liang had displayed in the past few years had kept them in check, but now, they could no longer hold back and were seizing the opportunity to demand benefits.

The Crown Prince glanced at the Premier.

The Premier frowned but had not yet spoken when Prince Ning interjected, "This matter may not be so simple. If daoist masters wish to take over the quarries, such significant decisions must be made by Father. Since Imperial Father is not currently present, we truly cannot make the call."

Daoist Zhenye smiled and said, "Didn't we hear that before His Majesty departed, he entrusted the Crown Prince to act as regent and handle state affairs? Why is it that when it comes to this, there suddenly seems to be no solution?"

Prince Ning said softly, "Please don't take offense, Daoist Master. Matters such as this are not ordinary state affairs. Even though the Crown Prince is currently serving as regent, he cannot make the decision."

After hesitating for a moment, he continued, "If a decision truly must be made, we would likely have to wait until Commander Chen emerges from seclusion. After all, before Imperial Father left, he decreed that matters of military and national importance must be discussed with Commander Chen."

Though Prince Ning lacked talent in cultivation, he was definitely not lacking in cunning. He knew well that under no circumstances could they concede on this matter. Once they did, it would be like a breach in the dam - impossible to control.

What they could do now was simple: delay.

Push the matter toward the absent Great Liang Emperor. Push the matter toward Chen Chao, who was in closed-seclusion.

Daoist Zhenye asked, "When will Commander Chen emerge from seclusion?"

Prince Ning shook his head. "We do not know. Commander Chen is a martial arts powerhouse. Once in seclusion for cultivation, it could be months, or it could be years, it's hard to say."

Daoist Zhenye did not press the issue and said calmly, "If that's the case, then there's no rush. However, this penniless daoist does have a presumptuous request. I wonder if the Crown Prince would grant it?"

The Crown Prince said, "Please speak, Daoist Master."

"This penniless daoist, aside from cultivation, has always had a fondness for historical records. Over the years, this penniless daoist has spent much time away from worldly affairs and has never had the opportunity to read Great Liang's historical texts. I wonder if the Crown Prince would permit me to view the historical records of Great Liang?"

Daoist Zhenye looked at the Crown Prince, his voice devoid of much emotion.

The Crown Prince remained silent, lost in thought.

He was trying to guess what was on this Daoist Zhenye's mind.

But it did not seem like something that could be easily guessed.

Prince Ning had a bad feeling.

The Premier's turbid eyes were filled with worry.

The Crown Prince hesitated and said, "According to the ancestral laws of our dynasty, even the reigning monarch cannot casually peruse the historical records. I fear this matter may not be appropriate."

Daoist Zhenye asked curiously, "Why would it be inappropriate?"

"This penniless daoist isn't a subject of Great Liang, so why should these rules apply to this penniless daoist?"

Daoist Zhenye smiled. "Besides, it is just this penniless daoist alone, merely taking a look. Your Highness need not worry too much."

"If Your Highness refuses, then we'll have no choice but to continue discussing these matters of the quarries and such. Truth be told, such matters are tedious and exhausting, even this penniless daoist finds them tiresome."

Daoist Zhenye sighed, as if he truly found it bothersome.

The Crown Prince’s expression was complicated. After thinking for a moment, he finally nodded.

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