Chapter 1202: Conspiracy

　　Chu Li smiled. “Besides, I can assist you in getting that position.”

　　Lu Yurong stared at him with a frown. “How are you going to help me?”

　　“What do you think about me volunteering to become the commander now?” Chu Li grinned.

　　Lu Yurong immediately commented, “How can the emperor agree!”

　　Chu Li replied, “I’m actually a very suitable candidate. Putting everything else aside, my ability to solve cases is proof that I’m fit for the role, right? If I’m in charge of Secret Guardians Hall, nothing in Fairy’s Capital can escape from Secret Guardians Hall!”

　　“That’s true.” Lu Yurong nodded.

　　Lu Yurong knew that she was an expert in setting up plots and devising strategies. However, not only was Chu Li an expert in scheming, but he also had great insights and could solve every case. If Chu Li were to be in charge of Secret Guardians Hall, it might improve remarkably.

　　“You’re biased toward King Ping.” Lu Yurong shook her head. “The emperor won’t agree.”

　　“I’ll utilize my power in the royal court,” Chu Li said with a smile. “I believe many courtiers hope that I become the commander.”

　　Chu Li was known to be straightforward. Especially when he opposed the emperor previously, then was thrown out to the Imperial Mausoleum, he gained the respect of many people, which really increased his reputation. If Chu Li were to manage Secret Guardians Hall, the courtiers would never have to worry about being framed or being treated unjustly.

　　Lu Yurong fell silent.

　　Chu Li asked, “What do you think?”

　　Lu Yurong scoffed. “It doesn’t matter if many courtiers vouch for you, the emperor makes the final call. You won’t get that position.”

　　Chu Li emphasized. “That’s not necessarily true, a hero is nothing but a product of his time.”

　　“Alright. If I become the commander, we can work together.” Lu Yurong finally agreed.

　　Chu Li was satisfied. “If you become the commander, you mustn’t turn your coat against my people, and we mustn’t hide any information from each other.”

　　“You’re quite greedy, how is that possible!” Lu Yurong complained.

　　Chu Li commented, “Those from Mei Er Courtyard will listen to you.”

　　Lu Yurong furrowed her brows. “If I’m the commander, they’ll listen to me.”

　　Chu Li smiled.

　　Lu Yurong asked, “Alright, what else?”

　　Chu Li replied, “That’s all, I just want more information. Let me make this clear. If you hide anything from me on purpose, our collaboration ends.”

　　“No problem.” Lu Yurong nodded. “I won’t do anything like that.”

　　“That’s great, now you can just wait to sit on your throne,” Chu Li responded.

　　Lu Yurong curled her lips. “That’s a huge claim. You better not make me rejoice for nothing, you’ll have to compensate me!”

　　“Don’t worry,” Chu Li assured.

　　Lu Yurong tilted her head, then said, “I’m even more certain now that you killed Gu Yu.”

　　Chu Li answered, “You’re imagining things. Oh right, what have you found about Zhu Lieyang so far?”

　　Lu Yurong answered seriously, “He’s not very popular, so it wasn’t easy to get his information, but I managed to find a clue. I think he lived in seclusion in the Zheng Dynasty in the end.”

　　“Where in the Zheng Dynasty?” Chu Li quickly asked.

　　Lu Yurong thought for a while, then replied, “I’m not sure if it’s accurate, but I think he’s at Ascending Dragon Mountain.”

　　Chu Li raised his brows as he was secretly surprised. ‘What a coincidence, Heavenly King Palm was hidden at Ascending Dragon Mountain, and Zhu Lieyang lived there in seclusion too’

　　‘If that’s the case, it’s very likely that there are mysterious wonders about Ascending Dragon Mountain that I don’t know about. Looks like I’ll have to head to Ascending Dragon Mountain again.’

　　“Why are you asking about Zhu Lieyang?” Lu Yurong was puzzled. “He’s a figure from a thousand over years ago. Although he’s an Enlightened Master, he probably ascended to the Outland long ago. How are you associated with him?”

　　Chu Li answered, “I received news that Zhu Lieyang was a disciple from Green Deer Cliff, but later betrayed the sect.”

　　“Hmm…?” Lu Yurong was clearly shocked.

　　She had no idea about that.

