Martial Cultivator

Chen Chao’s identity had been a subject of speculation since he first arrived in the Divine Capital. When he visited the Xie Family initially, they had already begun probing him, and once he showed his talent, other prominent figures began to watch him closely. In the end, nearly everyone had come to know his true identity.

But knowing was one thing, exposing it publicly was another.

When Chen Chao returned to the Divine Capital this time, rumors spread, and countless people awaited the day his identity would be revealed.

Now, at last, the windowpane paper had been poked through.

Many who were unaware of the truth looked utterly shocked, their expressions changing drastically. Prior to this, none had imagined that this outstanding young martial artist would have any ties with the imperial family.

They had just assumed that Chen Chao was favored by His Majesty solely for his extraordinary talent. They never guessed that he bore such a significant identity.

The deposed emperor's brother, the late Crown Prince's son...

What did this mean?

It meant that this realm once belonged to Chen Chao's family, and now, faced with this surviving remnant of that lineage, what would His Majesty, the one who robbed his family of the throne, do?

Perhaps that was the only option.

"Chen Chao is the deposed emperor's younger half-brother. When His Majesty entered the Divine Capital, the deposed emperor set fire to the palace, and in the ensuing chaos, someone took the opportunity to smuggle him out. He grew up harboring ambitions against the country, entered the court with ulterior motives, and rose step by step to a high position, all while secretly colluding with the remnants of the former dynasty, waiting for the right moment to seize power and overthrow the dynasty!”

The official from the Heavenly Imperial Institution spoke calmly, his voice resolute. “Your Majesty, such a treacherous rebel should be executed immediately!”

“If he's not killed, peace will be impossible to maintain, and the empire could fall in an instant.”

That Heavenly Imperial Institution official looked at His Majesty. “That's not a sight that this subject wishes to see.”

The Great Liang Emperor looked quietly at the official before him, saying nothing.

The Second Prince suddenly rose, shouting in anger, “Nonsense! Commander Chen has done so much for Great Liang. How could he possibly be the kind of person you claim?"

“Your Highness, this isn't baseless talk from this subject. The Heavenly Imperial Institution has been investigating this person's identity since the beginning, and now we finally have a conclusion. If this subject is lying, this subject is willing to take my own life here and now!”

That Heavenly Imperial Institution official's words were unwavering.

The Second Prince's face darkened. “Do you have proof?!”

When all is said and done, proving someone guilty requires evidence. Proving that Chen Chao is a remnant spawn of the former dynasty would naturally also require evidence.

"This subject naturally has proof! There's someone who can confirm this matter beyond doubt, currently waiting outside the palace!"

Upon hearing this, the court officials were taken aback and immediately looked toward His Majesty.

Some also glanced at Chen Chao.

Chen Chao was very calm. This young military official who was newly appointed as the Left Guard Commander, seemed to be facing the most important moment of his life. Perhaps in the next second, his life might end in an instant.

But even so, he said nothing, merely watching quietly.

After a long time, the Great Liang Emperor spoke, “Then summon them in.”

As the Emperor gave his order, everyone turned toward the entrance, curious to see who could confirm Chen Chao's identity at this moment.

Before long, an elderly nun appeared at the entrance.

Though she was not actually that old, she looked aged.

Upon seeing this nun, many of the prominent figures quickly recognized her.

She was the daughter of the great general of the former dynasty, sister to the late empress, and now the aunt of the current princes.

Among the imperial family members who did not bear the surname Chen, there was no one closer to His Majesty than this elderly nun.

For some unknown reason, this elderly nun had left for Pure Heart Nunnery outside the city a long time ago to become a nun, cultivating in quiet for many years, and had not appeared in public for many years.

Upon recognizing her, many officials wondered how she could prove Chen Chao's identity.

However, some of the big shots knew more details. Back then, aside from these two daughters born to his wife, that Great General also had an illegitimate daughter with a concubine. Although it was not something widely discussed, the general's wife did not approve, so the Great General never brought that concubine to the General's Manor.

