“With the new emperor ascending the throne, all things are renewed.
Young Hero Chen, I am sure you can guess a bit of Her Majesty the Female Emperor's current situation. Within the court, deep-rooted veteran officials hold power; outside in the martial world, various factions harbor their own hidden motives.”
She paused, her gaze fixed straight on Chen Zui, her tone darkening slightly.
“Her Majesty does not wish to repeat the mistakes of the late emperor.
During his reign, the late emperor doted on demonic beasts, suppressed the martial world, weakened Confucianism, and allowed the succession struggle to escalate unchecked.
The court and the martial world, the Confucian scholars and the martial artists, were supposed to be the two pillars supporting Grand Zhao.
Yet they were forced onto two completely separate paths.
Scholars look down on martial artists, considering them crude.
Martial artists distrust scholars, deeming them treacherous.
Over time, when the imperial court faced trouble, the martial world stood by with folded arms.
When the martial world suffered, the imperial court kicked them while they were down.
This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue.”
She pointed toward the thread-using assassin leaning against a stone pillar outside the pavilion.
“Placing Ghost Gate Chamber under the court's service is the first gesture of sincerity Her Majesty has offered.
These people used to be Song Jinhe's private force, acknowledging only silver and no master.
Now, they belong to the court.
What Her Majesty wants is not to turn the martial world into a vassal of the imperial court, but to tear down the invisible wall between the two.”
She withdrew her hand and looked back at Chen Zui, her gaze earnest and solemn.
“Her Majesty has already issued a secret decree: all Martial Arts Grandmasters are permitted to participate in discussions of state affairs.
As appropriate, they may be granted titles and appointments in the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Works, standing alongside civil officials to govern the land of Grand Zhao together.
This is not an amnesty, nor is it an enlistment—it is an invitation.
Her Majesty wishes to invite the world's martial artists to sit at this table.”
When her words fell, a long silence settled over the pavilion.
Outside, the mountain stream gurgled softly. As the dusk deepened, the chirping of birds returning to their nests echoed through the maple forest.
Chen Zui remained silent for a long time. Raising his teacup, he drained the cold tea in a single gulp, then lifted his head to meet Lin Jianxi’s gaze.
“Sir, in waiting for me here, could it be that you want me to participate in state affairs and procure an official post for me as well?”
Lin Jianxi did not deny it.
She nodded, her tone candid and solemn.
“Precisely.
Furthermore, Her Majesty has heard of Young Hero Chen's deeds in Jinyang City.
Withstanding the self-detonation of a Boundless Realm master single-handedly, protecting thousands of lives.
Such immense benevolence and courage led Her Majesty to say herself that such a person should not remain merely a wandering Unaffiliated Wanderer in the martial world.”
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes sincere.
“Her Majesty promises that if Young Hero Chen is willing, the imperial court can assist you in founding a sect, allowing you to become a grandmaster whose name goes down in history.
If you do not mind, you could start by taking charge of Ghost Gate Chamber.
You have seen these men just now—each one is an exceptional talent picked from a hundred, and toward someone of your caliber, they will willingly submit.”
Founding a sect.
Taking charge of Ghost Gate Chamber.
These eight words, if uttered in the martial world, would be enough to make any martial artist's heart race.
What did Ghost Gate Chamber signify?
The number one assassin organization under the heavens.
The hidden blade Song Jinhe had spent decades forging.
Whoever took charge of Ghost Gate Chamber would become the new master of that blade.
For a youth in his early twenties, this was not just ascending to the heavens in a single step, but stepping directly above the clouds.
And yet.
Chen Zui shook his head.
He patted the wine gourd at his waist, the liquid sloshing inside with a crisp, clear sound.
Chen Zui laughed aloud.
“‘So long as there is wine and no troubles, every season is a fine time in the human world.’
“Sir, I truly am far too accustomed to a careless, wandering life.”
Uncorking the gourd, he tilted his head back and took a heavy gulp, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“To say something rather treasonous—the grand accomplishments of a thousand autumns, a century of fame and merit, or eternal renown that you all pursue... to me, none of it compares to the words 'freedom of one's true heart.'”
Having said this, his gaze drifted past the eave of the pavilion, sweeping over the layered maple woods in the deepening dusk, past the stream's bend where the sunset dyed the water a golden red, and across the final streak of evening glow hovering on the horizon, yet to sink completely.
“Look, Sir. The rivers, mountains, wind, and moon have no permanent master. The stream won't flow a bit faster because the emperor arrives, nor will the maple leaves fall a bit slower because the Grand Chancellor departs. Whoever has the leisure to stop and take a look is their master.”
He hung the wine gourd back at his waist and spread his hands.
“I only wish to be an idle person—carefree in the martial world, floating across the four seas. The imperial court's table is far too hard for me to sit at comfortably.”
The pavilion remained quiet for two breaths.
Lin Jianxi looked at his stubborn, immune-to-persuasion demeanor. She fell silent for a good while before gently shaking her head, a helpless smile rising at the corners of her mouth.
In that smile, there was a touch of regret, but also a sense of relief at an outcome she had anticipated.
“Before coming here, I already thought it likely that Young Hero Chen would refuse.”
She picked up her own long-cooled cup of tea, yet did not drink. She merely turned the cup slowly in her palm, her gaze falling upon the tiny reflection of dusk on the liquid's surface.
“I simply didn't expect to be turned down so decisively.”
She lifted her eyes to look back at Chen Zui, her gaze holding a rare frankness and curiosity.
“Truth be told, I have met many people in my time. Those who reject fame and wealth usually do so to fish for reputation. Those who reject power and position usually do so to wait for a higher price. But someone like Young Hero Chen, who pushes away all the doors without leaving even a single window cracked open...”
She softly set down her teacup.
“...is a first for me.”
Chen Zui smiled without speaking.
Lin Jianxi did not press the matter further either.
She was not the type to pester relentlessly.
This was her strength, as well as her terrifying aspect.
The rarest skill for a strategist is not persuading others, but knowing when to stop.
She stood up and adjusted the cuffs of her scholar's robe.
The movement was calm and elegant, identical to when she had raised her hand to turn back the enemy amidst surrounding killing intent moments ago.
“Since that is the case, I shall persuade you no further. However, there is one thing Young Hero Chen may keep in mind: what Her Majesty promises remains valid at any time. If you do not wish to found a sect today, should you change your mind in the future, the court's promise will still stand. This much, I can guarantee on Her Majesty's behalf.”
Chen Zui cupped his fists toward her in thanks.
He was well aware of the weight of this promise.
The golden words of an emperor, even if merely a secret decree, were enough to grant him an extra retreat in the martial world.
Though he felt he would likely never need it.
Lin Jianxi turned toward the stone steps of the pavilion and took a step, but her figure suddenly paused.
She turned back to face Chen Zui, the relaxed expression from before mostly fading away, replaced by a solemn seriousness.
“Since Young Hero Chen wishes to roam freely across the four seas, there is one matter I must ask of you.”
Chen Zui frowned slightly.
His hand lifting the wine gourd paused in midair as he looked up at Lin Jianxi.
Coming from Lin Jianxi's mouth, these words carried extraordinary weight.
She was Wen Zhuo's closed-door disciple, currently in control of Ghost Gate Chamber, and held the deep trust of the new emperor.
For someone like her, what could possibly require the help of an Unaffiliated Wanderer like him?
“Sir, you jest. You exhaust every scheme and strategize with perfection, toppling even the current Grand Chancellor. What could someone as idle as me possibly help you with?”
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