White-Robed Chief

Xiao Qi rode alongside him as she said dully, “I didn’t think they’d come to see you off.”

Chu Li smiled. “I’m quite popular.”

Xiao Qi gave him a side glance. “I think they’re here for the show?”

Chu Li shook his head and burst into laughter. “Human nature may be cruel but not that cruel… Our journey won’t be a tranquil one, I’ll be relying on my Lady’s protection!”

“Why did you insist on not having Protectors come along?” Xiao Qi frowned.

“My Lady, you alone are enough. I don’t wish for others to bother us.”

Xiao Qi’s brows twisted into a tighter knot as she glared unhappily at him. “This isn’t the time to fool around!”

“My Lady, you’ve been in Isolated Cultivation but Regal Sword Scripture’s only scripture and needed to be sharpened on the battlefield. Your advancement’s at a standstill because you lack actual combat. This trip to the Imperial Mausoleum will serve as your journey in cultivation!”

“One false move and your life will be at stake!”

“That’s why you should push forward without hesitation, without holding back, without retreating!”

“… I hope you’ve made the right choice!” Xiao Qi slowly answered.

Her Regal Sword Scripture was indeed at a stalemate and further cultivation would do no good. She saw the truth when Chu Li mentioned that, only by acknowledging a sentiment could the sentiment accepted, but the problem of her lack of actual combat still remained.

She suddenly felt warm inside. He was still thinking of her sake during these times, leaving his life in her hands just to sharpen her skills!

Chu Li stole a glance at her and smiled within.

The two rode on their horses. Once past Qing Yun Town, the number of passersby on the road was so low it was as if they were the only two left on earth.

After half a day on the road, they made a pit stop a post-house.

Xiao Qi’s mind was at rest to see Chu Li unaffected from the journey.

The body became extremely brittle after its martial arts is crippled, making it weaker than an ordinary man’s. It was easy to fall ill if the journey continued without rest.

Xiao Qi took out stewed meat, dry provisions and some fruits to display on the table.

Chu Li first consumed a fruit then some stewed meat and a piece of dry provision. He took a few sips of water before sighing. “It won’t be this quiet soon. You should prepare to fight!”

Xiao Qi nibbled and swallowed a piece of dry provision. She gently nodded.

Chu Li pointed at the woods ahead. “There’s four masters coming from over there. All of them are Swordmasters!”

Xiao Qi frowned at him.

Chu Li smiled. “My martial arts may be gone but I still have my senses!”

Xiao Qi swallowed the dry provision in her mouth and took a sip of water. She took her handkerchief to wipe her hands before flipping on top of the pavilion with her sword in hand. She shrunk her body to camouflage herself from the direction Chu Li was pointing at. She remained still.

Four people in black swooped in, standing on branches. Noticing Chu Li sitting alone, they were overjoyed and pulled out their swords, drawing lines of white fluorescent light in the sky. They were going to attack him from above.

“Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh!” Xiao Qi appeared behind him and a flash of blade light swept past their throats.

She had seen through them and sensed they harbored killing intent so, of course, she did not hold back.

“Wham wham wham wham!” The four fell below the pavilion, their bodies twitching until they breathed their last.

Regal Sword Scripture’s blade energy had obliterated their minds.

Chu Li caressed his palms and smiled. “My Lady’s single slice proved your mastery of its secrets. I’m impressed!”

Xiao Qi answered, “It’s ordinary.”

Chu Li smiled. “These four have impressive swordsmanship skills but were to focused on killing me… There will be more masters to come!”

Xiao Qi slowly nodded. “You have to be careful. You don’t have your martial arts but you still have your step technique, right?… What about your divine powers?”

Chu Li replied, “I still have my divine powers.”

“God’s Limbs too?”

“Yes.”

Xiao Qi let out a sigh of relief.

He could make his escape if he had God’s Limbs. She did not have to worry that much.

She then rolled her eyes at Chu Li. He had made it sound as though he had to count on her fully but now it seemed it was all in her mind!

