The sun was setting and the radiance of the sunset coated the lake.
Chu Li had just returned to the East Garden when Su Ru arrived and took him to Jade Guardian Island.
They had just arrived downstairs when they heard the sound of the piano in the air. However, the sound was intense, filled with a hint of killing intent.
He turned to look at Su Ru.
Su Ru sighed and whispered, "Lady Xiao Qi had a fight with Master Xiao Tieying."
"Because of me?"
"Yes," Su Ru whispered. "Master Xiao Tieying was not pleased."
Chu Li smiled. He had somewhat guessed the reason, but he still used the Omniscient Mirror to take a look at her. He wanted to understand the details of how it happened.
Gu Litong was driven out of the house by Master Xiao Tieying personally, as ability and integrity were the criteria for Master Xiao Tieying to employ his men. If it was someone who had the ability but lack integrity, he would not enlist that person.
According to Master Xiao Tieying, since Gu Litong had been kicked out of the Public House, he was no longer a member of the Public House. Whether he dies or lives, it would be up to his fate. Moreover, the Ren Public House was not trying to kill him, they were just trying to take him in. In that case, it was unnecessary for them to do anything.
Eventually, the news of Chu Li and his men killing twenty Protectors of Ren Public House had spread to the Public House, and that made Master Xiao Tieying furious.
If possible, it was best not to provoke that mad-woman Lu Yurong. The Ren Public House had great influence, and it was not a force that Public House could afford to go against. Therefore, they should try to avoid conflicts with the Ren Public House as best as they could and instead, they should recuperate and build up strength. Since they initiated the attack this time, Lu Yurong would definitely retaliate in a crazier manner. Considering that the Ren Public House had lost twenty people, they would kill at least forty of them to avenge!
Though this matter was ordered by Xiao Qi arbitrarily. So by ignoring his authority, she was being unruly!
Master Xiao Tieying had intended to punish him but Xiao Qi did not agree, and because of that, they fought.
Xiao Qi blamed Master Xiao Tieying for being pedantic. Lu Yurong kept pushing her luck as she simply did not know that there was a limit, and trying to be friendly with this type of woman was just ridiculous.
The Public House could never compromise out of consideration for the general interest. If they hurt Lu Yurong, then there will be harmony to speak of. However, now the morale of the Protectors in the Public House was low, and this situation was bad.
Xiao Qi was supposed to be responsible for the domestic matters — to discipline and manage the customs of the Public House, while Master Xiao Tieying oversaw the external matters by operating the mobilization of Protectors.
As Xiao Qi observed that the Public House was always handicapped by Ren Public House, she finally could not endure it anymore. Only then did she made this move.
Su Ru warned in a low voice, "Be careful, the Lady is not in the best mood!"
Chu Li asked, "Is she okay?"
Su Ru waved her jaded hand and chuckled. "This is not the first or second time they've had a fight. They usually fight for a few days and then they'll get back together after two days. But you have to avoid Master Xiao Tieying!"
"Well, I need to focus on my training for the Sentient Menace anyway."
"Good. It's better for you to stay in the courtyard, and don't come out."
"No a problem."
Just like that, the two of them entered the Stargazing Tower and went up to the third floor.
Xiao Qi was facing the window, with her back towards them. She was sat in front of a table, playing the piano. As she sat there, her beautiful and graceful shadow of her back made Chu Li's heart pound.
"My Lady," Su Ru called in a soft tone. "Chu Li is here."
The sound of the piano stopped abruptly before Xiao Qi turned around. Her gorgeous face was cold and emotionless.
She pointed a delicate finger towards the white cattail hassock that was opposite her.
So, Chu Li went over to sit on the cattail hassock, and then he looked at her quietly.
A whiff of fragrant incense from her body drifted into his nose, making his heart stir. Meanwhile, her attractive eyes stared at him. "You did a good job this time."
"It was a close call. Lu Yurong arranged four batches of manpower."
Xiao Qi nodded her head slightly. "She's a great tactician, and she's very difficult to deal with."
