Chapter 1197: Commander

　　Chu Li laughed. “I didn’t expect them to be this dumb. They don’t seem to improve in any way.”

　　The reason he strolled slowly to Sky Inn instead of using God’s Limbs was to bait the men from Secret Guardians Hall into making a move. He did not have much hope at the beginning as Secret Guardians Hall were not as arrogant as they used to be. They had toned down ever since they had been lectured by Xiao Shi.

　　He was hoping for the slight chance it would happen while he took the opportunity to feel Chong Ming Town’s atmosphere. Ever since Gu Yu had become the Commander, the Secret Guardians’ old habits had resurfaced in all its original despicable glory. Perhaps they felt that, since they had left Fairy’s Capital and were far away from the Emperor, nobody dared to mess with them at all. Their arrogance soaring, they decided to attack Chu Li and teach him a lesson.

　　Who would have thought that they would fall for Chu Li’s trap? The latter did not hesitate for a moment and immediately crippled their martial arts before exiling them from Chong Ming Town. Chu Li did not give them a chance to explain themselves and he would be in the right even if this was brought to court.

　　Having four Grandmasters in their arsenal was an incredibly powerful force, no matter which entity they were placed in. Now that Secret Guardians Hall had lost four Grandmasters at once, Gu Yu must be having a huge headache. Chu Li felt incredibly great now that he had caused trouble for Gu Yu and taught a lesson to the Crown Prince.

　　He believed that Lu Yurong would not let this opportunity go.

　　“What’s the matter?” Xiao Qi asked worriedly.

　　Xiao Qi shook her head and frowned when Chu Li told her everything. “It seems we’ve really offended the Crown Prince.”

　　Chu Li smiled. “We can’t just stand by idly while he tries to bully us. We need to show him what we’re made of.”

　　“I’m just afraid that he might be even more frustrated and escalate things even further.” Xiao Qi frowned. “He might continue to trouble us.”

　　“We’ll deal with it when it comes.” Chu Li smiled. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just some small banter, not something life-threatening. It looks like your Swordsmanship has improved greatly as if you’ve reached a new height.”

　　“He might just try to kill us for good if this keeps up.” Xiao Qi sighed.

　　She was secretly worried as she did not know what would become of her if she kept training.

　　Chu Li said, “Why don’t you take a rest? There’s no need to push yourself this hard. Just go with the flow.”

　　“Yes, I can only do so.” Xiao Qi nodded gently.

　　—

　　“Boom!” A green vase shattered into millions of pieces and was spread about as it was slammed to the ground.

　　It was complete silence in the main hall of the Crown Prince’s Residence.

　　The Crown Prince walked back and forth angrily with his hands behind his back. His golden attire was fluttering about as his face looked stiff and his eyes were filled with rage.

　　The few scribes around him were completely startled. They were frozen stiff as if a spell had been cast upon them.

　　The young female assistant by the door lifted her dress gently and ran down the stairs, trying to flee.

　　Leng Jinghua gave a death stare towards the young man kneeling before him and smiled. “How dare Gu Yu!”

　　The youngster in green robes felt incredibly bitter as he raised his head. He looked incredibly helpless. “It’s what Commander Gu said. I’m only here to report it back to Your Highness. Please Your Highness, please calm down!”

　　“Hmpf! That Gu Yu is getting bolder and bolder!” Leng Jinghua smirked. “He’s getting more and more useless too. I can’t believe he made a mess out of such a small incident. What a joke!”

　　“Yes.” The youngster in green robes lowered his head and agreed.

　　“Go back and tell him to see me personally!” Leng Jinghua scoffed.

　　The youngster in green robes nodded hastily.

　　Lu Yurong was in her white attire as she entered the main hall gently. She walked towards her uncle-in-law after greeting him. “Uncle-in-law, what’s the matter?”

　　“Gu Yu sent a few Secret Guardians to Chong Ming Town to assassinate Chu Li. However, they have been crippled by Chu Li instead.” Leng Jinghua grinned as he harrumphed. “What a useless guy!”

