White-Robed Chief

King Jing sighed. “Chief Chu Li, His Highness is determined to never use you ever again.”

Chu Li nodded. “I deceived him. It’s not a light offense!”

“The next lord won’t dare to use you as well. ” King Jing raised his head and looked at him before he muttered. “Once you set foot into the Imperial Mausoleum, you’ll be stuck inside and never come out again.”

“Has anybody gotten out of the Imperial Mausoleum before?” Chu Li frowned.

King Jing shook his head slowly. “No one.”

“Does that mean that my fate has been sealed?”

“Yes.”

“Oh well. I have to face it. This is my fate and I can’t defy High Highness, I can’t always be on the run and pursued by the world!”

“There’s only one way to get out of the Imperial Mausoleum!” King Jing muttered. “It’s the only way!”

“I’m willing to hear it!” Chu Li sat straight up.

King Jing took a deep breath. “Become enlightened!”

Chu Li frowned as he did not understand what King Jing was trying to say.

King Jing continued. “According to rumor, the secrets to becoming an Enlightened Master are hidden in the Imperial Mausoleum. If you’re able to find them, you’ll be able to become an Enlightened Master! There isn’t much hope for most people… However, Chief Chu Li, your capability to be enlightened is shockingly good. I’ve heard from Yurong that quality people like you are incredibly rare. Perhaps there’s still a chance!”

“Being enlightened…” Chu Li smiled as he nodded softly.

King Jing said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. It seems that this is the only way for Chief Chu Li!”

“Thank you, Royal Highness.” Chu Li fist saluted as he nodded slowly.

“I’ve said what I needed to say.” King Jing put down the cup as he stood up and fist saluted. “I’ll take my leave for now. Please inform me when you’ll be leaving the city, I’ll send you off!”

“Okay.” Chu Li nodded as he accepted King Jing’s offer.

King Jing then turned around and walked out of the hall and Chu Li escorted him up to the main entrance.

Just as King Jing was about to leave, he heard a bellowing sound. The earth started trembling as some twenty horses approached him. The riders were surrounding two graceful Elders in luxurious robes as they arrived at the entrance of King An’s Imperial Residence.

In front of King An’s Imperial Residence was a wide, empty field big enough to fit the twenty-two horses running loosely.

“We’ve met before, Seventh Uncle, Eighth Uncle!” King Jing fist saluted as he greeted them.

Chu Li fist saluted. “Good day, your Royal Highnesses.”

The twenty riders moved to the sidelines as the two graceful Elders rode their horses to King Jing and got down from them smoothly. They were Prince Bao and Prince Kang.

Prince Bao looked at King Jing before he smiled. “You’re here as well, Sixth Elder!”

King Jing replied, “Yes.”

Prince Bao smiled. “Aren’t you afraid that the Emperor will be angry at you for coming here?”

King Jing smirked. “I don’t think he will be angry over such a thing.”

“Alright.” Prince Bao nodded satisfactorily.

Prince Kang said with a smile, “Everyone is now avoiding Chu Li as much as possible. I can see you’ve put in some effort to come here.”

“I had something to discuss with Chief Chu Li.” King Jing looked at Chu Li. “I’m not here just to visit him.”

“Oh?” Prince Bao caressed his beard as he smiled. “Little Chu is about to guard the Imperial Mausoleum. What more is there to discuss with him?”

He looked at Chu Li as he shook his head.

“It’s related to Fourth Brother.” King Jing said.

“Sigh… He seems incredibly heartbroken!” Prince Bao shook his head. “Who wouldn’t be sad in his position. They were a good family and now he’s suddenly a widower. How could he not be sad? It’s fortunate that he’s still young and can find another Consort quickly to settle down.”

Prince Kang scoffed. “I’ve heard that he wants to guard the Imperial Mausoleum. He’s throwing a tantrum!”

“He’s been busy killing enemies at the frontline. Now that his hive has been raided, he’s in grief and agony. I see that he’s aged quite significantly.” King Bao sighed. “He used to be able to withstand such a drastic incident!”

Kang Jing nodded slowly.

Chu Li smiled. “Your Royal Highnesses, since you’re already here, why don’t you come in and have some tea.”

“We’re here to have a cup of tea!” Prince Kang smiled.

