White-Robed Chief

Chu Li was helpless. “Why does the prince want to go to Zheng Dynasty? He should just wander around in Li Dynasty’s borders!”

“Of course it’s to broaden his knowledge. How can open his eyes if he doesn’t go out of Li Dynasty’s borders?” Sun Mingyue mentioned, “You’re going to be his protector.”

Chu Li asked, “He’s a prince, does he even lack protectors?”

“That’s why I’m sending you there,” Sun Mingyue responded.

Chu Li was irritated. “There are many masters in Li Dynasty’s palace, why should we make an unnecessary move?”

“The masters in Li Dynasty’s palace have their own roles, there isn’t any extra.” Sun Mingyue frowned. “Stop being so long-winded, just go if I ask you to!”

“… How many protectors does he have now?”

“There are many protectors in the Prince’s Residence,” Sun Mingyue replied. “There are two masters with over a hundred years of experience. Once you’re there, you must know where you stand.”

“I understand.” Chu Li scoffed, “I’ll just obey all instructions.”

Sun Mingyue commented, “You’re not so dumb after all.”

Chu Li took a deep breath. “This is really…”

“Once you’re back safely, you’ll be the Branch Leader again,” Sun Mingyue mentioned.

Chu Li quickly said, “I want to return to Gale Branch!”

“… If Zhao Chun is guilty, you may return,” Sun Mingyue assured.

Chu Li immediately smiled.

Sun Mingyue reminded, “Don’t think that you won’t be punished just because you have a task now. After I look into the case in which you’ve injured Zhao Chun, you’ll be punished if you should be punished, and it’ll be done once you’re back from Zheng Dynasty!”

“… Yes.” Chu Li nodded.

Sun Mingyue retrieved a letter from her desk before flicked it toward Chu Li.

Chu Li reached his hand out to receive it.

Sun Mingyue explained, “This is a letter to the prince, it’s to state your identity. Though Prince Cheng is not king yet, he has a bright future. You don’t need to be bothered about worldly powers since you’re a disciple of the Holy Church, but it doesn’t hurt to develop a good relationship with him.”

Chu Li shook his head. “I don’t wish to be an official in the palace, and I don’t have any family members. It doesn’t matter to me if he’s the prince or not!”

Sun Mingyue ordered, “Once you’re with Prince Cheng, you must not behave so arrogantly. Don’t embarrass the Holy Church!”

“Understood!” Chu Li accepted the letter, then looked up again. “Saint, aren’t you a princess? Why do you address him as Prince Cheng?”

“You’re quite a busybody!” Sun Mingyue scoffed. “You don’t have to know, just leave!”

Chu Li looked at Sun Mingyue who was staring at him coldly.

As a sensible person, Chu Li stopped asking questions. ‘Looks like there’s a grudge between them, but I’ll find out next time.’

He gave her a fist salute. “I’ll be leaving then!”

Sun Mingyue reminded, “Arrive in Jade Capital in three days, don’t be late!”

Chu Li responded, “Yes.”

After that, he strode out of Divine Light Basilica.

…

Jade Capital was bigger than Fairy’s Capital, and it was much more prosperous. Although the buildings were scattered, there was a dense population.

In the evening when Jade Capital was painted by the beautiful afterglow, it appeared livelier than usual.

On the contrary, the buildings in the southeast area of Jade Capital were extremely quiet. It was as if it was in a different world.

The buildings there were official residences that were grand and majestic. Evidently, they belonged to the wealthy and noble families.

Chu Li arrived at an official residence.

The two lion statues in front of the residence were lifelike due to the setting sun as they guarded the red-painted gate that was tightly shut.

Chu Li could see four protectors standing at the gate. Clearly, the residence was more strictly guarded on the inside than the outside.

He went up to knock on the door.

Later, the side door was opened by a middle-aged protector who greeted Chu Li with a fist salute. “What’s your purpose of visit, Young Master?”

“Is this Prince Cheng’s Residence?” Chu Li returned the salutation.

“It is.”

Chu Li retrieved a letter before he handed it to the protector. “Please pass this letter to the prince.”

“Please wait for a moment.” The middle-aged protector received the letter, then went back into the residence.

