White-Robed Chief

In Soaring Eagle Cavalry’s central army tent, Yang Ping stood in front of Chu Li with his hands behind his back. Their faces were so close that they could smell each other’s breaths, which truly made Chu Li uncomfortable. He was not used to being in such a close distance with another man.

On the other hand, Yang Ping checked him out without saying a word. He was totally absorbed in looking at every inch of his body as if it was an interesting object and seemed very interested to explore it.

Although Chu Li felt extremely uneasy, he still maintained a calm look on his face and held himself back from punching Yang Ping.

A brief moment later, footsteps were heard outside. “General, the grand general’s warrant is here!”

“Bring it to me!” He ordered while still fixating his gaze on Chu Li’s body.

Jiang Jinfu entered with an envelope, then handed it to him with both hands.

Even then, Yang Ping did not look away from Chu Li’s body and simply reached his hand out.

Jiang Jinfu quickly took the letter out and passed it to him.

When Yang Ping opened the letter, he finally looked away to read it, but quickly looked back at him again. “The grand general has granted you the position of centurion. Congratulations, Zhao Dahe, you’re finally free from sufferings!”

“I owe it all to you, general!” Chu Li gave him a fist salute.

Even though Yang Ping disallowed him to join in any actions because he had doubts about his identity and he dared not offend the Saint, it gave Chu Li an opportunity to train those twenty fellas, hence he was able to escape Sharp Vigor Battalion because he had made achievements.

If Yang Ping was a fearless person instead, he might have sent him regardless. As a result, Chu Li would not have the time to train twenty people and might not have rendered the meritorious service.

Yang Ping scoffed. “I dare not accept the honor!”

Chu Li only smiled without saying anything else.

All of a sudden, Yang Ping turned around. After he sat by the desk, he said coldly, “Zhao Dahe, you may leave now. Pack your things, and leave right away!”

Chu Li saluted him, then left.

As Yang Ping watched him leave, he gritted his teeth.

Jiang Jinfu quickly asked, “General, are you going to let him leave just like that?”

“If not?” Yang Ping cast a sidelong glance at him.

Jiang Jinfu immediately replied, “He’s still a part of Sharp Vigor Battalion. There’ll be a big fight tomorrow, let him join us! The more we have, the more powerful we are!”

“Has your brain been eaten by a dog?” Yang Ping suddenly yelled, “Let him guard the town? If he causes any trouble, how am I going to explain to the Saint?”

Jiang Jinfu lowered his head and kept quiet.

“Get lost!” Yang Ping slammed the desk.

Embarrassed, Jiang Jinfu left the central army tent and sighed a breath of relief.

He wondered, ‘The general’s temper is really unpredictable, sometimes he’s as gentle as a breeze of wind, sometimes he’s as fierce as a stormy rain. I never know when he’s going to change. If I were to talk too much when he’s angry, I’ll probably be punished according to military law.’

When Chu Li returned to Sharp Vigor Battalion, it was empty and his tent was untouched. He sat on his bed and began thinking about his path.

‘Should I stay in the military to cultivate the Manifestation of Nature Restoration? Should I return to Gale City and remain as a free branch leader?’

A while after, he decided to return to Great Light Peak first.

He need not rush to cultivate the Manifestation of Nature Restoration for the time being. Since the war between the Li Dynasty and the Qiu Dynasty had just begun, he would have plenty of opportunities to fight in a war. Now, it was not the time yet.

…

The basilica was warmly lit when the afternoon sun shone through the windows.

Saint Sun Mingyue sat quietly behind her desk as she looked at him. “You want to leave the military?”

Chu Li responded. “I’ll comply with your order, Saint. If you want me to return, I’ll return. If you want me to stay in the military, I’ll stay.”

“Oh?” Sun Mingyue gave him a meaningful smile, then asked, “Since when did you become so obedient?”

Chu Li answered, “I’m not who I used to be!”

“You’ve gone through quite a big change indeed.” Sun Mingyue nodded lightly. “It’s really quite a pity for an expert like you to stay in the military, return to Gale City and remain as a branch leader then. You’re fine with this, right?”

“Yes. As you command, Saint!” Chu Li did a fist salute.

