Chapter 1195: Whereabouts

　　On the way, Chu Li bumped into several disciples of Green Deer Cliff. Most of them were young adults. It was rare to meet middle-aged disciples or children, and elderly people were simply non-existent. It was as if the whole island was occupied by only young adults.

　　He had a hunch that the children and the elderly lived on another island.

　　It was a massive island, but it was only occupied by Green Deer Cliff. This piqued Chu Li’s interest in the Cliff. Apparently, there were lots of hidden secrets waiting to be unearthed.

　　Nevertheless, he did not want to spend too much time investigating this matter. After all, the most important thing was the Spirit Crane Technique, which was his reason for coming to the Cliff. The other martial arts techniques were not so pressing. The current techniques that he cultivated were good enough and he did not need any more.

　　Now, he could enter the Sutra Library of the Great Light Peak and flip through the books within. He did not read too many of them, in case he got distracted and neglected the technique that he desperately wanted to learn.

　　Although Green Deer Cliff’s Sutra Library was bigger than that of the Great Light Peak, Chu Li had no intention of going through all of the books. He was only interested in one. Once he had perfected the technique, he would think of ways to obtain the remaining heart techniques and master them completely.

　　He found out that this path was highly challenging and used up a long period of time. If he wanted to achieve his goals, he had to seize every opportunity and could not afford to waste a single second.

　　Chu Li took one round and returned to the courtyard. Xu Mei was no longer there. She only came to clear the dishes during mealtimes. She spent the rest of her days training. In spite of her mediocre aptitude, she was still better than most people.

　　After all, Green Deer Cliff had a nice environment and a supply of spirit medicine. It was more than what one could ask for. At the very least, a Grandmaster could be nurtured in such an environment.

　　In the following days, Chu Li spent his time cultivating the Spirit Crane Technique. As expected, he discovered that his progress was slow.

　　As he moved according to the technique, a stream of clear, fresh air circulated his body. Spiritual energy was present in this stream of air. The spiritual energy nourished his body repeatedly and flowed inside him in a unique manner.

　　Chu Li noticed that the murky air within himself gradually began to decrease as the spiritual energy imbued itself into his body. He felt lighter and more agile. It was a different kind of lightness compared to what was felt after consuming the Wind Speed Pill. The latter caused his body to become delicate and fast, whereas the Spirit Crane Technique caused his body to not only become lighter, but nimbler and more graceful as well.

　　He was somewhat impatient. This sort of cultivation method was a waste of time.

　　The next day, at dawn, he knocked on Zhao Tianxing’s door.

　　Zhao Tianxing was training his punches in the courtyard. When Chu Li entered, Zhao Tianxing trained for a little longer before he stopped and smiled. “I’m sure you’ve cultivated the Spirit Crane Technique after reading about it, Junior Brother Lu. How does it feel?”

　　“Too slow.” Chu Li shook his head.

　　Zhao Tianxing laughed. “It’s good since you’re strong and energetic. It was hell for us when we cultivated it as children.”

　　Chu Li said, “I want to know where the last three levels have gone and whether I can find them.”

　　“We don’t know.” Zhao Tianxing shook his head. “From what I understand, it was probably taken away by a disciple who went to the outside world and never returned. I’m not sure about the disciple’s identity. It’s a taboo of Green Deer Cliff.”

　　Chu Li shifted his eyebrows. “Did he betray Green Deer Cliff?”

　　“Most likely.” Zhao Tianxing sighed. “I think he was the only one who ever betrayed the sect, which is why no one talks about him.”

　　“That means there’s a chance of finding the last three levels,” Chu Li remarked.

　　Zhao Tianxing shook his head. “If we could find the last three levels, we would have done so a long time ago since our sect is rather powerful. We just keep the matter to ourselves. We are as powerful as Tempest Temple and Titanium Temple.”

　　Chu Li asked, “Who is it?”

　　“No one can tell you,” Zhao Tianxing replied, “Better not ask around. After all, it’s impossible to locate them. Moreover, it’s unrealistic to completely master the Spirit Crane Technique. We’d better discuss this once you’ve mastered the sixth level.”

