White-Robed Chief

“Why is that so?” Chu Li was shocked.

“The profundity of the Spirit Crane Technique lies not in its inner energy but in its ability to transform the body. In fact, it can be considered a martial art for basis building.”

“The fundamental martial art of Green Deer Cliff is a set of basis-building martial arts?” Chu Li was in disbelief.

Xiao Yueling nodded her head lightly.

Chu Li frowned. “Has Green Deer Cliff been relying on this Spirit Crane Technique to produce Enlightened Masters?”

“The Spirit Crane Technique has nine levels in total. We have to slowly cultivate our way through each level,” Xiao Yueling explained. “The first and second levels are cultivated during the basis-building period. After turning eighteen, we’ll continue to cultivate the remaining seven levels. If you’ve missed the basis-building period, you won’t be able to cultivate the first two levels, and without the first two levels, there’s no way for you to cultivate the rest of the technique.”

“I see…” Chu Li replied with his brows knitted together. “Sol after building a different kind of basis, I won’t be able to cultivate this technique. But what if I haven’t built any form of basis at all?”

“After the age of eighteen, you won’t be able to cultivate it even if you haven’t built any basis. More importantly, the Spirit Crane Technique places a great emphasis on your inner state. It requires innocence and single-mindedness. As you grow older, you may become less pure and resolute, so you won’t be able to cultivate it as well.”

“There seems to be not much hope for me then,” Chu Li said with a sigh.

Xiao Yueling nodded. “If there’s still hope for you, I will certainly try to find a way, but it’s no longer suitable for you to cultivate the Spirit Crane Technique at your age. If you force yourself to cultivate it, you might even succumb to internal demons and die. This has been the cause of death of countless people.”

Chu Li asked, “Is that why the disciples of Green Deer Cliff have to start their cultivation young?”

“You can always hope before reaching the age of eighteen,” Xiao Yueling replied. “Back then, I entered Green Deer Cliff at seventeen, but unfortunately, I was still too mature in age. Thus, I couldn’t accomplish much.”

“I see…” Chu Li nodded in disappointment.

Xiao Yueling consoled, “You don’t have to feel too disappointed. Truthfully speaking, the Spirit Crane Technique is a martial art for enhancing your physique and is no different from any other martial arts of Enlightened Masters. Ever since the Spirit Cranes have disappeared, the Spirit Crane Technique has lost most of its usefulness. It’s now impossible for us to achieve a very high level of cultivation in it.”

“You can go to the Hundred-Thousand Hills to advance your cultivation.”

“That’s not cultivation. It’s suicide.” Xiao Yueling shook her head.

Chu Li chuckled.

“Just take this Spirit Crane Fist manual and try cultivating it then,” Xiao Yueling said with a sigh. “I heard that the Spirit Crane Technique was initially derived from these six Spirit Crane forms. You’re more intelligent than most. Perhaps you’ll be able to achieve what the seniors of Green Deer Cliff have achieved and develop your own Spirit Crane Technique.”

Chu Li laughed in resignation. “Aunt Yueling, you think rather highly of me!”

Xiao Yueling let out a chuckle and shook her head. “If the Spirit Cranes are still around, with your intelligence, there’ll still be hope for you yet. Unfortunately, you haven’t come across any Spirit Cranes, so you might not be able to master the Spirit Crane Fist. It’s only by successfully cultivating this technique that you’ll have hope in deriving the Spirit Crane Technique.”

Chu Li replied, “Alright then, I’ll give it a try.”

…

In the evening, Chu Li went to the main hall of the Secret Guardians Hall.

He found only Fu Mengshan and Xu Huande in the main hall. They both had a solemn expression on their face.

“Young Chu, you’ve finally returned.” Fu Mengshan waved him over.

Chu Li sat down near them. “Have you found someone suitable?”

Fu Mengshan sighed and waved a hand at him. “Come with me.”

The two commanders led him out through the side gate and came to a courtyard.

A young man was lying in one of the houses in the courtyard. The young man had an unattractive and foolish-looking face, and it was easy to tell at a glance that he was not very clever and quick-witted. The young man had already passed away.

“This was one of our secret guardians.” Fu Mengshan sighed while pointing at the dead man.

Chu Li frowned. “What happened?”

“He died in a scuffle between two associations,” Fu Mengshan replied while shaking his head. “He had a very mediocre aptitude and would usually provide us scattered information. A person like him wouldn’t have drawn too much attention to himself.”

“He wasn’t one of the ones who infiltrated the Holy Church of Light?” Chu Li asked.

Fu Mengshan replied, “We haven’t been sending any of our people to infiltrate the Holy Church of Light in recent years since it has proven to be a futile effort.”

Xu Huande said, “He’s called Zhao Dahe and is now a member of Chivalry Association. Due to his weak martial arts, he hasn’t been able to rise above the others.”

