Chapter 1196: Lieyang

　　It was already morning. Chu Li gently pushed himself away from the sweet-scented Xiao Qi as he got out of the bed. Xue Ling assisted him with his bath before he left the Public House and headed to the main street of Chong Ming Town. He decided to come here to experience the morning hustle and bustle.

　　Chong Ming Town was incredibly active in the morning. Many people were walking the main streets and the aroma of snacks filled the air, creating a unique morning fragrance unique only to Chong Ming Town.

　　He walked along the main street as he evaded the children running about. Eventually, he arrived at the best restaurant in Chong Ming Town – Sky Inn.

　　He sat at the seat that was by the window. Then, he called out to Xiao Er for breakfast as he placed two sets of bowls and itineraries on the table.

　　It was obvious that Xiao Er recognized Chu Li as he greeted him. Soon, the dishes were served to them.

　　Chu Li heard unique footsteps as he was halfway through his food. Fa Yuan had arrived. His gray Cowl fluttered about and his bald head shone brightly. He looked like a monk when their eyes met.

　　Chu Li looked at Fa Yuan and realized that the latter had improved drastically. His cultivation level had increased by leaps and bounds.

　　He waved as Fa Yuan approached him and greeted Chu Li with his hands held together. “Amitabha… Brother Chu.”

　　“How is it going? Did you find anything?” Chu Li reciprocated and pointed to the front.

　　Fa Yuan sat opposite of him, picked up the chopsticks and started eating. It was a vegan dish.

　　Fa Yuan put down his chopsticks and nodded after taking a bite at the green vegetable. “I did not disappoint you. I’ve found it.”

　　Chu Li was startled. “Is there really a traitor?”

　　“Every sect except for Titanium Temple has their own traitors.” Fa Yuan shook his head. “Why are you searching for him?”

　　“I’m just curious.” Chu Li responded. “Furthermore, I’ve heard that this traitor appears to have taken away some martial arts secret manuals from Green Deer Cliff. I plan to take them from him.”

　　“I would suggest giving up on that thought.” Fa Yuan smiled. “This traitor is actually an Enlightened Master.”

　　“An Enlightened Master?” Chu Li was astonished.

　　No wonder Green Deer Cliff tried to cover it up so badly that it had turned into a taboo. The traitor was an Enlightened Master!

　　Fa Yuan smiled. “He’s the last to have turned into an Enlightened Master. Ever since the Spirit Beasts ventured into Hundred-Thousand Hills, nobody who practices Spirit Beast martial arts has turned into an Enlightened Master. Hence, the path to Enlightened Master has changed forever.”

　　Chu Li frowned. “That’s like, a thousand years ago?”

　　“That’s right.” Fa Yuan nodded. “His surname is Zhu and goes by the name Zhu Lieyang. He had an incredibly stubborn temper. He kept on with his training and ultimately became an Enlightened Master before he vanished. I’m afraid the secret manuals that you speak of have vanished along with him.”

　　“There’s not a single lead.” Chu Li frowned. “Is it possible that he has hidden these secret manuals?”

　　“Who knows?” Fa Yuan shook his head. ” The movements of Enlightened Masters are unpredictable. How can we understand their chain of thoughts? Who knows, maybe they’ve already been destroyed.”

　　“Do you think he’s still alive?” Chu Li asked.

　　“Of course. The Enlightened Masters have an incredibly long life span. However, it’s certain that he’s not in this world. He must have gone to the Outland.”

　　Chu Li frowned. “If that’s the case. It would be impossible to find him.”

　　“Yes.” Fa Yuan shook his head. “I think you should give up.”

　　Chu Li remained silent.

　　Fa Yuan knew from Chu Li’s gaze that the latter had yet to give up but he could do nothing about it as well.

　　“Do you have any other clues?” Chu Li asked. “Such as his daily routine or temperament. Tell me everything you know about him.”

　　Fa Yuan said, “This Zhu Lieyang was incredibly stubborn when it comes to settling issues. He’s so arrogant that he offended countless people. However, he ultimately became an Enlightened Master and nobody could do anything to him. All I know is that he’s a lone wolf and doesn’t have any friends.”

　　Chu Li nodded slowly.

　　Fa Yuan sighed. “What secret manual has he stolen?”

