Chapter 1201: Probe

　　In the backyard of the Crown Prince’s Residence.

　　It was a stunning view as the setting sun painted the backyard in rich hues of red.

　　Lu Yurong was reading a scroll in the courtyard at the moment. Her nine maids who were nearby were either watering the plants, cutting the grass, practicing martial arts skills, or reading books. In fact, they were secretly forming a formation around Lu Yurong.

　　Leng Jinghua entered the backyard in big stride, then sat opposite Lu Yurong in the gazebo.

　　Lu Yurong who wore a gown as white as snow placed her scroll down, then looked at Leng Jinghua. “Uncle-in-law, what’s the matter?”

　　“Gu Yu’s dead!” Leng Jinghua uttered.

　　He wiped the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief. Technically, a master like Leng Jinghua would not sweat at all even if he was in a hurry, yet he was now drenched in sweat.

　　Lu Yurong was stunned. “He’s dead?”

　　“I heard that he was assassinated by a disciple from the Holy Church of Light.” Leng Jinghua shook his head. “The whole city is searching high and low for this disciple.”

　　Lu Yurong frowned. “How did he die so easily?”

　　“His martial arts skills weren’t profound,” Leng Jinghua answered. “He tried to rely on his protectors, but they weren’t very reliable. The Holy Church of Light really went overboard. How dare they assassinate the commander of Secret Guardians Hall!”

　　Lu Yurong responded, “Of course the Holy Church of Light had the guts to do that, they have no respect for the Ji Dynasty at all. The murderer won’t be caught, the disciples of the Holy Church of Light have a secret technique to hide their martial arts.”

　　“Uh… This is too embarrassing!” Leng Jinghua scoffed. “Damn it, Gu Yu!”

　　Lu Yurong asked, “Can he be saved?”

　　“He can’t.” Leng Jinghua shook his head. “The person who did it was very ruthless. Gu Yu’s brain burst into pieces, he can’t be saved even if he’s given spirit medicines. Yurong, are you really going to be Secret Guardians Hall’s commander?”

　　“I can try,” Lu Yurong replied. “At least if I’m the commander, I won’t have to worry about being assassinated.”

　　Leng Jinghua nodded.

　　Lu Yurong’s martial arts was top-notch among the younger generation. Even if the top five seniors were to fight here, she would not be killed since she always found a way to escape.

　　Leng Jinghua pondered, then said, “This isn’t good timing, my father must be enraged now.”

　　“Gu Yu accomplished nothing ever since he took up the role, he should’ve been dead long ago.” Lu Yurong shook her head. “It won’t matter if the emperor’s mad, it’s impossible that he’ll go against the Holy Church of Light.”

　　“Mm.” Leng Jinghua frowned. “I’ll try!”

　　He left in a rush.

　　Lu Yurong began pacing back and forth.

　　‘Why did the Holy Church of Light kill Gu Yu?’

　　‘From the Holy Church of Light’s standpoint, they probably want someone like Gu Yu to remain as the commander of Secret Guardians Hall. The more incapable Gu Yu is, the more beneficial it is to the Holy Church of Light. Why did they assassinate Gu Yu?’

　　She furrowed her brows as she felt that something was off.

　　A brief moment later, Lu Yurong was struck with an idea. She smiled as she thought, ‘It might not be a disciple from the Holy Church of Light who carried out the assassination. If someone else imitates the style of a disciple from the Holy Church of Light, who knows if he’s really from the church or not? The murderer hasn’t been caught anyway.’

　　All of a sudden, she recalled a piece of information where Gu Yu mentioned that he found the evidence of Chu Li’s collusion with the Holy Church of Light, and Gu Yu invited Chu Li back for a confrontation.

　　‘The Holy Church of Light! Chu Li!’

　　She smirked, then fluttered away.

　　Chu Li was cultivating at Jade Guardian Island at that time. He worked tirelessly to master Great Heaven-deriving Sword and Fillip Swift Thunder, which were extremely important to him.

　　At the spur of the moment, he frowned a little, then disappeared from Jade Guardian Island.

