With the surrounding assassins wiped out, the trio had to switch to another place to turn in for the night.

　　They lit another bonfire at another end of the forest. The trio sat by the bonfire.

　　Lu Yurong and Xiao Qi took off their white veils, one revealing a porcelain charming face while the other, an innocent yet delightful face. Both ladies had their own charms and were equally matched. The air felt fresher.

　　“I heard you played a part in King Ping stripping himself of his military authority.” Lu Yurong hurled some firewood in. She clapped her hands and stared at Chu Li.

　　Chu Li sat opposite her. “Who did you hear it from?”

　　“What do you think!”

　　Chu Li pondered deeply before shaking his head. “It’s not my doing. King Ping spirit was down he and no longer wished to fight at the border. He’s sick and tired of it… Killing that many cavaliers of the Li Dynasty to protect the Ji Dynasty yet he wasn’t able to protect his own wife. He’s disheartened.”

　　“Isn’t it because he resents the Emperor?” Lu Yurong put on a fake smile.

　　“Partly, I guess,” Chu Li answered.

　　The Emperor could provide protection to all the princes but did not care about the consorts. His wife required protection while he guarded the frontier but the Emperor failed to provide assistance.

　　Of course King Ping would have resentment! If he did not show it, it meant the hatred was buried within and this deep sentiment would eventually lead to trouble. The Emperor felt more at ease with King Ping displaying his feelings in the open.

　　Lu Yurong added, “So the Emperor ditched the Secret Guardians Hall’s Deputy Commander to the Imperial Mausoleum and you, the centurion as well?”

　　Chu Li glanced at her without saying a word.

　　Lu Yurong laughed. “Or should I say, your blind meddling and conscience left you in this state?”

　　“Why ask when you already know!” Chu Li snorted.

　　“I wanted to see if you’re going to lie!” Lu Yurong smiled. “At least you didn’t try to deceive me but look at you down in the dumps. Your martial arts’ crippled and sent to the Imperial Mausoleum. You no longer have hope to return to the Fairy’s Capital. It’s over for you!”

　　Chu Li nodded. “Yes, it’s over for me.”

　　“However, I see you’re able to keep it all together.” Lu Yurong sized him up.

　　She thought Chu Li would be at a loss. Confidence did not come out of nowhere, it was from becoming strong. Chu Li was in high spirits because of his martial arts. With his martial arts gone, surely so was his confidence.

　　She did not think Chu Li would still be in high spirits, showing no signs of dejection.

　　She was impressed that the man was able to keep his cool and remain unshaken in the face of turmoil. This was true strength. She had always had great respect for Chu Li’s bold vision It was something she could not compete with.

　　Chu Li said, “I’m without martial arts but I can live an easy life with my wits.”

　　“Hehehe!” Lu Yurong chuckled. “Easy life? You wish!”

　　Chu Li shook his head without adding.

　　Xiao Qi responded dully, “Lu Yurong, do you know something we don’t?”

　　“Oh, Third Lady Xiao’s worried now?” Lu Yurong smiled at her. “I’m not going to say!”

　　Xiao Qi frowned. “There’s trouble in the Imperial Mausoleum?”

　　Lu Yurong flashed a fake smile.Visit on our vipnovel.com

　　Chu Li answered, “King Jing should feel at ease now, right?”

　　Lu Yurong pursed her lips into a smile. “King Ping is making concessions to gain advantage.”

　　Chu Li gasped within at her display of extreme intelligence. He replied, “Anyhow, he’s taking a step back. King Jing can take this chance to infiltrate the military. Miss Lu, you should be busy. Why do you have the time to watch me make a fool of myself?”

　　“There’s no rush.” Lu Yurong curled her supple lips.

　　She was ecstatic over King Jing’s hopes of ascension and with her biggest opponent struck with adversity, she could not resist coming over to show off.

　　Xiao Qi said, “There’s still another ten years. Ten years may flash by or move slowly, no one knows what’s bound to happen!”

　　She dully added, “Chu Li cultivated martial arts in less than two years. It’ll be faster for him to regain his martial arts. Moreover, getting to Green Deer Cliff to ask for a Life Returning Pill isn’t hard.”

