White-Robed Chief

Prince Kang harrumphed. “It feels more like a trap, to be honest. Many talented people believed that they were better than their predecessors and were able to find the secrets to enlightenment. Hence, they entered the Inner Imperial Mausoleum and never got out. Little Chu, please be wise and don’t assume that you’re able to find the secret to enlightenment in there!”

Chu Li remained silent.

He admitted that he was much more likely to be enlightened compared to the rest. It was incredibly tempting to go into the Inner Mausoleum. After all, it would be great if he could become an Enlightened Master in one step, no one would be able to do anything to him.

He soon broke out from this dream. If it were that easy to become an Enlightened Master, this world would be full of them!

“What he said is the truth,” Prince Bao said slowly, “Don’t be tempted to become an Enlightened Master and believe that you can break the secrets to enlightenment. From my perspective, you should just cripple your martial arts! You can just relearn everything again outside of the Imperial Mausoleum… Once you’ve returned, you can shut yourself in and recover your martial arts. You’ll become a good man again!”

“This is for the best!” Prince Kang muttered.

Chu Li pondered for a moment before he raised his head and smiled. “Thank you, your Royal Highnesses. I’ll cripple my martial arts!”

“A decisive decision. A smart move!” Prince Kang thumbed up as he smiled. “This isn’t an easy decision to make. You’ll have to resist an irresistible temptation and suffer in agony. Ultimately, it’s best for you to not change your mind. You must cripple your martial arts!”

“Yes,” Chu Li said.

Prince Bao said, “There’s a risk if you cripple your martial arts. You’ve quite a number of enemies. If they were to find out that you’ve crippled your martial arts, you might just be assassinated while you’re on the way there…”

Chu Li said, “I’m very lucky. It’s very hard for me to be killed!”

“You’ve to consider this aspect as well!” Prince Bao said. “I’ll arrange for a few Protectors to escort you!”

Chu Li shook his head. “Thank you, Your Highness, but there’s really no need for it. I’m not lacking in Protectors.”

“Alright… You’re from the Public House and it’s true that you’ve got a deep network. We’ll find an opportunity to make an appeal to the Emperor.” Prince Bao smiled. “The Emperor’s anger comes and goes quickly. This didn’t change even after he became an Enlightened Master.”

“The two of you have come here publicly and told me this. Won’t the Emperor be angry?” Chu Li smiled.

Prince Bao scoffed. “He’s already angry, why should we be afraid of him?”

Prince Kang shook his head as he smiled. “At most, he will give us a lecture. Nothing will happen to us.”

Chu Li nodded.

Footsteps suddenly came from outside. Chief Zhu arrived at the main hall and whispered. “Head chief, King Ping has arrived!”

“Open the main entrance. I’ll greet him personally,” Chu Li said.

“Yes.” Chief Zhu rushed out.

“Alright, we’ve already told you what we needed to you. We won’t disturb you and Fourth Brother.” Prince Bao stood up.

Prince Kang stood up as well and smiled. “Little Chu is a busy man.”

Chu Li laughed. “I’ve become a joke to your Royal Highnesses. I’m indeed busy for the next two days.”

The two strode out of the main hall and the Protectors outside swiftly followed the three out of the place.

As they arrived at the main gate, they saw King Ping and the Eight Great Protectors surrounding him. King Ping’s husky face looked cold, as if he was done with everything and nothing interested him.

When King Ping saw Prince Bao and Prince Kang, King Ping walked forward as he fist saluted and said indifferently. “Seventh Uncle, Eighth Uncle.”

Both Prince Bao and Prince Kang waved their hands as they sighed in their minds. Their expressions were indifferent as they immediately hopped onto their horses and left the place gracefully.

As King Ping watched them as they left, he then entered the residence together with Chu Li.

Chu Li asked, “Your Royal Highness, are you still angry because of my problem?”

King Ping muttered. “I didn’t expect the Emperor to be this petty!”

Chu Li shook his head. “He must not destroy his almighty image. King Ping, King Jing dropped by earlier and asked me to inform you to write a letter to calm the soldiers and generals at the frontline.”

“I’ll write a letter when I return!” King Pung muttered.

