Chapter 1108: Coercion

　　“Too selfish, hmph!” Gu Yu sneered.

　　Chu Li said, “It’s above reproach for you to come at me when you were the Deputy Commander but to continue to fixate your focus on me when you’re now the Commander just means you have a narrow mindset.”

　　“You have a point,” Gu Yu replied dully. “Let’s quit the formalities since no one’s a stranger here. How will I stand if I don’t take down a centurion like you? Mei Er Courtyard is held in high esteem in the Secret Guardians Hall because of you. I can’t order them to do anything.”

　　Chu Li smiled. “Then Commander Gu should think about why you can’t order them.”

　　“Need I say more?” Gu Yu smirked. “It’s because you’re inciting them from behind. Plus, you gave them a new lease of life, so they’ll only bow down to you. But they take my words lightly, making it impossible for a Commander to even order his subordinates! How absurd!”

　　Chu Li shook his head. “They only have respect for the capable. Commander Gu, you may be of high ranks and hold great power, but these aren’t important to the secret guardians. They often meet with untold dangers and if their leader’s incapable, their efforts in the price of breaking a leg or two would come in vain. Not to mention, they’ve risked putting their lives in grave danger!”

　　“So you’re saying I’m incapable?” Gu Yu narrowed his eyes and sneered.

　　Chu Li answered, “What skills do you possess? Do you have Commander Fu’s accurate judgment, Commander Xu’s sense of right and just, or my keen observation? You’re only thought of highly by the Emperor, what contribution of value do you have for the Secret Guardians Hall?”

　　“You sure have a sharp tongue on you!” Gu Yu smirked.

　　Chu Li shook his head. “You’re good for nothing yet you refuse to admit that you’re mediocre. You’d rather insist to work on something incredible. Don’t you know the Secret Guardians Hall’s work has to be done in secret without catching any attention? Instead, you’ve done the exact opposite, creating a foul atmosphere in the Secret Guardians Hall and leaving it in disarray!”

　　Gu Yu grimaced.

　　Chu Li continued, “You can’t establish credibility on your own so you sought to make others an example. Not everyone will respect you for defeating or killing so and so. They may look like they revere your presence but deep inside, they’re taunting and looking down on you!”

　　“Shut up!” Gu Yu shouted.

　　Chu Li gave a fake smile. “Did I hit the nail right on the head?”

　　“Shut your trap!” Gu Yu gritted his teeth and glared coldly at him. “Mind your words!”

　　Chu Li burst into laughter. “See that? Here you go again, trying to intimidate with power and doing as you please because you’re in the Emperor’s favor. That’s the one thing you won’t rely on. You’re in His Majesty’s favor today but who knows, you might be despised tomorrow!”

　　“Shut up!” Gu Yu smacked the table which made the teacup spring up and spill.

　　Chu Li grinned without saying a word.

　　Gu Yu took a deep breath to suppress his anger. He had never heard of such harsh words.

　　The Emperor was pleasant to him and the princes had always greeted him with a smile. No one had ever ridiculed or criticized him like Chu Li did. His words had pierced Gu Yu like a knife, hitting him where it hurt. It was a cutthroat remark.

　　Chu Li commented, “Although I can’t be compared to you when it comes to being in the Emperor’s favor, I’m not some pushover that you can push. But because the Emperor has stripped me of my secret guardian post, you think that you can be a menace? Aren’t you counting your chickens before they hatch? You lack foresight! You just couldn’t wait to deal with King An’s Imperial Residence but what would the Emperor think of you? You don’t have the mindset to cope with the Commander position in the Secret Guardians Hall. If you know what’s best for you, you should resign from your Commander position before you stir any more trouble. Just indulge in your Deputy Commander position and the Emperor might still think highly of you. You won’t be in His Majesty’s favor anymore at a few more slip-ups. Who knows what would become of you then!”

　　Gu Yu took a deep breath before he coldly blurted, “You think I won’t dare to kill you?”

