“Elders, Chu Li is no longer a part of the secret guardians. He may harbor resentment and might not agree to help after being stripped of his position by the Emperor. Unless we obtain a decree from the Emperor, he won’t budge even if we beg him!” Chen Donghai said with a fist salute.

　　 “Oh, that Chu Li.” The plump elder nodded. “The one who was sent to the Imperial Mausoleum and returned recently?”

　　 “That’s him,” Chen Donghai immediately responded. “Although he is quite arrogant, he is indeed capable. We’ll need him on board if we want to solve the case within three days. No one but him can do it in all of Fairy’s Capital.”

　　 “Is this man that great?” The plump elder smiled and shook his head. “So without him you can’t crack the case?”

　　 “He went from an ordinary secret guardian to a centurion in a short span of six months. It must not be by fluke.” Chen Donghai hammered away, putting in the good word on Chu Li to persuade the duo to partake.

　　 He was trying to drag Chu Li into this by every means possible. This was because, one, he held a grudge and wanted to pull Chu Li down along with him; two, he saw a glimmer of hope that if anyone could solve the case within three days, it was Chu Li. No other possessed such ability.

　　 As the Emperor had issued a decree to close the case within three days, their failure to do so would cause everyone to be punished — whether to be banished to guard the Imperial Mausoleum or the commander losing favor with the Emperor.

　　 The Secret Guardians Hall’s commander position stood on a favor. Once the favor was lost, so would the position.

　　 The livelihood of his honor and grace came from the commander. The moment the commander loses power and influence, he would be done for, just like Chu Li who was forced out of the Secret Guardians Hall at Fu Mengshan and Xu Huande’s power decline.

　　 The two elders looked towards Gu Yu.

　　 Gu Yu helplessly nodded. “Chu Li has a revered personality. He was a centurion but he was stripped of his role as a secret guardian.”

　　 “If he’s taken off his role, how can he help you solve the case?” The slender elder solemnly pointed out.

　　 His gleaming eyes seemed to see through Gu Yu and Chen Donghai.

　　 He knew well the character of these people from the Secret Guardians Hall who snatched up credit like a pack of wolves. Why would they allow someone else to take credit? It was better to stay away from getting involved in this matter that could land them in a pickle. Surely, they had nothing but ill intentions for recommending Chu Li.

　　 Should Chu Li fail, the two of them may be implicated instead.

　　 Gu Yu said, “If His Majesty were to issue a decree, he would have to do his bid even if he was resentful. He is a subject, after all.”

　　 “Mm…” The slender elder mumbled.

　　 The plump elder smiled. “Alright, we’ll bring it up to the Emperor. Let’s see if this Chu Li lives up to his name.”

　　 The slender elder glared at him.

　　 The plump elder answered, “If this case can’t be solved, you’re skating on thin ice with the Emperor. Young Gu, it won’t look good for you as you won’t be able to keep your position.”

　　 Gu Yu’s face turned grave.

　　 “Elder Zhou!” the slender elder solemnly cried.

　　 The plump elder chuckled. “Well, since Young Gu has gotten into a fix, we should give a word of advice of two at this crucial time.”

　　 The slender elder replied, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. He has no idea what he’s talking about… But it won’t be a light punishment. You still have to give it your all to solve the case.”

　　 “Yes,” Gu Yu uttered a low voice.

　　 This duo was the Emperor’s personal Protectors, so what Elder Zhou said was not absolute nonsense. It seemed that Gu Yu was losing value in the Emperor’s eyes. In that case, he had to turn things around quickly and he needed to get Chu Li on the case.

　　 He had disappointed the Emperor for his lack of results since his venture into the Secret Guardians Hall.

　　 He had also learned from others how capable Chu Li was. Even Chen Donghai who despised Chu Li gasped with admiration at Chu Li’s ability. Mei Er Courtyard would not be so difficult to deal with if it were not for this.

　　 …

　　 Chu Li swung his sword in the courtyard as the merging of Less Ultimate Sword into Seven Forms of Godly Sword began to bear fruit.

　　 The Less Ultimate Sword was rather profound. The deeper he grasped, the more in awe and respect he had for the Ultimate Temple.

