Chapter 101: Letter and the Saintess

Chen Chao had already been gone for several days, but Xie Nandu did not pay much attention to it. She only occasionally looked at the pile of books that she had left behind without anyone to continue reading them. Only then, would she feel a bit uncomfortable. It was just that the emotions were very faint and did not affect her much.

Wei Xu came to the courtyard today and the maid Liu Ye knew that this seemingly ordinary scholar in front of her had an extraordinary status, so she hurriedly went to prepare tea to serve the guest.

But Wei Xu waved his hand to interrupt and just handed two letters to Xie Nandu. He said in a strange tone, "Teacher already knows that the junior sister wants to study swordsmanship."

When he spoke, he was actually a bit puzzled. He had already instructed Xie Nandu not to tell Teacher about this matter, but he did not expect that their teacher already knew. Today, he received a letter from the North and was just about to bring it to Xie Nandu, but he did not expect Teacher to also take out a letter and asked him to bring it together.

The letters were written by the same person and he probably knew why there were two letters

Xie Nandu shook her head and said, "I didn't tell Teacher."

Wei Xu thought for a moment and understood, "Since we are in the academy, there is nothing that Teacher doesn't know."

In the academy, the dean was actually akin to a god.

"Since Teacher didn't stop Junior Sister and even wrote a letter to ask that junior brother to reply to you, it should be considered as acquiescence. If Junior Sister has time, you can try cultivating. I presume that with Junior Sister's comprehension ability and that junior brother's letter, there shouldn't be any major problems."

After Wei Xu finished speaking, he turned and was about to leave.

Xie Nandu suddenly spoke up and asked, "Senior Brother, there's a rumor about the library being haunted by a ghost that's circulating in the academy now, does Senior Brother know the inside story?"

Normally, Xie Nandu would not have cared about such things, but the rumor about the haunting had started on the day she read the sword cultivation technique in the library, which piqued her curiosity.

Wei Xu frowned and, surprisingly, seemed displeased as he said "This haunting is utter nonsense. We are all scholars of the Great Liang Dynasty, why would we believe in ghosts and gods? Even if the spirits of the dead wander after death, how could they do evil?"

The most obvious difference between the Great Liang Dynasty and the previous dynasty was that the Great Liang Dynasty did not believe in ghosts and gods. Those small temples in the mountains and countryside were all abandoned during the Great Liang Dynasty.

Xie Nandu smiled and said softly, "Well, then there's nothing to worry about."

Wei Xu nodded with a smile and soon left.

After Wei Xu left, Xie Nandu lowered her head and opened one of the two letters. As soon as she opened it, a sword intent burst out, sharp and full of killing intent. Before Xie Nandu could react, her sleeves were shredded by sword intent again.

She took the letter out.

"I heard that Teacher has taken in a junior sister for us and I am overjoyed. I also know that little junior sister intends to explore the path of the sword. When I, this senior brother, read this letter, I'm truly happy and feel that my path isn't alone..."

When she opened the letter, the sword intent dissipated and was replaced with a sense of joy. Through the contents of the letter, one could imagine how happy that disciple of the dean, who was slaying demons in the northern frontier, must have been when he wrote the letter.

After the brief greeting and expression of joy, the letter went on to describe the precautions and insights on sword cultivation, as well as the many thoughts of the sword cultivator's comprehension on Sword Dao.

Xie Nandu quickly finished reading the letter and then opened the other letter.

That letter was from the dean, written to the disciple in the northern frontier, asking him to reply.

Presumably, it was more valuable than the letter Wei Xu wrote.

Song Lian glanced at him and casually said, "In recent days, many foreign cultivators have entered the Divine Capital. As the day approaches, more and more people have been coming. Today, some important figures will be arriving and the left guard has been ordered to escort them."

Chen Chao nodded and smiled, "In that case, this lowly official will go back and not delay your business, sir."

Song Lian was originally prepared to nod his head, but upon thinking, he changed his mind and smiled, "Brat, you're also the deputy commander of my left guard. Logically speaking, you should also take a look at how my Left Guard normally operates. If I, the commander, suddenly drop dead one day, you might be able to directly take over the Left Guard."

Chen Chao smiled and said, "Your Excellency, you're still in your prime. How could such a thing happen? But since Your Excellency has said so, this lowly official go and take a look with you today. Consider it an early experience."

Song Lian nodded and gave a signal to Weng Quan who had been waiting nearby. The latter understood and led a spirited white horse out. Chen Chao took the reins and mounted the horse, looking very natural.

Song Lian sat on his horse and watched with curiosity as he asked, "What? Have you ridden a horse before?"

Chen Chao shook his head. During his days as the warden in Tianqing County, he did not even have an office, let alone a horse. However, he had killed too many demons in the mountains and his body was tainted with some baleful energy. This white horse was spiritual and could sense it, so it did not dare to resist at this moment.

Song Lian originally just casually mentioned it and did not care when he saw that it was not the case either. He just waved his hand and headed towards the city gate.

As the commander, he naturally walked at the front, and Chen Chao, the deputy commanding officer, followed him, lagging behind a bit.

"Your Excellency, these foreign cultivators came to the capital, isn't it arranged by the Ministry of Rites? When did the Left Guard have to get involved too?"

Chen Chao sat on his horse, looking around, somewhat bored.

Song Lian calmly said, "What prestige can those weak scholars from the Ministry of Rites have among these foreign cultivators? It's true that it has always been the Ministry of Rites before, but in fact, there has always been a vice-chairman of the Heavenly Imperial Institution present. You know that person too, you've met him by the South Lake.."

Chen Chao nodded and soon remembered that vice-chairman who looked like a rich tycoon.

"It's still him today as usual, but among those who are coming to the Divine Capital this time, there's a young lady with a very important identity. Hmm, she should be a little girl. We always have to pay more attention to such things, otherwise, there will be big problems."

Song Lian smiled and said, "But, I presume that no one will do anything in the Divine Capital. After all, this is the capital of our Great Liang dynasty."

Chen Chao raised his eyebrows and said, "A little girl?"

"What kind of little girl?"

Song Lian frowned and said, "What are you thinking, kid? That Miss Xie treats you like this and you still have other ideas?"

Chen Chao said seriously, "Isn't that just an attitude of appreciation? Your Excellency, you're thinking too much."

Song Lian sneered and did not care, saying, "That little girl is the saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace, and she has a great reputation in the foreign lands. Do you know about the Myriad Heaven Palace?"

Chen Chao nodded his head.

The Infatuation Daoist Temple was one of the two major lineages of Daoism, and the Myriad Heaven Palace was the daoist leader of the other lineage. Since that little girl was the saintess, her status was extraordinary to begin with. It was also natural that the Great Liang Dynasty attached greater importance.

"Actually, we have another intention this time. The Infatuation Daoist Temple and the Great Liang Dynasty have never had much friendship, but the Myriad Heaven Palace is different. The imperial court is now showing more importance to the Myriad Heaven Palace. Perhaps we can gain another ally for the imperial court."

Song Lian said emotionally, "His Majesty the Emperor is probably thinking about these things every day. It is really difficult for His Majesty."

However, Chen Chao did not care and laughed, "As an emperor, what else would he worry about besides the world?"