The two entered the residence with Chu Li while King Jing watched. He watched King An’s Imperial Residence’s door creak as it closed for some time before he turned around and departed.

—

“That Elder Sixth, he was definitely here for something, right? No one would come for no reason.” Prince Bao sat on an armchair as he picked up a teacup and took a sip of tea. “All he worries about is the country, he’s focused on issues and not on the people involved in them. He’s so busy, it’s impossible for him to have time to pay anyone a visit.”

Chu Li smiled. “King Jing is worried that the frontline may not be stable.”

“Why does he need to look for you if the frontline is not stable?” Prince Kang asked.

Chu Li replied, “King Ping and I get along well, so he wanted me to help him to say a few words to King Ping.”

“I understand now!” the two Princes were smart people and they immediately understood King Jing’s intentions. They started laughing and shook his head. This was the real King Jing!

“What about you Little Chu, your time is almost up eh?” Prince Kang giggled. “Are you starting to worry?”

“Yes,” Chu Li replied helplessly. “The Emperor isn’t giving me any chances.”

“Little Chu, you should know that once you enter the Imperial Mausoleum, there’s no way you’re coming out, right?” Prince Bao sighed as he stroked his beard. His face looked upset. “In terms of importance alone, the Imperial Mausoleum is much more important than the Imperial House. Hence, it is almost impossible to leave the Imperial Mausoleum once you set foot in it.”

Chu Li nodded.

“However, almost no one knows that the Imperial Mausoleum is divided into inner and outer regions.” Prince Bao said. “Once you set foot into the Inner Imperial Mausoleum, it’s certain that you won’t be coming out. Not even the Emperor could summon you back. However, if it’s the Outer Imperial Mausoleum, you still have a chance!”

Chu Li nodded slowly as he pondered. ‘That’s more like it.’

When he escorted Xu Huande out, he realized that the latter did not seem to be very pessimistic. In fact, he seemed to have a small hope that Chu Li would return. However, all information Chu Li had received ever since the imperial edict, including King Jing’s, had said that nobody was able to leave the Imperial Mausoleum once they entered.

“This is confidential information and no average person, including King Jing, knows about it.” Prince Bao looked extremely serious as he muttered. “Only the Emperor, the two of us, and a few trusted people know of this. However, this must not be exposed to the public.”

Chu Li asked. “Does the Secret Guardians Hall know of this?”

“The Secret Guardians Hall might know of this.” Prince Bao nodded.

Chu Li asked. “Why are you telling me this?”

“It’s only natural.” Prince Bao smiled. “We know what you’ve done for Fourth Brother. How could we sit idly!’

“Thank you, both of you!” Chu Li fist saluted.

Prince Bao said. “Although we know of the way, we can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to execute it.”

Chu Li said, “I’m all ears.”

“It’s incredibly hard to enter the Inner Imperial Mausoleum. You won’t be able to enter it without having enough skill.” Prince Bao smiled. “If your martial arts are completely crippled, you won’t be able to set foot into the Inner Imperial Mausoleum!”

Chu Li’s eyes brightened up. “Crippling my martial arts?”

“Yes!” Prince Bao smiled. “Once your martial arts are crippled, you won’t be able to enter the Inner Imperial Mausoleum. All you can do is to guard the outside of the Imperial Mausoleum. This is still considering guarding the place and you’re not defying the imperial edict. Although you still can’t leave the Imperial Mausoleum, you’ll have the chance to return!”

Prince Kang smiled to the point he squinted. “When the Emperor’s anger has subsided, we’ll speak on your behalf. Who knows, the Emperor might be happy enough to decide to call you back!”

Chu Li nodded slowly.

Prince Bao continued, “However, a powerhouse like you would rather die than to cripple your own martial arts. You might not be able to bear it. Furthermore, you’ll be useless once you cripple your martial arts. His Highness will never employ you ever again. Hence, the risk is very high.”

Prince Kang sighed. “Let’s not talk about the others yet. Once your martial arts are crippled, do you think you’ll live a good life if you return to the Fairy’s Capital, to this Imperial Residence? It might just be better for you to stay within the Imperial Mausoleum.”

Chu Li smiled.

Prince Bao said. “The Inner Imperial Mausoleum has the secrets to enlightenment. You can become an Enlightened Master if you are able to find them. You’ll be able to leave the Imperial Mausoleum then.”