White-Robed Chief

Chu Li nodded slowly.

He knew Xiao Qi had not seen it.

When someone reached the Grandmaster’s Boundary, there would be a trace of spiritual force that interfered with the act of someone who peeked into their heart. Xiao Qi’s cultivation level was still low. If she had reached the Grandmaster’s Boundary, she would be able to see the inner thoughts of a Grandmaster. Now, however, she was still within the Innate Mastery’s Boundary, thus she could not see it.

“This can’t be true.” Xiao Tieying frowned.

Xiao Qi was also somewhat indecisive.

She did not sense any abnormality as it was hard to peek into the heart of a Grandmaster, but she knew that Chu Li would not say anything without any reason or speak any nonsense.

This was a Grandmaster, the pillar of the Public House. If there was really no such problem and they wronged a Grandmaster, this would certainly be the end of Chu Li’s future in the Public House.

There were limited Grandmasters in this world and they were the supreme existence. The Public House did not dare to investigate a Grandmaster that easily. If they offended the other party, the other party would certainly leave the Public House and thus, the Public House’s control over any Grandmasters would weaken.

“Jiang Kuai was not recruited by him, but the people from Ferric Demon Ridge was summoned by him,” said Chu Li.

“Why?” Xiao Tieying asked in puzzlement. “Ferric Demon Ridge was no threat!”

Chu Li shook his head and sighed. “He wants the Longevity Grass for himself.”

“What?!” Xiao Tieying scoffed in a deep voice.

Chu Li looked at Xiao Tieying. “Master Xiao, Huang Qi knew that the item they escorted was the Longevity Grass, didn’t he?”

“He shouldn’t have known.” Xiao Tieying shook his head. “I did not tell any others!”

“He knows,” replied Chu Li.

Xiao Tieying’s face turned livid, he said coldly: “He must have secretly opened the box! Lawless!”

There was a rule that prohibited Protectors from opening the things they escorted. The items escorted were often sealed and it would be found out if it had been opened. Breaking the rules would lead to severe punishments.

Huang Qi opened the box so it was apparent that he ignored the authority of the owner of the Public House — Xiao Tieying, knowing that Xiao Tieying cannot do anything to him!

“Sixty years of life expectancy.” Chu Li shook his head and sighed. “For these people who are advanced in age, the temptation is too big. It was understandable.”

Xiao Tieying slowly began to believe that Chu Li was right.

Huang Qi was a Grandmaster and he was already more than one hundred and fifty years old. The older he was, the more he would cherish his life. How could he not be tempted when he saw the Longevity Grass?

Furthermore, he could make use of Ferric Demon Ridge to steal the Longevity Grass for himself, it was the perfect strategy. Even if some suspected him, they would not dare to voice it out as he was a Grandmaster.

Even if the Longevity Grass was lost and Huang Qi was at fault, there was nothing to lose as he could always say that he did not know what was being escorted and that he did not know how precious it was. It was just a minor mistake.

Such a price in exchange for sixty years of life, Xiao Tieying would do it too if it was him!

Xiao Qi frowned and said, “If that is the case, was he surprised too when Jiang Kuai stole the Longevity Grass?”

“I believe so.” Chu Li smiled. “This is just my guess. Whether it is true or not would require Master Xiao to verify it personally.”

“I will ask him about it in detail!” Xiao Tieying said slowly.

“Big Brother, I will observe by the side,” said Xiao Qi.

Xiao Tieying nodded. Even if she did not speak up, he would have invited her to go along with him and gain her help with her insight into other people’s minds. He felt that the reason she did not find out anything earlier was because she did not suspect Huang Qi. If Xiao Qi had the intention of finding out, she would definitely have known.

Chu Li gave a fist salute and said, “Master Xiao, my Lady, I will take my leave now. Since there is no news, I will go to the scene of the incident and take a look.”

“Hai… ” Xiao Tieying shook his head and told them about the incident just now.

Xiao Qi knitted her eyebrows and gave Xiao Tieying a dissatisfied look.

Xiao Tieying smiled bitterly. “Third Younger Sister, I had no idea that these people would be so reckless.”

“This is not being reckless. Master Xiao will understand if you think about it,” said Chu Li.

Xiao Tieying was stunned momentarily and then he thought of Huang Qi. His face turned solemn and he scoffed, “No wonder, this is the result of his greediness. I’ll speak to Huang Qi tonight.”

Chu Li picked up the teacup and took a light sip. He put it down slowly and said, “If it is true, how do you plan to deal with him, Master Xiao?”

