White-Robed Chief

Xiao Qi had not waited for Xiao Shi to send someone to invite her as she had already arrived.

She was in a full white robe that looked extremely pure and clean from head to toe. It was as if she was not of this world.

She had already heard the imperial edict as she glared coldly at Chu Li.

Chu Li laughed. “Miss, we’re going to be separated now. Your wish has come true!”

Xiao Qi asked, “Are you really going to the Imperial Mausoleum?”

“It’s the Emperor’s will. I can’t defy it.” Chu Li said.

Xiao Shi informed Xiao Qi about Chu Li’s experiences the previous night. She then concluded. “The Emperor has spared your life. He chose not to sentence you to death but he still has to do something to punish you. Based on his personality, you’ll never be able to return to the Fairy’s Capital.”

Chu Li nodded.

Xiao Shi smiled. “It’s fine. He has the Limb of God, which means he can return whenever he wishes.”

Xiao Qi’s reaction was rather strange.

“What’s the matter? Am I wrong?” Xiao Shi asked hastily when she noticed Xiao Qi’s odd expression. “It’s fine as long as he doesn’t reveal himself to the public.”

“Elder Sister, I think you’ll be disappointed.” Xiao Qi’s cold expression had a vague smile on it as she said indifferently, “No one can use divine power in the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“Huh??” Xiao Shi was shocked. “He can’t use any divine power?”

Xiao Qi continued. “It makes sense if you think about it. If people could use divine power in the Imperial Mausoleum, how are you going to protect it?”

Xiao Shi grew disheartened as she looked at Chu Li.

Chu Li shook his head. “Is not being able to use divine power there really true?”

“In theory. You’ll only know when you head there.” Xiao Qi said.

Xiao Shi frowned and pondered for a moment before nodding slowly.

Her worry turned to happiness when she heard Chu Li’s words. She had not thought things through. Now that Xiao Qi had reminded her, she found it reasonable upon further consideration. Who would be protecting the place if no one could use divine power there?

The Imperial Mausoleum was as extravagant as the Imperial House. Although the Underground Palace and the Imperial House were so similar to the point where they were pretty much identical, the Underground Palace was filled with the corpses of previous Emperors instead of living beings.

The Protectors in the Underground Palace were pretty similar to the ones in the Imperial House, though perhaps even stricter than the latter.

According to rumor, the Emperors’ corpses were filled with legendary mysteries that must not be revealed to the public. Meanwhile, the reason the Imperial House was heavily guarded was that the Emperor was an Enlightened Master who far surpassed the Protectors. Hence, when it came to how heavily guarded the place was, the Imperial Mausoleum was one level higher than the Imperial House.

Xiao Shi scoffed. “Isn’t this hopeless?”

“Once Chu Li leaves for the Imperial Mausoleum, he’ll never return.” Xiao Qi said softly.

Qiao Shi frowned as she looked at Chu Li.

Chu Li said, “I’ll think of something.”

Xiao Qi said indifferently, “If it were that easy, guarding the Imperial Mausoleum wouldn’t be a tough thing to do.”

Chu Li smiled confidently.

“Fine, you’ll find a way eventually. Don’t loiter around there for too long. I’ll be waiting for you here!” Xiao Shi harrumphed.

Chu Li had already fused himself into her life. Although nothing much had happened in King An’s Imperial Residence, he had returned to talk to her for just a brief moment. Everything had been set in motion and the Protectors were strong enough. With Xiao Qi here, she had nothing to worry about.

However, she always felt ever so slightly unsafe when Chu Li was not around. She felt unsafe no matter the situation.

…

The four of them left King An’s Imperial Residence. The Protectors had not been summoned. They were just Chu Li, Xiao Qi, Xiao Shi, and Su Ru.

The three girls had white veils covering half of their faces, revealing just their eyes to the public. Chu Li was in his green robe with a longsword by his waist. The heroic vibe he gave off had a slight hint of courage as well.

The four of them shopped for the entire morning before stopping at a restaurant for their lunch.

The Ice Cloud Tower was considered one of the best restaurants in the Fairy’s Capital. It had three floors and was thirty meters tall. One could see how developed the Fairy’s Capital was just by surveying the place from the highest floor. It could fill anyone with pride. The restaurant’s chef was top-notch as well. Rumor had it that the chef had cooked in the Imperial Residence and learned all of his skills there.

The four of them arrived rather early as there were currently, on all three floors, only five to six tables occupied. They found a seat beside a window and ordered a few of their signature dishes.