"Ren Public House has infiltrated most of our land." Chu Li gave a heavy sigh. "The whole Path of Jing Hai is almost infiltrated; it was truly shocking!"
Xiao Qi's face turned grim.
Chu Li continued, "So whenever something happens, they can intercept our communication. We must prevent this!"
Xiao Qi's eyes flashed.
Chu Li sighed. "The whole Path of Jing Hai seemed to have become their backyard garden, and this is just the Path of Jing Hai. The several other paths of the Public House probably are not better off!"
In this world, there were twelve paths, where each Public House guarded a Path and each Path was divided into six Side Paths. The road they passed through was the Jing Hai Side Path.
Su Ru tugged at his sleeves.
However, Chu Li pretended to not see it and he continued, "Up until this point, our Protectors have no safety and security to speak of. If this were to spread, people will become anxious and fearful — you will never know what the consequences are!"
Xiao Qi's face became even more forbidding.
Su Ru whispered, "Stop talking!"
Again, as if Chu Li did not hear that, he continued to speak, "My Lady, if this is to continue, the Public House will cease to exist; we'll be at the mercy of others!"
"Shut your mouth!" Xiao Qi scoffed.
Chu Li looked at her quietly.
Xiao Qi's face darkened as she said in a cold tone, "I didn't think that the situation was so serious!"
Su Ru asked, "My Lady, it's not as serious as that, is it?"
Chu Li sighed at what she said. "It's far worse than what I just said. Think about it; when Lady Xiao Qi goes out, they can assassinate her whenever they want, and this is how terrible it is!"
"Lady Xiao Qi has enough Protectors that can deal with them," Su Ru scorned.
Chu Li shook his head. "They can cope with ten people and a hundred people as well. But what about two hundred? They can mobilize manpower whenever they want, under our noses. They're going to treat our Public House as their own!"
Su Ru was now speechless.
Xiao Qi let out a long sigh after a while, and she shook her head.
However, Chu Li spoke no more. Speaking too much had no benefit anyway.
"What about Gu Litong?" Su Ru changed the topic.
Chu Li answered, "He's in Jing Hai Town."
"It'll be very difficult for him to come back." Xiao Qi frowned. "Big Brother will not allow him to."
"Actually, he's a talented guy. My Lady, why didn't take him under your command?"
"His character is still lacking. He can't be trusted with huge responsibilities," Xiao Qi explained.
Chu Li sighed before he said, "That's a pity."
He could actually use Gu Litong as one of his men because he had the Omniscient Mirror. With that, he could see his thoughts anytime. If there were any slight changes, he would be able to detect it and put Gu Litong in his place whenever he wanted. Moreover, Gu Litong had a fatal weakness. With his weakness in his hands, he did not have to worry about Gu Litong becoming rebellious.
"Observe him for a while." Xiao Qi pondered. "If his performance is good, then transfer him here."
Chu Li revealed a smile.
Xiao Qi also had the ability to look into people's thoughts, and because of that, she dared to use Gu Litong.
Due to this capability of hers, it made her aware that looking into other people's heart and finding someone with both ability and integrity was too demanding. Therefore, she was tolerant and open-minded, different from Master Xiao Tieying who was arrogant and self-important — both of them conflicted in their style of conducts.
Xiao Qi looked at him quietly. "Chu Li, this time you did a good job, but it's a shame that you will not be rewarded."
Chu Li laughed. "You are too polite, my Lady."
Xiao Qi replied, "From now on, you have to stay in the Public House and do not leave this place. Both the Tempest Tempest, as well as the Ren Public House and Lu Yurong will seek revenge in an insane manner!"
"Very well, I'll stay in the Public House and practice my martial arts."
"Next month, the Second Lady will go to Jing Hai Town to celebrate her birthday." Xiao Qi frowned as she said, "You will go too."
"Jing Hai Town?" Chu Li creased his brows.
Su Ru quickly asked, "My Lady, isn't that too dangerous?"
