Chapter 950.2: People's Hearts - Part 2

Chen Chao knew what he wanted to ask and said calmly, “In the previous dynasty, an agreement was signed with the demon race, giving them offerings every year - that is, living people - in exchange for peace. But there are two problems here. First, do those who are used as human sacrifices deserve to die?" "Of course, whether they die that way or die fighting the demon race, death is still death. It seems there is no difference. Both are using the deaths of some to exchange for peace, but is it really the same? That brings us to the second problem. Living in such humiliation, can one truly live at ease?”

“The common people have some sayings that may sound crude, but the reasoning is sound: a tree fights for its bark, a person lives for a breath of dignity. Where is that breath?”

Chen Chao tapped the table. “All of you are cultivators. If one day you were oppressed and driven around by another sect, would you just accept it?”

At this point, the table fell completely silent.

Hai Qing suddenly said, “Enough. No matter how my elders try to stop me, I’m going to the Northern Frontier!”

Chen Chao gave a self-mocking smile. “I’ve had too much to drink, just talking nonsense. No need to take it seriously.”

After saying this, Chen Chao stood up to take his leave.

He hoisted Xu Yin onto his back and left the small courtyard with He Liang.

It was already late at night. Fortunately, a bright moon hung high in the sky, so the road ahead was still visible.

But just after stepping out of the courtyard, footsteps sounded behind them. Huang Ying came after them with a lantern and smiled, “Let me see Fellow Daoist off?”

Chen Chao turned to look at her, thought for a moment, and did not refuse.

Thus, the three of them walked side by side.

After a few steps, Huang Ying suddenly asked, “Fellow Daoist Chen, you must have been to the desolate north, right?”

Chen Chao glanced at her and said calmly, “You could say that.”

“Then does Fellow Daoist hold an official post in the imperial court?”

Huang Ying seemed to realize that the question was somewhat abrupt, so she quickly added, “Listening to the way Fellow Daoist spoke just now, there was a bit of an official tone.”

Chen Chao gave a self-mocking smile. “Thought I was being careful enough, but you still picked up on it?”

Huang Ying smiled. “Don’t worry, aside from me, those few probably wouldn’t be able to tell.”

Chen Chao nodded. “I hold a minor official post, nothing high-ranking.”

Huang Ying let out an “oh,” then asked curiously, “Nowadays, even an official as important as the Lord Warden Commander can be described as ‘nothing high-ranking’?”

Chen Chao looked at Huang Ying, who wore a proud expression.

“Since Fellow Daoist Huang has already figured it out, why keep teasing this official?”

Chen Chao carried Xu Yin on his back. Unfortunately, the man was already dead drunk. Otherwise, hearing this, who knew how shocked he would be.

“But Lord Warden Commander, rest assured, they definitely don’t know. I once went to the Divine Capital and saw your portrait among the many displayed throughout the streets. But outside the Divine Capital, the portraits circulating in the world don’t capture even a trace of Lord Warden Commander's bearing.”

Huang Ying narrowed her eyes. “Since we've truly shared a drink with Lord Warden Commander, then they’ll definitely have to make a trip to the Northern Frontier.”

Chen Chao shook his head. “Just words said in jest. No need to take them seriously. And please, Fellow Daoist Huang, do not tell them about this.”

Huang Ying nodded, then suddenly said with vicissitudes of emotion, “People outside say the Lord Warden Commander has a terrible temper. But after meeting you today, I see it’s all just rumors.”

Chen Chao smiled without speaking. He had never cared about rumors in this world. It is what it is, there was no need to dwell on it.

They soon arrived outside the inn. Huang Ying stopped and said with a smile, “I still have a question I’d like to ask Lord Warden Commander.”

Chen Chao nodded. “Please go ahead, Fellow Daoist Huang.”

“If one day, the court can no longer hold that Great Wall, what then?”

Huang Ying looked at Chen Chao, her gaze intense.

Chen Chao shook his head.

Huang Ying seemed somewhat disappointed.

Chen Chao said calmly with a smile, “If that day truly comes, this official would definitely have already died before it arrived. This official has no way to answer that question.”