　　Lu Yurong said, “Why would they attack Chu Li inside Chong Ming Town? Do they not know the rules of Chong Ming Town?”

　　She was also a member of the Public House. If someone were to attack others in Chong Ming Town, they would have their martial arts crippled and be thrown out of the town. This was an ironclad rule that every martial artist had to follow, no exceptions or one would lose their social standing.

　　Leng JInghua scoffed. “I’m sure they think that just because they’re Secret Guardians that they don’t have to follow this rule. Furthermore, they’ve underestimated the Public House, thinking that their rules are not applicable to them. What’s worse is that they really believed that they could win against Chu Li!”

　　Lu Yurong shook her head. ” Were they top-notch masters?”

　　“Naturally!” Leng Jinghua said, “What use can a top-notch master be when faced against Chu LI? I’ve heard that they didn’t even have the chance to speak before having their martial arts crippled by Chu Li with just one attack. None of them were able to reveal their identity at all.”

　　Lu Yurong sighed softly, “This issue was handled rather recklessly… Was this an order from Commander Gu?”

　　“It’s his responsibility even if he didn’t give the order.” Leng Jinghua inhaled deeply before sitting back onto the armchair. The scribes and protectors around him sighed in their hearts as they dared to move again.

　　They praised Lady Lu in their heart as she managed to calm him down.

　　Lu Yurong said, “Whatever. It’s pointless to discuss this now that it’s already happened. Tell the Secret Guardians to retreat and not go to the Public House. Yi Public House isn’t like what it used to be, Secret Guardians Hall is no match for them!”

　　“Do we just run away like that?” The youngster in green robes said softly, “The Commander won’t be thrilled.”

　　“We’ll be at a greater loss if we don’t,” Lu Yurong said, “Let’s retreat while we still can.”

　　“Alright. I’ll inform the Commander,” The youngster in green robes said.

　　“You may leave.” Leng Jianghua waved his hand impatiently as he wanted the youngster in green robes to leave this instant.

　　Leng Jinghua sighed. “That Gu Yu, he really did not put me in his eyes!”

　　Lu Yurong said, “Uncle-in-law, we need to gain control of Secret Guardians Hall or things could get messy. Secret Guardians Hall is our eyes and ears. We’re basically blind and deaf without them and we’ll be easily tricked!”

　　Leng Jinghua shook his head. “Gu Yu, that b*stard only has eyes for the Emperor. He doesn’t care about me!”

　　“Let’s swap him out then!” Lu Yurong said, “He’s been nothing but a hindrance ever since he’s been promoted. He’s not worthy to become the Commander!”

　　“Swap him out?” Leng JInghua was startled.

　　He had never thought of this before. All he thought of was to buy Gu Yu out so that the latter would listen to the former.

　　Lu Yurong continued, “Secret Guardians Hall is simply too important for us. If we can’t plant our own people in it, it might backfire on us! Let’s take down this post before the Emperor himself has other plans.”

　　“The Commander…” Leng JInghua uttered.

　　His expression looked uncertain as he pondered on the pros and cons.

　　Secret Guardians Hall was the Emperor’s personal troops and received their orders directly from the Emperor himself. Since nobody would be able to interfere with them, it’s only natural that their positions were rather special and they had powerful authority. When it came to being the eyes and ears, they basically had planted someone in every Imperial Chancellor’s households.

　　If this power were to fall into the hands of someone other than the Emperor, the latter would certainly feel nervous about it. The wrong action could result in catastrophic failure.

　　If he were to obtain such power, what would his father, the Emperor think of it? Would the Emperor think that Leng Jinghua was being too greedy or was unhappy with the Chancellor?

　　Lu Yurong continued, “I believe the Emperor himself would pass them on to you in ten years. Secret Guardians Hall is one of his most powerful forces. Once you’ve got it, you can freely manipulate the royal court and attack your enemies from the shadows.”

　　“Who will be the next Commander then?” Leng Jinghua was rather tempted.