Both the Tempest Temple and Ren Public House wanted to kill him. If he were to go out, would it not be suicidal?
Xiao Qi replied, "Within a month, cultivate your Sentient Menace until the third level, and along with your Imminent Skyline, you'll have the ability to protect yourself!"
Although she had yet practiced the Sentient Menace, she was aware of the changes it brought with the advancement of each level. Once he entered the third level, it would be difficult for blades and swords to hurt him. His inner energy would then be able to remove more than half of the inflicted injury, and with his Imminent Skyline, it would be more than enough for him to protect himself.
Chu Li revealed a reluctant look."Third level... I'm afraid that will be difficult!"
"Anyhow, do as you see fit," Xiao Qi said plainly.
Then, seeing that there was a painting on the table, Chu Li smiled. "This is the Lady's masterpiece?"
Xiao Qi lifted the painting and gave it to him.
It was a painting of a fierce tiger that was descending the mountain, exuding a grandeur and ghastly aura. It seemed as if it would leap out at any moment.
Chu Li exclaimed, "What a malicious aura!"
An idea started to form in his mind. He vaguely felt that this painting might be beneficial to him, such that watching the tiger and attaining its grandeur aura might be useful in the cultivation of Sun Cultivating White Tiger Portrait.
"Not even close," Xiao Qi said. "After seeing Lu Boyuan's drawings, I finally understood what a malicious aura is."
Chu Li asked, "My Lady has Lu Boyuan's paintings?"
Lu Boyuan, the former dynasty's great master of painting, was particularly good at drawing tigers. Others drew the tiger's skin, flesh, and bones while he painted a tiger's aura and divinity. His tiger paintings were known as the best masterpiece in the world; it was priceless.
"I have a few. Would you like to see them?"
"If that's possible. Can I please take a look?"
"Su Ru, send the paintings to him in a while," Xiao Qi said. "Grant them to him for a month."
"Thank you, my Lady!" Chu Li was overjoyed.
Xiao Qi waved her jaded hand.
Chu Li immediately took the hint and excused himself.
As he returned to his small courtyard on Jade Guardian Island, he pushed open the door and went in. The sunset's radiance had dyed the small courtyard red, and Xue Ling was in a white casual wear, training the eight forms of Crescent Cryptic. She turned her head when she heard the sound of the door opening, and her pretty face revealed a surprised expression.
Chu Li teased, "What are you gawking at?"
Xue Ling quickly stopped her training. "Master, when did you come back?"
"I just came back," Chu Li went into the living room.
Xue Ling followed him inside. "Have you eaten?"
"Yes." Chu Li sat down lazily in the armchair, and he let out a long sigh of relief. All the hunting and escaping in this journey was very tiring, and now, he could finally relax.
Xue Ling started to busy herself with serving him. With her nimble hands and quick feet, she soon brewed and served him tea. After that, she went to prepare his meal.
When Chu Li finished his cup of tea, Xue Ling had made four dishes. She proceeded to serve it before she brought out a jar of fine wine. She said as she poured him a glass, "Master, please grab a bite first. I'll prepare something better for supper tonight."
Inhaling all the tempting aromas, Chu Li gave a satisfied nod. He ate his meal and drank the wine while listening to Xue Ling telling him about the happenings in the Public House for the past few days.
"Creak…" The door of the courtyard was pushed open, and Su Ru strolled in.
She was carrying a long box with a dark purple luster. When she saw that Chu Li enjoying his meal with a satisfied look on his face, she giggled. "You sure know how to enjoy yourself! Here are the paintings!"
Chu Li lowered his wine glass, then he went over and took the box from her.
Su Ru handed it to him. "There's a total of ten Lu Boyuan's paintings, in which you must be extra careful with. Do not damage them, because the Lady treasures them very much. If it wasn't for your meritorious deed this time, the Lady might not be willing to take it out!"
Chu Li grinned from ear to ear as he caressed the long dark purple box and said, "Of course, of course!"
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