White-Robed Chief

Chu Li rolled his eyes as he glanced at Qiao San. “It’s rare to find someone so loyal.”

Qiao San scoffed. “You know the Crown Prince’s social standing. Although you, Chief Chu Li, also have a high position, you can’t speak in such a manner to the Crown Prince!”

Chu Li asked, “What rank is he?”

“Ranking isn’t everything.” Qiao San scoffed.

“Pfft.” Chu Li let out a burst of laughter as he turned around and looked at Leng Tao. “Crown Prince Tao, it seems that this your Protector of yours doesn’t care much about rankings. I’m incredibly impressed by his bravery!”

Leng Tao coughed softly. An audible flap could be heard as he swung open his fan. He spoke after waving it a few times. “Ranking isn’t that strongly respected in the world of martial arts. What they value is bloodlines, and mine is royal!”

“Unfortunately, you’re not in line to become the next Emperor.” Chu Li shook his head. “You’re nothing but a glutton. Sad!”

“You with the surname Chu, you’re in such a pitiful state. Why are you still so happy!” Leng Tao could no longer keep up his act and had decided to be blunt with him. Since Chu Li was about to head to the Imperial Mausoleum, Leng Tao did not have to worry about seeing him again.

Chu Li said. “Guarding the Imperial Mausoleum pays well.”

“Haha, it pays well!” Leng Tao could not help but laugh in disdain. “You’re really good at comforting yourself. You’re even calling it a well-paying job!”

Chu Li smiled as he squinted. “I can focus on my martial arts training. It’s no different from isolating myself.”

“It’s the type of isolation where you shut yourself from the world until your death!” Leng Tao pouted as he spoke haughtily, “Don’t even think about leaving the Imperial Mausoleum after you’ve entered, it doesn’t matter how much stronger you become from training. Isn’t it sad that you won’t have a place to use that strength?”

“I’m confident that the Emperor will summon me once more.” Chu Li said.

“What a joke. You deceived your superior and committed a crime. No new superior would dare use you.” Leng Tao glanced at him as he shook his head. “Imperial Grandfather hates you to the core. He’ll never release you!”

“Is there anyone that can clearly predict what will happen in the future?”

“How stubborn!” Leng Tao scorned. “Your happy days are over. It’s incredibly boring inside the Imperial Mausoleum. Let’s see if you can survive in there!”

Chu Li smiled.

Xiao Shi looked extremely annoyed while Xiao Qi appeared despondent.

Leng Tao raised his fist in salute. “Third aunt, I’ll be taking my leave!”

Xiao Shi said indifferently, “Leng Tao, is what you said earlier the truth?”

Leng Tao smiled. “Chief Chu Li is definitely a goner. Third aunt, you should make preparations and plan for your future!”

He turned around and left as he finished speaking. He did not bother arguing with Chu Li anymore. After all, the latter would soon become irrelevant.

“That guy!” Xiao Shi shook her head as she looked at Chu Li.

Seeing the three ladies looking worried, Chu Li smiled. “Ignore him. There has to be a way.”

“I hope so.” Xiao Shi sighed.

She originally had faith in Chu Li. However, after hearing comments that just got worse and worse, it sounded like the Imperial Mausoleum was the same as the Cold Palace. Her face turned pale and she started to worry. The thought of him being imprisoned indefinitely appeared in her mind.

Xiao Qi muttered. “Looks like it’s easy to enter but incredibly difficult to leave. Be careful in there.”

Chu Li nodded.

The four of them went back to King An’s Imperial Residence, feeling dispirited. Just as they arrived at the entrance, the External Chief, Chief Zhu ran towards them and whispered. “Consort, Head Chief, His Royal Highness Jing is waiting inside the residence. He’s been here for half an hour!”

Chu Li nodded. “I’ll head in immediately.”

Xiao Shi and Xiao Qi both returned to the Tianshu Courtyard as soon as they entered the residence whereas Chu Li headed to the main hall.

The main hall was brightly lit and the Royal Highness was in a purple robe, sitting at the armchair as he read a scroll. He looked incredibly strict and was quietly releasing an oppressing vibe.

The footsteps coming from outside interrupted him. He placed down the scroll and saw Chu Li fist saluting towards him as he entered the room. Hence, he stood up and fist saluted in response.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Royal Highness. Please forgive me!” Chu Li fist saluted as he sat down opposite King Jing.

A handsome maid came forward and served them tea before retreating politely.

Chu Li took a sip of the tea before putting it down on the table. “Since your Royal Highness has personally visited this place, I wonder if there’s anything you need.”

It was his first time seeing King Jing in King An’s Imperial Residence. King Jing seemed to have never set foot in King An’s Imperial Residence before.

