Chapter 249: New Arrangements

Sun Bingchen was in the palace for nearly three hours before he finally came out. During the three hours, Yan Liqiang, who had been staying in the servant quarter, understood one thing — the undercurrents in the Imperial Capital of the Great Han Empire were probably more intense than he had imagined.

He and Liang Yijie had just returned to the Imperial Capital yesterday. Today, someone in this servant quarter was already looking to duel Liang Yijie and him. This duel was most likely directed at Sun Bingchen. To some people, perhaps ordering The Banes of Heaven and Earth to kill the Crown Prince’s advisor in Hui Provincial City was still not a strong enough deterrent, given the fact that Sun Bingchen had eliminated the Ye Clan in Gan Province and displeased them. Therefore, one of Sun Bingchen’s personal attendants had to die. Only that could serve as an intimidation and a good lesson for Sun Bingchen.

Duels in the Arena of Life and Death were completely legal in the Imperial Capital. In fact, this tradition had been passed down for thousands of years. From distinguished high ranking officials to ordinary citizens, for anyone who found themselves in situations of love and hate that couldn’t be solved with the laws to the point where both parties were mutually exclusive like water and fire, the Arena of Life and Death became a place for many to publicly settle a dispute. Long ago, there were ministers from the imperial court who challenged each other to a duel in the Arena of Life and Death due to their difference in political views. However, this was later banned. Aside from that, guards and attendants like Yan Liqiang and Liang Yijie were not prohibited from dueling in the Arena of Life and Death.

As soon as Sun Bingchen came out from the palace, the guard on duty outside came into the servant quarter to inform Yan Liqiang and Liang Yijie. Both of them then left the servant quarter to escort Sun Bingchen back to his residence in Carriage Alley.

When they left the servant quarter, Yan Liqiang secretly thought to himself that the news about one of Sun Bingchen’s personal attendants being only a Martial Warrior would probably spread like wildfire in the Imperial Capital in less than two days.

By the time they returned to Sun Bingchen’s residence, the servants had just finished preparing lunch. After the three of them finished their lunch, Sun Bingchen summoned Yan Liqiang and Liang Yijie into his study at the same time.

“Yijie, I heard that Vice Minister Qu’s personal attendant, Xu Lang, challenged you to a duel in the servant quarter?” Sun Bingchen had a rather grave expression on his face.

“I didn’t expect you to have heard about it, sir. I was just going to tell you about that!”

“Of course I knew. As soon as I excused myself from His Majesty, someone already informed me about the incident in the servant quarter when I was still in the palace. The moment Xu Lang opened his mouth today, it was evident that he was trying to provoke you so that you would fall into his trap!” Sun Bingchen sighed again. “Although his behavior appears to be directed to you on the surface, it was directed to me in reality. You got involved because of me!”

Liang Yijie’s face was relatively calm instead. “The resentment between Xu Lang and I hasn’t been just a day or two. If it weren’t for our positions, I would have fallen him with my sword. We have never seen eye to eye with each other and Xu Lang is always after my life. Why would I not want to settle this once and for all with him? Now that an opportunity has presented itself, I shall accept it. It is not certain yet who is the one that has fallen into a trap!”

“You should be aware that over the past few months since our departure from the Imperial Capital, Xu Lang has been cultivating in seclusion. I heard that after he came out from seclusion, his cultivation significantly improved and isn’t far from the next advancement. Xu Lang’s provocation this time was definitely premeditated since long ago!”

“A duel of life and death is not as simple as comparing cultivation realms. A person’s judgment, situational responses, fighting spirit, and even luck are all extremely important factors. Since ancient times, the number of cases where a lower-ranked martial practitioner kills a higher-ranked one is too many to count, not to mention the fact that Xu Lang and I are on par in terms of cultivation. Even if he was a realm above me, I still wouldn’t be afraid of him!”

“Since I have already returned to the Imperial Capital, there is no need to worry about my personal safety. My battlefield lies in the imperial court, not outside. For the subsequent month, you should take a break from your work. I have nothing much for you anyway, so you can find a place to peacefully cultivate in seclusion and prepare yourself for the Arena of Life and Death!”

“Understood!” Liang Yijie cupped his fists to Sun Bingchen and didn’t decline. After accepting the challenge from Xu Lang, he definitely needed to go into seclusion for a period of time to prepare for this battle of life and death.