Xiao Tieying frowned and thought for a moment. He scoffed, “Dispel his martial arts. After all, he has done some merit deeds before. We can’t punish him too heavily.”

“Agreed, we dispel his martial arts and let him stay in the Public House,” Xiao Qi said.

Chu Li nodded thoughtfully.

Xiao Qi said, “Chu Li, what do you think?”

Chu Li laughed. “Grandmasters have transcendent standings. It’s very troublesome to handle.”

“That’s true.” Xiao Tieying sighed.

He had now somewhat understood Chu Li. Chu Li was indeed an intelligent guy and his words were also very pleasing, unlike those talented but arrogant people. He was worthy of being trained. No wonder Third Younger Sister took painstaking efforts to train him and treated him as her confidant.

A bright moon hung on the horizon and its moonlight was as translucent as water.

Chu Li and Xue Ling were back in the small courtyard. When they had just stepped into the small courtyard, Xue Ling said, “Master, when do you depart?”

Chu Li was walking slowly with his hands behind his back, seemingly oblivious to everything that was going on around him.

Xue Ling followed suit. “Is it okay for you to delay like this?”

“No hurry,” Chu Li said absent-mindedly.

It was difficult to handle the Celestial Monkey and finding him would not be easy.

Even if he went to the scene of the incident and found some of his traces, Chu Li would still not be able to catch him. He had peerless Light-body Technique so he would not have left too many traces. The only good news was that the incident happened on the Storm State Path and this path was under the influence of the Yi Public House.

On the Storm State Path, the forces of the Yi Public House were everywhere so the Celestial Monkey should not be able to hide his tracks completely. As long as Chu Li found him, things would be much easier!

Now, Chu Li realized that martial arts and authority each had their own wonderfulness. It was useless no matter how powerful someone’s martial art was because the authority was indeed more powerful. Sometimes, however, martial arts proved to be more crucial.

“Mas — ter —! ” Xue Ling stopped walking and stomped her foot.

Chu Li turned his head to look at her.

Xue Ling scoffed, “I’m talking to you!”

“I know.” Chu Li waved his hand and said, “This matter still needs to wait for the news.”

“What about the Glory’s Will Courtyard? When do we comb out the traitors?” asked Xue Ling.

She felt that the Glory’s Will Courtyard was indeed very prestigious.

“It will only offend people.” Chu Li sighed. “This is not a good assignment. When others hear of Glory’s Will Courtyard in the future, they will feel uncomfortable.”

Just like the Eastern Depot, Western Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard [3] in that era, it was by no means a good reputation. In the future, the Glory’s Will Courtyard would probably have the same notoriety too, so Chu Li was not very enthusiastic about it and he planned to do nothing.

“They are supposed to feel uncomfortable!” Xue Ling replied.

Chu Li glanced at her. “You should be more long-sighted. If you offend too many people, you will find it difficult to do as you please in the future!”

“It will be alright with Lady Xiao’s support,” Xue Ling said, “we don’t have to care about the others!”

“You… ” Chu Li shook his head and laughed in spite of himself.

Xue Ling curled her lips. “Anyway, I think we don’t have to care much about others. Everyone hates snitches so finding out who the informants are will make everyone happy.”

“Hmm, we’ll see.” Chu Li nodded.

It was not that easy to investigate for informants, just like in Huang Qi’s case, the impact was enormous and the consequences were serious. The responsibility of the Glory’s Will Courtyard was heavy. In the event that an accident occurred in the future because of informants, the first to be held accountable would be the Glory’s Will Courtyard.

When Xue Ling saw that he was absent-minded and did not seem to take notice of her, she curled her lips in resignation. “I’ll go make some tea!” she said.

Chu Li sat in the pagoda and drank his tea. He was still thinking about how to find Jiang Kuai and if there was any breakthrough point.

The time flew by unknowingly and the night gradually darkened.

The courtyard door suddenly opened and Su Ru, in a light green gown, came in.

Chu Li rose to his feet. Su Ru walked into the pagoda, bringing a hint of an aromatic fragrance. “Let’s sit down and talk.”

“Any result?” Chu Li saw that her face was solemn, so he asked bluntly, “How was it?”

Su Ru took the teacup that Xue Ling handed to her. “You were right!” she said.

Chu Li sighed.

Su Ru said, “After a fight and creating a mess, we finally put him under control and destroyed his martial arts!”

There was no joy on Chu Li’s face.

Every Grandmaster was very important to the Public House. Abolishing a Grandmaster was no doubt weakening their own strength, this was not a good thing.

Su Ru shook her head. “I think Master Xiao was overwhelmed.