Chu Li said, “Your Royal Highness, please be wary of assassinations on your way back.”

“I haven’t been afraid of assassinations ever since I set foot in the Fairy’s Capital.” King Ping said coldly. The Emperor can appear at any given moment, I can’t die even if I wanted to!”

Chu Li nodded.

He had previously been worried but ever since the Emperor’s last appearance, he was now fully convinced that the Emperor had the ability to appear beside and save King Ping whenever he wished.

King Ping said, “I’m quite bored right now, why don’t I escort you to the Imperial Mausoleum.”

Chu Li shook his head. “Royal Highness, please think of Consort.”

King Ping became quiet as he nodded slowly.

If he wanted to execute his revenge, he had to keep waiting and find an opportunity to leave the royal court. There would not be any progress if he had no evidence.

“Royal Highness, if you have some free time, why don’t you participate in politics.” Chu Li muttered.

King Ping sighed as he nodded.

He did not want to participate in the state affairs as he would have to stick around people to gain favors. It was messy, required a lot of mind games, and it was not something a real man should be doing.

“Take your time while you’re on the way there. I’ll try and persuade my father to change his mind.”

“Royal Highness, please stop appealing for me. I’ve decided to cripple my martial arts to avoid getting into the Inner Imperial Mausoleum. When His Highness’s anger has subsided, Prince Bao and Prince Kang will appeal on my behalf, ” Chu Li said.

King Ping frowned. “Crippling your martial arts?”

“Don’t worry Royal Highness. I’ll come out.” Chu Li smiled.

King Ping nodded slowly.

The two exchanged some idle chat before King Ping left.

Chu Li returned to Tianshu Courtyard. Xiao Shi and Xiao Qi frowned as he told them everything.

“Is this idea reliable?” Xiao Shi frowned. “There won’t be any problems, right? What if you cripple your martial arts and still can’t come back? You might be bullied there as well. Can you stand the suffering?”

Chu Li smiled. “I didn’t know any martial arts when I first entered the Public House and I didn’t get bullied.”

“It’s different.” Xiao Shi rolled her eyes. “When you first entered the Public House, you were surrounded by Acquired Masters and at most, Innate Masters. The people in the Imperial Mausoleum are much stronger than them!”

Xiao Qi asked. “Are you going to cripple your martial arts before you enter the Imperial Mausoleum?”

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded. “Crippling my own martial arts is equivalent to lowering my head to the Emperor, right?”

As he came to that conclusion, the urge in his heart throbbed intensely once more. The urge to become an Enlightened Master was incredibly intense. It was an incredibly bitter feeling to live like this. Once he had been reborn, he must train again until he became an Enlightened Master so that he could live his life to the fullest!

“It’ll be dangerous while you’re on the way there.” Xiao Qi frowned.

Chu Li said, “Miss, why don’t you escort me along the way.”

Chu Li had almost lost his life when he saved King Ping last time. He realized that he could no longer take his time. He had to swiftly pull Xiao Qi into his embrace. He did not want to give any consideration to the Regal Sword Scripture anymore!

Xiao Qi looked at him intently.

Xiao Shi smirked. “So this is your plan. That’s it then!”

“What about the second eldest sister? You’ll just leave me here?” Xiao Qi asked.

Xiao Shi responded, “This part of the Fairy’s Capital is heavily guarded and if anyone messes around here, they’d be surrounded immediately. Don’t worry.”

Chu Li smiled. “Senior Shen is still around.”

He rarely met Shen Yinghu as she spent most of her time training at the other end of the residence and rarely dropped by.

Even if Xiao Qi were to be absent, everything would be fine if Shen Yinghu were to come here to take care of things.

“Alright… I’ll escort you.” XIao Qi nodded slowly.

As the three were chatting, Chief Zhu’s voice came from outside. “Head chief, Miss Mo from the Verdant Cloud Brothel has sent you an invitation!”

Chu Li said, “Come in.”

Chief Zhu lowered his head as he entered politely. He handed over the invitation with both of his hands before he left the place.

Chu Li looked at it. The invitation was for tonight.

The two girls immediately glared at him coldly.

Chu Li smiled as he fist saluted and left.

…