Chu Li had waited outside the residence for some time before the middle-aged protector showed up again. “The prince welcomes you.”

Chu Li nodded. He then followed the middle-aged man through the side door.

The two of them walked past a screen wall of a crane and a pine, and went along a bluestone path before they arrived at the main hall. Once they entered the main hall, a handsome young man was seen sitting in the south of the hall.

The handsome young man sat in the armchair as he placed his teacup down slowly. He then looked at Chu Li lazily. “You’re Zhao Dahe?”

Chu Li saluted him with his fists. “Greetings, Prince, that’s me.”

“Alright.” The young man was Prince Sun Yucheng. He scanned Chu Li from head to toe. “Since you’re recommended by the Saint, I’m sure you’re not mediocre, so I shall not test you. Thank you in advance.”

Chu Li nodded.

He glanced at the folding screens beside the prince, where a Grandmaster was stood on each side. The one on the left had less than a hundred years’ experience, whereas the one on his right was the opposite.

“I initially requested for two masters, but the Saint claimed that you’re equivalent to two masters which I’ll trust her for the moment.” Sun Yucheng instructed, “Rest for today, we’ll leave tomorrow!”

Chu Li gave him a fist salute without saying a word.

“Messenger!” Sun Yucheng clapped his hands.

A green-robed elder entered. “Yes.”

“Elder Wei, allocate an accommodation for Zhao Dahe according to a Rank-Two protector’s standard.” Sun Yucheng added, “If you want anything, for example, food, you can let Elder Wei know.”

The green-robed elder had a sturdy physique and a stern face. At this moment, he stooped down and smiled at Chu Li. “Protector Zhao, I’m the Head Chief of the residence, let me know if you have any needs. I’ll do my best to fulfill your wishes!”

“Thank you, Head Chief Wei.” Chu Li gave him a fist salute.

“Protector Zhao, you’re welcome.” Head Chief Wei smiled. Then, he said to Sun Yuzheng, “Prince, we’ll be leaving then.”

“Quick, quick!” Sun Yucheng waved his hand at them.

Chu Li followed Head Chief Wei out of the main hall, then walked past a moon-shaped gate to a serene courtyard. After that, Head Chief Wei asked if Chu Li wanted any food or if he disliked anything and if he needed maids.

Chu Li asked for a maid as well as ordered quite a number of delicious food. He was not shy about it.

Soon enough, an elegant maid came to serve him. She looked like she was eighteen or nineteen years old, which was considered an age of innocence.

As the maid served Chu Li, he devoured all the dishes. Li Dynasty’s dishes were very different from Ji Dynasty’s, but they were both unique in their own ways.

The courtyard was brightly lit. While Chu Li sat by the stone table, he observed the entire Prince’s Residence.

The Prince’s Residence was huge, but there were not many people. Prince Sun Yucheng was practicing his swordsmanship in his courtyard at the moment.

Wearing a dark-green outfit, he had a complexion as clear as jade and he was full of youthful vigor. On top of that, his swordsmanship was outstanding as he had achieved the cultivation level of a Grandmaster. At such an age, he was rather capable.

There were a total of eight Grandmasters in the Prince’s Residence, by which two were masters of at least a hundred years of experience.

The two masters were, in fact, comparable to the Royal Highness. Chu Li wondered if all princes of Li Dynasty were the same, or Prince Cheng was simply a favored one.

A beautiful lady was seen watching the prince practice.

She wore a dark robe, had an elegant figure, and was only a fist shorter than Sun Yucheng. If she were to exist in Chu Li’s past life, she would have been a model. The lady stood straight in a graceful manner. She had a delicate oval-shaped face and long brows that complemented her charming eyes.

Once Sun Yucheng stopped, the beautiful lady handed him a handkerchief.

Sun Yucheng wiped the sweat on his forehead before he sat by the stone table where the beautiful lady handed him his teacup.

“Husband, has the master sent by Ninth Elder Sister arrived?” the beautiful lady asked with a smile.

“Mm, according to Elder Su and Elder Ren, he’s a powerful man.” Sun Yucheng took a sip of his tea, then continued, “Ninth Elder Sister won’t fool me.”

“That’s great.” The beautiful lady grinned. “I’m at ease since he’s a master of the Holy Church of Light.”