White-Robed Chief

Fu Mengshan smiled bitterly at Chu Li before turning to look at Xiao Qi.

He sighed. “So this is the famous Third Lady Xiao?”

Chu Li grinned. “Despite being crippled of my martial arts, my wife did not lose hers so I have nothing to be afraid of.”

Xiao Qi nodded lightly in an attempt to conceal her bashfulness.

Fu Mengshan forced a smile and sighed. “Ugh…”

Chu Li beamed. “Commander Fu, it’s alright.”

“Gu Yu isn’t going to let you off the hook.” Fu Mengshan shook his head with a bitter smile. “He’s a vindictive person and he intends to enforce the Secret Guardians’ authority to restore it to its former glory ever since he became Deputy Commander. Surely, he’ll plot to kill you for the way you’ve discredited him.”

Chu Li snorted. “Well, we’ll see about that.”

“What are you going to do if he leads men to lay siege on the imperial residence?” Fu Mengshan frowned. “Don’t think for a second that he won’t do it. He’ll stop at nothing.”

Chu Li answered, “Then we’ll see who’ll reign supreme between Imperial Residence’s Protectors and the Secret Guardians.”

“Are you waging war against the Secret Guardians Hall?”

“Why not?”

“You sure have the courage.” Fu Mengshan shook his head. “The Emperor won’t let you get away. His Majesty may not lay his hands on King An’s Imperial Residence but Young Chu, it’ll not end well for you.”

“I don’t mind,” Chu Li replied dully.

Fu Mengshan frowned. “Gu Yu pushed this matter too far but you’re at fault too. Things have gotten out of control now!”

Chu Li smiled. “Commander Fu, it’s best if you leave especially with trouble brewing around here. Leave Fairy’s Capital as soon as you can before you’re pulled into this mess!”

“…That’s true.” Fu Mengshan nodded slowly.

Fu Mengshan sighed helplessly. He really could not make any sense out of this. Chu Li always took things to the extreme without thinking of tying up loose ends. He was afraid that Chu Li may end up in prison.

Chu Li escorted Fu Mengshan out before turning to return to the main hall. He nodded happily at Zhu Tianhua and the others. “Not bad, everyone will be rewarded. Now, return to your positions!”

“Alright.” The crowd motioned a fist salute before clearing out respectively.

Everyone was excited at the thought of teaching the Secret Guardians a lesson as they could finally release their frustration accumulated during the period in which they were oppressed.

Xiao Shi said, “Everyone’s happy but trouble’s coming our way.”

Chu Li smiled. “It’s up to my Lady now.”

“I’ll enter the Imperial House right away!” snorted Xiao Shi. “I’ll see if they’ll go over my head!”

She then turned to return to Tianshu Courtyard and changed into her mourning wear. Xiao Shi then rode on a horse-drawn carriage with Xiao Qi to seek the Empress in the Imperial House.

…

Chu Li sat deep in thought in Tianshu Courtyard.

Xiao Shi meeting the Empress in the Imperial House was the easy solution. It was the easiest way to deal with the problem.

Fickle relationships and people’s treachery were plain to see.

Gu Yu acted at this with impunity at the sight of his crippled martial arts and being stripped of his Secret Guardian’s duty by the Emperor. He was about to make an example by starting with King An’s Imperial Residence.

The two previous Secret Guardians tried to provoke and humiliate Gu Yu before attempting to beat him up. Unfortunately for them, Gu Yu triumphed in the fight. He could have been the laughing stock of Fairy’s Capital if he did not manage to defeat the two Secret Guardians. It would have been the end for Chu Li, and the Du Feng of the South would be no more.

Later, Chen Donghai and another twelve wanted to arrest Gu Yu to bring him to the Secret Guardians Hall for trial. They were also going to capture a few Protectors in King An’s Imperial Residence to avenge the death of former Secret Guardians.

“Zhu Tianhua!” exclaimed Chu Li.

“Present!” Zhu Tianhua’s sturdy body appeared.

Chu Li retorted, “How is the formation practice going along?”