The dishes were served to them swiftly. All of them were incredibly fragrant and delicious-looking. These signature dishes lived up to their names and Chu Li and the three girls enjoyed the meal a lot.

The three girls did not drink any liquor, only having the dishes. They took their time eating the food and looked extremely elegant doing so.

Chu Li, on the other hand, was enjoying his pot of liquor. He was taking things slowly as Su Ru helped pour his liquor.

They did not speak much, instead, they listened to the idle chatter around them. It was rather interesting listening to the various incidents within the Fairy’s Capital.

“Has everyone heard the news?” A slightly chubby Elder stroked his beard as he shook his head. He sighed as he continued. “The great chief of King An’s Imperial Residence has finally bit the dust!”

“I heard the imperial edict with my very ears.” Another thin Elder shook his head. “That Chief Chu Li was too tyrannical. It was bound to happen sooner or later!”

“That’s hard to say. Chief Chu Li was always fair when he handled things. He never abused his authority.” Another black-faced Elder said. “It’s rare to see such a man in this world. Unfortunately, good men don’t live long.”

“He isn’t dead yet.”

“He’s not dead but, when he goes on his way to guard the Imperial Mausoleum, there’ll be no difference. He’ll quietly wait for his death at the Imperial Mausoleum and will never appear before us again. His life is as good as over.”

“He won’t appear in the Fairy’s Capital anymore.”

“Sigh… It’s really unfortunate that such a man has fallen so far!”

“He’s still young and his future knows no bounds. Who knows, perhaps there’s still a chance for him to leave the Imperial Mausoleum and return to the Fairy’s Capital.”

“Old Zhang, have you heard of anyone leaving the Imperial Mausoleum?”

“Everything in the Imperial Mausoleum is confidential. It’s hopeless to think about leaving once you enter the place. You’ll die of old age inside the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“Doesn’t that mean that he’s doomed?”

“He’ll live the rest of his life inside the Imperial Mausoleum. He’s definitely going to be isolated from the martial art world!”

“Poor thing!”

“The higher you climb, the worse your fall will be.” The slightly fat Elder shook his head as he sighed. “He was incredibly famous in the past and it’s no surprise that this day eventually came. The Emperor is the one who has the final say in the Fairy’s Capital and nothing good comes out of offending him.”

“How dare he deceive his superior. The nerve. He was going against the Emperor!”

The Emperor, who was also an Enlightened Master, was someone deeply respected by everyone in the martial art world. It was truly a shock to the public that Chu Li had dared to defy him.

He had faced off against the prince and lied to the Emperor. He was out of his mind!

“King An’s Imperial Residence has now lost its chief. I’m afraid they’ll be going downhill from now on.”

“King An must have been oppressed by this Chief all this while. At least, he’s finally free from his grasp. Perhaps King An will be thrilled about this.”

“Haha, he’s the Rank-One Chief. Which King has the ability to resist him?”

Chu Li took a sip of his liquor as he thought.

Xiao Shi raised an eyebrow as she smiled. “Looks like you didn’t win anyone’s heart!”

“Hmpf!” Xiao Qi harrumphed softly as she found their conversation rather annoying.

Su Ru shook her head.

Chu Li said, “Since ancient times, people have chosen to follow the strong. This is nothing new.”

“I guess there are a lot of them waiting to see what will happen to you.” Xiao Shi said. “Especially King Cheng, he must be incredibly happy right now.”

“It must be so.” Chu Li smiled. “Leng Tao too. I’m sure they’re currently singing and getting drunk in celebration.”

Footsteps could be heard as they spoke.

A few Protectors had gone up the building and looked around. Their gaze softened after as falling upon the girl, Xiao Qi. They turned their heads and muttered. “Crown prince, all good!”

Qiao San led the way as he walked towards them, bowed down and smiled. “Crown prince, please!”

Leng Tao was fanning himself with his fan as he strode up to the third floor. He looked at the crowd lazily before setting his sights upon Chu Li.

A smile instantly appeared on his white, fat face. “Huh. Look who this is!”

Chu Li held onto his cup as he glared at him.

Leng Tao laughed loudly twice before he spoke again, “Isn’t this the infamous Chief Chu Li!”

Chu Li replied coldly, “It seems that Crown Prince Tao has forgotten his lesson!”

“Chu Li, you’re not the same as before!” Leng Tao folded his fan as he slapped it onto his palm happily. “What can you do to me now!”

“Despite my heading to the Imperial Mausoleum, I’m still a Rank-One. I still have the right to hit you. “Chu Li held onto his cup and replied lazily.

Qiao San was angered. “Chu Li, how dare you!”

…