White-Robed Chief

The full moon lit up the Fairy’s Capital.

The Verdant Cloud Brothel’s Qing Yu Courtyard looked extremely dreamy under the moonlight.

Tweedle could be heard inside the fully lighted room.

The interior of the building was incredibly simple. Not a single speck of dust could be seen on the thick, moon-white carpet and a white cloth was fluttering slightly.

Chu Li and Mo Qingyu sat at both ends of the low tea-table. It was rather comfortable to sit on the cushion on top of the thick and soft carpet.

Mo Qingyu was in a pure white robe. Her hairstyle was so tall that it looked like a black cloud. Her slender and pure fingers were twirling slowly as she lowered her head to play the piano, revealing her slender snow-white neck that looked like the ivory.

Chu Li squinted as he occasionally picked up the white jade cup to enjoy some delicious liquor. He was incredibly relaxed.

As the piano stopped, Chu Li opened his eyes and clapped.

“Junior Brother, you seem to be quite relaxed. That’s incredibly rare.” Mo Qingyu stood up and walked towards Chu Li. As she sat down, Chu Li could smell a faint aroma invading into his nose.

She used her fair hands to pick up the pot, tilted it as she poured another cup to Chu Li.

Chu Li smiled. “I’m just heading to the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“It’s the Imperial Mausoleum…” Mo Qingyu shook his head softly as she placed the pot down. She very close to Chu Li that and when she sat in front of him they could feel each other’s breath.

Chu Li smiled. “Since Senior Sister has found out, does that mean master knows as well?”

“Master’s Junior Shen allows you to return to the mountain.” Mo Qingyu sighed. “It’s the Imperial Mausoleum, the forbidden place for martial arts!”

“Senior Sister, do you know any secrets regarding the Imperial Mausoleum? Are the secrets to enlightenment really?” Chu Li asked.

Mo Qingyu got up gently and sat elegantly in front of her junior. “While it’s true that the Imperial Mausoleum has the secrets to enlightenment, no one really knows what kind of secrets they are.”

“Has no one gotten out before?”

“Every Emperor from every generation will have to enter it and they ultimately come out as an Enlightened Master.”

“It’s not a trap where people go in and die, right?”

“The reason no one is able to exit the Inner Imperial Mausoleum was that they can’t leave the Imperial Mausoleum. The Inner and Outer Imperial Mausoleum are connected and anyone is free to move between them. However, there is a huge door separating them. Once someone has entered the Inner Imperial Mausoleum, he will never be able to leave. This is for certain.”

“Is that so…” Chu Li understood.

Mo Qingyu sighed. “Truthfully, the Imperial Mausoleum is a huge formation!”

Chu Li’s eyebrow twitched.

“The prowess of this formation is immeasurable. It’s not that no one has had plans to raid the Imperial Mausoleum, it’s just that none of them were able to get out.” Mo Qingyu shook her head. “Nobody really knows just how many masters there are in the Imperial Mausoleum. Perhaps the only person who knows the exact number is the Emperor himself, especially the Inner Imperial Mausoleum.”

Chu Li nodded.

Hence, it’s impossible to try to escape from the Imperial Mausoleum by force,” Mo Qingyu said, “Although the Amethyst Mountain doesn’t have any Enlightened Masters, we’ve got the capability to deal with one. This is the reason why the Emperor hasn’t dared to lay a hand on us on the Amethyst Mountain!”

Chu Li nodded.

This was the secret and the strength of the Big Four Factions.

Chu Li shook his head. “Senior Sister, I’ve received your kindness but I will not be returning back to the Amethyst Mountain!”

Mo Qingyu looked at him in shock.

Chu Li said, “If I escape while I’m on my way there, I can only hide on the Amethyst Mountain, that’s no different from going to the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“You can change your identity and your face. Then, you’ll be able to come out again.” Mo Qingyu frowned. “However, you’ll never be able to get out once you enter the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“I’ve made my own arrangements,” Chu Li said.

Mo Qingyu said, “Are you really not returning to the Amethyst Mountain?”

Chu Li shook his head.

Mo Qingyu sighed as she spoke, “Alright. You’re a man with a plan and I can’t convince you otherwise. I’ll inform Master’s Junior Shen.”

Chu Li smiled. “How is Senior Sister Mo doing nowadays?”

“My life has been very comfortable.” Mo Qingyu smiled. “It’s all thanks to you.”

