Chapter 19: The World Martial Arts Rankings

“What else is there?”

Zhang Gui raised an eyebrow, sniffing the faint scent of blood in the courtyard. His deep gaze drifted toward the medicinal field in the courtyard, which had been partially renovated and stood slightly higher than before.

Just moments ago, someone had died.

It was the smell of human blood.

“It’s nothing.”

“Just a little eunuch who insisted I stole something of his. He punched me twice, and then he ended up dying himself.”

Seeing it was indeed Zhang Gui, Su Chen responded.

He was telling the truth.

Hadn't Eunuch Wuchen come up to punch him, only to have poison enter his lungs and kill him instantly?

Hearing that it was just an ordinary eunuch, Zhang Gui didn't pay much attention. He was a man who killed like grass, with thousands of lives on his hands. He simply never imagined that this so-called little eunuch was of the same rank as him—a Deputy Chief Eunuch, the peak Third-Rank Eunuch Wuchen.

Now, there would once again be a new eunuch rising through the ranks of the Imperial Palace.

“What did Emperor Jianwu discuss when he summoned the five Great Chief Eunuchs?” Su Chen asked.

“The World Martial Ranking. It’s feasible.”

“I’ll take this assignment!” Zhang Gui said succinctly.

He held a paranoid hatred for the Great Liang. Even though the old Emperor was dead, he still desired to wield power, to become the number one Purple-Robed Supervisor, to stir the winds and clouds of the world and wreak havoc upon the lands of Great Liang.

Looking at the coldness lurking deep within Zhang Gui's eyes, Su Chen felt a sense of unease. He had a vague feeling that Zhang Gui's departure from the palace to enter the martial world would inevitably serve as the prologue to great chaos under heaven.

With such a golden opportunity, if he didn't seize assets and exterminate clans, driving the great martial sects to resent the Imperial Court, he would truly be unworthy of the opportunity Emperor Jianwu had granted him.

“Can I decline?”

The response to Su Chen was the resoluteness in Zhang Gui's eyes amidst a heavy silence.

“I will write to you.”

As if not wanting to give Su Chen a chance to say more, Zhang Gui finished speaking and, clad in robes as red as fire, prepared to leave.

Watching the departing Zhang Gui, Su Chen remembered something. As Xu Xiaohan came running up, Su Chen looked up toward the direction of the Golden Throne Hall and suddenly asked aloud

“Is the old Emperor of Tianwu truly dead?”

Zhang Gui's figure seemed to freeze abruptly, but he quickly moved away.

As expected.

Su Chen's heart sank heavily.

His ominous suspicions grew increasingly intense.

Rumor had it that six months ago, even among the two White-Clad Dragon Princes who died during the massacre by the Martial Guards, one had survived. Was it possible that the old Emperor of Tianwu, whose corpse had never been seen, was still alive...?

In this world where demons and monsters appeared and various mystical arts were abundant—where even heart-transplantation techniques existed—faking one's death to escape was not impossible.

Zhang Gui must know many secrets.

Unfortunately.

He was unwilling to speak.

“Master Su, what did you mean by that just now...” Xu Xiaohan spoke with a trembling voice.

The old Emperor of Tianwu wasn't dead?

“Just a guess. Don't take it seriously,” Su Chen chuckled, brushing it off.

...

Time flew like a shuttle.

In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.

The twenty-fifth year of Tianwu.

No!

It should be said

The first month of the first year of Jianwu.

The Fifth Prince, this Emperor Jianwu, had been the true legitimate son who received the White-Clad Dragon Robe during the era of the old Emperor. With the recognition of the Tianwu Tower, he had effectively been the Crown Prince.

However, the old Emperor had been erratic, bestowing three sets of White Dragon Crown Prince Robes at once.

From the first month of the first year, Emperor Jianwu stepped into the Tianwu Tower alone. After receiving the recognition of the many First-Rank experts and the legacy of successive dynasties within the tower, the decree for the Dragon Throne was immediately spread throughout the Great Liang.

The entire nation celebrated!

The era name was also officially changed to the Jianwu era in that first month.

Emperor Jianwu governed with diligence, selecting virtuous ministers, winning over generals, and stabilizing the nobility. For a time, the new dynasty brought a fresh atmosphere, showing actual signs of a Great Liang revival.