　　Chu Li nodded slowly. “I wish to leave the mountain.”

　　Zhao Tianxiang was appalled.

　　Chu Li grimaced. “I’m a bit homesick.”

　　“Theoretically, inner cliff disciples are not allowed to leave the mountain as they wish. Among us young disciples, I’m the only one who has left the mountain. Nobody else has done the same.” Zhao Tianxing shook his head. “However, you’re now the youth champion, so it’s fine.”

　　Chu Li grinned. “So I’m allowed to leave the mountain?”

　　“Do you want to go to Tide-listening Pavilion and share this good news with them?” Zhao Tianxing chuckled.

　　Chu Li nodded with a smile.

　　Zhao Tianxing spoke, “I’ll ask on your behalf.”

　　“Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao.”

　　“You’re welcome.”

　　Zhao Tianxing left at once and came back after a while. He nodded and smiled. “No problem, you can leave the mountain, but you must keep your waist tag with you, or you won’t be able to return to Green Deer Cliff.”

　　“Alright,” Chu Li replied.

　　…

　　Chu Li went to meet He Shu and the gang before leaving Green Deer Cliff. He drove a small boat and returned to the beach. After that, he headed for Jade Guardian Island of the Public House.

　　As usual, Jade Guardian Island was bustling with activities. Tranquil sounds made by the guzheng reverberated in the air while maids busied about, trimming the dead branches off plants. Despite the warmth on Jade Guardian Island, the coming of winter had resulted in the wilting of branches and flowers.

　　Most of the flowers which still bloomed were rare species that only blossom in winter. Usually, winter was a time when things quietened down, but these flowers were rejuvenated and thrived happily in the cold.

　　Chu Li followed the sound of the guzheng and arrived at Stargazing Tower. Xiao Qi was playing the guzheng and was deep in thought.

　　Chu Li sat on a stool and admired her delicate and graceful movements as he listened to the music.

　　All of a sudden, the guzheng’s sounds crescendoed and ceased without warning. She turned her head.

　　Chu Li let out a wide smile. “What’s troubling you?”

　　From the sounds of the guzheng, he could tell that Xiao Qi was in a bad mood and something unpleasant was bothering her.

　　“The people of Secret Guardians Hall are here!” Xiao Qi responded agitatedly.

　　Chu Li frowned. “Bullies! Looks like I have to rough His Highness the Crown Prince up!”

　　“How should we deal with them?” Xiao Qi asked, “You’ve been gone for some time. Have you entered the inner cliff?”

　　“Yes.” Chu Li chuckled. “It was dangerous… You can simply refuse to let those people in. Did they try to barge in?”

　　“Judging by their actions, it looks like they are going to barge in.” Xiao Qi furrowed her brows. “I’m undecided.”

　　“Let me handle them.” Chu Li nodded. “I want to meet them personally.”

　　“Forget it,” Xiao Qi said as she shook her head. “Once you head outside, there’s no turning back.”

　　“That’s actually a good idea. I’ll just beat them and chase them away.” Chu Li snorted. “If they dare to barge inside, I’ll break their legs!”

　　“Won’t that be too harsh?” Xiao Qi asked. “Too arrogant and domineering.”

　　“I must be harsh when the need arises,” Chu Li said, “Don’t tell me they will do something just because the Public House behaved arrogantly?”

　　“…You’ve got a point.” Xiao Qi nodded slowly.

　　She knew that if a feud happened between Chu Li and His Highness the Crown Prince, the Yi Public House would be angered. Chu Li was a part of the Yi Public House and both parties could not be separated easily.

　　Chu Li spoke, “Madam, please help me find out whether Green Deer Cliff once had a traitorous disciple.”

　　“Green Deer Cliff doesn’t have any traitorous disciples, does it?” Xiao Qi asked.

　　Chu Li shook his head. “There was one in the past. He betrayed Green Deer Cliff and took the sect’s Spirit Crane Technique away with him.”

　　“Alright, I’ll ask Aunt on your behalf.” Xiao Qi nodded.

　　Chu Li said, “She might not know about this. You’ll need to find out from someone else… Give it a try.”

　　He thought of someone who might know about this matter.