　　After searching high and low in the library at Crown Prince’s Residence and even the Imperial Library of the imperial family, Lu Yurong only managed to obtain one piece of information about Zhu Lieyang. She found it from a book of anecdotes.

　　Nonetheless, it did not state that Zhu Lieyang was actually a Green Deer Cliff traitor.

　　By the looks of it, Zhu Lieyang’s identity back then was only known by a few. This was reasonable since Green Deer Cliff and Zhu Lieyang himself were very low profile. Both parties probably kept quiet about it, thus very few people were aware.

　　“How did you find out?” Lu Yurong was curious.

　　“Fa Yuan checked it for me,” Chu Li answered.

　　Lu Yurong asked, “Why did you go through so much trouble to look into that person? You want to acquire Green Deer Cliff’s martial arts?”

　　“I’m a little interested,” Chu Li stated.

　　Lu Yurong shook her head. “I suggest that you drop the idea, it’s impossible that he preserved Green Deer Cliff’s martial arts. Besides, even if he did, the manuals have probably decayed long ago, it has been a thousand years!”

　　Chu Li chuckled. “I’m just curious. Alright, I’ll make a move then.”

　　He gave her a fist salute, then stood up to leave.

　　Lu Yurong was discontented. “Why are you in such a hurry? Aren’t you going to stay for dinner?”

　　Chu Li mentioned, “I’m having dinner at home.”

　　“Xiao Qi’s really good at taming her husband.” Lu Yurong mocked.

　　Chu Li glared at her, then left.

　　…

　　By the time Lu Yurong returned to the Crown Prince’s Residence, it was already the next morning. She headed straight to the backyard for practice. The moment Leng Jinghua walked into the backyard in heavy footsteps, Lu Yurong knew that something was wrong.

　　“Yurong, I’m afraid that your wish won’t come true.” Leng Jinghua sighed, then sat in the gazebo. He shook his head at Lu Yurong who was walking toward him. “Father’s quite mad, and he’s beginning to suspect you.”

　　Lu Yurong said, “I’m the last person he should be suspicious of.”

　　“Father would’ve chosen you if he’s not suspicious of you.” Leng Jinghua shook his head. “Luckily, you’re from the Public House.”

　　Regardless of how mad the emperor was, he would not kill someone from the Public House because the people from Public Houses were deemed to be loyal. The emperor would only treat Lu Yurong coldly.

　　Lu Yurong asked, “Who’s going to be the commander then?”

　　“Father’s still deciding,” Leng Jinghua responded.

　　Lu Yurong nodded.

　　Leng Jinghua comforted. “Yurong, forget about it this time, you’ll have another chance. If it’s really not going to happen, I promise that once I inherit the throne in ten years, I’ll appoint you as Secret Guardians Hall’s commander!”

　　“Thank you, Uncle-in-law,” Lu Yurong mentioned. “But I don’t need to be the commander anymore once you claim the throne.”

　　Leng Jinghua knew what she meant.

　　Lu Yurong only wanted to be the commander because she was worried that King Ping and the others would take Leng Jinghua down, hence she wanted to help Leng Jinghua get rid of any obstructions. Judging by Lu Yurong’s character, she would retire and return to the Public House once Leng Jinghua succeeded to the throne.

　　Lu Yurong asked, “Has the murderer been found?”

　　“How can he be found!” Leng Jinghua shook his head. “The Holy Church of Light is such a pain in the neck. If one of theirs goes into hiding, it’s impossible to find that person!”

　　Lu Yurong pondered, then questioned, “Can’t those two protectors recognize his face?”

　　“There’s only the two of them, how many people can they see in a day?” Leng Jinghua sighed. “That’s why the key is to take precautions.”

　　“That’ll only bring the morale down, who will want to be the commander anymore? I believe the Holy Church of Light will attack again,” Lu Yurong commented.

　　“Many people will fight for that position,” Leng Jinghua replied.

　　Lu Yurong grinned.

　　The position was very tempting indeed as whoever in that position would be the emperor’s confidant. Being in that position meant that one only needed to report to the emperor alone, and was not under anyone else. It was truly a glamorous position.

　　While they conversed, hurried footsteps were suddenly heard.

　　A green-robed scribe walked into the gazebo quickly, then saluted them with his fists before he reported softly, “Word came from the Imperial House that the emperor intends on letting Head Chief Chu Li take over the commander’s position at Secret Guardians Hall!”