　　Chu Li burst into laughter. “You dare kill me? Well, I don’t mind learning a thing or two from the assassins of Secret Guardians Hall. However, don’t blame me for not holding back then, Commander Gu!”

　　“So what if a crippled person like you refuse to hold back!” Gu Yu dully retorted.

　　His mood had improved a little and he had a sudden revelation that there was no need to take Chu Li’s words to heart. A disabled such as he only knew to stick his tongue out!

　　Chu Li smiled. “You can try and see if I can kill you!”

　　“You talk big!” Gu Yu snorted.

　　Just then, Xiao Shi and Xiao Qi treaded in, dressed in white. Along with them were Su Ru, Yang Xu, and Menglan.

　　“Consort.” Gu Ya got up and motioned a fist salute. He adopted a stern countenance. “I am to blame for my failure to restrain my subordinates and for offending King An’s Imperial Residence. Please forgive me!”

　　Without sparing him a glance, Xiao Shi walked towards the master seat with Xiao Qi taking a seat beside her. Her movements remained graceful and a feast for the eyes.

　　Su Ru and the other ladies stood behind them as they silently eyed Gu Yu.

　　Chu Li smiled.

　　With a stiffened face, Gu Yu released both of his arms.

　　Chief Zhu personally served tea before he quietly excused himself.

　　Chu Li beamed. “Consort, this Commander Gu has come to apologize but ever so unwillingly.”

　　Xiao Shi gave Gu Yu the side glance before she dully replied, “Oh, I dare not accept. I’ll be eternally grateful as long as Commander Gu doesn’t destroy the Imperial Residence. This is a place of orphans and widows, and without His Royal Highness around to take charge, it serves us right to be bullied!”

　　Gu Yu frowned. From within, he was growing frustrated.

　　She was blatantly calling out on his actions of tyrannizing the weak. However, King An’s Imperial Residence was no weak force. In fact, the men, including a centurion of Secret Guardians Hall were crippled. They had sustained a huge loss.

　　Chen Donghai was his right-hand man. He needed help from an experienced person like Chen Donghai who knew the ropes to take control over Secret Guardians Hall or he would be in the dark on how to handle it.

　　Crippling Chen Donghai was similar to breaking his right hand. It was a tremendous loss.

　　Gave them an inch, they took a mile. Although he had suffered heavy casualties, he still had to make amends and apologize. This was the last straw!

　　Xiao Shi dully replied, “Save it, Commander Gu. I dare not accept your apology. I should ask Commander Gu for leniency and spare my life!

　　Gu Yu gritted his teeth.

　　Chu Li let out a cough. “Is Commander Gu unhappy with the Emperor’s decree?”

　　He could tell that Gu Yu was on the verge of blowing his top and flipping the table. Hence, he joined the conversation to hit home.

　　At the release of his body’s tension, Gu Yu swallowed his pride.

　　Surely Xiao Shi would make tearful complains in the Imperial House if he were to leave in a huff. He would then be reprimanded by the Emperor and be forced to make amends once more. It was better if he endured it now.

　　Chu Li grinned. “Commander Gu must think that I was making empty threats? Are you aware of my humble wife’s identity?”

　　“Hmph, who doesn’t know of the Yi Public House’s Third Lady?” Gu Yu coldly blurted.

　　Chu Li said, “If my humble wife were to cripple a few Grandmasters as well as you in the Secret Guardians Hall, how would you say the Emperor would punish my wife?”

　　Gu Yu took a glance at the cheerless Xiao Qi. Immediately, he was struck with fear.

　　Since the Public Houses were held in high regard, the Emperor would definitely punish Xiao Qi if she were to do so but the punishment would not be severe. At most, it would be a huge fine but no hands would be laid on her.

　　Chu Li smiled. “Commander Gu, you should know better if my humble wife is capable of doing so.”

　　Gu Yu took a deep breath to suppress his anger before he solemnly answered with a fist salute. “Consort, please forgive me for offending you! From here on out, the Secret Guardians Hall will not step foot into King An’s Imperial Residence or bother anyone from the Imperial Residence!”