Chu Li added, “God’s Limbs will only take me to places I’ve been before. I’ve never been to the Imperial Mausoleum so I can’t go there with God’s Limbs. I have to get there with my two limbs and require your protection.”

“… That’s true.” Xiao Qi muttered, and nodded.

The duo continued on their journey.

There were multiple assassination attempts while they were on their way, some were solo fights, while others gathered in groups of threes or fives. Chu Li exposed all their hiding locations to prepare Xiao Qi in advance so she could make the kill in a single strike.

With Chu Li’s God’s Limbs still remaining, Xiao Qi was able to kill without holding back.

Three days later, Xiao Qi had killed close to over forty masters, which meant that more than a dozen died at her blade every single day.

In a short span of time, her reputation as the Ruthless Fairy spread.

Her unpredictable and fleeting swordsmanship was unavoidable. A single strike proved fatal. She was ruthless but still called a fairy for her ethereal-like mannerisms. Dressed in white and covered with a white veil, she carried herself in a cool demeanor as though she was not from this mortal world.

Xiao Qi’s skills advanced by leaps and bounds.

She had been in Isolated Cultivation so she had enough grasp of the scripture but lacked actual sharpening of skills. Xiao Qi had never really had the chance to commit murder, not even during her time in the martial arts world. Her indifferent attitude rarely got her into trouble. Hence, rarely she found herself needing to kill.

She was faced with many assassination atttempts while escorting Chu Li. The number of battles she encountered in the past three days was higher than all the previous years combined. Her grasp on the scripture was put to test with her sword, improving her swordsmanship.

The original standstill slowly loosened up and she inched toward advancement.

Chu Li could clearly see the change in her and was happy for her. He was strong enough and unafraid of Xiao Qi’s quick advancement. He was confident he could break through her inner state.

…

In the evening, the sunset turned the dense forest red. The two rode on their horses and arrived in the depths of the forest. They tied their horses to a tree, leaving them to feast on fresh grass. The duo then chopped down three trees and sat on a stump while lighting a bonfire.

It was getting chilly and soon, it would be winter.

They sat by the bonfire to roast and flip two chickens. The golden fat dripped on the firewood, emitting a rich aroma.

Chu Li suddenly turned to glance behind Xiao Qi and sighed. “Someone’s here!”

Xiao Qi leaped up and landed on a branch. She had not made a move when a white figure emerged before her.

“Cling cling cling cling…” Xiao Qi’s sword flashed as quick as lightning but the blade was blocked by a finger each time, causing the clashing sounds of metal.

Xiao Qi’s sword could not move past her opponent’s fingers. She was inferior to the opponent.

The owner of these fingers was a woman dressed in white, with a white veil over her face, exposing her sharp eyes. She was alluring and moved as though she was dancing. It was a pleasing sight to see.

“Miss Lu!” Chu Li spoke.

The woman in white paused and was almost hit by Xiao Qi’s sword. She took a leap towards Chu Li.

Noticing the turn of events, Xiao Qi blocked her. She was afraid she would hurt Chu Li.

Chu Li smiled. “My Lady, Miss Lu, please take a break.”

Lu Yurong dully retorted, “Third Lady Xiao, there isn’t much advancement to your martial arts. You’re no match for me!”

Xiao Qi answered, “That might not be true!”

“Alright then!” Lu Yurong gently pushed out her palm.

Xiao Qi stabbed into her palm.

Lu Yurong turned her wrist and swiveled her white finger, sweeping the blade away before smacking Xiao Qi in the chest.

“Wham!” Xiao Qi swung her sword after taking the hit.

Lu Yurong took a step to the side to evade and smacked another palm on Xiao Qi’s shoulder.

“Miss Lu!” Chu Li said solemnly.

Lu Yurong flashed and appeared before Chu Li. Her faint scent lingered in his nostrils as she snickered. “Chu Li, you’ve finally got what you deserved!”