Chapter 531: Waking Up, Downpour

Chapter 531: Awakening, Sudden Rain

The autumn dusk was not bleak; the astringent yellow sunlight was languid yet warm.

Liu Sheng, dressed casually and chuckling, looked just like an ordinary old man.

“Not bad, all the children in your Judgment are good.”

Liu Chudong showed a proud expression: “These were carefully selected by your granddaughter!”

Whether it was Chi Changle or Wang Kong, both were personally chosen and invited into Judgment by Liu Chudong.

At that moment, Liu Sheng raised an eyebrow and said casually, “What about that Qi Yuan from Ning? Why isn’t he here?”

Liu Sheng had a guess in his mind.

How could this Qi Yuan from Ning appear so coincidentally?

He might have a special relationship with that revived Shenlin.

Liu Chudong then remembered something and muttered, “I don’t know if he’s back. Grandpa, let’s go to his courtyard.”

Liu Chudong led Liu Sheng toward Qi Yuan’s courtyard.

A soft knock sounded, and Chen Kangbao poked his head out, looking at the two with curiosity.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, the young master is back.” Chen Kangbao was eating a bun as usual.

“He’s back? My grandpa wants to see him.” Liu Chudong said as she tried to enter the courtyard.

Chen Kangbao stretched out his hand to block her: “The young master is sleeping. He ordered that no one is allowed in.”

“Sleeping?” Liu Chudong grew anxious at this. “Wake him up!”

Her grandpa rarely came in such a good mood—this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Who in the world wouldn’t want to meet a Divine Weapon Master and receive their guidance?

Chen Kangbao shook his head and said seriously, “The young master said not to disturb him.”

His gaze was firm as he stood in front of Liu Chudong.

Liu Chudong was angry: “If you delay something important, you—”

“The young master’s sleep is the important thing,” Chen Kangbao said bluntly.

At this, Liu Chudong fell silent.

She felt sorry for Qi Yuan.

Then Liu Sheng chuckled and said, “When will your young master wake up?”

“I don’t know,” Chen Kangbao shook his head.

Liu Chudong was even more speechless.

Liu Sheng glanced into the courtyard: “I have nothing to do; I’ll wait here.”

Hearing this, Liu Chudong’s eyes showed surprise and confusion.

Wait?

Grandpa is going to wait for Brother Qi to wake up?

Liu Chudong was utterly puzzled.

She certainly didn’t think it was because of her that her grandpa would wait.

Her grandpa was a Divine Weapon Master; even as his relative, she had to respect him.

He had his reasons for everything.

She lowered her head, pondering something, and waited earnestly.

From dusk until late night, Liu Chudong and Liu Sheng waited outside the courtyard.

The door to the room never opened. Liu Chudong looked puzzled: “Brother Qi still hasn’t woken up? When will he wake?”

Chen Kangbao shook his head: “I don’t know.”

“It’s fine, he’ll wake by morning at the latest. Grandpa, you…” Liu Chudong looked at Liu Sheng, afraid he might be angry.

After all, leaving a Divine Weapon Master outside half the night, or even all night—Brother Qi was truly unprecedented.

Liu Sheng smiled kindly, glanced at the room inside, and said, “No rush. I happen to have nothing to do now.”

Then Chen Kangbao said, “The young master might not wake by morning.”

“Ah?” Liu Chudong was stunned. “Is he injured? How can an ordinary person sleep so long?”

“Hmph, the young master is a god descended to earth. What of sleeping three thousand years?” Chen Kangbao said proudly.

Liu Chudong fell silent. This Chen Kangbao was indeed crazy.

Beside her, Liu Sheng squinted, as if thinking of something, studying Chen Kangbao’s eyes.

After a long while, he chuckled and said, “Such an amusing thing in this world. I’ll wait here for your young master to wake and see how many months he can sleep.”

…

A rain fell upon Linhai City.

Drizzling.

A wind blew, stirring up ripples.

In the tavern, the storyteller had white hair and beard, was short in stature, and wore clothes with six or seven patches, but the stitches were fine and dense.

He moistened his throat.

“It is said that on that day, snow fell in June. Five horses were positioned at the east, south, west, and north directions, and the courtesan was bound with ropes.

For slaying a prince, she was to suffer death by dismemberment!

But who would have thought—snow in June!”

Though old, the storyteller’s voice was loud and rhythmic.

The common folk in the tavern listened with varied expressions, some expectant.

At that moment, a young man in a Confucian robe lowered his head, a look of fear on his face: “Is this something we should be hearing?”

Though he had heard the story of the courtesan slaying the third prince with a sword since childhood.

But the Raksha Kingdom had long banned its spread.

Even if spread, it was only in private.

How could it be brought out in the open?

Even if this was Dingbo Prefecture!

“In the end, the God of Judgment descended, and the courtesan was acquitted!

Hmph, princes are no different from commoners before the law!” The old storyteller was spirited.

