White-Robed Chief

Ji Xin said, “Junior Brother Zhao will be fine. The person they’re hunting down is me. If they find Junior Brother Zhao here instead of me, they’ll certainly leave.”

Li Ruolan turned around and glanced at him but did not reply.

Junior Brother Zhao was also from the Holy Church of Light. The Tempest Temple would never let him go.

He was at his weakest right now. If the disciples of the Tempest Temple were to barge into this place, he would not be able to defend himself. She was worried that he might end up being captured by the Tempest Temple. Then, they would cripple his cultivation and leave him in a deserted place to spend the rest of his life there.

When she thought of this, she became upset.

Senior Brother Ji was no fool. How could he not think of this possibility? However, at such a moment, it was understandable for Senior Brother Ji to make a selfish decision. Nonetheless, unlike Junior Brother Zhao’s selflessness, Senior Brother Ji’s actions seemed all the more disagreeable.

Ji Xin said, “Junior Brother Zhao can get rid of the palm energy. The moment he gets rid of the palm energy, the Tempest Temple’s secret tracking skill will lose its effects. Even if they discover Junior Brother Zhao, they won’t suspect him. After all, given his current condition, they won’t be able to tell what type of martial art Junior Brother Zhao has cultivated, so he’ll be okay.”

These words were meant to convince both Li Ruolan and himself. He needed to find a perfect excuse for himself so that they could leave as soon as possible.

Li Ruolan nodded. “Let’s leave.”

Ji Xin released a long and deep sigh before saying, “Let’s go — before anything else happens.”

Li Ruolan looked back and stared intensely at Chu Li, who was still sitting in a meditative state inside the waterside pavilion. Then, she quietly turned around and left.

Under the pale moonlight, both of them had disguised themselves as two elderly people before quietly leaving the Feng Residence.

At night, Fairy’s Capital was like a sleepless city, brightly lit everywhere. The avenue was illuminated by rows upon rows of lanterns that shone as brightly as the day. The place appeared even more magnificent and busier during the night as the endless stream of pedestrians were all wearing happy smiles on their faces while enjoying the bustling and lively atmosphere.

Fairy’s Capital did not have a night curfew, so the city gate was open for people to enter and exit at any time.

The two of them were disguised as an old and senile couple. They walked slowly toward the city gate despite the nervousness in the pits of their stomachs. While they were very scared of being recognized by the Tempest Temple, they managed to maintain a relaxed and carefree demeanor as they walked out through the city gate at a leisurely pace.

Once they had exited the city gate, they hired a carriage outside the city. Then, they quickly left Fairy’s Capital as the carriage carried them westward without stopping.

After a whole night of traveling, the carriage stopped in front of a small town at dawn the next day.

The two of them waved goodbye to the carriage as it left and then slowly walked into the town before heading straight into a garment shop. When they came out of the shop, they had removed their disguise.

They carried on traveling westward without taking a break and performed the light-body technique continuously for two days and two nights. Finally, they arrived back at the Li Dynasty.

Throughout their journey, Ji Xin had become increasingly excited. As they got nearer and nearer to the Li Dynasty, he became more convinced that the Tempest Temple was not on their tail. Otherwise, they would have launched an attack on them already instead of dragging it out for so long. It seemed like Junior Brother Zhao had been right. The key lay in that palm energy.

In contrast to Ji Xin’s excitement, Li Ruolan had been rather silent on their way back. She rarely spoke, seemingly having something that was weighing on her mind.

When the two of them stopped at a post-house in the woods, they drank water and ate some dry food.

“Junior Sister Li, what’s the matter?” Ji Xin asked, “We’ve gotten away safely. Are you not happy?”

“I’m happy.” Li Ruolan raised the corner of her lips in an attempt to smile.

Ji Xin studied her for a moment and sighed. “You’re still worried about Junior Brother Zhao, aren’t you?”

Li Ruolan shook her head. “He can take care of himself.”

“That’s good then.” Ji Xin nodded.

He felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart. Although Junior Brother Zhao had saved his life and had even taken his place in staying behind at Fairy’s Capital in the Ji Dynasty to stall the Tempest Temple, Ji Xin still felt jealous to see Junior Sister Li being so anxious about him.

Li Ruolan said, “Senior Brother Ji, let’s not stop and rest tonight. We should hurry straight back to the Great Light Peak in case the Tempest Temple is still trying to hunt you down.”

“Okay, sure.” Ji Xin nodded eagerly.

This was exactly what he wanted too. He had become scared of the Tempest Temple monks now and kept feeling worried that they might still be following them. It was possible that the monks had not yet caught up to the two of them since they had been traveling without stopping for any sleep or rest. In that case, the monks might catch up to them if they stopped to rest.