King Jing sighed. “I heard the imperial edict. Chief Chu Li, are you really going to the Imperial Mausoleum?”

“It’s the Emperor’s imperial edict, I can’t defy it!” Chu Li nodded.

King Jing frowned as he looked at Chu Li. “What happened to make Imperial Father this angry?”

Chu Li said, “I found out the mastermind behind the assassination of Consort Ping and informed King Ping.”

“Who was the mastermind?” King Jing muttered. “Was it me?”

Many people had spread the news that he was the one who sent assassins after the Consort to influence King Ping’s emotions. This was to distract him so that he could no longer lead the army to war.

“Not you. “Chu Li shook his head. “It was the Zheng Dynasty’s Mysterious Pavillion.”

“The Zheng Dynasty?!” King Jing was in disbelief. “How could it be them? Wasn’t it the Holy Church of Light?”

Chu Li shook his head. “The Mysterious Pavillion planted spies within the Holy Church of Light so that they could be deployed at the most critical moment. Hence, everyone thought that it was the Holy Church of Light’s doing.”

King Jing gritted his teeth as he scoffed. “The Mysterious Pavillion is so cunning and cruel!”

The move was incredibly cruel and cunning as no one would link the incident to them. Everyone had guessed that the murderer was either from the Holy Church of Light of the Li Dynasty or King Jing.

Chu Li sighed.

King Jing said, “I’ve heard news that Fourth Brother wants to forfeit his right to the army. He was incredibly heartbroken over the fact that his Consort had been assassinated and refused to return to the frontline. He wants to live in solitude and refuses to meddle with the world. Rumor has it that he wants to guard the Imperial Mausoleum as well!”

Chu Li looked at King Jing in shock He had not expected King Ping would act so brazenly. The latter had decided to give up on the military power and to make things worse, he wanted to guard the Imperial Mausoleum as well.

“Fourth Brother is indeed pitiful. Fourth Sister-in-law was the most innocent of them all. Curse that d*mned Mysterious Pavillion!” King Jing said somberly, gritting his teeth. His voice had a hint of killing intent mixed within.

He started shivering and his heart started pounding faster as the thought of his Consort being assassinated crossed his mind. He could not imagine how much agony he would be in.

The Mysterious Pavillion’s action was too cruel and unforgivable.

“Did the Emperor allow King Ping to guard the Imperial Mausoleum?”

“How is that possible!” King Jing shook his head as he smiled wryly. “I only realized upon hearing the imperial edict that Fourth Brother is most likely throwing a fit at Imperial Father. He must have done so when he begged for you to be forgiven but was rejected.”

Chu Li nodded slowly. “If King Ping had not asked for forgiveness in my place, the Emperor might have just killed me on the spot. When the Emperor tried to hide this news, he had sent Commander Xu to the Imperial Mausoleum. He must have believed that I didn’t know who the mastermind was but when King Ping sent someone over to ask me about the incident, I couldn’t lie to him and told him the truth.”

King JIng sighed. “Chief Chu Li, you’re a man of emotion.”

He understood what kind of situation Chu Li was in. The latter’s life would be put in danger the instant he defied the Emperor and revealed who the real culprit was. Despite knowing that, Chu Li insisted on leaking it. Hence, the Emperor had shown mercy and Chu Li was sent to guard the Imperial Mausoleum.

Had Fourth Brother not begged for mercy, Chu Li would have died thanks to the Emperor’s temper!

Chu Li said, “It’s impossible for me to change this habit of mine. As a man of culture, it’s hard for me to accept disobeying my moral compass.”

“I thank you on behalf of Fourth Brother!” King Jing fist saluted.

Chu Li smiled. “Do you feel relieved now, Royal Highness?”

King Jing smiled wryly. “I didn’t think that Fourth Brother would act in such a way. However, it’s quite worrying that Fourth Brother has left the frontline.”

Chu Li smiled and did not say a word.

King Jing’s words were more than meets the eye. It seemed that what he was worried about was not the Li Dynasty. Instead, he was worried that King Ping’s subordinates might not take it lightly, and the heart of the military would be hard to capture and control.

King Ping had incredible influence in the military. How could his subordinates not be worried when King Ping left suddenly, without any notice. They might have thought that the Emperor had forcefully taken King Ping’s military authority away from him and they would not be happy about it.

King Jing raised his teacup, lowered his head down, and took a sip without uttering a single word.

Chu Li smiled. “If King Ping were to come and visit me, I will remind him to send a letter to his subordinates.”

“I’ll leave everything in your hands!” King Jing stood up and fist saluted.

Chu Li waved his hands. “Royal Highness, you’re too kind.”

…