“Bravo!”

The diners in the tavern applauded in approval.

Suddenly, a diner lowered his head and said, “Have you heard? The Blood Cloud Bandits that plagued the land have been wiped out, and it was the God of Judgment who did the deed!”

“You must be from out of town—do you even need to ask? This news has spread through Linhai City long ago!”

“Heh heh, the God of Judgment… has returned!”

“He… has finally returned.” An old man in a tattered hemp jacket, sipping murky yellow wine, murmured.

“Like that brothel girl…”

On the other side, in a corner, an old woman in plain cloth sat; the tavern’s chatter reached her ears, and her face took on a look of reminiscence.

“I never thought that, looking back, a hundred and twenty years have passed.”

Though clad in coarse hemp, her unique bearing was undeniable; from the lines of her face and brows, one could tell she had been a beauty in her youth.

“Society Master, it’s been a century since Shenlin vanished, and at last we have waited for this.” The speaker was an old man with a limp.

He came from humble origins, his leg broken for refusing to kneel before a noble.

It was Shenlin who had restored justice to him.

It was Shenlin who had given him dignity.

And that old woman was the protagonist of “The Brothel Girl’s Sword Slays the Third Prince,” and also one of the two Vice Society Masters of the Judgment Society.

Apart from the Society Master and the one trapped in the royal capital, unable to escape,

the other Vice Society Master had to remain to oversee the Judgment Society.

This time, upon hearing news of Shenlin’s appearance in Linhai City, the old woman came in person.

Her aged, weathered face was full of anticipation.

“The Raksha Kingdom of today… cannot compare to those days.” The old woman spoke softly, her eyes filled with nostalgia.

When one grows old, one tends to dwell on the past.

But the old woman was not living in the past!

Rather… even though the court had long suppressed the Judgment Society and erased all traces of the God of Judgment’s existence,

among the people, tales of the God of Judgment and faith in Him had never ceased.

Many secretly worshipped Shenlin, hoping that one day He would reappear.

If all the court officials stood in a row and every other one was dragged out for beheading, some might be innocent, but among the rest, many would have blood on their hands.

The Raksha Kingdom of today—how could it still be the Raksha Kingdom of old?

To secure their position, the royal family would even cede cities!

To earn military merit, generals would cut off the heads of commoners! Sitting in a carriage, no need to go to a zoo—pull back the curtain, and the city’s people are all beasts of burden!

No, worse than beasts of burden—oxen and horses are far more precious!

In such a world, even if the Raksha Kingdom had seven gods ruling over it, aside from Dingbo Prefecture, the other thirteen prefectures saw hundreds of uprisings and rebellions every year.

If they could survive, if they could fill their bellies, why would those commoners “refuse to die quietly as starving corpses, and instead imitate the mantis that raises its arms against the chariot”?

As the saying goes, “Today we hail the Great Sage Sun, for the demonic mist has risen once more.”

“But… where is Shenlin now?” The old woman’s face showed hesitation.

Back then, when Shenlin fell, she gave up embroidery and painting, took up cultivation, became a Weapon Master, and joined the Judgment.

Now, traces of Shenlin have appeared.

In just ten days, the whole of Linhai City, even Liuye County, the entire Dingbo Prefecture, were bedecked with lanterns and bunting, joy on the faces of the people.

Many commoners began openly worshipping Shenlin.

And the officials of Dingbo Prefecture, at this moment, remained silent—a telling silence that seemed to confirm the reality all the more.

Shenlin… had truly returned!

Meanwhile, in the military camp’s main tent.

Prince Dingyuan paced back and forth, restless.

For a Divine-level Weapon Master to show such agitation was rare.

His face had long lost the composure of ten days ago.

After about a few dozen breaths, the Blood Hand Leader entered with head bowed, his expression respectful.

“How goes it?” Prince Dingyuan asked anxiously.

Ever since he secretly investigated the Blood Cloud Stronghold, he had been troubled and fearful.

“The Blood Cloud Bandits are destroyed, and the news of Shenlin’s descent has spread throughout Dingbo Prefecture—talk of the streets!”

“And the officials? What is their stance?” Prince Dingyuan asked.

“They ignore it, and even… fan the flames!” the Blood Hand Leader replied.

If there were no hidden hand behind it, how could the news of Shenlin’s descent have spread so quickly across Dingbo Prefecture?

Moreover, if this had happened in another prefecture, it would never have been allowed to circulate.

Now, with the officials’ attitude so ambiguous, what did it signify?

The officials of Dingbo Prefecture represented the Liu family!

“Old Liu has always been timid and cautious, yet this time he secretly pushes things forward… could it be…” Prince Dingyuan grew anxious, losing his former calm and composure.

“Where is Old Liu now?” Prince Dingyuan asked quickly, struck by a thought.

“He went to Linhai City ten days ago and hasn’t left; no one knows what he’s doing.”

“He’s stayed in Linhai City that long… that’s not like him.”