　　Chu Li replied, “I think it’s the Spirit Crane Technique.”

　　“You wish to learn the Spirit Crane Technique?” Fa Yuan was shocked. “The Spirit Crane Technique isn’t worth learning at all. The spiritual energy in this world has been exhausted and as such a Spirit Beast martial art isn’t worth learning. It’s erratic and nobody wants to learn it, hence it’s a dying martial art. It’s only natural since everything has an end. Furthermore, the martial arts you’re currently learning is a hundred times better than the Spirit Crane Technique.”

　　Chu Li shook his head. “I’m just curious.”

　　“Don’t let your high intellect fool you. I think you should forget about the Spirit Crane Technique.” Fa Yuan suggested.

　　Chu Li replied. “I still wish to try it out. Since I couldn’t learn it from Green Deer Cliff, it’s not that bad of an idea to learn it from an Enlightened Master.”

　　“Okay. I’ll take note of it,” Fa Yuan said.

　　Chu Li said, “Thank you.”

　　The two chatted idly for a while more before Fa Yuan took his leave.

　　—

　　Chu Li left Sky Inn after his meal and started loitering around the main street.

　　Four Grandmasters suddenly jumped out from the sidelines as he was loitering about. The four rushed towards Chu Li so quickly that nobody could see their faces clearly. Their attacks were merciless, it was as if they were trying to kill Chu Li.

　　Chu Li frowned as afterimages appeared around him making it appear as if he had multiplied.

　　“Boom boom boom boom…” There were a series of loud ‘thuds’ as the four Grandmasters were sent flying away. Two of them flew to the east while the other two flew to the west. All of them were pushed back some twenty meters away, deep booming ‘thuds’ could be heard as they crashed into the bluestone road.

　　Chu Li swung his hand as four lights flashed towards their Dantian.

　　“Argh!” The four of them groaned. They did not have the aptitude of a Grandmaster at all.

　　They held onto their abdomens as they stared angrily at Chu Li.

　　Chu Li then said, “Those that attack people in Chong Ming Town shall have their martial arts crippled and exiled from this place. No exceptions!”

　　His voice was calm and peaceful. It was like a rising tide, slowly spreading out the town without missing a spot as it ultimately spread across the entire Chong Ming Town. This showed just how strong his inner energy was and those who heard him could not help but feel shocked about it.

　　Chu Li continued, “High Duke’s Public House’s Protectors, throw them out of the city!”

　　“Yes!” Someone screamed from afar.

　　There were quite a number of High Duke’s Public House’s Protectors patrolling the main street. It was not like they recognized it was Chu Li, but they rushed forward regardless of when they heard his voice. They pulled up the four men and ran away while sealing their mouths.

　　Chu Li nodded satisfactorily.

　　It seemed like the Protectors knew the identities of these four attackers.

　　Chu Li continued walking and nodded at the passers-by as the crowd gave way and greeted him.

　　Everyone in Chong Ming Town knew of Chu Li. They knew of his great name even if they had never seen him before. He was Chu Li of the North and Du Feng of the South. Du Feng’s reputation soared when he assassinated King An, escaped from the Emperor and vanished. Since Chu Li’s reputation was proportional to Du Feng’s, Chu Li’s reputation rode along and his reputation soared as well.

　　Everyone in Chong Ming Town saw Chu Li as their pride and they were extremely happy about it. However, they had heard of Chu Li’s actions and started discussing it with each other.

　　Chu Li had offended the Emperor when he became the Head Chief of King An’s Imperial Residence. He was then sentenced to the Imperial Mausoleum and called back out to Fairy’s Capital. This series of events was incredibly interesting in their perspectives as they kept discussing about it.

　　Chu Li slowly walked back to the High Duke’s Public House and saw Xiao Qi was training her Swordsmanship at Jade Guardian Island’s garden.

　　Chu Li stood at the side and watched. Her Swordsmanship was elegant and incredibly mesmerizing. He had even thought that she was dancing.

　　Soon, Xiao Qi sheathed her sword. Her graceful figure was filled with vitality as she looked rather alarmed.

　　Chu Li laughed. “You don’t have to worry about those people from Secret Guardians Hall.”

　　Xiao Qi was shocked when she saw him.

　　…