Sun Mingyue added, “Be more diligent after you return. If any emergencies come up, I’ll be sending you!”

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded.

Seeing as he was being so compliant, Sun Mingyue somehow lost interest in him.

She felt that the old Zhao Dahe was more interesting as he never hid anything. Back then, even though she could not see his thoughts due to the Maha-Vairocana’s Immobility Scripture, she was still able to figure it out.

Presently, Zhao Dahe became unfamiliar to her. He was steadier than before and began to be more cunning. It became hard for her to get a grasp of him.

“Go, go!” Sun Mingyue waved her hand.

Therefore, Chu Li left.

When Sun Mingyue watched him leave, she sighed.

She thought to herself, ‘Looks like Li Ruolan’s death hit him so hard that his temperament changed drastically. He must be thinking of taking revenge, so he’s working very hard to train himself.

‘If this goes on, I don’t know if it’s going to bless him or cause him trouble. It’ll be terrible if he succumbs to his internal demons, I must keep him occupied, lest he gets himself into a dead end.’

…

Once Chu Li left Great Light Peak, he returned to his residence in Adjacent Town.

It was evening at that moment. The setting sun blanketed the courtyard in a rosy red color, which was simply beautiful.

Xiao Qi was practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard. Her sword energy was unhurried yet blade lights were continuously seen, and the sword itself appeared like a dense waterfall.

Due to her white gown and her fair skin, when she wielded her sword, she looked exceptionally elegant as if a fairy was dancing with her sword. As such, Chu Li was mesmerized.

Afterward, she kept her sword, then walked into the gazebo. “I received some news.”

Chu Li smiled. “What news?”

“King An has returned to his residence,” Xiao Qi replied.

Chu Li frowned immediately.

If King An returned to his residence, it must mean bad news. Thus, he scoffed, “Did he acquire his martial art skills?”

“I heard that if one succeeds in mastering a divine technique, not only does one regain one’s martial art, one will advance by leaps and bounds too.” Xiao Qi shook her head. “He cleared the entire imperial residence, it was quite an appearance.”

“What about Zhu Tianhua and the others?” Chu Li furrowed his brows.

“Zhu Tianhua was heavily injured, Liu Xing and the others were beaten up too.” Xiao Qi added, “They’re quite severely injured. On top of that, Second Eldest Sister’s protectors have all changed to King An’s men.”

Chu Li’s face darkened.

Xiao Qi comforted. “But Second Eldest Sister asked us not to worry, she can handle it.”

Chu Li humphed. “Handle it? How is she going to handle it?”

“Master is there.” Xiao Qi explained, “As long as Master is there, Second Eldest Sister will be fine.”

Chu Li took a deep breath and cast his agitation aside.

Since Xiao Shi had the sarira prayer beads and the jade tag, she could call for Chu Li at any time. However, even when something as serious as this happened, she only mentioned it to Xiao Qi, which made him furious.

He wanted to return immediately to take a look at Xiao Qi, but he quickly suppressed his distress as he realized that he need not rush it. He asked calmly, “What divine technique did King An master?”

“I don’t know.” Xiao Qi shook her head. “I don’t think anyone knows, but his martial art is extremely powerful. Although Zhu Tianhua and the others said that they have reservations about it, they were defeated right away.”

“What about Senior Shen?”

“He didn’t fight Master.” Xiao Qi continued, “I’m not sure if he was mindful of Master’s martial art or his identity. Whatever it is, King An has become overbearing, his power is unmatched in the residence now, just like how you were back then.”

Chu Li nodded slowly.

Xiao Qi remarked, “Due to your current situation, the people in the residence dare not go against King An. He seems to have an interest in Second Eldest Sister now, perhaps he’s only trying to infuriate you?”

Chu Li looked at her.

Xiao Qi suggested, “Go take a look tonight.”

Chu Li nodded slowly, then asked, “Is there anyone from High Duke’s Public House in the town?”

Xiao Qi smiled. “Yes.”

Chu Li was surprised.

Xiao Qi explained, “The foundation of High Duke’s Public House is far beyond your imagination. All these years, its border grew bigger, so much so that I’m sometimes confused too.”

Chu Li nodded. This was the power of time, which was exactly what he lacked.