Prince Dingyuan was truly alarmed.

A terrifying suspicion took root in his heart.

Could it be… that Shenlin had truly revived?

Was Old Liu conspiring with Shenlin over something?

If so…

“What has happened here must be reported to His Majesty. I shall set out immediately for the capital!” Prince Dingyuan made his decision and spoke gravely.

Hearing this, the Blood Hand Leader’s expression shifted: “Your Highness, if you leave, what of the achievements in Dingbo Prefecture?”

Returning to the capital without summons would anger His Majesty.

The merits of Dingbo Prefecture would certainly have nothing to do with him.

All previous efforts would be wasted.

At this, Prince Dingyuan’s voice turned weary: “If I lose my life, what use are achievements?”

The Blood Hand Leader was both disappointed and astonished.

He had not expected the prince to be so cowardly.

“Shenlin is merely a divine artifact. Your Highness, remain in the camp and await the arrival of the royal emissary—you will be safe and worry-free!” the Blood Hand Leader urged.

He felt that the prince was also a divine-level weapon master, so why should he fear the God of Judgment?

Both were at the divine level—if he couldn't win, he could always flee, couldn't he?

The Prince of Dingyuan glanced at the Blood Hand leader and offered no further explanation: "You've never seen the God of Judgment; you simply don't know... what kind of existence He is!"

Back then, in Luofeng City, he had witnessed with his own eyes the divine presence repelling seven enemy forces.

That kind of power, that invincibility—the Prince of Dingyuan couldn't even muster the will to resist.

He... had truly achieved supremacy under heaven, an enemy from the heavens above!

"As for my return to the capital, do not leak it within three days, understand?"

The Prince of Dingyuan warned him, then vanished from sight.

Of course, before leaving, he placed a restraint on the Blood Hand leader: if his whereabouts were revealed within three days, the Blood Hand leader would explode and die.

Why three days? Because in three days, he would have already reached the capital.

Only by staying in the capital could he feel a shred of safety.

The divine presence had not truly manifested, yet a divine-level weapon master was frightened into flight.

...

"Half a month."

Outside the courtyard, Liu Chudong's figure appeared.

She looked at her grandfather sitting in the yard, a multitude of thoughts surging within her.

At first, she too had been puzzled by her grandfather's actions.

But later, when she learned that the divine presence had manifested and annihilated the Blood Cloud Bandits, a storm of shock erupted in her heart.

How could the timing be so coincidental?

She suddenly formed a guess in her mind.

It also became easy to understand why her grandfather, a divine-level weapon master, had been waiting outside all along.

Just then, suddenly, the sound of a door opening rang out.

A man in a white robe, radiant and jade-like, stepped out; his hair was dampened by the drizzle but not disheveled.

He stretched lazily, looked at everyone, and said languidly, "Morning!"

Seeing him, Liu Chudong's expression grew complex: "Brother Qi!"

"Young master!" Chen Kangbao's face lit up with joy.

Liu Sheng then rose, looked at Qi Yuan, a strange glint flickering in his eyes: "This old man, Liu Sheng, pays respects to the young master."

Qi Yuan swept a glance at Liu Sheng, showing no surprise, and nodded in acknowledgment.

He looked up at the sky, seeing the rain like a curtain of threads: "This rain is getting heavier; going out now... would be a real hardship."

"Brother Qi... you're leaving?" Liu Chudong was taken aback.

Leaving right after waking up.

A smile flickered in Qi Yuan's eyes: "Having slept enough, it's only natural to go out."

During the half-month of slumber, his divine presence persona had increased wildly.

It had reached a limit.

He had also received a new gift.

With his strength enhanced, new ideas naturally arose.

Why not take this chance to max out the divine presence persona?

Then he would need to traverse the entire Raksha Kingdom and head to the capital.

"Where does the young master intend to go?" Liu Sheng asked then.

"Well... leave Dingbo Prefecture, go to Xianle Prefecture, pass through Cuixian Prefecture, Longgu Prefecture... and finally reach the capital," Qi Yuan answered earnestly.

He had chosen a winding path.

This path cut across the twelve prefectures of the realm, taking the most circuitous route to the capital.

"The rain is rather heavy; this kind of weather is perfect for sleeping, but I've always been diligent. Even in the rain, when travel is hard, I still go out!" Qi Yuan said casually.

And then, Liu Sheng suddenly rose: "The rain is so heavy, with thunder and lightning, the horses might get spooked. This old man was once a groom; let me hold the reins and whip for the young master, to see you off on your journey, how about that?"

Liu Chudong, hearing this, changed expression sharply.

Hold the reins?

Her grandfather holding the reins for Brother Qi!

Though she knew Brother Qi might have a close relationship with that divine presence, that still didn't warrant her grandfather personally holding the reins, did it?

Qi Yuan looked at Liu Sheng, his gaze calm, and said flatly, "That works."

(End of this chapter)