If they had to fight the Tempest Temple while his injuries were not yet fully recovered, Junior Sister Li might not be able to fend them off on her own. That way, the two of them probably would not manage to survive.

“Junior Brother Zhao has always been very lucky and blessed by Heaven. You don’t have to worry about him,” Ji Xin said.

Li Ruolan forced a smile at him. “Indeed, I’m not worried about him.”

After they had finished their meal, they continued on their journey and hurried all the way back to the Great Light Peak this time.

They parted at the foot of the Great Light Peak because Ji Xin needed to go to the Divine Light Basilica to meet the Saint. Meanwhile, Li Ruolan returned to her residence.

…

Chu Li sat in front of a table in the waterside pavilion while drinking his tea and reading a book in a leisurely and carefree manner.

As he lifted his head, he could immediately see the scenery outside the window. The rock garden was filled with flowers and trees and was overflowing with life and vigor. It was a truly pleasing view.

He heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Feng Qi stopped outside the door and said with a smile, “Junior Brother Zhao.”

“Senior Brother Feng, please come in,” Chu Li replied with a raised voice.

Feng Qi was stroking his beard as he opened the door and walked in. Then, he gave a fist salute and chuckled before saying, “I’m not disturbing Junior Brother Zhao, am I?”

“I’m not doing anything right now. Don’t worry about being a bother to me.” Chu Li put away his book and took a sip of tea. “Senior Brother Feng, how long have you been staying in Fairy’s Capital?”

“Around twenty years, I suppose,” Feng Qi replied and sighed emotionally, “I’ve nearly forgotten what the Great Light Peak looks like now, but I’ll always remember what the Divine Light Basilica looks like. I can never forget it!”

“Indeed, the summit of the Great Light Peak is such a splendid and magnificent sight.” Chu Li shook his head and sighed. “Who could ever forget it?”

Feng Qi nodded.

Chu Li asked, “Senior Brother Feng, are you concealing your martial arts, or have you really crippled your cultivation?”

He sensed something odd about Feng Qi. The man did not seem to be using any secret skill to hide away his martial arts like most disciples from the Holy Church of Light. Instead, it appeared as though he really did not possess any martial arts skills at all.

“I’ve crippled my cultivation,” Feng Qi replied, “if I possess martial arts skills, it’ll be very hard for me to deceive the spies of the Secret Guardians Hall.”

Chu Li frowned and asked, “Is the Secret Guardians Hall that hard to deal with?”

“The Secret Guardians Hall has eyes and ears everywhere, especially in Fairy’s Capital,” Feng Qi replied while shaking his head, “any slight movements would immediately attract their attention!”

“In that case, will they know that I’m here?” Chu Li asked.

Feng Qi said, “Since no one has ever come to our backyard, no one should know that you’re here, so you can just put your mind at rest and stay here, Junior Brother Zhao.”

Chu Li put on a relieved expression.

Feng Qi laughed and said, “Before Patrol Li left, she told me to treat Junior Brother Zhao like a patrol too, so if you have any requests or instructions, just let me know. I’ll certainly try my best to carry them out!”

“That’s not necessary. Just treat me as you normally would so that we don’t raise any suspicions.”

“That would be best.”

After they chatted for a while more, Feng Qi took his leave. He could tell that Chu Li’s physical condition was not very good due to his severe injuries, and wondered how much longer Chu Li could hold on.

On the morning of the third day, when Chu Li opened his eyes while lying in his bed, he saw Li Ruolan’s slender and graceful figure.

She was standing like a statue by the window of the waterside pavilion while staring blankly out the window. Only the dark hair on her temple was fluttering gently as a soft breeze blew in.

Chu Li knitted his brows together. “Senior Sister, why have you come back?”

“I’d like to see how you’re going to get rid of the palm energy from the Tempest Temple.” Li Ruolan turned around and looked at him with her limpid, bright eyes. “Senior Brother Ji has already returned to the Great Light Peak, so you can start getting rid of the palm energy now!”

Chu Li nodded. “He has finally returned safely.”

“When will you begin?” Li Ruolan asked.

“There’s no need to rush,” Chu Li replied.

Li Ruolan frowned and stared at him. “Don’t tell me you can’t get rid of it?”

“Yes, I can’t.” Chu Li calmly nodded.

“You…” Li Ruolan pursed her lips tightly.

Chu Li responded, “Why did you have to come back?”

“Just as expected!” Li Ruolan huffed and muttered, “You’re indeed a fool!”