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“And Liqiang…” Sun Bingchen’s gaze suddenly fell on Yan Liqiang and the expression on his face immediately softened too. “There’s something I would like to discuss with you!”

“Go ahead, sir!” Yan Liqiang was secretly wondering what Sun Bingchen wanted to discuss with him.

“We were fortunate enough to have had your support during the journey from Gan Province this time, Liqiang. I indeed made the right choice in choosing you as my personal attendant back in Gan Province on that day!”

“You are flattering me, sir. These are all what Liqiang is supposed to do. Compared to how you eliminated a scourge for Gan Province and the citizens of Pingxi Prefecture, my contribution means little to nothing sir!”

“There’s no need to be humble, Liqiang. Even in the Imperial Capital, people who possess your abilities at your age are rare to come by!” Sun Bingchen waved his hand. “Admittedly, I chose you as my personal attendant in Pingxi City back then because of your abilities and personality, Liqiang. Most importantly, I still do not wish for you to be overlooked in Pingxi City. In the few days after leaving Hui Province, I thought that I shouldn’t make you stay around after we arrived at the Imperial Capital. At your age, this is the time to properly cultivate your abilities. Making you stay by my side might seem as though you are being regarded highly, but it will tarry you in the long run…”

Yan Liqiang was taken aback by Sun Bingchen’s words. He was actually hesitant about requesting for a leave of absence from Sun Bingchen at this moment. Little did he expect for Sun Bingchen to actually be thinking further ahead of him. “Please don’t say that, sir. I have learned a lot while staying by your side too!”

“Haha, never mind about learning those social niceties, worldly wisdom, and gibberish in the bureaucracy, Liqiang. Given how bright you are, you will naturally pick up those things when the time comes without needing to learn from me. In this world that advocates martial arts, one still needs to rely on their strength and cultivation in order to stand above everyone and become the country’s pillar. By the time Liqiang achieves the strength and cultivation, everything else will come too! You are only fifteen years of age and still young. If you can focus on cultivating for five or ten years and elevate your cultivation realms by a few more levels, brilliant prospects will naturally follow! By then, all the fame, glory, wealth, and honor will be at your fingertips!” Sun Bingchen stroked his beard and told Yan Liqiang this with a smile.

“Sir, what are you trying to say…”

“I have arranged for a more suitable position for your current situation, Liqiang. You will be stationed at the Deer Villa in the western outskirts of the Imperial Capital…”

Upon hearing that Sun Bingchen was going to assign Yan Liqiang to the Deer Villa, Liang Yijie shot him a surprised look. However, he didn’t make any further comments.

Yan Liqiang was scratching his head rather cluelessly. “Sir… where is this Deer Villa you speak of…?”

“The Deer Villa is another manor owned by royalty in the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. His Majesty used to practice archery and martial arts there when he was still young. He now rarely visits the Deer Villa, so it is usually very quiet there. There aren’t many officers there either, so disturbances are minimal and it is ideal for Liqiang to cultivate in peace. As my personal attendant, by right you should be assigned to the Imperial Cavalry Unit which just happens to be stationed at the Deer Villa. Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable for Liqiang to become a guard at the Deer Villa. You may pack your belongings tonight. From tomorrow onward, you will be released from your duty as my personal attendant and will report to the Deer Villa…”

“Sir…”

“Liqiang, you don’t have to say it. I know what you want to say. I, Sun Bingchen, serve His Majesty. Likewise, working for me by my side would mean that you also serve His Majesty. The Imperial Cavalry Unit is also directly under His Majesty’s command, and therefore you will still be serving His Majesty at the Deer Villa. It is no different than working for me by my side and I am still grateful for it. You don’t need to worry about my side either. Even without you and Yijie around, as an official of the imperial court, new arrangements for me will be taken care of. There will not be any issues!”

What else could Yan Liqiang say? Sun Bingchen had made arrangements for everything before he could even make a peep. Hence, Yan Liqiang stopped with the pretension. He only sincerely cupped his fist to Sun Bingchen and spoke with a solemn voice, “Thank you for the blessings, sir!”

“Liqiang, you have earned this through your numerous contributions and assistance too. Oh right, a few capable experts whom His Majesty took in before also live inside the Deer Villa in seclusion. If an opportunity presents itself, there is no harm in seeking guidance from those experts, Liqiang. I am certain that you will find it very rewarding…”