Chapter 390.2: Passing the Torch - Part 2

Chapter 390.2: Passing the Torch - Part 2

"Great General, we've arrived."

The carriage quickly arrived in front of the imperial city, and Xu Ansheng gently pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a slow stop.

The Great General stepped out of the carriage, and waiting for him was not someone else, but Li Heng.

This was Li Heng, the chief steward of the inner-palace, His Majesty the Emperor's most trusted eunuch, personally waiting here for the Great General.

Upon seeing the Great General, Li Heng smiled slightly and said softly, "Before the ceremony, His Majesty has a few words he wishes to speak with Great General."

The Great General nodded. After the monarch and subject parted this time, they would not meet again. Wanting to have a conversation at this moment was reasonable.

Li Heng led the Great General forward, and soon they arrived at the White Dew Garden.

The Great Liang Emperor, dressed in imperial robes, was waiting there.

Just as the Great General was about to bow, the Emperor's voice quickly sounded, "Today, we are not monarch and subject. No need for formalities."

The Great General did not say anything and just straightened his body slightly.

The Great Liang Emperor turned around and said, "Before Ning Ping left, We also met him here."

The Great General smiled but remained silent.

The Great Liang Emperor said, "Although you and Us are monarch and subject, our meetings over these years have been limited, and there can't be said to be much camaraderie. Many have even suggested that We should replace you as the Great General of the Northern Frontier after ascending the throne. But We never acted on it. As for these past years, many in the court have submitted reports, accusing you of having too much influence in the Northern Frontier, saying that the soldiers in the Northern Frontier only recognize Great General and not Us. We have heard such talk far too often over the years."

The Great General chuckled, "A bunch of impoverished scholars."

The Great Liang Emperor also chuckled, "But without these people, entrusting the common people of the world to us martial artists might not go so well."

The Great General nodded, "This subject also admits that."

The Great Liang Emperor smiled, "So when We hear such nonsense, at most, it's just irksome to Us, and We didn't send it to the Northern Frontier to annoy you."

The Great General laughed, "Thank goodness it's Your Majesty. If it were someone else, this subject might have been demoted from this position long ago."

The Great Liang Emperor dismissed it with a smile.

After a moment of silence, the Great General suddenly asked, "Will Your Majesty be visiting the Northern Frontier frequently in the future?"

This was something that the entire Great Liang would want to know, but no one would dare to ask so openly in front of the Great Liang Emperor.

The Great Liang Emperor nodded, grunting in agreement without hiding anything.

"In that case, do remember to take care of your health. Your Majesty"

The Great General knew that advising would not sway this Emperor, so he only said this one sincere sentence.

The Great Liang Emperor did not speak, as if these two strongest martial artists in the world had originally intended to speak some heartfelt words, but now it seemed unnecessary.

The Great General spoke softly, "It's Great Liang's fortune to have Your Majesty."

The Great Liang Emperor said, "We wish to live a bit longer, and you too, to finish all the unfinished business."

His words did not quite make sense, but the Great General understood.

"This subject is old and can't accompany Your Majesty on the road ahead anymore."

The Great General chuckled self-deprecatingly, and his previously neatly combed hair seemed to have scattered inexplicably.

The Great Liang Emperor originally wanted to call for palace maids to redo the Great General's hair, but the Great General waved it off, saying, "Old is old, let it be. Whether it's dignified or not, who dares to say that this Great General is not dignified?"

The Great Liang Emperor smiled, expressing his agreement.

The officials had been waiting in the square for quite some time. The square, which had been destroyed by Chen Chao and Lu Chu before, had been repaired day and night by artisans from the Ministry of Works over the past few days. Now it was restored to its original state. However, as Chen Chao stood in the line of court officials, looking at the square, he could not help but feel moved.

The Great General suddenly shouted, "Commander Chen, can you send this old man off!"

His voice was loud enough for all the officials to hear.

Countless gazes then fell upon this young military official.

"It's against etiquette!" A court official said softly.

But soon someone else said, "Today, there have already been too many breaches of etiquette. What harm is there in one more?"

Indeed, whether was it the Great General and His Majesty the Emperor walking side by side, or the Emperor's words afterward, they all went against etiquette. But at this moment, everyone seemed to understand the underlying message. Perhaps the reason His Majesty acted this way was to convey a message to the world: my dynasty's martial artists are not to be looked down upon, and those who have achieved merit must be treated with respect.

Chen Chao was taken aback for a moment, then left the ranks of officials and walked towards the Great General in large strides.

Ignoring the surrounding gazes, this young military official approached the Great General's side. This time, he did not maintain half a step behind him.

There was the precedent of His Majesty and the Great General walking side by side, and now, there was him walking side by side with the Great General.

The Great General smiled, "After today, there may be more troubles ahead. Are you not afraid?"

Chen Chao laughed confidently, "Since Great General has invited me, there's no reason to refuse. This lowly official doesn't fear trouble. This lowly official will probably have no lack of trouble in this lifetime."

The Great General continued forward slowly, the smile on his face undiminished. "Today's farewell is different from our previous meeting. Today, this old man will just treat you as an outstanding young martial artist, escorting this old martial artist on his way, ensuring that this old man can leave comfortably. Rather than having all those lousy scholars behind me."

Chen Chao nodded and said, "There are indeed quite a few."

The Great General said, "This old man has never liked these guys, and after hearing His Majesty's words, I like them even less. It's thanks to you and His Majesty that this bunch came to send this old man off. Aren't you two genuinely exasperating this old man?"

Chen Chao smiled bitterly and apologetically.

"Luckily, with you around, it's still somewhat interesting."

The Great General chuckled, "See this official robe on me? What are your thoughts?"

Chen Chao shook his head and replied honestly, "This lowly official hasn't thought about these things."

The Great General asked curiously, "So, are you just going to look at that seat then?"

Chen Chao smiled wryly, "Great General, don't joke about such things."

The Great General burst into hearty laughter, genuinely feeling a sense of liberation.

The officials behind them could not hear the conversation between the two martial artists, but the Great General's hearty laughter was clear to everyone at this moment.

The Great General smiled, "It doesn't matter whether you become a military official like this old man or not. As long as you become a pure martial artist, that's enough."

Chen Chao nodded his head.

The two soon arrived at the city gate. The Great General who had his body straightened like a rod was now gradually stooping, his official robe dragging on the ground. Glancing at it, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I've really grown old."

Then, the Great General turned around, looking towards the north with a complex expression.

Chen Chao knew he was not looking at the imperial city but at the Northern Frontier, further beyond the North, towards the desolate north even beyond that, the Onan River.

Chen Chao stood silently.

The Great General turned his head, standing at the city gate. He opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.

After a long while, the Great General expressed some annoyance, "This official robe isn't suitable for traveling."

Taking a few slow steps forward, he walked alone.

Chen Chao stood behind him and called out loudly, "Martial Artist Chen Chao, respectfully sends senior off!"

The Great General waved his hand without turning back.