It was only after the concubine's passing that the Great General brought his illegitimate daughter into the manor.

Thus, the Great General had three daughters: one married the current Emperor and became his official consort, who was also the Empress; another married the late Crown Prince as a concubine.

The remaining daughter was this elderly nun standing before them.

The late Crown Prince had only one legitimate son, the deposed emperor, but he also had another son, born to the concubine.

If Chen Chao was the deposed emperor's younger brother, he could only be the child of that Great General's illegitimate daughter.

Naturally, this elderly nun was also Chen Chao's maternal aunt.

With this realization, many people pieced it together.

The Second Prince stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, “Greetings, Aunt.”

The elderly nun gave a slight nod without speaking, but the Emperor said, “It seems you've forgotten Our decree.”

Hearing these words, many in the room looked startled.

The elderly nun replied calmly, “I naturally wouldn't dare defy Your Majesty's decree. However, with such a significant matter at hand, even someone dedicated to a reclusive life like me must come forward and reveal the truth to the world. I believe even Elder Sister wouldn't say anything against it.”

Upon hearing the words "Elder Sister," a cold glint flashed across the Great Liang Emperor's eyes.

“Having defied His Majesty's order, I'll naturally be at Your Majesty's disposal for any punishment afterward. But before that, I must inform the world of this little scoundrel's true identity.”

Without waiting for the Emperor's response, the elderly nun turned to Chen Chao and said in a cold tone, “You're the illegitimate son of Crown Prince Yiwen. You are my younger sister's son! Is that true or not?”

Her words were nothing short of earth-shattering.

“When the palace caught fire back then, you took advantage of the chaos to escape from the Divine Capital. Is that true or not?”

The nun's eyes were fixed on Chen Chao, filled with resentment.

The Emperor remained silent, but the Second Prince frowned and asked, “Aunt, do you have any proof?!”

“There's no need for any proof, I simply want to see if he dares to admit he is that woman's son!”

The elderly nun looked at Chen Chao and spoke with unwavering conviction.

At this moment, everyone's gaze landed on Chen Chao.

Chen Chao looked at the elderly nun in front of him in silence.

This was not their first encounter, in fact, during their first meeting, the elderly nun had already recognized Chen Chao's identity because he resembled his mother too much.

The resemblance was exactly the same as when she first saw her in the Great General's manor years ago.

The stubbornness etched in his glabella was cut from the same cloth.

“What's wrong? Are you too afraid to admit you're her son?”

The elderly nun’s face was filled with mockery. She had always looked down on the girl her father brought home from outside and had never regarded her as her sister.

Naturally, she had always looked down on her son too.

The court officials fell silent, observing the scene before their eyes.

The elderly nun did not present any evidence; perhaps she had some, but she did not reveal it. Instead, she merely asked if he dared to admit that he was her son or not.

Dead silence.

“Since you have never regarded Consort Mother as your sister, why bring up the fact that she was your sister at this moment?”

After a long pause, Chen Chao slowly spoke, looking at the elderly nun as he said calmly. “You don't want to consider Consort Mother as your sister, I presume Consort Mother didn't want to be your sister either.”

Upon hearing this, the elderly nun said with a cold smile. “You have some guts, at least you aren't too cowardly to acknowledge your own mother.”

Chen Chao replied with a smile, “Being the son of Consort Mother isn't something to be ashamed of, why would I be afraid to admit it?”

“However, if I were your son, I certainly wouldn't acknowledge it.”

These two sentences, though spoken lightly, sent shock waves through everyone present, stirring massive waves in countless people's hearts.

Especially for those court officials who had been unaware of this matter beforehand, their eyes widened in disbelief at this moment.

It turns out that Chen Chao was really the offspring of the late Crown Prince Yiwen.

“Since everyone wants to know my identity, I will tell everyone who I am.”

Chen Chao looked at all the court officials present and stated calmly, “I am a descendant of the founding emperor of Great Liang, the grandson of Emperor Lingzong, and the son of Crown Prince Yiwen --- Chen Chao.”