Chapter 567: Listen, There's Thunder in the Distance

Chapter 567: Listen, There's Thunder in the Distance

Qi Yuanjia tilted his head back and drank another cup of wine, then smiled at Chen Chao. "Before you arrived, I had already heard of your name. Originally, I thought about challenging you to a spar. But looking at it now, I won't bother inviting trouble for myself."

Qi Yuanjia's straightforwardness surprised Chen Chao, who also smiled and said, "I'm injured right now, so I'm not willing to fight either."

Qi Yuanjia asked straightforwardly, "Is Commander Chen planning to stay in the Northern Frontier?"

Chen Chao was stunned, but quickly understood the implied meaning behind those words. If he stayed in the Northern Frontier, it would mean he was setting his sights on the position of Great General. Having killed Yuan Ling, Chen Chao had already gained a modest level of prestige within the frontier army. If he stayed on and led troops, familiarized himself with military operations, and accumulated some military achievements, it would not be long before some people would begin to see him as part of the Northern Frontier Army and perhaps even consider him a potential candidate for the position of Great General.

It was not an impossibility, especially since the current Great General was also the Lord Warden Commander. Naturally, he would show preferential treatment for his old subordinate, which could indeed pave the way for Chen Chao to become the Great General of Great Liang's Northern Frontier in the future.

They even wondered if this might be His Majesty the Emperor's intention.

When the previous Great General retired, the Lord Warden Commander had been sent from the Divine Capital to take over the role, but that was a last resort. The Northern Frontier never fully accepted the idea of military authority in the Northern Frontier Army falling into the hands of anyone outside their own ranks.

Chen Chao smiled and said, "For now, I'm naturally returning to the Divine Capital. As for whether I'll come back in the future, it's hard to say. After all, as an official of Great Liang, no one can go against the will of the imperial court."

Qi Yuanjia smiled in return, "Commander Chen, there's no need for such roundabout words. I'm being straightforward. I just wanted to tell Commander Chen that from the time I joined the army, I've had aspirations for the position of Great General. Even if you intend to compete for it, I'll gladly accompany you to the end, and we can have a fair fight."

Chen Chao gave a bitter smile and said, "I have no such intentions."

While the future was uncertain, Chen Chao personally did not desire to be the Great General of the Northern Frontier. Killing demons was one thing, but if he were truly asked to lead the entire Northern Frontier Army into battle, Chen Chao felt that he did not have this ability.

Qi Yuanjia smiled without saying anything more. After toasting one last time, he turned and left, but not to return to his seat, but straight out of the banquet.

Watching his back view, Chen Chao could not help but feel rather emotional. At the very least, this man was considered forthright.

After a few more drinks, just as Chen Chao was about to leave, Gao Xuan arrived at his side.

He was the second young man to approach Chen Chao tonight.

Like Qi Yuanjia, Gao Xuan was also a rather well-known figure among the younger generation in the Northern Frontier.

Chen Chao knew Gao Xuan, because he had seen him leave Coldgate Pass alongside Xie Nandu.

Gao Xuan smiled and said, "A toast to Commander Chen."

He raised his cup and continued with a smile, "During this journey up north, Commander Chen displayed the might of Great Liang. Gao Xuan knows that in my lifetime, I'll never achieve such feats, so I'm here to toast to you, Commander Chen."

Chen Chao raised his cup and said, "I've heard that General Gao is very skilled in leading troops. Perhaps one day you'll be riding into the demon race's royal city on horseback. When that happens, it'll be this official's turn to offer you a toast."

Gao Xuan sighed, "Though it's something I dream of, who knows if I'll ever get the chance."

"I've heard that Commander Chen has seen the demon race's royal city. Could you tell me what it's like?"

As a general of the Northern Frontier, Gao Xuan's greatest interest naturally lay in the destruction of the demon race. He was particularly curious about the fabled royal city of the demon race.

Chen Chao said with vicissitudes of emotion, "I didn't expect that Your Excellency still holds on to old sentiments. If people found out about this, it might invite a lot of criticism."

Neither Xie Nandu nor Chen Chao were part of the Northern Frontier Army, so they technically were not qualified to access such information. If word got out, it would naturally lead to controversy.

"So keep that mouth of yours in check and don't go blabbing," the Lord Warden Commander rubbed his head.

Chen Chao chuckled, "Of course, since Your Excellency is giving this face, this lowly official will treasure it."

The Lord Warden Commander was expressionless. "When did this official say that I'm letting her read the records on the account of your face??"

Chen Chao was taken aback.

"Before His Majesty headed north, he already said that she could do whatever she wished."

The Lord Warden Commander glanced at Chen Chao, muttering, "This official initially thought His Majesty had you in mind as the next Great General, but it turns out there's someone else."

Chen Chao asked in puzzlement, "Her? Can a woman really convince the masses?"

Xie Nandu had the ambition to head north, and this was no longer a secret. At least among them, it was not considered a secret anymore. However, for a woman to truly serve as the Great General of the Northern Frontier, it would still be very difficult.

The Lord Warden said in annoyance, "You're talking about the future, what are you worrying about now?"

"Isn't this just planning ahead?" Chen Chao glanced at Xie Nandu, who was fully absorbed in the records, and sighed, "A female Northern Frontier Great General would be one of a kind."

"Don't act like you’re not benefiting from this. Isn't she still your wife?"

The Lord Warden snapped angrily, "This official just can't understand, why does she like you?"

Chen Chao responded matter-of-factly, "Do you think there's anyone better among the young men in this Great Liang?"

"Indeed, there isn't. But I still feel the two of you don't quite match, and that girl doesn't seem like someone who cares about matters between men and women."

"Your Excellency, what you're saying makes no sense. When we're alone together, how do you know what she's like?"

Chen Chao grinned.

The Lord Warden gave Chen Chao a smack on the head. Seeing the somewhat resentful look in Chen Chao's eyes, he said seriously, "Going to tell you something, so prepare yourself."

Chen Chao looked at the Lord Warden with some confusion.

The Lord Warden looked at Chen Chao and said, "Before His Majesty left the Northern Frontier Great Wall, he told this official about your relationship with him."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chao fell silent.