Fu Mengshan huffed and explained, “Two days ago, Chivalry Association and Ferric Blood Association got into a scuffle on top of a mountain, and he was thrown off a cliff. We’ve gone to great lengths to recover his body.”

“Chivalry Association…” Chu Li knitted his brows together.

Fu Mengshan said, “Chivalry Association is just a small association in Peace Town of Luo State City, but it has some connections to the Holy Church of Light.”

Chu Li listened attentively.

Xu Huande explained, “Chivalry Association is backed by Three Wonders Clan, which is backed by a branch of the Holy Church of Light. Although it’s a bit of stretch, there’ll still be some rumors and hearsay about the Holy Church of Light.”

Chu Li slowly nodded.

Fu Mengshan sighed and suggested, “You can fabricate a fortuitous encounter and say that he has received a fortuitous encounter after falling off a cliff, which has caused his appearance to change slightly. You’re adept at using the Bone Shrinkage Skill, so you can change your physique. As for your appearance, just use the mask. In this case, the difference won’t be too much, right?”

Chu Li asked, “I’ll be using this identity then?”

“This is the simplest and safest option,” Fu Mengshan replied. “Zhao Dahe has a clean background and is a local of Peace Town. One of our secret guardians saved his life in the past, which is why he chose to become a secret guardian later to repay our kindness.”

“How’s his personality?” Chu Li asked.

Xu Huande replied, “He was a rather simple and somewhat dim-witted person, which is the exact opposite of your personality, so it should be easy for you to hide your identity.”

Chu Li had a thoughtful look.

Xu Huande continued, “The martial arts of the people in Chivalry Association aren’t very strong, which might lessen the dangers you encounter. If things start going wrong, just get out and come back to us.”

“Will it be possible for me to enter the Holy Church of Light?”

“If you perform well and slowly get promoted, it’s possible for you to enter the Holy Church of Light.”

“That’s good.”

“Young Chu, you have to remember not to do anything rash for the sake of gaining merits. More importantly, you mustn’t vainly attempt to join the Holy Church of Light. It’ll be good enough if you can enter Three Wonders Clan!” Fu Mengshan reminded gravely. “The Holy Church of Light has a special technique that can test the loyalty of their disciples. No one can run away from it!”

Chu Li raised his eyebrows and slowly nodded as he replied, “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

“Once you manage to join Three Wonders Clan, you’ll be able to get information about the Holy Church of Light,” Fu Mengshan said. “This would be enough for us. Whenever a huge operation is coming our way, we’ll be able to know about it beforehand!”

Xu Huande added, “It’s just that this Zhao Dahe’s personality is the exact opposite of yours, and his unattractive appearance makes him not very likable. I’m afraid you might have to suffer a little!”

“That would be best. I won’t have to worry so much!” Chu Li smiled.

He had originally planned to disguise himself as such a character anyway. A silly person was the least likely to fall under scrutiny.

“Well then, you can go over there tomorrow. Don’t delay the matter for too long,” Fu Mengshan said. “I’ll summon back all of our informers. You’ll be there by yourself, so you won’t get exposed easily. With your Light-body Technique, it should take you only half a day to get to Hua State City. We have an operation base there. If you have any urgent news to convey, you can send it there.”

“Understood.” Chu Li nodded.

…

King An’s Imperial Residence.

When Chu Li returned to the Tianshu Courtyard, aside from Xiao Shi, Xiao Qi was also quietly sitting at the stone table in the courtyard. The two women were playing a game of chess.

Xiao Qi was dressed in spotless white clothing as she sat there elegantly and indifferently like an otherworldly fairy.

As soon as Chu Li entered, Xiao Shi raised her head and glanced at him. “Why have you only returned now?”

“I was held up by some affairs. My Lady has arrived?” Chu Li turned his gaze to Xiao Qi.

Xiao Qi held a chess piece between her fingers while throwing a careless glance at him. “Mmm.”

Chu Li smiled. “I can finally rest easy now.”

Xiao Shi said, “With those four senior brothers of yours as well as Xue Ling and Jiang Kuai here, there are more than enough martial arts masters in our residence now.”

“My Lady will be here too.” Chu Li looked at Xiao Qi.

Xiao Qi gave him a sideways glance. “I won’t be staying for too long.”

Chu Li nodded. “Please try to stay a little longer. Initially, I had planned to leave some time later, but due to some changes in the situation, I’ll have to leave tomorrow.”

Xiao Shi frowned slightly.

Chu Li smiled and added, “I may return at any time.”

Xiao Shi slowly nodded. “Don’t try to be brave.”

“There’s no one with strong martial arts skills at the place I’m headed to this time, so it won’t be very dangerous,” Chu Li reassured with a smile.

“In any case, just be careful!” Xiao Shi huffed.

She was very confident in Chu Li’s intelligence and knew that he would not be easily taken advantage of.

Xiao Qi was fiddling with a white stone while staring at the chessboard with her head lowered, seeming indifferent to the news of Chu Li’s departure.