　　…

　　Sky Inn was bustling with noise; the first floor was the most lively. The second floor had cubicles, whereas the third floor had single rooms.

　　Dressed in a white gown and a white veil over her face, Lu Yurong sat by the window in a single room on the third floor. Nobody was with her, and she was seen eating dishes gracefully.

　　Chu Li appeared out of nowhere, then sat opposite her.

　　When Lu Yurong removed her veil, she looked at Chu Li flirtatiously.

　　Chu Li asked, “To what do I owe your gracious presence?”

　　“Chu Li, you killed Gu Yu, didn’t you?” Lu Yurong asked him back.

　　Chu Li chuckled. “I’d love to, don’t you see that I’m just waiting for you to kick him out of Secret Guardians Hall? Mm…? Gu Yu’s dead?”

　　“You’re so pretentious!” Lu Yurong stared at Chu Li so closely that she wanted to look through his heart.

　　Chu Li replied snappily, “I’m delighted! … How did he die?”

　　“I heard that he was assassinated by a disciple from the Holy Church of Light.” Lu Yurong squinted her eyes, then continued, “I found it strange, why would a disciple from the Holy Church of Light want to kill him? He’s such a half-witted fella, they’d probably want him to remain as the commander of Secret Guardians Hall.”

　　Chu Li responded, “Gu Yu may be half-witted, but he struck the Holy Church of Light the most and was unwilling to let them go. I guess it’s understandable that they wanted to kill him.”

　　“Hmph, I just know that something’s off.” Lu Yurong shook his head. “The one who wanted to kill Gu Yu the most wasn’t the Holy Church of Light, but you, Chu Li.”

　　Chu Li commented, “I wanted to kill him, but I wasn’t in a rush at all, I believed that you could kick him out. Once he’s no longer the commander, it’ll be less troublesome to kill him since I could just settle it without anyone knowing.”

　　“What if you were forced to do it?” Lu Yurong smiled. “I heard that Gu Yu found proof that you’re colluding with the Holy Church of Light!”

　　Chu Li laughed out loud. “Where did you hear such a ridiculous rumor!”

　　“It’s true,” Lu Yurong stated. “Whatever it is, it’s very likely that you killed Gu Yu!”

　　Chu Li sighed. “If the emperor hears this, he’ll kill me for sure!”

　　“At least you’re aware!” Lu Yurong scorned.

　　Upon seeing Chu Li’s expression, Lu Yurong was extremely pleased.

　　Chu Li shook his head. “You think that it was me, I think that it was you instead.”

　　“Me?” Lu Yurong pursed her lips and smiled. “Tell me, why would I kill him?”

　　“One, to become the commander,” Chu Li mentioned. “I know that you’ve been eyeing the commander’s position in Secret Guardians Hall. Since Gu Yu’s an obstruction, you probably couldn’t wait, and decided to eliminate him.”

　　“Secondly.” Chu Li waved his hand to stop her from talking, then said, “It was our promise.”

　　“I won’t kill him just because of our promise.” Lu Yurong scoffed. “There are plenty of ways to get rid of him, and killing him is the dumbest.”

　　Chu Li remarked, “Sometimes, the dumber the method is, the more unimaginable it is, especially for an exceptionally smart person like you!”

　　“You’re just putting the blame on me!” Lu Yurong was irritated.

　　Chu Li shook his head. “Those are my genuine thoughts, and I believe that many people will think the same. For example, His Highness the Crown Prince, or the emperor!”

　　Lu Yurong’s face changed.

　　Chu Li continued, “His Highness the Crown Prince won’t suggest to the emperor that you become the commander, right? The emperor’s a skeptical person, do you think that he’ll suspect that it was you?”

　　Lu Yurong frowned without saying a word.

　　Chu Li grinned. “Looks like His Highness the Crown Prince has mentioned this to the emperor. Hehe, it’s impossible for you to become the commander now!”

　　“Are you happy?” Lu Yurong asked, “How does it benefit you if I don’t become the commander?”

　　Chu Li answered, “It won’t benefit me… But if you become the commander, we can work together.”

　　“There’s no need to!” Lu Yurong uttered.