　　She may be indifferent and uncompetitive but she could not take Lu Yurong being smug, especially when Chu Li was in the pits. It was adding salt to injury. Chu Li may be dejected.

　　Lu Yurong scowled and snorted at the thought of Xiao Yueling. “So crippling your martial arts was an act for the Emperor? Regaining your martial arts thereafter, what do you take the Emperor for?”

　　Chu Li smiled. “Miss Lu, although I can’t aid King Jing in his quest, it’s easy for me to ruin it for him.”

　　Lu Yurong narrowed her sharp eyes.

　　At the exchange of glances, sparks were flying in both their eyes.

　　Suddenly, Chu Li looked to his left-hand side and shouted, “Fa Yuan, since you’re here, why don’t you join us?”

　　“Amitabha…” A soothing calm chant was heard by the trio.

　　Fa Yuan, dressed in gray cowl came close to the bonfire and pressed his palms together in greeting. “Brother Chu, and both female almsgivers.”

　　Chu Li smiled. “Fa Yuan, are you here to make fun of me?”

　　Fa Yuan smiled. “The world’s unpredictable. I didn’t think Brother Chu would end up like this.”

　　“No one can predict the future. I didn’t think I’d meet you, Fa Yuan, in such circumstances.” Chu Li smiled.

　　Lu Yurong snorted. “Monk, what are you here for?”

　　Fa Yuan smiled. “Why can’t I be here, if Almsgiver Lu can?”

　　“It’s just petty evildoers. They won’t be able to withstand a single blow.” Chu Li smiled. “There’s no need for you to be here.”

　　“It’ll be a huge disgrace if Brother Chu was harmed by petty evildoers.” Fa Yuan shook his head.

　　Lu Yurong snorted. “Monk, you and Chu Li were both coined the double pride. You must be afraid he’s bringing you down.”

　　Fa Yuan smiled without saying a word.

　　Xiao Qi said, “Master Fa Yuan, do you know the actual situation in the Imperial Mausoleum?”

　　“The mausoleum’s interior, exterior, and adjacent town.” Fa Yuan nodded. “With Brother Chu crippled of his martial arts, he will be running errands in one of the towns by the Imperial Mausoleum.”

　　Lu Yurong snorted. “I will be informing the town’s guards under King Jing’s instructions to offer extra attention to Chu Li. You’ll be given easy tasks. Are you happy now?”

　　“Then, give my thanks to King Jing.” Chu Li motioned a fist salute.

　　Lu Yurong rolled her eyes at him.

　　Fa Yuan answered, “Those running errands in the town are people sent to guard the Imperial Mausoleum. The residents there are from outside the mausoleum and some families of those inside the mausoleum. The town is pretty safe so there’s no call for concern.”

　　Xiao Qi secretly let out a sigh of relief.

　　Chu Li added, “We better make haste on our journey tomorrow and arrive at the enclosing town as soon as possible.”

　　He exchanged small talk with Fa Yuan, asking about Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture and if there was a way to restrain it.

　　Fa Yuan shook his head. The teachings of Reincarnation Temple, Titanium Temple, and Tempest Temple were different. However, Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture were shrouded in mystery. He did not know of a way to restrain it.

　　In the next two days, the journey was quiet. It was as though the assassins dared not come forth and had left after seeing how the group had grown in number.

　　On the afternoon of the third day, they arrived at a small town. It was around the size of Qing Yun Town, bustling with incoming and outgoing people.

　　The four went to the Town Defense Prefecture.

　　The Town Defense Prefecture was situated in the center of town. The place looked rather shabby, worn out and nowhere close to luxurious. Security was lax with only two Protectors watching the door. There were no other Protectors in the residence.

　　Chang Gui was short and stout. He sat on an armchair in the hall of the Town Defense Prefecture. He was a jolly man without the commanding stature that naturally came from a person defending a town. In fact, despite being a breath of fresh air, he was a Grandmaster with high cultivation level.

　　Chang Gui measured Chu Li from head to toe. “Chu Li, Head Chief Chu, I have heard of your name from here.”

　　Chu Li gestured a fist salute.

　　“Why don’t we do this? You’re no use without martial arts. You’ll be responsible for cleaning the streets.” Chang Gui smiled.