The once-mad Consort Liang became Empress Dowager Liang. Many of the eunuchs and palace maids who had served her in the Cold Palace were ordered to commit suicide.

Many other eunuchs were also caught in the fallout.

In the Imperial Palace, a new batch of eunuch officials was promoted, and a new group of eunuchs entered the palace.

However, none of this could disturb Su Chen's tranquility.

“Master Su, you gave His Majesty the brilliant strategy of the World Martial Ranking, yet he only gave you the empty title of a Red-Robed Supervisor. This is somewhat...”

Xu Xiaohan was now twenty years old.

He was venting his indignation for Su Chen in the Library.

This was a world of cultivators.

Even the Purple-Robed Number One Supervisor, with his white-haired youth appearance, had personally intervened and still failed to guide Su Chen onto the path of cultivation. Even Emperor Jianwu showed no intention of employing Su Chen heavily again.

This suited Su Chen perfectly.

Inside the Library.

After nearly a year of adjustments, the first-floor courtyard was once again filled with exotic flowers and strange herbs. A charming fragrance, laced with potent toxicity, permeated the entire Library.

After finishing lunch, Su Chen glanced at the chattering Xu Xiaohan and gave a reminder.

“It’s time for you to leave.”

It was out of kindness. If he stayed much longer, Xu Xiaohan, who had just reached the Fourth Rank, would begin to show signs of poisoning. At that point, Su Chen would have to trouble himself with medicine to save him, which was too much hassle.

After Xu Xiaohan left.

Su Chen unfolded the letter in his hand. This was a letter from Zhang Gui, the Director of the Eastern Depot.

Zhang Gui had said he would write, and indeed, letters arrived through wind and rain every month, two per month.

In just one short year, the World Martial Ranking—designed to scout First-Rank experts from the martial world—had been successfully established. It was quite effective, having successfully turned the three great martial sects against one another.

At the same time, the Director of the Eastern Depot, while searching for rare treasures, ancient texts, and secret medicines for Emperor Jianwu, traveled through the nine prefectures, and had also conducted many clan exterminations! Vaguely, there were signs that he might replace the current Purple-Robed Number One Supervisor and obtain the title of "The Nine-Thousand-Year-Old."

“Zhang Gui has reached the Second Rank!”

“Just last night, he was officially enfeoffed as the Grand Chamberlain! Controlling the Martial Affairs Bureau, his Eastern Depot will henceforth have a continuous stream of fresh strength.”

“A Second-Rank expert at twenty-five! Emperor Jianwu will value him even more.”

“Not just value him.”

“He will likely also fear him!”

“However, before clearing the hidden dangers left by the old and deposed Emperors, Emperor Jianwu will not move against Zhang Gui. After all, he is a blade that the Emperor deliberately forged...”

Su Chen glanced at the contents and casually tossed the letter into the bamboo basket by his feet. The basket was packed with letters, numbering in the dozens.

Su Chen had not replied to a single one of the dozens of letters, mainly because he didn't know what to say.

Emperor Jianwu was very capable.

Not only was he diligent in state affairs, reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study until late at night, but to win over officials, he also took concubines every month, working exceptionally hard in the inner palace to sow his seeds.

The twelfth month of the first year of Jianwu.

Winter!

Heavy snow fell.

Silver covered the entire Imperial City.

The first prince was born.

Then, a princess was born.

Emperor Jianwu issued a general amnesty. Not just the palace, but the entire Imperial City was in celebration.

Even in the Library, Su Chen could feel the joy. Looking toward the distant palace, he could faintly see many ministers, generals, and nobles offering congratulations to Emperor Jianwu at banquets.

The snow fell harder.

During this year, Su Chen had been continuously practicing the "Thunderous Body Tempering" in his courtyard. After one complete set, fifty-four thunderous cracks erupted from his entire body.

“Two years of cultivation, fifty-four thunderous cracks... I am likely at the middle stage of the Bone-Tempering Realm.”

It had been a long time since he had fought.

Su Chen wasn't sure exactly how strong he was now.

Perhaps, with a flick of his finger, he could kill a weak Third-Rank expert. It was possible.

“Nothing good happens before the end of the snowy year. I wonder how this year will turn out?”

As Su Chen was thinking.

In the next moment.

A group of riders galloped furiously into the Imperial City, heading straight for the Golden Throne Hall.

“Report!”

“Nanyang Prefecture has rebelled!”