Huang Ying murmured, “For a martial artist with such boundless prospects as Lord Warden Commander, would you really be willing to throw your life away there?”

Chen Chao smiled. “If they can die, why can’t this official?”

Huang Ying froze for a moment, then cupped her hands, turned, and walked away with her lantern.

Chen Chao stood where he was, watching as that lantern grew farther and farther away.

......

......

The next day, after Xu Yin woke up from his drunken stupor, he rambled on for quite a while, saying why hadn’t you stopped me from drinking less last night. In the end, he hadn’t even gotten to see Miss Huang’s drunken appearance, what a huge loss.

Chen Chao did not know whether to laugh or cry. “You really just wanted to see Miss Huang drunk?”

Xu Yin rubbed his head and scoffed. “What else? What kind of person do you take this Xu for? Even if I truly liked Fellow Daoist Huang, I would definitely express it when she’s sober. Taking advantage while she’s drunk, that’s despicable behavior!”

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes. He had somewhat underestimated this fellow.

Xu Yin sighed. “But if Fellow Daoist Huang got drunk and insisted on leaning into my arms, that wouldn’t be a problem either.”

The corners of Chen Chao's mouth twitched, somewhat speechless.

He Liang still looked confused. How did his master’s friend change his tone so quickly?

After that, Xu Yin said he had arranged to go up the mountain together with those people and asked Chen Chao if he wanted to join. Chen Chao shook his head and declined. Xu Yin felt some regret, assuming he had other matters to attend to, and did not press further.

The two left the inn and parted ways. Chen Chao took He Liang toward Blue Moon Mountain, moving at a faster pace.

Today was the day of Blue Moon Mountain’s ceremony. Not having gone there earlier was already a breach of etiquette. If he only arrived after the ceremony had begun, it would be even more improper.

So after leaving the small town, Chen Chao grabbed He Liang and vanished from the spot. When they reappeared, they were already at the foot of the mountain.

After steadying himself, He Liang immediately turned his head and began vomiting wildly. Chen Chao smiled awkwardly. Traveling too fast, he had not properly considered his disciple.

But vomiting like this right at someone else’s mountain pass gates was truly improper. Just as Chen Chao was about to say something, the disciples guarding the mountain noticed them. They were two female cultivators. After frowning slightly, one of them was about to speak, but the other tugged at her sleeve and shook her head. The female cultivator walked over, and before she could speak, Chen Chao said apologetically, “Sorry, my disciple caught a cold and couldn’t hold it in...”

Seeing how polite Chen Chao was, the female cultivator shook her head and smiled. “It’s fine. As long as it wasn’t on purpose, it’s not a problem.”

“Is Fellow Daoist here to attend the ceremony too? Do you have an invitation? If not, you’ll need to wait for a while.”

The ceremony had not yet begun. Those without invitations could only wait at the foot of the mountain. At this moment, only those with invitations could go up.

“I should have an invitation, but I didn’t bring it with me. Waiting here for a bit is fine.”

This trip had been a last-minute decision for Chen Chao. The invitation was still at the Lord Warden Commander’s office in the Divine Capital and had not been delivered to him.

The female cultivator nodded and was just about to speak when her junior sister tugged at her sleeve again. She paused, then followed her gaze.

On the mountain path, several figures appeared; all women.

Moreover, their status in Blue Moon Mountain could be considered quite high.

Leading them was that Aunt Gan.

The graceful woman quickly descended the mountain, arrived at the gate, and gave a respectful greeting, somewhat complaining, “I thought the Lord Warden Commander wouldn’t even give this old lady this bit of face.”

Chen Chao smiled slightly, a bit embarrassed. “Too busy, too busy. But fortunately, made it in time, right? Aunt Gan, you mustn’t pick on this official.”

Aunt Gan clicked her tongue. “Still saying 'this official', how distant, how very distant!”

While Aunt Gan spoke freely, the two female cultivators guarding the mountain were stunned on the spot. This young man in front of them was that Lord Warden Commander?

He didn’t look like he had three heads and six arms at all as legends say.