　　 He must take a trip to the Ultimate Temple if he ever had the chance to personally appreciate the beauty of their Less Ultimate Sword and learn their Ultimate Sword Technique.

　　 Ultimate Sword Technique was a set of sword array. As long as the technique was possessed, one could easily join forces with fellow disciples. He had observed such tacit coordination before and it was exquisite beyond imagination.

　　 The martial arts of Fu Dynasty was a different movement from the Ji Dynasty’s but it was definitely with more ingenuity and strength.

　　 “Here comes the decree. Chu Li to accept the decree!” A loud voice was heard coming from outside.

　　 Chu Li frowned.

　　 The thought of a decree made him sick. He did not see eye to eye with the Emperor so he knew nothing good would come from the decree.

　　 Xiao Qi appeared and noticed him standing still. “Aren’t you going to accept the decree?”

　　 Chu Li sighed. “Just say I’m not around!”

　　 “Are you really going to do that?” Xiao Qi asked.

　　 Chu Li answered, “It’s better to avoid it.”

　　 “… Alright then.” Xiao Qi nodded. “I’ll let them know. You should go into hiding.”

　　 Chu Li nodded.

　　 Xiao Qi swayed out of the courtyard and into the main gates of the Imperial Residence.

　　 Two elders in black stood beneath the Imperial Residence’s steps, looking solemn from a distance.

　　 They were Elder Zhou and Hu, who had earlier conveyed the Emperor’s message to Gu Yu.

　　 “Is Chu Li around?” the slender elder responded at the opening of the gates. Upon realizing that a celestial-like woman walked through the door instead of Chu Li, he locked his brows into a frown as he asked.

　　 Xiao Qi motioned a fist salute before she coldly answered, “My husband is not in the residence. May I know what message His Majesty has for him?”

　　 “Not around?” The slender elder blurted, “How can he be absent in the Imperial Residence?”

　　 “My husband has left to go into Isolated Cultivation,” Xiao Qi replied. “Please excuse him from accepting the decree.”

　　 The plump elder struck a question, “Can he rush back?”

　　 Xiao Qi shook his head. “He won’t be able to return in a short span of time. Even if he knew of it, it’ll take at least five to six days.”

　　 “Why did he leave for Isolated Cultivation in a faraway place?” The slender elder frowned.

　　 Xiao Qi answered, “He won’t be able to keep a load off his mind with trifling matters bothering him in Fairy’s Capital. Staying away from the bustle will grant him the peace of mind to cultivate and recover his cultivation level!”

　　 “Five to six days!” The plump elder shook his head. “It’ll be too late!”

　　 Xiao Qi asked, “I wonder what instructions His Majesty has for him?”

　　 “It is for Chu Li to investigate on a case.”

　　 “My husband isn’t a secret guardian of the Secret Guardians Hall anymore. He has no authority to investigate… Moreover, it’ll be difficult for him to carry out the investigation without his martial arts. Please convey the same to the Emperor,” Xiao Qi dully said.

　　 “Hehe… If that’s the case, we’ll report back as you’ve reflected.” The plump elder grinned.

　　 Darting a glance at King An’s Imperial Residence, the duo had a feeling that Chu Li was in the residence but he was avoiding and refusing to accept the decree!

　　 This man sure had the guts. However, it was not their place to point it out bluntly.

　　 The duo then returned to the Imperial House and came to Chong Wen Hall to relay the message.

　　 Only an old caretaker, holding a horsetail whisk in Chong Wen Hall, was seen standing upright in a corner.

　　 Ji Dynasty’s Emperor, Leng Wufeng who was dressed in a golden long robe, pressed his hands onto the desk. He uttered in a low voice, “He refused to come out to receive the decree?”

　　 The slender elder solemnly answered, “They said he left Fairy’s Capital to be in Isolated Cultivation.”

　　 “Hmph!” Leng Wufeng snorted. “What an excuse!”

　　 “Your Majesty, is he really hiding in the residence?” The plump elder exclaimed, “He wouldn’t dare, would he?”

　　“He would!” Leng Wufeng shook his head. “He’s treading carefully!”