Chu Li smiled. “You should leave as soon as possible if you don’t like it! I might drag you into some trouble once I leave the Fairy’s Capital.”

“I’ll play by ear.” Mo Qingyu smiled.

—

As Chu Li had finally finished taking care of matters in the Fairy’s Capital, he announced to the public that he would no longer see anyone else and left for Gale City.

Peace had returned back to Gale City and nobody had noticed the changes within the Roaring Tiger Clan. Instead, things were moving in the dark and everyone was waiting for Zheng Yanwu’s arrival.

They all knew that Zheng Yanwu would never let Zhao Dahe off the hook and the latter’s future was obvious.

A centenarian master versus a gifted youth. Everyone knew that no matter how amazing the gifted youth was, Zhao Dahe would not survive the next few days. Once he encountered Zheng Yanwu, it was certain that he would be killed.

It was noon and Chu Li was sunbathing in a chair at the garden behind his house. He was sleeping peacefully as he laid down lazily.

Lu Shu’s short and chubby figure lay beside him. Kou Qiong and Feng Wuji were doing chores at the Radiance Clan as half of their injuries were recovered. Although they could still not move their fingers, it did not stop them from doing the chores.

“Hu Ya and his people are very fickle-minded. They look down on us and more importantly, they look down on you.” Lu Shu yawned as he laid lazily in a chair. “They’re certain to run back to the Roaring Tiger Clan once you’ve fallen!”

“The Roaring Tiger Clan will never accept them again!” Chu Li said.

“I don’t think so. They were Roaring Tiger Clan’s elites.” Lu Shu harrumphed. “The White Tiger Sect will definitely admit defeat and would, at best, attempt to remove Hu Ya. It’s easier to control a group without a leader.”

Chu Li nodded. “We’ll discuss this further once Zheng Yanwu is killed.”

“They will definitely be loyal to us if you’re able to kill Zheng Yanwu.” Lu Shu smiled. “However, many people don’t have high hopes for you.”

“I still have to try!” Chu Li said lazily.

“I’m just afraid of the other two sects butting in at the most crucial moment.” Lu Shu said. “That will disrupt your concentration and Zheng Yanwu will have a higher chance of winning!”

“Hmm, this is very likely based on the Flaming Sun Sect. Please make preparations.” Chu Li said.

“What preparations?” A soft and gentle voice sounded. Two women in green robes with white veils covering their faces appeared before them. Their watery eyes were looking intently at him without any sign of blinking at all.

Chu Li sat up as he fist saluted. “Senior Sister Li, Senior Sister Lu.”

Li Ruolan scoffed. “Zhao Dahe, you’re getting better at seeking trouble. Why are you still creating trouble at this time!”

Lu Zhen said. “Junior Brother Zhao, did you really kill Zheng Tianhe?”

Chu Li nodded. “I killed him!”

“You’re really brave. Don’t you know that his father is a hidden master?” Lu Zhen asked. “We’ve received news that Zheng Yanwu has come down from the mountain and will arrive at Gale City soon. What will you do?”

“I’ll come up with an idea. Do you guys have any suggestions?”

“Avoid him.” Li Ruolan said.

Chu Li harrumphed. What will happen to Gale Branch if I were to avoid him?”

“You’re already in big trouble, why are you still worried about Gale Branch?” Li Ruolan harrumphed. “You and Gale Branch will fall even if you’re around. If you’re not around, he might not lay his hand on Gale Branch. After all, you’re the one who killed his son.”

“I’ll not run away from this!” Chu Li muttered. “I won’t budge an inch!”

“When will you change that attitude of yours!” Li Ruolan was blunt. “Look at the situation, you’ll die if you don’t escape!”

“I’d rather die than to run away!” Chu Li scoffed.

Li Ruolan was angry and anxious.

Lu Zhen immediately butted in. “Alright. We’ll lend you a hand since you’re not going to retreat. We should stand a chance if it’s three against one.”

“Thank you Senior Sister Lu!” Chu Li fist saluted.

Lu Shu gently stepped back.

“We might still stand a chance if your martial arts have recovered, but it doesn’t seem that way.” Li Ruolan looked him in the eye as she shook her head. “Don’t waste time and start training!”

Chu Li nodded.

For the next two days, he would be busy cultivating the thirty-six energy-nurturing forms.

…