“We are fairly accustomed to it,” Zhu Tianhua solemnly replied.

Chu Li nodded.

Zhu Tianhua added, “Head Chief, are we going to deal with the Secret Guardians Hall?”

“It’s not the time yet but be prepared.” Chu Li shook his head.

If everything went smoothly, Xiao Shi’s trip to raise havoc with the Empress in the Imperial House would have gone as planned.

The Emperor would eventually give the Secret Guardians Hall a piece of his mind. After all, the act of the Secret Guardians Hall pouncing upon King An’s Imperial Residence right after his death was improper.

Gu Yu kept his eyes on Chu Li and Xiao Shi but placed King An at the back of his mind. He did not have the Emperor’s best interest in mind.

If Xiao Shi did not have the upper hand as they hoped, then the Emperor would be implying to everyone that he had given up on King An’s Imperial Residence. His Majesty’s failure as a father to take care of King An’s spouse after his death would have stirred bitter disappointment in the hearts of his subjects.

Two hours later, Xiao Shi and Xiao Qi returned. Xiao Shi was grinning from ear to ear while Xiao Qi seemed relaxed.

Chu Li smiled. “How was it?”

“The Emperor scolded Gu Yu.” snorted Xiao Shi.

Chu Li replied, “Just a scolding?”

It was too light a punishment if it was just scolding. In fact, it looked like a display of connivance from the Emperor.

“Gu Yu will come to apologize tomorrow,” said Xiao Shi.

Xiao Qi commented, “Be careful of this person. He has such a vile character!”

Chu Li nodded.

Gu Yu arrived in the morning of the next day.

There was pin-drop silence in the living room of King An’s Imperial Residence.

Gu Yu sat up straight in an armchair. With a robust demeanor, he held a teacup and stared at Chu Li as if he owned the place. “Head Chief Chu, I’m sure you hold resentments against me.”

Chu Li replied, “Why do you say so?”

“You must be thinking that we shouldn’t have stripped you of your Secret Guardian position immediately after your martial arts were crippled.” Gu Yu sighed. “I didn’t want to do it.”

Chu Li put on a fake smile. “I resigned from my Secret Guardian post when the Emperor granted me an audience in the Palace. It was inappropriate for me to hold the position with my crippled martial arts. Thankfully, the Emperor had been understanding and endorsed my resignation.”

The Secret Guardians Hall was not a place for one to join and quit at one’s own will.

Once a Secret Guardian, always a Secret Guardian. Secret Guardians were restricted from leaving due to their knowledge of secrets that were unknown to the public.

“Oh?” Gu Yu pretended to be surprised but he was fuming within.

Gu Yu’s blood boiled upon hearing Chu Li’s words as he was openly mocking Gu Yu and implying that Gu Yu had no right in deciding Chu Li’s fate as that should be left in the Emperor’s hands. Chu Li was belittling him, a Commander!

Chu Li retorted, “I believe you have received a decree from His Majesty?”

“Yes.” nodded Gu Yu.

Chu Li dully said, “Commander Gu has been finding fault with the consort to make a name for the Secret Guardians Hall and to promote the Secret Guardians, am I right?”

“It’s not to promote the Secret Guardians but to restore them to their original positions!” Gu Yu waved his arm and muttered in a low voice. “We admire the consort’s unrivaled spirit but she crossed the line with the Secret Guardians Hall!”

Gu Yu’s biggest challenge now was to deal with Xiao Shi.

Xiao Shi reported to the Empress who in turn forced the Emperor to get Gu Yu to apologize. All of his efforts were for nothing as he was now a laughing stock in King An’s Imperial Residence.

Chu Li answered, “It’s not a good thing for the Secret Guardians to be bossy. Commander Gu should understand that.”

Gu Yu smirked and lowered his head to take a sip of tea.

Chu Li added, “Commander Gu’s getting his priorities mixed up by going against King An’s Imperial Residence rather than be out there handling those corrupt officials. I’m sure the wise Emperor can see that. You’re too selfish!”